Beam Pocket Workaround

[Tim Mosegard]

I have a workaround for those of you that use CA for framing plans, hopefully version 11 will include beam pockets

Once all your framing is done and beams etc. in place…

Drop a window in the location of the beam.
Window Settings
a) Fixed
b) Change Size to Beam Size and height for top of beam
c) RO ½” or whatever you need
d) Casing Zero INT & EXT
e) I also changed Sash & Frame width's to min.

Check Position and height
Build Wall Framing
Open Wall Detail
Go to Wall Properties and Retain Framing
Delete Window

[Allen42acj]

Hi Tim
Is this for a wood framed wall rather than the foundation wall?
Not sure I need to do that,but thanks for the idea..
Once you get your window right,you can add it to your library to use next time..
Do you know about platform holes?

[WendyWelton]

Tim,

Boy, I really wish we had beam pockets. I like your suggestion. However, I'm thinking this will make a pocket that goes all the way through - not a partial depth pocket for exterior walls. Am I wrong? Do you have some sneaky way to do a partial depth pocket in the exterior foundation wall?

[Allen42acj]

For beams.I just bring them into the wall so it looks good in plan view.
Is there a reason we need beam pockets besides that?
Thank you..

[louis]

That's what I do Allen.

[WendyWelton]

I saw Al Frey do something very cool - he shows a 3D of just the foundation on his construction sets. If I was a builder I would love getting that instant visual, so I thought I'd start adopting it. It's not that it's the end of the world to throw it out to 2D and edit in the beam pockets. But - how cool would it be if they were already there...

[Ray C]

It's not that it's the end of the world to throw it out to 2D and edit in the beam pockets. But - how cool would it be if they were already there...

Hi Folks
I've been including foundation 3D vector overviews sent to Cad details then to layout for years.
The beam pocket thingy,,, I have a cad block for the 2D representation in plan view, once the cad block is entered into the plan (beam pocket layer) I covert it to a solid, set its height 1/16 above the TOW and depth normally at 10". Copy paste as needed. Set the view I want, send to Cad Detail, minor edits,,, send to layout.




FYI, Ray

[Allen42acj]

Louis and Wendy
Thanks..
I think Tim wants it to frame a pocket.Some thing to think about..

[WendyWelton]

Thanks - I'll give it a try. Nice sheet - btw

[Tim Mosegard]

I build a modified log homes 2x6 with log veneer and they have lots of log beams etc, we prebuild them in our shop so we use the framing wall details as our layout for the shop drawings. When you do a beam pocket it also gives you a better count on studs.

In terms of hiding the frame, once I am done with the final plans I just delete the beam pocket object (window), that's why I retain wall framing in the wall dbx. The 2d and 3d's look normal.

[ChiefChris]

what about a polyline solid (or a slab) of a material set to transparent?

i've never put beam pockets in to show in 3D - but I do show them in plan view with a CAD box and a text note indicating the size.

[Tim Mosegard]

The problem with the poly solids is they do not interact with wall auto framing tool so that it will create the Kings and Trimmers and Sill boards. If you use a beam from the framing tools it will just show the beam in 3d but not in the wall detail.

tim

[Allen42acj]

Tim
You can edit the wall framing to add your own beam supports.
Then block those to add to your library.
Then just add to where you want them in a wall detail..
Unblock once in the wall.
Depending on the size of the beam,I like to turn the studs, to get the bend (grain)going the other way..

[Tim Mosegard]

Thanks Allen, I like that method. I was just trying find a way to where I could visually see both in 3D and 2D as well as the Wall Detail in the quickest this way I don't have to go back and forth from plan view and wall detail. I like the method you just described as well, I'll have to give it a try. I see that you are a framer... Most of the work force here in AZ make a lot of claims to be one yet I seem to have to do a lot explaining and field sketches of what needs to be done.

thanks for the input!!

tim

[Allen42acj]

Tim
Your welcome
I would like to see a tool that would put a hole in a wall and be adjustable in size and depth..
Then it could be used for built-ins..
Should auto frame like platform holes...
Some times I have to send details to an engineer so he knows what I'm talking about...