Depending on which release of AS you are using will open your (2014) GAM Graitec Advance Manager or 2015 Management tools
1. Select Settings>Defaults
2. Select Use filter and type mapping
3. Select the General tab >General
4. In the Property Name Property Value window check mapping
5. Select Use filter and type Plate
6. Select the Plate tab >General
7. In the Property Name set:
8. Mapping plates Priority 1 to Thickness and width
9. Mapping plates Priority 2 to Thickness
10. Mapping plates Priority 3 to off
To have your measurements taken from the end of the beam
1. 1. Open the Shear plate dialog box by double clicking on the grey intelligent box
2. Select the Cuts & Stiffeners tab and select the Cut parallel box
3. Select the Plate & Bolts tab and select the Plate layout tab and change the web gap to 1/16”
4. On the Plate & Bolts tab and select the Horizontal bolts tab and change the layout to plate instead of beam end. Change the Edge distance to 2” and the End edge distance also to 2” instead of 1 ½”
In response to your last question: Is there a way to force a 4" flat bar without having to compensate for secondary beam web thickness and the skew angle for each unique case?
Unfortunately you will have no other option but to compensate for secondary beam web thickness and the skew angle for each unique case?
You have the option to use mapping. You will find more information regarding mapping at: http://www.graitec.com/en/FAQ_view.asp?FAQID=481&Language=EN&Name=How+are+typical+plate+sizes+automatically+converted+%28mapped%29+into+flat+bars+in+Advance+Steel+%3F