Overview, Column

It is possible to install architectural or structural columns on the active floor of the building. These columns can be placed in the wall, from which point they will form a structural element with the wall.
You can set the general properties of the column in the Building menu - Properties - Column dialog box.

Profile selection

The column is characterised by its cross-section profile. First define the cross-section profile by clicking on the Profile from library button or by clicking on the Edit profile button to create a custom profile on the floor plan drawing.

Reference point
You can select a reference point for the placement of the element. Active reference points are displayed in red, inactive reference points are displayed in green. Click on one of the green points to select a new reference point.

Drawing display
In the upper part of the dialog box you can set the general properties: colour, layer, line thickness, line type, display order.
Other display properties:
 
On which floors is it visible? 
Select the All floors option to display the column at all levels, or use the triple-dot button to select the desired levels. This option is only available for columns already placed.

Hatch
Check this option and use the triple-dot button to set the hatching properties if you want the column to appear hatched on the floor plan.

 
Solid material
This defines the material of the column body. Click on the material name/icon to select the appropriate material from the Materials library.

 
Surface material
This defines the material of the column face. Click on the material name/icon to select the appropriate material from the Materials library.

Other parameters 
Set the following properties of the column:
 
Relative height
Height relative to the current floor level 0

Height
Height of the column

Inclination
Inclination of the column according to the direction of inclination

Tilt direction
The tilt direction determines the direction in which the tilt angle set in the previous field tilts the body. The result is not visible on the floor plan, only in the 3D view, since only the symbolic representation is shown on the floor plan.

Angle of rotation
You can specify the angle of rotation around the Z axis to be used for placement. This rotation also affects the floor plan. If you do not enter the rotation angle here, you can still enter it at the time of placement.  

Place in the wall
Automatically inserts the column into the wall, cutting its location out of the wall. In this way, the program does not show the wall contour and the wall contour "behind" the column on the floor plan. The object inserted into the wall is in the same relationship to the slabs and roofs as the wall containing it. The object so placed becomes part of the wall, so if the wall is deleted, so is the object.

Create only its location in the wall
Automatically inserts the object into the wall, but in the 3D view it extracts the object from the wall, i.e. it only represents its location. The option is only active after the Insert into wall option is enabled.
This method makes it easy to create vents, horns, mechanical strings in the wall. 
In the volume calculations requested for the wall, the program subtracts the "column spaces" thus formed from the volume of the wall.

Cutting slabs-roofs
The command works in the same way as for the wall.
Turn on the option:
If the wall-slab-roof cut option in the 3D Build dialog box is checked, the slabs and roofs for which you have requested a cut will have their columns cut along with the wall. The result is independent of whether the column is part of the wall.

Adding insulation
The thickness and material of the insulation can be specified.

Cutout - recess - attachment
In addition to the above, it is also possible to add cutouts, recesses and attachments. Click on the triple-dot button next to Cutout - recess - attachment.
The added elements are displayed in a list in the dialog box. The currently selected part in the list is highlighted in the preview window for easy identification.

	Cutout
	Recess
	Attachment

3D display
If you disable this option, the column model will not be visible in the 3D window.

Bottom (start) ending / Top (other) ending / Exchange endings
Click on the triple-dot button to define the lower/upper end of the column in the Beam End dialog. If you do not apply the Same as Bottom (Start) option to the Top (Other) end, you have the option to swap the endings by clicking on the triple-dot button next to Exchange endings.

	Sloping columns with horizontal endings