Separate connection parts

In this exercise the following items will be handled :

- a knee joint can be used for an apex situation, and vice versa

- drawing additional stiffeners for a profile

- merging 2 connections

- copying a merged connection using Smartcopy

- Open the drawing Separate connection parts.dwg

- Click on the icon Apex

- Select the left rafter of the apex on intersection B3

- Select the light rafter of the apex on intersection B3

For this exercise we don't need a reinforcement, and we can't use the typical miter endplates for a knee joint because then the tubes can't be connected to the apex anymore. That's why we're searching for an alternative connection.

- Click the button

- Double-click on the connection No reinforcements

- Press <Enter> to end the command

The group Apex connections did not contain the desired connection.
A better fitting connection did exist in the group Haunch connections.
The button will search the entire library.
It is therefore not that important that you know the correct icon for your connection, just as long as you first select the continuing profile first and then as second selection the profile that should be shortened.

- Activate the tab Bolts

- Choose 3 for the number of vertical bolts

We will add stiffeners in the rafter on the left.

- Click on the icon Stiffeners

- Select the rafter on the left

- Double-click the connection Stiffener to point1

- Zoom in closely on the end of the rafter on the right side, and select the bottom end point of this rafter.

- Then press <Enter> to confirm the point as a selection

- Press <Enter> to end the command

The point that we choose on the rafter on the right is projected to the rafter on the left. This way an exact location for the stiffeners can be determined. This stiffener's location will remain dependent on the end point of the other rafter.

- Click on the icon Merge macros

- Select the big sphere of the apex connection

- Select the small sphere of the stiffener

- Then press <Enter> to end the selection

- Click twice to close the Review macro windows .

- Click on the icon SmartCopy

- Select the macro that we just merged

- Then press <Enter> to confirm the selection.

- Select the rafter on the left on intersection B4

- Select the rafter on the right on intersection B4

- Repeat this for some other apex connections

- Then press <Enter> to end the command

After merging the stiffeners with the apex connection we can still easily copy the connection using the Smartcopy tool.
However do note that this tool won't work anymore if you use a line, polyline or plate as base in one of the merged connections. The smartcopy tool only works on profiles and planes for the base elements of the connections.