Endplates - Layout tab

Setting	Description
Layout of Plate	Sets the connecting plate layout, can override the default layout set when invoked by the tool. Automatic - The application determines which layout type to be used depending on the position of the selected shapes. Splice - Creates an end splice connection between two members. Enables the Rotation setting, additionally. Note: The threshold angle, which differentiates between, spliced and standard plate connections is approximately 45°. If you want to create the Flange type, you need to set it explicitly as otherwise a plate connection at the web is always created. Tip: You can define a separation line for a continuous shape by pressing `<Enter>` or by right-clicking the mouse when you are prompted for the supporting shape. Flange - Creates a connection between a beam and the flanges of a supporting member. This option must be selected manually. It is not automatically selected by the application (using the Automatic option). Normal - Creates an end plate connection between the member and either the web or flange of the supporting member. Different connection types which can be created. From left to right: Normal (automatic), Splice, Flange, Normal (automatic) The Normal layout is usually best suited, e.g. for connecting rafters by endplates at a fixed midline. The End Plates connection keeps the member dimensions intact, that can be ensured by preferably keeping the ECS axis turned on.
Plate Dimensions	Doubler Plate – When checked, creates a second plate with different dimensions than the first one. Enables input fields for the doubler plate values in the second column (while Plates equal is unchecked). Note: You can set the Plates equal option to include a doubler plate but use all the same dimensions as the main end plate. Width – Sets the width of the plate(s) (in case of `I`-shapes: parallel to the shape flange). Thickness – Sets the thickness of the plate from the drop-down list. Length – Sets the fixed length of the plate independent of the shape height. If you type a value `0` for the length, then you can type the plate length variably in the Offset Top and Offset fields as distance from the upper and lower edge of the selected shape. Offset Top – Sets the distance from the upper shape edge. A positive value reduces the plate dimensions towards the middle, and a negative value increases the plate dimensions beyond the shape. Offset (Bottom) – Sets the distance from the lower shape edge. A positive value reduces the plate dimensions towards the middle, and a negative values increases the plate dimensions beyond the shape. Slot length – Sets the slotted hole distance. Rotation Slot – When checked, rotates the axis of slot. Rotation (for Splice layout) – Sets the rotation axis of connection shape for end plate rotation, by the angle set in the second field. The Rotation options available are: Upside, Downside, or Middle.
As Polyplate	When checked, the inserted end plates are not created as polyplate objects, instead of as flat steel.
Rotate Connection	When checked, turns the complete connection by 180° around the insertion axis, if upper and lower side were exchanged at generation of the connection. In case of asymmetric plates you can define the plate position here.
Plates Equal	Enabled when Doubler Plate is checked. Sets all the dimensions of the doubler plate equal to those of the main end plate.
Rotate Flat Steel	Enabled when As Polyplate is unchecked. Rotates the inserted flat steel endplate by 90°. This affects change in the dimensions.
(Retrieve plate dimension from a shape)	Adjusts the first plate to the cross-section of any existing shape selected in drawing.
(Copy dimension of 1st plate to 2nd)	Copies the data of the first plate into the input fields of the second plate.
Gap	Sets a space between the supporting shape and the plate. This allows you to consider finishing tolerances.
Plate Offset	Hoizontal – Sets the horizontal connection offset distance. Shifts the entire endplate connection parallel to the flange of the connecting shape by the offset value. Vertical – Sets the vertical connection offset distance. Shifts the entire endplate connection parallel to the web of the connecting shape by the offset value.

Layout of Plate

Sets the connecting plate layout, can override the default layout set when invoked by the tool.

Automatic - The application determines which layout type to be used depending on the position of the selected shapes.
Splice - Creates an end splice connection between two members. Enables the Rotation setting, additionally.
Note: The threshold angle, which differentiates between, spliced and standard plate connections is approximately 45°. If you want to create the Flange type, you need to set it explicitly as otherwise a plate connection at the web is always created.

Tip: You can define a separation line for a continuous shape by pressing <Enter> or by right-clicking the mouse when you are prompted for the supporting shape.
Flange - Creates a connection between a beam and the flanges of a supporting member. This option must be selected manually. It is not automatically selected by the application (using the Automatic option).
Normal - Creates an end plate connection between the member and either the web or flange of the supporting member.

Different connection types which can be created. From left to right: Normal (automatic), Splice, Flange, Normal (automatic)

The Normal layout is usually best suited, e.g. for connecting rafters by endplates at a fixed midline. The End Plates connection keeps the member dimensions intact, that can be ensured by preferably keeping the ECS axis turned on.

Plate Dimensions

Doubler Plate – When checked, creates a second plate with different dimensions than the first one. Enables input fields for the doubler plate values in the second column (while Plates equal is unchecked).
Note: You can set the Plates equal option to include a doubler plate but use all the same dimensions as the main end plate.
Width – Sets the width of the plate(s) (in case of I-shapes: parallel to the shape flange).
Thickness – Sets the thickness of the plate from the drop-down list.
Length – Sets the fixed length of the plate independent of the shape height.
If you type a value 0 for the length, then you can type the plate length variably in the Offset Top and Offset fields as distance from the upper and lower edge of the selected shape.
Offset Top – Sets the distance from the upper shape edge. A positive value reduces the plate dimensions towards the middle, and a negative value increases the plate dimensions beyond the shape.
Offset (Bottom) – Sets the distance from the lower shape edge. A positive value reduces the plate dimensions towards the middle, and a negative values increases the plate dimensions beyond the shape.
Slot length – Sets the slotted hole distance.
Rotation Slot – When checked, rotates the axis of slot.
Rotation (for Splice layout) – Sets the rotation axis of connection shape for end plate rotation, by the angle set in the second field. The Rotation options available are: Upside, Downside, or Middle.

As Polyplate

When checked, the inserted end plates are not created as polyplate objects, instead of as flat steel.

Rotate Connection

When checked, turns the complete connection by 180° around the insertion axis, if upper and lower side were exchanged at generation of the connection. In case of asymmetric plates you can define the plate position here.

Plates Equal

Enabled when Doubler Plate is checked. Sets all the dimensions of the doubler plate equal to those of the main end plate.

Rotate Flat Steel

Enabled when As Polyplate is unchecked. Rotates the inserted flat steel endplate by 90°. This affects change in the dimensions.

(Retrieve plate dimension from a shape)

Adjusts the first plate to the cross-section of any existing shape selected in drawing.

(Copy dimension of 1st plate to 2nd)

Copies the data of the first plate into the input fields of the second plate.

Gap

Sets a space between the supporting shape and the plate. This allows you to consider finishing tolerances.

Plate Offset

Hoizontal – Sets the horizontal connection offset distance. Shifts the entire endplate connection parallel to the flange of the connecting shape by the offset value.
Vertical – Sets the vertical connection offset distance. Shifts the entire endplate connection parallel to the web of the connecting shape by the offset value.