Align Joints/Frames/Edges

From: Align Selected Joints/Frames/Edges

The Edit menu > Align Joints/Frames/Edges command provides some powerful tools for aligning model objects.

Click here for an Important Note about aligning joints, frames and edges.

Reorientation of Objects Connected to a Joint. If a joint is moved using the Edit menu > Align Joints/Frames/Edges command, all objects connected to the joint are reoriented. For example, if the joint at the top of a column is aligned (moved) in plan, the top of the column moves with the joint object. The bottom of the column does not move. Note that in that case, because the column is no longer vertical, ETABS automatically changes it to a brace.
Unselected Joints of a Frame. Assume that a frame is selected but the joints at the ends of the frame are not selected. Next assume that the Edit menu > Align Joints/Frames/Edges command is used to align (move) this frame. In that case the frame moves but the joints at the ends of the frame do not move. New joints are created at the ends of the frame in its new position if necessary. Any other objects connected to the joint at the ends of the frame in its original location remain where they are; they do not move in any way. Similarly any assignments to the joints at the ends of the frame in its original location remain where they are. If no other objects are connected to the joints at the ends of the frame in its original location and if no assignments were made to those joints, ETABS deletes them after the frame has been moved.
Aligning Edges of a Shell. When ETABS aligns an edge of a shell, only the edge of the shell being aligned actually moves. All other edges of the shell remain in their original locations. Thus when a shell is aligned, its shape changes.
Unselected Joints of a Shell. Assume that a shell is selected but the joints at the corners of the shell are not selected. Next assume that the Edit menu > Align Joints/Frames/Edges command is used to align (move) an edge of this shell. In that case the edge of the shell moves but the joints at the ends of the edges of the shell do not move. New joints are created at the ends of the edges of the shell in its new position if necessary. Any other objects connected to the joints at the ends of the edge of the shell in its original location remain where they are; they do not move in any way. Similarly any assignments to the joints at the ends of the edge of the shell in its original location remain where they are. If no other objects are connected to the joints at the ends of the edge of the shell in its original location and if no assignments were made to those joint, ETABS deletes them after the edge of the shell has been moved.

Use this feature together with the View menu > Show Selected Objects Only command to get additional control for aligning points.

Align Joints to X-Ordinate option. Select the joint and this option and then enter the coordinate value where the selected joint should be aligned.

Align Joints to Y-Ordinate option. Select the joint and this option and then enter the coordinate value where the selected joint should be aligned.

Align Joints to Z-Ordinate option. Select the joint and this option and then enter the coordinate value where the selected joint should be aligned.

Align Joints to Nearest Frame or Edge option. Select the joint and the line and this option. The selected joint is aligned with the nearest frame object. Specified items (frame objects or edges of area objects) are considered only if they are visible in the active window.

Trim Frame Objects or Extend Frame Objects option. Select the frame to be trimmed/extended, the frame to which the to-be-trimmed/extended frame is to be trimmed/extended to, the end joint of the to-be-trimmed/extended frame and the Trim Frame Objects or Extend Frame Objects option to trim or extend frames to ensure proper connectivity for the elements in the model. Click here for a further explanation

With each option, click the Apply button to modify the model as specified using this form.

When the Apply button is used, the Align Selected Joints/Frames/Edges form will remain open until it is closed by clicking the Close button. This allows selection of another frame object(s), to which a different assignments can be made.

If only one assignment is being made to only one set of selected objects, the OK button can be used to both apply the assignment and close the form.