Checking loads and workloads

The Load Overview command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizando Workspaces).

The Load Overview dialog box provides information about all the loads that participate in structural calculations. While Braceworks is required for performing the calculations, Spotlight users can also take advantage of the load information.

Selecting different loads with the filters on the summary tab adjusts the total load values that participate in calculations, to study the effects of various loads on the calculations.

The Load Overview dialog box opens. Three tabs provide information about the loads in the drawing.

2. Click the Load Summary tab to view summary data about the loads and load categories. The loads in the list participate in calculations (Braceworks required).

Parameter	Description
Load Categories	Displays the total weight of all loads and the total weight for each load category, including the weight added by safety factors specified in the Braceworks preferences (Braceworks required)
Show Forces	Toggles between displaying mass or force
Load Summary Data	Displays all of the load data in tabular form, grouped by Name. The Single Weight column displays the weight of one of the items in the group (row) when they each weigh the same amount; Single Force shows the force of one of the items in the group, when they each apply the same force. Double-click on a row to open the Edit Load dialog box; change the load properties if needed.
Calculation	Filters the loads by load combination (as defined on the Load Combinations tab), and by selecting all loads, or only selected or visible loads
Filter Text	Enter text to filter the load results; only the loads that contain the filter text are included
Filter Load Category	Filters the loads according to load category; only loads in selected categories are included
Filter Load Type	Filters the loads according to load type; select whether point loads, distributed loads, or both load types are included
Export	Automatically sends the load data to a Load Summary worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Columns	Opens the Columns dialog box; select the columns to display in the load summary

3. Click the Load Details tab to see detailed information about all of the loads in the drawing (each individual load that is summed by rows on the Load Summary tab). The filters on this tab only apply to the current tab.

The last column indicates whether an error or problem occurred related to the item (for example, its weight is 0 (zero) or the load is not attached to the system). Rows with errors display in red.

Parameter	Description
Load Data
Calculation	Filters the loads by load combination (as defined on the Load Combinations tab), and by selecting All loads, or only selected or visible loads
Filter Text	Enter text to filter the load results; only the loads that contain the filter text are included
Filter Load Category	Filters the loads according to load category; only loads in selected categories are included
Filter Load Type	Filters the loads according to load type; select whether point loads, distributed loads, or both load types are included
Export	Automatically sends the load data to a Load Details worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Columns	Opens the Columns dialog box; select the columns to display in the load details

4. Click the Load Combinations tab to create specific combinations of loads, which can then be used to filter the loads on the other two tabs. A multiplication factor can be applied to various load combinations. Managing load combinations describes how to create and set load combinations.

Parameter	Description
Combination basis	Select either layer or class based
Edit Load Combination	Select a load combination to display it in the table on the right, for viewing and editing multiplication factors
Manage	Opens the Manage Load Combinations dialog box, for Managing load combinations
Description	Displays the description of the currently selected combination
Export Table	Automatically sends the currently selected load combination to a Load Combinations worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Table	Displays the table of either layers or classes and multiplication factors for the currently selected load combination; see Managing load combinations

5. Apply load combinations to the Load Details or Load Summary tabs by selecting the combination name from the Calculation list. The combination can be used to filter by load and to apply multiplication factors to loads.

The loads listed on the Load Summary tab participate in Braceworks calculations.

Checking loads and workloads

Load overview