# 3.1.11: Make Element-Set

The **“Make Element-Set”** component provides a practical way to group different elements (trusses or beams) under one identifier (see Fig. 3.1.11.1). Element sets do not need to be disjoint. The **“ElemIds”** plug expects a list of strings with element identifiers, element indexes, other element-set identifiers, or a regular expression. Regular expressions must begin with "&". **“Set Id”** expects a string that serves as the identifier of the new set of elements.

<figure><img src="/files/kg1vDXrW9SYwIMyGU7Q7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Fig. 3.1.11.1: Element-sets can be used to group beams</p></figcaption></figure>

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Element sets can be used for defining geometric mappings. In this context, an element set consisting of beams or truss elements represents a polygon of straight segments. The order of the elements in the set is defined by the order in which they were entered into the set. Such polygons can be split at any position (see section [3.9.15](/3-in-depth-component-reference/3.8-utilities/3.8.15-connecting-beams-with-stitches.md)). **“MinSLen”** (minimum segment length) allows you to set the minimum length that may result from such a split. If segments would be smaller than this minimum length, the intersection point snaps to its nearest neighbor.

To visually group a structure, element sets can be assigned different colors. These colors appear when **“Cross section”** is enabled in the **“BeamView”** component’s **“Render Settings”** (see section [3.7.2.1](/3-in-depth-component-reference/3.6-results/3.7.2-results-on-beams/3.6.7-beamview.md)) and the **“Elements”** option in the **“Colors”** submenu of the **“ModelView”** component is enabled.

The identifier of an element set can be used anywhere an element identifier is required. To be registered with the model, element sets need to be fed into the **“Set”** input plug of the **“Assemble”** component.

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