# 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`](/design/getting-started/interface-overview/header.md#choose-create-project) or [`Project Menu`](/design/getting-started/interface-overview/header.md#project-menu) buttons in the [`Header`](/design/getting-started/interface-overview/header.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

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

### 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](/design/how-to/general/modify-project-and-component-settings.md) later.

<figure><img src="/files/JtPORMJAfu1mR9XJ8Vx1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Insert Profile Components

### Open the Component Insertion Panel

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

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**

You can use the `Ctrl + Q + C` keyboard shortcut to begin inserting a component.
{% endhint %}

### 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.

{% hint style="info" %}
**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.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/P2cz7AeLJgjoKp356duS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 2 - Shape Details

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

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

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.

<figure><img src="/files/rvguKnibrPqwcvVPKb80" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## 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 + Q`keyboard shortcut and selecting `Component`

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**

You can use the `Ctrl + Q + C` keyboard shortcut to begin inserting a component.
{% endhint %}

### Step 1 - Select the Feature Pattern Shape

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

<figure><img src="/files/fJngWmw2SsUJxUkg1ocd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 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.

{% hint style="info" %}
Note

Feature Pattern Components default to Floor Trusses, but you can change that using the `Component Type` dropdown.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/Mbte0hDETikKpo9XZNiX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

See the [Component Insertion](/design/reference/component-insertion.md) 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`](/design/getting-started/interface-overview/actions-toolbar.md).


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