Roof Components - Split Rafters

Divide Rafters

The division function allows you to divide areas according to different criteria. For example, the division can be determined by a fixed bay dimension, a free bay dimension, or by the number of members in the span:

Division length: The 'Division length' field displays the width of the entire previously selected area.

Grid/Clearance: All distances in this dialog box can optionally be entered as either clear dimensions or grid dimensions.

Start offset: For the distance from the left field boundary to the first member, a fixed dimension can be entered. A value of 0.000 also counts as a dimension; the first member will then lie directly on the left field boundary. If the first distance should not be entered, the field must therefore be cleared.

End offset: For the distance from the last member to the right field boundary, a fixed dimension can be entered. A value of 0.000 also counts as a dimension; the last member will then lie directly on the right field boundary. If the last distance should not be entered, the field must therefore be cleared.

Remaining field length: The remaining field length is the remainder from the division length minus the start and end offsets. If start and end are not entered, the same value as in the 'Division length' field is therefore displayed.

Fixed spacing: For the remaining span a fixed bay dimension can be entered. The members will then be placed with exactly this spacing (grid or clearance, depending on the setting above).

As soon as you leave the field (Enter, Down Arrow, Tab), the program calculates the number of members that fit into the remaining span with the entered value. This number is shown further down in the field 'Members in remaining span'.

If no fixed spacing is to be entered, leave the field empty and proceed to the 'Free spacing' field.

Remainder: If you have entered a fixed spacing, the field usually cannot be divided evenly and a remainder remains. With the setting in this field you can specify what should happen with the remainder:

Start: The remainder goes into the first field.

End: The remainder goes into the last field.

Divide: The remainder is split equally between the first and the last field.

If no fixed spacing has been entered, this field has no significance. Therefore it does not matter what is set here.

Free spacing: As an alternative to the fixed bay dimension, a free bay dimension can be entered. The program will then automatically search for the next smaller value with which the members fit evenly into the remaining span. No remainder will remain.

After leaving the field, the actual spacing will be calculated and displayed automatically. However, the program remembers the originally entered value for the next time this dialog box is opened. In addition, the number of members that fit into the remaining span with this spacing is calculated and displayed in the field 'Members in remaining span'.

Members in remaining span: This field displays the number of members in the remaining span resulting from the entry in the fields 'Fixed bay dimension' or 'Free bay dimension'. However, you can also refrain from entering a bay dimension and instead enter the desired number of members in the remaining span directly.

In the left column of the fields you can make entries and thus influence the division of the members. In the right column the values that you have saved for the standard cases are displayed. This is done with the 'remember >' button.

You can at any time transfer the remembered values from the right side to the left with the '< apply' button. Additionally, you can set which values should be displayed when opening the dialog box. This is done with the drop list 'Automatically load on opening:'

empty: The fields are empty each time the dialog box is opened.

last: The last entries you made on the left side are displayed again as defaults. With the last entered value (fixed bay dimension or free bay dimension) the new span is then calculated automatically and the new number 'Members in remaining span' is shown. If you worked with a free bay dimension, the displayed value may differ. Suppose you previously entered a value of 0.700. Due to the remaining span a spacing of 0.653 resulted and was displayed. However, the program remembered the input value of 0.700. The next time the dialog box is opened the new remaining span will be calculated with the spacing 0.700 and this time a spacing of 0.684 results. Then the value 0.684 will be displayed.

remembered: Each time the dialog box is opened, the values that you saved with the 'remember >' button are recalled. Even if you changed the default values last time, the remembered values will again be provided in the left column. This way you always get your standard values as defaults while still being able to adjust them for individual cases.

Change Division Rule

If rafters were entered using the function 'Divide Field (Division Rafters)', these rafters remembered the division rule with which they were entered. You can change this rule afterwards and then the rafters will be redistributed according to the changed rule.

To change the division rule, start the function and then select a rafter of the field or right-click on one of the rafters and then choose the function from the context menu.