Intelliview 17-02-00 User Guide

SOFTWARE USER GUIDE EN
Dynamic and Integrated Software Solutions
IntelliVIEW
Software User Guide
Version 17.02
www.alpineitw.com Page - 2 Customer Support: 866-237-2878
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 3
What's New in Release 4
Where is Help Documentation Found? 5
iCommand Features 6
New Book Icon in the ItemStatus Column of the Item Grid (iCommand) 7
Expanded Column Chooser Options for Linked Sub Job Panel (iCommand) 8
Generate Release Creates Jobs or Quote/Orders (iCommand Project) 9
Notes 10
IntelliVIEW Features 11
ModelMap Export (iDesign) 12
Component Draw Autosave (Settings) 14
Global Move / Delete Toolbar (Component Draw) 16
Use Point Tracking / Use Element Tracking (CAD Options Icon) 20
FBC 2017 Building Code Introduction 22
Single Plate on Gable Studs 23
Notes.RLS File Field (Settings - Component Drawing) 24
Notes Rules File Field (Settings - Production Drawing) 25
Print Camber Note (Settings) 26
Notes 27
Vertical Load Transfer (VLT) Tools 28
Enable Vertical Loads Transfer (Settings) 29
Allow Pass-through Load (VLT) (Settings) 30
Add Wall Opening (VLT) (iModel) 31
Edit Wall Opening (VLT) (iModel) 41
Move Wall Opening (VLT) (iModel) 45
View Truss / View Wall (VLT) Icons (iModel) 46
Transfer Vertical Loads Tool (iModel) 48
Delete VLT Loads (iModel) 54
Notes 55

What's New in Release
During each iterative release of Alpine IntelliVIEW software, new features and tools are introduced, and the
functionality of existing features is improved upon when found necessary. Please read through each item so that
you may gain an understanding of what this release has to offer once it is installed on your computer.
The following item information is available in this guide:
l CAD Tracking Functionality (CAD Utils Help: Options Icon).
l Component Draw Autosave (Settings Help: User Preferences).
l Expanded Column Chooser Options for Linked Sub Job Panel (iCommand Window Menu Help:
Job Explorer).
l FBC 2017 added to Building Code (Settings Help: Jobs Settings > Loading Tab).
l Generate Release in iCommand Project Creates Jobs or Quotes/Orders (iCommand Window
Help).
l Global Move / Delete Toolbar (Component Draw Help).
l ModelMap Export (iDesign Help: Truss Menu).
l New Book icon in the ItemStatus Column (iCommand Window Menu Help: Item Grid).
l Notes.RLS File fields in Component & Production Drawing tabs in Job Settings (Settings Help).
l Print Camber Note option in the Production Drawing tab of Job Settings (Settings Help).
l Single Plate on Gable Studs (Settings Help).
l Vertical Load Transfer (VLT) (Settings Help / iModel Help).

Where is Help Documentation Found?
Help documentation is available within each of the Alpine IntelliVIEW software modules by single clicking the
Help menu located on the main menu bar (Figure-1). This action results in an expanded display of Help subjects
for specific areas within the software (Figure-2). Single click the documentation subject of interest to activate the
Help area selected. Tabs in the Help document enable you to locate information using a Table of Contents, Index
listing, or Search capability (Figure-3).
Figure-1
Figure-2
Figure-3

iCommand Features
Topics highlighted in the Help menu below indicate the areas where New Features and/or Enhancements have been
applied in this release

New Book Icon in the ItemStatus
Column of the Item Grid (iCommand)
The column in the Item Grid of iCommand that had been labeled Price_Locked has been renamed to ItemStatus
(Figure-1). The purpose of this column is to identify where a truss originated from by displaying either a Truss
icon or a Book icon for each truss in the job. The color of the icon depicts the engineering status of the
truss.
A Truss icon indicates the truss was generated and saved using Job Designer in iModel, or manually generated
and saved from iDesign.
A Book icon indicates the use of a matched truss from the Component Catalog.
Figure-1
Note: Information regarding the use of trusses from the Component Catalog can be found in the Help menu of
iModel. Open the iModel Help menu dialog window and expand the folders of the following table of contents path:
iModel Menu & Tools / Job Designer, then read the topic named Component Match for details.
Note: An explanation of the engineering color status can be found in the Help menu of iModel. Open the iModel
Help menu dialog window and expand the folders of the following table of contents path: Tips & Examples / Color
Explanations, then read the topic named TrussList Engineering Status Color Codes for details.
Note: The full information for this topic is located in the software Help Menu labeled: Window Menu Help. The
Table of Contents path = Window / Jobs Screen / Job Items Grid / Item Grid Color Coding Explanations
topic. Expand the bullet labeled: ItemStatus Column Icons.

Expanded Column Chooser Options
for Linked Sub Job Panel (iCommand)
Prior to this release, the list of Column Chooser options available when activated from the Linked Sub Job panel
was limited. This has been improved to now include the same full list of Column Chooser options in the Linked
Sub Job panel (Figure-1) as those already available for Job Explorer.
Figure-1
Table of Contents path = Window / Job Explorer / Column Header Tools / Column Chooser topic.

Generate Release Creates Jobs or
Quote/Orders (iCommand Project)
The release of a Model in a Master Number of the Master Explorer can be generated as an independent Job (Fig-
ure-1), or, if you are using Quote Track, an independent Quote and/or Order (Figure-2) that is saved to the Job
Explorer.
Note: Make sure that the desired directory path locations for Jobs or Quote/Orders are specified in the iCom-
mand User Preferences.
Figure-1
Figure-2
The option to generate a release as a Lot Number (Figure-3) has been removed.
Figure-3
Table of Contents path = Window / Masters Screen / Master/Model Details Panel / Home Tab Toolbar Ribbon /
Generate Release topic.
Note: Additional information for this topic is located in the software Help Menu labeled: Administration Menu
Help. The Table of Contents path = Administration / Quote Track topic.
Note: Additional information for this topic is located in the software Help Menu labeled: Tools Menu Help. The
Table of Contents path = Tools Menu / User Preferences topic.

Notes
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IntelliVIEW Features
Topics highlighted in the Help menu below indicate the areas where New Features and/or Enhancements have been
applied in this release

ModelMap Export (iDesign)
A new ModelMap Export tool, located in the iDesign Truss menu (Figure-1), is used to generate an export file
that can be used to import truss information only, into VisionRez Revit. An *.hmm file is created as a result of
exporting selected trusses from the Truss List and contains the following information:
l Truss Geometry
l Lumber Grades
l Plates
l Bearings
l Reactions
Figure-1
n Steps to Create *.hmm Revit File.

1. From iDesign, select the desired Trusses in the Truss List you want to be included in the *.hmm
file.
2. Click the Truss menu (Figure-1) and select the ModelMap Export tool.
3. The Save As dialog window (Figure-2) now appears and the following items need to be confirmed
and/or specified:
a. Select the Folder where you want to save the export file.
b. Specify the File name of the export file.
c. The Save as type field automatically defaults to: HSB Data Files (*.hmm) and cannot
be changed.

Figure-2
4. Click the Save button to save the *.hmm file and close the dialog window, or click the Cancel but-
ton to close the dialog with no *.hmm export file saved.
Note: This topic documentation is located in the software Help Menu labeled: iDesign Help. The Table of Con-
tents path = iDesign Menus & Tools / Truss / ModelMap Export topic.

Component Draw Autosave (Settings)
The Component Draw Autosave tool is located in the Configuration tab of the User Preferences. When you manu-
ally make changes to an existing Component Drawing, Autosave is automatically triggered when you: a) Select
a different Component Drawing from the job truss list, or b) You exit Component Draw altogether to go to a dif-
ferent area of IntelliVIEW (e.g. iModel, iDesign, etc.).
Depending on how you use Component Draw, control of the Autosave functionality can be important. Let's
assume that you are reviewing and verifying criteria in the Component Drawings of a job and you make some
changes within the component image to assist you with your verification process, perhaps the addition of a
dimension for example. If these changes are not intended to be saved, then you must make sure that the default
Always Save option in the Component Draw Autosave field has been changed to Prompt to Save, or Never
Save.
To change the functionality of the Component Draw Autosave tool, click the toggle arrow located at the right
end of the field and select one of the options from the drop-down list (Figure-1).
Figure-1
Note-1: If either the Global Move or Global Delete tool is in the active mode (i.e. icon is depressed so the tool is
On) and you try and select a different component in the job truss list, a warning message (Figure-2) is displayed
indicating that since one of the Global Move/Delete tools is active, you cannot select another component until
the Global Move/Delete tool is turned Off. You also may not switch a different area of IntelliVIEW, as the icons
in main toolbar for doing so are inactive (i.e. grayed out).
Figure-2

Note-2: Component Drawing image files are saved to the applicable job folder with an *.custdrawimg file exten-
sion (Figure-3).
Figure-3
l Setting Explanations.
o Always Save.
The Always Save option is the default setting for the Component Draw Autosave tool. Any
changes made to a Component Drawing are automatically saved when you select a different
Component Drawing in the job truss list, or when you exit Component Draw altogether (refer to
Note-1 above).
o Prompt to Save.
If you make changes to a Component Drawing and sometimes want to save the changes, and
other times do not want to save the changes, select the Prompt to Save option. This way, when
you select the next Component Drawing in the truss list or you exit Component Draw (refer to
Note-1 above), a Yes/No verification prompt is displayed (Figure-4) enabling you to confirm
whether you want the changes just made to be saved or not.
Figure-4
o Never Save.
If you make changes to Component Drawing but never want them saved, select the Never Save
option. This enables you to make changes to a Component Drawing, select the next Component
Drawing from the job truss list or exit Component Draw, and never have to worry about over-writ-
ing the original Component Drawing (refer to Note-1 above).
Note: This topic documentation is located in the software Help Menu labeled: Settings Help. The Table of Con-
tents path = User Preferences / Configuration Tab / Component Draw Autosave topic.

Global Move / Delete Toolbar (Component
Draw)
Occasionally when the truss drawing image in a Component Drawing contains a lot of information such as Plate
sizes, Dimensions, Joint identification letters, etc., they can appear bunched up and hard to read (Figure-1).
Figure-1
Rather than using the individual Move or Delete tools in the Eng Notes or Edit menu, the Global Move and Global
Delete tools enable you to keep the Move or Delete functionality active. Single left mouse button (LMB) click
either the Move or Delete icon from the Global toolbar (Figure-2). Once one of these two icons are selec-
ted and active you can click the mouse cursor on an item, move it or delete it, and then continue on to the next
item(s) to move or delete. As long as the desired Move or Delete icon is selected (i.e. selected icons appear
depressed, indicating the tool is On), you have the ability to continuously move or delete information. Once you
have finished moving or deleting items, single click on the active Move or Delete icon again to turn it off (you can
also press the Esc key on your keyboard or select a different function within the software).
Figure-2
Note: If either the Global Move or Global Delete tool is in the active mode and you try and select a different com-
ponent in the job truss list, a warning message (Figure-3)is displayed indicating that since one of the Global
Move/Delete tools is active, you cannot select another component until the Global Move/Delete tool is turned
Off. You also may not switch to a different area of IntelliVIEW, as the icons in the main toolbar for doing so are
inactive (i.e. grayed out).

Figure-3
n Global Move & Delete Instructions.
l Move tool.
1. To activate the Move mode, click the Move icon on the Global toolbar.
2. Notice that a prompt at the bottom left portion of the screen instructs you to: Select Item to
Move.
3. As you drag your mouse cursor over or near items in the truss image, the item turns
green (Figure-4). If the green colored item is the one you want to select, single left
mouse button (LMB) click the cursor. If it is not the item you want selected, keep drag-
ging the cursor around until the item you want to select appears green.
Figure-4
4. Once you select the Green colored item you want, the color of the item changes to red
(Figure-5). When the item is red, movement of that selected item is linked to the move-
ment of the mouse.
Figure-5

5. Drag the selected item to the location where you want it moved to and single LMB click.
6. Return to step #3 and continue moving items as desired.
7. Once you are finished moving items, click the Move icon on the Global toolbar to deac-
tivate (i.e. turn off) the Move mode.
l Delete tool.
1. To activate the Delete mode, click the Delete icon on the Global toolbar.
2. Notice that a prompt at the bottom left portion of the screen instructs you to: Select Items.
Hit Enter to Delete.
3. As you drag your mouse cursor over or near items in the truss image, the item turns
green (Figure-6). If the green colored item is the one you want to select, single left
mouse button click the cursor. If it is not the item you want selected, keep dragging the
cursor around until the item you want to select appears green.
Figure-6
4. Once you click on the Green colored item, the color of the item changes to red (Figure-7).
Figure-7
Note: If you have multiple items to delete, select all that apply then proceed to step #5. If
you did not intend to click an item that has turned red, click the item again to unselect it.
5. Click the Enter button at the bottom of the screen, or press the keyboard Enter key to
delete the selected item.
6. Return to step #3 and continue deleting items as desired.
7. Once you are finished moving items, click the Delete icon on the Global toolbar to deac-
tivate (i.e. turn off) the Delete mode.

n Move and Delete Option Settings.
Once you have activated either the Move or Delete tool from the Global toolbar, position the cursor within
the truss image of the Component Drawing and single click the right mouse button to activate the Move
Options (Figure-8) or Delete Options (Figure-9) dialog window. The toggle options within these dialogs
provide you with the ability to control what items within the truss image can or cannot be selected to Move
or Delete by selecting or unselecting the option(s). You may also find the Select All or Clear All all-in-
one button selection useful when combined with individual selections of one or two items. For example,
click the Clear All button and then select two or three options you want to be active. This may help
reduce the number of mouse clicks for turning options On or Off.
Figure-8 Figure-9
Note: This topic documentation is located in the software Help Menu labeled: Component Draw Help. The
Table of Contents path = Component Draw / Global Move/Delete Toolbar topic.

Use Point Tracking / Use Element Track-
ing (CAD Options Icon)
Two new On/Off toggle options have been added to the Miscellaneous section of the CAD Utilities Options (Fig-
ure-1), activated by clicking the Options icon of the CAD Utils toolbar. These options are intended for use with
iModel, Component Draw, Production Draw, and Panel Draw.
Figure-1
l Use Point Tracking.

Point tracking is used to identify the point that the software recognizes as the actual snap location. When
the Use Point Tracking option is selected , a small square box is located at the tip of the mouse cursor
(Figure-2). As you drag the cursor, the box automatically anticipates and snaps to the closest point to
select (Figure-3), provided the Snap tool has been turned On. If the square box has snapped to the point
you want selected, single click the left mouse button to select the point. However, if it has not snapped
the desired point, then continue dragging the cursor near the point you want until the box snaps to the cor-
rect point location.
If you do not want to use this point tracking feature, make sure the Use Point Tracking option is unse-
lected .

Figure-2 Figure-3
Note: The amount of the snap distance is set by the value specified in the Snap Distance field (Figure-1).
l Use Element Tracking.

Element tracking enables elements or objects nearest to the mouse cursor to be highlighted green (Figure-
4). Select the Use Element Tracking option to activate this function. As soon as an element or object
turns green as the cursor is moved across the screen image, single click the left mouse button to select.
If you do not want to use this element tracking feature, make sure the Use Element Tracking option is
unselected .
Figure-4
Note: The full documentation for the Option Icon is located in the software Help Menu labeled: CAD Utils Help.
The Table of Contents path = iModel/iDesign Utilities and CAD Tools / CAD Utilities Toolbar / Options Icon
topic. Expand the chapter labeled: Option Explanations for additional CAD Utility Option details.

FBC 2017 Building Code Introduction
Within this software release, FBC 2017 code options have been added to the Building Code drop-down list (Fig-
ure-1).
Figure-1
Note: The full information for the Building Code topic is located in the software Help Menu labeled: Settings
Help. The Table of Contents path = Job Settings / Loading Tab / General Loading Options / Building Code
topic.

Single Plate on Gable Studs
The Single Plate on Gable Studs option, located in both the Plating tab of Job Settings and in the Plating tab of
the Engineering Options dialog window, enables you to direct the software to use one plate to connect aligned
gable studs to a structural diagonal web (Figure-1). When this option is selected , the truss analysis plating
routine first attempts to use just one plate connecting the gable studs & diagonal web; however, if the plating
routine cannot find a plate in your inventory that works for this condition, separate plates are applied at the gable
stud / diagonal web connection (Figure-2).
Note: If vertical gable studs do not align to each side of a structural diagonal web, they are plated as separate
joints.
When the Single Plate on Gable Studs option is left unselected , the plating routine defaults to the separate
plates condition (Figure-2).
Figure-1
Figure-2
tents path = Job Settings / Plating Tab / Single Plate on Gable Studs topic.

Notes.RLS File Field (Settings - Component Drawing)
A Notes.RLS File field has been added to the Component Drawing tab of the Job Settings to specify the desired
note rules file to be used (either the default or a customized file), in order to add applicable notes to Component
Drawing output. The note rules file is made up of If / Then / Else conditions and parameters which determine
what applicable notes are included in the drawing output.
Note-1: Make sure the Show Notes option in the Component Drawing tab is selected in order for the notes to
appear on the output drawing.
Using your preferred editor, you can add customized notes and/or modify rules for your own customized output
requirements; however, it is best if you understand how to edit If / Then / Else code before you attempt to change
any criteria. Once modified, save the changes you made (refer to Note-3 below). Use the browse button loc-
ated to the right of the field to select the desired rules file if other than the default Notes.rls file that comes stand-
ard with each release.
Note- 2 : The default Notes.rls file that is provided with the IntelliVIEW software is located in: C:\In-
telliVIEW/iModel\US\Usr01. If you intend to edit the Notes.rls file, it is recommended that you make a backup
copy of the original default file first.
Note-3: Due to periodic software updates within the default Notes.rls file, it is strongly recommended that once
you have finished editing the Notes.rls file, that you save it under a name which is different than the default
name. If this step is not taken and you continue to save your edits to the default Notes.rls file, it may be over-
written by the next software update and your edits are lost.
Note-4: If you have questions or need assistance regarding your Notes.rls file, contact your regional Alpine Soft-
ware Consultant or Alpine Helpdesk representative.
tents path = Job Settings / Component Drawing / Notes.RLS File topic.

Notes Rules File Field (Settings - Production Drawing)
A Notes Rules File field has been added to the Production Drawing tab of the Job Settings to specify the desired
note rules file to be used (either the default or a customized file), in order to apply notes which are specific to Pro-
duction Drawing output (Figure-1). The rules file is made up of If / Then / Else conditions and parameters which
determine what applicable notes are included in the drawing output.
Using your preferred editor, you can add customized notes and/or modify rules for your own customized output
requirements; however, it is best if you understand how to edit If / Then / Else code before you attempt to change
any criteria. Once modified, save the changes you made (refer to Note-2 below). Use the browse button loc-
ated to the right of the field to select the desired rules file if other than the default Lasercut.rls file that comes
standard with each release.
Note- 1 : The default Lasercut.rls file that is provided with the IntelliVIEW software is located in: C:\In-
telliVIEW/iModel\US\Usr01. If you intend to edit the Lasercut.rls file, it is recommended that you make a backup
copy of the original default file first.
Note-2: Due to periodic software updates within the default Lasercut.rls file, it is strongly recommended that
once you have finished editing the Lasercut.rls file, that you save it under a name which is different than the
default name. If this step is not taken and you continue to save your edits to the default Lasercut.rls file, it may
be overwritten by the next software update and your edits are lost.
Note-3: If you have questions or need assistance regarding your Lasercut.rls file, contact your regional Alpine
Software Consultant or Alpine Helpdesk representative.
Figure-1
tents path = Job Settings / Production Drawing / Notes Rules File topic.

Print Camber Note (Settings)
When the new Print Camber Note toggle option, located in the Production Drawing tab of the Job Settings is
selected , a note specifying the amount of Camber required is included in the Production Drawing output (Fig-
ure-1). When the toggle option is left unselected , whether Camber is required or not, a Camber note is not
applied.
Figure-1
tents path = Job Settings / Production Drawing / Print Camber Note topic.

Notes
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Vertical Load Transfer (VLT) Tools
New Tools in the IntelliVIEW Settings and iModel are now available that enable you transfer load vertically in
multi-level structures down through the walls. As walls and trusses are input and analyzed in a building from the
ground up, vertical loads are transferred starting from the top of the structure down. The following VLT chapter
provides you with an explanation for each of these new tools, and are listed here in a checklist order of use.
l Enable Vertical Load Transfer (Settings Help).
l Allow Pass-through Load (Settings Help).
l Add Wall Opening (iModel Help).
l Edit Wall Openings (iModel Help).
l Move Wall Opening (iModel Help).
l View Truss / View Wall Icon (iModel Help).
l Transfer Vertical Loads icon (iModel Help).
l Delete VLT Loads (iModel Help).

Enable Vertical Loads Transfer (Settings)
The Enable Vertical Loads Transfer toggle option, located on the Walls tab of the Job Settings (Figure-1), is used
as an On/Off switch to either activate (i.e. turn On) the Vertical Load Transfer (VLT) tools, or to deactivate (i.e.
turn Off) the VLT tools throughout the software. Therefore, when the Enable Vertical Loads Transfer option is
selected , the following tools are activated:
l Allow Pass-through Load option located on the Walls tab of the Job Settings.
l Two additional columns in the Wall Level criteria input table located at the bottom of the Walls tab labeled:
Ext. Wall psf and Int. Wall psf.
l An icon named Transfer Vertical Loads is activated on the iModel Job Designer toolbar.
l Three icons named Add Wall Opening, Edit Wall Opening, and Move Wall Opening are activated on the
iModel Walls toolbar.
When the Enable Vertical Loads Transfer option is left unselected , none of the VLT tools mentioned in the bul-
lets above are visible (i.e. they are disabled and unavailable).
Figure-1
tents path = Job Settings / Walls Tab / Enable Vertical Loads Transfer topic.

Allow Pass-through Load (VLT) (Settings)
The Allow Pass-through Load option, located on the Walls tab of the Job Settings, is only active (i.e. visible) after
the Enable Vertical Loads Transfer option is selected . Once the toggle box for the Allow Pass-through Load
option is selected, the field located at the end of the option becomes active (i.e. no longer grayed out), enabling
you to input a maximum concentrated load value (in pounds) (Figure-1).
Figure-1
As concentrated component loads (i.e. reactions) are transferred into walls from the Components above (refer to
Transfer Vertical Loads topic), a diamond symbol is displayed on the layout to indicate the location of a con-
centrated load. The color of the diamond represents the status of the load transfer. The purpose of this feature is
to enable Job Designer to flag when the concentrated load transfer value is less than or equal to, or in excess of
the pass-through value specified (Figure-1). For example, in Figure-2, diamond symbols indicate that reaction
loads have passed from roof trusses, through the second floor walls, and into the first floor walls. If the max. con-
centrated load value upon a wall is:
l Less than or equal to the value specified in the Allow Pass-through Load field: The load source has suc-
cessfully been transferred through the wall (i.e. Green).
l Greater than the value specified in the Allow Pass-through Load field: A solid colored diamond is drawn to
indicate that this load location requires support (e.g. blocking, hangers. etc.).
Figure-2
tents path = Job Settings / Walls Tab / Allow Pass-through Load topic.

Add Wall Opening (VLT) (iModel)
(For Non-Panelized Walls)
The Add Wall Openings tool, located on the Walls toolbar, is used to add Door and Window opening locations to
non-panelized walls. These openings are an important consideration regarding vertical load transfer (VLT), since
the vertical loads passing through walls actually wrap around openings to generate concentrated loads at each
end of an opening.
Note: The Add, Edit, and Move Wall Opening tool icons are only available on the Walls toolbar when the Enable
Vertical Loads Transfer option in the Walls tab of the Job Settings is selected .
Once you click the Add Wall Openings icon, a prompt at the bottom of the screen instructs you to: Select wall to
add opening . There are four methods for selecting the location of the Opening you plan to insert (see further
instructions below). After selecting a wall, a floating cursor appears which is used to select the location on the
wall to add the Opening. When the cursor is clicked on the desired wall location, the Add Wall Opening dialog win-
dow is launched (Figure-1). This dialog provides you with the tools to specify the makeup of a Door or a window.
Once you have specified your desired settings, click the button labeled Apply to insert the Opening into the wall.
Once this is done, the functionality of the dialog window remains active so that additional openings can continue
to be added to the applicable walls. When you are finished adding Openings, click the button labeled Close to
close the Add Wall Opening dialog window.
Note: If you click the Close button prior to clicking the Apply button to add the Opening, the Add Wall Opening
dialog is closed and no Opening is added to the wall.
Figure-1

l Option methods for the placement of an Opening location.
As mentioned above, when you click the Add Wall Opening icon, a prompt at the bottom of the screen
instructs you to: Select wall to add opening; however, this is only a portion of the instruction. There are up to
four variations to the method you can use to specify the positioning of an Opening in a wall by single click-
ing the right mouse button (RMB) within the layout screen and selecting the desired option from the popup
menu (Figure-2).
Figure-2
o Pick Location.
The instruction prompt for this selection reads: Select wall to add opening. (Pick Location selected;
RMB to change); therefore, click on the desired wall. The wall turns red to verify its selection. The
prompt now instructs you to: Select Reference Point. (Pick Location selected; RMB to change). You may
now either click the cursor on a point on the wall or on the intersection of the CAD line which
crosses the wall in order to select a specific point location (Figure-3), which is the centerline of
the Opening. The preliminary Opening is automatically displayed on the wall and the Add Wall
Opening dialog window is launched (Figure-1).
Note: If you selected the wrong wall or the wrong location to place the reference point, you can
reselect either a different wall or reference point location without having to close the Add Wall
Opening dialog window and start over.
Note: The preliminary Opening is only a preview of the Opening size and location. At this point it
is NOT actually inserted into the Wall until you either click the Apply button in the dialog window
or the keyboard <Enter> key.
Figure-3

o Center of Two Lines.
The instruction prompt for this selection reads: Select wall to add opening. (Two Lines selected; RMB
to change) ; therefore, click on the desired wall. The wall turns red to verify its selection and the
prompt now instructs you to: Select Reference Point. (Two Lines selected; RMB to change) . Single left
mouse button (LMB) click the first of the two points used to center the Opening. Once clicked,
the prompt instructs you to: Select 2nd Reference Point. (Two Lines selected; RMB to change), so LMB
click the second of the two points. Once the second point is selected, the preliminary Opening
is automatically displayed and centered on the wall selected (Figure-4). At this point the Add Wall
Opening dialog window is launched (Figure-1).
Figure-4
o Offset Distance from Wall.
Use the Offset Distance from Wall method when you want to position an Opening a known dis-
tance from a reference point location. The instruction prompt for this selection reads: Select wall to
add opening. (Offset Distance selected; RMB to change); therefore, click on the desired wall. The wall
turns red to verify its selection and the prompt now instructs you to: Select Reference Point. (Offset
Distance selected; RMB to change). Single left mouse button (LMB) click on the location you want to
use as a reference point. At this point the Add Wall Opening dialog window is launched (Figure-1)
and the prompt instruction directs you to: Enter values & Apply to add opening or Click to reset RefPt.
(Offset Distance selected; RMB to change).
Therefore; Enter values & Apply to add opening using the field in the Add Wall Opening dialog win-
dow labeled Distance. The value you input sets the distance from the reference point you clicked
to the center of the Opening (Figure-5).
Note: If a value from a previous entry already exists in the Distance field, once you click the ref-
erence point location the preview Opening for that value is displayed in the wall. If the value you
need to specify is different than the previous value, input a new Distance value. If you only want
to see the preliminary Opening move to the revised location, press the Tab key to move out of the
Distance field. The Opening immediately switches to the specified location, or you may just click
the Apply button.

Figure-5
Important consideration for the Distance field.
As walls are added to a layout, the software keeps track of the direction (i.e. Clockwise
or Counter-Clockwise) they are added. Directional arrows can be seen within the wall
itself to verify the input direction. When you input a value into the Distance field, you
need to be sure you specify the correct Distance direction. For example:
If you specify an offset Distance of 3 feet on the right end of a horizontal wall that was
input in a clockwise direction (i.e. right to left), the preliminary Opening is displayed cor-
rectly.
However, if you specify an offset Distance of 3 feet on the left end of a horizontal wall
that was input in a clockwise direction, you'll receive an Invalid Input warning prompt (Fig-
ure-6). This is because you are trying to specify a distance against the direction that wall
was added to the layout. Click the OK button and correct this by specifying a negative
distance, in this example input -3, into the Distance field.
Figure-6
o Against Wall.
Use the Against Wall method when you want to add an Opening a set distance from the left or
right end of a wall. The instruction prompt for this selection reads: Select wall to add opening.
(Against Wall selected; RMB to change) ; therefore, click on the desired wall. The wall turns red to
verify its selection. The prompt now instructs you to: Select Reference Point. (Against Wall selected;
RMB to change) . When you single left mouse button (LMB) click the mouse cursor to the outside
or inside wall face closest to one end or the other of a wall (load bearing or non-load bearing), the
software automatically snaps the reference point to the appropriate face and edge of the selected
wall nearest the clicked point.

For example:
n After the wall is selected, click the cursor to the exterior of the wall face toward the left
end of the selected wall. The reference point is automatically snapped to the left exterior
corner (Figure-7).
Figure-7
n After the wall is selected, click the cursor to the interior of the wall face toward the left
end of the selected wall (Figure-8). The reference point is automatically snapped to the
left inside corner.
Figure-8
At this point the Add Wall Opening dialog window is launched (Figure-1) and the prompt instruc-
tion directs you to: Enter values & Apply to add opening or Click to reset RefPt. (Against Wall selected;
RMB to change).
Therefore; Enter values & Apply to add opening using the field in the Add Wall Opening dialog win-
dow labeled Distance. The value you input sets the distance from the reference point you clicked
to the closest end of the Opening (i.e. NOT the center of the Opening) (Figure-9).
Note: If a value from a previous entry already exists in the Distance field, once you click the ref-
erence point location the Opening is inserted from that entry. If the value you need to specify is
different than the previous value, input a new Distance value. If you only want to see the pre-
liminary Opening move to the revised location, press the Tab key to move out of the Distance
field. The Opening immediately switches to the specified location, or you may just click the
Apply button.
Figure-9

l Explanation of field & toggle settings in the dialog window.
o Rough Opening section.
n Window / Door toggle options.
Select the toggle option, Window or Door that applies to the Opening type you want
to add to a wall.
n Plan Symbol.
Click the Browse button , which is located following the graphic illustration of the cur-
rently selected Plan Symbol, to activate the Plan Symbol dialog (Figure-10). Single left
mouse button click the symbol you want to use.
Figure-10
Note: Hovering the mouse cursor over any of the illustrations in the figure below displays
a popup symbol identification (Figure-11).
Figure-11

n Width field.
The Width field (Figure-12) is used to specify either Window or Door width length dimen-
sion (Ft-In-Sx or decimal ft. format) according to the drawing at the top of the Add Wall
Opening dialog window.
Note: The Door Opening portion of the illustration in Figure-12 demonstrates how an
Opening appears when the Header field is set to Auto, which results in no Header applic-
ation to an Opening.
Figure-12
n Height field.
The Height field (Figure-13) is used to specify either Window or Door height length dimen-
sion (Ft-In-Sx or decimal ft. format) according to the drawing at the top of the Add Wall
Figure-13
n Finished Height field.
The Finished Height field (Figure-14) is used to specify a height dimension from the top
of a Door or Window opening to the floor. This field is only active (i.e. not grayed out)
when the Window toggle option is selected . When the Door toggle option is selected
, the grayed out Finished Height field displays the same value as the Height field.

Note: When the dimension specified in the Height field is changed, it automatically
changes the dimension in the Finished Height field as well; therefore, be careful not to
miss this if you want the Finished Height dimension to be different than the Height field
dimension.
Figure-14
n Distance field.
When positioning the location of an Opening using either the Offset Distance from Wall
or the Against Wall option, both of which are explained in the Options for the Selection of
an Opening chapter above, the Distance field is used to specify the dimension required.
Input the desired dimension using Ft-In-Sx or decimal ft. format.
Note: If a dimension is not required for this field (e.g. you're using the Pick Location or
Center of Two Lines location option), this field is inactive (i.e. grayed out).
n Base Name field.
The Base Name field is used to assign a name to the Opening you add to the layout,
which should be unique within the Job or Master. Once you have assigned a name and
have saved the Opening to the layout, the name is added to the Saved Opening list and
appears at the Opening on the layout.
Note: When inputting Base Names, special character restrictions apply.
n Saved Opening listing.
The Saved Openings field stores the Base Names you have given Door and Window
Opening you have applied to the walls of your layout. If you want to apply these same
door and window Openings to other wall locations of the layout, click a named Opening
from the list to automatically fill-in the fields and settings within the Add Wall Opening dia-
log window that were saved when the Opening was initially created.

o Header section.
n Header Type selections field.
The Header Type selection field is used to specify the header setting you want to use. To
specify a type, click the toggle arrow located at the end of the field and single click
your selection from the drop-down list (Figure-15).
l Auto: Select Auto when you want to add Opening(s) to walls that do not include
Headers or Beams above the top of the Opening.
Note: All field options within the Header section are deactivated (i.e. grayed out)
when using the Auto setting.
Note: Although a wall Opening can be added to a non-bearing wall with or

without a Header, vertical loads can only be transferred through bearing walls.
l User-Defined or Beam: When you want to include Headers or Beams above

the top of wall Openings, select either the User-Defined or Beam option. User-
Defined members are generally used for most small window Header materials,
while Beams are typically used to support larger openings and heavier loads.
Note: Currently there is no difference of lumber size selections between these

two setting types.
Figure-15
n Header Size selections field.
The Header Size selection field is used to specify the size of the header you want to
insert above the wall opening. To specify a size, click the toggle arrow located at the
end of the field and single click your selection from the drop-down list (Figure-16).
Note: When the Header Type field is set to Auto, the Header Size field is disabled (i.e.
grayed out).
Figure-16

n Plies field.
The Plies field is used to specify how many members of the Header / Beam material are
to be fastened together. To specify a number for Plies, click the toggle arrow located
at the end of the field and single click your selection from the drop-down list (Figure-17).
Figure-17
n # of Bearings (Left & Right) fields.
There are two # of Bearings fields: Left and Right. For the purposes of vertical load trans-
fer, these two fields enable you to specify the number of bearings you want to represent
as support at each end of the Header / Beam to both sides of the Opening (Figure-18). To
specify a number Left and/or Right Bearings, click the toggle arrow located at the end
of each field then single click your selection from the drop-down list (Figure-19).
Figure-18
Figure-19
Note: This topic documentation is located in the software Help Menu labeled: iModel Help. The Table of Con-
tents path = iModel Menus & Tools / Walls / Add Wall Opening topic.

Edit Wall Opening (VLT) (iModel)
The Edit Wall Opening tool, located on the Walls toolbar, is used to edit existing Door and Window openings in
non-panelized walls. Once you have activated the Edit Wall Opening mode and followed the instruction prompt at
the bottom of the screen, the Edit Wall Opening dialog window appears (Figure-1). Specify the desired changes
(e.g. opening Width, Height, etc.) you want to make to the selected Opening(s) and then click the Apply button
to apply the changes. If you are satisfied with the changes, click the button labeled Close to close the Edit Wall
Note: If you click the Close button prior to clicking the Apply button, the Edit Wall Opening dialog window is
closed with no changes applied.
Note: An explanation for most of the field and toggle settings can be found in the Add Wall Opening topic.
Figure-1

l Instructions for using the Edit Wall Opening.
1. Click the icon located in the Walls toolbar named Edit Wall Opening.
2. A prompt located at the bottom of the screen instructs you to: Select opening(s) to edit and <Enter>.
(Click to select/unselect multiple). Therefore, single left mouse button (LMB) click the desired Open-
ing(s). The Opening turns red to verify its selection. Click the Opening again if you want to
deselect the Opening.
3. Click the <Enter> button at the bottom of the screen or click the keyboard <Enter> key.
4. The Edit Wall Opening dialog window launches (Figure-1) and the prompt instruction directs you
to: Edit Values then click Apply. But before you get to editing the applicable values, there are addi-
tional selection options located at the bottom of the Figure-1 dialog window that enable you to:
a. Selected Opening(s) only.
When the Selected Opening(s) only option is selected , only the Opening(s)<image
hyperlink #2> on the layout that you initially clicked with the LMB can be edited. Once
the dialog window has been launched you cannot unselect the selected (i.e. red) Open-
ing. If you selected the wrong Opening, click the Close button and start over again at
step #1.
However, once you have clicked the Apply button and the edited selected Opening has
been applied, you can now select another Opening without having to close the dialog win-
dow first.
b. All Opening(s) of same name.
The All Opening(s) of same name option enables you to select a single Opening while
applying the editing change to all Openings with the same name. Therefore, proceed
from step #1 by clicking on one of the multiple Openings you have of the same name and
then <Enter>. Once the Edit Wall Openings dialog is launched, select the All Opening
(s) of same name toggle option; you'll immediately see all of the same named Openings
turn red.
If the All Opening(s) of the same name option was selected the last time you used the
Edit Wall Opening tool, then once you have select the Opening on the layout and click
<Enter>, the dialog window (Figure-1) is launched and all of the matching Openings are
automatically selected.
5. Getting back to the Edit Values then click Apply instruction prompt, the following methods can be
used to edit the Opening:
a. If there is an Opening already listed in the Saved Openings field (Figure-1) that you want
to use, click on that name to populate the settings and fields of the dialog window (Fig-
ure-1) and then click the Apply button.
b. If you want to change the Opening size to a size that does not currently exist in the
Saved Openings field, input a new Width and/or new Height, and/or new Finished
Height dimensions. Each time you input a new dimension value into one of these fields,
press the keyboard Tab key or click another field, even if the value in only one field is
changed. The purpose for this is so that the dialog registers the input of the new value,
and also to clear the field labeled Base Name. By clearing the Base Name field of the pre-
vious name used, it enables you to create a new name for the edited Opening size. Click
the Apply button to make the editing change and to add the New name to the Saved
Openings field.

c. If you select multiple Openings of different sizes, the Width, Height, and Base Name
fields in the dialog window (Figure-1) go blank, and the Base Name field is also deac-
tivated (i.e. grayed out). Therefore, you may proceed using one of the following methods:
i. Select an existing Opening from the Saved Openings list.
By selecting an existing opening from the Saved Openings list, the dimensions
and Base Name fields are automatically populated with the criteria of the name
you selected from the Saved Opening list. Click the Apply button to apply the
Saved Opening criteria to the Opening(s) on the layout selected to edit. The
Base Name label then appears on the layout for the applicable Openings.
ii. Create new Width & Height Opening size to add to Saved Openings
list as new Base Name.
Assuming you want to create a new Opening size that does not yet exist in the
Saved Openings list, and you have selected multiple Opening sizes in the walls
of the layout to edit, input the new Width dimension into the blank input field,
press the Tab key, then repeat this step for the Height field. As soon as you
Tab out of the Height field, the Base Name field become active again so that you
can create an identifying name for the new Opening you are creating.
Note: If you are working with Window Openings, the Finished Height dimension
resets itself to match the Height dimension; therefore, remember to re-input the
correct Finished Height dimension then press the Tab key.
Click the Apply button once a new name has been entered into the Base Name
field to apply the Saved Opening criteria to the layout Openings selected to edit.
The Base Name label then appears on the layout for the applicable Openings.
Note: If you input new dimensions into the Width and Height fields, but fail to cre-
ate a new Base Name before clicking the Apply button, the Opening sizes are
changed; however, there are no labels for this Opening size provided on the lay-
out, and no name available for this new size to select in the Saved Opening list.
iii. Create new Width & Height Opening size using an existing Base
Name.
Let's assume you want to edit differing sizes of multiple Openings to become
one specific size, but the size you want the Openings changed to does not exist
the Saved Openings list, nor do you want it to be. For example, perhaps you cre-
ated an Opening for a Window sized at 2'x4' and labeled it 20x40 Window, but
then you discover later that all 20x40 windows are actually 2'-6"x4'.
Rather than creating and naming a new Opening for this new adjusted size, AND
assuming the dimensions for all 20x40 Opening size labels are actually under-
stood to be 2'-6"x4', you can type 20x40 Window into the Base Name field.
When you click the Apply button, a warning prompt letting you know this name is
already in use is displayed (Figure-2). Click one of the following two buttons:

Figure-2
l Yes button: Click the button labeled Yes to overwrite the existing cri-
teria for this Base Name. The next time you select the Opening labeled
20x40 Window and look at the Width field, you see that it is actually set
for a dimension of 2'6".
l No button: Click the button labeled No to reject the Base Name spe-
cified and return back to the Edit Wall Opening dialog window so that
you can type a different name in the Base Name field.
tents path = iModel Menus & Tools / Walls / Edit Wall Opening topic.

Move Wall Opening (VLT) (iModel)
The Move Wall Opening tool, located on the Walls toolbar, is used to move existing Door or Window Openings
(single or multiple selection) within non-panelized walls. Begin by clicking the Move Wall Opening icon. A
prompt at the bottom of the screen instructs you to: Select/unselect opening(s) to move. <Enter> to continue; therefore,
single left mouse button (LMB) click the Opening(s) to be moved. The Opening(s) turns red to verify selection.
Click <Enter> to continue.
Note: Multiple Openings on multiple walls can be selected to be moved at the same time; however, this can only
be done with walls that are parallel to each other. Consider the following example; if you select Openings on the
North wall(s), then you may also select Openings on the South wall(s) as well. But since the Openings on the
East and West walls are perpendicular to the North and South walls, the East and West walls cannot be selected
and are grayed out.
A prompt at the bottom of the screen now instructs you to: <Enter> distance to move or click "From" and "to" points:
l <Enter> distance to move: When using this method to move, the reference point for the move location is
from the center of the window. Type the distance you want the Opening moved into the input field at the
bottom of the screen using Ft-In-Sx or decimal ft. format. Click the <Enter> button at the bottom of the
screen or click the keyboard <Enter> key to move the Opening. To move an Opening in an opposite dir-
ection, include a minus sign (-) ahead of the distance value.
l click "From" and "to" points: There are two methods as to how this part of the Move tool can be used.
o "From" and "to" points: Click the mouse cursor on any point of the Opening illustration on the
wall as your "From" reference point. Click the "To" point on a second location, such as the
other end of the Opening or a previously drawn CAD line, for example, to move the Opening.
o click "From": Click the mouse cursor on any point of the Opening illustration on the wall as
your "From" reference point. Once you have done this, the dimension to the reference location
you clicked is displayed in the input field at the bottom of the screen. Edit this location by
increasing or decreasing the dimension to position the Opening in the desired moved horizontal
(Figure-1) or vertical (Figure-2) wall location, then click <Enter>.
Figure-1 Figure-2
Once the selected Opening(s) are moved, the Select/unselect opening(s) to move. <Enter> to continue prompt con-
tinues to remain active in order to move additional Opening(s) until such a time that you press the keyboard Esc
key, select a different tool function, or press the Exit icon to close the Walls toolbar.
tents path = iModel Menus & Tools / Walls / Move Wall Opening topic.

View Truss / View Wall (VLT) Icons (iModel)
The View Truss / View Wall icon , located on the MainiModel toolbar (Figure-1), is used to view any Truss
and/or Wall in a layout. Viewing Trusses is the typical use of this tool; however, if you Enable the Vertical
Loads Transfer (VLT) tools, you may also be interested in viewing Walls as well. The small arrow in the lower
right corner of the icon denotes the fact that this icon contains multiple functions; therefore, to select one viewing
option or the other, (1) position the mouse cursor over the icon then click and hold down the left mouse button
(LMB) to activate the View Truss / Wall toolbar (Figure-1). While continuing to hold down the LMB, (2) drag the
cursor to either the View Truss icon or the View Wall icon and then (3) release the LMB to activate the desired
viewing function. Once the viewing selection is made, the icon remains set to this selection until the next time it
is changed.
Figure-1
l View Truss.
Click the View Truss icon to open the View Truss dialog window (Figure-2). A prompt at the bottom of the
screen instructs you to: Select Truss to View. <Enter> To Go To iDesign, therefore, click on a Truss in the lay-
out in order to view the Truss you selected in the dialog window. If you want to take the selected truss into
iDesign, click <Enter>.
Note: To take the truss into iDesign, you may also click the Engineer Truss icon to load the truss in
the View Truss dialog window.
Note: This is an adjustable size window. By positioning your mouse cursor over a corner or edge of the
dialog window and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag the dialog window larger or smaller
to suit your needs. Release the mouse button when the window size you want is achieved. You may also
pin the View Truss dialog window to a screen edge by dragging and releasing the mouse cursor over the
Left, Right, Top, or Bottom directional pin arrow that appears while you are dragging the dialog window to
a new position.

Figure-2
l View Wall.
Click the View Wall icon to open the View Wall dialog window (Figure-3). A prompt at the bottom of the
screen instructs you to: Select wall to display component loads, therefore, click on a Wall in the layout in order
to view the Wall you selected in the dialog window. The primary purpose of this viewer is to enable you to
review the loads within the load cases of each individual non-panelized Wall.
Note: In order for load cases to exist and be visible in the View Wall dialog window, the Transfer Vertical
Loads option must have been used.
Figure-3
tents path = iModel Menus & Tools / View Truss/View Wall icon topic.

Transfer Vertical Loads Tool (iModel)
Since trusses are engineered elements, it is important to take into consideration all of the load conditions they
are required to support. For multiple floor level structures, the weight of walls and the imposition of concentrated
loads created due to openings within the walls are important factors to consider in the design of trusses. Using
the Transfer Vertical Loads (VLT) tool, located on the Job Designer toolbar, you have the ability to pass truss
and/or framing reaction load(s) on multiple level structures starting with the roof loads, down through the walls
(Figure-1), and ultimately into the foundation.
Note: Vertical load may only be transferred through Exterior & Interior bearing walls; no vertical loading is trans-
ferred through non-bearing interior walls.
In order for vertical loads to be transferred, each floor level must be input one on top of another all the way to the
roof, as organized in the Layer Manager. For example, input the walls of the first level, Add Openings (i.e.
Doors and/or Windows) into the walls (with or without Headers as desired), add the floor trusses to the top of
the first floor walls and then use Job Designer to engineer the floor trusses. Repeat these same steps for each
level of the structure.
Once this process of inputting the structure from the ground up is finished, you are ready to transfer vertical loads
starting from the roof level down through the Walls and headers and into the next levels (i.e. floors) below. Click
the VLT icon to activate the process. A status bar indicates the progress of the load transfer, and once it dis-
appears, the loads have been transferred. Loads passed down through the walls appear as Green diamond
shaped symbols on the layout. Load passed through walls displaying diamonds highlighted in a solid Magenta
color indicate that the value specified in the Allow Pass-through Load field has been exceeded. Therefore, as the
truss designer you must contact the Building Designer to design the load path supports and connections to trans-
fer the excessive load(s) to the foundation.
Note: In order for the VLT icon to appear in the Job Designer toolbar, the Enable Vertical Loads Transfer option
located in the Walls tab of the Job Settings must be selected .
When the vertical load from the walls above are applied to the floor trusses below, the status of the previously
engineered floor trusses appearing in the Truss List changes from an engineered color status of Green, to a
Ready to Engineer color status of Gray. Re-engineer these floor trusses, either manually or using Job Designer,
to account for the new transferred loads.
If additional loads (e.g. concentrated and/or uniform) are added to trusses that have already passed engineering
analysis with the VLT loads applied (i.e. truss status color = Green in the Truss List), and the new load that has
been added to the truss (es) increases reaction(s) >1%, the status color of all other affected components is
updated to Gray (i.e. Ready to Engineer).
Note: Select the View Wall icon to see the loads applied and passed through any selected wall on the layout.

Figure-1
l VLT Instructions.
As mentioned above, the process for using the VLT tool requires that you input a single layout for a multi-
level structure to insure the vertical loads pass-through the walls correctly. The following instructions use
Figure-1 as an example for the steps necessary to transfer vertical pass-through loads.
Important Note: Since the purpose of the VLT tool is to enable accurate upper level loads to be passed
through walls into lower level components in order for proper truss designs to be achieved, any changes to
the configuration of Planes and Truss types, building dimensions, bearing wall configurations and/or loc-
ations (exterior and/or interior load bearing), change in load condition(s), change in Opening size and/or loc-
ation, and/or the removal of previously existing trusses, shall render prior truss designs and transferred
wall loading invalid due to these changed conditions. Therefore, trusses and VLT loading must be rerun to
achieve accurate loading.
1. As walls are added for each level of the structure, apply and engineer the applicable trusses at
each level as you progress to the top of the building. Before activating the VLT process, all of the
floor trusses / components between levels, as well as the roof trusses, must be engineered (i.e.
color statuses of Green, Yellow, or Red in the Truss List are acceptable to run the VLT process;
however, a Grey color status does not transfer vertical loads).
2. To begin the VLT process for this Figure-1 example, make the Third Floor - Level #3 the active
level in the Layer Manager (Figure-2). At the top level of the Figure-1 structure (i.e. Roof) the
vertical load transfer process begins.

Figure-2
3. Click the VLT icon. A Vertical Load Transfer progress bar (Figure-3) appears verifying the trans-
fer process is active. When complete, the dialog window is closed. If you used the Add Wall
Openings (i.e. Doors and/or Windows) tool to include openings in walls, the load pass-through pro-
cess applies the downward loads from above onto opening Headers. The reaction from Headers
is passed through the wall at both ends of Openings.
Figure-3
Note: If you attempt to run the VLT on walls prior to engineering the components supported by
the walls, a Truss Not Engineered (Figure-4) warning message is displayed to remind you of this
requirement. Click the OK button to clear this message. Once cleared, engineer the applicable
components and then run VLT.
Figure-4
Whether a Header is included or not during the Add Wall Opening process, the software assumes
a member (either a fictitious or actual Header) passes a load reaction at each end of the opening
through stud(s) down to the next floor level. The difference between having or not having a
Header at an opening is as follows:

o If Opening(s) include Headers.
When Headers are present in Openings, the VLT process analyzes the Header material
you selected and then transfers the applicable PLF load. If the material has sufficient
strength to pass engineering analysis, it appears Green in the Truss List. If the Header
material fails, the software reacts based on the setting in the Action Options When Truss
Fails Engineering section of the Job Designer tab in the Job Settings. The status then
appears Red in the Truss List. It can be re-sized based on the material available in your
iSource lumber inventory using the Edit Wall Opening tool.
Note: If you do not require verification of Header sizes, you can insert Openings into
walls without Headers.
o If Opening(s) do not include Headers.
When Headers are not added to Openings, the load pass-through routine functions as
though a fictitious Header is present. And because Headers were not specified, no Head-
ers are listed in the Truss List.
4. Select the View Wall icon to view the pass-through loads cases transferred through the
walls (Figure-5).
Figure-5
5. Open the Layer Manager again and make the Second Floor - Level #2 the active level, then
hide the Third Floor - Level #3 and the First Floor - Level #1 (Figure-6).
Figure-6

6. Click the Job Designer icon , even if the Job Designer toolbar is already open. Loads
passed down through the walls appear as Green diamond shaped symbols in the layout (Figure-
7). Load passed through walls displaying diamonds highlighted in a solid Magenta color (Figure-7)
indicate that the value specified in the Allow Pass-through Load field has been exceeded. There-
fore, as the truss designer you must contact the Building Designer to design the load path sup-
ports and connections to transfer the load (i.e. highlighted Magenta color diamond locations on
the layout) to the foundation.
Note: The diamond symbols are only visible when you are in the Job Designer mode.
Note: If you have run the VLT process and no diamonds appear on the layout, the loads have not
been received by the components below. This can occur when the height of the bottom of the
wall and the height of the supported component below to not touch, or are otherwise separated by
a distance of 1.5" or more. Correct this issue and try VLT again.
Figure-7
Open the Layer Manager again and make the First Floor - Level #1 the active level, then hide the
Second Floor - Level #2 and the Third Floor - Level #3 (Figure-8). Repeat steps #6 and #7 for the trusses
and the first floor walls.
Figure-8

l Diamond Symbol Color Description.
o No Diamonds = No loads above and no loads received.
o Gray = If new load has been introduced to components supported on wall(s) where vertical load
was transferred, the color of the diamonds on the supporting components below change from
Green to Gray. This change in color status indicates that the VLT loads no longer represent accur-
ate load transfer values. Rerun the components above that contain new load criteria and then
rerun the VLT process to return the diamonds back to Green.
o Green = Load has passed through the wall and been received by the component(s) below.
o Highlighted Magenta = Pass-through load exceeds the load limit amount specified in the Allow
Pass-through Load setting.
l Diamond Symbol Tooltips.

If you would like to review information for any diamond symbol (Figure-9), hold down the left mouse button
(LMB) and hover the mouse cursor over the desired diamond. Release the LMB when you are finished
reviewing this or any other tooltip information on the layout.
Note: In order for the tooltips to function, the Show Layout Data Tips option in the Configuration Tab of the
User Preferences must be selected .
Figure-9
tents path = iModel Menus & Tools / Job Designer / Transfer Vertical Loads topic.

Delete VLT Loads (iModel)
To remove all of the vertical loads in the layout that have been generated through the use of the Transfer Vertical
Loads tool, click the Delete VLT Loads icon located on the Job Designer toolbar. A message prompt appears
(Figure-1) requesting you to confirm whether or not you want to remove the VLT loads; click the button labeled
Yes to remove the VLT loads, or the button labeled No to close the prompt with no changes made.
Figure-1
tents path = iModel Menus & Tools / Job Designer / Delete VLT Loads topic.

Notes
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iCommand
To Do List / Task Scheduler
Manage your way with the industry’s most powerful software
Job Explorer
iCommand is a state-of-the-art business management

application for the component industry. It is based on the
same workflow as the highly successful HomeBase
software. iCommand gives managers unprecedented
power and flexibility in the way they collect, organize,
display and report on the mountain of data needed to
run a modern component business. iCommand gives you
Screen Customization
complete freedom and the power to have your
management software adjust to the way you work –
matching your style – to make changes on the fly and Features
• Customizable interface
take total control of every aspect of your business.
• Job Explorer
• Rock solid data integrity
Contact your Alpine sales representative to set up a • Management pricing
demonstration of the industry’s most powerful business • Improved scheduler
management software – iCommand. • Resource planner
• Audit logs
• ZIP code database
• Quote Track
• Materials management
system
O
R
AN ITW COMPANY
155 Harlem Avenue, North Building – 4th Floor

Glenview, IL 60025
(800) 521-9790
alpineitw.com
©2017 Alpine, a division of ITW Building Components Group Inc.
Form M1032-R1 8/17

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SOFTWARE USER GUIDE EN

Dynamic and Integrated Software Solutions

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n Steps to Create *.hmm Revit File.

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n Global Move & Delete Instructions.

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l Use Point Tracking.

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l Use Element Tracking.

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l Enable Vertical Load Transfer (Settings Help).

l Allow Pass-through Load (Settings Help).

l Add Wall Opening (iModel Help).

l Edit Wall Openings (iModel Help).

l Move Wall Opening (iModel Help).

l View Truss / View Wall Icon (iModel Help).

l Transfer Vertical Loads icon (iModel Help).

l Delete VLT Loads (iModel Help).

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o Offset Distance from Wall.

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Important consideration for the Distance field.

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n Base Name field.

Note: When inputting Base Names, special character restrictions apply.

n Saved Opening listing.

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Note: Although a wall Opening can be added to a non-bearing wall with or

l User-Defined or Beam: When you want to include Headers or Beams above

Note: Currently there is no difference of lumber size selections between these

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b. All Opening(s) of same name.

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