Beam

Preface

Inspired by a rafter, a beam also can be used for other purposes.

Parameters

Rotation

Rotation around the z-axis

Length

The length projected on the groundplane (2d) (x-coordinate in beam dimensions)

Width

The width of the beam (y-coordinate in beam dimensions)

Height

The height of the beam (z-coordinate in beam dimensions)

Roof pitch

Top Cutting

Cutoff type at end of beam (from a beams front view). Types are Vertical, Horizontal, Perpendicular and "By Degrees"

Top Degrees

Value for Top Cutting with type of "By Degrees"

Top Shift

Value for cutoff direction at top (from a beams top view)

Bottom Cutting

Cutoff type at beginning of beam (from a beams front view). Types are Vertical, Horizontal, Perpendicular and "By Degrees"

Bottom Degrees

Value for Bottom Cutting with type of "By Degrees"

Bottom Shift

Value for cutoff direction at bottom (from a beams top view)

EleCons

Assigned connector id's that are not top or bottom in the form "A03" (the object name of a connector)

EleCon top

Three values for two matching connector id's at top of a beam and a beam id (object name) for the counterpart

EleCon bottom

Three values for two matching connector id's at top of a beam and a beam id (object name) for the counterpart

Buttons

Beam

Project to roof plane...

Functions like the tool Beam Projection in beam mode to project the active beam to the roofplane of another. Adapts pitch to match another beam. Does not cut off automatically as it is optionally possible with the tool.

Tilt beam...

Adapt the beam objects tilt angle (that is not a parameter but object rotation(s)) to a drawn line in front or side view.

Cutoff beam...

Calls the Cutoff Beam Tool to cut off the beam on a line.

Position beam...

Calls the Beam Positioning Tool multiply a beam on a line.

Swap direction...

Swaps beginning and end of the selected beam.

Mirror...

Duplicate and mirror the selected beam 180° at the end (top).

Connector

Add connector...

Add an existing connector id to the beams EleCons parameter

Edit connector...

Temporarily display the parameter dialog of a chosen connector to edit its fields.

Connector right

Place a connector in the middle of the right side (surface) of the beam.

Connector left

Place a connector in the middle of the left side (surface) of the beam.

Top / Bottom

Add connector (add / refresh)

Add a connector on beginning or end of the beam. A target beam may be selected, then the connector is duplicated. If these connectors already exist, a refresh is done, meaning their positions are calculated and reset.

The following three entries are made in the beams parameter field EleCon top / bottom:

Id of connector
Id of connector of target beam
Id of target beam.

Edit connector

Temporarily display the parameter dialog of the bottom / top connector to edit its fields.

Cutoff top / bottom ...

Calls the Cutoff Beam Tool in cut off at beginning / end mode to cut off the beam on a line.

Other

Select unassigned connectors

Selects all connectors in the drawing, that are not assigned to a beam.

Delete all connectors

Deletes all connectors in the drawing!

Experimental

Current experimental development feature.

Beam Projection Tool

With this tool, it is possible to project a beam and therefore adapt its pitch angle to another beam. There are two modes:

Project to Beam

In this mode, a beam is projected to another (target) beam, selected by the tools first mouse click. There are also selectable modes to cut off the beam at the beginning and end (planes) of the other beam. Please note, that for these operations - projection and cut off - the planes defined by the top surfaces of the target beam are used.

Project to Line

In this mode, the projection operation is done out of the current view (To be used in front, back or side views). A cutoff cannot be applied.

Cutoff modes

In "Project to Beam" Mode, there are options to cut off the beam at beginning, end or both beginning and end of the target beam.

Beam Positioning Tool

With this tool, it is possible to duplicate and position a beam multiple times. A beam may be selected before calling this tool, otherwise depending on the mode, a beam is looked up at the first or second point. There are four modes:

Fixed Distance

In this mode, the beams are positioned on a two point positioning line with a fixed distance. (set with the tools settings button)

Maximum Distance

In this mode, the beams are positioned on a two point positioning line with an equal distance lower than a defined maximum distance. (set with the tools settings button)

Distance Line with Maximum

In this mode, the beams are positioned multiple times with a fixed distance defined by a line of the first two clicked tool points. The third point defines the maximum distance (perpendicular to the outgoing beams' direction) to which the multiplication takes place.

Multiple Points

The beam is duplicated to each collected tool point. The collection of points stops with a double click.

Distance Settings

With the last button, there are possibilities to set the fixed or maximum distance (depending on the mode). Also, an option is available to skip the last multiplied beam. This is useful if there's already a beam.

Cutoff Beam Tool

With this tool, it is possible to cutoff one or multiple beams on beginning or end. There are three modes:

Automatic

Line:	In this mode, the cutoff at beginning or end is done by guessing the position of the drawn cutoff line to the beam(s). This mode also may be used in an arbitrary view other than plan or top plan to cut off the beam along the line in the view direction.
Polygon:	In this mode, all beams within a defined cutoff polygon intersecting a line of the polygon are cut off at beginning and end. This mode must be operated from top view.
Rectangle:	Similar to polygon mode but easier to draw.

Cutoff at beginning of beam

Similar to automatic line mode, but the cutoff is forced to be at the beginning of the beam

Cutoff at end of beam

Similar to automatic line mode, but the cutoff is forced to be at the end of the beam