Member add options bar
When 'Top' or 'Bottom' is selected, extra space is allocated to your top or bottom toolbar to provide settings related to the adding of a beam, column, or brace.
- Column
- Beam
- Vertical Brace
- Horizontal Brace
Column member
When you choose Member Add Column (or use an alternative method for launching the command), the Member add options bar is activated. It allows you to quickly add columns without having to open the Column Edit window. Note in the example above that the bottom "End elevation" and top "End elevation" are locked 
)
The "Continuous add mode" button ( 
or 
) is visible only when you are in an elevation view. It stops and starts continuous mode. Columns added using continuous mode are end-to-end. The second point of a column is the same as the first point of the next column you add. This makes continuous mode useful for adding spliced columns. Continuous mode requires the location of fewer points than the two clicks (one for each end) that are required for adding a column in an elevation view in non-continuous mode. You need to turn continuous mode off before you can add a column that is not end-to-end with the previously added column.
The "Launch member edit" button ( 
or 
) stops and starts the opening of the Column Edit window with each column that is added. The normal default that is applied to the first member added in a Modeling session is to not open the member's edit window. If you want the window to open, click the icon before you locate a point to add a column. The window opens for each column that is subsequently added during your current Modeling session until you click the icon again or restart Modeling.
Beam member
When you choose Member Add Beam (or an alternative method for launching the command), the Member add options bar is activated. It allows you to quickly add beams without having to open the Beam Edit window. Note in the example above that the left "End elevation" and right "End elevation" are locked ( ), which results in the elevation of the member ends being determined by the entered values. The entry made to "User defined connection" is valid due to the "Input connection type" being set to 'User defined'.
The "Continuous add mode" button ( or ) stops and starts continuous mode. Beams added using continuous mode are end-to-end. The second point of a beam is the same as the first point of the next beam you add. Continuous mode requires the location of fewer points than the two clicks (one for each end) that are required for a beam added in non-continuous mode. You need to turn continuous mode off before you can add a beam that is not end-to-end with the previously added beam.
The "Launch member edit" button ( or ) stops and starts the opening of the Beam Edit window with each beam that is added. The normal default that is applied to the first member added in a Modeling session is to not open the member's edit window. If you want the window to open, click the icon before you locate a point to add a beam. The window opens for each beam that is subsequently added during your current Modeling session until you click the icon again or restart Modeling .
Vertical Brace member
When you choose Member Add Vertical Brace (or an alternative method for launching the command), the Member add options bar is activated. It allows you to quickly add vertical braces without having to open the Vertical Brace Edit window. Note in the example above that the left "End elevation" and right "End elevation" are unlocked ( 
), which results in the elevation of the member ends being determined by the located points. "User defined connection" is disabled (grayed out) due to the "Input connection type" being set to 'Vbrc plate' instead of 'User defined'.
The "Continuous add mode" button ( or ) stops and starts continuous mode. Vertical braces added using continuous mode are end-to-end. The second point of a vertical brace is the same as the first point of the next vertical brace you add. Continuous mode requires the location of fewer points than the two clicks (one for each end) that are required for a vertical brace added in non-continuous mode. You need to turn continuous mode off before you can add a vertical brace that is not end-to-end with the previously added vertical brace.
The "Launch member edit" button ( or ) stops and starts the opening of the Vertical Brace Edit window with each vertical brace that is added. The normal default that is applied to the first member added in a Modeling session is to not open the member's edit window. If you want the window to open, click the icon before you locate a point to add a vertical brace. The window opens for each vertical brace that is subsequently added during your current Modeling session until you click the icon again or restart Modeling.
Horizontal Brace member
When you choose Member Add Horizontal Brace (or an alternative method for launching the command), the Member add options bar is activated. It allows you to quickly add horizontal braces without having to open the Horizontal Brace Edit window. Note in the example above that the left "End elevation" and right "End elevation" are unlocked ( ), which results in the elevation of the member ends being determined by the located points. "User defined connection" is disabled (grayed out) due to the "Input connection type" being set to 'Hbrc plate' instead of 'User defined'.
The "Continuous add mode" button ( or ) stops and starts continuous mode. Horizontal braces added using continuous mode are end-to-end. The second point of a horizontal brace is the same as the first point of the next horizontal brace you add. Continuous mode requires the location of fewer points than the two clicks (one for each end) that are required for a horizontal brace added in non-continuous mode. You need to turn continuous mode off before you can add a horizontal brace that is not end-to-end with the previously added horizontal brace.
The "Launch member edit" button ( or ) stops and starts the opening of the Horizontal Brace Edit window with each horizontal brace that is added. The normal default that is applied to the first member added in a Modeling session is to not open the member's edit window. If you want the window to open, click the icon before you locate a point to add a horizontal brace. The window opens for each horizontal brace that is subsequently added during your current Modeling session until you click the icon again or restart Modeling .