By John Flanagan
Introduction
During a recent training course, a delegate asked me how to create an opening in a structural element such as a column or beam. This can be achieved with the Opening by Face tool on the Ribbon. Use the following steps to cut an opening in a structural element.
- On the ribbon, click Opening By Face.
Location:
Structure tab > Opening panel > (By Face)
Architecture tab > Opening panel > (By Face)
- Select the desired plane of the member to which you want to add an opening (use the tab key to cycle planes).
Selecting the Plane of a Beam
- Using the Draw Panel sketching tool, sketch the opening on the central flange of the beam. Click the finish button to complete the cut.
When you sketch an opening for a structural element using the rectangle option, you can specify a radius from the Options Bar which allows you to sketch rectangles with fillets. Try using some of the other draw tools to create openings in a structural element. Use the circle draw tool and the array tool to create several circular opening very quickly.
Note: Curved beams are not valid hosts for beam openings.