Two Columns with the Same Base Plate

This tutorial shows a way to create a single base plate attached to two columns. Although this situation is rare and the example is extreme, the steps shown here will help guide you whenever you encounter a similar situation.

Step 1: Apply a base plate component to each column for a total of two. Setup the bolts and everything the way you need for the spreads on each column.

Step 2: Explode the components. Delete the base plate on one of the components. If you have setup a leveling or castplate that was under the base plate, leave that in temporarily. You can use that to match bolts to the extended portion of the remaining base plate.



Step 3: Stretch the remaining Base Plate to the appropriate length so it goes under the other column.

Step 4: Weld the base plate and 2nd Column together so the entire assembly is formed.



Step 5: Click on the holes in the leveling plate that was under the base plate that was deleted. Right-click and choose the Bolt Parts command. Pick the base plate, middle mouse button so that the holes are now moved to the base plate. Delete the leveling plate if no longer needed. OR if you want to keep the leveling plate and just match the holes to the base plate, then when using the Bolt Parts command click both the leveling plate and the base plate so that the holes will be matched between both plates.



Step 6: Finally, select everything and create a generic custom component of this base plate detail.

Image You will have to use connection as the type so you can pick both columns: one will need to be selected as the primary member and other as the secondary member. Detail only allows you to pick one primary so that won’t work in this situation.