Setting custom truss parameters

Some truss parameters depend on manufacturer data or custom specifications. These parameters can be viewed and edited from the Truss properties dialog box, which opens when Creating a custom truss symbol or Modifying truss symbol data.

Parameter	Description
Straight Truss
Object Data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Length (L)	Enter the installation length
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the truss
Distributed Weight	Displays the distributed weight of the truss; this is calculated automatically based on the Length and the Total Weight. Changes here also affect the Total Weight value.
Vertical Symbol	Indicates that the symbol is to be inserted as a vertical truss; if deselected, a horizontal truss is assumed
Cross Section Data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box to select a cross section file to associate with the truss, as described in Specifying cross section data
Height/Width	If a generic (rigid) cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to. The truss must be connectable with its own type. To list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons.
Connection
Start/End	Select the type of connection for each end of the truss, or select No Connection; see Concept: Creating a connected rigging system. At insertion, Auto Connect mode uses the selections for proper truss connection.
Rotation	Sets the connection angle for triangle trusses. The truss object is rotated on its X axis. Up-pointing triangle trusses should be set to 0 (zero) degrees; down-pointing triangle trusses should be set to 180 degrees.
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to show the parameters
Corner Truss
Object Data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Weight	Enter the weight of the truss
Cross Section Data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box to select a cross section file to associate with the truss, as described in Specifying cross section data
Height/Width	If a generic cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to. The truss must be connectable with its own type. To list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons.
Connection	Select the type for each connection and set its connection angle, or select No Connection; see Concept: Creating a connected rigging system. At insertion, Auto Connect mode uses the selections for proper truss connection. Depending on the selected Geometry, various connection combinations become available.
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to show the parameters; enter the parameter values below the diagram
Corner type	Select the type of corner geometry; the diagram adjusts to display the required parameters
Parameter values	Depending on the selected Corner type, different parameters are required. The diagram indicates where the parameters are located. For typical corners, length values are required. For Custom types, up to six points can be defined. Specify the coordinates of the middle of the truss where the center lines cross. Then select the corners of the connection points on the truss, and specify their coordinates relative to the insertion point.
Hinge Truss
Object Data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the truss element
Minimum Angle (A)	Specify the minimum angle for the hinge truss
Maximum Angle (A)	Specify the maximum angle for the hinge truss
Cross Section Data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box to select a cross section file to associate with the truss, as described in Specifying cross section data
Height/Width	If a generic cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable With	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to. The truss must be connectable with its own type. To list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons.
Connection
Start/End	Select the type of connection for each end of the truss, or select No Connection; see Concept: Creating a connected rigging system. At insertion, Auto Connect mode uses the selections for proper truss connection.
Rotation	Sets the connection angle for triangle trusses. The truss object is rotated on its X axis. Up-pointing triangle trusses should be set to 0 (zero) degrees; down-pointing triangle trusses should be set to 180 degrees.
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to show the parameters; enter the parameter values below the diagram
Hinge type	Select the type of hinge geometry; the diagram adjusts to display the required parameters
Parameter values	Depending on the selected Hinge type, different parameters are required. The diagram indicates where the parameters are located.
Circular Truss
Object Data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Diameter (D)	Enter the outer diameter of the circular truss
Angle (A)	Specify the arc angle of the truss from the start point to the end point
Insertion point is center point	Indicates that the center point of the truss is also its insertion point
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the truss
Distributed Weight	Displays the distributed weight of the truss; this is calculated automatically based on the Length and the Weight. Changes here also affect the Total Weight value.
Cross Section Data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box to select a cross section file to associate with the truss, as described in Specifying cross section data
Height/Width	If a generic cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to. The truss must be connectable with its own type. To list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons.
Connection
Start/End	Select the type of connection for each end of the truss, or select No Connection; see Concept: Creating a connected rigging system. At insertion, Auto Connect mode uses the selections for proper truss connection.
Rotation	Sets the connection angle for triangle trusses. The truss object is rotated on its X axis. Up-pointing triangle trusses should be set to 0 (zero) degrees; down-pointing triangle trusses should be set to 180 degrees.
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to show the parameters