Overview
This guide will walk you through applying a floor or ceiling joist system using the Joist Tool. The process assumes your plans are scaled and ready for measurement.
Key Steps
Set Up the Area:
Go to the top left of your screen and select Area.
Name the area, e.g., "Joist Layout."
Choose Standard Area as the area type (required for the Joist Tool).
Select a light color for the area, ensuring it contrasts well with the joists that will overlay it.
Click Start to begin drawing the area on your plan.
Apply the Area:
Carefully place points to outline where the joist system will go, ensuring straight lines for accurate material calculations.
Segment the joists where they meet load-bearing beams.
Enable Ortho (press F2 or enable in options) to snap lines for precision.
Engage the Layer:
Once the area is drawn, select Stop to finish the measurement.
Ensure the layer is engaged by clicking on it (it will highlight in blue).
Configure the Joist Tool:
Go to Tools and select the Joist Tool.
Fill out the following settings:
System Type: Choose Floor System (used for floors and ceilings).
Material Manufacturer: Select General.
Joist Catalog: Choose the appropriate size, e.g., 2x10 floor joists.
Material Length Calculation: Typically, select Nearest 2 Feet.
Material Direction: Set the direction according to your plan.
Pitch: Leave as is for floors and ceilings (no pitch).
Minimum Material Length: Set to 8 feet.
Maximum Material Length: Set to 16 ft.
On-Center Spacing: Choose the spacing for your joists.
Include Rim Board: Select and specify the appropriate material.
Color: Choose a contrasting color for the joists.
Save these settings as a template for future use (e.g., "2x10 Floor Joist").
Apply the Joists:
Click Start to apply the joists. The tool will automatically calculate and overlay the necessary materials.
The Joist Legend will display the material sizes and quantities required.
Adjustments:
To adjust joists (e.g., for a staircase opening), engage the relevant layer and modify the joist placement as needed.
Use Copy and Paste options to add or adjust joists.
Review and Manage Costs:
Review the material quantities in the Estimate Report tab.
Adjust costs and markup in the Parts Catalog before applying the joists, as these cannot be changed afterward.
Final Notes
For more detailed adjustments or to manage your parts catalog, refer to the specific help center articles. If you need further assistance, please contact our support team.