M. To add beams by drawing on a grid
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On the Geometry ribbon tab, select the Grids > Snap Grid Beam tool in the Structure group.
The Snap Node-Beam dialog opens and the current grid is displayed in the active View window.
Tip: The dialog and grid are automatically opened if you select Start adding beams in the New model wizard. - Optional:
Either:
- click Edit to edit the currently selected grid
- click Create to create a new custom grid (radial and irregular grids must be custom)
- Optional:
Set the Snap to existing nodes too
Note: Existing nodes have precedence over grid intersections, in order to prevent creating duplicate nodes.
- If it is not already active, click Snap Node/Beam in the Snap Node/Beam dialog.
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In the Active view window, click any grid intersection or existing node (if the option was set) to select the start point of a new beam member.
A cross icon "snaps" to the nearest grid line intersection or existing node to the mouse pointer. This indicates the tentative point for placing a beam end. Once the start end is selected, a red circle indicates the start point and a line is rubber-banded to the snap point nearest the mouse pointer.
- Click the end point of the beam.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you are finished drawing beams.
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To stop drawing beams, either:
- press Esc
- click Snap Node/Beam in the Snap Node/Beam dialog