pre-engineered wood trusses

[tkunsman]

I was wondering if anyone could share any "best practices" for modeling pre-engineered wood trusses from a consultants point of view/model.

We are not selecting the size or spacing of the trusses but we need to show something in our model.

For the time being i have either been modeling a regular truss with nominal 2x6 members or modeling in place and placing in a Group and then copying the truss as required.

Any other suggestions?

[David_D_Mahan]

I like to use architectural roof by footprint to define roof shape, then use a structural truss like the standard howe flat truss, setup parameters of truss for your 2X6 wood framing, define truss support system, then place the trusses in you framing plan and then attach top to the architectural roof shape. The top chord will then assume the shape of the roof, if you change the roof slope the trusses will change also. if you move or re-space the trusses then the top will match roof shape. I offset the roof shape form the truss supports for the truss heel height.

[Craig_L]

Thats a handy workflow David, I had not thought of doing it that way.
Another option is just control the pitch of the truss, but there is a lot more micro-management required in controlling the pitch.

[tkunsman]

What do you mean by "define truss support system" ? I am confused by this. Thanks

[David_D_Mahan]

either bearing walls or beams to support trusses, this allows for placing of trusses.
another tip is to set truss bottom chord vertical justification and projection to bottom of beam.