AutoCAD Architecture - How to trim hip rafters and view issues

[BillAllenSE]

This is my first (successful) ACA model:

As you can see, I'm using the architecture as a container for the structural elements. It contains a ridge beam, two hip beams and a steel chevron as well as two headers, one over a door and one over a window.

One thing that's annoying is that when I go from a view like this:

To a top view, the 3D structural elements disappear:

I don't believe it's my video card. As I was getting tech help for my Content Browser problem, the Autodesk rep had me install a certified driver. I have a Nvidia T1000 card with 4Gb of memory.

Another thing I'm having difficulty doing is properly trimming the hip beams coming into the steel chevron:

I would like them to end up like this:

I just don't know how to set the trim plane.

Thank you for your indulgence.

[ The subject line of this post has been edited for clarity by @handjonathan Original: ACA 2023 My first model! ]

[David_W_Koch]

@BillAllenSE 

Any chance you can attach a sample file to a reply here?  You could post a file with just the structural members if other things in the model are confidential.

[dbroad]

1. About members disappearing:  This is probably scale and view dependent and may require adjustments to your display representation for structural members.  Try switching from low to medium detail.  You might also want to use the Structural Model (Imperial or metric).dwt for your structural templates. They have a special display configuration called structural which has a 1 line representation (good for small scales).
2. About trimming, you might need to learn to live with the limitations of the model and create plan, elevation or section views that you can edit the linework for. A sample drawing would help.

[R_Tweed]

Detailing or shaping members can be done using several methods. The miter option is a quick way to apply trim planes to two members. Once the beam end has a trim plane applied, you can add body modifiers to remove other edges. 

If you miter the top of your hip beams, a line will appear as that is now a visible edge.  I personally don't think that's needed for plan preparation but some people do. See attached dwg.

[BillAllenSE]

Here you go.

I would like to trim the hip beams at the face of the steel chevron. In Revit, I would add a reference plane and cut the member at the reference plane.

Thank you

[BillAllenSE]

I was in medium detail. I was hoping for a 3D view so I can cut the hips. You're right, when I want to go to CDs, I will want a single line representation.

[BillAllenSE]

I'm trying to trim so that I can detail the hips. You're right, it's not necessary for a single line representation of a beam on a framing plan.

[R_Tweed · Accepted solution]

Multiple trim planes can be used.  Select the option to preserve existing trim planes each time as the default is "no".

Body modifiers can be a quick way to shape an end of a beam as well.  Solids or massing elements can be used to add or remove portions of the beam.  The pic below is a beam with three trim planes and a body modifier to remove the cylinder.

[BillAllenSE]

Thank you. I will give that a try.