How do I create beams?

[MudMover]

Title says it all really. I can create columns easily enough, but I would like these same items laid on their sides to be used as beams - seems a pretty fundamental requirement for an architectural program, so I think I'm obviously missing something here.

Thanks,

Phil

Using TFP 14, 15 and 16

[MudMover]

Doh! Should have used the search function first!

Just found Alan's explanation from a few years back.

 

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Phil,

There are other ways to do this too.  Check out this post: http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,867.msg4159.html#msg4159 .
I know this is talking about guttering but you can select any profile or even create one. If you wanted to create an elaborate framewaork of beams (for example a pergola as in the image), draw the framework with the Line tool from the Layout Toolbar (use the Rectangle tool if you want to mitre the corners), select all the lines and right click - choose Convert To... Members and choose the Member - wood, steel whatever you want.   All the lines will be converted to the beam you chose. All you have to do them is Right Click / Elevate the whole thing to the height you want. If you are using the Rectangle tool, make sure you Double click the Member you choose and on the Details tab, tick the two mitre boxes, so they will mitre on the Corners.

A simple Line can also be converted to just one Member and once cenverted you can just drag the length to whatever length you want. This is a very flexible tool. Keep double-clicking to get all the properties and right click to add new ones.

Allan

[gelagirl]

Mudmover : Not bad question at all..

Allan: can one combine the lineconvertion with normal walls as well, or is it impossible? Thanks for that explenation anyway.

[Allan Chesney]

Yes. 

When you do a Convert to... Walls, it just becomes whatever wall you select and can be joined in with the other walls or you can join new walls to the line-converted wall. Once it is converted to a wall it cannot be reverted or changed to anything else - it is now a wall and no different to any other wall. However I can't think a a good reason why you would do that - easier to draw the Wall (and it gives the dimensions as you go), than it is to draw the Line then Convert it. If you wanted to get an exact circle may be the only reason - using the Circle or Arc tool.

Allan

[gelagirl]

Oh did I get some nice ideas out of this? Yup absolutly. Was really fun playing around with that convertion stuff. Half circled walls were easy stuff and now it's just my imagination that keeps running wild here.
Nice to have something to play with when theres snowstorm outside..and it

[MudMover]

Just popped by to say thanks to Alan - I'd gone off using the aforementioned method and hadn't realised my original Q had been answered - so thanks!