Creating a Custom Truss Symbol

Vectorworks Spotlight ships with a comprehensive set of truss symbols, but you can create a truss from your own symbol as well. Various parameters are required for truss symbols to be valid. Once the parameters have been set for the symbol, it is saved as a truss resource, so the parameters only need to be set one time.

If you are inserting a truss symbol that does not have all the required parameters for structural analysis, the Truss Properties dialog box opens automatically so that all necessary parameters can be set.

To convert a symbol to a valid truss:

1. Follow the steps in Creating Symbol Definitions to create a hybrid symbol that serves as the basis of the truss.

2. Select an instance of the symbol.

3. Select Braceworks > Convert to Truss.

The Convert to Truss command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces) and subsequently used to convert trusses.

The Truss Properties dialog box opens. Specify the parameters required for a valid straight, corner, or circular (curved) truss.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Straight Truss
Object data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Length (L)	Enter the installation length
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the truss
Distributed Weight	Displays the distributed weight of the truss; this is calculated automatically based on the Length and the Total Weight. Changes here also affect the Total Weight value.
Cross Section data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Displays the cross section unique ID number, when a cross section file has been associated with the truss as described in Specifying Cross Section Data. Cross section information is required for valid calculations; if there is no identified cross section, calculations will not be complete.
Height/Width	If a generic (rigid) cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to; to list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to assist with understanding the parameters
Corner Truss
Object data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Weight	Enter the weight of the truss
Cross Section data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box, to select a cross section or switch to a different cross section
Height/Width	If a generic cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to; to list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to assist with understanding the parameters; enter the parameters below the diagram
Corner type	Select the type of corner geometry; the diagram adjusts by displaying the relevant required parameters
Parameter values	Depending on the selected Corner type, different parameters are required. The diagram indicates where the parameters are located. For typical corners, length values are required. For Custom types, up to six points can be defined. Specify the coordinates of the middle of the truss where the center lines cross. Then select the corners of the connection points that exist on the truss, and specify their coordinates relative to the insertion point.
Circular Truss
Object data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Diameter (D)	Enter the outer diameter of the circular truss
Angle	Specify the arc angle of the truss from the start point to the end point
Insertion point is center point	Indicates that the center point of the truss is also its insertion point
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the truss
Distributed Weight	Displays the distributed weight of the truss; this is calculated automatically based on the Length and the Weight. Changes here also affect the Total Weight value.
Cross Section data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box, to select a cross section or switch to a different cross section
Height/Width	If a generic cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to; to list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to assist with understanding the parameters

4. Click OK.

An alert opens; confirm whether to convert current instances of the symbol to trusses and create a truss resource by clicking Yes, or to only convert the currently selected instance and create a truss resource by clicking No.

A truss resource is created in the current file based on the original symbol and its specified data, and it can be selected from the Resource Manager or Resource Selector on the Tool bar for future placement in the drawing.

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Converting a Truss into a Symbol

Specifying Cross Section Data

Connecting Structural Elements

Concept: Creating a Connected Rigging System

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