T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Contents
T19.01 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3
T19.02 Loading MasterFrame ................................................................................................... 3
T 19.03 The File Selection Menu .............................................................................................. 4
T 19.04 The Frame Generation Menu........................................................................................ 5
T 19.05 The Pre Processor ......................................................................................................... 6
T19.06 Deleting and adding Members....................................................................................... 6
T19.07 Moving Nodes ............................................................................................................... 8
T19.08 MasterSeries Member Drawing and Snapping .............................................................. 9
T19.09 Arched truss ................................................................................................................. 13

Page 2 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

T19.01 Introduction
This tutorial will generate, the frame shown on the starting page.
In this tutorial we introduce some new features such as:
Member Groups
Nodal Groups
Frame Spacing
Applying Density
This Tutorial has been written for version 2013.03 of the MasterSeries. Any subsequent
versions of the MasterSeries will have additional features, but the general procedure will be
the same.
We strive to make our Manuals as accurate and detailed as possible. Should you find any
errors, or areas that need clarification, then, please email your comments or corrections to
help@masterseries.co.uk.

T19.02 Loading MasterFrame

To start this tutorial:

Select Start >

Programs>
MasterSeries> to start
the MasterSeries.
Select Frames from the
top menu and then
MasterFrame:
Analysis Design
Drafting from the drop
down menu.

Page 3 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

T 19.03 The File Selection Menu

The MasterFrame File Selection menu will now be displayed.
This menu enables you to load existing files or create new data files. As each existing file is
selected, a picture of the frame is displayed in the window to assist your selection.

Select the New File button to clear and set the focus to file name input box

Type Tutor19.

Select the Create New

Page 4 of 15

button.

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

T 19.04 The Frame Generation Menu

In most cases you will be able to select a start-up
frame and then tailor it to your specific requirements.
In this case we shall generate a multi-storey frame,
edit the co-ordinates of the roof beams and then add
the two parapet walls.
The Frame Generation Menu (Frame Wizard) is now
displayed as shown.
TIP! If the frame you are generating does not match
one of the pre-processor frames, choose a frame that
is similar to, but larger than, your frame. It is easier to
delete members than to add them. If in doubt a
multi-storey frame makes a good basic grid.
Select the Multi-Bay and Grillages

button.

Chapter 3 MasterFrame - 3.3.1 Frame Generation Procedures and Templates

Page 5 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

T 19.05 The Pre Processor

The grillage pre-processor is now displayed.
One of the text input boxes has a different
background colour from the others. This is to let
you know that this box has the key board focus,
i.e. if you start to type then your text will be
placed into this text box.
You can click in any text box to set the focus to
it, you can also move from one box to another
using the cursor up and cursor down keys.
TIP! To clear and set the focus to a text box
just click on the label, for example, click
on No. of Spans to clear and then type
the new number of spans.

Set the top 4 parameters as shown in the box on the right.

Now select the droplist which says Span 01 and click Span 02.
Type 15 into the box to the right of this droplist. This changes the length of
span 02 to 15 instead of the default of 20.
Press Proceed

T19.06 Deleting and adding Members

Enable Member numbers

Page 6 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Go to Geometry > Delete >

Delete Members
Now select the members 2
Press Proceed
bottom right

in the

Go to Geometry > Define New

Members > Split Member
(Insert a Node)
Now select the member 1
Now click the box Or, No. Of Seq
in the top right and
enter the number 2
Press Proceed
Now press the Reset
button. This allows you to select a
new member to split
Select Member 3 and change the
Or, No. Of Seq
value to 4
Press Proceed
The model should look like this:

Page 7 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

T19.07 Moving Nodes

Enable Node Numbers
the top toolbar

in

Go to Geometry > Change

Nodal Coordinates > Shift X, Y
and Z
Select Node 6 by clicking on it.
Now enter a value of 3 next to
Shift Y (m)

Press Proceed
Now we will look at another way to move
nodes around...
Go to Geometry > Change
Nodal Coordinates > Edit
Coordinate List
In the menu that opens select
node 0010 from the list
The second column to the right
of the node number corresponds
to the Y coordinate of that node.
Change it from +0007.00 to
+0010.00
This menu allows you to directly change the
coordinates of any node in your structure...
Now we will look at how nodes can be
positioned on a straight line defined by two
other nodes...
Go to Geometry > Position
Nodes > Position nodes on
straight line
Uncheck Retain adjoin. Mem.
align
Press the Reset
button
to clear the selected node box

Page 8 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Now select node 9

Click the Start Node button and
click node 8
Click the End Node button and
click node 10
Press Proceed
Now press the Reset
button to clear the selected
nodes box
Select node 12
Enter nodes 10 and 11 as the
start and end nodes respectively
Select the option Retain X Coordinate
Press Proceed
Your frame should now look like this:

T19.08 MasterSeries Member Drawing and Snapping

Now we will look at some of the powerful snapping and drawing features introduced in
MasterSeries 2013. We will see how with the correct set-up it is now a lot easier and faster to
create frames.
Disable Member numbers
way of the snapping features

from the top toolbar. These may get in the

Go to Geometry > Position Nodes > Define new members (snap grid)

Page 9 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Hover the mouse over Node 4

to enable tracking off that node
Wait for a red x to appear over
the node & move the cursor
horizontally to the right along the
ortho X direction tracking line
With the cursor anywhere along
this tracking line, type 15 on
your keyboard and press enter.
This will move 15 metres along
the tracking line and set the start
point for a member.
Now Hover the cursor over
node 12 to create a tracking
point from it.
Move the cursor back until it is
snapped to a point horizontal to
the right of node 12 and
vertically above node 13, click
to create the member
We will do the roof using polar tracking with
custom angles. The roof angle of the first
frame is calculated to be 16.69 degrees, for the
downward slope an angle of 343.31 is used
(360-16.69)
Click the settings
button
at the bottom right of the
graphics screen
Select the Tracking tab and
type 16.69, -16.69 into the
Custom Angles box
Select 90 in the Angle Intervals
droplist
Ensure that Polar Tracking is on
by checking the check box
Press OK
Now click Node 14 to start a
member at that node

Page 10 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Now hover over node 11 to set

a tracking point there.
Once the red x appears move
the cursor horizontally across to
the right of the blue dot until it
snaps to the 16.69 degree angle
from node 14.
Finish the frame off as shown to
the right using tracking from
nodes 14 and 13.
Now we will create some parapets and spaces
within the frames, again using some of the
snapping features of MasterSeries.
Click the settings

button.

Click the Object Snaps tab

Make sure that Member/Line
Snaps, Mid-point, Orthogonal
to 1st end member and Project
from 1st end member are
enabled
Click Node 5, now move the
cursor upwards, the vertical
projection of member 1 is picked
up. Type 3 and press enter
Repeat this at node 16 at the far
end of the model.
Click the midpoint of the
member between nodes 3 and
8.
Using node 10 as tracking point
create a new a member
horizontally aligned with node
10
Now draw a member between
node 10 and then new node, 21
Now draw a member from 21
down to the ground (using node
3 as a tracking point)

Page 11 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Click the settings

button.

Click the Snap Grid tab

Enable snap grid by checking
the box next to Snap Grid On
Under Snap Grid Plane select
XY front view grid
Press OK
In the bottom right of the
graphics window disable Object
Snap
because these
settings will override the snap
grid
Using the snap grid and starting
6m to the right of nodes 1, draw
a vertical member 5m tall,
followed by a horizontal member
as shown in the figure on the
right:
Now repeat a similar
arrangement of member as
shown, starting 4m to the left of
node 2
Finally create a new member
between nodes 15 anf 17
Press the park
button in the
upper left of the graphics screen

Page 12 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

T19.09 Arched truss

Go to Geometry > Define new
Members > Split Member
(insert a node)
Select the member connecting
the second and third frames
(member 27)
Enter the value 10 into the Or,
No. Of Seq box

Press Proceed

Go to Geometry > Position

Nodes > Position on Arch
Drag a box around each of the
nodes you just created
(16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24)
Click the start node box and
then click node 15
Now select node 26 for the end
node
Enter a value of 2 into the
Camber (m) box
Press Proceed

Page 13 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Go to Geometry > Duplicate >

Duplicate Nodes and
Members
Press the Reset
button to clear
the selected nodes box
Now window nodes 16 to 24
again
Enter a value of 1.0 into the
Shift Y (m) box

Enter 1 into the number of

repeats box
Press Proceed
Go to Geometry > Define new
members > Define new
members (snap grid)
Brace the truss to match the one
on the right...
Now go back to Geometry >
Duplicate > Duplicate Nodes
and Members
Press the Reset
button to clear
the selected nodes box
Now window the entire truss
(nodes 15 to 26 and 38 to 46)
Click inside the shift Y box and
enter a value of 3
Click inside the shift X box and
enter a value of -35
Click inside the No of Repeats
box and enter a value of 1
Uncheck Tie Members

Page 14 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04

Press Proceed

End of Tutorial

Page 15 of 15

T19 MasterFrame Geometry Tutorial

Version 2013.04