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Tutorials for the SEMA Software

Here you can find tutorials, guidelines and tips & tricks which help you in your daily work with the SEMA software.

Creating a purlin clipped for the bottom level rafter:
How can I create a purlin that is clipped for the bottom level rafter?

When creating a purlin, you can switch in the master data record for the "Purlin - rafter" processing from the standard processing "Mark bird's mouth" to "Mark clipping".

	Select the creation command "Purlin" ► "Place purlin freely" under the "Rafter system".
	And change the master data setting of the purlin from "Mark bird's mouth" to "Mark clipping" and confirm.

Working with different F7 settings:
How can I quickly switch to another representation of the rafter?

With a click on the F7 settings in the icon bar, you can switch between different pre-defined settings.

	Here, in our example, we have the initial settings of the construction with a normal rafter system representation.
	If you change the setting to "ROOF - purlin system", the rafters' positions on the purlins become visible.
	With the "ROOF - rafter system" setting, the lengths of the rafters are displayed.
	Via the F7 menu, all settings can be edited as needed and then be saved.

Making timber members visible in the ground plan:
In the construction, vertical posts have been entered via timber members. Can these vertical posts now be made visible in the ground plan?

That's possible: Make sure the option "Representation without displaying posts" is active in the F7 settings.

	Representation without displaying the posts.
	Now go to the F7 settings "Images + 3D" ► "General" and tick the option "Representation top view - horizontal section" to display the members/posts in the ground plan.
	With this F7 setting, the members/posts are displayed in the ground plan.

Manually changing the string contour:
How can you change the contour of a string manually?

Mark the string in question and go to component view.

	If the stair is marked in component view, the menu point "Mark object details" becomes active in the bottom right of the input area.
	By marking the individual line segments of the contour and then executing the editing command "Position", you can change the contour of the string in any way you like.

Hiding symbols/icons:
In the icon bar the buttons or the program selection is hidden.

By clicking into the empty space right above the icon bar you can open a context menu with the right mouse button. Under "Adapt" ► "Standard" you can reset the original status of the icon bar of the SEMA program.

Working with several ground plans:
A customer would like to have different executions of his project - do I need to create for every execution a new building project? Or is there an easier and more comfortable way?

In the drawing manager, several ground plans can be created for one building project.

Thus you can, for example, create a ground plan with a normal saddle roof. If your customer also wants to see a version with a transverse building or a dormer, you can copy the first ground plan (i.e. the one with the saddle roof).

	In the drawing manager you can copy and file a ground plan with all its contents via "File" ►"Drawing manager" ► "Ground plan" and the "Copy" button.
	Based on this copied first ground plan you can create the alternative version and thus realise different versions of the same building project very quickly and still keep a good overview in the building project manager.

Snapping component axes:
It is often helpful to use the central axes of components. Is it possible to snap such component axes of, for example, two intersecting floor beams?

If you move the mouse over the intersection area and at the same time press the shift key, you can snap the axes of components.

(Example: Adding a MCAD drilling to the intersection area of two component axes)

Snapping imaginary points of intersection:
Can you create "non-existing" points of intersection and snap them with the mouse?

With the shift key you can snap "imaginary" edges of components and you can do this across storeys.

	From the mathematical point of intersection of two floor beams for example, a CAD line with an angle is created.
	Now you can "create" a point of intersection with the shift key.

Dividing circles:
How can I divide CAD circles into several equal segments?

With the help of a CAD line and the multiple copy option (Alt+1). The CAD line is copied around the centre of the circle.

Proceed as follows:

mark CAD line
select the editing command "Copy" > and the fourth option "Rotate"
select the centre point (click centre of the circle) and at the mouse pointer a help image will appear.
Angle 0°
then make 5 copies (to get six segments, as here in the example)

Dividing a circle via multiple copy into segments

Working with the auxiliary magnifier:
When drawing a plan, often an overview is needed but sometimes also more detail; is there an option to quickly focus on a detail, e.g. when snapping a special point? Is there a kind of fast zooming option for snapping points?

Yes, there is. With the integrated auxiliary magnifier you can enlarge specific areas very quickly. By pressing the left mouse-button and at the same time the CTRL key, the auxiliary magnifier becomes available. The enlarged area can then be further scaled up or down if needed with the + or - key while also holding down the CTRL key. Thus you can still have the overall picture and take a look or snap some detail.

Fast zooming option with the auxiliary magnifier - to take a quick look at details in the SEMA program.

Snapping partial lengths of components:
Is it possible to snap partial lengths, e.g. 1/2 or 1/3 of components?

Yes, with point snapping, parts of lines or components can also be snapped. First, the required number has to be entered, e.g. 3, so that 1/3 or 2/3 of the component length can be snapped. Analogue to that, when entering 5, 1/5, 2/5, 3/5 or 4/5 of the component length can be snapped.

Tutorials for the SEMA Software

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