Create sections in the Section Designer

To create different sections, or shapes, in the Section Designer, follow the instructions below.

To define the sections whose properties you want to calculate, you can:

Build the sections by creating primary shapes (rectangles, circles, triangles and holes).
Recall standard sections using the Data Lists tool.
Select a standard section shape and enter the appropriate details directly.

Create a rectangle

You can create rectangles either by drawing them on the canvas, or by typing their properties manually.

Draw the shape on the canvas

In the toolbar, click the Rectangle button.
Place the mouse pointer where you want to place one corner of the rectangle.
Hold down the left mouse button and drag the pointer where you want to place the opposite corner of the rectangle.
To create the rectangle, release the left mouse button.

Define shape properties manually

Right-click anywhere in the Section Designer window.
In the context menu that appears, click Insert > Rectangular shape.

The Add Rectangle dialog box appears.
In the dialog box, type properties for the rectangle.
Click OK.

Create a circle

You can create circles either by drawing them on the canvas, or by typing their properties manually.

Draw the shape on the canvas

In the toolbar, click the Circle button.
Place the mouse pointer where you want the circle to start.
Hold down the left mouse button, and drag the mouse pointer where you want the circle to end.
To create the circle, release the left mouse button.

Define shape properties manually

Right-click anywhere in the Section Designer window.
In the context menu that appears, click Insert > Circular shape.

The Add Circle dialog box appears.
In the dialog box, type properties for the circle.
Click OK.

Create a triangle

You can create triangles either by drawing them on the canvas, or by typing their properties manually.

Draw the shape on the canvas

In the toolbar, click the Triangle button.
Place the mouse pointer where you want the triangle to start.
Hold down the left mouse button, and drag the mouse pointer where you want the triangle to end.
To create the triangle, release the left mouse button.

Define shape properties manually

Click Insert > Triangular shape.

The Add Triangle dialog box appears.
In the dialog box, type properties for the triangle.
Click OK.

Create a hole

Note:

Before you create holes, note the following:

Holes must lie completely within the shape to that they belong.
Rectangular shapes can contain any number of holes.

The holes can be rectangular on elevation, circular on elevation, or rectangular on section.
Circular shapes can only contain a single hole.

The holes must be circular on section, and concentric within the shape.
You cannot create holes within triangular shapes.

Select the shape to that you want to add a hole.
Click Insert > Hole.

The Add Hole dialog box appears.
Select the type of hole that you want to define.

The rest of the dialog box configures to show the details appropriate to the selected hole type.
Enter properties for the hole.
Click OK.
Note:
In order for you to understand the way that holes are handled in the Section Designer, read the following about containment:
In order to prevent a hole and its parent shape being separated, a property called containment is switched on for the parent shape.

This means that any other shape or hole, or group that lies completely within the shape, will be selected and moved together with the parent shape. This also includes the following cases:

Shapes that you add within the shape that has containment switched on.

Shapes that lie within the shape that has containment switched on.

If you want containment to be switched off, delete the holes in the parent shape. You can then select the shape by itself and move it out of the way before reinstating the holes that you deleted.

If you place shapes (including holes) in a group, the containment feature is switched off for the entire group.

Therefore, we recommend that when you have finished creating a shape with holes, you select the shape together with all its holes and place them in a group.

Create a predefined shape

The Tedds Data Lists tool includes details for many standard sections. The Section Designer also allows you to insert these sections on your canvas to create your own custom sections.

Note:

The Section Designer converts the pre-defined sections that you insert into groups of primary shapes. The conversion process may ignore some features of the section. Therefore, always check whether using the Section Designer suits your needs.

Do one of the following:
- In the toolbar, click the Predefined shape button.
- Right-click anywhere in the Section Designer window, and in the context menu that appears, click Insert > Predefined shape.
The Select Predefined Shape dialog box appears.
Do one of the following:
- To recall a standard section using Data Lists, double-click an item in the Standard shape from list.
  1. In the Data List dialog box, select the desired item.
  2. Click OK.
- To enter the details for a shape yourself, select the Custom library shape option and click OK.
  1. In the Add Custom Library Shape dialog box, select the type of shape.
  2. Click Next.
  3. In the dialog box that appears, type properties for the section.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. To place the shape on the canvas, click the left mouse button where you want to place the section.