Groups

Form: Define Group, Group Definition

The concept of groups is the backbone of some powerful tools in SAP2000. A group is a collection of objects that is assigned a unique name. Groups may be used for many different purposes. Each object may be part of as many groups as needed. All objects are part of the built-in group named "ALL."

1. Click the Define menu > Groups command to access the  Define Groups form with default group "ALL" listed in the Groups list box.

2. Choose the appropriate button:

   • Add New Group button. Click the Add New Group button to access the Group Definition form.

1. Group Name edit box. Use the default or specify a name by typing it in the edit box.

2. Group Uses check boxes. Use the check boxes in this area of the form to specify how the group will be used. "Categorizing" groups according to use (e.g., select objects, define section cuts, specify design groups, and so forth) reduces the number of groups from which to select when that "category of use" is applied to the groups in the model. For example, in a big model, a large number of groups may have been defined, with only a few of the groups used in steel design. Thus, if the "Steel Frame Design Group" check box is checked when a group named GROUP1 is defined, GROUP1 will be available for use when the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Select Design Groups command is used and the groups are specified to be designed. In the same scenario, if the "Steel Frame Design Group" check box is unchecked  GROUP1 will not be available. If you don't know what to do, check all options, or use the default choices.

   1. 3. Display Color. The color that will be used to display the group on-screen in the model.

         1. Click on the "Display Color" text or the small sample square of the color to bring up the Color form.

         2. Select the desired new color on the Color form and click the OK button.

The Check/Uncheck All button is a toggle that selects all of the Group Uses options, or deselects all of the Group Use options.

1. • Modify/Show Group button.

   • 1. Select the group name to be modified in the Groups list box.

     2. Click the Modify/Show Group button to access the Group Definition form.

     3. Make the necessary adjustments and click the OK button.

   • Modify Multiple Groups button.

   • 1. Use the Ctrl key or Shift key to select multiple group names in the Groups list box.

     2. Click the Modify Multiple Groups button to access the Group Definition form.

     3. Make the necessary adjustments and click the OK button.

   • Delete Group button.

   • 1. Select the group name to be deleted in the Groups list box.

     2. Click the Delete Group button.

Use the Assign menu > Assign to Groups command to assign selected objects to the defined group names.

See Also

Select Objects by Groups

Define Section Cuts