Modify Truss Envelope Solids

Video Transcript:

In this video we are going to be using the Ordered Cuts tool to show how to add cuts to a truss envelope.

The Ordered Cuts tool is used to add cuts to a truss envelope in the order they are selected. These cuts override other items forming the bottom or top of the truss solid. It allows for custom shaping of the truss, such as accommodating varying ceiling heights.

In this example we have an entry way where we want the truss to accommodate the higher ceiling height. To do that, I'm going to add a series of cuts to the bottom chord. So, let's select this truss that we are wanting to add additional cuts to. For visual clarity I have removed a handful of trusses in front of the truss I am going to make changes to.

For this instance, I can't rely on the inferred ceiling plane, which the bottom is cut against by default. So I'm going to have to put in a couple of additional ceiling planes that are flat.

I am going to change our view back to a 2D view, and zoom in to focus on this lower portion of the building.

I will right click, and select ceiling plane and set the slope for this to 0 12 in our properties. Here I will select the edge on the inside of this bearing envelope. And click on insert to add this ceiling plane.

We don't need to cut this one, so we will move on to the next step.

I am going to right click once again, and select ceiling plane and use a 0 12 slope for this one as well. And I'll click to place one here on the right side of this bearing envelope. This will allow us to get the correct elevation for this plane. We won't cut this one either, so select insert.

Let me select this truss to add a new cut to. We will add an additional cut from the properties options, so let me scroll down and I can see the options to add an Ordered Bottom Cut. I'm going to start cutting from the left end. If we were starting the cut from the right end, I could check this right to left box over here in the options. But this cut will start on the left.

Let's start by picking the flat plane here along the left side we added, then we will press shift to allow a selection for a vertical cut on this vertical surface of the left side of the bearing envelope.

Next we will select the other plane we added here to get another flat section.

Hold shift, and click on the right side of this bearing envelope to come down the other side. And then go over to the left, and select that flat ceiling plane we used for our first selection, which is already at the correct elevation.

We can see the 5 cuts in order here in the properties panel. I'm happy with my selections, I'll click finish cutting to accept this.

Let’s take a look at what we added here in our 3D view. Here, I can see we've got the shape needed by hovering over the truss, we see the new cuts we've added, now follow the walls up, and over, and back down. That looks good for the new cuts here.

I'll design this truss so, by right clicking and selecting create or match design from the options. Once the truss is designed I'll change the view options to design, and we can see the ordered cuts that have been applied. If I spin this around you can see the bottom chord now follows the bearing height of the 2 walls.

Let’s go back to the layout and we'll delete an existing truss, so the next truss inherits the user-defined bottom cuts.

I’ll select the truss next to the Ordered Cuts truss, and press delete.

I will select the Ordered Cut truss we just created, and then right click on the truss, and select start run. I'll Drag up to create the new truss with the inherited bottom cuts, and click to place 📍 it.

 Then I can go over in our 3D view, and once again I'll right click and select create or match design. If we change the view options once again we will show that this truss has inherited the cuts along the bottom, for the height of the area between the bearing envelopes.

That should do it for our Ordered Cuts.

Now you’re ready to use ordered cuts to cut trusses in your own projects!

Thanks for watching!