Edit the Shape of Bolt Patterns and Contour Cuts

Learn how to edit the shape and size of existing steel element contour cuts or bolt patterns.

Note: This editing option is available for bolt, anchor, hole and shear stud patterns.

To edit the shape of a bolt pattern or a contour cut:

  1. Select a bolt pattern or a contour cut.
  2. Click Modify | Bolts tab Mode panel (Edit Pattern).

    OR

    Click Modify | Modifiers tab Mode panel (Edit Boundary).

  3. Edit the shape and size of the existing contour cut or bolt pattern or draw new shapes.
  4. Click (Finish Edit Mode) to save your changes or (Cancel Edit Mode) to discard them.

Remarks:

Editing the shape of a contour cut:

Editing patterns of bolts, anchors, shear studs and holes:
  • The bolt, anchor, shear stud, and holes patterns can only be rectangular or circular.
  • If a rectangular pattern of bolts is changed to only have 1 bolt on at least one of the two directions, the Edit Pattern button will not be available; the same applies for patterns of anchors, shear studs and holes.

Dimensions created on editable elements

If there are dimension lines that target the edited steel elements, these dimensions will be kept and updated if, after finishing editing:
  • The sketch lines that correspond to the element/pattern edges included in the dimension are kept and keep their direction.
  • Some sketch lines are replaced with other lines that keep the same direction.
If the existing lines are edited or replaced in a way that the initial shape is changed more drastically, the dimensions targeting the edited element will be partially or completely removed from views. Drastic changes include:
  • Changing the shape completely.
  • Skewing sketch lines that correspond to object edges/pattern sides included in the dimension.
  • Adding fillets at polygon corners for contour cuts.