Selecting the Layout - Beams - Add Off-Grid command will cause the Add Beam Off-Grid Mode dialog box to appear. In this dialog box, you define the material properties of the new beam. Depending on the material chosen from the Materials menu, the contents of this dialog box will vary.

• Defining Steel Beam Properties
• Defining Concrete Beam Properties
• Defining ' Other' Beam Properties
• Defining Smartbeam Properites
• Defining Westok CELLBEAM Properites

Selecting Units:

Within the Add Beam Off-Grid Mode dialog box, you have the option to change the units of the Dist edit box, if you are using the English system of units. To enter distances in inches, select the Inches option button. To enter distances in feet, select the Feet option button.

Adding the Beam:

Beams laid out by the Beam - Add Off-Grid command are placed in reference to existing beams or columns. Because you enter the exact distances and angles a beam is to be placed relative to existing members, Add Off-Grid is a more accurate modeling tool than Add-On Grid and should be used whenever feasible.

There are five methods of adding a Beam Off Grid:

• Beam to Beam [Dist, Dist]
• Beam to Beam [Dist, Angle]
• Beam to Column
• Column to Beam
• Parallel to Beam

Return to the Add Beam Off-Grid Mode dialog box with the Right Mouse Button or the "D" key.

Return to the Layout - Beams menu with the "M" key.

Clicking Cancel or selecting any other RAM Modeler Layout command will end the Layout - Beams - Add Off-Grid command.