braces

I am wondering about using braces in a frame that are not 45 degree but something like 32" over and 48" down. Any thoughts?

Try 42 by 48 or 32 by 58, the sum of the interior angles should equal 90. An important concern can be left or right handedness in the braces. I tend not to think of brace angles rather in slope. If I frame a roof at a 10/12 slope, I might choose to frame the braces at 12/10. Very effective plate to sill bracing often needs a slope much greater than the common 45 degree brace.

So sorry, I miss read your dimensions as degrees, I must clean my glasses

OK, here's the real deal. I was told by an engineer that "they may be nice to look at, but if they aren't 45 degree then they won't brace." This seems counter-intuitive to me. I can understand the forces may act differently on these braces, but do they really lose all function as soon as they become obtuse? I can't help thinking that maybe this has been done somewhere already. Thanks for the reply.

If bracing means translate racking force to even thrust and lift resultant forces then you are limited to a 45 degree angle. If the brace is lenghtened in the vertical leg then the resultant force is greater in lift. The system will 'brace' but force distribution changes with slope. Braces and struts abound in varying angles.