Beam Family Properties

Modify a beam family to define specific behaviors or Identity Data that applies across all types in that family.

To change family properties, open the element in the Family Editor and change its properties on the Properties palette.

Name Description
Constraints
Host The type of host into or onto which the element can be hosted. This is a read only parameter.
Graphics
Display in Hidden Views Specifies the display rules for the concrete family in hidden views.
Structural
Structural Framing Length Roundoff Improves performance by allowing overrides of the exact calculation of beam length to a broader, more applicable length.
Section Shape Specifies the structural section shape family category of the element. The section shape creates additional dimensions and parameters for the element. See Section Shape Parameters in Framing Elements.
Material For Model Behavior

Defines specific behaviors of elements based on their material. Select from the following.

Steel: Enables both cutback and shape handles for the element.

Concrete: Enables both concrete auto-join behavior and reinforcement hosting. Disables shape handles.

Precast Concrete: Enables concrete auto-join behavior, reinforcement hosting, and shape handles.

Wood: Enables both cutback and shape handles for the element.

Other: Disables shape handles and hides hidden lines of the element in structural views.

Always export as geometry Ensures that the family is exported as geometry at all times. This overrides the Export as Architectural Desktop and Building System Objects option in the Export Options dialog.

See Export Structural Members.

Identity Data
Code Name Displays standardized codes for the element, such as those for shape databases.
OmniClass Number The number from Table 23 of the OmniClass Construction Classification System that best categorizes the family type.
OmniClass Title The name from Table 23 of the OmniClass Construction Classification System that best categorizes the family type.
Seek Item ID A user editable character string used for finding the element in search queries.
Other
Work Plane-Based Specifies a family as hosted by the active work plane.
Always vertical Specify a family to always remain vertical, regardless of the slope of its host. See Create Vertical Families.
Cuts with Voids When Loaded Enables objects to be cut when a family with unattached voids is loaded.
Symbolic Representation Determines whether the symbolic representation of the element is defined by the family or by the settings of the project in which its placed. See About Symbolic Representation for Structural Framing Elements.
Shared For nested families only. If the nested family is shared, you can select, tag, and schedule the nested family separately from the host family. If the nested family is not shared, then components created by the host family and nested family act as a single unit. See About Nesting and Sharing Loadable Families.
Show family pre-cut in plan views Displays the family in a plan view using the cut plane specified in the plan view of the family. See Specify Display Properties for a Column Family in a Plan View.