> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enercalc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enercalc.com/e3d-training-manual/building-the-model/general-modeling-theory/constructing-model-geometry/adding-members.md). # Adding Members How to add members to a model graphically by drawing on the grid or by entering rows in the Members table. As was the case with Nodes, Members can be added to a model in at least a few ways. **Adding Members Graphically:** With a grid displayed on the screen, click **Create > Members**. Notice that the cursor changes to a pen. ![](https://3750289988-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FlRZtG5Ynp58kYzLHYbR7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-89511e33e9893559cd2af9e7dd5f79bb31abb76d%2FDrawing%20a%20Beam.jpg?alt=media) Hover over the grid and notice the triangle that tracks the pen movements and automatically snaps to grids. Note that the Status Bar displays the X, Y and Z coordinates of every location where the cursor snaps to the grid. This is useful for orientation. * To add a member, just click anywhere on the grid and then move the cursor to see that a dark, bold dot remains at the click location and that a blue line stretches from the first click location to the cursor location. * That dark, bold dot is the starting node of the member. * Click a second time on a different grid location to specify the end of the beam, and you will have created the first member. * Notice that the blue line continues to stretch from the last click, so the program can quickly add many beams connected with common nodes. * To stop drawing, right-click the mouse. If member numbers are not currently displayed, they can be toggled on by clicking **View > Display Options > Member Display Options > Member Number**. Notice that there is also an icon on the Quick Access Toolbar that makes this process possible without leaving the Create tab: ![](https://3750289988-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FlRZtG5Ynp58kYzLHYbR7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3c1913e5295c1a5cac7338f91b57efd845be7eca%2FClip3.jpg?alt=media) Click **View > Query**, and then click on any Member to display the *Member Info* dialog. At this time, the dialog will list the starting and ending nodes of the selected member, along with some basic info about the member's properties. But it won't have much additional info, because no loads have been assigned and no analysis results are available. Keep this Query function function in mind, because it can be an extremely useful way to get info about a model entity at any time. Close the *Member Info* dialog if it is still open. **Adding Members with the Member Data Table:** Make sure that the grid has at least two nodes displayed. Click **Tables > Members** to open the *Members* table. Notice that the table lists all members that have been defined (if any), and it displays their starting and ending nodes, along with some properties for the selected member. To add another member in the current model, use the New Rows button in the lower left corner of the *Members* table to add one new row. Then enter the desired start and end nodes for the new member, and then click OK. {% hint style="info" %} Note: The methods of adding members that we have discussed here can be thought of as the "explicit" methods. There are also methods of creating new members that can be thought of as the "implicit" methods, such as generating members in a pattern or splitting members or duplicating members. But we will cover all of those topics shortly. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.enercalc.com/e3d-training-manual/building-the-model/general-modeling-theory/constructing-model-geometry/adding-members.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.