To create a cylindrical frame or circular beam, use the following procedure.

1. Select Frame Models from the Model Type drop-down list.
2. Select one of the cylindrical frames or beam types by either:

   double-clicking the icon

   or

   click-and-drag the icon to the view window

   • Cylindrical Frame — a cylindrical frame with the cylinder height along the Z axis
   • Reverse Cylindrical Frame — a cylindrical frame with the cylinder height along the Y axis
   • Circular Beam – a single layer of coordinates which form a beam along a circular arc (i.e., polar coordinates)
   The Select Parameters dialog opens.
   
3. (Optional) Type a Model Name.
4. For frames, type the total Length along the central axis of the cylinder.
5. Type the Radius and the sweep Angle of the frame.
   Tip: For a full circular frame or beam, leave the Angle 360.
6. For frames, type the No. of bays along length.
7. (Optional) For frames with irregular spaced bays along the length:
   1. Click the […] button adjacent to the No. of bays along length field. A dialog opens.
   2. Type the length of each bay.
   3. Click OK.
   Note: The total length of the bays must add to the overall length specified in the Select Parameters dialog. The precision should be to about 3 decimal places (e.g., 11.333).
8. Type the No of bays along periphery to specify the number of spaces along the circumference of the circle.
9. (Optional) For frames with irregular spaced bays along the length:
   1. Click the […] button adjacent to the No. of bays along periphery field. A dialog opens.
   2. Type the angle subtended by each bay.
   3. Click OK.
   Note: The total of the angles of all the bays must sum to equal the total Angle given in the Select Parameters dialog.
10. Click Apply.