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MasterFrame - Frame Viewing Tools

Posted on February 2nd, 2021 in Analysis

Summary

Master Frame provides a comprehensive suite of viewing and filtering tools designed to help users manipulate and visualize complex structural frames.

Here is a summary of the key frame viewing and manipulation features described in the sources:

Basic Navigation and Manipulation

The initial point of navigation is the home button, which directs the user to a full, straightforward isometric view of the frame.

Cube Navigation: The view can be manipulated using the cube, which allows users to switch to views such as the front, top, or corners, enabling rotation around the sides.
Zoom: Users can zoom in and out using the mouse wheel. A useful feature is that the zoom is centred wherever the cursor is placed.
Rotation (Orbit): To rotate the frame, the user holds down the shift key while moving the middle mouse button up/down or left/right.
Panning (Palming): Users can drag the frame about by holding the mouse button down without any keys.

Filtering and Cropping

A core viewing tool is the filter tool, which functions as a cropping tool used to cut out parts of the frame.

Dragging Technique: Filtering is achieved using a simple click, drag, and release technique.
Layered Filtering: The frame can be divided up by applying the filter tool repeatedly at different orientations, similar to cutting a cake, to isolate specific sections or levels. For example, to focus on a first floor area, one might first switch to the top view, filter the area, then switch to the front view, and filter vertically to isolate that level.
Returning to Full View: Clicking home automatically returns the view back out to the full frame, which users should be mindful of, especially if they are working with a filtered view. The filter must be manually turned off if one wishes to view the full frame after applying a filter.

Custom Views: Levels and Grid Lines

Master Frame sets up primary views by default, and attempts to identify primary levels, which can sometimes result in an excessive number of views since it treats every vertical node point as a level.

Defining Custom Levels: Users can gain more control by creating specific levels (e.g., Ground at Y-zero, Mezzanine at Y 5.35, Eaves at Y 7.55, Roof at Y 10.83). After killing the default level definitions and using automatic generation of views based on custom levels, the system yields fewer, more relevant views.
Grid Line Control: Introducing grid lines (along the X-axis and Z-axis) augments the viewing tools, allowing users to view specific planes, such as "grid line A" or "grid line B," which provides a controlled view through the frame.

Advanced Viewing Filters (Orientation, Material, Section Size)

The software offers various view filters to isolate members based on their properties:

Member Viewing Groups: Users can create and apply a view filter called a "member viewing group" (e.g., "lean to" or "lean to one") to display only the members included in that specific group. This tool can also be used in reverse to hide ancillary members.
Orientation: Members can be filtered by their orientation, such as showing only vertical members or inclined members (like bracing and inclined rafters).
Material: Views can be filtered by material (e.g., showing only steel members, thus hiding timber). Multi-select functionality allows filtering for combinations, such as "steel and bracing".
Section Size: Users can filter to display only members of specific section sizes (e.g., all 457s or 203s, 133s).

Labelling and Member Referencing

Filters can be applied not just to visibility, but also specifically for labelling only.

Filtered Labelling: If a section size filter is applied (e.g., show only 203 133 UB25s), the user can choose to label only those members with their section sizes, while leaving other members unlabelled. This function is also applicable for displaying bending moments, shear forces, and member lengths. It allows for complex frames to be labelled in pieces.
Custom Member References: Users have the ability to designate how members are labelled using member referencing globally. For beams, options include adding orientation, grid line, level, material, and an ID to the label. IDs are typically only necessary if conflicts arise from having duplicates.

Visual Display Settings

Several settings allow visual customization of the frame:

3D View: The software offers a toggle for the 3D view.
Colouring: Members can be coloured by material (e.g., blue for bracing, green for steel, brown for timber) or by section size, which helps to easily identify variations in member dimensions.
Outlines: Outlines can be enabled to enhance the view by providing borders to individual members, improving distinction between them.
Draw Short: This feature is useful for showing each individual member. It can help identify instances where several physical members should have been merged into a single logical member.
Font Size and Saturation: Font sizes for labels can be adjusted (e.g., from 18 point down to 10 or 11 point). Saturation controls the colour hue, allowing for brighter or duller displays.
Wireframe Display: When in wireframe mode, the thickness of the lines can be adjusted (single pixel, thin, medium, or thick).
Node Points: The software can display node points, including those at free ends or unnecessary points between member halves.

Snapshots vs. Frame Views

Both frame views and snapshots are tools for saving specific viewpoints, but they differ significantly in functionality:

Frame Views: Frame views (e.g., one called "Fred") only store the basic view (wireframe) and do not remember additional display settings.
Snapshots: Snapshots are described as a more advanced and powerful tool. They store the specific view along with its settings. This includes remembering if section sizes or the key legend are displayed, if members are drawn short, and the chosen colouring scheme (e.g., by section size or material). Snapshots can be created and updated to save changes to the displayed settings.

Summary with Timestamps

This table summarizes the features and functionalities of Master Frame's viewing and manipulation tools, utilizing the provided timestamps and source references.

Start Time	End Time	Key Feature and Summary
00:00:07,360	00:00:22,240	Introduction to Frame Viewing Tools: Master Frame handles complex structural frames, and this segment introduces tools for manipulating views to simplify work.
00:00:23,280	00:00:35,200	Home Button and Isometric View: The home button is the first point of call, taking the user to a full, straightforward isometric view.
00:00:36,240	00:00:51,760	Cube Navigation: The view cube allows switching between orthogonal views (front, top) and corner views, enabling rotation around the sides.
00:00:52,240	00:01:14,000	Zooming and Rotation (Orbit): Users can zoom in and out using the mouse wheel, where the zoom is centred on the cursor location. Rotation (Orbit) is performed by holding the shift key while moving the middle mouse button.
00:01:14,240	00:01:49,360	Panning (Palming) and Filter Introduction: The frame can be dragged (panned or palmed) by holding the mouse button without keys. The filter tool is introduced as a cropping mechanism to cut out parts of the frame.
00:01:49,360	00:02:10,880	Basic Filtering Technique & Home Button Effect: Filtering is a straightforward click, drag, and release technique, functioning as a cropping tool. Users should be mindful that clicking home automatically reverts to the full frame view.
00:02:11,360	00:03:26,079	Layered Filtering (Cake Cutting Analogy): The frame can be divided by applying the filter tool repeatedly at different orientations (like cutting a cake) to isolate specific sections or levels, such as filtering top-down then front-on to isolate a first-floor area.
00:03:30,480	00:03:53,440	Default Frame Views and Levels: By default, primary views are set up, but the automatic generation often creates an excessive number of levels by treating every vertical node point as a level.
00:03:53,920	00:06:02,560	Defining Custom Levels: Users can gain control by deleting default levels and adding specific custom levels with Y-coordinates (e.g., Ground Y-zero, Mezzanine Y 5.35, Eaves Y 7.55, Roof Y 10.83).
00:06:02,560	00:06:44,880	Automatic Generation of Views based on Custom Levels: Using custom levels to automatically generate views results in fewer, more relevant views (e.g., Roof plan, Mezzanine level, Eaves level).
00:06:45,840	00:08:34,080	Grid Lines for Control: Introducing grid lines (X-axis and Z-axis) provides enhanced viewing control, allowing users to select and view specific planes (e.g., "grid line A" or "grid line B") through the frame.
00:08:35,039	00:10:43,680	Creating Custom Frame Views: Custom named views (e.g., "Lean To Roof") can be created by defining a section using the mouse, often easier to do in wireframe mode.
00:10:45,000	00:11:29,280	Member Viewing Groups (View Filter): To show only relevant members, a view filter called a "member viewing group" (e.g., "lean to") can be applied, displaying only the members included in that group.
00:11:29,600	00:12:02,640	Snapshots (Saving View Settings): The current view and specific orientation, often established through filtering, can be saved as a snapshot ("lean JM") to preserve the exact viewpoint.
00:12:03,760	00:12:36,480	Filter Removal Requirement: To view the full frame after applying filters, the filter must be manually turned off.
00:12:37,920	00:14:30,720	Isolating Members: New member viewing groups (e.g., "lean to one") can be created by adding specific members (rafters, bracing). These groups can also be used to hide ancillary members or display everything but a specific group.
00:14:31,000	00:14:55,360	Editing Member Groups: Member viewing groups are editable, allowing users to apply additions (e.g., adding a missed rafter) to the filter definition.
00:14:57,280	00:15:37,040	Orientation Filters: Filters based on member orientation are available, allowing users to show only vertical members, vertical and horizontal members (segmented by direction), or inclined members (bracing and inclined rafters).
00:15:40,640	00:16:34,240	Material Filters: Views can be filtered by material (e.g., showing only steel to hide timber members). Multi-select filtering enables combinations (e.g., "steel and bracing") to exclude unwanted materials.
00:16:39,960	00:16:55,920	Section Size Filters: Users can filter to display only members of specific section sizes (e.g., 457s or 203 133s).
00:17:00,560	00:18:59,360	Filtered Labelling: Filters can be applied specifically for labelling only. If a filter is active, only those filtered members can be labelled with their properties (section sizes, bending moments, shear forces, or lengths), allowing complex frames to be labelled in pieces.
00:19:00,560	00:19:14,240	Axial Load Visualization: Filters can be used to display graphical data, such as axial loads, only on specific highlighted groups (e.g., bracing members).
00:19:35,200	00:21:50,480	Custom Member Referencing: Users can globally designate how members (like beams) are labeled, including grid line, level, orientation, and material. IDs are typically included only if conflicts arise from duplicates.
00:22:21,930	00:22:29,730	3D View Toggle: The 3D view display can be switched on or off.
00:22:30,770	00:23:16,160	Colouring Options: Members can be coloured by material (e.g., blue bracing, green steel, brown timber) or by section size to easily identify variations in member dimensions.
00:23:19,120	00:23:53,520	Legend and Outlines: A legend for colours/sections can be displayed. Outlines can be enabled to enhance the view by adding borders to members, providing greater visual distinction.
00:24:14,800	00:25:31,440	Draw Short: Draw Short displays each individual physical member. This feature is useful for identifying where multiple physical members should have been merged into a single logical member, confirming connectivity, and distinguishing primary from secondary members.
00:25:42,800	00:26:25,120	Font Size Adjustment: Font sizes for labels (e.g., section sizes) can be adjusted globally (e.g., reduced from 18 point to 10 or 11 point).
00:26:25,840	00:26:38,160	Saturation Control: Saturation controls the colour hue, allowing users to select a brighter or duller display.
00:26:44,720	00:27:17,680	Wireframe Thickness: In wireframe mode, the thickness of the lines can be adjusted (single pixel, thin, medium, or thick) for easier distinction.
00:27:30,200	00:28:03,440	Node Points Display: Node points can be displayed. They appear at free ends and unnecessary points (e.g., between two halves of a member). The size of the displayed node points can also be adjusted (medium, large).
00:30:15,760	00:31:11,440	Snapshot vs. Frame View (Saving Viewpoints): Both Frame Views (e.g., "Fred") and Snapshots can save a specific viewpoint. A snapshot, however, remembers the view along with specific settings (e.g., colouring by material, 'Draw Short' feature active).
00:31:11,440	00:33:34,560	Snapshot Advantage and Updating: A Frame View only remembers the basic wireframe view. A Snapshot is a more powerful and advanced tool because it stores all display settings (section sizes, colouring, legend display, 'Draw Short' status) and can be updated to save changes to these settings.