Non-standard profile cross sections are called User Sections. They can be set in Advance and behave in the same way as standard sections in the Advance-properties and Advance-functionalities.
All sections, including the User Sections, are stored in MS-Access-tables (libraries). The table structure for User Sections differs from the structure of standard sections. Standard section tables are parametric values and User Sections include only the corner points of the cross section geometry.
Accordingly User Sections are not manually entered in tables (libraries) – but are drawn and transferred by means of the Advance User Section tool that identifies the profile cross section and enters the geometry is into the MS-Access tables (libraries).
Figure 164: User Sections
Definition of User Sections
Similar to the special parts, a ‘User Section’ is made in two steps:
First, the section (2D cross section) is drawn with AutoCAD-elements. Then, two texts must be created with the name of the section (e.g. IPE 200) and the name of the section class (e.g. IPE).
The second step is the actual definition by a command and identification of the drawn elements. The information is proofed (for example the contours are not permitted to overlap) and created in the database. The section is now available in Advance.
Exact conventions and information layers must be considered when drawing and labeling special sections. Several User Section tools make this easier. These are stored in their own main-toolbar User sections with flyouts:
Figure 165: Advance main-toolbar User sections The general workflow for drawing and defining a User Profile is as follows.
• Create a DWG and set the view direction to ‘top view’ based on the world coordinate system.
• For each User Section component you must first set a corresponding layer. This can be done with the flyout Change current layer.
Note: The special section definition is an own application (ARX). It is automatic loaded by clicking the button in the User section toolbar.
Figure 166: Flyout Change current layer
• Section outer contour: To create an exact and a simple outer contour choose the layer setting outer contour or exact outer contour. The element MUST be created using a closed polyline (pline), a circle or a rectangle.
Figure 167: User Section outer contour - in standard - and exact representation
• Section inner contour: The layer for the inner contours (simple / exact) must be activated. Closed polylines (pline), circles and rectangles are allowed as elements.
• Place a section name and assign the section to a section class. This must be done using text created on specific layers. The layer for the respective text must be created and activated as the current layer. Only one-line Texts are permitted. They must not have blanks, and in the text for the section class, no negative sign.
Figure 168: User Section labeling and frames
• The definition frame must contain the profile with all its information and is required to create the section. Only a rectangle drawn on the appropriate layer is permitted for this.
• Coordinate systems: Advance-object surfaces can be selected to place the UCS. These surfaces can also be used for User Sections. The coordinate systems at the top surface of the section are set automatic. Add coor-dinates from the Special sections toolbar the surfaces can be set by selection. A symbol is created in the center of the line segments.
• Corner points of the section geometry can be set as position points of the creation axis (Reference axis or System line). The position of the section can be moved according to these points. When creating the section, the standard position is at the center of gravity. The position points of the reference axes are set with the tools in the reference axes menu in the user sections toolbar.
Figure 169: Flyout Add reference axis
• Select the required position from the menu, click on the screen so the cursor becomes a crosshair, then pick the respective corners on the outer contour (using object snap!) or from another point. A symbol is created
• Creating Sections: Sections are created from the geometric information and are saved in the database. Click one of the icons Create selected section or Create all sections (several special sections can be designed in one drawing). Select the section to create by picking the frame. A message is displayed to indicate successful creation of the section(s).
Figure 170: Flyout Special sections - creation
• Once the database is loaded in Advance (icon Update defaults from the main-toolbar Listing & Checking) the newly created section is available for use.
• If changes must be made to the geometry of existing User Sections, the geometry should be changed in the 2D drawing and the section recreated. Advance will replace the existing entries in the database when auditing the section names.
Please keep the drawings where you set the geometry of the sections, as there is no option (as yet) to locate these sections if moved. All cross sections must be redrawn when databases are lost.
User Sections Creation
After creating a User Section it is ready for use. Two options are available:
• Choose the last icon Other section in the toolbar (flyout) Sub – Section classes from the main-toolbar Create objects and select the required special section.
Figure 171: Create special section (1)
• Click on the Beam icon in the main-toolbar Create objects and create a section of the last created type.
Figure 172: Create special section (2)
• The Beam dialog-box opens. Choose your user section from the list under Section class and Section.