A connection (joint) is created with all its parts, connection objects, and features using a single operation. At the same time, the existing connected elements are processed (shortened, coped, etc.) and a connection logic between the parts is established.
Advance Steel contains a variety of default, preset parametric connections to connect Advance Steel elements. You can access these connections, using the Connection Vault. In addition to the default connections, you can define, store and reuse other custom connections.
The Connection Object
All individual elements in the connection, including their properties and processing objects, are held together and represented as a bounding box (connection object). All connection elements and definitions are included in the gray box.
To display the box: In the Extended Modeling tab 
Joint Utilities panel, click
(Display).
The connections are intelligent: If a beam, connected using a connection, is changed, the connection automatically adapts to the new situation according to the set parameters. These set parameters are stored in the connection object (the gray box) that is hidden (by default) when the connection is created. It contains all the connection information but not individual component properties. Connection objects can be displayed, updated, deleted, copied and changed.
Connection Creation
Connections can be created between various elements. To create the connection, the connected elements should meet several geometric requirements that may vary, according to the connection type.
After selecting a connection in the Connection Vault, you need to select the members to connect by pressing Enter after each selection. The number of selected members as well as their type vary depending on the selected connection.
Examples:
- For a base plate only one element should be selected: a column.
- For a gusset plate for 3 diagonals, four elements should be selected: a beam of any section type and three diagonal beams with suitable sections (angle, channel, flat, hollow).
In several situations, after the connection is created, a confirmation dialog box appears. Simply click OK to finish the creation. The connection properties dialog box appears allowing you to make the desired settings.