Draw Joint Objects Page 1 of 1

Draw Joint Objects

Form: Properties of Object

ETABS considers drawn joints to be Special Joints. This designation is significant because ETABS
removes joints that are not connected to other objects (e.g., at the ends of frame objects, etc.) or that are
not being used in load assignments (i.e., joint loads were not assigned) unless the joint is designated to
be a Special Joint. The Special Joint designation can be toggled on and off using the Special Joint drop-
down list on the Joint Information form - Geometry Tab. Note that imported joints are designated as
Special Joints by default.

Joint objects can be drawn in a plan, elevation or 3D views.

1. Click the Draw menu > Draw Joint Objects command to activate the draw mode.

2. The Properties of Object form for joints will display in the lower left-hand corner of the window with
options to specify the plan offset in the X, Y, and Z directions.

3. Use either of the following methods to draw the joint objects:

◾ Left click at any location in a plan view to draw a joint object.

◾ Working in plan view, depress and hold down the left mouse button. While keeping the left button
depressed, drag the mouse to "rubber band" a window around one or more grid line intersections.
Then release the left mouse button. Joint objects will automatically be placed at each grid line
intersection of two grid lines in the same grid system included in the "rubber band" window, or
offset from the intersection as specified in Step 2.

4. Exit the drawing tool by depressing the Esc key or clicking the Select Pointer button or the Draw
menu > Select Object command.

mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\Computers%20and%20Structures\ETABS%202... 3/7/2018