Timber truss - Span and rise are variable; bracing members remain constant

[philpiper]

OK, so here's a little challenge for anybody that's feeling up for it. Attached is a drawing file for a timber truss (in metric, so sorry to all you guys and gals across the pond!). What I'd like to be able to do is turn it into a DB, whereby the span and the rise/pitch are variable, but the configuration of the bracing members internally remains constant regardless. Any ideas?

Regards

Spike

[Chris.N]

OK, so here's a little challenge for anybody that's feeling up for it. Attached is a drawing file for a timber truss (in metric, so sorry to all you guys and gals across the pond!). What I'd like to be able to do is turn it into a DB, whereby the span and the rise/pitch are variable, but the configuration of the bracing members internally remains constant regardless. Any ideas?

Regards

Spikecleanly, it can't be done with a 'simple' DB. if you were to incorporate a multitude of mlines, lookup tables, and wipeouts, maybe......
it's possible to create rough templates for drawing, but unless you are a really good programmer, i don't know.
a good test on weather something is a good candidate for adjustable DB'ness, is does it work to your satisfaction by simple manual stretching? if not, you won't be happy. my .02
also, this is probably a good Q for it's own thread being it is a question of 'how do I..' (mod?)

[Rico]

OK, so here's a little challenge for anybody that's feeling up for it. Attached is a drawing file for a timber truss (in metric, so sorry to all you guys and gals across the pond!). What I'd like to be able to do is turn it into a DB, whereby the span and the rise/pitch are variable, but the configuration of the bracing members internally remains constant regardless. Any ideas?

Regards

Spike

cleanly, it can't be done with a 'simple' DB. if you were to incorporate a multitude of mlines, lookup tables, and wipeouts, maybe......
it's possible to create rough templates for drawing, but unless you are a really good programmer, i don't know.
a good test on weather something is a good candidate for adjustable DB'ness, is does it work to your satisfaction by simple manual stretching? if not, you won't be happy. my .02
also, this is probably a good Q for it's own thread being it is a question of 'how do I..' (mod?)
I'd tend to agree with Chris on this one. It's possible. BUT you'd need a lot of time to work out lookup tables, values, angles, distance multipliers ..... I tried to see if I could get remotely close to something for you .... but after a quick look at it i decided that I just don't have the time to spend on it.

The thing about it is, anything is technically possible with DBs, provided you know what you're doing and provided you have the time to be able to work out the kinks - look at some of the structural I beams that have been posted .... Unfortuantely, most of us here also have day jobs and the amount of help we can provide is limited.

DBs are an incrdedibly custom thing. You make them because they serve a purpose for you. And only you can create them because only you know what you want. Give it a try and we might be able to point you in the right direction, but I certainly can't make it for you from scratch.

Sorry.

[philpiper]

No worries guys, I had a feeling that might be the case. I've played around with it a few times and can get bits to do what I want, but never the whole thing. Think I'll park this one for now. Maybe one for another day. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi Spike

Please note I have *split* your above post into its own thread ( from thread Dynamic Block file sharing anyone? ).

Thread Dynamic Block file sharing anyone? is meant for the exchange and sharing of Dynamic Block, not a place to ask Technical Questions relating to Dynamic Blocks.

Thanks, Mike

Forum Manager

[philpiper]

OK, it's far from perfect and it's a long way from what I was hoping to achieve, but it does kind of work. Ultimately (and this is where all falls down around my ears!) I would like to be able to keep the sizes of the timbers constant rather than just scaling everything.
See what you think - any suggestions appreciated.

Apologies, if some of you got the wrong end of the stick with my earlier post. I wasn't expecting you to provide me with a finished working block - merely looking for suggestions as to how I might achieve it. I appreciate we've all got jobs that take priority.

Spike