M. Toolbar

Contains several of the most commonly used tools found in the Free Sketch module.

Tool	Description	Same effect as selecting …
New	Opens an empty section design file. If the currently loaded section has been modified, then the option is given to save it prior to commencing with the new design.	File > New
Open	Opens the Open Data file dialog, which is used to select an existing Section Sketch Data file (file extension .cns). Controls in this dialog are analogous to a common Windows open dialog, except as noted in the following. If the Preview option is checked, then a preview of the section can be displayed prior to opening the file.	File > Open …
Parametric Section	Opens the Parametric Section dialog which is used to quickly create sections based on a section type and a number of key dimensions and insert that section as an external contour.	File > Parametric Sections …
Save	Saves any changes made to the current data file. Note: If the current file has not been previously saved, this has the same effect as selecting Save As…	File > Save
Find Equivalent Section	Opens the Equivelant Section module with the current section properties as input values, which can be used to search for an Equivalent section to the current drawing.	File > Equivalent Section …
Section Builder	Launches the Section Builder module.
Undo	Negates the last drawing operation. You can undo a series of modifications by repeatedly selecting Undo.	Edit > Undo
Redo	Negates the last undo modification. You can redo a series of negated modifications by repeatedly selecting Redo.	Edit > Redo
Cancel Operation	Cancels the current drawing operation.	ESC
Overall Dimensions	Opens the Overall Dimensions dialog, which is used to specify the size of the workspace that will be required to create the section. The minimum it should be set to is the overall dimensions of the section but can be set larger.	Edit > Overall Dimensions …
Grid Setup	Opens the Grid Parameters dialog, which is used to specify the grid spacing along the Y and Z directions and the Angle of rotation of the grid axes.	Settings > Grid Options …
External Contour	Used to set or clear the external contour drawing mode, which defines the outside of the section.	Edit > Draw External Contour
Internal Contour	Used to set or clear the internal contour mode, which is used for creating internal openings within an external boundary.	Edit > Draw Internal Contour
Circle hole	Used to set or clear the circular hole drawing mode, which is used to define the center of a hole (e.g., a parametrically defined, circular inner contour) and radius graphically.	Edit > Insert circular hole, center and radius
Circle hole with specified radius	Insert circular hole with defined radius	Edit > Insert circular hole with defined radius
Copy inner contour(s)	Used to window either a rectangle or polygonal area to select one or more internal contours for copying. Copies can be placed manually or by specifying offset distances.	Edit > Copy inner contour
Multiple copies of inner contour(s)	Used to window either a rectangle or polygon area to select one or more internal contours making multiple copying. Copies can be placed manually or by specifying offset distances and a number of copies.	Edit > Multiple copy of inner contour
Smooth	Used to set or clear the smooth corner drawing mode, which is used to select a corner to fillet and then opens the Smooth radius dialog to specify a radius value for the rounded corner.	Edit > Radius Corner…
Delete	Used to set or clear the delete internal contour drawing mode, which is used to remove internal contours by clicking anywhere in their boundary.	Edit > Delete internal contour
Move Vertices	Used to window either a rectangular or polygonal area to select one or more vertices to move. Vertices can be moved either manually or by specifying offset distances.	Edit > Move vertices
Delete Vertices	Used to select a single vertex or window either a rectangular or polygonal area to select one or more vertices for deletion.	Edit > Delete vertices
Edit coordinates of Vertices	Displays all vertex numbers in the View window and opens the Coordinates dialog which is used to specify precise coordinates of each vertex for a selected contour.	Edit > Edit vertices
Calculation	First opens the Poisson's Ratio dialog which is used to specify a value for Nu. Calculates the cross-sectional properties of the composite section and the opens the Basic Geometry dialog to display the values.	File > Calculation
Report	Formats and sends the data to the Report Type option defined in the Misc sheet of the Program Options dialog. See Options below.	File > Report
Stress Field	Opens the Section forces dialog, which is used to specify major axis moments and axial force on the section. Click OK to close the dialog and display the stress distribution on the section drawing.	File > Stress field
Options	Opens the Preferences dialog, which is used to set the units, colors, output types, and databases for standard sections.	Settings > Preferences …
Grid	Used to set or clear the display of the drawing grid in the View window.	Settings > Grid
Center of Gravity	Used to set or clear the icon that shows the location of the center of gravity.	Settings > Center of Gravity
Shear Center	Used to set or clear the icon that shows the location of the shear center.	Settings > Shear Center
Show Coordinate Axis	Used to set or clear the display of the coordinate axis.	Settings > Coordinate Axis
Principle Axes	Used to set or clear the display of the principle axis of the current cross section.	Settings > Principle Axis
Zoom In	Used to increase the magnification in the View window.	Settings > Zoom In
Zoom Out	Used to decrease the magnification in the View window.	Settings > Zoom Out
Help	Opens the Section Builder help window.	Help > Help Topics
About	Opens the About Section Builder window, which displays version and copyright information.	Help > About …