The Selection of Elements to Split
- Last UpdatedJan 22, 2026
- 4 minute read
From the Beams and Columns application main menu bar, select Modify > Sections > Split to open the Split Steel window.
From the Panels and Plates application main menu bar select Modify > Split to display the Split Steel window.
The elements to be split are added to the Elements to split list with the options available in the Add to list drop-down menu.
The options available are:
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CE |
Adds the Current Element to the list. |
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CE Members |
Adds all members of the Current Element. |
Note: The CE members option can only be applied to Frameworks and Sub-frames. It does not work if a Structure, Zone or Site is selected.
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Current list |
Adds the current active list (if one exists). |
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Graphical pick |
Allows you to select elements from the graphical display. |
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Graphical window selection |
Allows you to select a range of items by dragging a selection box over them in the 3D graphical display. |
Note: The graphical selection must be made before the Graphical window selection option is selected.
The selected elements are highlighted red in the 3D graphical view.
Right click anywhere in the Elements to split list, even if the list is empty, and a drop-down menu is displayed with the same selection options as those described above. However, the CE Members option is not included.
If the Element to split list is empty, the bottom two menu option entries are greyed out. If the list is populated, the bottom menu options are active.
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Remove Selected from list - this option removes the selected members from the Elements to split list. Multiple element selections may be made with standard Windows selection methods.
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Clear list - this option removes all elements from the Elements to split list.
Once the beam(s) to be split has been added to the Elements to split list, where it is to be split must be specified.
The Define split-on area of the window has an options list with these options:
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Pick Section(s) to split on |
This option lets you graphically select one or more sections to be split on from the graphical view. When this option is selected the prompt ‘Pick a selection to split on:’ is displayed. One or more sections may be selected, the selection process is terminated when Esc is pressed. |
The SCTN(s) selected to split on does not have to touch the beam that is to be split. However, the Neutral Axis must intersect the elements to be split in at least one plane.
These options activate the Positioning control toolbar. The exact prompts for these options depend on the Pick Method set on the Positioning control toolbar.
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Define Graphical Aid Line(s) to split on |
This option lets you select points in the graphical display to create one or more aid lines to split on by selecting points in the graphical display. When this option is selected the prompt ‘Line start (Snap) Snap:’ is displayed. One or more lines may be created. Press Esc to terminates the creation process. |
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Define Graphical Plane(s) to split on |
This option enables you to create one or more planes to split the selected elements on. |
The Plane Size and Plane Direction textboxes are activated in the Define split-on area of the window as are the checkboxes adjacent to them.
You are prompted to ‘Pick to position plane (Snap) Snap:’. One or more planes may be created, the Plane Size and Plane Direction are set before the next plane is created. Press Esc to terminate the creation process.
Once graphical aid lines and /or planes have been defined the Modify Graphical aid line/plane and Delete Graphical aid line(s)/plane(s) are enabled.
Click Modify Graphical aid line/plane you are prompted to ‘Pick aid to be modified pick Aid:’ Picking a line or plane from the graphical view displays the appropriate aid modification window, that is Modify Line or Modify Plane.
Click Delete Graphical aid line(s)/plane(s) you are prompted to ‘Pick aid(s) to be deleted. <esc to finish> pick Aid:’. One or more lines or planes may be selected for deletion. Press Esc to terminate the selection process.