sloping roof structures

[geoff_lawlor]

While the insertion of structural elements (OWSJs etc) for flat floors and roofs is simple and direct, I have been unable to rotate them for sloped structures. Is there a way of doing this?

[Scott D Davis]

create a ref plane at the angle you need, and name it. Then set your workplane by name to your named ref plane. now place structural elements, and they will be on the angle.

you cannot place first, then rotate into position.

[Mr Spot]

Structural elements are always work plane related, in order to slope them you need to set the active work plane to a sloping plane. This can be done by drawing a reference plane and using pick plane for the work plane...

HTH.

[rjjlee]

Use reference planes. Draw them to the slope of the roof and name them. When you draw the structure in plan, use the reference plane as the work plane. Works well except when you want to alter the angle.

[Scott D Davis]

to alter the angle of elements associated with a ref plane, change the angle of the ref plane and the elements will follow. changing one ref plane should change all that is associated with it. So not really difficult to alter the angle, actually quite elegant that one ref plane could alter the angle of hundreds of structural elements.

[rjjlee]

How to answer a question 3 times... :)

[bclarch]

Definitely an FAQ item.

[Steve_Stafford]

Definitely an FAQ item.Well in this case it's a Frequently Answered Question ;) Point taken...ummm BeeGee can we chat for a moment?

[Tom Weir]

Hi all,
But wouldn't it be better to create the roof sheathing or roof deck first, and then pick the bottom of the deck as the plane of attachment? Then you don't have to bother with the reference plane, and the angles can be easily adjusted later if need be with the roof slope function.

Have a great day....

Tom Weir
Los Angeles

[aaronrumple]

It would (after spending all day framing a steel joist roof...)

[Scott D Davis]

Tom,

Yes, your solution would work very well.

[Tom Weir]

My one complaint about this method (and the reference plane method) is that you cannot move the beam member perpendicular to the plane, as you can with a horizontal member.
I have cases where I have steel girders with wood nailers on the top, and then wood members framing into the steel. I need to move the steel beam 2 1/2" perpendicular to the plane and it won't!

It should work like regular floor beam members do. Then we would really have a flexible tool.

Tom Weir
Los Angeles

[Scott D Davis]

need to move the steel beam 2 1/2" perpendicular to the plane and it won't!
That's where Ref Planes are better suited...move the Ref plane 2 1/2' perpendicular, all the structure associated will follow.

[aaronrumple]

Placing a ref. plane on the bottom of a roof where none of the edges are perpendicular or parallel to the slope - can be a challenge.... (and then have it move with the roof!)

[Tom Weir]

< all the structure associated will follow.>

Yes, including the joist members that I want attached to the underside of the sheathing. In that scenario I could keep the joists attached to the roof sheathing and create a separate reference plane for the the steel beams....

But I'd rather just use the one sheathing plane.

Tom Weir
Los Angeles

[beegee]

Has been did.




Definitely an FAQ item.