Parametric Frame Builder

Used to create parametric window and door frames. These frames are cells that have both a 3D and 2D (top) representation (that is, each frame is a compound cell). The 3D appearance of the cell displays in the 3D model. The 2D appearance is used in the drawings (horizontal sections) and may display in the 3D model under certain circumstances. A parametric frame has a 3D representation that is visible in the 3D model, and a 2D representation that displays in the 2D horizontal section. A 2D representation of the frame can be displayed in the 3D model by selecting View Attributes and turning on the Construction attribute.

Accessed from:

Backstage: File > Parametric Content > Frame Builder

The Parametric Frame Builder tool is the most powerful of the parametric modeling tools. You can create and place parametric frames that are cell forms which can be customized and re-sized. Parametric frames are orthogonal forms created using free forms and/or compound cells. Parametric frames can be saved as cells in a cell library. Up to nine frames can be saved in a single parametric frame definition. In addition, parts can be assigned to individual frame elements so that all components used are included in reporting. The Frame Builder dialog provides many options, including:

Placing frames as shared cells.
Shared cell frames can be modified individually or globally (all instances in a DGN file).
Door and window trimming can be added to a frame.
Forms can be added to the frame to create a push bar, kick and trolley plates, cavity closures and other options.
A window or door leaf can be divided.
Openings in a frame can be filled.

Setting	Description
File	The following options are available from the File menu. New > New Frame... — Used to create a new frame. New > Compound Cell Library... — Opens the Create Compound Cell Library dialog, to create a new compound cell library. Open... — Opens the Open File dialog, to select and open a .bxf file (Parametric Frame Builder file). A .bxf file contains the name of the Settings file. Save As > Parametric Frame File... — Opens the Save File dialog, to save the created Parametric Frame Builder file. Save As > Compound Cell Library... — Opens the Add To Library dialog, to select the location and save the frame as a compound cell in the Compound Cell Library. Exit — Closes the Parametric Frame Builder dialog.
Settings	The following options are available from the Settings menu. Load... — Opens the Load New Frame Settings dialog, to load a parametric frame settings file (*.xml). Save As... — Opens the Create New Frame Settings dialog, where frame settings name and description is set and the current settings is saved in the dataset file selected in the list or in a new dataset file created after clicking New.
Name	Used to enter a name for the created cell; displays the name of the cell that is opened.
Action list box	Displays a list of Parametric Frame Builder commands. Each command manages a group of settings that control the creation of the parametric frame script. The settings group for the selected command is displayed directly to the right of the Action list box. The following Parametric Frame Builder commands are available from the Action list box. Settings — to control general construction of the frame. Dimensions — to control the size of an opening in the form. Add Cell — to add 2D and 3D cells to the parametric script. Add Form — to add other forms to a frame. Add Frame — to create and add other parametric frames to a script. Add Glazing Bars — to add glazing bars to a frame section. Add Hatch — to control the hatch of frame sections. Add Leaf — to add a leaf to a frame. Add Lintel — to control adding lintels to sub-frames. Add Sill — to control sill selection and position when added to a frame. Add Text — to add text to a frame. Divide — to divide of a frame by mullions. Modify Pane — to change the type of pane and the default settings of a pane. Set Lintel — to control values for bearing, height and overhang of a lintel. Set Opening Indication — to include an opening indicator in the 2D and/or 3D representation of the frame; and to set the symbology of the opening indicator. Set Part — to set the part and family of any subcomponent of a frame. Set Point — to set origin points in a frame. Set Section — to set the cross-sectional dimensions of frame elements. Set Sill — to set the thickness and overhang of the inner and outer sills. Set Symbology — to set symbology of frame subcomponents such as frame leaf and glazing bars. Set Text Attributes — to control the display of various text strings in the frame. Set Textstring — to attach text strings. Set Thickness — to set the thickness of walls and panes. Remark — to include comment lines in the command list box.
Action list box command settings group	The settings for the selected Parametric Frame Builder command are displayed in the area to the right of the Action list box. Settings in this area change according to the command that is selected. Individual command settings are discussed separately for each command.
Build Command	Adds the active entry to the Command list box.
Update	Executes the commands in the Command list box. Tip: Additional control Apply appears on the Edit Parametric Frame dialog when a parametric frame is being edited.
Place	Places the frame as a compound cell into the design file.
+ button / – button	Entries selected in the Command list box display in the field to the right of these buttons. They are used to insert or delete a command line in the Command list box.
Command list box	Displays a list of command lines for the parametric frame script.
Generate 2D	When on, generates a 2D portion (cell foot print) and opens a plan view of the parametric frame cell below the front view, on the right side of the dialog.
Front View	Displays the model from the front. The XZ plane is parallel to with the screen surface. X is positive from left to right (horizontally), Y is positive from bottom to top (vertically), and Z is positive toward the viewer, or perpendicular to the screen surface.
Plan View	Displays the model from the top. The XY plane is parallel with the screen surface. X is positive from left to right (horizontally), Y is positive from bottom to top (vertically), and Z is positive toward the viewer, or perpendicular to the screen surface.

Key-in: TFFRAMES

Key-in: TFEDIT PARAMETRICCELL