Redefine Single Member Geometry

Select Modify Geometry> Redefine Single Member Geometry. This opens the Redefine Single Member Geometry editing function at the right of the screen.

The Redefine Single Member Geometry function allows you to select an existing physical member, and reposition this member by effectively redrawing it in a similar fashion to the Create> Add New Member (General) function. Redefining a member preserves all its; properties, attributes, releases, loads, group membership of the member, and therefore is more advantageous that deleting a member and adding a new member to replace it.

The ‘Disconnect intermediate connected members’ check box option operates in a similar fashion to the ‘Disconnect Supported Member’ in the Move editing function. With this box unchecked any members that are connected internally (not at the ends) to the member being redefined will remain attached to the member and the connected ends will move with the redefined member to the new position. Uncheck this box to disconnect the internally connected members for the member being redefined.

Redefining Straight Members

To Redefine the position of a Straight Member

1.Single select to pick the straight member from the frame graphics window. This member will be highlighted in red. If you wish to cancel this selection and select another member, press the Escape (Esc) key.

2.Using drawing snap points, pick a point to define the new member start point.

3.Using drawing snap points, pick a point to define the new member end point.

The member redefine is now complete and the member will be in the new position.

Note that if you intend only to move the one end of the member, you still need to pick the start and end points, in which case one of these points will be same as the existing start/end point.

Redefining Curved Members

To Redefine the position of a Curved Member

1.Single select to pick the curved member from the frame graphics window. This member will be highlighted in red. If you wish to cancel this selection and select another member, press the Escape (Esc) key.

2.The Curve placement method drop list will now be active. From this list select the placement method and pick graphical placement points as follows to complete the redefine operation.

a)Curve height Only: - Change the height/plane of the curve only, keeping existing start and end points. On the frame graphics window two tracking lines will be available from the centre of the curve base line perpendicular to the base line, one in the plane of the curve and one perpendicular to the plane of the curve. Pick any point on these tracking lines to define the new curve arc height, direction and plane. Tip! – You can enter a numeric value from the keyboard and press enter key to specify a particular curve height, overriding the current track line dimension.

b)Start + End + Curve Height: - Reposition curved member using drawing snap points by picking new curve start, followed by curve end. Following which, the curve height is defined as above.

c)Curve Centre + Start + End: - Reposition curved member using drawing snap points by picking a curve centre point, followed by a curve start point and finally curve end point. To ensure the curve is placed in the correct segment of the circle, the curve start and end points should be clockwise to each other in the plane of the curve. If the three points selected are co-linear (form a straight line) no action will be taken as the plane of the curve cannot be determined. In this case use the ‘Start + End + Curve Height’ placement method above.

d)Between Three Points: - Reposition curved member using drawing snap points by picking a curve start point, followed by a curve end point and finally a point internal to the curve. If these points are co-linear, no action will be taken.

To exit/close the Redefine Single Member Geometry function, click on the ‘X’ button at the top right of the functions window.