I have defined a notional load factor of 0.002 as part of my DIRECT ANALYSIS definition. Does that automatically define the notional loads in the analysis ?

Specifying the NOTIONAL LOAD FACTOR as part of the DIRECT ANALYSIS definition does not create the Notional Loads. This factor is just a switch that is used to instruct the software on whether to iterate Taub or not. When the factor is specified as 0.002, the program calculates Tau-b in an iterative solution based on the member forces. On the other hand, when notional load factor is specified as 0.003, then the program does not perform any additional iterations of Tau-b.

In addition to specifying the NOTIONAL LOAD FACTOR, the user must define the notional loads. Although these loads could be added manually on a load case by load case basis but one can save significant amount of time by using the Auto Load Combination Generator and checking the option to include notional loads as part of it as shown next.