Member Add Column

Default Shortcut: F2 >   Structural Steel > "Column"
Adds a Column member.
See on another page: Column Edit window

  • Step-By-Step
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Related Tools

1 . Click the Member Add Column icon, which is pictured above. The icon can be found on the Members page > Steel section.

Alternative: Invoke Member Add Column using the Find Tool by searching the command name and clicking the icon, which is pictured above.

2 . The status line prompts, "Add: Column". Various Locators become active along with Locate - Repeat - Return mouse bindings. The Member add options bar also becomes active. Select the appropriate Locate option.

In a plan view:

2a . After adjusting the Member add options bar settings, left-click (Locate) to place the column where the point location target ( ) is at.

2b . The status line continues to prompt, "Add: Column", allowing you to continue adding column members.

Alternative 1: Another way to add a column is to use Repeat. For a column whose settings you want to duplicate, double-click the column and press "OK" on its edit window without changing anything. Then invoke Add Column and middle-click (Repeat) to lay out a new column like the double-clicked one.

Alternative 2: Right-click (Return) or press the Esc key to end the command.

In an elevation view:

2c . After adjusting the Member add options bar settings, left-click (Locate) the first point where the point location target ( ) is at.

2d . The status line prompts, "Locate second point." Note that you can still make adjustments to the Member add options bar settings at this stage. Left-click (Locate) the second point where the point location target ( ) is at.

Note: The two points can be selected in the order of bottom-to-top or top-to-bottom. Either way, the column member will be oriented bottom-to-top after it has been input.

2e . The status line continues to prompt, "Add: Column", allowing you to continue adding column members by repeating steps 2c and 2d.

Alternative 1: Middle-click (Repeat) to add another column with the exact same attributes as the previously added column.

Alternative 2: Right-click (Return) or press the Esc key to end the command.

  • Column worklines (stick form member lines) are drawn through the neutral axis of a wide flange, S shape, welded plate wide flange, welded plate box, HSS round, or HSS rectangular column.
  • If you located the column in a plan view (using a single work point), it is especially important that you enter the correct "End elevation" for the top end and bottom end of the column.
  • Another way to add a column is to use Repeat. For a column whose settings you want to duplicate, double-click the column and press "OK" on its edit window without changing anything. Then invoke Add Column and middle-click (Repeat) to lay out a new column like the double-clicked one.
  • The box for "Sloped column" is checked automatically if you add (or repeat) a column whose two work points are not aligned vertically.