Beam Tools?

[CS1]

Am I missing something:

There is the "Steel Section" tool which creates a 2D section of a beam (250UB33) etc.

And theres the "Framing Member" tool, that is 3D but when you cut a section it is just a rectangle.

Please tell beam there is a beam tool that does both!!!

(A 3D beam that when it is cut (section) looks like a beam)

[Jonathan Pickup]

the steel section is another localised tool..

the joist object has options to be a solid beam, Wood I-Joist, and so on.

[CS1]

Ok, I was hoping the beam tool would have the option of entering generic beam names like 250UB40 etc.

Do you know if the Wood I-joist tool has the option of changing the components dimensions (web, flange etc)

[mike m oz]

Ok, I was hoping the beam tool would have the option of entering generic beam names like 250UB40 etc.

If you are talking about the Joist tool then there is a label option that will allow you to enter whatever text you want.

Do you know if the Wood I-joist tool has the option of changing the components dimensions (web, flange etc)

Try it and find out.

[CS1]

Nah, there are specific beam sizes EG a 250UB40 may have the following sizes:

Depth 250

Width 146

Flange 6

Web 4

etc etc

There are basically three methods for using beams that I can see.

The Steel section tool

(you can get a perfect section including correct web and flanges sizes, but you cant give it any depth so is only usful for details)

The Framing member tool

(you can get a solid rectangular beam which you can control its line styles/dashes in 3D and in plans, but unable to get a good section)

Extrude what you want

Extrusions would be the perfect tool, except you cant control the line styles, so you cant show a beam dashed)

Is there any plans to make it possible to dash extrusions?

[mike m oz]

The wide flange steel joist mode of the joist tool allows you to have a precise height and width for a generic 'I' beam. I'll concede that the the flange and web won't be accurate dimensions relative to your selected real steel section, but in most circumstances that won't matter.

If you absolutely have to have them exact then create and use hybrid symbols:

- For the 3D part in an elevation view convert a steel section object to a group and then extrude it to the length you require.

- For the 2D part in Plan view draw the 2D representation you want directly on top of that 3D shape.

- Select both the 2D and 3D parts and create a symbol, selecting an appropriate insertion point.

- Use this symbol where required on the project.

The drawback to this process is you will need to create symbols for each unique size and length combination.

A third option is to learn scripting and create your own beam object.