Form: Insertion Point
Use the Assign menu > Column/Brace Data > Insertion Point command to assign cardinal points and end offsets to a selected column/brace object. End point offsets are specified along with the cardinal point as part of the insertion point assignment, even though they are independent features. End point offsets are used first to calculate the object axis, and then the cardinal point is located in the beam cross-section. The combination of these two items describes how the beam is connected to other objects.
Select one or more column/brace objects extending above or below the datum plane (not beams).
Click the Assign menu > Column/Brace Data > Insertion Point command to access the Insertion Point form. On that form, select and enter data in the following categories:
Cardinal Point: Select a cardinal point from the drop-down list. Check the Mirror About Local 2 Axis check box to switch the flanges to the other side. A sketch illustrating the cardinal point locations displays when it mouse hovers over the words Cardinal Point.
End Point Offsets to Cardinal Point: Specify the end point offsets for End I and End J parallel to the global axes. These values shift the ends of the beam away from the point by the input amount.
For additional information on column/brace insertion points, please consult “The Frame/Cable Element” chapter in the Analysis Reference Manual (see Help menu > Documentation command, Manuals subdirectory).
Note: Start(I) and End(J) points may be identified by right clicking on a column/brace object and selecting the Geometry tab on the {Type Line} Object Information form. In general, the Start(I) point is the end point with the lowest Z elevation.