Grids & Columns
This time, let′s take a quick look at column grids.
You can see various options such as xspacing, yspacing, width, depth, etc. while placing the grid. Don′t worry about this now. All properties of the column grid can be controlled through the properties palette.
As you see, the column grid you have placed looks simpler and uniformly spaced. Rarely have you encountered such simple grids practically. Now we need to see some properties of the column grid, which will help you achieve the grid you want.
Select the column grid and take a look at the Properties Palette.
Assuming you are working in metric (millimeters), the default overall size of the grid here is 30mx18m. Also, as you can see, separate controls are available for the X axis and Y axis of the grid. Most of them are simple and self-explanatory, but the Layout type is the most important. See the highlighted portion of the above image (pull down). It reveals three types of layouts, namely: Manual, Space evenly, and Repeat
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When Layout Type is in Repeat mode, you will have to enter a bay size. Now try to select the corner grips of the column grid and stretch it. You will see the number of bays increase, but the size of each bay is maintained.
Try to change the layout mode to Space evenly. In this case, you will have to enter the Number of Bays. Now try to select the corner grips of the grid and stretch it. You will see the size of the bays increase, but the number of bays is maintained.
In both the above modes, you noticed that the grid revealed only four grips at the corners. Stretching the column grid maintained either the bay size or the number of bays. Both ways, the grid remains uniform, which is more suitable for lighting/reflected ceiling grids. But the column grid requires more treatment so that you decide the location of each grid manually. Here comes the handy Manual mode.
This time, Change the Layout Type to Manual for both X and Y axes. Have a look at the grips revealed for each and every grid of the column. You can also stretch the grips; use snaps to modify the grids precisely.
With the manual mode selected, you can easily adjust the grips to achieve precise spacing between the grids. Other than using the grips, you can also key in the distance using the bays worksheet.
To open the bays worksheet, select the column grid, and in the Properties Palette, click the value for bays. Refer to the following figures.
As you can see, in the bay worksheet above, you have options to input the distance between the grids and also the distance of each grid from the origin of the column grid.
Once you place the column grids, you can add columns, beams, and walls using proper osnaps. While adding walls, you can use the ′node′ or ′intersection′ snap to snap to the intersection of grids.
Let′s try to add a few columns to the column grid.
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Select the Column tool from the Design tab.
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At the Insert point or [STyle/Length/STArt offset/ENd offset/Justify/Match/Autotrim]:option, using osnap, select the intersection of the grids.
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Press Enter to finish the command.
After adding the column, try to move the column. You will see that the column snaps back to the grid intersection or jumps to the nearest intersection. The column is by default anchored to the column grid, a type of anchoring called the ′node anchor.′ Don′t worry about the column dimensions or the type of structural columns at this moment. We will see that in detail later.
Tip
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To place columns in all the intersections of the grid in one go:
At the Insert Point.. prompt, hover the mouse over the column grid (do not click) and cycle through the ′ctrl′ key until you see the preview of columns at all intersections, as shown in the below figure. Now, click and press enter to finish. You can remove unwanted columns now as this process is faster compared to adding columns at required intersections.
We will investigate more column grids as well as some wall tools next month.
(Discuss this Article! in the HotNews Discussion Forums.)
Tharakesh Ananthakrishnan is technical/project manager for OMNIX International - Dubai. He has more than 12 years of experience as a user and an instructor of CAD software in the AEC and GIS fields. His Autodesk product specialties include AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, Revit Architecture, Autodesk VIZ, 3ds Max, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Land Desktop, and AutoCAD Map. Tharakesh was the first Autodesk Certified Professional in the Middle East and is an Autodesk Authorized Instructor, an AUGI member, and AUGI Training Program instructor. He can be reached at
a.tharakesh@gmail.com
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