Form: Define Groups
The concept of groups is the backbone of some powerful tools in ETABS. A group is a collection of objects that is assigned a name. After the group has been named and objects have been assigned to it, named groups can be used as follows:
Design concrete and steel frame elements, including composite beams, composite columns and steel joists, by group. ETABS selects the optimum section that works for all frame elements in the group.
Use groups to define section cuts in a model and then obtain the forces acting on those section cuts.
Define a group name as follows:
Select the Define menu > Group Definitions command to access the Define Groups form. The All group and its display Color will display in the Groups spreadsheet-like area. The All group includes the elements in the model; those elements will display in the Color shown.
Click the Add button. The program will add a new Group1 name and its display color. Click the Color box to display the Color form and select a new color, as desired. Repeat this step as many times as necessary to create as many Groups as will be needed.
Click the OK button.
After group names have been defined, select objects and use the Assign menu > Assign Objects to Groups command to assign the selected objects to the name.
Change a group name as follows:
Click the Group Name cell in the Groups spreadsheet-like area (e.g., click Group1) and type the revised name..
Depress the Enter key on the keyboard.
When all changes have been made, click the OK button.
Delete a Group Name:
Highlight the group name in the Groups area of the Define Group form.
Click the Delete button.
See also