Cold Rolled Framing designs

[JTPE]

Several times in the past I have been confronted with an architects idea for a facade that could be framed a million different ways but I have trouble deciding what is "standard" or conventional. Typically the framing, whether it is a canopy at the front of the building or a fancy cornice, is framed using light gauge framing. Several times the feature has curves and cantilevers (ARCHITECTS!), does anyone have references they use to determine the framing scheme. I realize that experience will usually answer the question of 'hows that done' but a study reference would be helpful.
My current problem is a 13'x6' (in plan) front canopy that has a barrel roof. How do you frame a round shape with straight material? I figure I can use segmental track with various lengths of studs to form the round roof. The bottom of the studs will set in a bottom track, which inturn will set on a box beam spanning the 13' wide area. I'd have these two "walls" at the front of the canopy and at the back of the canopy 6' away. Between these two walls I'd span cold rolled C shapes at 24" c-c to carry the rolled standing seam roof. Seems like a lot of work for me to get that point across, do most of you go into this much detail on misc. framing for building facads? What about the clips and hangers and screws for all of this? My experience is that alot of this framing never makes it on most peoples design drawings. Thanks for your time.

 

[UcfSE]

I would frame a barrel with tube steel frames at so many feet on center, and run light gauge along the long axis of the barrel in between with clips at each end as infill framing. Segmented track is ok for non-structural stuff but I personally don't feel comfortable with it holding up anything other than itself. The TS frame can be bent in the shop and still have plenty of strength. Usually when we have an arch or curved surface we try to run the framing parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arch so that the studs don't have to be bent, just each is oriented at a different angle, webs parallel to the radius. The TS will help because metal studs in weak axis bending aren't worth much.
With curves, like curved parapets I frame it so that each stud will be a different height. Tedious in the field, but hey they wanted curves. Anyway, I guess my logic is try to keep the studs straight and if needed use structural steel for the main supports and let the light gauge become infill.