# 2.2.6: Provide Cross Sections

There are two options for attaching cross sections to elements:

1. Directly at the component where the element is created as shown in fig. 2.2.6.1.
2. Via element names (“B” and “S” in fig. 2.2.6.2) or regular expression by plugging cross sections into the **“Assemble”**-component.

![Fig. 2.2.6.1: Definition of a cross section](/files/-M9XuS7_6C2IgDVQC8px)

Fig. 2.2.6.1 shows how to attach a custom cross section to an element. It is an I-profile with a height and width of $$50cm$$ . The physical unit of any input- or output-value is mentioned in the help text which pops up when the mouse pointer hovers over the corresponding plug.

{% hint style="info" %}
Assignment via the **“Assemble”**-component overrides direct assignment in the element.
{% endhint %}

![ Fig. 2.2.6.2: Definition of a cross section via element names](/files/-M9XuS7bEiEplkup-UkE)

Fig**.** 2.2.6.2 shows hows cross sections can be defined by element names **“Elem|Id”**: definition of a beam cross section (1); definition of a shell cross section (2); selection of a cross section from the default cross section library (3).

Arbitrary I-, hollow box, filled trapezoid and hollow circular cross sections can be defined for beams. Alternatively Karamba3D lets the user select a predefined standard cross section. In case of shells, it is possible to attach a different cross section to each element.

The Karamba3D cross sections are available as multi-components: they can be accessed via the single component **“Cross Sections”**. The drop down menu lets one select the cross section type.

{% hint style="info" %}
Should you not assign a cross section to your beam or shell elements, the [default cross section ](/2-getting-started/2-getting-started-1/karamba3d-entities.md#default-settings)will be used.
{% endhint %}


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