Using MODEL->IN PLACE->SWEEPS

Coming from a strictly 2D drawing platform has taken me some time to understand how to understand and control the 3D model.  Being able to under stand reference planes and In-Place Models is the key to being able to customize and create custom model elements and can often be more effective and faster when completed in the model rather than with detail components.  So there's why....Here's how

Ive drawn a concrete wall and slab. Im going to add a grade beam with a brick ledge and add some features to the wall.  Can you schedule this items as well.......I haven't figured out how yet

So we get started with the grade beam.  First off we need to see the grade beam in section in order to draw it most effectively so we will create a section cut.  (You want to place this cut close to the center of one of the lines you will pick for the path of the sweep, I'll show you why shortly).  

From MODEL->IN-PLACE we choose "Structural Foundations" option so that it should show in a schedule.  Name it "12x24 GB" or whatever naming system you use.

Since we are going to pull the grade beam around the edge of the slab we will use a SWEEP.  Choose the lines which will determine the path of the sweep.  Think about this as the path not the location of the model, since you can draw your element 100' away if you would like.  Notice the red dot at the middle of the first line you chose for your sweep path.  Right where we cut our section.  Had that dot not been in our view range of the section we could have drawn it, but not seen what we were drawing.  That is why I discussed the placement of the section.  You can do it without the section, but this is the best and most efficient way for me.

Now we are going to EDIT PROFILE.  It will ask you what plan,section, elevation you will use to draft the profile of the sweep.  We will use our section and beginning drawing the outline of the grade beam with a 8"x5" brick ledge.

After we have drawn the profile we will pick the material for the sweep.  This will matter for not only appearance, but possibly for schedules and joining of elements.

We will FINISH the sweep and FINISH the model.......and we have a grade beam with our brick ledge around the perimeter of the building.

And there you go.  Well, Im cashed.  Im old and tired.  So I'll do the rest of it later.....