Change the Axis for an Imported Steel Profile

A basic Beam can have any of six points set as its axis. When using a Complex Profile however, this axis must be set as part of the profile. When importing a Standard Steel profile, this axis will always be the profile’s center. However, you can edit the profile after the import to define a different axis.

Going to the Options ➔ Element Attributes ➔ Profile Manager… menu will open the Profile Manager palette. From here, select the profile you want to edit from the drop-down menu at the top and click the ‘Edit‘ button.

This will open the profile in the 2D window. The axis that the profile is centred on is defined by the Origin Point, represented by a heavy X symbol.

Selecting and dragging the elements of the profile will change the axis of the profile when turned into a Beam.

In the example above, the profile, consisting of a Fill and Hotspots, has been repositioned so that the Project Origin is located in the middle of the top flange. When used on a Beam, the axis will then be at the top of the beam.