This example shows how to use construction planes for determining the position of the stiffeners. You will position the stiffeners so that they divide the beam into three equally long sections.

1. Ensure that Direct modification is switched off.

   The selection of handles is easier when Direct Modification is off.

2. On the Custom component editor toolbar, click the Display variables button.

   The Variables dialog box opens.

3. Click Add to create a new parametric variable.
4. Get the GUID of the beam.
   1. On the ribbon, click Inquire objects .
   2. Select the beam.
   3. In the Inquire Object dialog box, check the GUID of the beam.
5. Modify the variable as follows:
   1. In the Formula box, enter =fTpl("LENGTH","ID4C8B5E24-0000-017D-3132-383432313432").

      ID4C8B5E24-0000-017D-3132-383432313432 is the GUID of the beam.

      The value of the variable is now the same as the beam length. If you change the beam length, also the value changes.

   2. In the Label in dialog box box, enter Beam Length.
6. Click Add to create another parametric variable.
7. Modify the new variable as follows:
   1. In the Formula box, enter =P1/3.
   2. In the Label in dialog box box, enter 3rd Points.
8. Create a construction plane:
   1. In the custom component editor, click the Add construction plane button.
   2. Pick the required points and then click the middle mouse button to create a construction plane in the center of a stiffener at one end.

      

9. Bind the stiffener to the construction plane:
   1. Select the stiffener.
   2. Hold down Alt and use area selection (from left to right) to select all stiffener handles.

      

   3. Right-click and select Bind to plane.
   4. Bind the stiffener handles to the construction plane.
10. Bind the construction plane to the beam end:
    1. Select the construction plane.
    2. Right-click and select Bind to plane.
    3. Bind the construction plane to the beam end.

       

11. Repeat steps 9–11 for the stiffener at the other end.
12. In the Formula box, enter =P2 for the two distance variables that bind the construction planes to the beam ends.
13. Save the custom component.
14. Close the custom component editor.