Creating a Custom Structural User Shape

Use a 2D profile and the User Shape Manager to add custom structural shapes to the User Shape library.

The User Shape Manager is used to add special or custom structural shapes to your OpenBuildings Designer database.  These can be associated with a variety of materials including steel, concrete and timber, but will be designated to be placed with either steel tools, concrete tools or both.  User Shapes are easily defined with a closed 2D shape and then added to the library.  There are delivered libraries of both steel and concrete profiles. These are parametric and can be used to generate additional shape profiles of different dimensions.  Once added they are available for placement from the Shape Library.

Steps:

1. Open the file Structural_User-Defined_[Units].dgn from the delivered Dataset_XX/Data folder.
2. Open the Models dialog and select the profile you want to use for your custom structural shape.
3. From the Constraints tab open the Variables dialog.
   1. Create a new variation by right-clicking on an existing variation and selecting Duplicate.
   2. Rename the new variation.
   3. Modify the variables as needed and then Apply the variation to the model.
4. Open the User Shape Manager, go to File > Settings > Building > User Shape Manager.
   1. Expand the User Shapes folder and select the shape catalog that you want to append with your new profile.
   2. Right-click and select Create User Shape.
   3. Rename the new shape.
5. With the new shape selected select the Settings tab and set the Shape System. This determines the which placement tools will have this shape available. 
6. Return to the User Shape Manager tab and right click on the new shape and select Create normal resolution.
   1. Follow the prompts to select the profile and then an inner profile, user defined midpoint, and additional insertion points if required.
   2. The Partlist Data dialog will open. Give the new shape a Name and Material.  Select OK.
7. Close and re-open OpenBuildings Designer and the new User Shape is available in the Shape Library.