When modelling in GenFEA, using the object snaps can be very useful when creating new elements. In this part of the exercise, we will add purlins to our portal frame structure by working with snap point locations on the existing portal elements as follow:
Click the 'Draw' tool (from 'Model' ribbon menu, or from model workspace right-click context menu, or keyboar shortcut 'F')
Enable 'End Point' snap, disable 'Grid Snap'
Adjust the 'Frame Properties' from the context menu to suit (CFLZ section, 'Purlins' group, 'Torsion' end releases)
Draw the 3 Frames from outer eaves ends, and also from the apex ends as shown below
Now enable the 'Mid Snap' and draw the purlins between the mid sections of the rafters
Note that if at any point you accidentally click in the wrong location, simply press Escape to exit the 'Draw Frame' command, and try again. In the next step, we will add the additional purlins after we have discretized the elements