Points

Points are used to define the basic geometry of the structure or model. This includes columns, beams, walls, and slab edges. Points are also used to define load locations such as point loads, line loads, and area loads. Each Point is a point in space defined by coordinates in the horizontal and vertical directions or axes. Each floor level will have its own unique points.

Points are created automatically as you draw, but may be created manually from within the Point Locations Spreadsheet. Once created, either automatically or manually, the points may be edited within this spreadsheet.

To Define Points

• Select the Point Locations Spreadsheet from the Spreadsheets Menu and define the point coordinates.

Note

• You may use cut and paste, block fill, and block math to enter and edit points.
• You may choose the prefix that is used to label the points.

Rounding Off Joint Coordinates

•   Select the Tools Menu and choose Round Off Joint Coordinates.

Note

• This utility will round off all the joint coordinates to 1, 2, or 3 decimal places (user selected). This sometimes is useful for models that have been generated or created via DXF import and have joint coordinates with a large number of decimal places that aren't significant. Rounding off those coordinates makes the data more consistent and can help avoid problems such as non-coplanar plate/wall joints. Also, the default member orientations can change based on whether the member is exactly parallel to a global axis and slight unintended coordinate differences can have an impact here as well.

Point Locations Spreadsheet

The Point Locations Spreadsheet records the labels and coordinates for the points and may be accessed by selecting Point Locations on the Spreadsheets Menu.

The pull down list at the top of the spreadsheet allows you to toggle between floors.

Use the first column to assign a Label for each point. You can then refer to each point by its label. Each label has to be unique for that floor level. If you try to enter the same label more than once you will receive an error message. As you create new lines, the program will automatically create a new, unique label for each point.

The next two columns contain the coordinates of the point in theZ direction, or horizontal and the X direction or vertical directions. These represent the offsets of the points from the origin of the coordinate system (0, 0). The appropriate units are listed at the top of each column.

The last column contains Elev Offset. The elevation of the point is referenced for the floor level. If you enter a number larger than zero, the floor will be sloped.

Note:

• Only the points located at supports can have an Elevation Offset larger than zero
• The Elevation Offset value can not be entered into the spreadsheet negative. If a negative value is calculated for a cantilever, the value cannot be manually adjusted.
• Only the top floor level in the model is allowed to have an Elevation Offset larger than zero. This feature is meant for the use of sloping roofs.

Point Joint Information Dialog

Just as with the members and plates you You may double-click any pointjoint to view it’s properties.  All of the same information that is stored in the Joints Points spreadsheet is displayed for the pointjoint you choose, and may be edited.  This is a quick way to view and change pointjoint properties.  For large selections of pointsjoints however the spreadsheet and graphic editing tools may be the faster solution.

Floor - This reports which floor level the point is located on. It is not editable in this dialog.

Label - You can view and edit the pointjoint’s label.

Coordinates - You can view and edit the pointjoint coordinates.

Elevation Offset - You can view and edit the vertical elevation offset (for points on sloping floors). This is only available on the top-most floor level.