MODEL, Owning and Attached Parameters

Model Reference Manual

Structural Design Using Catalogue Components : MODEL, Owning and Attached Parameters

MODEL parameters (DESP) are array-type attributes of any element which has a Specification Reference (Sections, Joints, Fittings etc.), each of which may store up to 100 real values. They may be used to transfer design data to a corresponding Catalogue component, or to a component’s attached or owning design element.

As an example, this enables one or more dimensions of a Joint to be derived from the dimensions of the Section(s) to which it is attached, rather than from preset dimensions defined for it in the Catalogue.

A DESP is referenced in the design by its numbered position in the array. Its value must be set before the corresponding component is selected from the Catalogue, so that the required setting is available within the design.

Parameters are either numeric values or WORDs (4 to 6 upper case alphabetic characters) which are internally stored as integer values.


Example:
DESP 2.5 7	Sets first two design parameters to 2.5 and 7 respectively.
DESP N3 -5.5	Sets third design parameter to -5.5.
DESP N3 POSS OF /SCTN1	Sets design parameters 3, 4 and 5 to X,Y,Z coordinates (respectively) of POSS of element /SCTN1.

Note:

In the last example, a range of three design parameters, needed to hold the co-ordinates of the defined point, was set automatically, starting with the specified third parameter.

Command Syntax:

Setting parameters in default order in the array, starting at parameter number 1:

                      .--------------<------------.
                     /                            |
>-- DESParameters --+-- <expres> -----------------|
                    |                             |
                    |-- <uval> -------------------|
                    |                             |
                    |-- READ ---------------------|
                    |                             |
                    ‘-- word --+-- OF --  <gid> --|
                               |                  |
                               ‘------------------+-->

Setting individually specified parameters within the array:

                   .--------------------<----------------------.
                  /                                            |
>- DESParameters -*- Number - integer -+- <expres> ------------|
                                       |                       |
                                       |- <uval> --------------|
                                       |                       |
                                       |- READ ----------------|
                                       |                       |
                                       ‘- word -+- OF - <gid> -|
                                                |              |
                                                ‘--------------+->

Querying:

.--------------<----------------.
/ |
Q --*-- DESParameters - integer -----+--->

Querying Examples:


Q DESP 1 DESP 3	Outputs values of design parameters 1 and 3.
Q DESP	Outputs values of all design parameters.
Q (WDESP[1])	Extracts a word from within DESP 1.
FINCH DIST Q (DDESP[2])	Extracts a distance (in feet and inches) from within DESP 2.