Custom Connection Question

[Anonymous]

Hi,

With regard to creating custom connections, on the attached image, the left (blue) side shows the elements I created and used to add a custom connection, the image on the right (brown) shows the results of using the custom connection I created.

You'll note that the brown column and rafter are not represented the same as the blue column and rafter.

My question is, how do I or is it possible to have the brown column and rafter to be generated the same as the blue parts? the white lines on the brown parts were the lines i used to generate the brown column and rafter, where these lines meet I had presumed Advance would automatically lengthen the rafter and shorten the column to match the blue much the same way it happens with standard connections.

Is it possible?

Kind regards

Dave

[múinteoir]

In the custom connection you need to add the required features to the column & rafter. Then ensure these are included in the selection set. You may need to ensure the features display is set on the beams.

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Jonathan's right. You need to make sure you select all the features for each beam in the selection set. I have attached a couple screen shots below.

This is a custom connection showing the notch feature displayed within the blue joint box

To see the relevant features of the beam, double click on the beam Select Display type. Select either Exact with edge features or features. 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice and example however, it does not appear to make any difference.

I have tried using both features and features with exact edge on both the initial model for the custom connection and the final output, regardless, there is no change to the final output model, as in, it continually shows both the rafter and column overlapping each other.

Are there any tutorials you could recommend?

Kind regards

Dave. 

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Hi David,

If you can attach the dwg I am more then happy to take a look!

Kind Regards

Chris

[Anonymous]

Many thanks Chris drawing attached....

Kind regards

Dave.

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Hi David,

The one you have sent is quite a bit different to the screen shot. Is the screen shot of how you want it to look or do you have another dwg?

I take it the blue beam is the master copy?

Kind Regards

Chris

[Anonymous]

The blue column and rafter are the master.

The brown column and rafter is the output - note the brown column and rafter overlap this is wrong or at least what I was expecting was for there to be no overlap of rafter and column as per the blue column and rafter.

There is a difference between the screenshot and dwg I sent however the sent dwg was copied out from the screenshot drawing.

Kind regards

Dave.

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Hi Dave,

Is this C section one that you have added to the database? On my side its come through as a 300 x 96 C section, which has made the joint go all wrong.

What size is it your end? I will see what I have got that's close to it. Doesnt look that big in your screen shot!

Kind Regards

Chris

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Hi Dave,

Is this C section one that you have added to the database? On my side its come through as a 300 x 96 C section, which has made the joint go all wrong.

What size is it your end? I will see what I have got that's close to it. Does not look that big in your screen shot!

Kind Regards

Chris

[Anonymous]

Hi Chris, yes the C sections are user created, they should be 152x65mm the closest in the db is either Steadmans STM 14020 or STM17020

I can if you like, create a new bracket for use with standard C section and try the custom connection from there? 

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Hi David,

I have manged to get it to work using Steadmans C sections.

There didn't seem to be a shortening feature on the column. I used the shorten at UCS in the features palette. I then deleted the blue joint box and started all over again making sure all elements were select in the selection and then saved it to my custom connections.

To test the joint, I copied the column and rafter into a new drawing and tried out the joint......hey presto it worked.

I have attached the dwg. so you can try it out.

Kind Regards 

Chris

[CHRIS_ASDL · Accepted solution]

Hi David,

I have manged to get it to work using Steadmans C sections.

There didn't seem to be a shortening feature on the column. I used the shorten at UCS in the features palette. I then deleted the blue joint box and started all over again making sure all elements were select in the selection and then saved it to my custom connections.

To test the joint, I copied the column and rafter into a new drawing and tried out the joint......hey presto it worked.

I have attached the dwg. so you can try it out.

Kind Regards 

Chris

[Anonymous]

Thanks Chris,

I'll have a better look at it tomorrow though, for tonight I need to read up on UCS and specifically Shorten at UCS as my initial attempt reports

"Angle between xOy UCS axis and beam axis is invalid"

I'll hopefully have a better understanding tomorrow.....

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Yes certain features in Advanced Steel are UCS specific. Its good practice to read up on this. I have attached a screen shot showing a beam that I have shortened by 100mm. Notice how my UCS is set 

Kind Regards 

Chris

[Anonymous]

Thank you Chris,

I now have it working - I still need to get a better understanding of UCS tools but working nonetheless - though, I found that what worked for me was slightly different from what I had read in the help file, I had read that a negative value would trim and a positive value would extend, the reference values I used were 0 for the rafter - this effectively extends the rafter to the bracket and a value of 7.42 trims the column but, like I said it appears to be working how I want it.

Thanks again Chris, your help is much appreciated.

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Your very welcome. Glad I could be of assistance.

Kind Regards

Chris

[Anonymous]

I may have jumped the gun!

I find that when creating a new drawing and trying to use my new custom connection, within the custom connection dialogue box that there is no custom bracket available only the sample connection.

Are these custom connections only available in the drawing they are created in?

[CHRIS_ASDL]

Hi Dave,

To be able to use your connection in different projects, you need to save the connection in the Connection Temple Folder. This is located in Program Data - AutoDesk - Advance Steel 2017 - Shared - Connection Templates

If you create a connection in an active project it will only be available within that file.

Kind Regards

Chris 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again Chris,

One more if I may?

I have moved onto the next C section series and I find that no matter what I do when placing the user connection its orientation is wrong, I have tried re drawing a new bracket but for some reason it is always placed as per the attached screenshot.

Any ideas what I have done wrong? As you can see in the screenshot the rafter is in the correct position, the column has disappeared and the connection is upside down.