Create Projects and Components

Create a Project

Creating a project from Design is as simple as clicking a button. This tool can be accessed via the Choose/Create or Project Menu buttons in the Header.

Note

When you create an account, a default project (My Project) is automatically created for you.

Step 1 - Open the Choose/Create Project Tool

Step 2 - Create Project

Enter your new project information. Note that Region and Design Code are required, but they can always be modified later.

Insert Profile Components

Open the Component Insertion Panel

Begin insertion by clicking the + Create button, right-clicking in empty space, or using the Ctrl + Qkeyboard shortcut and selecting Component

Tip

You can use the Ctrl + Q + C keyboard shortcut to begin inserting a component.

Step 1 - Basic Shape

Once in the Component Insertion Panel, you can draw a freeform profile, input the slope and horizontal distance for each line, or choose from common shapes as a starting point. Here, you can also modify your left and right heel and overhang settings.

Note

Choosing a predetermined shape here will hide the Gable, Jack, and Piggyback settings in the Shape Details section. These can be accessed later using the Convert to Settings tool.

Step 2 - Shape Details

Note

You can get back to this state any time by clicking "Clear Profile and Start Drawing"

After deciding on the basic shape of the truss, use the Shape Details section of the panel to finish refining the outer profile

Step 3 - Structural Details & Insertion

The final section allows you to finalize the details of the truss. In the scene, you can also:

• add or remove panels by right-clicking on profile lines

• delete web segments by right-clicking or selecting and using the delete key

• add new web segments by clicking on two web joints

Additional webbing changes can still be made after inserting the component. When satisfied with the truss, click the Insert button.

Insert Feature Pattern Components

Open the Component Insertion Panel

Begin insertion by clicking the + Create button, right-clicking in empty space, or using the Ctrl + Qkeyboard shortcut and selecting Component

Tip

You can use the Ctrl + Q + C keyboard shortcut to begin inserting a component.

Step 1 - Select the Feature Pattern Shape

Once in the Component Insertion panel, select the feature pattern shape to proceed.

Step 2 - Shape Details

Use the Left End, Right End, and Interior Conditions tools to modify the features of the truss. Common conditions are provided and can be customized. Alternatively, fully custom conditions can be created manually.

Step 3 - Structural Details & Insertion

The final section allows you to finalize the details of the truss, including:

1. The type of loading the component should receive, Roof or Floor

2. The webbing pattern for each webbing Zone

3. The thickness of the truss, which determines the orientation of the lumber depending on the lumber sizes chosen in `Material Settings`, which you can access via the button in this panel

These settings can also be modified after insertion. When satisfied with the truss, click the Insert button.

Note

Feature Pattern Components default to Floor Trusses, but you can change that using the Component Type dropdown.

See the Component Insertion reference page for more information about the settings found in this process.

Duplicate existing truss

To duplicate an existing truss, simply select it in the left or right sidebar and click the Duplicate Truss button in the Actions Toolbar.