# structure beam import command

Syntax

structure beam import keyword

Primary keywords:

Create beam elements from an outside source.

from-extruder s [beamimportblock] <range>

Create elements from the extruder set named s. The range applies to the list of edges in the extruder set.

from-file s [beamimportblock]

Create elements from the geometry file s.

The optional format keyword can be used to specify the format of the file. The options are dxf, geom, or stl. [CS: work out what needs to happen here later; formats should have links] If not specified, the format is assumed from the file extension.

from-geometry s [beamimportblock] <range>

Create elements from the geometry set named s. The range applies to the list of edges in the geometry set.

structure beam import Keyword Block

Any of the following keywords may be optionally supplied for use with the major keywords of structure beam import: from-extruder, from-file and from-geometry.

distinct

Eliminate sharing of nodes among created elements. Every element will create a new set of nodes, even if they are at the same location in space and elements share the same ID number. This option is most commonly used with a later structure node join command to create links connecting nodes at the same location in order to apply custom inter-element behavior.

format keyword

Specify the format of the file. Can only be given with the from-file keyword.

This keyword can only be used with the following keywords of the structure beam import command: from-file.

dxf

Specify the DXF file format.

geom

Specify the geometry file format.

stl

Specify the STL file format.

group s <slot s >

Assign the elements created to group s. Use of the group logic is described in Groups. If not specified, the default group name assigned will be Beam N where N is the ID number assinged to the elements.

group-begin s <slot s >

A group name that will be assigned to the first node of the elements created along a line. The default name assigned will be Beam Begin.

group-end str:s <slot s >

A group name that will be assigned to the first node of the elements created along a line. The default name assigned will be Beam End.

id i

Specify the ID that will be assigned to all new elements created by this command. If this value is not given, then the next available ID will be used. The ID controls potential joining of the two element end-nodes to an existing element as follows. At each end-node location, a new node is created unless all of the following conditions are fulfilled: (1) the ID is given; (2) an existing node is found “near” the potential new node location; and (3) the found node is part of an element with ID equal to i.

maximum-length f

Break the element into segments no greater than length f. The segments setting, if provided, is overridden as needed by this setting.

segments i

Break the element into i equal segments, creating new nodes as needed. The default value is 1.

snap <b >

Indicate that the first and last positions of the element(s) created will attempt to “snap” to the location of the nearest structural node (attached to any element type) within a radius of 1/2 the element length. If only one end is snapped in this manner, then the entire line created will be offset by the difference between the original and the snapped position.