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The Sizer design process is based on Design Groups which allow you to group similar members together for the design process. Sizer determines the lightest section size that can be used for each of the design groups, based on the most critical member in each group.
Design Group Data
The Design Group Dialog is used to input all the material, species, grade, and section data from the WoodWorks databases, joist and wall stud spacing; required fire endurance (NDS); deflection limits; service conditions, load sharing and lateral support; and a special Load Transfer Number for beams.
How to Organize your Groups
You can make your group divisions as coarse as you wish. Anything from a single group for all beams to a separate beam group for each member. However, a single group for all beams will likely result in excessively large beam sizes for those members that have smaller spans or smaller applied loads. Similarly, a separate beam group for each beam would determine the optimal size for each beam but result in too many section sizes for construction. It is advisable that you create several design groups (e.g., a different column group for each floor, different joist groups for different floor loads).
Create a Design Group
To add, view or edit a Design Group you must first press the Column, Wall, Beam or Joist button on the Tool Bar - this will activate (un-gray) the Group button. Press the Group button and a Groups dialog box will appear containing information about Column, Wall, Beam or Joist groups depending upon which of these views you are in. The Groups dialog contains a listbox of current groups and the design properties associated with the currently selected group in the listbox. For a new Concept file, the listbox will only contain a single group with a generic default name like Column1. You can now simply press Add to add a group with a similar name (e.g., Column2) , or type a new group name in the Name field, then press Add. The new name will appear in the listbox. You can select new properties for the group from the other fields (material, species, etc.) either before or after you press the Add button. Continue in the same manner to add more groups and then press the Okay button to save your changes and return to the main work area.
Selecting a Design Group
Press the Column, Wall, Beam or Joist button, and in the Data Bar select a group name from the Groups drop-down list. Thereafter, each new member you create will belong to the selected group.
Changing a Member's Design Group
Click on a member (e.g. a column) in the work area and the Data Bar will display both a member name and a group name. Use the Groups drop-down list in the Data Bar to select another name. When you click outside the Data Bar or press Enter you will be asked if you want your changes to be applied.
If you select multiple members (keep the Ctrl key pressed while you click on each member) the Groups field can be used as described above to assign all the selected members to a new group.
Not-to-be-Designed Groups
A checkbox in the Groups dialog allows you to specify that that group will not be designed by Sizer. Use this feature if you have building elements that are needed to create the structure, but are not the ones that you are interested in designing. Members from Not-to-be-Designed groups appear solid rather than hollow in the plan view.