Detail components represent specific building materials and products, and are made up of simple two-dimensional (2D) linework entities such as lines, polylines, arcs, circles, and hatches. In most cases, the detail component is a collection of such entities grouped as a block, which can be easily copied or moved like a single entity. The following are examples of detail components that are inserted as blocks:
Other detail components are inserted as loose linework entities if they represent material of variable length, amorphous shape, or something that would likely be cut or otherwise modified in the field. This is the case for views showing the length of a material, such as framing members, sheathing material, or fasteners, for which the detail component database does not include a fixed-length table.
Detail components are inserted into drawings parametrically, using a tool that prompts you for the information needed to perform the drawing routine associated with a particular component. Once inserted into a drawing, the components are largely static: although they can be rescaled or repositioned using Properties palette settings, they do not have object-like intelligence that allows for parameter modifications to the extent that architectural objects do. You can, however, perform various editing operations on detail components using the tools available on the ribbon and the context menu.
The Detail Component Manager provides a centralized location for storing and accessing detail components. Its filter mechanism lets you quickly locate a particular component in a database. You can then insert the component directly into a drawing, or, if you are likely to use it frequently, you can drag and drop it onto a tool palette for even more convenient access.
Many detail components are also available as tools on the default Detailing tool palettes, which can be transferred to the workspace from the Sample Palette Catalog. You can also create a tool by dragging a detail component from a drawing and dropping it onto a tool palette. Because detail component tools can be moved between tool palettes and tool catalogs, or copied over the Internet using i-drop® functionality, they are easily shared by project team members. Tools can be modified using the associated Tool Properties worksheet. You can also apply detail component tool properties to any linework within a drawing so that it can be reference-keynoted according to the organizational system you are using.
In addition to the database supplied with the software (based on the CSI MasterFormat™ 2004) you can add and access your own detail component databases as needed. The Detail Component Manager includes a wizard that lets advanced users define the drawing routines and other parameters required to add new component tables to a database.