About Symbolic Representation for Structural Framing Elements

Specify the symbolic representation of structural framing components, such as symbolic cutback, in the Structural Settings dialog. You can save these settings in view templates.

The symbolic representation values you specify apply to structural framing components throughout the project. Changes to these settings are applied only to the structural framing components in views where the Detail Level is set to Coarse. To make these settings, open the Symbolic Representation Settings tab on the Structural Settings dialog.

Where is it?

• Structure tabStructure panel
• Manage tabSettings panel (Structural Settings)

Symbolic Cutback Distance

Structural framing elements must be joined to another to see the change in the cutback distance.

• Brace. Represents the cutback distance between the symbolic representation of braces and other structural framing components.
• Beam/Truss. Represents the cutback distance between the symbolic representation of beams/truss chords and other structural framing components.
• Column. Represents the cutback distance between the symbolic representation of columns and other structural framing components. This setting affects the gap between symbolic representations of joined columns in an elevation view. The gap is visible only if the Top Connection Symbol instance property of the bottom column is set to a value other than None.

Brace Symbols

The purpose of displaying the brace symbolic lines in floor plan views is to differentiate between the braces above and the braces below the level of the view. For example, if you are looking at a level 1 floor plan view of a building, the braces on level 1 will display below the centerline of the brace or right on it. Braces on level 2 and above will display on the other side of the centerline - above or on the left side of the centerline.

Note: If a brace has been drawn inaccurately and is marked with a "Slightly off axis" warning, its symbolic representation line might get positioned incorrectly when copying and mirroring the brace.

The settings in this section of the dialog specifically control symbolic braces.

Plan Representation

• Parallel Line. Symbolic representation of braces in a plan view are displayed with a line parallel to and offset from the brace at the value specified in the Structural Settings dialog. The line displays below, or to the right to vertical brace centerline if the brace is below the level and above, or to the left to vertical brace centerline if the brace is above the level.
  

  When selected, you can specify the Parallel line offset measured from the vertical brace centerline.

  The parallel line brace symbol displays in a symbolic plan view only when the structural usage of the brace is set to Vertical Bracing.

• Line with Angle. Symbolic representation of braces in a plan view are displayed with an angled line. Line with angle originates from the point of intersection of a brace and level if they intersect, and from the closest point to the level on the brace otherwise. The symbol goes upward (downward) for the portion of the brace which is above (below) the level.
  

  The line with angle brace symbol displays in a symbolic plan view only when the structural usage of the brace is set to Vertical Bracing.

Note: You can create new brace representation symbols using the generic annotation template. In the Family Category and Parameters dialog, set their Family Category to Brace in Plan View Symbols. Brace in Plan View symbols have a Representation Type parameter that can be either Parallel Line, Line with Angle, or Kicker Brace.

The remaining brace settings specify symbols of the following display: braces above the current view, braces below the current view, and kicker braces. Select Show Brace above and Show brace below to display their symbols. Either symbol changes when you change the plan representation from parallel line to angle line. Select or load additional symbols for each.

The kicker brace symbol displays in a symbolic plan view only when the structural usage of the brace is set to Kicker Bracing.

Connection Symbols

Connection symbols display at the ends of the symbol of beams, braces, and columns. You can define your own connection types, and assign a connection symbol family to each type. The types are divided into beam/brace end connections, column top connections, and column base connections.

• Display Symbols for. Changes which group of connection symbols to define: Beams and Braces, Column Base, or Column Top.
• Connection Type. Lists the Connection Types available to define based on which group is displayed: Moment Frame, Cantilever Moment, Base Plate Symbol, Shear Column Connection, or Moment Column Connection.
• Annotation Symbols. Specifies which connection symbols represent the Connection Type. Select from the available list, or click the Load button to add more symbol families.
• Add a connection type. Opens the New Connection Type dialog. Name and assign an annotation symbol to the connection type. You can optionally load a new symbol, if needed. Click OK to continue.
• Duplicate a connection type. Duplicates a selected connection type. Rename and assign an connection symbol as needed.
• Rename a connection type. Opens the Rename dialog to change the name of the selected connection type.
• Delete a connection type. Deletes the selected connection type.
• Load. Opens the Load Family dialog. Navigate to the Annotations/Structural directory, select a new connection symbol family, and click Open.