length of the beam ?

[jeevanjacob]

Hi,

I have all my columns in position. I need to draw the beams. Should I use center to center or edge to edge?

I tried it in both ways. Both gave same volume but different lengths in properties palette. 

jeevan

[ccollins]

There is a beam "cut back length" that allows for connection plates, etc.

Take a look in the beam family properties.

Typically, beams are placed from center to center of columns, and the cut-back length automatically pulls the ends away

the specified dimension.

[jeevanjacob]

Hi Collins,

Thank you.

May I rephrase my question? I need to export the structural frame, for analysis, to STAAD. For the purpose, center to center is the right method. But as I inserted all my beams, using grid option in the toolbar, I got edge to edge only. Is there a method to overcome this (other than rearranging each and every beam)? 

regards

jeevan