Structural elevations - Beam centroids / centerlines

[Anonymous]

Didn't see anything on this with search...

For structural elevations it is our firms practice to show the centroids of the structure.

I don't see a filter to turn off and on the centroid centerline on the beams and 2L bracing for the elevations?

The grid lines cover the column lines centerline but for beams.

I don't see a way to add the center lines for the beams with out just drawing detail lines manually?

Does it have a name I'm not seeing in "Visibility/Graphics" or "Filters"?

[j-kirkpatrick]

As far as I'm aware there isn't a way to show them, we also draw them manually every time. I'd like to follow this post to see if there are any answers. As well i'll look into this myself. Thanks.

[EdwinG]

Hello,

You can add your line in the family of your beams like the picture below.

the value(260) to lock is of your choice, you must do this for family's you wish (beams, columns etc.) 

[j-kirkpatrick]

@EdwinG ,This was along the lines of that I was thinking, but would you have to do it to both sides? I couldn't figure out how to make it a centerline type. Also would only need to be shown in fine for my purposes.

[EdwinG]

@j-kirkpatrick ,

No 1 side is good, i used symbolic line from annotate. Select the line and use the button Visibility / graphics overrides to choose only fine

By object style you can create lines you desire.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Ok looks like this might work, not quite getting the center line to work.

Only fixing the FRONT view of the beam.

Went to Manage, Object styles.

Created a CENTRIOID under the Model and the Annotation (not sure the right spot)

First used Center, then Center 1/4"

Both seemed to make too big of dashes when the family was applied to the Project.

Then I have to set the line type with the Properties, Identity data, Subcatagory.

When into the Manage, Additional Settings, Line Patterns and created a "CENTROID" center line.

Used even smaller spaces, still seems to be scaling it up when its used in the elevations?

I have to set it with the Properties, Identity data, Subcatagory, "Centroid (projection)?

Can't seem to get the linetype scale to control?

Updated the family with and without new parameters, no difference?

Created a new CENTER layer and applied the line type then change the line properties.

That seems to have changed it?

Doesn't seem to like the existing layer linetype changed when updating the family?

This looks like it should work.

Now to fix the Ls

[Anonymous]

Wait a second... nope.

The center line appears to scale with the size of the beam family.

Every beam has a different size/space of dash going based on the beam size.

Any thoughts on how to get the dash to follow the overall drawing scale and not the family?

[j-kirkpatrick]

@Anonymous I don't think there is a way to have a uniform centerline look since it's the beam is line based ish. I'm having issues with the line not wanting to agree with end extensions for both sides. I tried making it be only from the half way point to see if it'd start from the center on the detail. and it doesn't...

I have mine set to Projection, Regular Center line style, as well I drew 2 on each face of the beam. when they were exact to the center they wouldn't appear since they were "inside" the beam. needing 2 this way they show on either side of the cut.

Currently I have them going full length and 1'-0" extended past the beam. Yet in the cut in the top left view the CL only extends 6"... all my start/end extensions are set to 0'-0". When dragging the end extension it doesn't drag the CL, but if you drag the structural framing component end, the CL will follow along.