AutoConnect Data Manager - Record Setup tab

Used to setup and define the records that will be used to determine which member shapes and how it get connected.

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Setting Description
(Connection Naming)
  • Name ? Sets the name for the connection. The default is NewConn. The label allows you to organize connections within a project but does not affect the functionality of the program.
  • Connection Definition ? Sets the definition that decides how the two members being connected are placed. The preview of selected connection is displayed in the right pane.
    Click and hold to see enlarged view.
  • Connection Type ? Sets the type of the connection that determines the method the two members are connected. Options available are:
    • Clip Angle
    • Shear Plate
    • End Plate
    • Base Plate
Member Rotation Range Sets the rotation range for the selected connection definition.
  • Update values from Connection Definition ? When checked, updates values from connection definition. The values are read from an external file ?CDM_angle.ini? located in the project folder.
  • Axial / Vertical / Horizontal ? The values show the angle range that the two members being connected at must be between in order to be connected.
    Clicking on the ?>? against each (Axial, Vertical and Horizontal) toggles the preview.
Connecting Members / Supporting Members Settings for both connecting members and supporting members used to describe two member types that are being connected. The connection type with the information set determines how these two members get connected. Creates record of information set for the member types.
  • Member Description ? Sets one of the member types:
    • Beam(index 2)
    • Grits(index 6)
    • Purlin(index 7)
    • Column(index 3)
  • Member Shape Class ? Sets the class (category) of shape needed in connection.
  • Member Material ? Sets the type of material required this member is made of. The "*" option indicates all materials or no material comparison.
  • Shape Catalog ? Sets actual shape type that will be used.
  • Depth ? Defines what size member is being connected. The depth range displayed within Min and Max is taken as Depth value for the records seen in the Connection Data tab.
(Connection Records) List the connection records created in the project. The record manipulating tools are used to build the database of members you wish to connect.
  • The Created Record ? Lists the connection records currently available / filtered. The table lists the position, definition and type details, as they are created. Clicking in a row highlights the record and displays the current settings in members fields. The selected record and be updated or deleted.
  • Toolbar ? Four record manipulating tools are available.
    • (Add Record) ? Creates a new record with current data. Amends it in the records list in the end.
    • (Delete Record) ? Deletes selected connection record from the list.
    • (Delete All Records) ? Deletes all records of connection listed in the records list.
    • (Update Record) ? Updates the currently highlighted record with updated settings.
  • Filter ? Used to apply filter to list only connection records based on the check marked connection types.
  • The Created Record ? Lists the connection records currently available / filtered.

    When you run the Generator portion of AutoConnect, it will look here to see if the members in your model fit into any of the parameters you stored here. If the information matches, it will then look at the connection database you chose at the top of this page to use with these members (Endplate, Shearplate, etc.) and place the appropriate connection for you.

(Project setup) Provides a quick access to project managing tools from here, instead of switching to Project Setup tab.
  • Projects Path / Project Name ? Displays the path and the name of the current project.
  • (New project) ? Creates a new project. Available provisionally to proceed with connection records.
  • (Copy Project) ? Copies current project to a new name provided.