Creating Profile Cross Sections Common Tasks - Intergraph Smart 3D - Reference Data

Intergraph Smart 3D 2D Symbols

Language
English
Product
Intergraph Smart 3D
Subproduct
2D Symbols
Search by Category
Reference Data
Smart 3D Version
11 (2016)

By following these tasks in order, you can create your own cross section symbol quickly and easily.

Open the Cross Section Template

The software delivers several templates that you can use to create your custom symbols. We recommend that you use the CrossSectionTemplate.sym delivered with the software to create cross sections. For more information, see Open and Set Up the Symbol File.

Manage Layers and Display Settings

Create the required layers, and any optional layers, for the symbol. For more information, see Manage Layers.

After you have created the layers, adjust the display settings to meet your needs. For more information, see Set Display Settings.

Draw the Simple Physical Representation

The first step in creating your symbol is to create the simple physical representation. The software uses the simple physical representation to display the member in the model and to calculate the member's volume and surface area. For more information, see Draw the Simple Physical Representation.

Dimension the Simple Physical Representation

In order to control the size of your cross section when you place it in the model, you need to dimension the symbol. This dimensioning allows you to use one symbol to represent multiple sizes of the same cross section. For more information, see Dimension the Simple Physical Representation.

Draw the Detailed Physical Representation

The software does not use the detailed physical representation, so drawing the detailed physical representation is optional. For more information, see Draw the Detailed Physical Representation.

Dimension the Detailed Physical Representation

Similar to dimensioning the simple physical, the detailed physical representation needs to be dimensioned. For more information, see Dimension the Detailed Physical Representation.

Define Dimension Variables

The Variable Table feature allows you to define and manipulate drawing variables and their values, as well as establish functional relationships between the design variables. For symbols, you use the Variable Table to set expressions for the symbol dimensions. For example, you could set the top and bottom flange dimensions to be equal and the web thickness to be 75% of the flange thickness. For more information, see Define Dimension Variables.

Name Profile Edges

The geometry of your symbol consists of lines, arcs, and other elements. In order for the software to know which line or arc corresponds to which part of your symbol, you must name each geometric element in the symbol. For more information, see Name Profile Edges.

Define Cardinal Points

A load point, also commonly referred to as a cardinal point, defines the location where the software displays the profile cross-section on the member. There are 15 load points definable for a cross-section symbol, but only one at a time is used when the profile is placed. For more information, see Define Cardinal Points.

Define Symbol Representation

For the software to know which graphics in the symbol file are which, you must group the graphics that define the simple physical, the detailed physical, and the points together in unique groups. You must then define which group denotes which symbol representation. For more information, see Define Symbol Representation.

Test Symbol Geometry

To verify that the geometry is properly constrained and behaves correctly, you need to test the symbol. For more information, see Testing Symbol Geometry.

Define Symbol Properties

One of the most important steps of symbol creation is to map the dimensions in your symbol to the corresponding symbol parameter in your catalog workbook. In the StructCrossSections.xls workbook, the symbol parameters are listed on the Custom Interfaces sheet. For more information, see Define Symbol Properties.

Adding Symbol Data to the Catalog

Add the part class of the symbol to the appropriate workbook from which it can be loaded into the Catalog database. For more information, see Add Symbol Data to the Catalog.