S-Frame

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Creating members

Having defined some joints and properties we now want to start defining the members of our frame.

1. Left click on the Member Definition Tool to select it.

2. Now right click on the tool to display its dialog.

Note: As an alternative to right clicking you can click Edit / Tool... choose the type of member from the Data Bar list box.

3. Click the Pattern Option - Single Member followed by OK to confirm your choice of this type of member.

4. Choose the properties for the W250X39 section and the Material Steel from the lists in the Views and Grids toolbar.

5. Now move the cursor over the joint numbered 1 in the Geometry window. Left click and release the button (you are not performing a drag at this stage).

6. Now move the cursor towards the joint numbered 2.

Note: You will see that a line follows the cursor as you move it. This is called a rubber-line. This is to help you to know that you have clicked on the first node correctly and shows where the member you are creating starts.

When the cursor is over joint 2 left click again and the new member is placed between the two joints.

Note: If you want to delete a member that you have created, then simply right click on it while the Member Definition Tool is active, choose Properties... from the context menu to see the Member Properties spreadsheet. Highlight the row for the member you want to delete, and then click Delete.

We could continue to define the remaining members of this simple structure in the same way. However we shall instead take this opportunity to show you how to use other features to achieve the same result.

Saving the model

Let's save our model to disk again.

1. Click File / Save or click on the Save icon ( ) and S-Frame overwrites the existing file so that it contains the current model details.

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