Dimension core of Composite wall in Section

[Anonymous]

I am "switching" over to using more Composite walls. I have set my Wood framing as the core in most cases. Dimensioning is a bit more tedious, but I am getting better.

In a Section view of a Composite wall the Default "live" pick points on the wall are the Outer skin no mater the "Core" settings. Is there a easy way to dimension to the core of composite walls (or floor, or roofs) in the Section window?

[Anonymous]

Hi Jay,
I use composite walls quite a bit. So your post took me by surprise because I could not remember when I had tried to dimention to the core of a composite wall in section. I realized that I rarely do this. I was taught that it was bad form to dimension that kind of stuff in section. So maybe that's why it's not as easy, just because it is not done as much. Glad you are using the composites though. They can be very handy!

[Anonymous]

Melisa wrote:
... I was taught that it was bad form to dimension that kind of stuff in section. ..

Well, I was not taught, so that is my main "problem". I am engineer and while what we call the "pretty" pictures are important, and AC does a great job creating them, it is the Structural drawings that are of upmost importance. Dimensioning to anything other than the Core of a Composite or the outside of a 5.5" non-composite (single fill) wall would be bad form and truss manufacturer for one would not be happy (first of a line of unhappy people).

Melisa wrote:
Glad you are using the composites though. They can be very handy!

Yes, many seem almost evangelistic about these composites. Once I get all the view settings the way we like I think they will be an improvement. Still a bit of a challenge even when dimensioning even in Plan view though.

[TomWaltz]

I agree with the idea that MOST things should not be dimensioned in section (like say, beam layouts) because most contractors would not think to look there. There are a lot of things that only make sense to dimension in section, though.

The fact that you cannot snap to the skins of a composite in section seems so absurd that it almost has to be a bug.

[Anonymous]

TomWaltz wrote:
The fact that you cannot snap to the skins of a composite in section seems so absurd that it almost has to be a bug.

It has to be a bug, any one has reported it?
Joseph

[Anonymous]

If it is a bug, and not fixed before AC11 comes out in a few weeks, is it "dead-in-the-water". Will this "fix" cost me an upgrade price?

[Karl Ottenstein]

Joseph wrote:

TomWaltz wrote:
The fact that you cannot snap to the skins of a composite in section seems so absurd that it almost has to be a bug.

It has to be a bug, any one has reported it?

Ummm... what part of snapping to composite skins in section doesn't work for you guys? The mercedes cursor is indeed a snap...and appears anywhere along any skin.

Being "live" (associative) and with the possibility for 'core only' as Jay desires is different matter from snapping...

Karl

[Anonymous]

Yes it is a "live" dimension node (the circle symbol, right), but also if not zoomed in close the "default" dimension snap selection honestly seems to be hit-or-miss in regards to the core. I would like to, of course, see it "live" to the core (think the Live dimension node only shows at the top an bottom to the wall at the outer skins), but I would like at least the default (non-zoomed in) dimension node be to the core.

[Anonymous]

Jay,
I think what Melisa was saying is that horizontal dimensions belong on horizontal drawings and vertical dimensions on vertical drawings. So the width of your composite wall should be done on a plan type drawing not a vertical section drawing. I don't think she is talking about pretty pictures just proper dimensioning technique. Maybe you will have better luck on a plan view.

Gary Bley
Portland, Oregon USA

[Stress Co_]

Jay:
Do you off set the walls reference line?

If so, you should be able to dimension ("Live" - circle symbol) to the reference line... as well as the outer skin. BUT, you'll only find theRef line node at the bottom of the wall.