Augi World - July/August 2008 - (Page 17) the model. The only difference is you are doing it in a family. In this specific family I added a parameter for “symbolic offset.” This parameter is appended to a reference plane that occurs at each end of the pre-defined line in the family. This allows the user to simply pick two points to add the bridging. Now this distance will be adjustable by the user, in the plan. If one symbolic offset is changed (either by changing the increment in the Element Properties dialog or by stretching the grips) the other symbolic offset will stretch accordingly. It is also noteworthy that you can add additional symbols and components to this family as well. In the joist bridging family shown here, there is a break line that was inserted as an annotation symbol. This allows the family to adjust as the model’s scale adjusts. In most cases all you need to do is go to another view in the family editor and start offsetting reference planes in a vertical direction rather than a horizontal direction. Again, you can label the offsets (this family has a parameter which allows the designer to enter the joist depth so that the angle will sit on top of the bottom joist chord). As you can see from the illustration, the angle itself is nothing more than symbolic lines and arcs. Once this family is passed into the model, you can view it in plan and cut a section anywhere along the length of the family, providing you with the benefits of using a family. Another benefit is the fact that you now have a family that is used over and over again. By the time you are finished with the second project using this family, the halfhour you spent creating it will seem like a drop in the bucket compared to the time it takes to draft this item every time. Another benefit is consistency. It actually LOOKS the same in all of your projects. This is the power of BIM. BIM does not have to contain 3D extrusions to be Building Information Modeling. We can still practice practicality and achieve the end goal. If you would like a sample of this family, contact me at ericaugi@gmail.com, and I will be sure to send you both the 2D symbolic family and the 3D extruded version. Eric Wing lives in Syracuse, New York. He has been teaching AutoCAD and Autodesk products for nine years. He has been in the construction and engineering field for 17 years. Eric is the AUGI Survey Manager and is president and founder of SLUG (Syracuse Local User Group). He has written articles for AUGIWorld magazine and writes a monthly column in AUGI HotNews. Repeatability What is 3D anyway? Let’s not get confused here. 3D means simply adding a third value to the traditional Y and Z values. Solid forms are, by design, in 3D but are actually nothing more than a graphic or a symbol. It is up to you to decide what kind of graphic is actually needed for a model. A supplemental family such as joist bridging most likely will not ever be shown in 3D. Figure 4 The AUGI Training Program (ATP) is a peer-to-peer, forum-based training center dedicated to AUGI members around the world. Whether you’re new to CAD or a veteran of the workforce, there is sure to be a class for you! ATP highlights: • • • • • Free, instructor-led, online supplemental training via the AUGI Forums Students decide what they want to learn and when they learn it Instructors available for questions throughout the session New classes added every month Class is always in session! To find out more about the AUGI Training Program and to view current course offerings, visit www.AUGI.com/eduction (click on the AUGI Training Program link). AUGI invites its members who are interested in sharing what they know with their peers to become involved as ATP instructors. To learn more about teaching through the ATP, contact the AUGI Education team at team-atp@AUGI.com. See you in class! www.AUGI.com/education J u l /A u g 2 0 0 8 17 http://www.augi.com/education
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