When a section is connected to a section that already exists, the end points of the new section are usually positioned automatically by reference to the currently defined Pline Rule. If this rule has not been set up properly, the geometry at the point of connection may be inappropriate. For example, in plan view, the connection between a column and a beam a pictorial representation of:

On the SECTIONS tab, in the Tools group, click Trim, select To Pline Pick (force). The user is prompted to ‘Identify section end to be trimmed’, in the 3D view, pick one of the ends to be corrected. The user is prompted to ‘Identify pline to be trimmed to’. If necessary change the view and pick the pline which corresponds to the required section end point (typically NAR/NAL for a web connection or TOS/BOS for a flange connection, refer to Structural Catalogue for more information). The pointer shape changes when it is positioned on a pline and the status bar identifies which pline is selected at any given moment. Press Esc to action the change.

Repeat the sequence, alternately picking section ends and plines, until all errors have been corrected. If the user is confident that the correct selections have been made, pick any number of section/pline pairs before they press Esc.

To check the current pline rule (if any), from the main menu bar, select On the SECTIONS tab, in the Tools group, click Plines Filter. The Pline Filter window is displayed populated all currently defined rules; this probably shows No Rule and Normal, with the former selected.

The Normal rule handles the connections that the rule to be created below is going to handle. Click Define Rules to display the Define Rules window. Enter the Name as Extremities (this is used to identify the rule in subsequent lists) and the Description as Flange or web face for trimming at connection. Enter the Rule below (take care to include the apostrophes and commas exactly as shown):

Click Include to add the new rule into the list. The result is displayed in the Defined pane in the Define Rules window:

Click OK. Select the Extremities rule on the Pline Filters tab of the Snap Settings window to make this the current rule. Click OK and close the Picking Control window.

A full explanation of the ways in which pline rules are set and applied is beyond the scope of this manual. Suffice it to say that the rule set here may be interpreted as ‘Select a pline which has any of the PKEY settings specified in the list’. (Refer to Structural Catalogue for diagrams showing how these plines are positioned for typical steelwork profiles.)

The Trim to Section functionality allows the user to correct any connections whilst maintaining the pline connectivity that exists, and so retains any previously defined trimming.

The Trim To Section Pick functionality allows the user to choose the section to correct any connections whilst maintaining the pline connectivity that exists, and so retains any previously defined trimming.

The Trim to Pline functionality allows the user to correct any connections by the reset of the connectivity to an explicit or rule-defined pline.

The Pline Pick functionality allows the user choose the Pline to correct any connections by the reset of the connectivity to an explicit or rule-defined pline.