For a description of generic settings common to all tools in the Toolbox, see Working in Tool Settings Dialog Boxes.
The Slab tool is used for drawing and editing slabs, the basic horizontal building blocks of the Virtual Building.
For more information, see Slabs.
Slab Geometry and Positioning Panel
Slab Thickness: Enter a value for the slab’s thickness.
Note: If the structure of the slab is a composite, then the slab’s thickness is defined in Options > Element Attributes > Composites, and equals the sum of the skins’ thicknesses. A composite slab’s thickness cannot be edited in Slab Settings; you must go to Options > Element Attributes > Composites.
If you want to edit the slab thickness in Slab Settings, choose a non-composite (basic) slab structure.
Offset to Home Story: Define an offset for the Slab’s reference plane from its Home Story. The reference plane has several possible settings. (See Reference Plane.)
Home Story
See Home Story.
Offset to Reference Level: Define an offset for the Slab’s reference plane from the given Reference level (by default, this Reference level is Project Zero).
•The Slab reference plane has several possible settings.
See Reference Plane.
Slab Structure
Click one of these icons to define the Slab as Basic or Composite, and then choose an attribute that reflects its structural properties:
•For a Basic Slab: use the pop-up to choose its Building Material.
•For a Composite Slab: use the pop-up to choose its Composite structure.
Note: This pop-up shows only those Composite Structures whose “Use With” control includes Slabs. Composites are defined at Options > Element Attributes > Composites.
By default, the Slab’s edge is perpendicular to its surface (90 degrees). If you wish to use a custom edge angle, click the corresponding icon and enter the angle in degrees in the field to the right.
Note: You can set a different custom edge angle for any single edge(s). If you have done so, a yellow “custom” icon appears alongside the edge type setting control in Slab Settings.
See Set Custom Slab Edge Angle and Edge Surface.
Depending on the structure you choose for the Slab (either a basic or a composite slab), you have varying options for the Slab Reference Plane:
•A basic Slab’s reference plane is either the top or the bottom of the Slab.
•A composite Slab’s reference plane can be one of four options: top of slab, bottom of slab; top of core, bottom of core.
Note: If the chosen composite structure has no core, then the core-related reference plane choices are grayed out.
Use the Info Box or Geometry and Positioning Panel of Slab Settings to choose a reference plane.
See also Slab Reference Plane.
Slab Floor Plan and Section Panel
See Element Display in Floor Plan and Section
Note: The line type of slabs displayed on remote stories is set in Options > Project Preferences > Legacy.
Cover Fills
See Assign a Cover Fill.
This panel affects the 3D display of the slab.
See also Override Surfaces With Surface Painter.
See Set Custom Slab Edge Angle and Edge Surface.
For more information, see Align 3D Texture.