Creating Beams Using a Curve

	This task shows how to create a beam using a curve.
	1.	With your 3-D session open, click the `Beam` button . The `Beam` dialog box displays with the `Geometry` tab selected.
	2.	Select from the `Category` drop down list. (This task uses `Beam` as an example.) You can select `More` to display the `Class Browser`, and select from what is available in the catalog. The name of the beam is assigned automatically, using the object naming rules. If you want to assign your own name to the beam, uncheck the `Automatic` box and enter a name.
	3.	Select `Curve` from the `Type` drop down list.
	4.	In the `Curve` field, you can: Select curves in your 3-D session. Right-click and select from the list of GSD stacking commands. You see the beam display in your 3-D session as you make your selections.
	5.	When selecting curves, you can click alongside the `Curve` field, and the `Curve` dialog box displays. The `Curve` dialog box lists the curved beams you selected. You can use the `Curve` dialog box to replace a curve with another curve. Select the curve you want to replace from the list, and click the `Replace` button. Select a curve in the 3-D session. This curve displays in the `Curve` dialog box list in place of the original curve.
	6.	You can also remove curves from the dialog box. Select the curves you want to remove, and click the `Remove` button. The selected curves are removed from the list. Click `Close` when you have made all the necessary changes.
	7.	In the `Surface` field, you can: Select surfaces in your 3-D session. Right-click and select from the list of GSD stacking commands. You see the beams display in your 3-D session as you make your selections.
	8.	You can click the `Reverse` `Orientation` button to change the orientation of the beams.
	9.	Select `Start` or `End` in the `Limits` section to limit the placed beam. You can: Select an object in your 3-D session (reference plane, plate, stiffener, beam or pillar), and the beam is limited at that location. Right click to display a drop down list and select `Select Reference Plane`to display the `Plane Systems`dialog box. (You can select `Delete Limit` to delete a limit.) NOTE: When you define a limit, the `Invert Beam` button becomes available. You can click it to invert a beam.
	10.	Enter a value under `Offset` to offset the beam from the limit. You can enter both negative (removes material) and positive (adds material) values.
	9.	Click `OK` when you are done.
	10.	You can change the values of a beam by double clicking on the beam in your 3-D session. The `Beam` dialog box displays. Change the values as required. Some fields are not available, and cannot be changed (such as `Category`).