A generic example of Catalog Item selector options for searching, grouping and navigating

• Search - Used to search for catalog items by name. Results are dynamically updated in the catalog items list. The searched text is also highlighted in the results.
• Group By: - Used to list catalog items in groups based on values assigned to specific catalog item properties. Groups can be collapsed and expanded by clicking the down/up arrows on the group name headers. For instance, selecting Group By: > Type for a wall catalog type creates groupings with Schematic, Partition, WallComponent, etc headings. Catalog items which have Type defined as Schematic, Partition, or WallComponent will be listed under those headings. You can also select Group By: > Do Not Group to create a flat list with no grouping. (Exemption Mechanical).
• (Large Icons) - Displays a representative icon for each catalog item listing.
• (List) - Displays catalog item listings without any icons.
• (Float) - When selected, the Catalog Item Selector combo box is detached from the placement/modify dialog, and becomes a separate dialog. You may prefer to have the floated dialog docked and always open over clicking the Catalog Item Selector in the placement/modify dialog for each catalog item selection.
  Note: The main dialog remains open and refreshes the thumbnail and preview in response to the selected catalog item.
  Click the Dock icon to close the floated dialog.
• Recently Used - Lists catalog items that were recently selected in a "Group". This is useful because when you need to repeatedly place or modify the same catalog items, you do not need to repeatedly browse or search the main catalog items list.

• (Reset to Defaults) - Resets the selected catalog item property values to the default state as defined in the catalog library.
• (Edit Catalog Item) - Used to edit the selected catalog item. Opens the Catalog Editor, where you can create and edit new catalog types and catalog items. Catalog Editor can also be used to edit existing data and to view catalog item instance properties and values by definition.
• (Catalog Item Manager) - Used to manage catalog items library into organizational dataset. Opens the Catalog Item Manager, where you can copy or move catalog items into the dataset, and promoting current catalog items by moving then across workset levels.

The Properties combo box contains tools for sorting and searching the properties list:

• (Categorize) - When on, catalog item properties are grouped in categories based on the catalog type definitions. When off, the properties are listed alphabetically without grouping.
• (Alphabetical) - When on, catalog item properties are listed alphabetically without grouping. When off, the properties are listed in categories.
• (Description) - Toggles a description field at the bottom of the placement dialog listing information about the highlighted catalog item property. The information listed includes the property definition display name, internal name, and type definition.
• Search - Used to search for catalog item properties by name. Results are dynamically updated in the properties list.

• Placement Point - Modifies the location of the baseline relative to the member section by selecting from the drop list items.
  
  
  

  Placement point options equate the drop list options

  The Centroid placement point is enabled only if the section is fully symmetric (wide flange I beam) or if the section properties include a valid centroid.

  Tip: Key-in STFMODIFY PPINPLACE to modify structural members’ placement points and correct the member line such that the resulting member is at the same location in space by using a special key-in only tool.
• Mirror - When on, constructs an identical member type, but in a mirror-image/flipped orientation.
• Local Y offset & Local Z offset - Moves the physical member's placement points in the Y and Z axis directions.
• Rotation Angle - Keyed in directly or selected from a drop down list of common angles between minus 180° and plus 180°.

• Section Name - Sets the section shape for the structural element. The selection made here overrides the Structural shape defined for the selected Structural component type. You can select from a list of Recent section shapes or from the loaded Library of shapes. You can also browse and load more shape category types with the available Shape Catalog option.
  
  
  
  • Recent - Choose from the Section Name drop down list of recently used sections.
  • Library - Choose a section from the loaded Structural section files. Narrow your search by selecting from the Type, Class and Size options.
  • Shape Catalog - Opens the Shape Catalog where you can browse and load more shape category types.
  Note: If you are using the Legacy - Structural Elements, section definitions are selected using the legacy section picker.
• Structural Finish – Sets the finish to be applied to the structural member.
• Tapered – When on, two section data options are enabled; One for End 1 and the other for End 2.
• End 1 – Display/Select section definition for the first end of a tapered member.
• End 2 – Display/Select section definition for the second end of a tapered member.
• Fillets – When on, fillets are constructed between flange and web surfaces with the structural member is placed.

• Structural | Function - Sets the type of usage for the structural member. Choices are Structural and Non-Structural.
• Structural | Material - Displays the material property for the structural member.

• Stud Count - Sets the number of studs on the member.
• Camber - Sets the amount of predefined upward curve in the member used to avoid the effects of sag.
• End 1|2 Shear - Sets the magnitude of shear forces acting on the member's end points.

• Tension Only - When on, the brace is set to be a tension only brace. Braces in a tension-only braced frame are designed to resist, in tension, 100% of lateral shear forces in the braced frame. Since the resistance of braces acting in compression is ignored in the design, tension-only braced systems must be direct-acting and concentrically braced frames. Tension-only braced frames are commonly used in construction of buildings that have a high storey(s) but are subjected to relatively small lateral forces, such as single-storey buildings.
• Minimum/Maximun Axial Force - Sets the minimum and maximum allowable loads through the center of gravity of the brace.

• Part Definition - Lists the default family/part definition assigned to the structural member being placed.
  Structural linear members are Building forms. All forms are associated with a part definition. Similar parts are grouped together into a family. The referenced datasets delivered with OpenBuildings Designer use material as the family (steel) and member function (beam) as the part. Part definitions include default symbology values for displaying the form in the drawing output, and information for quantifying the form in a schedule, etc. Parts defined as Structural parts also include section orientation, end treatment and extended Structural data. Associated analytical members are handled in the same way. The active family and part information is displayed in the Family/Part Toolbar. If the active part (and/or family) is changed during placement, the Property Panel dialog is updated.

  The Part Definition property is a link to the Family/Parts system. Placement tools use the Part Definition value to access the part information and to set the default values for section orientation, end treatments, extended data, and associated analytical members. Selecting another catalog item updates the entire Property Panel dialog including DataGroup properties and part related properties. Similarly as the Part Definition property value is always synchronized with the active part definition, changing the value also updates the Family/Part Toolbar. That is, that whenever and however part names change, all the part-related values get updated.

  The handling of the relationship between DataGroup catalogs and Family/Part systems also enables catalog types for Structural linear members to include the ObjectMaterial catalog schema. This schema contains the Section Name property. Placement tools retrieve the default section data value from the Section Name property. The Section Name property value in the Properties list is synchronized with the Placement contextual ribbon tab's (End 1) section name. Changing the value in either tab updates the data on the other.

For instance:

• A column placed at the intersection of two grid lines E and 3. Column Location is reported as E-3.
• A column placed on a grid line F, but at a certain distance away from grid line 3 (in the negative Y direction). Column Location is reported as F-3 [0:0, -14:2 1/2].
• A column placed at a location that is not directly on any grid line. Column Location is reported relative to the nearest grid line intersection (grid lines F and 3) as F-3 [10:8 13/16, 12:0 3/4].

• Mark - Sets the identification mark for the structural member. Members are typically marked with a prefix. For instance:
  • B-1 for Beams
  • C-1 for Columns
  • P-1 for Purlins, etc.
  You can edit the field to set a relevant Mark, if it differs from your standards.
• Type - Sets the type of structural member. Types are typically the identification of the member category. For instance:
  • Beam for Beams
  • Column for Columns
  • Purlin for Purlins
  • Handrail for Handrails, etc.
  You can edit the field to set the relevant Type.
• Material - Sets the type of material for the structural member. For instance:
  • Steel
  • Timber
  • Concrete, etc.
  You can edit the field to set the relevant Material.
• Grade - Sets the grade for the structural member. Grade indicates material specifications standard, and is added as an attribute to the member.
  • A36, A50 for Steel
  • 4000psi, 5000psi for Concrete, etc.
  You can edit the field to set the correct gradation.
• Status - Sets the status for the structural member. For isnatnce:
  • New
  • Old
  You can edit the Status from New to Old when over the time the member gets older.
• Class - Sets the class for the structural Member. Class indicates the member order, usually stated as the following:
  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Framing, etc.
  You can classify the member to suit as appropriate.
• User1 .. User 4 - Sets the user defined variables 1 through 4 for the structural member. You can set and alter the name of the variables to be unique to manipulate parts externally in 3rd party applications.
• End1 / End2 Detail - Sets the end 1 and end 2 detail for the structural member. For instance: Type I / Type II.