Wall framing commands

Auto brace (AB)

Command name: AUTO_BRACE	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Adds k-braces to walls (based on Auto Brace Options in PSET).
Usage:
1. Focus on a border with a wall layout.
2. Type AB and press Enter.
Additional info: • Type LI and select a brace to edit. Type PUA to reposition studs, if needed.

Auto break panel (PAB)

Command name: PANEL_AUTO	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Breaks up a panel at optimum frame junction locations.
Usage:
• Type PAB and press Enter.
Additional info:
• NOTE! Prevents breaks in a panel where the distance between two optimum junctions > than the Maximum Length value (as set in PSET Panel Model Settings).

Bath noggin (PBN)

Command name: PANEL_BATH	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Adds a bath/shower as a rectangular object (with a wall noggin at a specified height).
Usage: 1. Type PBN and press Enter. 2. (Optional) change the noggin height. 3. Select a location in a wall layout. Now Steelwise will insert a bath rail at the noggin height when you type PPD.

Build studs (PBS)

Command name: PANEL_STUD	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Adds new studs (and regenerates existing studs, as needed) in all wall panels across all borders simultaneously but without engineering*.
Usage: • Type PBS and press Enter.

Additional info:
• *NOTE! The PBS command does not regenerate locked studs or studs created with the PSA command.

• **NOTE! Type PUA to engineer studs.
• Steelwise uses default stud spacing from the data file and for the material set for the wall panels.

Calculate bracing (PCB)

Command name: PANEL_WIND	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Calculates bracing requirements for wall panels in a layout and allows you to insert bracing elements and markers, create a bracing plan, and view/export a bracing report.
Usage: With truss and joist layouts completed, roof and floor loads transferred to walls, and reference markers inserted in layouts: 1. Focus on a border with a wall layout. 2. Type PCB and press Enter. A dialog appears. 3. To add bracing, change settings (if needed) and click Insert. Or click Report (a new dialog appears) to view, print, or export a bracing report.







Additional info: • TIP! A Shortage value less than its corresponding Wind Force value may indicate other bracing options are in effect. Go to Bracing Options to ensure only required options are selected.

Defined door inputs (various aliases)

Command name: see table	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Inserts an opening with the actual door/leaf width.
Usage: 1. Type a defined door input alias (see table) and press Enter. 2. Set the width and press Enter. 3. Set the insertion method and press Enter. 4. Select a location in a wall layout.




Additional info: • Type S (Setup) when prompted to view a defined opening's settings in PSET.

Command name	Alias	Relevant settings in PSET
ARCHWAY	AR	Nibbed Robes Information
CAVITY_DOOR	CS	Cavity Sliding Door Information
EXTERNAL_DOOR	ED	External Hung Door Information
FACE_DOOR	FS	Face of Wall Sliding Door Information
PASSAGE_DOOR	PA	Internal Hung Door Information
HINGED_ROBE1	R1	Hinged Robe Door Information
HINGED_ROBE2	R2
HINGED_ROBE3	R3
SLIDE_ROBE2	S2	Sliding Robe Door Information
SLIDE_ROBE3	S3
SLIDE_ROBE4	S4

Insert panel brace (PIB)

Command name: PANEL_BRACE	Space(s): Layouts space; Detail spaces (for k-braces, bridging braces, and strap braces only)
Purpose: Adds a specified brace type to a wall panel and automatically changes the orientation of the right-hand stud (if required) for k- and bridging braces inserted in a wall in the Layouts* space.
Usage: 1. Type PIB and press Enter. 2. (Optional) Press Enter again to change brace type or other settings (as set in PSET). 3. Click a location in a wall layout (or click a stud in a detail sheet) to insert a brace.



Additional info: *• NOTE! Inserting a brace in a Panel detail space will not automatically change the orientation of the right-hand stud. • Steelwise optimizes for easy panel-to-panel fixing when you insert a k-brace at the end of a panel. • The arrow representing a k- or bridging brace in a layout indicates its direction. Use the LI commanlid (in Layouts) to reverse its direction. If the panel was built already, use the PUA** command to update the relevant detail sheet (in a Detail space).

Lap beam (PLB)

Command name: PANEL_LAP	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Laps a beam over the side or end of a wall by a specified distance.
Usage:
To add a lap:
1. Type PLB and press Enter.
2. Specify a distance (if needed) and press Enter.
3. Click the end of the beam to lap.
To remove a lap:
1. Type PLB and press Enter.
2. Click a lapped beam (indicated by a B with + signs)
Additional info:
• NOTE! Lapping a beam changes its detailed and reported length. It does not change its apparent length in a wall layout. Steelwise labels a lapped beam in a layout with a + sign indicating each lapped end. • Steelwise automatically inserts a pocket in a wall (i.e., rearranges studs and inserts a horizontal member) to accommodate an intersecting lapped beam when you rebuild studs (PBS) or build panels (PPD).

Load path (LP)

Command name: SHOW_LOAD	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Shows load paths from trusses or joists to relevant underlying walls.
Usage: 1. Focus on a border with a wall layout. 2. Type LP and press Enter. 3. Click in the border with the relevant truss/joist. Truss/joist load path lines appear in the wall layout. 4. Type LP and press Enter again to remove load path lines.
Additional info: • NOTE! The LP command is for information purposes only and is not required for Steelwise to transfer loads. Steelwise transfers loads after you place reference markers and do wall engineering when you type PCB, PPD, or PUA. • Relevant borders must have reference points. • Orange load path lines indicate correct load transfer. • Red load path lines indicate distributed (instead of concentrated) load transfer on structural walls or indicate no load transfer due to a discrepancy between the truss/joist and the wall.

Opening to fit brick (PFB)

Command name: PANEL_BRICK	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Moves an opening to accommodate bricks.
Usage: 1. Type PFB and press Enter 2. Select an opening.

Panel builder (PPD)

Command name: PANEL_BUILDER

Space(s): Layouts space, Detail spaces

Purpose:
• Updates studs, openings, loads, materials, etc., and engineering in all wall layouts.
• Opens The Panel Builder dialog to review wall panels, ceiling panels, and beams and to create/update detail sheets for selected panels and beams.

Usage:
To view and build panels from a single wall layout:
1. Focus on a border with a wall layout.
2. Type PPD and press Enter. The Panel Builder dialog appears.
3. Click Filters Are On/Filters Are Off and ensure True is selected for Current View Only.
4. Click Change. The dialog will now only show panels and beams from the border in focus.
5. Select panels and beams to build and click To Cad.

Steelwise generates a new Detail space with detail sheets of all selected panels and beams.

Additional info:

The Panel Builder dialog includes four tabs and common buttons:

Tab	Shows...
Fabrication	the elevation view of the selected wall panel or beam.
Bill of Materials	the usage, quantity, and dimensions of the panel/beam members.
Stud Design	design codes in effect and load case results for the panel/beam.
Detail Design Drawing	the elevation view plus extensive framing details for the panel/beam.

• Click Previous or Next to manually navigate panels/beams.
• Click Check to cycle through panels/beams.
• Click Locate to see a panel/beam in its wall layout.
• Click To Cad to generated a detail space with detail sheets of selected panels/beams.

Panel draw/panel trace (PD)

Command name: PANEL_TRACE

Space(s): Layouts space

Purpose: Allows you to draw an uncoded wall panel in a layout. Useful for quickly “sketching” walls that you will likely edit before coding or when you will not know if a wall is load-bearing until after you add upper-level joists and/or roof trusses.

Usage:

1. Type PD and press Enter.
2. Select the start and end point of a wall (or select an option as prompted*).
3. Select a position to offset the wall relative relative to its centerline.

Additional info:
• * Prompts that appear in the Command line include:

Option	Info
Model	Type M# (e.g., M10, M11, etc.) and press Enter to specify the material/profille.
Query	Type Q and press Enter to see a list of models (i.e., material/profile).
Undo	Type U and press Enter to remove the last-drawn panel since typing PD.
Setup	Type S and press Enter to change settings (as set in PSET).
Rectangle	Type R and press Enter to draw a rectangle and add four panels at once.

Panel notch (PN)

Command name: PANEL_NOTCH	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Adds a specified notch (as set PSET) to the selected end of a wall panel. A notch is typically added to allow access to a structural post inserted between wall panels.
Usage: To add a notch: 1. Type PN and press Enter. 2. (Optional) Type S and press enter to change default dimensions and method (as set in PSET). 3. Click the end of a wall panel to insert the specified notch. Steelwise now adds a label (or updates an existing label) with an asterisk indicating each notched end. To remove a notch: 1. Type PN and press Enter. 2. Click the relevant end of a notched wall (indicated by a label with asterisks).

Panel reaction plan (PRP)

Command name: PANEL_REACTION	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Shows the average uniformly distributed load placed on selected panels by supported trusses, joists, and other panels. Also shows point load reactions for jamb studs and from girder trusses and floor joist beam bearers.
Usage: 1. Focus on a border with a wall layout. 2. Type PRP and press Enter. 3. Click inside a border to insert the plan.

Panel stacks (PST)

Command name: PANEL_STACK	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Creates a stacking diagram of selected panels based on stacking options set in PSET.
Usage: 1. Type PST and press Enter. 2. Select walls to stack or press Enter to change panel stacking options. 3. Click a location to place the diagram.
Additional info: • Steelwise stacks panels by decreasing length (i.e., longer on bottom, shorter on top). • You can move panels up and down a stack (or move a maximum of 6 panels from one stack to another) using standard CAD commands. • The panel stacking order determines the manufacturing order in any XML file you create using the CNC or ACNC commands.

Rake panel (PRA)

Command name: PANEL_RAKE	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Gives the top plate of a wall panel a slope of a set angle.
Usage: 1. Type PRA and press Enter. 2. Click one or more walls to slope. 3. Click two points on a wall to set the slope length. 4. Select the direction of the slope. 5. Enter an angle (maximum 80°).

Show brick (SB)

Command name: SHOW_BRICK	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Adds a brick setout to selected panels to indicate placement based on Actual Depth of Brick and Cavity Width settings (as set in PSET).
Usage: 1. Type SB and press Enter. 2. Select a wall and press Enter. 3. (External setouts) select a starting point or (internal setouts) type I and select a starting point. 4. Type SB and press Enter again to remove brick setouts.
Additional info: • NOTE! Setouts show the brick length at roughly half the set Actual Length of Brick (as set in PSET).

Show heights (SH)

Command name: SHOW_HEIGHTS

Space(s): Layouts space

Purpose: Adds specified colors to selected panels to indicate panel height.

Usage:
1. Focus on a border with a wall layout.
2. Type SH and press Enter.
3. Press Enter for all panels (or select specific panels and press Enter). A dialog appears.
4. Click a height to adjust its color (if needed). Click Show.

To remove colors:

1. Type SH and press Enter.
2. Click Remove.

Silent panel builder (-PPD)

Command name: PANEL_BUILDERS	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: • Bypasses The Panel Builder dialog to automatically build all the wall panels, ceiling panels, and beams in the Layouts space. • Creates a single Detail space with the detail sheets of all panels and beams.
Usage: • Type -PPD and press Enter.

Special noggin input (PSN)

Command name: SPECIAL_NOGGIN	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Adds a specified noggin to a wall layout.
Usage: 1. Type PSN and press Enter. A dialog appears. 2. Select a noggin from the Description field or set new noggin specifications and click Insert. 3. Click a location in a wall to insert the noggin.

Stud array input (PSA)

Command name: PANEL_ARRAY	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Adds one or more studs to a coded wall at specified locations, overriding any existing automatic stud placements. Useful for adding single studs at specific locations or for adding studs for the fixing of cladding.
Usage: 1. Type PSA and press Enter. 2. (Optional) press Enter again array settings (as set in PSET). 3. Follow prompts to select wall(s) and insert studs.
Additional info: • NOTE! Steelwise will not insert studs at the end of a wall panel or within a stud’s thickness from a window opening. The tolerance for this is 1.25 times the stud width.

Stud array copy (PSC)

Command name: ARRAY_COPY	Space(s): Layouts space
Purpose: Copies all studs input in a wall layout (using the PSA command) in one border into a second border at the same position relative to reference points.
Usage: With reference points inserted in both borders: 1. Focus on the border with the PSA-input studs. 2. Type PSC and press Enter. 3. Click inside the second border to insert the studs.

Update panels (PUA)

Command name: PANEL_UPDATE	Space(s): Layouts space, truss Detail spaces
Engineers all wall panels and updates studs (where applicable*) in the Layouts space, or engineers trusses in a selected Truss detail space.
Usage: 1. Go to the Layouts space (to engineer panels) or to a Detail space (to engineer trusses). 2. Type PUA and press Enter.
Additional info: • * NOTE! The PUA command does not update locked studs or studs created with the PSA command. • Use the PBS command to add or regenerate studs without engineering.