Plan Views and Portal Frames

[POA]

Hello all, todays question relates to some trouble I am having getting my plans to look as I want. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

The problem arose when I needed to create a series of portal frames and wasn't content with the way the columns and beams joined in VW. To solve this I custom modelled the frames using the structural profiles available and put them on their own layer.

The issue is that now when I want to show structure in my plans it shows the whole frame, not just the columns at the point the plan should cut. To counteract this I created a horizontal section plan but in this view I cannot see any of the 2d symbols, i.e. door swings, stairs etc.

As mentioned any advice on solving the problem or accomplishing it a different way would be much appreciated.

[mike m oz]

Turn your portal frames into hybrid symbols:

- draw the required 2D over the top of the 3D you have modelled

- select both the 2D and the 3D and use create Symbol.

- select an appropriate point for the insertion point.

[POA]

Ah of course, thank you, now you say it, it seems so obvious.

It works a treat on the ground floor, it seems as though the 2d symbol is below the first floor slab though. How do i get it to show through on the first floor plan?

[mike m oz]

For the second floor plan I would use an equivalent 2D only symbol. This could be done by duplicating the hybrid symbol and then deleting the 3D part.

If you need to see the 3D part on both floors then use two hybrid symbols:

- one for the first floor which contains just the column parts; and

- one for the second floor part which contains the remaining column and rafter parts.

[POA]

Ah I see, thank you.

I was really hoping to keep this all as one element to help with future flexibility but it looks like thats not possible.

If this is the case I may well split the columns and rafters and add the rafters to the roof layer.

Thank you for all your help Mike.

[mike m oz]

When you have elements that appear in more than one plan view it usually means that you have to model in a way that gives you the required 2D output.

[bcd]

Also take a look at AutoHybrids - they offer the very useful ability to control the cut plane and the look of the 2d display.

[mike m oz]

Auto Hybrids have their uses.

The advantage of Hybrid Symbols is that the 2D can be drawn exactly as you want it.

Here is an example:

Edited November 14, 2014 by mike m oz

[POA]

Auto Hybrids are fantastic, I had no idea they were there.

So ultimately I have ended up creating an auto hybrid so that I can maintain a strong link between the 3d and 2d elements and created a symbol from that for repeated frames.

To solve the issue of the structure not appearing on the first floor plan I just moved the structure layer above the FF layer. Should have thought of that earlier really!

Thanks Mike and bcd for all your help, its very much appreciated.