Profile symbols in drawings

You can place profile symbols in drawings with the Draw > Symbols > Profile Symbol function in the 3D-Contek, Shell, and HiLTop applications.

See Profile Symbol for information on how to add profile symbols.

Profile symbols are 2D Hull model files (*.mod). By default the system uses three standard profile symbol models for all profile types. The default profile type models are located in the %ncgnorms%\mod2d folder, and they are as follows:

  • hp200.mod – used for HP profiles

  • hoeklijn.mod – used for angle bar profiles

  • strip.mod – used for flat bar profiles

User-defined profile symbols

It possible to create customized, user-defined profile symbol models for all standard and user-defined straight profiles as well as all shell frames. Note that user-defined profile symbols override the default profile symbols.

User-defined profile symbol models must be stored in the %ncgnorms%\details folder as *.mod files.

Tip: Profile symbol models in the mod2d folder in the default norms can be copied as is, or modified to create new profile symbol models.

User-defined profile symbol models must be named after the profile, using the attribute 2 of the profile as the name. For example ST150x10.mod. Attribute 2 of a profile can be checked by starting the Draw > Line/Arc > Selection Information function and then selecting the profile.

Placement of user-defined profile symbols

User-defined profile symbols are always placed as vertical and to the left or the profile. The zero axis position is shown in the image below.

The system shows a warning when placing the profile symbol if there is no profile symbol model available for the profile, and no symbol will be placed.

Additional notes

  • When the profile type is changed, the symbol changes accordingly, but its position remains the same.

  • Modifying the profile with any modification function removes the profile symbol.

  • The Remove 3D-Items function removes the profile symbol. The Undo 3D-Removal function will not place the symbol back.

  • Profile symbols are 2D items which means that 2D undo and redo functions are supported with them.