creating custom truss symbols

[Jake Wilson]

So the company I work for purchased several hundred feet of name brand truss is a custom style to support our LED Walls.

 

The manufacturer has not created a VW symbol for the custom truss so I am working on it now.

 

I have created usable symbols with all proper dimensions, now I would like to add the bells and whistles other truss symbols have like, roll and hang angle, Properties data,  rotation options,  along with any other standard truss data.

 

I have been browsing around the boards but have not found a comprehensive guide to creating truss symbols from the ground up. 

 

Can someone send me a link to any guides or tutorials that may exist.

 

Any constructive advice or pointers would also be welcome.

[Jake Wilson]

Ok, so I have figured out the Rigging / Braceworks convert to truss option.

 

However when I complete the conversion for some reason the insertion points and magnets are off set from the truss symbol. The left point sits in the middle of the truss and the right point sits half the distance away when in an ISO view.

 

I did place 2D and 3D LOCI at the end center of the 2D and at the bottom center of the 3D. 

 

Anyone know if there is a way to manually move them to each end of the truss?

Custom 3M Truss V1.vwx

[JustinVH]

Your truss was setup in the wrong order. The correct order to get the magnets placed easiest is as follows:

 

1. Create geometry and then convert to a hybrid symbol through the Create Symbol command.

2. Attach the Truss Record to all of the symbols to convert them to truss symbols instead of standard non-intelligent symbols.

3. Insert the truss into the drawing and when the Truss Properties dialog pops up enter all of the information such as type, connects with, length, and dimensions.

4. Once complete go to Tools>Utilities>Update Truss Magnets and run that command to insert the magnets. They will use the length and dimensions from the Truss Properties to place them in the proper location.

 

If you want to move them manually you can go to Edit 3D Component and each magnet will have coordinates and type in the OIP. From there you can place them by adjusting the numbers in the X,Y,Z fields or just moving by Move by Points or the Move command.

[Jake Wilson]

Hey Justin

 

Thanks for the information.

 

where do I find Edit 3D component? if this in a tool or menu option?

[JustinVH]

Right click on the symbol in the Resource Manager and that option will be in the list.

[Jake Wilson]

Thank you for the edit 3d directions.

 

regarding your comment that the truss was setup in the wrong order.

 

The truss symbol, object, blah blah blah, whatever you want to call it was already built by a VW user who is not a rigger and does not really understand truss, I am trying to improve it so we have a usable truss symbol.

 

I have attached the instructions I used, which I copy pasted off this forum. I do not recall the thread but I can probably dig it up if I need to.

 

if you can please give it a read and let me know where I went wrong.

 

Thank you

Creating custom truss instructions.docx