Create an Automatic Beam System

Create beam systems quickly, with one mouse click.

You can place beam systems with one click if the following conditions are met:

• The one-click beam system can only be added in plan or ceiling view with a horizontal sketch plane. If the view or the default sketch plane is not a level and you click Beam System, you are redirected to the Create Beam System Boundary tab.
• There must be a closed loop of supporting elements (walls or beams) already drawn, or the program will automatically redirect you to the Create Beam System Boundary tab.

Note: Curved walls and beams can be used to create a loop, but cannot be the direction defining members in the Beam System.

1. Click Structure tabStructure panel (Beam System).
2. Click Modify | Create Beam System Boundary tabBeam System panel (Automatic Beam System).
3. On the Properties palette:
   • Under Pattern, select a Beam Type.
   • Under Pattern, for Layout Rule, define the beam system spacing requirements.
   • If the beam system will be sloped or uneven in relation to the level, select the 3D option.
   Note: If you want the walls of the structure in your project to define the slope of the 3D beam system, select Walls Define Slope on the Options Bar.
4. (Optional) Click Modify | Place Structural Beam System tab Tag panel (Tag on Placement) and select either System or Framing as the Tag Style.
5. Move your cursor to the structural members where you would like to add the beam system and click to add it.
   
   Note: The beam system will align its direction parallel to the nearest structural member you selected.

   In the example shown above, you should not

   • Add a beam system that spans multiple quadrants. The intersecting beams would not cut the beam system, therefore, any intersections between girders and joists in such a beam system would not display.
   • Copy and paste the beam system from quadrant to quadrant if their area, shape, and number of supports differ significantly.