Create a Special Support

When a project requires a support that does not conform to any of the supplied configurations, it can be created as a Special Support. It can be assigned a support name and a special support number. This special support number can be unique to one support, or it may be used on several supports. This is controlled via the MDS Admin Data form. for further information, refer to the MDS Administrator Guide.

A prefix is used to identify a special support and is also controlled by the same default file.

The special support type can be:

• Multi Discipline

• Cable racking

• HVAC

To create a special support:

1. Select the Special Support icon from the tool bar, or select Create > Special... from the main menu.

   The Special Support form is displayed.

   

2. Enter a Name, or click the AutoName icon to use the auto-name facility.

3. Enter a Number, this functionality is not normally required, and is usually deactivated.

4. Select the Type.

   If the default setting is for a unique support number, then the special support number is checked to ensure that it is unique.

   The icon allows you to create a Special Support from an existing Preliminary Support. Refer to Convert an Existing Preliminary Support into an MDS Support for further information.

5. Click the OK icon. The Special MDS Framework form is displayed.

   

6. Select all the elements to be supported.

7. Position the support in the same way as for the Multi Discipline Support example.

   Note: The only difference is that no steelwork sections are automatically created.

8. Click on the OK button.

   A minimal check is performed by the support Integrity Checker. A message is displayed in the support Integrity Check form informing you that you can now use the steelwork application to create the steelwork members required to complete the support framework.

   A structure element is created so that you can create the steelwork within it using the same name as the support name. The MDS Automatic Drawing Production application produces a drawing similar to any of the standard support types.

   For an overview of the options icon functions refer to the table in Modify a Support. The other seven icons are explained in Create a Project Special Support to Move an HVAC Project Special Joint or SCTN.