Plates

This function is used to enter slabs in the different layers of the current ceiling field.

The following can be set in the dialog box:

Existing settings can be selected using the drop-down list at the top of the dialog box. The floppy disk icon allows you to save the current setting with the same name or a new name. The administration icon allows you to create new settings, including by adopting existing settings, and to modify or delete existing settings. See "Saving Settings" in the "General Help" manual for more information.

Panels are generally automatically limited at the layer boundaries. If a panel extends beyond a layer contour during input, it is automatically "cut off" at this layer contour. The word "cut off" is intentionally placed in quotation marks, as no actual cut is created. The panel is limited by the contour. This also applies if bays are created in the panel, for example, by window openings. It makes no difference whether the opening is entered first and then the panel, or whether the ceiling opening is entered subsequently, or an existing opening is moved. The panels are always automatically adjusted to the changed layer contour.

Identification number : The identification number for the component can be entered or selected from the component catalog using the browser. Further information can be found in the 'Volume Information, Component Catalog' chapter.

Bar type : The 'Bar type' field displays a list of designations that can be used to identify components. You can either enter a bar type number that you already know, or select one using the browser button at the right end of the field. Once you select a number here, the corresponding designation will automatically be displayed in the next field.

Designation : The designation allows you to describe the function of an individual component. The predefined designations, known as bar types, can be accessed using a number key in the field to the left of the designation. Once you've done this, a designation is automatically entered in the 'Designation' field. However, you can manually edit this and use your own designations.

If you need a specific name frequently, you can enter it using the browser button to the right of the name field. This icon opens a list of existing names. You can enter your own name at the end of the list. The next time you open the list, the new name will be sorted alphabetically. As soon as you start typing the name in the 'Name' field, the list opens automatically and shows only the names that begin with the entered letters.

Thickness, Width, Length : Enter the panel dimensions here. If you select an ID number above that already has one or more dimensions specified, the corresponding dimension fields will be disabled and the corresponding value from the database will be displayed.

Installation angle : The angle between the X-axis of the ceiling field and the longitudinal axis of the panel is set here. Therefore, if the panel is to be vertical on the screen, enter 90°.

Front of the panel facing : For panels with different sides (e.g., different qualities on the front and back), you can specify which side of the ceiling panel the front of the panel should face. The good (higher-quality) side of the panel is considered the front.

Distance in width, distance in length : You can enter a distance between the panels in the direction of their width or length. When entering the panel, the mouse cursor will then be positioned at the corresponding distance from the positioning point.

Layer : Specifies the layer to which the depth position refers. To place a component centrally in layer 1, it is not necessary to calculate a depth position that refers to the entire ceiling. Only layer 1 is determined, and the 'centered' option is selected for the depth position.

The layer selected here also determines the group to which the component is assigned. Thus, a plate entered in layer -1 automatically belongs to group -1. Components can be enabled and disabled via the groups (File - Settings - Display).

Depth position : For the depth position, we always refer to the layer in which the panel is located. There are automatic functions for centering, front flush, and back flush, which conveniently adjust the panel to the correct depth. For special cases, you can also specify a defined distance from the front of the layer (visible side) to the front of the panel using the 'Value' option.

Positioning point : 6 different points on the plate view or the 'Select' function can be selected as positioning points. Using the 'Select' function, the plate is first placed using the last used positioning point. Then, you can right-click through the six positioning points. The desired position is then selected with the left mouse button.