ProtaStructure : Polyline Column Editor

Polyline Column Editor

To create a irregular shape concrete column, you use Polyline Column Editor. 

After defining a rectangular column at an intersection, this column can be converted into a polyline column by :
  1. Select the Column
  2. Click "Polyline Column Editor" icon in the top Column Ribbon
  3. Alternatively, right-click to expose the context menu >  Choose "Polyline Column Editor"
The Polyline Column Editor dialog will appear; where you can draw / change the column shape and define the rebars manually.  This dialog has several tabs. 

Section Edit tab 

When you load the Polyline Column Editor, you will first see the outline of the rectangular column. The column insertion point (intersection of the axes) is also displayed.



The (0,0) co-ordinate is fixed at the initial position of  vertex 0. The coordinates of each vertex are described by their horizontal, (dx) and vertical, (dy) offset from this position.

View Menu


View menu includes  “Zoom Extents”, and “Undo” options.

“Zoom Extents” zooms to display the drawing extents.  Moreover, “Zoom in”, "Zoom Out" and “Pan” operations can be performed by using the mouse wheel.

Click "Undo" as many times as you wish, backing up one step at a time, until the drawing is as it was when you began the current editing session. Alternatively, “Undo” option in the shortcut menu that is displayed by right-clicking can be used.  When the shortcut menu is loaded, “Cancel” option can be selected in order not to do any operation.

Steel Edit Menu


You can rotate or flip an existing column outline using the options provided in the “Edit” menu under "Section Edit" tab. 

“Edit” menu includes "Section Designer", "Offset Hole", "Rectangular Hole", "Circular Hole",  “Rotate”, “Flip Vertically”, or “Flip Horizontally” options.

Section Designer 

Instead of creating a new column by using one of the editing options, you can choose one of the standard column sections provided by the Section Designer : 
  1. Common sections can be easily created by using the parametric options provided in this editor.
  2. When you select one of these column section buttons, related dimension parameters.
  3. Enter the parameters and choose “OK” button to create the shape in the drawing area.
  4. The new column will overwrite any existing column information.

Rotate,  Flip Vertically & Horizontally 

In order to rotate the column around its origin (insertion) point :
  1. Click the “Rotate” option
  2. Enter the rotation angle in the “Angle” field in the dialog.
  3. Click OK > The column will be rotated by the angle indicated, counter-clockwise.  

You can flip section vertically or horizontally by using "Flip Vertically" or "Flip Horizontally" options respectively. The column section will be flipped 180 degrees based on chosen option.

Grid Menu

“Snap To Grid” option on the toolbar is enabled then the added vertex will be located on the nearest grid point.

Grid Spacing to be used in the drawing area can be controlled by the "Grid Settings" field. 

Adding a New Vertex

A new vertex can be added by left-clicking anywhere along the column edge. The vertex will have the coordinates of the mouse pointer, but if  the “Snap To Grid” option on the toolbar is enabled then the vertex will be located on the nearest grid point.

Editing Vertex Information

To move the any vertex, simply left-click & drag to any grid intersection. 

Alternatively. vertex coordinates of a polyline column or a hole inside the column can be edited by right-clicking on one of the vertices and selecting the “Edit Vertex Information” option.



When the “Edit Vertex Information” option is selected a “Vertex Info” window is opened. The “x” and “y” cartesian vertex coordinates together with corresponding polar coordinates are displayed. 
In addition to these, relative distance and relative angle to the predecessor and successor vertices are displayed in “d (Prior)”, “d (After)”, “angle (Prior)” and “angle (After)” fields.
Any modifications done in one of these fields will automatically update the corresponding values in the other fields. Changes will take effect when “Apply” button is clicked.
For simplicity, you only need to change the "x" and "y" coordinates, which is measure from the "Origin". 
A vertex can be deleted by using “Delete Vertex” option in the vertex shortcut menu. 

Chamfering a Vertex

Vertices of polyline section and holes can be chamfered either by using straight lines or segmented arcs. 

In order to create a straight chamfer one of the vertices : 
  1. Right click on any of the vertices and select “ Break Chamfer” option.
  2. Enter the chamfer length in “Chamfer length” field in “Break Chamber” window.
  3. Maximum chamfer distance will be the minimum of two neighboring edge lengths. 
To create a round fillet chamber on of the vertices ; 
  1. Right click on any of the vertices and select “ Break Chamfer” option.
  2. Select “Fillet” option to fillet the corner.
  3. Enter the arc radius in the “Arc Diameter” field. 
  4. Precision of the arc can be adjusted by increasing the segment number in “Segment Count” field.

Removing a Fillet

Right-clicked on a vertex, “Unfillet” option will be displayed if there is a predefined fillet.
Fillet will be deleted and section will be restored if this option is selected.

Inserting a Hole Inside The Column

A hole can be inserted in a column by : 

  1. Right-click on the drawing canvas > choose “Insert Rectangular Hole” or “Insert Circular Hole” options.  
  2. Alternatively, click "Rectangular Hole" or "Circular Hole" in toolbar under "Edit" tab. 
  3. Left click & drag inside the polyline section to draw the hole manually.

An offset hole can be inserted by clicking the “Offset Hole” icon located on toolbar.  The offset distance will be asked for and the whole section will be offset inwards by the specified amount in order to form the hole.

Editing or Moving a Hole

Vertices of a hole can be edited by right-clicking on the vertex and selecting the “Edit Vertex Information” option. Furthermore, a hole can be moved by right-clicking on one of the vertices of the hole and selecting “Move Hole By Mouse” or “Move Hole By Entry”.

A hole can be deleted by selecting the “Delete Hole” option.

Steel Layout Tab

The Steel Layout Tab is where rebars can be created. 


For polyline column, rebars and links must be manually inserted for design to work.  In the column design, the polyline column rebar number & position will not be changed, only the size of the rebars will be auto-designed. 
The important icons are explained below. 

Automatic Containment

This should be the first icon to activate which will launch Automatic Column Containment.

Head Zones 

  1. Only applicable for RC wall where Head Zones can be inserted.
  2. These inputs are deactivated for column.

General Parameter 

  1. Corner Bar Diameter :  Select rebar diameter at the corner edge
  2. Intermediate Bar Diameter : Select rebar diameter between the corner edge
  3. Number of Corner Bars : Select number for bundle bars at corner edge
  4. Web Bar Ratio :  Specify minimum area of steel, i.e area of steel divided by cross section area
Clicking OK will automatically insert links and rebars for the column. 
If rebars are inserted wrongly, simply place the mouse cursor over the rebar or link and press DELETE key. 
Refer demo on automatic rebar insertion & then deletion below : 
Automatic Containment

Delete Steel Bars 

This will delete all the steel bars inserted.
 This will delete all steel bars and links. 

Longitudinal Bars

Automatic Containment function should insert rebar at the corner of each link. 
Alternatively, corner corner bar can be inserted manually by : 
  1. Place mouse cursor at the corner grey grid > A square will be shown 
  2. Click and drag in internal direction (black circle will be shown)
  3. Rebar will be added
See demo on corner rebar insertion below.
Insert corner rebar
Once the links and corner bars are inserted, additional intermediate rebars can be inserted by :
  1. Place mouse cursor at the corner grey grid > A square will be shown 
  2. Click and drag to the next corner (black circle will be shown) 
  3. When the mouse cursor is at 2nd corner, a grey square is shown
  4. Release the mouse button > "Steel Bar Insertion" dialog will be shown
  5. Enter number of intermediate Bars & Select rebar diameter > Click OK
  6. Intermediate bars of equivalent distance will be inserted. 
Refer to corner rebar insertion demo below. 
Insert Bars
Insert Links
To insert single "C" link between rebars :
  1. Place mouse cursor on 1st rebar
  2. Left click and drag to the 2nd bar (mouse cursor will show a link)
  3. Release mouse click >  Link is inserted
To insert closed link enclosing more rebars : 
  1. Right Click on 1st rebar > Pick "Start Link Insertion"
  2. Click on subsequent rebars in anti-clock wise manner
  3. Finally click on the 1st rebar > Right Click 
  4. A closed link will be inserted
See demo on links insertion below. 
Insert Links

Exit Menu

This menu includes “OK” and “Cancel” options. The changes made will be valid if you close this menu using the "OK" button. If you press the "Cancel" button the changes will be discarded.

Settings Tab

General screen settings can be controlled under this tab.

The "concrete cover", "corner bar count", and "corner bar spacing" can be adjusted in the “Rebars” menu.

The colour of the background can be changed under the "Colour" menu.

You can select the link view style either "Section View" or "Line View" in "Link" Menu.


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