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1) Open BIM toolbox from the main tree menu.
2) Select the entities to be aligned (if no entity is selected the Align function will work with all the entities defined in the model.
3) Start function Align > Align: the property (setup) dialogue with all the available Align parameters and action buttons opens in the Property window and a floating window with some additional information is opened on top of the graphical window.
4) Adjust the required parameters.
5) Use action button Run align to align the entities.
6) Use action button Cancel to end the function.
Show alignment info
If ON, the floating info-dialogue with various information relating to the align function is displayed.
If ON, the graphical window displays preview of the aligned model.
In the Alignment Info floating window, you can select to see all defined align actions or you can select one action after another to see the effect of each particular action. (The definition of actions is described later in this chapter.)
UCS XY planes
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into all XY planes of all the defined user coordinate systems.
Storey planes
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the defined storey planes.
Section planes
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the defined section planes..
Line grid planes
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the main planes of the line grid.
LCS planes (1D members)
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the planes created from local coordinate axes of 1D members.
Extend 1D member planes
If OFF, the master planes are created just around the appropriate entity (with an internally defined bonding box described in chapter Alignment procedure).
If ON, the master planes are extended indefinitely.
LCS planes (2D members)
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the planes created from local coordinate axes of 2D members.
Extend 2D member planes
This option is analogous to the same option for 1D members.
Min. distance between parallel master planes
This parameter specifies the maximum distance between parallel master planes for which the tested plane is considered a new master plane. If the tested plane is closer to an existing plane, then no new master plane is created and the tested plane is coincided with the existing plane.
Note: Min. distance between parallel master planes must be greater than Max. distance between master plane and node to be aligned.
This parameter is used during the generation of the list of master planes - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details.
Min. angle between master planes
Analogous to the condition above.
This parameter is used during the generation of the list of master planes and in the checks for ambiguity of node moves - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details.
Correct angle of planes similar (within limit) to
In this group you can select whether the entities will be aligned in order to fit into planes parallel with the three global planes and with all the XY planes of all the defined user coordinate systems.
All 1D and 2D members to
In this group you select which types entities are aligned to which types of entities. Available options are: All 1D member types, All 2D member types.
Beams to
In this group you select types of entities to which beams are aligned. Available options are: Columns, Walls, Plates, All 1D and 2D members.
Columns to
In this group you select types of entities to which columns are aligned. Available options are: Beams, Plates, Walls, All 1D and 2D members.
Plates to
In this group you select types of entities to which plates are aligned. Available options are: Plates, Walls, All 1D and 2D members.
Walls to
In this group you select types of entities to which plates are aligned. Available options are: Beams, Walls, All 1D and 2D members.
Max. node-to-master plane distance
If the distance between the master plane and tested node is greater than the value specified here, the alignment is not performed. Otherwise, the node is aligned into the plane.
This parameter is used during the alignment process (not during the generation of the list of master planes) - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details.
Max. total displacement of node
If the alignment of the node would mean that the node would move more than specified in this field, the alignment is not performed. This value prevents creation of long and sharp corners if two planes meet at a very small angle.
Note: Max. distance between master plane and node to be aligned must be lower or equal to Max. total displacement of node.
This parameter is used during the alignment process (not during the generation of the list of master planes) - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details.
Highlight master planes
If ON, the master planes are displayed using a thick line.
If OFF, the master planes are displayed using a thin line.
Highlight nodes planes with plane
If a master plane is displayed, also the nodes aligned to it are shown.
Preview shows master planes
Live preview (see above) normally shown only the aligned entities. If this option is ON, also the master planes to which the entities have been aligned are shown.
Preview shows nodes
If ON, the nodes that are moved are shown.
Preview colour
Selects the colour for the preview.
Parameterise the structure by master planes
(This option is available ONLY if (i) project functionality Parameters is ON and (ii) at least one coordinate of at least one node of the structure is defined through a parameter.)
If the program creates master planes in the nodes defined through a parameter (see Planes of parametric input above) and if this option is ON, then the program parameterizes all the nodes found in the appropriate master plane. Follow the example below.
Let us assume a simple structure with four columns. Just one column head (marked with the arrow) is defined by means of a parameter for the Z-coordinate. The X- and Y-coordinates of this column head and all the coordinates of other column heads are defined directly by a number. Now, if options Parameterize the structure by master planes and Planes of parametric input are ON, the program does the following (among other):
- it checks if there is a nodal coordinate defined through a parameter (in our picture: the Z-coordinate of the node marked with the arrow is parameterised),
- if so, it creates a plane "perpendicular" to the parameter: which means that if the parameter is defined for the Z-coordinate, the XY-plane is created and put into the parameterised node (in the picture: shown as transparent),
- if other nodes lie in this plane, their appropriate coordinate is parameterised as well (in our picture: the Z-coordinate of the remaining three column heads is parameterised).
Offset master planes
Specifies the offset for display of master planes. This option affects only the display of master planes, it has no effect on the algorithm for alignment.
Planes of parametric input
(This option is available ONLY if (i) project functionality Parameters is ON and (ii) at least one coordinate of at least one node of the structure is defined through a parameter.)
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the planes created in nodes whose at least one coordinate is defined by means of a parameter.
For example, if the X-coordinate of a node is defined as a parameter, the YZ-plane is put into this node and it forms the master plane. Similarly, if e.g. the Y-coordinate is defined through a parameter, the master plane is put into the XZ plane created in the node.
Save & New
This button creates a new action in the list of actions (the lit is in the Alignment Info floating window.
Delete action
Deletes the last action from the list of defined actions.
Run Align
This button runs the alignment procedure - only after this button has been clicked the entities are really aligned (prior to it only preview has been displayed).
Cancel
This button ends the Align function.
Refresh preview
This button refreshes the preview.
The Alignment Info floating window contains the following information:
Conflicts
This tab lists all conflicts. If you select a conflict in the list it is highlighted in the graphical window.
Master planes
This tab lists all master planes. If you select a master plane in the list it is highlighted in the graphical window. It is possible to select a single master plane or a whole group (e.g. horizontal 2D member planes).
Log
This tab shows various messages, especially in the case that the required action leads to extreme movements of nodes, etc.
Action preview
This tab lists all defined actions. The term action represents one alignment type - e.g. Beams to Columns, or Plates to All 1D and 2D members, etc.)
If you select an action in the list the affected entities are highlighted. This is possible only if the Live preview is set to ON in the property window. Otherwise, only the name of action group is listed.
In addition to the Align function described above, also the old Alignment function is available. It is under the Connect members/nodes function - see below.
1) Open BIM toolbox from the main tree menu.
2) Select the entities to be connected (if no entity is selected the function will work with all the entities defined in the model.
3) Start function Align > Connect members/nodes: the dialogue with all the available parameters opens on the screen.
4) Adjust the required parameters.
5) Confirm with OK.
The following parameters control the alignment, connection, and check of the structure.
This group of parameters controls the process of alignment of entities into selected planes.
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Align |
If ON, selected structural members will be checked and, if necessary, aligned to appropriate planes. |
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Planes of parametric input |
(This option is available ONLY if (i) project functionality Parameters is ON and (ii) at least one coordinate of at least one node of the structure is defined through a parameter.) The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the planes created in nodes whose at least one coordinate is defined by means of a parameter. For example, if the X-coordinate of a node is defined as a parameter, the YZ-plane is put into this node and it forms the master plane. Similarly, if e.g. the Y-coordinate is defined through a parameter, the master plane is put into the XZ plane created in the node. |
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GCS parallel planes |
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the planes parallel with three main planes of the global coordinate system. |
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UCS XY planes |
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into all XY planes of all the defined user coordinate systems. |
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UCS XY parallel planes |
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into planes parallel with all the XY planes of all the defined user coordinate systems. |
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Line grid planes |
The selected entities will be aligned in order to fit into the main planes of the line grid. |
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Max. distance between parallel master planes |
This parameter specifies the maximum distance between parallel master planes for which the tested plane is considered a new master plane. If the tested plane is closer to an existing plane, then no new master plane is created and the tested plane is coincided with the existing plane. Note: Max. distance between parallel master planes must be greater than Max. distance between master plane and node to be aligned. This parameter is used during the generation of the list of master planes - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details. |
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Max. angle between master planes |
Analogous to the condition above. This parameter is used during the generation of the list of master planes and in the checks for ambiguity of node moves - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details. |
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Parameterise the structure by master planes |
(This option is available ONLY if (i) project functionality Parameters is ON and (ii) at least one coordinate of at least one node of the structure is defined through a parameter.) If the program creates master planes in the nodes defined through a parameter (see Planes of parametric input above) and if this option is ON, then the program parameterizes all the nodes found in the appropriate master plane. Follow the example below.
Let us assume a simple structure with four columns. Just one column head (marked with the arrow) is defined by means of a parameter for the Z-coordinate. The X- and Y-coordinates of this column head and all the coordinates of other column heads are defined directly by a number. Now, if options Parameterize the structure by master planes and Planes of parametric input are ON, the program does the following (among other): - it checks if there is a nodal coordinate defined through a parameter (in our picture: the Z-coordinate of the node marked with the arrow is parameterised), - if so, it creates a plane "perpendicular" to the parameter: which means that if the parameter is defined for the Z-coordinate, the XY-plane is created and put into the parameterised node (in the picture: shown as transparent), - if other nodes lie in this plane, their appropriate coordinate is parameterised as well (in our picture: the Z-coordinate of the remaining three column heads is parameterised). |
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Max. distance between master plane and node to be aligned |
If the distance between the master plane and tested node is greater than the value specified here, the alignment is not performed. Otherwise, the node is aligned into the plane. This parameter is used during the alignment process (not during the generation of the list of master planes) - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details. |
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Max. total displacement of node |
If the alignment of the node would mean that the node would move more than specified in this field, the alignment is not performed. This value prevents creation of long and sharp corners if two planes meet at a very small angle. Note: Max. distance between master plane and node to be aligned must be lower or equal to Max. total displacement of node. This parameter is used during the alignment process (not during the generation of the list of master planes) - see chapter Alignment procedure for more details. |
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Keep original shape of the model |
If ON, the alignment uses eccentricities to keep the original shape of the structure. If OFF, the individual members are aligned into the midplane. The meaning of the parameter can be best explained using a simple example of three walls put one onto another. Let us assume a sample structure composed of three walls of different thickness with one face aligned.
If the option is ON, the program generates exactly this shape. On the other hand, if the option is OFF, the program considers the shift of the walls as an inaccuracy and puts their mid-plane into one plane - see below.
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The parameters in this group are identical with those in Setup > Geometry/Graphics. These values are used for all geometrical operations and for your convenience, they are added into this dialogue as well.
Recommendation: These two parameters should be lower at least by a factor of ten than parameters Max. distance between parallel master planes, Max. distance between master plane and node to be aligned and Max. total displacement of node.
This group of parameters control the process of connection of intersecting and "touching" entities.
This group controls the process in which the structure data are checked for compliance with restrictions implied by SCIA Engineer algorithms and Finite Element Method principles.
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Check |
If ON, the data are check and, if necessary and possible, corrected. |
