2.4Numbering Scheme

spFrame must keep track of all input joints and members along with their properties and loads. For this reason, each entry (joint, member, property, load, etc.) must be identified with a unique identifier or label. In most analysis programs, this is usually done by assigning sequential numbers to the different entries. However, spFrame allows you to assign meaningful labels (alpha, numeric, or alpha numeric labels), to the entries. You can assign a “Bm12” or Col51” label to a member, “Corner1” label to a joint, “Point12” or “Snow1” labels to a load, “D+L+W” label to a load combination, and so forth. Note that labels are case sensitive, “SELF”, “Self”, and “self” are three different labels.

By default, spFrame uses numerical labels for joints and members. The program increments the number value of the label by one, after you add a joint or member.