Rotation

Specifies the angle of the framing member object

Span

Specifies the horizontal projection of the framing member in the floor plan; for rafters, specifies the horizontal distance from the inside surface of the supporting wall to the inside surface of the ridge board.

The Span, Length, and Pitch parameters are interdependent and are automatically calculated. When the span value is changed, the length is recalculated; the pitch remains fixed.

Length

Specifies the length of the framing member

When the length value is changed, the pitch is recalculated; the span remains fixed.

Width

Indicates the framing member profile width

Height

Sets the framing member profile height

Type

Select the form of framing element: rafter, solid beam, wood floor truss, open-web steel joint, cold-formed steel channel, steel section, or custom profile

Structural Use

Provides a label describing how the framing member is used.

To specify your own structural use name, click Other. The Enter Special Structural Use dialog box opens; enter text for the structural use of this framing member and click OK.

Material

Select the framing member’s material. Select Default to use the material implied by the framing member Type, when the selected type indicates a material (for example Steel Section).

To add a material to the list, click Other. The Add New Material dialog box opens; enter the new material and click OK. The material is saved with the document.

Volume

Displays the calculated volume of the framing member

Volume Units

Select the units for calculating the framing member volume: board feet, cubic feet, cubic meters, or the default volume units set for the file (see Units)

Quantity Label

Describes the standard material size required for the specified framing member, for use in quantity worksheets.

When there is no standard material size that accommodates a specified measurement, the label displays a ?. You can edit the Lumber Sizes.txt file (located in the Vectorworks application folder [Vectorworks]\Plug-ins\VW_Arch\Data) to add material sizes that are available in your locale. Restart the software after editing the text file for the changes to take effect.

Pitch

Specifies the slope of the framing member along its span

When the pitch value is changed, the length is recalculated; the span remains fixed.

Lock End on Resize

For framing members with a non-zero Pitch, select to resize the member from its start point, instead of its end point

Beginning/Ending miter

Specifies the miter angle at each end of the framing member. This is the angle that the framing member is cut, in plan.

Beginning/Ending bevel

Specifies the bevel angle at each end of the framing member. This is the angle that the framing member is cut, in elevation.

2D Display

Select the 2D display method for the framing member: solid, centerline, width, or width with centerline

Show Label

Displays the text entered in Label Text as a label next to the 2D representation of the framing member. After placement, adjust the text position with the control point.

Label Text

Enter the text to display in 2D as a label

Vertical Reference

If you change the vertical reference from top, center, or bottom, the Change Vertical Reference dialog box opens; if the object position is maintained, the framing member remains stationary and the placement line is adjusted. If the defining line is maintained, the framing member object moves accordingly.

Rafter

Bearing inset

Specifies the offset distance of the framing member’s bearing point (insertion point) from its end

Overhang

Specifies the additional length that the framing member extends past its end

Eave Style

Select vertical, horizontal, double, or square eave profile

Fascia Height

For double eave styles, specifies the height of the end of the framing member profile

Upper Notch Offset/Depth

Indicates the size of an optional notch located at the top of the framing member

Solid Beam

Draw 2D Hangers

Displays 2D graphics indicating framing hangers at start, end, both, or none

Roll Angle

Specifies the angle the framing member rotates about its cross-section axes

Wood Floor Truss

Draw 2D Hangers

Displays 2D graphics indicating framing hangers at start, end, both, or none

Flange Height

Sets the height of the truss top and bottom chords; the chord width is set by the object width

Web Width/Height

Specifies the size of the truss web components; if Use Solid Web is selected, the Web Width parameter specifies the thickness of the solid web

Panel Spacing

Indicates the spacing of the truss “panels” (subdivisions)

Draw Verticals

Displays vertical web components between each sloping web component

Use Solid Web

Toggles the web component configuration between “open-web” and solid, “I-beam” style

Open-Web Steel Joist

Flange Height

Sets the height of the truss top and bottom chords; the chord width is set by the object width

Web Width/Height

Specifies the size of the truss web components

Gauge

Sets the thickness of the top and bottom chords

Panel Spacing

Indicates the spacing of the truss “panels” (subdivisions)

Draw Verticals

Displays vertical web components between each sloping web component

Bottom Bearing

Toggles the configuration of the truss between top chord and bottom chord bearing

Cold-formed Steel Channel

Draw 2D Hangers

Displays 2D graphics indicating framing hangers at start, end, both, or none

Flange Height

Specifies the length of the top and bottom flange extensions

Gauge

Sets the thickness of the framing member

Roll Angle

Specifies the angle the framing member rotates about its cross-section axes

Steel Section

Roll Angle

Specifies the angle the framing member rotates about its cross-section axes

Select Structural Shape

Click to open the Select Structural Shape dialog box to select the structural shape to use for steel sections. Select the structural shape from a library or the current file. Select the shape’s series and size, and click OK.

Structural Shape data

Displays the selected structural shape symbol name, series, and size

Custom Profile

Profile Symbol Def

Displays the selected profile symbol name

Choose Profile Symbol

Select the symbol for placement. The files and folders available in the current document and in the libraries are listed on the left. Select a file to display thumbnails of the symbols available in that location, and select the desired symbol.

The profile name displays in the Object Info palette.

Roll Angle

Specifies the angle the framing member rotates about its cross-section axes