Beam shape modeling problem

[Anonymous]

Hi there!:)
Perhaps the answer is quite obvious, but i'm rather freshman when it comes to Archicad (have been using revit earier). I work on Archicad 16 student version. The problem is that I have roof structure covering swimming pool and I want to design timber wood beams in my model, to have shape according to bending moment. Therefore I want to model beam which height is changing. So for example in side view both ends will have different heights (trapezoid shape) or even more complex shapes like increasing height in the middle. Is it possible? Please help, deadline is coming 😉

[Dwight]

You'll use the complex profile as a wall… sideways.

[David Maudlin]

Piok89 wrote:
Therefore I want to model beam which height is changing. So for example in side view both ends will have different heights (trapezoid shape) or even more complex shapes like increasing height in the middle. Is it possible?

Another option is to use the Morph Tool to model the shape of the beam.

You should add a Signature to your Profile (click the Profile button near the top of this page) with your ArchiCAD version and operating system (see mine for an example) for more accurate help in this forum.

David

[Dwight]

While we all want to promote the use of new tools, the morph tool alone is a vastly inferior choice for this assignment:
1: Accuracy: Bending morphs is tedious since each vector must be done individually in 3D and match-snapping is difficult. On the other hand, drawing a complex profile fill in section allows for realistic detail and stretching. You can always morphisize it later for individual adaptation.
2: Editing: Imagine arraying a series of related beams. Using a single complex profile to define the beam section means editing them as a group by editing the fill shape. Morphs require individual treatment/copying and placement.
3: Systematization: I may be a relic of the old days, but it seems to me that elements constructed orthographically lend themselves to fabrication and dimensioning better than amorphic elements.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your help guys. Solution is quite obvious, but a bit unhandy. Each time I move wall just a little bit, I have to modify whole profile. Don't know why it's possible to edit only length and angle while beam height shaping seems essential. Uh, BIM software is still so problematic 😉. Anyway, thanks a lot!:)

[Dwight]

You'll want to study how to stretch a complex profile. Attached image shows a series of beams from the same fill section.

[Dwight]

We should also be suggesting that you investigate this:

"Objective", free for educational use