ProStructures Help

Shapes - Straight shapes tab

Used to enter a straight shape.
SettingDescription
Shape Type Select the general shape type here. The ProStructures shapes are divided into the following different types:
  • Standard – These are shapes based on a data base included in the standard delivery range.
  • User – These are shape definitions which you can create yourself by drawing the cross-section once and creating a shape out of this cross-section.
  • Roof/Wall Panel – These are special shapes created by you which have been optimized for roof-wall installation.
  • Combined Shape – These are shapes which are combined out of several already defined types.
  • Weld Shapes – These are also user-defined and permit any shape which can be welded by means of plates.
  • SPC Standard – These are hot rolled shapes included in Bentley Structural Property Catalog.
    Note: To use this option, you must have Bentley Structural Property Catalog installed on your computer and select a version of the SPC Version to use from the ProStructures Options dialog Shapes tab. When you select a catalog version, you must restart ProStructures in order to use that catalog.
    Limitations:
    • Only SPC hot rolled shapes with an equivalent geometric class in ProStructures are supported
    • Widget tables are supported by ProStructures locally
    • Connection tables in existing ProStructures shape MDB files are supported by ProStructures locally
    • If SPC is missing locally, then the Shape Class and Shape Size fields will be blank in the Shape Properties dialog Shape Type tab. This is similar behavior to when an existing shape MDB file is missing on a system.
Shape Class Depending on the selected shape type, the available shape catalogs are listed here. You can specify which catalogs for standard shapes are listed by means of the Shape Catalog selection. For all other shape types, the created shape catalogs are listed from the corresponding directories on the hard drive.
Resolution Here, you select the resolution of the depiction Low, Normal and High for special shapes to make the monitor display clearer in case of complex types. You can change the resolution at any time afterwards if a more detailed depiction is required for instance.
Shape size After a shape catalog is selected, all included shape sizes are displayed in this list.
Options
  • Key - Each shape has its own clear access key. This access key can be entered directly here to create non-standardized shape sizes of tubes, flat steel, round iron, etc.
  • Material - Selects the material of the shape.
  • Level - Specifies on which level the shapes are created.
  • Part Family - If a family classes are defined, you can set them here. The selection of the family class can influence the color of the part.
  • Detail Style - If detailing styles are defined, you can set them here.
  • Display Class - If display classes are defined, you can set them here.
  • Area Class - If area classes are defined, you can set them here.
  • Description - If general parts descriptions are defined, you can set them here. The selection of the description can influence the color and the layer.
Delta X The insertion offset in x-direction; this field can only be entered, if you have selected the position ‘Free’ as insertion point (this is the biggest displayed insertion point).
Delta Y The insertion offset in y-direction; this field can only be entered, if you have selected the position ‘Free’ as insertion point (this is the biggest displayed insertion point).
Item No. An item number can be used directly here.
Turn Sets the angle of rotation used to turn the shape around the insertion axis.
Length Specifies the length of the shape. This is important if you want to insert shapes in the cross-section. Inputs in this field overwrite the length specified by the insertion points.
Angle When on, enables setting angle to insert a shape.
Angle by Enabled when the Angle is unchecked. Used to define the method to insert a shape by —by Line or by 2points.
Group When on, creates a group out of the shape after insertion.
Insertion points When on, the standard insertion points of the shape are displayed.
User-def. ins. points When on, the user-defined insertion points of the shape are displayed.
Shape Data Opens the Shape Data dialog, which displays the parameters for the selected shape.


Interrupt dialog Typically, inserted shapes are tentative (connected with the dialog), so subsequent modifications can be transferred to inserted shapes. If you do not want this functionality, you can interrupt the connection using . However, the shape is not deleted.
Mirror All inserted shapes, which are still tentative (connected with the dialog), are mirrored along their Y-axis. This is done by exchanging the insertion points.
Rotate positive The shapes are rotated in a positive direction (turned left in shape direction) around their insertion point using the entered value.
Rotate negative The shapes are rotated in a negative direction (turned right in shape direction) around their insertion point using the entered value
Preview Displays the selected shape as a cross-section. Insertion points are shown as well. Select one of these points to insert the shape at this insertion axis in longitudinal direction. Additional to the corner and center points, more points appear with a slightly smaller depiction (hole crack, center of gravity or manually created insertion points at special shapes) as well as a larger points (free placing).
Insert on line First you are prompted to select a line. The end points of this line are used as insertion points of the shape.

If it is unclear which of the line points is the starting point and which is the end point, ProStructures displays a cone for asymmetrical shapes. The cone permits exchanging the insertion points and allows you to obtain a shape mirrored about the y-axis.

If the selected line is a multi segmented line, a cranked shape is inserted along the multi segmented line. Bend radii used for angled shapes are specified on the Options tab Radius setting. If set to 0, a minimum radius is used.
Insert two points First you are prompted to pick any two points in the space, which then are used to insert the shape.
Insert diagonally Available if an insertion point other than the middle axis insertion points is selected as insertion point.

First you are prompted to select a line or to select two points using the "Point" option. The shape is inserted along these points as follows: The selected insertion position at the starting point is kept (e.g. center of the lower edge). At the end point, however, the opposite position is used (in this case center upper edge).

If Select Position after Insertion is activated, the positions are exchanged with rotations by clicking the left mouse button.
Insert three points You first select the starting and end point where the shape has to be inserted, then the third point defining the alignment. Dynamic mode (see options) is activated automatically. The shape dynamically follows each move of the mouse pointer so the position can be determined precisely.
Insert on multiple lines Allows for the simultaneous insertion of several shapes. Lines are selected simultaneously, and the desired shapes are inserted along them.

If the lines are positioned in a way such that the end points are coincident, the inserted shapes are mitred (if Options tab > Radius is set to 0) or additional arcs with the corresponding Radius are inserted. 

Tip: Depending on the selected insertion point, results can be inconsistent. It is recommended to insert along the center line.
Insert with angle and length Enabled if you have indicated a fixed shape Length. You are prompted for an insertion point and for an alignment. Depending on the selection of the insertion point, the shape is inserted along the alignment.
Insert as cross section and length Enabled if you have indicated a fixed shape Length. You are prompted for an insertion point and for an alignment. The shape is inserted on the current XY-plane of the UCS with the corresponding length to the back (into the depth).