Curves Between Reference Lines

Curves between reference lines

Command	SOF_CABD_PARAM
Tooltip	Distributes elements between two curves.
Sidebar	Structural Elements

This command creates linear SOFiPLUS(-X) elements between previously defined reference lines.

General Approach

In a first step, reference lines are defined. These can be linear AutoCAD or SOFiPLUS(-X) elements. Axes can also be used as a reference element. The program generates virtual points along these reference lines.

In the second step, the lower part of the table defines how a linear element should be distributed among these virtual points.

Note

The changes are transferred to the drawing using the Apply button.

Upper Table Area

Settings associated with each reference line are:

Name The name is a user-defined identifier. It must be unique and is required again in the lower part of the table.

Mode Controls whether the generated points are distributed regularly along the line or whether placement positions should be used to generate virtual points.

Reference Line Selects the reference line in the drawing.

Count Defines the number of uniformly distributed points. The Count column can only be edited in Count mode.

Reverse Mirrors the distributed points along the reference element.

Filter The Filter column filters the used placements and is only available in Placement mode.

Local X to Local Z Moves the created points along the local direction of the reference line.

Tag 1 and Tag 2 Names that can be used for filtering and grouping within the dialog.

Lower Table Area

There is a checkbox on the left side that controls whether the element from the row should be distributed. The other entries are:

Name Identifier for the created elements.

Element Selects the source element in the drawing. This element is not taken into account during the mesh generation.

Reference A und Reference B The names of the reference lines between which the distribution is made. These names are taken from the upper part of the table.

Skip First N The first N elements on the reference line are not used. This means that the first N elements are not created.

Skip Last N The last N elements on the reference line are not used. This means that the last N elements are not created.

Offset A und Offset B Moves the endpoints of the created elements along the local direction of the element (e.g. corresponds to the shortening of an element).

Restrictions

Only linear SOFiPLUS(-X) elements and free line loads can be distributed.

Examples

How to define evenly distributed beams between two structural lines

How to define columns between two axes using only support placements

How to define distances at reference lines and generated curves

Tutorial

A tutorial can be found here.