Explanation of Start and End Distances

For member shape placement, the start location is the only one required. Once you specify the location from the start of the member line for a shape to begin, it will continue until the end of member unless one of the following occur.

1. A Stop distance was entered.

2. Another shape has been specified to start at a distance greater then the current shapes start distance.

3. End of member is reached.

Note that if a member is given a stop distance that is greater then the start distance for another shape, then this stop distance is used for that other shape as well.

A stop, or end, distance is hardly ever needed! Its primary use is for starting and stopping flange doubler plates that might be discontinuous. A zero value for End distance is considered a “non-entry”.