Querying Properties in Design

Consider the following examples, which allow you to query two properties of this parameterized I-beam in Design:

Example 1: The depth of the beam

• Datakey: DEPT

• Dtitle: ’Depth of beam’

• Pproperty: (PARAM [1] )

• Dproperty: 600

• Purpose: DATA

• Number: 1

The command Q PROP DEPT in Design or Draft will return the depth of the current beam (or the default of 600 if the true value cannot be evaluated).

Example 2: The cross-sectional area of the beam

• Datakey: XSEC

• Dtitle: ’Cross‑section of beam’

• Pproperty: (((P [1] - (2 * P[3])) * P[4]) + (2 * (P[2] * P[3]))

  Note: PARAM has been shortened to P here to show the format of the expression more clearly. The full version must be used when setting the attribute.

• Purpose: DATA

• Number: not relevant here, so leave unset

The command Q PROP XSEC in Design or Draft will return the calculated cross-sectional area of the current beam.

Similarly, you could query the following attributes of this DATA element: