M. To create a group from a selection

To create a new group using a selection of model objects, use the following procedure.

Group names are a means for easily identifying a collection of entities like Beams, Plates or Solids using a single moniker. By grouping these entities, we need to assign attributes such as member properties and material constants just to the group, a simple process, compared to the task of assigning them to the individual members.

The file EX. US-1 Plane Frame with Steel Design is used to demonstrate this feature.

Consider the members which form the truss as being in one of three groups: Top Chords, Bottom Chords, and Web Members.

Select the top chord members: With the model open, use the Beam Cursor tool to select the members forming the top chords (i.e., members 8 through 13).

Tip: Press and hold the <Ctrl> key and then click the members in the View window.
Either:

On the Utilities ribbon tab, select the Groups tool in the Geometry Tools group

or
press <Ctrl+G>

If you have not previously defined any groups, the Define Group Name dialog opens. Otherwise, the Create Group dialog opens (skip to step 4).
Specify the group details:
1. Type a name in the Group Name field.
  Note: Group Names must begin with the underscore "_" character.
  A group name such as _TOPCHORD can be used for this example.
2. Select the object type from the Select Type drop-down list.
  Groups can consist of nodes, beams, plates, solids, and a general category called geometry. Geometry can be used to associated objects of mixed types.
  Select Beam for the top chords example.
3. Click OK.
The Create Group dialog opens. At this point, you have created a group name but it does not yet contain any objects.
Select Associate to Selected Geometry and then click Associate. The selected members are added to the group.
Select other model objects.
Tip: The Create Group dialog can remain open while you change selection tools and select objects in the View window.
For the example file, the members forming the bottom chord (members 20, 21, 22, and 23).
Associated these members with a new group:
1. Click Create in the Create Group dialog.
2. Follow steps 4 and 5 and assign the Group Name and objects type as the Select Type. For the example file US-1 Plane Frame with Steel Design.std, use the name _BOTCHORD for the bottom chord members.
Repeat steps 5 and 6 to create additional groups as needed. For the example file US-1 Plane Frame with Steel Design.std, you can select the truss web members (members 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19) and add them to a group named _TRUSSWEB
Click Close in the Create Group dialog.

Select the Group Selection tool in the Selection group on the Selection ribbon tab to open the Select Groups dialog, which can be used to select a named group.

Note: If the option for Show Label are unchecked, labels such as beam numbers will not be displayed for these specific members, even if the beam numbering icon is switched on for the entire structure.