Selecting the Assign-Frame Numbers menu-item causes the Assign Lateral Frame Numbers dialog box to be displayed. From this dialog the engineer can assign frame numbers to Lateral Frame members. The primary purpose of the frame numbers is to group frame members for output purposes, but they may have design implications as in the case of seismic special provisions (refer to Seismic Provisions Manual).

Enter a number in the Frame Number edit box to assign. Select the member types to assign this frame number to by clicking the appropriate option box under the Assign To area.

Note that different member types, within the same frame, can be assigned different numbers. After the appropriate frame numbers and member types values are specified, the engineer can assign the criteria to a single member (click on Single), to multiple members (click on Fence) or to all members (click on All). If Single is selected the dialog will close and a target cursor will be made available. Click on each section to assign the criteria. If Fence is selected the dialog will close and a fence cursor will be made available. Click and drag a rectangle around all the members to assign frame numbers.

To hide frame numbers automatically displayed for the assign operation select the Reset Model Toolbar button. To view member frame numbers select the appropriate option from the View-Members Dialog. In addition, an button (show\hide frame numbers) in the toolbar is provided to display or hide all frame numbers for all members.