Roof Components - Split Rafters

Divide Rafters

The division function allows you to split an area according to different criteria. For example, the division can be determined by a fixed spacing, a free spacing, or by the number of bars in the field:

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

Axis dimension/clear: All distances in this dialog box can be entered either as clear dimensions or as axis dimensions.

Start distance: For the distance from the left field boundary to the first bar, a fixed measurement can be entered. A value of 0.000 also counts as a measurement, in which case the first bar lies directly on the left field boundary. If the first distance should not be entered, the field must therefore be cleared.

End distance: For the distance from the last bar to the right field boundary, a fixed measurement can be entered. A value of 0.000 also counts as a measurement, in which case the last bar lies 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 distances. If start and end are not entered, the same value as in the 'Division length' field is therefore displayed.

Fixed spacing: For the remaining field, a fixed spacing can be entered. The bars are then placed at exactly this distance (axis dimension or clear, depending on the setting above).

As soon as you leave the field (Enter, down arrow, Tab), the program calculates the number of bars that fit into the remaining field with the entered value. This number is displayed further below in the 'Bars in remaining field' field.

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

Remainder: If you have entered a fixed spacing, the field can usually not be divided evenly, leaving a remainder. With the setting in this field you can specify what should happen to the remainder:

Start: The remainder goes into the first field.

End: The remainder goes into the last field.

Distribute: The remainder is distributed equally between the first and the last field.

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

Free spacing: As an alternative to the fixed spacing, a free spacing can be entered. The program then automatically searches for the next smaller value that allows the bars to fit evenly into the remaining field. No remainder remains.

After leaving the field, the actual spacing is 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 bars that fit into the remaining field with this spacing is calculated and displayed in the 'Bars in remaining field' field.

Bars in remaining field: This field displays the number of bars in the remaining field that result from the entry in the 'Fixed spacing' or 'Free spacing' field. However, you may also choose not to enter a spacing and instead directly enter the desired number of bars in the remaining field.

In the left column of the fields you can make entries and thus influence the division of the bars. In the right column the values that have been remembered (= saved) for the standard cases are displayed. You do this with the 'remember >' button.

The remembered values can be transferred from the right side to the left side at any time using the '< adopt' button. Additionally, you can set which values should be displayed when the dialog box is opened. 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 shown again as defaults. Using the last entered value (fixed spacing or free spacing), the new field is then calculated automatically and the new number 'Bars in remaining field' is displayed. If you worked with a free spacing, the displayed value may differ. Suppose you entered a value of 0.700 last time. Due to the remaining field a spacing of 0.653 resulted and was then displayed. However, the program remembered the input value of 0.700. When the dialog box is opened next time, the new remaining field is calculated with the spacing 0.700 and this time a spacing of 0.684 results. Then the value 0.684 is displayed.

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

Change Division Rule

If rafters were entered with the function 'Divide field (dividing rafters)', those rafters retained the division rule with which they were entered. This rule can be changed afterwards and then the rafters are redistributed according to the modified 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 select the function from the context menu.