Connecting rigging objects

The Insert Connection tool either connects rigging objects with a drop or stacks them with a truss cross connection. When stacking rigging objects, you can choose to move the object to be stacked either up or down, and select which object to move to bring the rigging objects into parallel alignment, if needed. See Concept: Rigging objects for more information.

Connecting rigging objects with drops

2.If an offset is needed, enter the Offset value and toggle Enable Vertical Offset on.

4.Click on the rigging object to move either up or down (stacking the moved truss below or above).

Valid rigging objects are highlighted, and a preview of the drop location displays.

If the trusses to be connected require adjustment to be stacked in a parallel alignment, the Move Parallel Trusses for Drop dialog box opens. Select whether to move the top truss system (the one with the higher Z value) or the bottom truss system into correct alignment. The selected item is moved.

6.The first time you use the tool in a file, the Select Hoist dialog box opens to select a hoist symbol for the drop. From the Resource Selector, select the symbol to insert.

Connecting rigging objects with a truss cross

1. Click the tool, and then, depending on whether you want to stack a truss above or below another one, click either Place Rigging Object on Top or Place Rigging Object Below mode.

2.If an offset is needed, enter the Offset value and toggle Enable Vertical Offset on.

4.Click on the truss to move (stacking the moved truss above or below the reference truss).

The truss is stacked with the reference truss, and any connected hoists, attached loads, and supports move with the truss. If hoists are connected between the trusses, they are removed; hoists connected to other truss sections may be lengthened or shortened.

A truss cross is automatically created at the connection point. A truss cross indicates how to calculate and model the connection between stacked trusses. Its appearance indicates the type of connection (whether it is connected, flexible, or rigid; can transmit all forces, or only tension or only compression forces, or no forces). A label indicates the truss cross’s name, type of connection, and the current force.

Parameter	Description
Properties
Name	Enter a truss cross name
Force	Displays the calculated force (Braceworks required)
Connection Type	Indicates whether the truss cross is rigid, pliable, or not connected; a truss cross that does not transmit any forces is considered not connected
Transmitted Forces	Indicates whether the truss cross can transmit all forces, or only tension or compression. Rigid truss crosses always transmit all forces. If the truss cross is not connected, this parameter is not available.
Display
Show Symbol	Display the selected symbol instead of default geometry
Symbol Name	Displays the name of the selected symbol
Select Symbol	Opens the Resource Selector to select a resource for placement; double-click a resource to activate it
Offset	Sets the vertical offset between the top truss and bottom truss; the value can be 0-300 mm (0-11.8 inches). If you change this value from the Object Info palette, you are prompted to select whether to move the top or bottom truss system to apply the new offset.
Classes	Opens the Classes dialog box to control appearance and visibility of the truss cross parts; do one of the following: ● Click Use Standard Classes to set the class names for the truss cross parts to the standard. ● Select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Object Class> to place the part attributes in the same class as the truss cross object.
Select similar objects
Objects of same name	Selects truss cross objects with the same Name parameter
Objects of same connection type	Selects truss cross objects with the same Connection Type parameter
Objects of same transmittable forces	Selects truss cross objects with the same Transmitted Forces parameter

Mode	Description
Insert Drop	Creates a connection between two rigging objects by placing a hoist at the clicked point
Place Rigging Object on Top	Stacks a rigging object above another one, moving a truss and all its associated supports and loads on top of the reference truss. A truss cross is created at the connection point.
Place Rigging Object Below	Stacks a rigging object under another one, moving a truss and all its associated supports and loads below the reference truss. A truss cross is created at the connection point.
Preferences	Opens the Select Hoist dialog box, to select a hoist symbol to use in Insert Drop mode
Enable Vertical Offset	Toggles the offset insertion on and off
Offset	If Enable Vertical Offset is on, adds the specified distance between the top truss and bottom truss. For rigging objects connected with drops, the truss to move adjusts to meet the specified offset distance. To change the offset value, see Changing the trim height of a system. For rigging objects connected with truss crosses, the offset value is added to a default distance of 0” between trusses. The Offset can be edited from the Object Info palette of the selected truss cross object.