Add Board

Purpose

Prerequisites

An existing truss

Steps

Watch video

1. From the Operations menu, select Add Board or click .

You are prompted to select the first point on the truss. The following prompt displays:

Before selecting the first point, you can use the R key to define a "helper point."

Note: Make sure the Caption Bar, on the Applications menu, is turned on so that the prompts for each step are visible.

2. Select the first point on the truss. If you press the space bar prior to selecting a point, the Offset dialog displays.

The following prompt displays:

Note that before selecting the second point, you can use the following modifier keys to aid in defining the point.

• O - opens Offset Point dialog
• V - sets a vertical line from the first point 1
• H - set a horizontal line from point 1
• P - open a dialog where you can enter a pitch or angle to set a line from the first point
• R - define a "helper point"

3. Select the second point on the truss.

Note: To create a helper point, pick an arbitrary point using Shift-left click.

A sample with two points selected is shown below.

After the second point is selected, the Add Board dialog displays.

4. Specify the following options on the dialog:

Board Type

• Web - add a structural board
• Filler Chord - add a non-structural board

Size - select the board size from the drop down list.

Stack - 1 is the default; up to 6 stacked pieces are allowed

Lumber

• Auto
  • For non-structural members, Auto uses the first material in the lumber priority list for the specified size.
  • For structural members Auto allows Truss Studio to select the lumber, evaluating for loading and other design criteria; the first lumber in the priority list of the specified size that works will be used.

• Select a specific type (species/grade) of lumber from the drop down list. Lumber displayed in this list is based on lumber available in your inventory.

Structural - select this to add a structural board which is included in the analog model

In-Lay Board - add a new board between two existing boards. New boards input across existing boards are cut to the edges of intersecting members and do not overlap. When this option is unchecked, new boards input across existing boards will not be cut to the existing boards and instead will overlap.

Cutting

• Auto - alignment and cut determined automatically by Truss Studio. Existing members at a joint may adjust or be re-cut to accommodate the new board at the joint.
• Fixed - precisely defined alignment and cuts, based on predefined cuts for the end of each piece. Geometry and cutting is locked and maintained for existing boards at a joint. When you select this option, you can choose cut types from the Left/Bottom End and Right/Top End drop down lists. Fixed is the default setting. Adjust the setting in Dialogs > Add Board > Use fixed cutting.

Change End Points - temporarily closes the Add Board dialog and allows re-selection of the start and end points of the new board.

End Cut Descriptions

Trim to Fit - trims the outside edge to the nearest board(s) going in the direction from the other end point to the cut end.

Double Cut (Vertical Line) - trims the board end to a vertical line at the pick point and the line from the intersecting board

Double Cut - Vertical Line Example

Double Cut (Horizontal Line) - trims the board end to a horizontal line through the pick point and the line from the intersecting board

Single Cut - trims the board against the line from the intersecting board

Single Cut Example

Square Cut - trims the board to a perpendicular line to the board being added at the pick point

Square Cut Example

Plumb Cut - trims the board to a vertical line through the pick point

Plumb Cut Example

Level Cut - trims the board to a horizontal line through the pick point

Add another - check this box to keep the Add Board dialog open and continue adding new boards

5. Click Apply to add the board to the truss and keep the Add Board dialog open. Click OK to add the board and close the dialog (unless Add another is selected).

You can apply loads to newly added boards using the Component Loading dialog.

See example

Examples

Two common situations where this feature is helpful include:

• Structural/transition gables
• Adding a dormer

Edit Boards

Use Shadow Truss