With the Component Solutions® Truss Studio™ design software, you can draw areas on a layout which allow you to block out a specific area, preventing newly created trusses from passing through the designated obstruction area. These obstruction spaces (designated as cube shapes) can accommodate areas such as forced air units (FAUs), recessed lighting, shower pans, decks, ductwork, mechanical wells, hallways, chimneys, and attic access. Within the Truss Studio software, you can do the following. [For all images, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
1. Go to Regions > Obstructions or click the Obstructions icon.
2. Select the first point for drawing the obstruction. Press the space bar before selecting the point to offset it. You can also use Ctrl and drag to draw/position the rectangle.
In the example, when the space bar is pressed, the Offset Point dialog displays and you can enter the exact Relative X and Relative Y position for the obstruction.
3. Enter the X and Y values and click OK. The Obstruction dialog displays.
There are several different opening types you can create:
You can also edit obstructions in the Properties pane.
Attic/Chase (Framed Opening)
This feature is useful for creating chase openings in floor trusses and attic openings in roof trusses.
1. On the Obstructions dialog, select Attic/Chase (Framed Opening) from the Type dropdown list. Make any additional changes to Depth, Elevation, and Label and click OK.
Notes:
- You can enter a negative number in the Elevation field.
- Labels are not required but may be helpful in identifying different obstructions on the layout. Obstruction labels can be moved using the Drag Annotations command.
2. Click OK to display the obstruction and label on the layout.
3. View the layout in 3D view to see the placement of the obstruction.
4. Add a truss for the attic.
The obstruction is honored, and the truss is created with the attic opening.
Edit the Attic Obstruction
1. Use the Attic command to edit the attic obstruction.
2. Uncheck the Automatic from Layout option so that the Attic settings are editable.
3. Make edits to the attic space.
In the example, the height was adjusted to Auto, attic loading was removed, and mechanical loading was applied.
4. Click Save and OK to apply your changes.
The collar tie is raised above the obstruction.
Web Around (Phase 1)
This option is commonly used for ductwork. This is the first phase of the Web Around feature; future releases will provide additional enhancements.
1. On the Obstructions dialog, select Web Around from the Type dropdown list. Make any additional changes to Depth, Elevation, and Label and click OK.
2. Select the first point for drawing the obstruction. Press the space bar before selecting the point to offset it. You can also use Ctrl and drag to draw/position the rectangle.
The duct obstruction displays on the layout.
3. Add a truss.
4. Open the truss in Design view.
The truss interferes with the duct obstruction and when you analyze the truss, a message displays.
5. For this release, you can manually edit the truss to avoid the obstruction. Future releases will automatically perform this function.
Prevent Truss Placements
This feature is useful for recessed lighting, attic access, and chimneys.
This example shows how to prevent truss placements in obstructions created for recessed lighting.
1. On the Obstructions dialog, select Prevent Truss Obstructions from the Type dropdown list. Make any additional changes to Depth, Elevation, and Label and click OK.
2. Select the first point for drawing the obstruction. Press the space bar before selecting the point to offset it. You can also use Ctrl and drag to draw/position the rectangle.
The obstruction displays on the layout.
Note: You can easily copy and paste the obstruction to make multiple obstructions on the layout. See Copy Command.
3. Select the obstruction to copy.
4. From the General menu, select Copy Selected or click the icon.
5. Select the origin point and select where you want to move the item.
The item is duplicated at the selected location.
6. Repeat this process to copy and place multiple obstructions. You remain in the Copy command until you exit by clicking Esc.
When you add trusses, they do not pass into the defined obstruction space.
Profile Around
Use this feature to profile trusses around a defined obstruction. This feature can be useful when creating a coffered ceiling, mechanical well, shower pan, and decks.
1. On the Obstructions dialog, select Profile Around from the Type dropdown list. Make any additional changes to Depth, Elevation, and Label and click OK.
2. Select the first point for drawing the obstruction. Press the space bar before selecting the point to offset it. You can also use Ctrl and drag to draw/position the rectangle.
The obstruction displays on the layout.
3. Add a truss.
The truss profiles around the obstruction.
Coffered Ceiling Example
In the example, a coffered ceiling is created using this obstruction type.
1. Define settings in the Obstruction dialog.
2. Click OK.
The coffered ceiling obstruction displays on the layout.
When you add trusses, they profile around the coffered ceiling.
Mechanical Well Example
1. Adjust the dialog settings to create a mechanical well obstruction.
2. Click OK.
The obstruction is created.
Create Shower Pan and Deck Area
You can use the Profile Around obstruction to create shower pans and deck areas.
1. On the Obstructions dialog, select Profile Around from the Type dropdown list. Make any additional changes to Depth, Elevation, and Label and click OK.
2. Select the first point for drawing the obstruction. Press the space bar before selecting the point to offset it. You can also use Ctrl and drag to draw/position the rectangle.
The obstruction displays on the layout.
3. Create a floor truss in the shower area. In this example, a deck area was also created.
The floor truss displays on the layout and is profiled around the shower pan.
The truss also has a step-down to accommodate the shower pan.
The truss near the deck is also profiled around the deck area.
Notes: You can edit any of these obstructions in the Properties pane. You can enable/disable obstructions in the Layers and Filters menus.
Edit Obstructions in the Properties Pane
When you select an obstruction in a layout, its properties display in the Properties pane.
You can edit the properties and immediately view the changes on the layout.
To change the colors of obstructions in the layout, use the Color Settings dialog. You can also edit colors on the Properties pane.
Benefits of working with obstructions:
- Easily define and display obstruction spaces on a layout to block out specific areas.
- Obstructions prevent newly created trusses from passing through the designated obstruction area.
- Truss webbing automatically adjusts to avoid interference with obstructions.
- Display obstructions in reports.
Simpson Strong-Tie’s Component Solutions® Truss Studio™ and CS Director™ software solutions have the ability to support your projects. Contact your Simpson Strong-Tie Representative or email CSHelp@strongtie.com for more information.
Copyright © 2025 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. All Rights Reserved