Modeling 160 Enu

Tekla Structures
Modeling Manual
Product version 16.0

December 2009
© 2010 Tekla Corporation

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Portions of this software:
D-Cubed 2D DCM © 2008 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software III (GB) Ltd. All rights reserved.
EPM toolkit © 1995-2004 EPM Technology a.s., Oslo, Norway. All rights reserved.
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Conventions used in this guide
Typographical The following typographical conventions are used in this guide:
conventions
Font Usage
Bold Any text that you see in the user interface appears in bold. This font
is used, for example, for window and dialog box titles, box and
button names, and list items.
Italic bold New terms are in italic bold when they appear in the current context
for the first time.
Monospace Extracts of program code, HTML, or other material that you would
normally edit in a text editor, appear in monospaced font.
This font is also used for file names and folder paths, and for any
text that you should type yourself.
Noteboxes The following types of noteboxes are used in this guide:
A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways of doing

things.
A note draws attention to details that you might easily overlook. It can
also point you to other information in this guide that you might find
useful.
You should always read very important notes and warnings, like this
one. They will help you avoid making serious mistakes, or wasting your
time.
This symbol indicates advanced or highly technical information that

is usually of interest only to advanced or technically-oriented readers.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 3
Contents
Conventions used in this guide ........................................................................................................................... 3
1 Creating 3D Models ................................................................................. 15

1.1 What is a 3D model .............................................................................................................................. 15
1.2 Creating a new model........................................................................................................................... 16
1.3 Opening a model .................................................................................................................................. 17
1.4 Saving a model ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Saving a model with a different name or location ............................................................................ 17
1.5 Model templates ................................................................................................................................... 18
Creating a model template ............................................................................................................... 18
2 Setting up the Workspace ...................................................................... 21

2.1 Screen layout........................................................................................................................................ 21
Changing the background color ....................................................................................................... 23
Background color examples............................................................................................................. 23
2.2 Work area ............................................................................................................................................. 25
Defining the work area ..................................................................................................................... 26
Hiding the work area ........................................................................................................................ 26
2.3 Work plane............................................................................................................................................ 27
Shifting the work plane..................................................................................................................... 27
Restoring the default work plane...................................................................................................... 28
Changing the color of the work plane grid........................................................................................ 28
2.4 Coordinate system................................................................................................................................ 28
2.5 Grids ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
Creating a grid.................................................................................................................................. 30
Grid coordinates ........................................................................................................................ 30
Grid labels ................................................................................................................................. 31
Modifying a grid................................................................................................................................ 31
Deleting a grid .................................................................................................................................. 31
Changing the grid color.................................................................................................................... 31
Grid lines.......................................................................................................................................... 32
Creating a single grid line .......................................................................................................... 32
Modifying a single grid line ........................................................................................................ 33
Deleting a single grid line .......................................................................................................... 33
2.6 Views .................................................................................................................................................... 33
Should I model in a 3D or plane view?............................................................................................. 34
Creating a view ................................................................................................................................ 35
About naming views .................................................................................................................. 35
View types ................................................................................................................................. 36
View planes ............................................................................................................................... 36
Moving a view plane .................................................................................................................. 37
Creating grid views .................................................................................................................... 38
Opening a view ................................................................................................................................ 38
Modifying a view............................................................................................................................... 38
Deleting a view................................................................................................................................. 38
Switching between open views ........................................................................................................ 39
Switching between 3D and plane view............................................................................................. 39
Refreshing views.............................................................................................................................. 39
Arranging views................................................................................................................................ 39
2.7 Construction objects ............................................................................................................................. 40
Creating a construction plane .......................................................................................................... 40
Creating a construction line.............................................................................................................. 41
Creating a construction circle........................................................................................................... 41
2.8 Points.................................................................................................................................................... 42
Creating a point................................................................................................................................ 42
Importing points................................................................................................................................ 42
2.9 Reference models................................................................................................................................. 43
Inserting a reference model ............................................................................................................. 44
Modifying reference model properties.............................................................................................. 44
Selecting a reference model ............................................................................................................ 45
Hiding a reference model ................................................................................................................. 45
Highlighting a reference model ........................................................................................................ 45
Updating reference models .............................................................................................................. 45
Detecting changes in a reference model.......................................................................................... 45
Viewing reference model layers ....................................................................................................... 46
Reference model objects ................................................................................................................. 47
Selecting a reference model object ........................................................................................... 48
Splitting a reference model into reference model objects .......................................................... 48
Supported DGN objects ................................................................................................................... 48
3 Creating and Modifying Structures........................................................ 51

3.1 Parts ..................................................................................................................................................... 51
Part types......................................................................................................................................... 52
Profiles ............................................................................................................................................. 52
Changing the profile of a part .................................................................................................... 52
Standard profiles ........................................................................................................................ 53
Parametric profiles ..................................................................................................................... 53
User-defined profiles .................................................................................................................. 53
Materials........................................................................................................................................... 54
Changing the material of a part ................................................................................................. 54
Colors ............................................................................................................................................... 55
User-defined attributes ..................................................................................................................... 55
Part labels ........................................................................................................................................ 56
Showing part labels in a view .................................................................................................... 56
3.2 Part position .......................................................................................................................................... 57
Moving a part using handles ............................................................................................................ 57
Showing part reference lines in model views ................................................................................... 58
Modifying the position of a part ........................................................................................................ 58
Position on the work plane ......................................................................................................... 59
Rotation ..................................................................................................................................... 59
Position depth ............................................................................................................................ 60
Vertical position ......................................................................................................................... 61
Horizontal position ..................................................................................................................... 62
End offsets ................................................................................................................................. 63
Levels ........................................................................................................................................ 64
Bending ...................................................................................................................................... 65
3.3 Steel parts............................................................................................................................................. 66
Creating a steel column.................................................................................................................... 66
Creating a steel beam ...................................................................................................................... 67
Creating a steel polybeam................................................................................................................ 67
Creating a curved beam ................................................................................................................... 68
Creating a contour plate ................................................................................................................... 68
Creating a round contour plate .................................................................................................. 69
Creating an orthogonal beam........................................................................................................... 69
Creating a twin profile....................................................................................................................... 70
3.4 Assemblies............................................................................................................................................ 70
Creating an assembly....................................................................................................................... 71
Creating a sub-assembly ........................................................................................................... 71
Using bolts to create assemblies ............................................................................................... 71
Bolting sub-assemblies to an existing assembly ....................................................................... 72
Using welds to create assemblies ............................................................................................. 72
Welding sub-assemblies to an existing assembly ..................................................................... 72
Adding objects to assemblies........................................................................................................... 73
Assembly hierarchy ................................................................................................................... 73
Adding parts to an assembly ..................................................................................................... 74
Creating a nested assembly ...................................................................................................... 74
6 TEKLA STRUCTURES 16
Joining assemblies .................................................................................................................... 75
Changing the assembly main part ............................................................................................. 75
Changing the main assembly .................................................................................................... 75
Removing objects from an assembly ............................................................................................... 75
Highlighting objects in an assembly ................................................................................................. 75
Exploding an assembly .................................................................................................................... 76
Assembly examples ......................................................................................................................... 76
3.5 Concrete parts ...................................................................................................................................... 77
Creating a pad footing...................................................................................................................... 78
Creating a strip footing ..................................................................................................................... 78
Creating a concrete column ............................................................................................................. 78
Creating a concrete beam................................................................................................................ 79
Creating a concrete polybeam ......................................................................................................... 79
Creating a concrete slab .................................................................................................................. 80
Creating a round slab ................................................................................................................ 80
Creating a concrete panel ................................................................................................................ 81
3.6 Cast units.............................................................................................................................................. 81
Creating a cast unit .......................................................................................................................... 82
Adding objects to cast units ............................................................................................................. 82
Adding concrete objects to a cast unit ....................................................................................... 82
Adding non-concrete objects to a cast unit ............................................................................... 82
Changing the cast unit main part ............................................................................................... 82
Removing objects from a cast unit ................................................................................................... 83
Highlighting objects in a cast unit..................................................................................................... 83
Exploding a cast unit ........................................................................................................................ 83
Defining the cast unit type................................................................................................................ 83
Casting direction .............................................................................................................................. 84
Defining the casting direction of a part ...................................................................................... 84
Showing the top-in-form face .................................................................................................... 84
4 Detailing Structures ................................................................................ 85

4.1 Bolts...................................................................................................................................................... 85
Creating a bolt group........................................................................................................................ 86
Bolt group shape ....................................................................................................................... 86
Bolt group position ..................................................................................................................... 87
Bolt offsets ................................................................................................................................. 88
Creating a single bolt ....................................................................................................................... 88
Changing or adding bolted parts ...................................................................................................... 88
4.2 Holes..................................................................................................................................................... 89
Creating round holes........................................................................................................................ 89
Creating slotted holes ...................................................................................................................... 90
Creating oversized holes.................................................................................................................. 90
4.3 Welds .................................................................................................................................................... 91
Creating a weld between parts......................................................................................................... 91
Weld position ............................................................................................................................. 92
Weld size prefixes ...................................................................................................................... 93
Creating a polygon weld................................................................................................................... 93
Creating a weld to a part .................................................................................................................. 94
Weld preparation .............................................................................................................................. 94
Manually preparing a part for welding ........................................................................................ 94
4.4 Surface treatment.................................................................................................................................. 95
Modifying surface treatment properties ............................................................................................ 96
Adding surface treatment to parts .................................................................................................... 96
Adding surface treatment to a selected area ............................................................................. 97
Adding surface treatment to a part face ..................................................................................... 97
Adding surface treatment to all faces of a part .......................................................................... 97
Adding surface treatment to cut faces ....................................................................................... 97
Surface treatment on chamfered parts ...................................................................................... 98
Surface treatment on parts with openings and recesses ........................................................... 98
Creating new surface treatment options........................................................................................... 99
Tiled surface treatment................................................................................................................... 100
Creating new tile patterns ........................................................................................................ 100
Example pattern definition ....................................................................................................... 101
Tile pattern definitions .............................................................................................................. 103
Tile pattern elements ............................................................................................................... 104
4.5 Fine-tuning part shape ........................................................................................................................ 104
Chamfers........................................................................................................................................ 104
Chamfering part corners .......................................................................................................... 105
Corner chamfer types and dimensions .................................................................................... 105
Polybeam chamfers ................................................................................................................. 106
Chamfering part edges ............................................................................................................ 107
Fittings............................................................................................................................................ 108
Creating a fitting ....................................................................................................................... 108
Cuts ................................................................................................................................................ 109
Line cuts .................................................................................................................................. 109
Polygon cuts ............................................................................................................................ 109
Part cuts ................................................................................................................................... 110
Cutting parts with a line ........................................................................................................... 111
Cutting parts with a polygon .................................................................................................... 111
Cutting parts with another part ................................................................................................. 112
Modifying the shape of a polygon................................................................................................... 112
Warping concrete parts .................................................................................................................. 113
Warping a beam using deformation angles ............................................................................. 113
Warping a concrete slab by moving chamfers ......................................................................... 113
Warping a Floor Bay (66) slab ................................................................................................. 114
Cambering parts............................................................................................................................. 115
Cambering a part ..................................................................................................................... 115
Shortening and lengthening parts .................................................................................................. 115
Shortening a part in drawings .................................................................................................. 116
Lengthening a part in drawings ............................................................................................... 116
4.6 Combining parts.................................................................................................................................. 116
Combining two parts into one......................................................................................................... 116
Attaching a part to another part...................................................................................................... 117
4.7 Splitting parts ...................................................................................................................................... 117
Splitting a straight or curved part ................................................................................................... 118
Splitting a plate or slab................................................................................................................... 118
5 Examining the Model............................................................................. 119

5.1 Viewing the model .............................................................................................................................. 119
Zooming the model ........................................................................................................................ 119
Modifying the zoom settings .................................................................................................... 120
Zooming with keyboard shortcuts ............................................................................................ 120
Zooming with Magnifier ........................................................................................................... 120
Rotating the model ......................................................................................................................... 121
Moving the model........................................................................................................................... 122
Flying through the model................................................................................................................ 123
Creating a clip plane ...................................................................................................................... 124
Creating a screenshot.................................................................................................................... 124
Creating a screenshot in Windows Vista ................................................................................. 125
Saving a screenshot in bitmap format ..................................................................................... 125
Printing a screenshot ............................................................................................................... 125
5.2 Inquiring the model ............................................................................................................................. 126
Inquiring object properties.............................................................................................................. 126
Object property report templates ............................................................................................. 126
Using the Custom Inquiry tool ........................................................................................................ 126
Modifying the contents of Custom Inquiry tool ......................................................................... 127
Adding attributes to Custom Inquiry tool ................................................................................. 127
5.3 Showing and hiding objects ................................................................................................................ 128
Defining which objects are displayed ............................................................................................. 128
Representation options .................................................................................................................. 128
Hiding selected parts...................................................................................................................... 130
Hiding unselected parts.................................................................................................................. 131
Showing parts with exact lines ....................................................................................................... 131
Showing and hiding assemblies..................................................................................................... 131
Showing and hiding components ................................................................................................... 132
Object groups ................................................................................................................................. 132
Creating an object group ......................................................................................................... 132
Copying an object group to another model .............................................................................. 133
Deleting an object group .......................................................................................................... 133
Object representation settings........................................................................................................ 133
Creating object representation settings ................................................................................... 134
Copying object representation settings to another model ........................................................ 135
Deleting object representation settings .................................................................................... 135
5.4 Visualizing project status..................................................................................................................... 135
Creating a visualization .................................................................................................................. 136
Copying visualization settings to another model ............................................................................ 136
Deleting visualization settings ........................................................................................................ 136
Example: Visualizing the erection schedule of a project ................................................................ 136
Example: Defining an erection schedule ................................................................................. 137
Example: Creating object groups ............................................................................................. 137
Example: Creating object representation settings ................................................................... 138
Example: Creating visualization settings ................................................................................. 138
Example: Visualizing the erection schedule ............................................................................ 139
5.5 Checking the model ............................................................................................................................ 142
Measuring objects .......................................................................................................................... 143
Measuring distances ................................................................................................................ 143
Measuring angles .................................................................................................................... 143
Measuring bolt spacing ............................................................................................................ 143
Detecting clashes ........................................................................................................................... 144
Finding clashes in a model ...................................................................................................... 145
Clash Check Manager ............................................................................................................. 145
Defining a clash check clearance area for bolts ...................................................................... 148
Reverting to the old clash checking functionality ..................................................................... 149
Comparing parts or assemblies...................................................................................................... 149
Finding distant objects.................................................................................................................... 149
6 Numbering the Model............................................................................ 151

6.1 What is numbering .............................................................................................................................. 151
6.2 What affects numbering ...................................................................................................................... 152
Identical parts ................................................................................................................................. 152
Identical reinforcements ................................................................................................................. 153
User-defined attributes in numbering ............................................................................................. 153
6.3 Defining numbering series .................................................................................................................. 153
Planning your numbering series..................................................................................................... 154
Assigning a numbering series to a part .......................................................................................... 154
Family numbers.............................................................................................................................. 155
Assigning family numbers ....................................................................................................... 155
Changing the family number of an object ................................................................................ 156
Overlapping numbering series ....................................................................................................... 156
6.4 Numbering objects.............................................................................................................................. 156
Numbering assemblies and cast units ........................................................................................... 157
Assembly position numbers .................................................................................................... 157
Numbering reinforcements............................................................................................................. 157
Saving preliminary numbers........................................................................................................... 158
Control numbers............................................................................................................................. 158
Assigning control numbers to parts ......................................................................................... 159
Locking and unlocking control numbers .................................................................................. 159
Changing numbers......................................................................................................................... 159
Clearing numbers........................................................................................................................... 160
Creating a standard-part model ..................................................................................................... 160
6.5 Viewing the numbering history............................................................................................................ 161
6.6 Repairing numbering errors ................................................................................................................ 161
6.7 Numbering examples.......................................................................................................................... 162
Example: Numbering identical beams............................................................................................ 162
Example: Using family numbers..................................................................................................... 163
Example: Numbering selected part types ...................................................................................... 164
Example: Numbering parts in selected phases.............................................................................. 164
Example: Numbering settings during a project .............................................................................. 165
7 Advanced Modeling............................................................................... 167

7.1 Organizing the model.......................................................................................................................... 167
Creating logical areas .................................................................................................................... 168
Creating object type categories...................................................................................................... 169
Modifying logical areas and object type categories........................................................................ 169
Viewing logical areas and object type categories .......................................................................... 170
Deleting logical areas and object type categories.......................................................................... 171
7.2 Phases................................................................................................................................................ 171
Dividing the model into phases ...................................................................................................... 171
Custom phase properties ............................................................................................................... 171
7.3 Sequences.......................................................................................................................................... 172
Creating a sequence ...................................................................................................................... 172
Adding parts to a sequence ........................................................................................................... 173
Checking the sequence of a part ................................................................................................... 173
Modifying the sequence number of a part...................................................................................... 173
Deleting a sequence ...................................................................................................................... 173
7.4 Lotting ................................................................................................................................................. 174
Creating a lot .................................................................................................................................. 174
Adding parts to a lot ....................................................................................................................... 175
Removing parts from a lot .............................................................................................................. 175
Deleting a lot .................................................................................................................................. 175
7.5 Parametric modeling ........................................................................................................................... 176
Parametric profiles available in Tekla Structures ........................................................................... 176
7.6 Sketched cross sections ..................................................................................................................... 181
Opening the cross section sketch editor ........................................................................................ 181
Sketch Browser ........................................................................................................................ 182
Variables .................................................................................................................................. 183
Sketching the outline of a cross section ......................................................................................... 184
Sketching a polyline ................................................................................................................. 184
Sketching an arc ...................................................................................................................... 185
Sketching a circle ..................................................................................................................... 185
Refining the shape of a sketched cross section ............................................................................. 186
Adding a parallel constraint ..................................................................................................... 186
Adding a perpendicular constraint ........................................................................................... 187
Adding a coincident constraint ................................................................................................. 187
Adding a fixed constraint ......................................................................................................... 188
Adding a horizontal constraint ................................................................................................. 188
Adding a vertical constraint ...................................................................................................... 189
Deleting a constraint ................................................................................................................ 189
Adding dimensions to a sketched cross section............................................................................. 190
Adding a radial dimension to a sketch ..................................................................................... 190
Adding an angle dimension to a sketch ................................................................................... 191
Adding a dimension between two points in a sketch ............................................................... 191
Adding a horizontal dimension to a sketch .............................................................................. 192
Adding a vertical dimension to a sketch .................................................................................. 192
Deleting a dimension from a sketch ......................................................................................... 193
Defining positioning planes for a sketched cross section............................................................... 193
Part positioning planes ............................................................................................................ 193
Connection positioning planes ................................................................................................. 194
Showing and hiding positioning planes .................................................................................... 195
Moving positioning planes ....................................................................................................... 195
Moving positioning plane handles ............................................................................................ 196
Reverting to default positioning planes .................................................................................... 197
Checking a sketched cross section ................................................................................................ 197
Saving a sketched cross section .................................................................................................... 198
Modifying a sketched cross section................................................................................................ 198
Modifying chamfers in a sketch ............................................................................................... 199
Setting the sketch thickness .................................................................................................... 199
Cross section extrusion types .................................................................................................. 200
Using sketched cross sections in a model ..................................................................................... 201
Creating an image of a sketched cross section ....................................................................... 201
Importing and exporting sketched cross sections .......................................................................... 202
Importing sketched cross sections .......................................................................................... 203
Exporting sketched cross sections .......................................................................................... 203
Example: Creating a symmetric C-shaped cross section............................................................... 204
Example: Sketching a C-shaped cross section ....................................................................... 204
Example: Adding dimensions to the cross section .................................................................. 205
Example: Setting the cross section thickness ......................................................................... 206
Example: Modifying the chamfers of the cross section ........................................................... 207
Example: Using the cross section in a model .......................................................................... 208
8 Modeling Settings.................................................................................. 211

8.1 General settings.................................................................................................................................. 211
Grid properties ............................................................................................................................... 211
Grid line properties......................................................................................................................... 212
Point properties .............................................................................................................................. 212
Rotation settings ............................................................................................................................ 213
Color settings ................................................................................................................................. 213
Transparency settings.................................................................................................................... 214
Screenshot settings........................................................................................................................ 214
8.2 View settings....................................................................................................................................... 215
View properties .............................................................................................................................. 215
Grid view properties ....................................................................................................................... 215
Display settings .............................................................................................................................. 216
8.3 Part properties .................................................................................................................................... 217
Steel column properties ................................................................................................................. 218
Steel beam properties .................................................................................................................... 218
Contour plate properties................................................................................................................. 219
Orthogonal beam properties .......................................................................................................... 220
Twin profile properties.................................................................................................................... 221
Pad footing properties.................................................................................................................... 222
Strip footing properties ................................................................................................................... 223
Concrete column properties ........................................................................................................... 224
Concrete beam properties.............................................................................................................. 225
Concrete slab properties ................................................................................................................ 225
Concrete panel properties.............................................................................................................. 226
8.4 Detail properties.................................................................................................................................. 227
Bolt properties................................................................................................................................ 227
Weld properties .............................................................................................................................. 229
Weld types ..................................................................................................................................... 231
Corner chamfer properties ............................................................................................................. 232
Edge chamfer properties ................................................................................................................ 232
8.5 Numbering settings ............................................................................................................................. 233
General numbering settings ........................................................................................................... 233
Weld numbering settings................................................................................................................ 234
Control number settings ................................................................................................................. 235
9 Modeling Tips ........................................................................................ 237

9.1 General modeling tips ......................................................................................................................... 237
Defining default part properties ...................................................................................................... 237
Copying and moving efficiently....................................................................................................... 238
Modeling identical areas................................................................................................................. 238
Selecting values from the model .................................................................................................... 238
Activating an overlapping view ....................................................................................................... 239
Finding RGB values for colors........................................................................................................ 239
Right-hand rule............................................................................................................................... 239
Hiding cut lines in a view ................................................................................................................ 240
Cutting efficiently ............................................................................................................................ 240
Useful shortcuts in viewing logs and reports .................................................................................. 241
9.2 Part positioning tips............................................................................................................................. 241
Modifying part length ...................................................................................................................... 241
Creating horizontal parts ................................................................................................................ 242
Optional ways of placing objects in a model .................................................................................. 242
Positioning objects in a radial or circular pattern............................................................................ 242
1 Creating 3D Models
This section explains how to open, create, and save models in Tekla Structures.
Contents • What is a 3D model (p. 15)

• Creating a new model (p. 16)
• Opening a model (p. 17)
• Saving a model (p. 17)
• Model templates (p. 18)
1.1 What is a 3D model

Using Tekla Structures, you can create a real-life model of any structure. The 3D model
contains all the information that is needed to manufacture and construct the structure,
including:
• Geometry and dimensions
• Profiles and cross sections
• Connection types
• Materials
The 3D model is the single source of information for drawings and other outputs, such as
reports and NC data files. This ensures that the information in drawings and reports is always
up to date, as they react to modifications in the model.
Creating 3D Models
See also Creating and Modifying Structures (p. 51)
1.2 Creating a new model

You need to create a model for each Tekla Structures project. This model contains all the
information about the project. Each model is stored in its own folder in the
TeklaStructuresModels folder.
To create a new model:
1. Click File > New... or .

You can only have one model open at a time. If you already have a model open, Tekla
Structures prompts you to save that model.
2. Define where to save the new model.
• To select a folder, click Browse.
• To save the model in a recently used model folder, use the Save in list box.
• To define the location manually, type the path in the Save in field, followed by the
\ character. Do not enter the model name in this field.
3. Type a unique name in the Model name field.
Do not use special characters (/ \ ; : | ).
4. Optional: In the Model template list box, select the template you want to use.
5. In the Model type list box, define whether the model may be used by one person or
shared by many.
• Single-user: model will be used by one person.
• Multi-user: model is stored on a server and may be used by several people. Also
enter the name of the server in the Server field.
6. Click OK.
Tekla Structures creates the model and opens the default model view.
See also Model templates (p. 18)

Multi-user mode
Creating 3D Models
1.3 Opening a model
To open a Tekla Structures model:
1. Click File > Open... or .

You can only have one model open at a time. If you already have a model open, Tekla
Structures prompts you to save that model.
2. In the Open dialog box, select the model.
• To open a recently used model, use the Model name list box.
• To open a recently used model folder, use the Look in list box.
• To search for models in another folder, click Browse...
3. Click OK to open the model.
If no views are visible after you have opened a model, Tekla Structures prompts you to
select one.
You can sort models by clicking the column titles.

When the models are sorted alphabetically by their names, you can use
the keyboard to select models. For example, when you type N, Tekla
Structures selects the first model starting with an N.
See also Creating a new model (p. 16)
1.4 Saving a model

You should save your model regularly to avoid losing any work. Tekla Structures also
automatically saves your work at regular intervals.
To save a model, do one of the following:
• Click .
• Click File > Save.
The Autosave tool automatically saves your model and drawings at set
intervals. To set the autosave interval, click Tools > Options >
Options... > General.
See also Saving a model with a different name or location (p. 17)
Saving in multi-user mode
Autosave
Saving a model with a different name or location

To save a copy of a model under a different name or in a different location:
1. Click File > Save As...
2. In the Save as dialog box, browse to the folder where you want to save the model.
Creating 3D Models
3. In the Model name field, type a new name.
4. Click OK.
Tekla Structures creates a new copy with a different name, but the original version of the
model remains intact.
See also Saving a model (p. 17)
1.5 Model templates
This section is for advanced users.
You can save the desired settings in a model and use that model as a template when you create
new models.
The location of model templates is defined by the advanced option
XS_MODEL_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY. For example, you can set this advanced option
to point to the same location as XS_FIRM. By default, the advanced option points to the folder
..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\default\model_templates\.
Any model under the defined folder will be available as a model template if the file
TeklaStructuresModel.xml in the model folder contains the setting
<IsTemplate>TRUE</IsTemplate>. The default value is FALSE.
You can create only single-user models with model templates. If you wish to create a multi-user
model using a model template, create the model in single-user mode and then switch to multi-
user mode.
See also Creating a model template (p. 18)

Switching between single-user and multi-user modes
Creating a model template

When you create a model template, always start by creating a new empty model. This is
because old models cannot be completely cleaned and they might contain quite a lot of
information even if you delete all objects from the model.
To create a model template:
1. Create a new model and give it a unique name.
For example, Steel framework.
2. Add the desired profiles, custom components, and so on, in the model.
3. Save and close the model.
4. Move the whole model folder in the location pointed by the advanced option
XS_MODEL_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY.
By default, the advanced option points to the folder ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\default\model_templates\.
5. In the new template model folder, open the TeklaStructuresModel.xml file
using any standard text editor.
Creating 3D Models
Do not edit the TeklaStructuresModels.xml file that is located
in the TeklaStructuresModels folder or in the place pointed by
the advanced option XS_RUNPATH.
6. Set the IsTemplate element to TRUE.

7. Save the file.
See also Model templates (p. 18)
Creating 3D Models
Creating 3D Models
2 Setting up the Workspace
This section explains how to set up the workspace so that you can start modeling. It also
presents some basic Tekla Structures vocabulary and concepts that are needed when working
with 3D models.
Contents • Screen layout (p. 21)

• Work area (p. 25)
• Work plane (p. 27)
• Coordinate system (p. 28)
• Grids (p. 29)
• Views (p. 33)
• Construction objects (p. 40)
• Points (p. 42)
• Reference models (p. 43)
2.1 Screen layout

When you start Tekla Structures, a new window appears on the screen. Initially, most of the
menu options and all the icons are gray indicating that they are inactive. When you open or
create a model, the icons and available menu options will become active.
Setting up the Workspace
The following illustration identifies the various areas of the Tekla Structures modeling
interface:
Status bar displays instructions, and the status of some settings
Snap settings control which points you can snap to and pick
Select switches determine the selectable objects
Pull-down menus contain all the commands
Toolbars can be either docked or floating
See also Changing the background color (p. 23)
Changing the background color
You can define the background color of model views using RGB values. You can control the
color of each corner of the background separately.
To change the background color in rendered views:
1. Click Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Model View.
2. Modify the background color using the following advanced options:
• XS_BACKGROUND_COLOR1
To use a single-colored background, set the same value for all four corners of the
background. To use the default background color, leave the advanced option fields
empty.
3. Close and reopen the view for the change to take effect.
See also Finding RGB values for colors (p. 239)

Background color examples (p. 23)
Background color examples

Below are some examples of possible background colors that you can define. The first RGB
value refers to the advanced option XS_BACKGROUND_COLOR1, the second value to the
advanced option XS_BACKGROUND_COLOR2, and so on.
RGB values Result
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0
0.0 0.4 0.2

0.0 0.4 0.2
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
RGB values Result
0.3 0.0 0.6
0.3 0.0 0.6
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0
0.0 0.2 0.7

0.0 0.8 0.7
0.0 0.2 0.7
0.0 0.8 0.7
See also Changing the background color (p. 23)

Finding RGB values for colors (p. 239)
2.2 Work area

Tekla Structures indicates the work area of a view using green, dashed lines.
You can define the work area to suit particular situations, for example, to concentrate on a
particular area of the model. Defining the work area makes it faster and easier to work with the
model. Objects outside the work area still exist, but they are not visible.
See also Defining the work area (p. 26)

Hiding the work area (p. 26)
Defining the work area

You can shrink and expand the work area by picking the corner points of the new work area, or
size the work area to include selected parts, or all model objects. You can define the work area
in a selected view, or in all visible views.
To define the work area:
1. Select a command from View > Fit Work Area.
For more information on each command, see the corresponding menu tooltip.
2. Define the work area by following the instructions on the status bar.
See also Work area (p. 25)
Hiding the work area

If you want, you can hide the green work area box. This can be useful, for example, when
creating screenshots for presentations.
2. Set the XS_HIDE_WORKAREA advanced option to TRUE.
3. Click OK or Apply.
4. Click View > Redraw All. Tekla Structures hides the work area.
5. To make the work area visible again, set the advanced option to FALSE.
Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys when clicking View >
Redraw All to hide the green work area box. To make the box visible
again, click View > Redraw All again.
See also Work area (p. 25)
2.3 Work plane
The red coordinate arrow symbol indicates the work plane, which is the local coordinate system
of the model. The work plane also has its own grid, which can be used for positioning parts.
Tekla Structures displays the work plane grid in dark red color.
To display the work plane grid, select Work plane from the second list box on the Snapping
toolbar.
The red arrow symbol shows the xy plane. The z direction follows the right-hand rule.
Most of the commands that are dependent on the coordinate system use work plane
coordinates. For example creating points, part positioning, and copying always comply with the
work plane coordinate system. The current work plane is model-specific, so it is the same in all
views.
See also Shifting the work plane (p. 27)

Restoring the default work plane (p. 28)
Changing the color of the work plane grid (p. 28)
Right-hand rule (p. 239)
Shifting the work plane

You can shift the work plane to any position by picking points, parallel to one of the global
basic planes, or on a part or view plane. When modeling sloped parts, shifting the work plane
helps you to place parts accurately. For example, to model horizontal bracing and purlins in a
sloped roof, you need to shift the work plane to the slope of the roof.
To shift the work plane:
1. Click View > Set Work Plane and select one of the commands.
2. Shift the work plane by following the instructions on the status bar.
3. Optional: In the second list box on the Snapping toolbar, select Work plane to display
the work plane grid.
See also Work plane (p. 27)
Restoring the default work plane

Remember to change back to the default work plane when you have finished modeling sloped
structures.
To restore the default work plane:
1. Click View > Set Work Plane > Parallel to XY(Z) Plane...
2. Set Plane to XY.
3. Set Depth coordinate to 0.
4. Click Change.
Changing the color of the work plane grid

To change the color of the work plane grid:
2. Modify the advanced option XS_GRID_COLOR_FOR_WORK_PLANE.
Define the color using RGB values on a scale of 0 to 1. For example, to change the color
to red, set the value to 1.0 0.0 0.0.
3. Click OK.

2.4 Coordinate system

The symbol with three axes (x, y, and z) represents the local coordinate system and indicates
the direction of the model. It is located in the lower right corner of the model view. The
coordinate symbol follows the work plane.
In wire frame views, the green cube represents the global coordinate system and lies at the
global point of origin.

View types (p. 36)
2.5 Grids
Grids are used as an aid in locating objects in a Tekla Structures model. A grid represents a
three-dimensional complex of horizontal and vertical planes. The grid is shown on the view
plane using dash-and-dot lines.
Grid origin is the point where the zero points of each coordinate axis
intersect
Grid line extensions define how far the grid lines extend in each direction
Grid labels are the names of the grid lines shown in views
You can make grids and grid lines act magnetically so that the objects on the grid lines follow if
you move the grid line.
You can have more than one grid in a model. So that you can easily locate objects in your
model, we strongly advise that you create a modular grid. You can create a large-scale grid for
the entire structure, and smaller grids for some detailed sections. You can also create single grid
lines and attach them to an existing grid.
See also Creating a grid (p. 30)

Modifying a grid (p. 31)
Deleting a grid (p. 31)
Changing the grid color (p. 31)
Grid lines (p. 32)
Creating a grid
When you create a new model, Tekla Structures automatically creates a grid and a view
according to the saved standard properties. You can also create grids manually.
To manually create a grid:
1. Click Modeling > Create Grid...
2. Modify the grid properties.
3. Optional: To bind objects to the grid lines, select the Magnetic grid plane check box.
4. Optional: When prompted, pick a point to indicate the origin of the grid.
The coordinates of the picked point appear in the Grid dialog box as X0, Y0, and Z0.
If you do not pick a point, Tekla Structures positions the origin according to the values
you entered for X0, Y0, and Z0.
5. Click Create.
See also Grids (p. 29)

Grid coordinates (p. 30)
Grid labels (p. 31)
Grid properties (p. 211)
Grid coordinates
The x and y coordinates of a grid are relative. This means that the entries for x and y are always
relative to the previous entry. The z coordinates are absolute, which means that entries for z are
absolute distances from the work plane origin.
There are two ways to enter the x or y coordinates of grid lines:
• Define the coordinates individually. For example, 0 4000 4000.
• Define several grid lines with equal spacing. For example, 0 2*4000.
Both methods create three lines with the spacing of 4000.
Use a zero at the start to represent a grid on the 0,0 coordinate and spaces
as separators for coordinates. You can have a maximum of 1024
characters in the coordinates field.
See also Creating a grid (p. 30)

Coordinate system (p. 28)
Grid labels
Labels are the names of the grid lines shown in views. The names in the X field are associated
with the grid lines parallel to the y axis and vice versa. The Z field is for the names of levels
parallel to the work plane. If you wish, you can leave the label fields empty.
When working with very large grids, always having the grid labels
visible might slow down Tekla Structures. To hide the grid labels when
you zoom in, use the advanced option XS_ADJUST_GRID_LABELS.

Creating a grid (p. 30)
Modifying a grid
To modify a grid:
1. Ensure that the Select grid selection switch is selected.

2. Double-click a grid line. The Grid dialog box appears.
If you have attached additional grid lines to the grid and you want to
preserve them, clear the check boxes next to the coordinate fields in the
Grid dialog box.
If the coordinate check boxes are selected, Tekla Structures deletes all
single grid lines attached to the grid.
4. Click Modify to save the changes.

Grid properties (p. 211)
Deleting a grid
To delete a grid:
1. Ensure that the Select grid selection switch is selected.

2. Select a grid line.
3. Right-click and select Delete from the pop-up menu.
When you delete a grid, ensure that you do not have any other objects
selected. If you have also other objects selected, Tekla Structures only
deletes the objects, not the grid.
Changing the grid color

To change the color of the grid in rendered views:
2. Modify the advanced option XS_GRID_COLOR.
Define the color using RGB values on a scale of 0 to 1. For example, to change the color
to red, set the value to 1.0 0.0 0.0.
3. Click OK.

Grid lines
You can attach single grid lines to an existing grid.
Single grid lines have handles. When you select a grid line, the handles appear in magenta. You
can use handles to move the grid lines.
If you want to move the grid lines using the handles to make a skewed
grid, you can do this only on the local XY plane of the grid.

Creating a single grid line (p. 32)
Modifying a single grid line (p. 33)
Deleting a single grid line (p. 33)
Moving a part using handles (p. 57)
Creating a single grid line

To create a single grid line:
1. Click Modeling > Add Grid Line.
2. Select an existing grid to attach the grid line to.
3. Pick the starting point of the grid line.
4. Pick the end point of the grid line.
See also Grid lines (p. 32)
Modifying a single grid line

To modify a single grid line:
1. Ensure that the Select grid line selection switch is selected.

2. Double-click a grid line. The Grid Line Properties dialog box appears.
3. Modify the grid line properties.

Grid line properties (p. 212)
Deleting a single grid line

To delete a single grid line:
1. Ensure that the Select grid line selection switch is selected.

2. Select the grid line you want to delete.
When you delete a grid line, ensure that you do not have any other
objects selected. If you also have other objects selected, Tekla Structures
only deletes the objects, not the grid line.
2.6 Views
A view is a representation of a model from a specific location. Each view is displayed in its
own window inside the Tekla Structures window.
There are several ways to create views in Tekla Structures. For example, you can create views:
• of the entire structure
• of selected parts and components
• of selected cast units and assemblies
• along the grid lines
When you need to see a specific part clearly, create a 3D view of the
part. This places the part in the center of the view.
See also Creating a view (p. 35)

Opening a view (p. 38)
Modifying a view (p. 38)
Deleting a view (p. 38)
Switching between open views (p. 39)
Switching between 3D and plane view (p. 39)
Refreshing views (p. 39)
Arranging views (p. 39)
Should I model in a 3D or plane view?

3D, plane, and elevation views provide different types of information, which is useful for
different tasks.
One common technique is to open several views:
• A 3D view to see a real-life version of the model
• A plane view, where you can add and connect parts
• An elevation view to check the level
Selecting a part in a view highlights the part in all open views.
If you are working with two screens, maximize your work area by
putting the elevation and 3D views on one screen and the plane view on
the other.
See also Views (p. 33)

Creating a view
To create a new view:
1. Select a view command from the View menu.
2. Create the view by following the instructions on the status bar.
3. Optional: Save the view.
a Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog box.
b Type a unique name in the Name field.
Temporary views have a default name in parentheses. Do not use

parentheses when naming a view, or the view will not be saved for later
use.
c Click Modify.

View settings (p. 215)
About naming views (p. 35)
View types (p. 36)
View planes (p. 36)
Creating grid views (p. 38)
About naming views

Tekla Structures numbers views in order of creation, so you do not have to give each view a
specific name.
You should give each view a unique name if you need to open it in later sessions. When you
exit the model, Tekla Structures only saves the named views. Temporary views, which have a
default name in parentheses, disappear when you close them.
In multi-user mode, it is very important to give views unique names. If

several users have different views with the same name, the view settings
of one user may randomly override the settings of another user.
View types
The view type defines the appearance of the view. It also affects what methods you can use to
rotate the model. The view type options are:
• Rendered
Objects look more realistic because they are non-transparent and their surfaces are
displayed.
• Wire frame
Objects are transparent and their outlines are displayed. You cannot rotate the model with
the mouse in wire frame views.

Representation options (p. 128)
View planes
Each view has a view plane on which the grids are visible and points are represented as yellow
crosses. Points that are located outside the view plane are red.
Basic views Basic views are those parallel to the global basic planes (xy, xz, and zy). In basic views, two
axes always define the view plane and the axes appear in the plane name. The third axis is
perpendicular to the view plane. It does not appear in the plane name. In the basic plane view,
the model is shown from the direction of the third axis.
The view plane options for basic views are:
Plane: XY
Plane: XZ
Plane: ZY
For basic views, you also define the distance the view plane is from the global origin in the
direction of the third axis. The view plane coordinate equals this distance.
Other views For view types other than basic views, you either define the view plane and coordinate by
picking points, or the points are defined automatically, depending on the creation method.
See also Moving a view plane (p. 37)

Creating a view (p. 35)
Moving a view plane

You can change the view plane by moving it like any other object. When you move a view
plane, Tekla Structures only uses the vector that is perpendicular to the view plane.
To move the view plane:
1. Click the view.
2. Right-click and select Move Special > Linear... from the pop-up menu.
3. Pick the starting point of the translation vector, or enter its coordinates.
4. Pick the end point of the translation vector, or enter its coordinates.
5. Click Move.
If the Move - Linear dialog box is open but the command is not active
anymore, click the Pick button to re-activate the command.
See also View planes (p. 36)
Creating grid views
Grid views are views along the grid lines. You can define how many views Tekla Structures
will create, how it will name the views, and which view properties it will use.
Before you start, create a view that contains a grid.
To create grid views:
1. Select the grid.
2. Click View > Create View of Model > Along Grid Lines...
4. Click Create. The Views dialog box appears.
5. Click the arrow buttons to show or hide the grid views.
The grid views will not be visible until you move them to the visible views in the Views
dialog box.

Grid view properties (p. 215)
Opening a view
To view and open an existing view:
1. Click View > View List....
The Views dialog box appears. Tekla Structures lists all invisible named views on the
left, and all visible views on the right.
2. Select a view and use the arrows between the lists, or double-click a view to open it.
You can have up to nine views on the screen at the same time. If you try
to open more than nine views, Tekla Structures displays a warning. If the
view does not appear, check how many views you have open.
To open multiple views, use the Shift and Ctrl keys when you select
views from the list.
Modifying a view
To modify an existing view:
1. Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog box.
2. Modify the view properties.
3. Click Modify.

View settings (p. 215)
Deleting a view
To delete a named view:
1. Click View > View List....
The Views dialog box appears. Tekla Structures lists all invisible named views on the
left, and all visible views on the right.
2. Select the view you want to delete.
3. Click Delete.
To delete multiple views, use the Shift and Ctrl keys when you select
views from the list.
Switching between open views

To switch between open views, do one of the following:
• Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Tab.
• On the Window menu, select a view from the list.

Switching between 3D and plane view

To switch between the 3D and the plane view, do one of the following:
• Press Ctrl+P.
• Click View > Switch to 3D / Plane.
• In the View Properties dialog box, select an option from the Angle list box, and then
click Modify.

Switching between open views (p. 39)
Refreshing views
To refresh the screen display, do any of the following:
To Do this
Redraw the contents of the active Right-click the view and select Redraw View from
view the pop-up menu.
Redraw the contents of all the Click View > Redraw All.
views
Arranging views
You can arrange views manually by dragging and dropping each view within the Tekla
Structures window, or have Tekla Structures automatically arrange views.
To arrange the views, do any of the following:
To Do this
Arrange all open views in a Click Windows > Cascade.
stack
Arrange all open views Click Windows > Tile Horizontally.
horizontally
Arrange all open views Click Windows > Tile Vertically.
vertically
Close all the views Click View > Close All.
You cannot use the Cascade, Tile Horizontally, and Tile Vertically
commands for views that you can move outside the Tekla Structures
window.
For more information on how to move part and component basic views
and zoom windows across the entire Windows desktop, see
XS_MDIVIEWPARENT, XS_MDIZOOMPARENT, and
XS_MDIBASICVIEWPARENT.
2.7 Construction objects

Construction planes, lines, and circles help you place other objects. For example, you can
easily pick the points at intersections of construction lines and circles. The snap priority of
construction objects is the same as with the other lines.
Construction objects remain in the model when you update or redraw views and windows.
They do not appear in drawings.
You can also create magnetic construction lines or planes to bind and move groups of objects.
For example, rather than binding lots of handles and chamfers to faces, simply create a
construction plane that goes through all the handles and chamfers. Then make this plane
magnetic and bind the plane to the appropriate face. When you move the plane, the attached
handles and chamfers move with it.
See also Creating a construction plane (p. 40)

Creating a construction line (p. 41)
Creating a construction circle (p. 41)
Creating a construction plane

To create a construction plane:
1. Click Modeling > Add Construction Plane.
2. Pick four points.
3. Click the middle mouse button. Tekla Structures draws the plane.
4. Double-click the plane in the model. The Construction Plane Properties dialog box
appears.
5. Type a name for the plane.
6. Optional: To make the construction plane magnetic, select the Magnetic check box.
7. Click Modify.
See also Construction objects (p. 40)
Creating a construction line

To create a construction line:
1. Click Modeling > Add Construction Line.
2. Pick the starting point of the construction line.
3. Pick the end point of the construction line.
4. Optional: Make the construction line magnetic.
a Double-click the line in the model.
b Select the Magnetic check box.
c Click Modify.
Creating a construction circle

To create a construction circle:
1. Select a command from Modeling > Add Construction Circle.
2. Create the construction circle by following the instructions on the status bar.
2.8 Points
You can create points to make it easier to place objects at positions where no lines or objects
intersect.
There are many ways to create points in Tekla Structures. Which method is the most convenient
at each time depends on what you have already created in the model and which locations you
can easily pick.
When you create points, Tekla Structures always places them according to the work plane
coordinate system. Points located on the view plane are yellow and points outside the view
plane are red.
See also Creating a point (p. 42)

Importing points (p. 42)
Point properties (p. 212)
Creating a point
To create a point:
1. Use the icons on the Points toolbar, or select a command from Modeling > Add Points.
2. Create the point by following the instructions on the status bar.
See also Points (p. 42)
Importing points
You can import points to specific locations in an open Tekla Structures model using the point
creation import macro. You need to specify the point coordinates in a text file. In some cases
this file is generated by another software package.
To import points from a file:
1. Create a point import file.
a Create a text file that consists of single lines for each point.
Use commas or tabs as delimiters for the three point coordinates on a line. For
example:
100,500,1000
300,700,1500
b Save the file.
2. Press Ctrl + F to open the Component Catalog.
3. Type point in the Search field and click Search.
4. Double-click Point Creation Import (8).
5. Type the ASCII file name.
Include the full path and the file extension. If you do not specify the path, Tekla
Structures looks for the file in the current model folder.
6. Define the origin of the imported points by entering the coordinates.
7. Click Create.
During the import process, Tekla Structures ignores all lines in the
import file which do not consist of valid values delimited by tabs or
commas.
2.9 Reference models

A reference model is a file which helps you to build a Tekla Structures model. A reference
model is created in Tekla Structures or another software or modeling tool and imported to Tekla
Structures.
For example, an architectural model, a plant design model, or a heating, ventilating and air-
conditioning (HVAC) model can be used as a reference model. Reference models can also be
simple 2D drawings that are imported and then used as a layout to directly build the model on.
The following file types are supported:
• AutoCAD (*.dxf)
• AutoCAD (*.dwg)
• MicroStation (*.dgn, *.prp)
• Cadmatic models (*.3dd)
• IFC files (*.IFC)
• IGES files (*.igs, *.iges)
• Tekla WebViewer XML files (*.xml)
You can snap to reference model geometry. Tekla Structures loads the reference model from the
file each time you open your model. It does not save the reference model when you save the
current model. The filename extension of a saved reference model properties file is *.rop.
See also Inserting a reference model (p. 44)

Modifying reference model properties (p. 44)
Selecting a reference model (p. 45)
Hiding a reference model (p. 45)
Highlighting a reference model (p. 45)
Updating reference models (p. 45)
Detecting changes in a reference model (p. 45)
Viewing reference model layers (p. 46)
Reference model objects (p. 47)
Supported DGN objects (p. 48)
Inserting a reference model

To insert a reference model in a Tekla Structures model:
1. Open a Tekla Structures model.
2. Check the work plane position, as it determines the rotation of the reference model in the
Tekla Structures model.
3. Click File > Insert Reference Model...
4. Click the Browse... button to browse for the reference model file.
5. Set the scale of the reference model, if it is different to the one in the Tekla Structures
model (for example, if it uses different measurement units).
6. Click Apply or OK to save the current reference model properties.
7. Pick a position to define the reference model origin.
Tekla Structures displays the reference model origin as a handle.
If you do not define a reference model file to use, the file does not exist,
or you forget to click Apply, Tekla Structures displays a default
reference model. The default reference model is a white cross:
See also Reference models (p. 43)
Modifying reference model properties

To modify the properties of a reference model:
1. Click File > Reference Model List...
2. Double-click the reference model to open the Reference Model Properties dialog box.
3. Click User-defined attributes.
4. Modify the properties and then click Modify.
You can define user-defined attributes in the objects.inp file. For

more information on user-defined attributes, see Adding properties.
Selecting a reference model
To select a reference model:
1. Activate the Select component switch.

2. Select the reference model.

Selecting a reference model object (p. 48)
Hiding a reference model

To hide a reference model:
2. Select Hidden from the Visibility list box.
Highlighting a reference model

To check which reference models are included in the model, you can highlight them.
To highlight a reference model:
2. Select a reference model from the list.
The reference model is highlighted in the Tekla Structures model.
Updating reference models

You can update the reference models in your Tekla Structures model in case there have been
changes in the original reference models after you have brought them into Tekla Structures.
To update all reference models:
2. Click Reload all.
Tekla Structures goes through all the reference models and regenerates the cache for the
reference models that have a newer modified date than the one already in the cache.
Detecting changes in a reference model

Reference models are often updated, but the changes are rarely documented. You can see the
changes between an old and a new reference model in Tekla Structures by using the commands
in the Reference Model Properties dialog box.
You can detect changes in reference models that are of the following file formats:
• IFC (.ifc)
• Cadmatic (.3dd)
• WebViewer (.xml)
• 3D DWG (.dwg)
To view changes in a reference model:
1. Double-click the reference model.
2. In the Reference Model Properties dialog box, browse for the name of the old file by
clicking the Browse... button next to the Old file name field.
3. Select an option in the Show list box in the Change detection section.
For example, select Inserted to see the added objects.
4. Click Display. Tekla Structures highlights the inserted reference model objects.
Viewing reference model layers

You can view different layers of a reference model. This is useful if you want to for example
examine only certain parts of the model.
To view reference model layers:
1. Double-click the reference model.
2. In the Reference Model Properties dialog box, click Select layers...
3. Select the layers you want to view. Depending on your reference model, you could for
example select a layer that contains only windows.
4. Click OK.
5. Click Modify in the Reference Model Properties dialog box. Tekla Structures
highlights the layer with windows.
Reference model objects

You can split reference models into separate reference model objects. Reference model
objects can have separate user-defined attributes that can be used for reports and the view and
selection filters.
The reference model objects are read-only.
Limitations The use of this functionality depends on the file format and file structure. You can use it for
example for IFC and for DWG files that include any of the following objects:
• block table
• polyface mesh
• polygon mesh
• proxy object (for example, ADT)
• ACIS objects (3DSolid, Body, Region)
You cannot use this functionality for DGN, STEP, or IGES files.

Selecting a reference model object (p. 48)
Splitting a reference model into reference model objects (p. 48)
Selecting a reference model object

To select a reference model object:
1. Activate the Select objects in components switch.

2. Select the desired object in the reference model.
See also Reference model objects (p. 47)

Selecting a reference model (p. 45)
Splitting a reference model into reference model objects

You can quickly split reference models into reference model objects. After you have split the
reference model into reference model objects, you can use the ID number and attributes of the
reference model objects for example in filtering and reports.
To split a reference model into reference model objects:
1. Select the reference model and double-click it to display the Reference Model
Properties dialog box.
2. Click Subdivide.
The advanced option

XS_USE_EXACT_EXTREMA_FOR_REFERENCE_MODELS is
not compatible with this feature.
When you have split the reference model into reference model objects,
the ID numbers of all the reference model objects are visible in the
model database, even if you remove the reference model object and
update the reference model.
See also Reference model objects (p. 47)

Filtering reference model object properties
Supported DGN objects

Tekla Structures can display the following DGN objects in reference models:
• Line Elements (Type 3)
• Line String (Type 4)
• Shape (Type 6)
• Text Nodes (Type 7)
• Curve (Type 11)
• Complex Chains (Type 12)
• Complex Shapes (Type 14)
• Elliptic Elements (Type 15)
• Arc Elements (Type 16)
• Text Elements (Type 17)
• Surfaces (Type 18)
• Solids (Type 19)
• Point String Elements (Type 22)
• Cone Elements (Type 23)
• B-spline Surfaces (Type 24)
• B-spline Curves (Type 27)
• Shared Cells (Type 34, 35)
• Mesh Elements (Type 105), subtype "Indexed Face Loops"
The following DGN objects are not supported:

• Dimension Elements (Type 33)
• Multiline Elements (Type 36)
• Mesh Elements (Type 105), other subtypes than "Indexed Face
Loops"
SmartSolid elements are supported as WireFrame only.
3 Creating and Modifying
Structures
This section explains how to create and modify parts using different materials and profiles. It
also includes a general description of part properties and step-by-step instructions for all the
part commands.
Contents • Parts (p. 51)

• Part position (p. 57)
• Steel parts (p. 66)
• Assemblies (p. 70)
• Concrete parts (p. 77)
• Cast units (p. 81)
3.1 Parts
In Tekla Structures, the term part refers to the basic building objects that can be modeled and
detailed further. These are the building blocks of the physical model.
Every part has properties that define it, such as material, profile, and location. You can use part
properties in view and selection filters. For example, you can select, modify, and hide parts
based on their properties. You can also include part properties and user-defined attributes in
drawing and report templates.
See also Part properties (p. 217)

Part types (p. 52)
Profiles (p. 52)
Materials (p. 54)
Colors (p. 55)
User-defined attributes (p. 55)
Part labels (p. 56)
Creating and Modifying Structures
Part types
The main steel parts are:
• column
• beam
• polybeam
• curved beam
• contour plate
The main concrete parts are:
• pad footing
• strip footing
• column
• beam
• polybeam
• slab
• panel
See also Parts (p. 51)

Steel parts (p. 66)
Concrete parts (p. 77)
Profiles
Tekla Structures contains standard, parametric, and user-defined profiles.
When you create or modify a part, you can select the profile from a tree that contains all the
profiles available in the profile catalog. The profiles are grouped according to rules that you can
define and modify.
For user-defined profiles Tekla Structures also displays cross section information.
Icon Description
A standard profile.
A parametric profile.
See also Changing the profile of a part (p. 52)

Standard profiles (p. 53)
Parametric profiles (p. 53)
User-defined profiles (p. 53)
The profile catalog
Changing the profile of a part

To change the profile of a part:
1. Double-click a part to open the part properties dialog box.
2. Open the Select Profile dialog box.
• For steel parts, click the Select... button next to the Profile field.
• For concrete parts, click the button next to the Shape field.
By default, only the profile types that are relevant to the material of the part are shown.
3. Optional: Define what profile information you want to see.
• To display all the profiles of the profile catalog in the tree, select the Show all
profiles check box.
• To see all the properties of profiles, select the Show details check box.
4. Select a profile from the list.
• To select a recently used profile, use the Profile name list box.
• If you select a parametric profile, enter the profile dimensions in the Value column.
5. Click Apply or OK.
6. Click Modify.
You can also enter a profile name in the Profile field in the part
properties dialog box.
See also Profiles (p. 52)
Standard profiles
When you first start Tekla Structures, the profile catalog contains standard, environment-
specific profiles.
The properties of these library profiles conform to industry standards, so you should not edit
them. You can add profiles to the profile catalog.
Parametric profiles
You can use parametric profiles to model profiles that are standard in a specific environment,
but do not exist in the Tekla Structures profile catalog. Parametric profiles are partly user-
definable and they have a predefined shape, but you determine their size by giving one or more
parameters.
Parametric profile names have specific prefixes and they include dimension values. Dimension
values in parametric profile names are separated by the standard separators -, X, /, and *.
You can define alternative prefixes for parametric profiles. You can also define additional
separators using the variables XS_PARAMETRIC_PROFILE_SEPARATOR and
XS_USER_DEFINED_PARAMETRIC_PROFILE_SEPARATORS .
User-defined profiles
You can create your own profiles and save them in the profile catalog. For example, you could
create a pitched user-defined profile, with different cross sections at the beginning and end of
the profile.

Sketched cross sections (p. 181)
Adding a standard (fixed) user-defined profile
Materials
When you create or modify a part, you can select the material and grade from a tree that
contains all the materials available in the material catalog.
Each material has the following properties:
Property Description
Alias Aliases are alternative names. For example, they can be
former names, or names used in different countries or
standards.
Tekla Structures automatically translates aliases into the
standard name when you select a material grade.
Analysis information The Analysis tab contains information about the properties
used in structural analysis, including the modulus of
elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and thermal dilatation coefficient.
Design information The Design tab contains information about design-specific
properties, such as strengths, partial safety factors, and so on.
User attributes Use the User attributes tab to view or modify the user-
defined properties of materials.
For example, this tab could contain the maximum grain size,
porosity, or surface quality class of a concrete material type,
or country-specific properties.
See also Changing the material of a part (p. 54)

The material catalog
Changing the material of a part

To change the material of a part:
2. Click Select... next to the Material field.
The Select Material dialog box appears.
3. Optional: Define what material information you want to see.
• To include aliases for material grades in the tree, select the Show aliases check
box.
• To see all the properties of materials, select the Show details check box.
4. Select a material from the list.
6. Click Modify.
You can also enter a material name in the Material field in the part
See also Materials (p. 54)
Colors
You can change the color of some model objects by modifying their class in the part properties
dialog box. You can also use the object representation settings to specify colors for defined
object groups.
Class Color
black
1 light gray or white
2 or 0 red
3 bright green
4 blue
5 cyan
6 yellow
7 magenta
8 gray
9 pink
10 lime
11 aqua
12 lilac
13 orange
14 light blue
See also Object representation settings (p. 133)
User-defined attributes
User-defined attributes provide extra information about a part. Attributes can consist of
numbers, text, or lists. The following table gives some examples of what you can use attributes
for:
Attribute Can be used...

Comment In part and weld marks in Tekla Structures drawings, or in
projects.
Shorten When drawings of the parts are created, Tekla Structures
decreases the true length of the part by this value. This is
useful when creating assembly drawings of bracing bars that
should always be under tension.
Camber In part marks in Tekla Structures drawings.
Attribute Can be used...
Preliminary mark To obtain preliminary marks for parts in reports.
Locked To protect objects from being accidentally changed.
Shear, Tension, and To save reaction forces for AutoDefaults. You can enter
Moment forces separately for each end of a part.
User field 1...4 User-defined fields. You can change the names of these fields
and add new user-defined fields.
Connection code When importing information on connection types into Tekla
Structures. You can then use the connection codes as rules in
AutoConnection and AutoDefaults. Each end of a part can
have a different connection code.

Adding properties
Part labels
You can display selected part properties, user-defined attributes, and template attributes in a
model view by using part labels.

Showing part labels in a view (p. 56)
Showing part labels in a view

To show part labels in a view:
2. Click Display...
3. In the Display dialog box, go to the Advanced tab.
4. Select the Part label check box.
5. Define which part properties to display in part labels.
a Select a property in the Properties list.
b Click Add to add the property to the Part label list.
6. Optional: Define which user-defined attribute or template attribute to display in part
labels.
a Select User-defined attribute in the Properties list.
b Click Add. The Part label dialog box appears.
c Enter the attribute name and click OK.
7. Click Modify.
See also Part labels (p. 56)
3.2 Part position

When you create a part, you position it by picking points. The points form the part reference
line. You can use part reference lines to help snap to the middle points of parts, for example.
Tekla Structures indicates the direction of a part with handles. When you select a part, Tekla
Structures highlights the handles. The handle of the first end point is yellow, the rest are
magenta.
The handles also symbolize the part reference points. The position of a part is always relative
to its reference points.
See also Moving a part using handles (p. 57)

Showing part reference lines in model views (p. 58)
Modifying the position of a part (p. 58)
Part positioning tips (p. 241)
Moving a part using handles

To move a part using the handles:
1. Select the part. Tekla Structures displays the handles.
2. Select the handles.
3. Move the part like any other object.
If Drag and Drop is switched on, just drag the part to a new position.
See also Part position (p. 57)
Copying and moving objects
Selecting handles
Showing part reference lines in model views

To see the part reference line in the model:
1. Click View > View Properties...
2. Click Display... to open the Display dialog box.
3. On the Advanced tab, select the Part reference line check box.
4. Click Modify and OK.
Modifying the position of a part

To modify the position of a part, do one of the following:
To Do this
Modify part position in the 1. Double-click a part to open the part properties dialog box.
part properties dialog box 2. On the Position tab, modify the desired position settings.
For example, you can define the part to be positioned 200
units above its reference points.
3. Click Modify.
Modify part position using
the Mini Toolbar 1. Click in the Mini Toolbar.
2. Modify the settings. The object moves in the model
accordingly.
• To change the overall position of the part, use the
round selection dial. Click and drag to select a
position.
• To change the rotation angle, click and drag the
green rotation angle knob.
• To change the Angle, Plane offset, or Depth offset,
enter a value in the corresponding box.
The rotation angle knob snaps to every 45 degrees. Hold down Shift to
override this.
See also Position on the work plane (p. 59)
Rotation (p. 59)
Position depth (p. 60)
Vertical position (p. 61)
Horizontal position (p. 62)
End offsets (p. 63)
Levels (p. 64)
Bending (p. 65)
Position on the work plane

When you define the position of a part on the work plane, you have the following options:
• Middle
• Right
• Left
You can also define the distance of a part from its original reference line. To do this, type a
distance in the field next to the On plane check box.
Examples
Position Example
Middle
Right
Left
Middle 200
Right 200
Left 200
See also Modifying the position of a part (p. 58)
Rotation
When you define the rotation of a part around its axis on the work plane, you have the
following options:
• Front
• Top
• Back
• Below
You can also define the angle of rotation. Tekla Structures measures positive values clockwise
around the local x axis.
Examples
Position Example
Front
Top
Back
Below
Position depth
When you define the position of a part in terms of its depth, perpendicular to the work plane,
you have the following options:
• Middle
• Front
• Behind
Examples
Position Example
Middle
Front
Position Example
Behind
Middle 100
Front 100
Behind 100
Vertical position
When you define the vertical position of a part, relative to its reference point, you have the
following options:
• Middle
• Down
• Up
Examples
Position Example
Middle
Down
Up
Position Example
Middle 100
Down 100
Up 100
Horizontal position
When you define the horizontal position of a part, relative to its reference point, you have the
following options:
• Middle
• Left
• Right
Examples
Position Example
Middle
Left
Right
Middle 100
Position Example
Left 100
Right 100
End offsets
You can use end offsets to move the ends of a part, relative to its reference line. You can enter
positive and negative values.
You have the following options:
Field Description
Dx Changes the length of the part by moving the part end point along the
reference line.
Dy Moves the part end perpendicular to the reference line.
Dz Moves the part end in the z direction of the work plane.
Examples
Position Example
Dx
End point: 200
Dx
End point: -200
Dy
End point: 300
Position Example
Dy
End point: -300
Dz
End point: 400
Dz
End point: -400
Levels
For parts that you create by picking only one point (such as columns), you can enter the
positions of the part ends, relative to the picked point, in the global z direction Tekla Structures
creates the part at the level that you defined in the part properties dialog box, not at the level
you picked.
You have the following options:
Option Description
Bottom Use to define the position of the first end.
Top Use to define the position of the second end.
Example In this example, the concrete columns form a two-story structure. To position the upper
columns correctly, you must modify their bottom level position.
Top level = 1000, Bottom level = 0
Top level = 1700, Bottom level = 1200
Slab thickness = 200
Bending
You can create curved parts by defining a radius and the plane of curvature.
When you initiate a command that creates a curved part, for example a curved beam, Tekla
Structures prompts you to pick three points to define the radius. Alternatively, you can define
the radius in the part properties dialog box.
To have Tekla Structures draw a curved part, you need to specify the number of segments.
Tekla Structures does not show curved surfaces exactly in views, instead the number of
segments determines how realistic the curved part looks: the more segments, the less angular
the part appears.
You can also define the plane of curvature, which is relative to the current work plane. The
options are:
• XZ plane
• XY plane
Examples
Number of segments: 2
3.3 Steel parts

This section explains how to create steel parts.
See also Creating a steel column (p. 66)

Creating a steel beam (p. 67)
Creating a steel polybeam (p. 67)
Creating a curved beam (p. 68)
Creating a contour plate (p. 68)
Creating an orthogonal beam (p. 69)
Creating a twin profile (p. 70)
Creating a steel column

To create a steel column:
1. Optional: Modify the steel column properties.
2. Click the Create column icon.
3. Pick the position of the column.
Tekla Structures creates the column at the level that you defined in the Column
Use the Orthogonal Beam Properties dialog box to correct the position
of a column, if the upper and lower levels were switched when the
column was copied and mirrored. Remember to change the part name to
COLUMN.
See also Steel column properties (p. 218)

Levels (p. 64)
Creating a steel beam

To create a steel beam:
1. Optional: Modify the steel beam properties.
2. Click the Create beam icon.
3. Pick the starting point.
4. Pick the end point.
See also Steel beam properties (p. 218)
Creating a steel polybeam

A polybeam can contain straight and curved segments. You can also create bent plates with this
command.
To create a steel polybeam:
2. Click the Create polybeam icon.
3. Pick the points you want the beam to go through.
4. Double-click the end point, or click the middle mouse button to finish picking.
5. Optional: To create curved segments, chamfer the corners of the polybeam.
See also Polybeam chamfers (p. 106)

Steel beam properties (p. 218)
Polybeam length calculation
Creating a curved beam

To create a curved steel beam:
2. Click the Create curved beam icon.
3. Pick the starting point (1).
4. Pick a point on the arc (2).
5. Pick the end point (3).
See also Steel beam properties (p. 218)

Bending (p. 65)
Creating a contour plate

When you create a contour plate, the profile you use defines the thickness of the plate and the
picked points define the shape. The corners of the contour plate can be chamfered.
To create a contour plate:
1. Optional: Modify the contour plate properties.
2. Click the Create contour plate icon.
4. Pick the corner points of the contour plate.
5. Pick the starting point again, or click the middle mouse button to finish picking.
See also Creating a round contour plate (p. 69)
Contour plate properties (p. 219)
Creating a round contour plate

To create a round contour plate:
1. Create a square contour plate with its sides equal to the diameter of the round plate you
want to create.
2. Select the plate.
3. Double-click a handle to display the Chamfer Properties dialog box.
4. Select the round chamfer symbol from the list box.

5. Type the chamfer radius in the x field.
6. Click Modify.
7. Repeat steps 3–5 for each corner.
See also Creating a contour plate (p. 68)

Chamfers (p. 104)
Creating an orthogonal beam

To create a steel beam that is orthogonal to the work plane:
1. Optional: Modify the orthogonal beam properties.
2. Click Modeling > Steel Parts > Orthogonal Beam...
3. Pick the position of the beam.
See also Orthogonal beam properties (p. 220)
Creating a twin profile

A twin profile consists of two identical beams. You define the positions of both beams by
selecting the twin profile type and setting the clearance between the beams in two directions.
To create a twin steel profile:
1. Optional: Modify the twin profile properties.
2. Click Modeling > Create Steel Part > Twin Profile.
See also Twin profile properties (p. 221)
3.4 Assemblies
Tekla Structures creates basic assemblies of steel parts when you use a workshop weld or bolt
to join parts together. Assemblies and their main parts are automatically defined when you:
• Create single workshop welds or bolts.
• Apply automatic connections which create workshop welds or bolts.
You can also create nested assemblies by adding sub-assemblies to existing assemblies, or by
joining assemblies together.
The main part in a steel assembly has other parts welded or bolted to it. By default, the main
part is not welded or bolted to any other parts. You can change the main part in an assembly.
See also Creating an assembly (p. 71)

Adding objects to assemblies (p. 73)
Removing objects from an assembly (p. 75)
Highlighting objects in an assembly (p. 75)
Exploding an assembly (p. 76)
Assembly examples (p. 76)
Selecting assemblies and cast units
Creating an assembly
To create an assembly:
1. Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.
2. Select the parts and/or assemblies that you want to join together.
3. Right-click and select Make into Assembly from the pop-up menu.
See also Assemblies (p. 70)

Creating a sub-assembly (p. 71)
Using bolts to create assemblies (p. 71)
Using welds to create assemblies (p. 72)
Creating a sub-assembly
To create a sub-assembly of parts that are already in an assembly:
1. Ensure that the Select objects in assemblies selection switch is active.
2. Select the parts you want to include in the sub-assembly.
3. Right-click and select Make into Sub-Assembly from the pop-up menu.
See also Creating an assembly (p. 71)
Using bolts to create assemblies

You can use bolts to create and connect assemblies. You can create nested assemblies by
connecting sub-assemblies to an existing assembly, or you can just connect more parts to
assemblies using bolts.
To control how Tekla Structures creates assemblies, use the Connect part/assembly and Bolt
type list boxes in the Bolt Properties dialog box. The order in which you select parts when
creating the connection determines the main and secondary parts of the assembly or the
assembly hierarchy.
Connect part/
assembly Bolt type Result
As sub-assembly Workshop or Site Nested assembly with the assembly you are
bolting as a sub-assembly.
The first part you pick determines the
assembly to which you are bolting.
As secondary part Workshop Basic assembly with the part you are
bolting as a secondary part.
The first part you pick usually becomes the
main part in the assembly.
As secondary part Site No assembly created.

Bolting sub-assemblies to an existing assembly (p. 72)
Bolting sub-assemblies to an existing assembly
To bolt sub-assemblies to an existing assembly:
1. Double-click the Create bolts icon to open the Bolt Properties dialog box.
2. In the Connect part/assembly list box, select As sub-assembly.
4. Select a part in the assembly to bolt to.
5. Select a part in the sub-assembly to be bolted.
6. Pick the bolt group origin.
7. Pick a point to indicate the bolt group x direction.
See also Using bolts to create assemblies (p. 71)
Using welds to create assemblies

Tekla Structures forms assemblies based on where the weld should be made. You can create
workshop welds and site welds.
The order in which you select parts when creating the connection determines the main and
secondary parts of the assembly or the assembly hierarchy. The first part you select becomes
the main part of the assembly. Tekla Structures dimensions secondary parts relative to the main
part in assembly drawings. The largest main part in the weld becomes the main part of the
assembly.
When you connect assemblies, the first part you select determines the assembly to which you
weld sub-assemblies.
To control how Tekla Structures creates assemblies, use the Connect part/assembly and
Workshop/Site list boxes in the Weld Properties dialog box.
Connect part/
assembly Workshop/Site Result
As sub-assembly Workshop or Site Nested assembly with the assembly you are
welding as a sub-assembly.
The first part you pick determines the
assembly to which you are welding.
As secondary part Workshop Basic assembly with the part you are
welding as a secondary part.
The first part you pick usually becomes the
main part in the assembly.
As secondary part Site No assembly created.

Welding sub-assemblies to an existing assembly (p. 72)
Welding sub-assemblies to an existing assembly

To weld sub-assemblies to an existing assembly:
1. Double-click the Create weld between parts icon to open the Weld Properties dialog
box.
2. In the Connect part/assembly list box, select As sub-assembly.
4. Select a part in the assembly to weld to.
5. Select a part in the sub-assembly to be welded.
6. Optional: Create a drawing to check that the weld marks look correct.
See also Using welds to create assemblies (p. 72)
Adding objects to assemblies
You can add objects to assemblies in the following ways:
To Do this
Create a basic assembly Do one of the following:
• Add parts to an existing assembly as secondary
parts.
• Bolt or weld parts to an existing assembly as
secondary parts.
Create a nested assembly Do one of the following:
• Add parts to an existing assembly as secondary
parts.
• Bolt or weld assemblies to an existing assembly as
sub-assemblies.
• Add assemblies to an existing assembly as sub-
assemblies.
• Join existing assemblies together without adding
any loose parts.
Sub-assemblies in a nested assembly retain their own assembly

information and main part. You can also define properties separately for
the sub-assemblies and the nested assembly by using the part properties
dialog box.

Assembly hierarchy (p. 73)
Adding parts to an assembly (p. 74)
Creating a nested assembly (p. 74)
Joining assemblies (p. 75)
Changing the assembly main part (p. 75)
Changing the main assembly (p. 75)
Assembly hierarchy
You can work on any level of a nested assembly, from single parts and bolts, through the basic
and sub-assemblies, up to the highest level of the nested assembly.
To work with nested assemblies, you need to know how to use the Shift key and mouse
scrolling to select objects on different levels in assembly hierarchy.
Assembly hierarchy in nested assemblies affects drawings and reports. You can create separate
drawings and reports of the sub-assemblies and the nested assembly, and still produce
dimensions, marks, fabrication information, etc. for all assembly levels.
See also Adding objects to assemblies (p. 73)

Selecting nested assemblies and components
Adding parts to an assembly

To add secondary parts to a basic assembly or to any level of a nested assembly:
2. Select the part you want to add.
3. Right-click and select Assembly > Add to Assembly from the pop-up menu.
4. Select the assembly to add to.
Creating a nested assembly

To create a nested assembly:
2. Select the assemblies you want to add to another assembly. They will become sub-
assemblies in the nested assembly.
3. Right-click and select Assembly > Add as sub-assembly from the pop-up menu.
4. Select the assembly to add to.
Joining assemblies
To join existing assemblies without adding any loose parts:
2. Select the assemblies you want to join.
3. Right-click and select Assembly > Make into Assembly from the pop-up menu.
The assembly with the largest volume becomes the main assembly.
See also Changing the main assembly (p. 75)

Adding objects to assemblies (p. 73)
Changing the assembly main part

To change the main part in an assembly:
1. Check what is currently the main part of the assembly.
a Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.
b Click Tools > Inquire > Assembly Objects.
c Select the assembly.
Tekla Structures highlights the main and secondary parts in different colors.

3. Click Modeling > Assembly > Set as New Main Object of Assembly.
4. Select the new main part.
Tekla Structures changes the main part.
Changing the main assembly

When you join two or more assemblies together, the assembly with the largest volume becomes
the main assembly. You can change the main assembly at any time.
To change the main assembly in a nested assembly:
1. Select the new main assembly.
2. Right-click and select Assembly > Set as New Main Sub-Assembly from the pop-up
menu.
Removing objects from an assembly

To remove objects from an assembly:
1. Select the part or sub-assembly you want to remove.
2. Right-click and select Assembly > Remove from Assembly from the pop-up menu.
Highlighting objects in an assembly

Use the Inquire tool to check which objects belong to a particular assembly.
To highlight objects in an assembly:
1. Click Tools > Inquire > Assembly Objects.
2. Select a part that belongs to an assembly.
Tekla Structures highlights the other parts that belong to the same assembly. The
following colors are used:
Object type Highlight color

Concrete - main part magenta
Concrete - secondary part cyan
Reinforcement blue
Steel part - main part orange
Steel part - secondary part yellow
Exploding an assembly
When you explode a nested assembly, Tekla Structures breaks the assembly hierarchy level by
level, always starting from the highest level. You need to use the Explode command several
times to break a nested assembly back to single parts.
You can also explode sub-assemblies to single parts without breaking the entire assembly
hierarchy.
To explode an assembly:
1. Select the assembly or sub-assembly you want to explode.
2. Do one of the following:
• To explode the entire assembly, right-click and select Assembly > Explode from
the pop-up menu.
• To only explode the sub-assembly, right-click and select Assembly > Explode Sub-
Assembly from the pop-up menu.
Assembly examples
Column corbel A column corbel is fabricated in one workshop, and then attached to the column in another
workshop. Model the corbel as a sub-assembly of the column. Then create an assembly
drawing for each workshop: one assembly drawing showing how the corbel is welded together,
another assembly drawing showing how the corbel and the other part are welded to the column.
Drawing 2, Workshop 2
Drawing 1, Workshop 1
Complex truss Model the halves of a complex truss as assemblies. Create assembly drawings for the workshop
to fabricate the truss halves. Then create another assembly drawing showing how the halves
should be joined on site.
Built-up profile In a frame of built-up columns and beams, each built-up profile can be a sub-assembly. You can
create an assembly drawing showing the entire frame, and separate drawings showing how the
columns and beams are constructed.

Assembly drawing
3.5 Concrete parts

This section explains how to create concrete parts.
See also Creating a pad footing (p. 78)

Creating a strip footing (p. 78)
Creating a concrete column (p. 78)
Creating a concrete beam (p. 79)
Creating a concrete polybeam (p. 79)
Creating a concrete slab (p. 80)
Creating a concrete panel (p. 81)
Creating a pad footing

To create a pad footing:
1. Optional: Modify the pad footing properties.
2. Click the Create pad footing icon.
3. Pick the pad footing position.
See also Pad footing properties (p. 222)
Creating a strip footing

To create a strip footing:
1. Optional: Modify the strip footing properties.
2. Click the Create strip footing icon.
3. Pick the points you want the footing to go through.
5. Optional: To create curved segments, chamfer the corners of the footing.
See also Strip footing properties (p. 223)
Creating a concrete column

To create a concrete column:
1. Optional: Modify the concrete column properties.
2. Click the Create concrete column icon.
3. Pick the position of the column.
Tekla Structures creates the column at the level that you defined in the Concrete
Column Properties dialog box.
See also Concrete column properties (p. 224)
Creating a concrete beam

To create a concrete beam:
1. Optional: Modify the concrete beam properties.
2. Click the Create concrete beam icon.
See also Concrete beam properties (p. 225)
Creating a concrete polybeam

A polybeam can contain straight and curved segments. You can also create concrete bent plates
with this command.
To create a concrete polybeam:
1. Optional: Modify the concrete beam properties.
2. Click the Create concrete polybeam icon.
3. Pick the points you want the beam to go through.
5. Optional: To create curved segments, chamfer the corners of the polybeam.
See also Polybeam chamfers (p. 106)
Concrete beam properties (p. 225)
Polybeam length calculation
Creating a concrete slab

When you create a concrete slab, the profile you use defines the thickness of the slab and the
picked points define the shape. The corners of the slab can be chamfered.
To create a concrete slab:
1. Optional: Modify the concrete slab properties.
2. Click the Create concrete slab icon.
4. Pick the corner points of the slab.
5. Pick the starting point again, or click the middle mouse button to finish picking.
See also Creating a round slab (p. 80)

Concrete slab properties (p. 225)
Creating a round slab

To create a round slab:
1. Create a square slab with sides equal to the diameter of the round slab you want to
create.
2. Select the slab.
3. Double-click a handle to display the Chamfer Properties dialog box.
4. Select the round chamfer symbol from the list box.

5. Type the chamfer radius in the x field.
6. Click Modify.
7. Repeat steps 3–5 for each corner.
See also Creating a concrete slab (p. 80)
Chamfers (p. 104)
Creating a concrete panel

To create a concrete panel:
1. Optional: Modify the concrete panel properties.
2. Click the Create concrete panel icon.
3. Pick the points you want the panel to go through.
5. Optional: To create curved segments, chamfer the corners of the panel.
See also Concrete panel properties

Chamfers (p. 104)
3.6 Cast units

The concrete structures in Tekla Structures are modeled as single parts. By default, each part is
considered a separate cast unit. For construction purposes you may need to merge several
concrete parts into one cast unit. For example, a single cast unit could consist of a column with
corbels.
You need to specify which parts form the cast unit. Cast units can include reinforcement, as
well as concrete parts.
The main part in a concrete cast unit is the one with the largest volume of concrete. You can
change the main part in a cast unit.
See also Creating a cast unit (p. 82)

Adding objects to cast units (p. 82)
Removing objects from a cast unit (p. 83)
Highlighting objects in a cast unit (p. 83)
Exploding a cast unit (p. 83)
Defining the cast unit type (p. 83)
Casting direction (p. 84)
Creating a cast unit

To create a cast unit:
1. Click Modeling > Cast Unit > Create.
2. Select the objects you want to include in the cast unit.
3. Click the middle mouse button to create the cast unit.
See also Cast units (p. 81)
Adding objects to cast units

This section explains how to add objects to a cast unit.

Adding concrete objects to a cast unit (p. 82)
Adding non-concrete objects to a cast unit (p. 82)
Changing the cast unit main part (p. 82)
Adding concrete objects to a cast unit

To add concrete objects to a cast unit:
1. Click Modeling > Cast Unit > Add to.
2. Select the objects you want to add.
3. Select an object in the cast unit.
See also Adding objects to cast units (p. 82)
Adding non-concrete objects to a cast unit

Use the Add as Sub-Assembly command when adding non-concrete objects to a cast unit.
This applies to anything that is not concrete, such as steel parts and insulation.
To add a non-concrete part to a cast unit:
1. Ensure that the Select components selection switch is active.
2. Click Modeling > Assembly > Add as Sub-Assembly.
3. Select the non-concrete part you want to add.
4. Select the cast unit to which you want to add the part.
Changing the cast unit main part

To change the main part in a cast unit:
1. Optional: To check what is currently the main part of the cast unit, click Tools > Inquire
> Assembly Objects.
3. Select the new main part.
4. Right-click and select Set as New Main Part of Assembly from the pop-up menu.
Removing objects from a cast unit

To remove objects from a cast unit:
1. Click Modeling > Cast Unit > Remove From.
2. Select the objects you want to remove.
Highlighting objects in a cast unit

Use the Inquire tool to check which objects belong to a particular cast unit.
To highlight objects in a cast unit:
1. Click Tools > Inquire > Assembly Objects.
2. Select a part that belongs to a cast unit.
Tekla Structures highlights the other parts that belong to the same cast unit. The
following colors are used:
Object type Highlight color

Concrete - main part magenta
Concrete - secondary part cyan
Reinforcement blue
Steel part - main part orange
Steel part - secondary part yellow
Exploding a cast unit

To explode a cast unit:
1. Click Modeling > Cast Unit > Explode.
2. Select an object in the cast unit you want to explode.
Defining the cast unit type

Tekla Structures checks the cast unit type of the cast unit main part each time you create or
modify a cast unit. Tekla Structures does not mix precast and cast-in-place parts inside a cast
unit.
To define whether a concrete part is precast or cast in place:
1. Double-click a concrete part to open the concrete part properties dialog box.
2. Go to the Cast unit tab.
3. In the Cast unit type list box, select Precast or Cast in place.
Casting direction
To indicate the casting direction of a concrete part, you can define which part face you want to
have on top of the casting form. The top-in-form face is displayed in the front view of a
drawing.
Tekla Structures highlights the top-in-form face in red:
In drawings, use the Fixed coordinate system to show the top-in-form

face in the front view.

Defining the casting direction of a part (p. 84)
Defining the casting direction of a part

To define the casting direction of a concrete part:
1. Select a concrete part.
2. Right-click and select Cast Unit > Set Top in Form Face.
3. Select the part face that will face upwards in the form.
See also Casting direction (p. 84)
Showing the top-in-form face

To display the top-in-form face of a concrete part:
1. Select a concrete part.
2. Right-click and select Cast Unit > Show Top in Form Face.
To hide the top-in-form face again, right-click the view and select
Update Window from the pop-up menu.
See also Casting direction (p. 84)
4 Detailing Structures
This section explains how to create details using Tekla Structures. It also gives you some
techniques for fine-tuning part shapes.
Contents • Bolts (p. 85)

• Holes (p. 89)
• Welds (p. 91)
• Surface treatment (p. 95)
• Fine-tuning part shape (p. 104)
• Combining parts (p. 116)
• Splitting parts (p. 117)
4.1 Bolts
To create bolts, you can either create a single bolt group or apply a component that
automatically creates bolt groups.
Detailing Structures
For more information on using components to automatically create bolt groups, see Defining
bolts and welds in the Detailing Manual.
You can create different part marks for holes and bolts in drawings.
You cannot use bolt elements (such as screws, washers, and nuts) while creating holes, as Tekla
Structures uses the same command for creating bolts and holes.
See also Creating a bolt group (p. 86)

Creating a single bolt (p. 88)
Changing or adding bolted parts (p. 88)
The bolt and bolt assembly catalogs
Creating a bolt group

To create a bolt group:
1. Optional: Modify the bolt properties.
2. Click Detailing > Bolts > Create Bolts.
3. Select the main part, to which the secondary parts will be bolted.
4. Select the secondary parts.
5. Click the middle mouse button to finish selecting parts.
6. Pick a point, which is the bolt group origin.
7. Pick a second point to indicate the bolt group x direction.
You can also create a new bolt group by modifying an existing one. In
most cases it is easier to create bolt groups by applying a component that
includes bolt groups.
To create new bolts by modifying an existing bolt group:
1. Apply a component.
2. Explode the component.
3. Modify the bolt group.
See also Bolts (p. 85)

Bolt properties (p. 227)
Bolt group shape (p. 86)
Bolt group position (p. 87)
Bolt offsets (p. 88)
Bolt group shape

You have the following options for bolt group shape:
• Array for rectangular
• Circle for circular
• xy list for any shape
Tekla Structures uses the values of the Bolt dist X and Bolt dist Y fields to determine how
many bolts the bolt group contains, as shown in the table below:
Shape Bolt dist X Bolt dist Y
Array Spacing between bolts, in the x Spacing between bolts, in the y
direction of the bolt group. direction of the bolt group.
Circle Number of bolts. Diameter of the bolt group.
xy list x coordinate of each bolt, from y coordinate of each bolt, from the
the bolt group point of origin. bolt group point of origin.
Examples
Bolt group shape Dimensions Picture

Array Bolt dist X: 150
Bolt dist Y: 100
Circle Number of bolts: 6

Diameter: 100
xy list Bolt dist X: 75 175 250

Bolt dist Y: 75 -50 0
Bolt group position

Tekla Structures determines the location of the bolt group using the following values:
• Bolt group x axis
• Work plane
Dimensions are relative to the bolt group origin, which is the first point you pick when
creating a bolt group. Tekla Structures sets the x direction of a bolt group using the second
point picked.
It is important that the points you pick to create the bolt group are close enough to the parts you
want to connect.
Bolt offsets
You can use offsets to change the position of the bolt group. Offsets move the bolt group by
moving the x axis of the bolt group.
The starting point values Dx, Dy and Dz move the first end of the bolt group, relative to the bolt
group x axis. The end point values move the second end of the bolt group.
• A positive Dx value moves the starting point towards the end point.
• Dy moves the end point perpendicular to the bolt group x axis on the current work plane.
• Dz moves the end point perpendicular to the current work plane.
Example An example bolt group with the Dx starting point set to 75:
Creating a single bolt

To create a single bolt:
2. Under Bolt group, select Array from the Shape list box.
3. In the Bolt dist X and Bolt dist Y fields, type 0.
4. Click Apply to save the changes.
5. Create the bolt the same way you would create a bolt group. Follow the instructions on
the status bar.

Bolt properties (p. 227)
Creating a bolt group (p. 86)
Changing or adding bolted parts

To change the parts a bolt group connects to:
1. Click Detailing > Bolts > Edit Bolted Parts.
2. When prompted, reselect the main and secondary parts.
Tekla Structures automatically updates bolt length to suit these changes.
4.2 Holes
Tekla Structures uses the same command for creating bolts and holes. Before creating holes,
you need to change some of the properties in the Bolt Properties dialog box.
If you want to create only holes without any bolts, clear all the Include in bolt assembly check
boxes:
You can create the following types of holes:

• Round
• Oversized
• Slotted
• Tapped
See also Creating round holes (p. 89)

Creating oversized holes (p. 90)
Creating slotted holes (p. 90)
Creating round holes

Tekla Structures calculates the diameter of a round hole as the sum of Bolt size and Tolerance.
To create round holes:
2. Optional: Modify the hole properties.
3. If you do not want to create any bolts, clear all the Include in bolt assembly check
boxes.
5. Create the holes the same way you would create a bolt group. Follow the instructions on
the status bar.
See also Holes (p. 89)

Creating slotted holes
To create slotted holes:
2. To indicate which parts should be slotted, select the desired Parts with slotted holes
check boxes.
Tekla Structures counts the pieces of steel from the head of the bolt down. For example,
if you select the second check box from the head of the bolt, Tekla Structures slots the
second piece of steel from the head of the bolt.
boxes.
4. In the Hole type list box, select Slotted.
5. Enter the allowance for the slotted hole in the x and y directions of the hole group using
the Slotted hole X or Slotted hole Y fields.
Tolerance
Slotted hole X or Y
Bolt size
6. Optional: In the Rotate slots list box, select Even or Odd to rotate alternate holes by 90
degrees.
Crossing slotted holes to odd or even parts
Parallel slotted holes

the status bar.

Creating oversized holes

To create oversized holes:
2. Select the desired Parts with slotted holes check boxes to indicate which plies of the
connection get oversized holes.
boxes.
4. In the Hole type list box, select Oversized.
5. In the Oversize field, enter the allowance for the oversized hole.
You can also use a negative value to create smaller (tapped) holes.
the status bar.

4.3 Welds
You can either create a weld manually, or use a component that automatically creates welds.
The following types of welds can be created manually:
• Weld between parts
Tekla Structures welds two parts together using the weld position defined in the Weld
Properties dialog box. The length of the weld depends on the length of the connection
between the welded parts.
• Polygon weld
You define the exact position of the weld by picking the points you want the weld to
traverse.
• Single-part weld
Tekla Structures creates a weld to a single part, without connecting any other parts.
See also Creating a weld between parts (p. 91)

Creating a polygon weld (p. 93)
Creating a weld to a part (p. 94)
Weld preparation (p. 94)
Creating a weld between parts

To weld parts together:
1. Optional: Modify the weld properties.
2. Click Detailing > Weld > Create Weld between Parts.
3. Select the part to weld to.
If you are creating a workshop weld, this is the main part of the assembly.
4. Select the part to be welded.
If you are creating a workshop weld, this is the secondary part of the assembly.
Main part
Secondary part
See also Welds (p. 91)

Weld properties (p. 229)
Weld position (p. 92)
Weld size prefixes (p. 93)
Weld position
You define the position of a weld relative to the work plane. The type and position of the parts
to be welded affect the position of the weld.
The options for weld position are:
• x
• y
• z
These can all be in a positive or negative direction. Tekla Structures creates the weld on the
face or side of the part that faces in the selected direction (x, y, or z).
Example The following image shows welds in different positions. If there are no faces that touch in the
specified direction, Tekla Structures places the weld relative to the center point of the
secondary part.
Weld size prefixes
The weld size prefix is shown in drawings, but only if the Size checkbox is also selected.
The following table describes the standard ISO 2553 prefixes:
Prefix Description
a Design throat thickness
s Penetration throat thickness
z Leg length
Creating a polygon weld

To weld parts together using a polygon:
1. Click Detailing > Weld > Create Polygon Weld.
2. Select the part to weld to.
If you are creating a workshop weld, this is the main part of the assembly.
3. Select the part to be welded.
If you are creating a workshop weld, this is the secondary part of the assembly.
4. Pick the starting and end point, or alternatively, pick the points you want the weld to go
through.
5. Click the middle mouse button to create the weld.
Creating a weld to a part

To create a weld to a part, without connecting any other parts:
1. Click Detailing > Weld > Create Weld to Part.
2. Select the part that you want to weld.
3. Pick the starting and end point, or alternatively, pick the points you want the weld to go
through.
4. Click the middle mouse button to create the weld.
Example Use the Create Weld to Part command to weld seams in tubular sections:
To model tubular sections with visible seams, use the SPD profile.
Weld preparation
When parts are prepared for welding, their edges can be beveled to produce a groove for the
weld. You can define the angle of bevels and grooves.
You can either prepare a part for welding manually, or apply a component that does it
automatically.
To prevent automatic weld preparation, set the variable

XS_DISABLE_WELD_PREP_SOLID to TRUE in your environment
initialization file.

Manually preparing a part for welding (p. 94)
Welded connections
Manually preparing a part for welding

Before you start, create a cutting part and position it through the part you want to cut.
To manually prepare a part to be welded:
1. Click Detailing > Weld > Prepare Part for Welding.
2. Select the part that you want to cut.
3. Select the cutting part.
The part to be cut
The cutting part
Cuts are displayed using dash-and-dot lines
See also Weld preparation (p. 94)
4.4 Surface treatment

Use the surface treatment tools to add surface treatment to parts. Surface treatment for concrete
parts include flat finishes, surface mixes, and tiles. Surface treatment for steel parts include
fire-proofing and unpainted areas, for example. Surface treatments are visible only in rendered
views.
When you redefine the properties of a part (e.g. you change the size of a part), Tekla Structures
automatically modifies the surface treatment to fit the part.
When you create overlapping surface treatments, the smaller surface treatment overrides the
larger one. The overlapping area is recognized in reports: only the topmost (visible) surface
treatment is calculated.
See also Modifying surface treatment properties (p. 96)
Adding surface treatment to parts (p. 96)
Creating new surface treatment options (p. 99)
Tiled surface treatment (p. 100)
Modifying surface treatment properties

To define the properties of a surface treatment:
1. Click Detailing > Properties > Surface Treatment... to open the Surface Treatment
2. In the Type list box, select the type of surface treatment to use.
3. In the Surface treatment name list box, select the specific surface treatment.
4. Click the Select... to select a material from the catalog.
5. Enter the Thickness of the surface treatment.
6. Set the Color to use to display the surface treatment in rendered views.
7. In the At depth list box, select the location of the surface treatment. The options are
Middle, Front, and Behind.
8. Optional: To define the properties of a tiled surface treatment:
a On the Attributes tab, select Tile surface from the Type list box.
b On the Pattern tab, select the pattern from the Pattern type list box.
c The Definition table lists the properties of the pattern type.
9. Click Apply or OK to save the surface treatment properties.
See also Surface treatment (p. 95)
Adding surface treatment to parts

This section explains how to add surface treatment to a part.

Adding surface treatment to a selected area (p. 97)
Adding surface treatment to a part face (p. 97)
Adding surface treatment to all faces of a part (p. 97)
Adding surface treatment to cut faces (p. 97)
Surface treatment on chamfered parts (p. 98)
Surface treatment on parts with openings and recesses (p. 98)
Adding surface treatment to a selected area
To add surface treatment to a selected area on the face of a part:
1. Click Detailing > Create Surface Treatment > To Selected Area on Part Face.
2. Pick the origin of the surface treatment.
3. Pick a point to indicate the direction of the surface treatment.
4. Select an area of the part face to apply the surface treatment to.
a Move the mouse cursor over a part. The faces that you can select appear in blue.
b Select the part face.
c Pick three or more points on the part face to define a polygonal area.
See also Adding surface treatment to parts (p. 96)

Modifying surface treatment properties (p. 96)
Adding surface treatment to a part face

To add surface treatment to the entire face of a part:
1. Click Detailing > Create Surface Treatment > To Part Face.
3. Pick a point to indicate the direction of the surface treatment.
4. Select the part to apply the surface treatment to.
a Move the mouse cursor over a part. The faces that you can select appear in blue.
b Select the part face.

Adding surface treatment to all faces of a part

To add surface treatment to all faces of a part:
1. Click Detailing > Create Surface Treatment > To All Faces of Part.
2. Select the part to apply the surface treatment to.

Adding surface treatment to cut faces

To add surface treatment to cut faces:
1. Click Detailing > Create Surface Treatment, and then select either To Part Face or To
Selected Area on Part Face.
3. Pick the direction.
4. Select the cut face to apply the surface treatment to:
5. If you are using the To Selected Area on Part Face command, pick the points to define
the area of the surface treatment.

Surface treatment on chamfered parts

Take these things into account when adding surface treatment to chamfered parts:
• Surface treatment does not work on sketched profiles with chamfers.
• Add surface treatment before chamfering the part. If surface treatment is applied to a
chamfered part, the surface treatment chamfer cannot be modified later on.
• The chamfers for the main part and surface treatment are separate. Modifying the main
part chamfer does not affect the surface treatment chamfer.
• The orientation of unsymmetric chamfers depends on the face where it was created (such
as top, bottom, left, or right). To change the orientation of an unsymmetric chamfer, you
must swap the chamfer's x and y values.
Surface treatment on parts with openings and recesses

To force Tekla Structures to consider openings and recesses in parts when adding surface
treatment, select the Cut by father part cuts checkbox in the Surface Treatment Properties
dialog box.
The green surface treatment has the Cut by father part cuts check box
selected
The tiled surface treatment is not cut by the cut in the part: Cut by father
part cuts is not selected.
If you use the To All Faces of Part command and select the Cut by
father part cuts checkbox, Tekla Structures automatically adds surface
treatment also to the cut faces.

Creating new surface treatment options
You can add new options to the Surface treatment name list box in the Surface Treatment
To create new surface treatment options:
1. Open the product_finishes.dat file using any text editor.
The file is located in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system folder.
The first section of the file defines the available types of surface treatment. Do not edit
this section:
// Product finishes
// -------------------------
//
// Type : Type of surfacing
// 1 = concrete finish
// 2 = special mix
// 3 = tile surface
// 4 = steel finishes
2. Go to the sections that define the options for each type of surface treatment:
// =========================================
// *** Concrete Finish
// =========================================
// WET FINISH
// ----------
1 MF "Magnesium Float"
1 SMF "Smooth Magnesium Float"
1 WT "Wet Trowel"
3. Add rows to define new options.

a Define the surface treatment type. For example, 1 for concrete finish.
b Define a code for the surface treatment option. For example, MF for Magnesium
Float.
c Define the full name of the surface treatment option. For example, Magnesium
Float. Remember to enclose the name in double quotes " ".
4. Save the file.
Tiled surface treatment
Tekla Structures includes complex tile and brick surface treatment options, such as
basketweave and herringbone patterns. Tiled surface treatment options are based on repeating
tile patterns that are stored in XML format.

Creating new tile patterns (p. 100)
Example pattern definition (p. 101)
Creating new tile patterns

To create new tile patterns:
1. Open the TilePatternCatalog.xml file using any text editor.
Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system folder.
2. Add a new <TilePattern> element to the file.

The <TilePattern> element must have <HOffset> and <VOffset> elements and at
least one <Tile> element. Other elements are optional.
You may find it easier to copy one of the existing elements, and then
modify it to suit your needs.
3. Repeat adding <TilePattern> elements for all the patterns you want to define.
4. Save the TilePatternCatalog.xml file.
See also Tiled surface treatment (p. 100)

Example pattern definition (p. 101)
Tile pattern definitions (p. 103)
Tile pattern elements (p. 104)
Example pattern definition

This example explains how the Basketweave tile pattern is defined in the
TilePatternCatalog.xml file.
The Basketweave pattern block is made up of eight tiles:
Tile width
Mortar width
VOffset
HOffset
Red marks indicate TileOrigin. Angle value for vertical tiles is 90

Tile height
Mortar height
The pattern is repeated in the x and y direction of the surface treatment, starting from the origin
of the surface treatment. You can run the pattern in different x directions:
In the TilePatternCatalog.xml file, the pattern is defined as follows:

The name of the pattern
The size of the pattern block in the x direction, after which the pattern
repeats
The size of the pattern block in the y direction, after which the pattern
repeats
The definition file uses the same symbols as the pattern definition table in the Surface
Treatment Properties dialog box:
See also Creating new tile patterns (p. 100)

Tile pattern definitions (p. 103)
Tile pattern elements (p. 104)
Tile pattern definitions

The predefined tile patterns that are available in the Surface Treatment Properties dialog box
are stored in the following files:
File Description
TilePatternCatalog.xml • Contains the tile pattern definitions.
• Located in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments
\<environment>\system folder.
TilePatternCatalog.dtd • Document Type Declaration (DTD) file that
defines the elements allowed in the
• Located in the same folder as the
Thumbnail images • The images that appear in the Picture field in the
Surface Treatment Properties dialog box.
• Located in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps
folder.
• Filenames identify the pattern types. For example,
herringbone.bmp illustrates the herringbone
pattern type.

Tile pattern elements
The TilePatternCatalog.xml file can contain the following elements:
Element Description
TilePatternCatalog The container for tile patterns. Required.
TilePattern Tile pattern element. Required. This element can contain the
following elements listed in this table.
HOffset Horizontal offset of the tile pattern. Required.
VOffset Vertical offset of the tile pattern. Required.
Tile The individual tiles used in a tile pattern. At least one
required.
Color Color of the tile or mortar, defined by the RGB values (0–
255). Optional.
Parameter Creates an attribute for any element in the TilePattern.
Optional.
Label The label that identifies a parameter in the dialog box.
Optional.
TileOrigin The origin of an individual tile, defined from the origin of the
pattern. Optional.
4.5 Fine-tuning part shape

This section describes the various tools you can use to fine-tune the shape of a part.
See also Chamfers (p. 104)

Fittings (p. 108)
Cuts (p. 109)
Modifying the shape of a polygon (p. 112)
Warping concrete parts (p. 113)
Cambering parts (p. 115)
Shortening and lengthening parts (p. 115)
Combining parts (p. 116)
Splitting parts (p. 117)
Chamfers
Chamfers are modeling details that can be used to refine the shape of parts for aesthetic,
practical, and manufacturing reasons. In Tekla Structures, you can chamfer part corners and
part edges.
Limitations Only the following parts have corner chamfers: contour plates, concrete slabs, and parts that
you create by picking more than two points (strip footings, steel and concrete polybeams, and
concrete panels).
The end points of a part do not have corner chamfers. The handles that you select must be at
corner points or between two segments of a part.

See also Fine-tuning part shape (p. 104)
Chamfering part corners (p. 105)
Chamfering part edges (p. 107)
Chamfering part corners

When Tekla Structures creates a part, by default it has a rectangular chamfer at each corner,
which does not change the geometry of the part. You can modify the default chamfers.
To modify a corner chamfer:

1. Select the part.
2. Double-click the handle of any part corner.
The Chamfer Properties dialog box is displayed.
3. Modify the chamfer properties.
4. Select the handles of the part corners you want to modify.
5. Click Modify.
See also Chamfers (p. 104)

Corner chamfer properties (p. 232)
Corner chamfer types and dimensions (p. 105)
Polybeam chamfers (p. 106)
Corner chamfer types and dimensions

Straight chamfers can have different dimensions in two directions. Tekla Structures only uses
one dimension for curved chamfers.
The coordinates follow the part’s local coordinate system.
The table below describes the chamfer types and dimensions used with the Create Chamfer >
For Part Corner command.

Type Icon Dimensions
None x: not used
y: not used
Line x:the distance in the x coordinate direction from the
corner
y: the distance in the y coordinate direction from the
corner
Rounding x: the radius
y: not used
Arc x: the radius
y: not used
Arc point x: not used
y: not used
Square The chamfer is perpendicular to the edges.
x: the distance in the x coordinate direction from the
corner
corner
Square The chamfer is parallel to the opposite edge.
parallel
x: the distance in the x coordinate direction from the
corner
corner
Line and x (if smaller than y): the arc radius
arc
x (if bigger than y): the distance in the x coordinate
direction from the corner
y (if smaller than x): the arc radius
y (if bigger than x): the distance in the y coordinate
direction from the corner
See also Chamfering part corners (p. 105)
Polybeam chamfers
By default, Tekla Structures places a rectangular corner chamfer between each polybeam
segment. You can modify the default chamfers.
Tekla Structures shows the status of polybeam chamfers using the following colors:

Color Description Example
Magenta Correct chamfer
Yellow Correct chamfer that

cannot be unfolded
Red Incorrect chamfer
To see the chamfer lines of polybeams, set the advanced option

XS_DRAW_CHAMFERS_HANDLES to CHAMFERS.
Chamfering part edges

To chamfer the edge of a part:
1. Click Detailing > Create Chamfer > For Part Edge.
2. Select the part you want to chamfer.
3. Pick a point where you want the chamfer to start on the part edge.
4. Pick a second point where you want the chamfer to end on the part edge.
Tekla Structures displays the chamfer in light blue color.
5. Optional: Modify the chamfer.
a Double-click the chamfer to open the Edge Chamfer Properties dialog box.
b Modify the chamfer properties.

c Click OK.
6. Right-click the view and select Redraw View.
Tekla Structures removes the chamfered edge.
See also Edge chamfer properties (p. 232)

Chamfers (p. 104)
Fittings
You can fit the end of a part to a plane by creating a straight cutting line between two points you
pick.
You can use fittings to extend or shorten parts inside a component, which makes it easier to
create connections, details, and so on. Do not use fittings to otherwise change the length of a
part in the model.
A fitting adjusts the end of a beam on a plane, perpendicular to the view plane, which passes
through the cutting line you pick. Fittings cannot be used on contour plates.
Fitting symbol

Creating a fitting (p. 108)
Creating a fitting
To create a fitting:
1. Click Detailing > Fit Part End.
2. Select the part you want to cut with a fitting.
3. Pick the first point of the cutting line.
4. Pick the second point of the cutting line.

Do not apply a second fitting on the same part end, because then Tekla
Structures will ignore the first fitting. This happens if you use the Fit
Part End command for cutting and try to make two cuts on the same part
end. In situations like this, use the Cut Part commands instead.
See also Fittings (p. 108)
Cuts
You can use cuts to shape a part. Do not use cuts for cutting the entire part end.
See also Cutting parts with a line (p. 111)

Cutting parts with a polygon (p. 111)
Cutting parts with another part (p. 112)
Hiding cut lines in a view (p. 240)
Cutting efficiently (p. 240)
Line cuts
A line cut cuts the end of a beam on a plane that passes through the line you pick. Tekla
Structures displays the cut line using dash-and-dot lines.
Cut lines are hidden
By default, line cuts do not affect beam length in NC files. For more information on how to
change this, see Fittings affect NC data.
See also Cutting parts with a line (p. 111)
Polygon cuts
A polygon cut cuts a part using a polygonal shape. Tekla Structures displays the cut using dash-
and-dot lines. You must create cuts in a plane view.

Polygon-shaped cut
You should always define the polygon so that there is some tolerance
between the edges. If the edge of a cutting polygon is in exactly the same
position as the edge of the part to be cut, it can be unclear whether the
edge should be cut away.
See also Cutting parts with a polygon (p. 111)
Part cuts
You can cut a part using another part. Tekla Structures displays the cut using dash-and-dot
lines.
You can cut parts that already have cuts. This can be useful, for example, when you want to
create more sophisticated cut shapes.

Do not create cuts with the same planes or vertices. This makes it
unclear what should be cut away.
See also Cutting parts with another part (p. 112)
Cutting parts with a line

Use line cuts to shape the end of a beam or column.
To cut a part with a line:
1. Click Detailing > Cut Part > With Line.
2. Select the part you want to cut.
3. Pick the first point of the cutting line.
4. Pick the second point of the cutting line.
5. Pick the side you want to remove.
See also Cuts (p. 109)

Line cuts (p. 109)
Cutting parts with a polygon

To cut a part using a polygonal shape:
1. Ensure that the work plane is on the plane you are cutting on.
For example, if you are creating a polygonal cut on the yz plane, you should temporarily
set your work plane to the yz plane as well.
2. Click Detailing > Cut Part > With Polygon.
4. Pick positions to outline the polygon to be used for cutting.
5. To close the polygon, click the middle mouse button or click Edit > Finish Polygon
Input.

Polygon cuts (p. 109)

Cutting parts with another part
Before you start, create a cutting part and position it through the part you want to cut.
To cut a part with another part:
1. Click Detailing > Cut Part > With Another Part
3. Select the cutting part.
Tekla Structures cuts the selected main part. The part cut does not affect other parts.
4. Delete the cutting part.
a Ensure that the Select cuts and fittings selection switch is off.
b Select the cutting part and press Delete.

Part cuts (p. 110)
Modifying the shape of a polygon

You can modify the shape of the following polygonal parts: steel and concrete polybeams,
contour plates, concrete slabs, concrete panels, and strip footings.
To modify the shape of a polygonal part:
1. Select the part you want to modify.
2. Click Detailing > Modify Polygon Shape.
3. Pick an existing corner (1).
4. Pick new corners for the polygon (2, 3).
5. Pick another existing corner (4).
6. Pick the corner to remove (5).
Alternatively, move the handles using drag-and-drop or the Move

command.
See also Moving an object

Moving an object using drag-and-drop
Part position (p. 57)

Warping concrete parts
Use the following methods to warp concrete parts:
To Do this
Warp a concrete beam Use the deforming options in the part
Warp a concrete slab Move the chamfers.

Warping a beam using deformation angles (p. 113)
Warping a concrete slab by moving chamfers (p. 113)
Warping a Floor Bay (66) slab (p. 114)
Warping a beam using deformation angles

To warp a beam:
1. Double-click the beam to open the Beam properties dialog box.
2. Go to the Deforming tab.
3. In the Start field, enter the angle of the beam at its start point, relative to the part
reference line.
4. In the End field, enter the angle of the beam at its end point, relative to the part reference
line.
For example, to warp the beam 45 degrees at the end point, type 0 in the Start angle
field and 45 in the End angle field.
5. Click Modify to warp the beam.
6. Click OK to close the dialog box.
See also Warping concrete parts (p. 113)
Warping a concrete slab by moving chamfers

Before you start, create a concrete slab by using the Create concrete slab command.
To warp a concrete slab by moving the chamfers:
1. Double-click a chamfer to open the Chamfer Properties dialog box.
2. Modify the chamfer properties.
• To move the upper corner of the chamfer, use the dz1 field.
• To move the lower corner of the chamfer, use the dz2 field.
3. Click Modify to warp the slab.

Warping a Floor Bay (66) slab

Before you start, create a concrete slab by using the Modeling of floor bay (66) component.
To warp a Floor Bay (66) slab by moving chamfers:
1. Ensure that the Select components selection switch is on.
2. Select the chamfer you want to move.
For example, select the corner point of a slab component to warp that end of the slab:
3. Right-click and select Move Special > Linear from the pop-up menu.
4. In the Move - Linear dialog box, type a value in the appropriate direction field.
For example, type 100 in the dZ field to lift that corner up 100 mm.
5. Click Move.
Tekla Structures moves the point in the direction you selected, which warps the slabs.
6. Right-click and select Interrupt from the pop-up menu to finish.

7. Ensure that the Select objects in components selection switch is on.
8. To see the warping angle of a single slab, double-click a slab to open the Beam
properties dialog box, and go to the Deforming tab.
• The Start field shows the warping angle at the start point of the part.
• The End field shows the warping angle at the end point of the part.

Cambering parts
You can use cambering to pre-camber parts, in other words, to curve long heavy sections that
will settle on site and become flat.
Use cambering to show the natural camber of a prestressed part in a model. Cambering affects
the position of cuts, skews, and embeds in the model.
Tekla Structures cambers parts in the local z direction.
The cambering functionality is available only in the Full and Precast

Concrete Detailing configurations.

Cambering a part (p. 115)
Cambering a part
To camber a part:
3. In the Cambering field, define the degree of camber.
4. Click Modify.
See also Cambering parts (p. 115)
Shortening and lengthening parts

Use the shortening functionality to make the drawing of a part longer or shorter than the part in
the model. This can be useful for adding length to concrete precast parts in the cast condition
while the model stays in the erected state. The most common use for this is to account for
prestressing elastic shortening, where the part actually shrinks a fraction of an inch after casting
and after the strands are cut.
When drawings are created, Tekla Structures decreases the true length of the part by the value
defined in the Shortening field. Shortening is applied linearly along the length in drawings.
Shortening affects the dimensions of the part and dimensions to objects inside the part.
Shortening does not affect the geometry of the actual objects inside the part, including the
template output.

The shortening functionality is available only in the Full and Precast
Concrete Detailing configurations.

Shortening a part in drawings (p. 116)
Lengthening a part in drawings (p. 116)
Shortening a part in drawings

To shorten a part in drawings:
3. In the Shortening field, define the degree of shortening.
4. Click Modify.
See also Shortening and lengthening parts (p. 115)
Lengthening a part in drawings

To have a concrete part lengthened in cast unit drawings, you must enter a negative value for
shortening in the part properties dialog box.
To lengthen a part in drawings:
3. In the Shortening field, enter a negative value.
For example, -20 would result in a part that is cast 20 units longer than the part in the
model.
4. Click Modify.
See also Shortening and lengthening parts (p. 115)
4.6 Combining parts

You can combine existing parts in Tekla Structures. This can be useful when you want to model
complex parts (such as folded plates) that are otherwise difficult to model, or when you want to
model prefabricated parts that are delivered to the workshop already attached to profiles.
When you select the parts you want to combine, the part properties of the part that is selected
first are used for the combined part.
You can add the new combined part to another combined part. Cuts and fittings can also be
applied to combined parts.
See also Combining two parts into one (p. 116)

Attaching a part to another part (p. 117)
Combining two parts into one

To combine two parts into one:

1. Click Edit > Combine.
2. Select the first part.
3. Select the second part.
If the centerlines of the part are not in line with each other, the centerlines are combined by
taking the largest distance between the start and end points from both parts.
Combining does not work for contour plates or polybeams.
When you combine parts, Tekla Structures retains the attached objects
and connections. Tekla Structures does not recreate connections in the
part that was selected first.
See also Combining parts (p. 116)
Attaching a part to another part

To attach a part to another part:
1. Click Detailing > Attach Part.
2. Select the part to attach to.
3. Select the part you want to attach.
See also Combining parts (p. 116)
4.7 Splitting parts

You can split a part into two parts in Tekla Structures.
You can use splitting with straight parts, curved beams without offsets, or normal and tapered
reinforcing bar groups. You can also split plates and slabs by using a polygon. You cannot split
polybeams.

See also Splitting a straight or curved part (p. 118)
Splitting a plate or slab (p. 118)
Splitting a straight or curved part

To split a straight or curved part:
1. Click Edit > Split.
2. Select the part you want to split.
3. Pick a point for the dividing line.
See also Splitting parts (p. 117)
Splitting a plate or slab

To split a plate or slab by using a polygon:
1. Click Edit > Split.
2. Select the part you want to split.
3. Pick positions to outline the polygon to be used for splitting.
4. Click the middle mouse button to close the polygon and to split the part.
When you pick the corner points of the polygon to be used for splitting,
make sure the starting and end points are:
• outside of the part, and
• on the same side of the part.
If you split contour plates that have bolts, welds or surface treatments,
check the result after splitting.
See also Splitting parts (p. 117)

5 Examining the Model
This section describes a variety of tools you can use to view your model and ensure it does not
contain errors
Contents • Viewing the model (p. 119)

• Inquiring the model (p. 126)
• Showing and hiding objects (p. 128)
• Visualizing project status (p. 135)
• Checking the model (p. 142)
5.1 Viewing the model

To see your Tekla Structures model from virtually any angle, you can move and rotate the
model.
See also Zooming the model (p. 119)

Rotating the model (p. 121)
Moving the model (p. 122)
Flying through the model (p. 123)
Creating a clip plane (p. 124)
Creating a screenshot (p. 124)
Zooming the model

The commands on the View > Zoom menu allow you to focus in on a particular area, or pull out
for a wider view. You can use a mouse, keyboard shortcuts, or a combination of both.
To zoom in or out in a model:
• Scroll with the mouse wheel.
Scroll forward to zoom in, and backward to zoom out.

Examining the Model
If you do not have a wheel mouse, use the commands on the View >
Zoom menu to zoom in or out in the model. For more information on
each command, see the corresponding menu tooltip.
See also Viewing the model (p. 119)

Modifying the zoom settings (p. 120)
Zooming with keyboard shortcuts (p. 120)
Zooming with Magnifier (p. 120)
Modifying the zoom settings

To modify zoom settings, do any of the following:
To Do this
Keep the center point of the view in Click Tools > Options > Centered Zooms.
the middle of the view window
If this option is off, the mouse pointer position
determines the center point of zooming.
Define the zoom ratio when using a Use the advanced option
3-button mouse XS_ZOOM_STEP_RATIO.
Define the zoom ratio when scrolling Use the advanced option
XS_ZOOM_STEP_RATIO_IN_MOUSEWHEE
L_MODE.
Define the zoom ratio when scrolling Use the advanced option
and holding down the wheel XS_ZOOM_STEP_RATIO_IN_SCROLL_MO
DE.
Zooming with keyboard shortcuts

To zoom by using keyboard shortcuts:
1. Place the mouse pointer over the model.
• To zoom in, press Page Up.
• To zoom out, press Page Down.
Zooming with Magnifier

The Magnifier tool is useful when you need to keep a general view of the model open, and
examine particular areas in detail at the same time. Magnifier works only in wire frame views.
To zoom by using Magnifier:
1. Open a wire frame view of the model.
2. Create a zoom window.
b In the View type list box, select Wire frame.
c Click Modify.
d Click View > Zoom > Create Zoom Window.

Examining the Model
e Click a starting corner for the zoom window, and then drag the pointer to size the
window.
3. Click the Magnifier icon.
As you move the pointer in the general view, the zoom window displays the area around
the pointer in detail.
4. To change the level of magnification, zoom in and out in the zoom window.
Rotating the model

You can use the mouse, keyboard shortcuts, menu commands, or a combination of these
techniques to rotate the model in rendered views. In wire frame views, only menu commands
and keyboard shortcuts can be used to rotate the model.
To rotate the model, use any of the following methods:

Examining the Model
To Do this
Rotate using the middle mouse 1. Hold down the Ctrl key and click and drag with the
button middle mouse button to rotate the model.
2. To relocate the center of rotation, press v, and then
pick a position in the view.
Tekla Structures rotates the model around this view
point.
Rotate using the left mouse 1. Press Ctrl + R.
button 2. Pick a position in the view.
Tekla Structures rotates the model around this view
point.
3. Click and drag with the left mouse button to rotate
the model.
Rotate using menu commands or • Click View > Rotate and select one of the
keyboard shortcuts commands.
The center of rotation is fixed in the center of the
work area.
For more information on each command, see the
corresponding menu tooltip.
Automatically set the rotation 1. Click Tools > Options > Automatic Rotation
center Center to switch on automatic rotation centering.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key and click and drag with the
middle mouse button to rotate the model.
The rotation center is automatically set at the
location you clicked.
Tip: When Automatic Rotation Center is switched
off, you can temporarily activate it by holding
down Ctrl + Shift while you click and drag with
the middle mouse button.
Define a specific rotation angle 1. Double-click the view to open the View Properties
dialog box.
2. Type a rotation angle in the Rotation around Z or
Rotation around X field.
3. Click Modify.
See also Rotation settings (p. 213)

Viewing the model (p. 119)
Moving the model

To move the entire model, use any of the following methods:

Examining the Model
To Do this
Move the model using the middle 1. To activate the middle button pan, click Tools >
mouse button Options > Middle Button Pan, or Shift+M. A
checkmark appears next to the menu option if the
middle button pan is already active.
2. Hold down the middle mouse button and drag the
model anywhere within the view window.
Move the model using the Pan 1. Press P or click View > Move > Pan to activate
command dynamic panning,
The mouse pointer changes to a hand.
2. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the
mouse anywhere within the view window.
3. To stop panning, press Esc.
Move the model using keyboard Do one of the following:
shortcuts or menu commands
• Use the up, down, left and right arrows on the
keyboard.
• Click View > Move and then select one of the
commands.
Flying through the model

Using the Fly command, you can travel through a model, changing direction and varying the
speed as you go. You can also adjust the field of view setting, which can be useful when flying
in a tight space.
To fly through a model:
1. Set view projection to Perspective.
b In the Projection list box, select Perspective.
c Click Modify.
2. Optional: Adjust the field of view setting.
a Click Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Model View.
b Modify the advanced option XS_RENDERED_FIELD_OF_VIEW.
c Click OK.
3. Click View > Fly.
4. Select a view. The mouse pointer changes into an arrow and a cross. The arrow indicates
the current flying direction.
5. Drag the mouse to move around in the model.

• To change the flying direction, drag the mouse in the desired direction.
The flying speed grows exponentially when you are approaching the model from a
distance.
• To move up or down, hold down Ctrl and drag the mouse forward or backward.
• To change the camera angle, scroll with the mouse wheel.

Examining the Model
• To fly in the in the direction of the camera angle, hold down Shift and scroll
forward or backward.
6. To stop flying, press Esc.
See also XS_RENDERED_FIELD_OF_VIEW

Viewing the model (p. 119)
Creating a clip plane

Clip planes enable you to focus in on the required detail in the model. You can create up to six
clip planes in any rendered model view.
To create a clip plane:
1. Click View > Create Clip Plane.
2. Select a plane. The clip plane symbol appears in the model:
3. Repeat step 2 to create as many clip planes as needed.

4. To finish creating clip planes, press Esc.
5. To move a clip plane, click the clip plane symbol and drag it to a new location.
6. To delete a clip plane, click the clip plane symbol and press Delete.
Creating a screenshot
A screenshot is a picture of a dialog box, view, or the entire Tekla Structures window. You can
use screenshots in posters, brochures, or other material to show projects carried out using Tekla
Structures.
To create a high resolution screenshot of a rendered view:
1. Ensure that the view type is set to Rendered.
2. Click Tools > Screenshot > Custom...

Examining the Model
3. To define which view to create the screenshot from, click Pick view and select a view.
4. Under Capture, select Rendered view.
5. Click Options... The Screenshot Options dialog box appears.
6. Set the desired properties and click OK.
7. Click Capture.
See also Creating a screenshot in Windows Vista (p. 125)

Screenshot settings (p. 214)
Creating a screenshot in Windows Vista

Due to a performance problem in Windows Vista, the screenshot commands might not always
work properly. Use any of the following workarounds to solve this problem:
• Use the command Tools > Screenshot > Custom...
• Adjust the visual effects for best performance in the Performance Options dialog box
in Windows Vista.
• Use the built-in Snipping Tool in Windows Vista to capture screenshots.
See also Creating a screenshot (p. 124)
Saving a screenshot in bitmap format

By default, screenshots are created as Portable Network Graphics (.png) files. You can also
save a screenshot in bitmap (.bmp) format to use it, for example, as a custom component
thumbnail.
To save a screenshot in bitmap format:
1. Click Tools > Screenshot > Custom...
2. Select Place on clipboard.
3. Click Capture.
4. Paste the screenshot in your graphics editor and save it in .bmp format.
The software that you use to open the screenshot may have a limit for the
number of pixels.
Printing a screenshot
You can have Tekla Structures automatically print out a screenshot using the default printer.
To print a screenshot:
1. Click Tools > Screenshot > Print Screenshot to activate automatic printing.
2. Click Tools > Screenshot and select one of the commands:
• To capture the entire Tekla Structures window, select Main Frame.
• To capture the last dialog box displayed, select Dialog.
• To capture the active view, select View.
• To capture the active view without borders, select View without Borders.

Examining the Model
5.2 Inquiring the model
Use the commands on the Tools > Inquire menu to display information about model objects
and model size.
See also Inquiring object properties (p. 126)

Using the Custom Inquiry tool (p. 126)
Inquiring object properties

Use the Inquire object command to display the properties of a particular object, or a group of
objects, within the model.
To inquire object properties:
1. Click Tools > Inquire > Object.
2. Select an object.
Tekla Structures displays the object properties in a separate window.
See also Inquiring the model (p. 126)

Object property report templates (p. 126)
Object property report templates

When you view object properties using the Inquire object command, Tekla Structures uses the
following report templates:
Part type Template

Parts TS_Report_Inquire_Part.rpt
Assemblies TS_Report_Inquire_Assembly.rpt
Cast units TS_Report_Inquire_Cast_Unit.rpt
Welds TS_Report_Inquire_Welding.rpt
Reference models TS_Report_Inquire_Reference.rpt
You can modify these templates according to your needs. For more information on how to use
templates, see the Template Editor user documentation.
See also Inquiring object properties (p. 126)
Using the Custom Inquiry tool

Use the Custom Inquiry tool to display information of the selected model object in a separate
window that you can drag and drop to any position on the screen. By default, the tool shows the
total area, weight, and length of the selected model object.
To display object properties using the Custom Inquiry tool:
1. Click Tools > Inquire > Custom Inquiry....
The Custom Inquiry dialog box appears.
2. Select a part.
Tekla Structures displays the part properties in the tool window.
See also Inquiring the model (p. 126)

Modifying the contents of Custom Inquiry tool (p. 127)

Examining the Model
Adding attributes to Custom Inquiry tool (p. 127)
Modifying the contents of Custom Inquiry tool

You can define what information is displayed in the Custom Inquiry dialog box.
To modify the contents of the tool window:
1. Click Tools > Inquire > Custom Inquiry....
The Custom Inquiry dialog box appears.
2. Click Manage contents...
The Manage Contents dialog box appears. The Attributes list contains all of the
available attributes. The Contents of Custom Inquiry list contains the attributes that are
displayed in the tool window.
3. Optional: Define which attributes are shown in the Attributes list.
• To modify the default attributes, edit the InquiryTool.config file in the
..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\common\macros\modelin
g\InquiryToolAttributes folder.
• To create new calculated attributes, click Add…. You can use standard
mathematical symbols (+, -, *, and /) to form equations.
• To modify the calculated attributes, click Edit....
4. Define which attributes are shown in the tool window.
• To add more attributes to the tool window, click an item in the Attributes list and
then click the right arrow button.
• To remove attributes from the tool window, click an item in the Contents of
Custom Inquiry list and then click the left arrow button.
• To change the order of the attributes, use the Up and Down buttons.
• To change the formula of an attribute, click the down arrow and select a different
formula (SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, or MIN) from the list box.
See also Using the Custom Inquiry tool (p. 126)

Adding attributes to Custom Inquiry tool (p. 127)
Adding attributes to Custom Inquiry tool
Use the InquiryTool.config file to control which attributes are shown as default
attributes in the Manage Contents dialog box in the Custom Inquiry tool. By default, the file
contains 65 attributes. The attributes refer to the contentattributes_global.lst file
located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\nt\TplEd\settings folder.
To add new attributes to the InquiryTool.config file:
1. Open the InquiryTool.config file in any standard text editor.
Structures\<version>\environments\common\macros\modeling\I
nquiryToolAttributes folder.
2. Copy the entire contents of [ATTR_CONTENT_??] to the end of the file.
3. Change the position number of the new attribute.
For example, change [ATTR_CONTENT_??] to [ATTR_CONTENT_66].

Examining the Model
4. Modify the NAME, DISPLAY_NAME, DATATYPE, UNIT, and DECIMAL values of the new
attribute. Use the attribute names and definitions that are included in the
contentattributes_global.lst file.
5. Change the TOTAL_ATTR_CONTENT value to reflect the total number of attributes in the
file.
For example, change TOTAL_ATTR_CONTENT=65 to TOTAL_ATTR_CONTENT=66.
6. Save the file.
See also Using the Custom Inquiry tool (p. 126)
5.3 Showing and hiding objects

The visibility of objects in a view depends on the following settings:
• work area
• view depth
• view settings
• view filter
• object representation settings
Work area and view depth are like two virtual boxes. Objects that have their reference line
partially or totally inside both boxes are visible. Newly created objects are also visible outside
the view depth but never outside the work area. When you redraw a view, only the objects
inside the view depth are displayed.
See also Defining which objects are displayed (p. 128)

Representation options (p. 128)
Hiding selected parts (p. 130)
Hiding unselected parts (p. 131)
Showing parts with exact lines (p. 131)
Showing and hiding assemblies (p. 131)
Showing and hiding components (p. 132)
Object groups (p. 132)
Object representation settings (p. 133)
Defining which objects are displayed

To define which objects are visible and how they are displayed in a view:
3. Select or clear check boxes to specify which objects are visible in the view.
See also Showing and hiding objects (p. 128)

Display settings (p. 216)
Representation options
In rendered views, you can define separately how Tekla Structures displays parts and
component objects. The following options are available:

Examining the Model
Option Description Example
Wireframe Part outlines are displayed,
surfaces are not, i.e. parts are
transparent.
In this example, component objects

are displayed as Rendered.
Shaded Part outlines are displayed.
Wireframe Parts are transparent, and their
surfaces are shaded.
In this example, component objects

are displayed as Rendered.
Hidden Lines Parts are not transparent, i.e.
underlying parts are not visible.

Examining the Model
Option Description Example
Rendered Part surfaces are displayed, i.e.
parts are not transparent.
Show Only Selected parts are displayed.

Selected Other parts are almost
completely transparent.
This option is useful, for
example, when viewing clash
check results in a large model.
Use the shortcuts Ctrl+1...5 and Shift+1...5 to set the desired

representation for parts in the model and components.
Hiding selected parts

You can quickly hide selected parts in a view. This can be useful, for example, when you want
to temporarily hide parts in order to see the parts behind them.
To hide selected parts:
1. Click View > Hide Part.
2. Select the parts you want to hide. The parts are shown as sticks.
To completely hide the parts, hold down the Shift key when selecting the
command and the parts.
3. To make the parts visible again, do one of the following:

• Click View > Redraw All.
• Right-click the parts and select Show with Exact Lines.

Hiding unselected parts (p. 131)

Examining the Model
Hiding unselected parts
To hide all unselected parts in a view:
1. Select the parts that you want to keep visible.
2. Right-click and select Show Only Selected. The unselected parts become almost
transparent.
To completely hide the unselected parts, hold down the Shift key when
selecting the command.
To show the unselected parts as sticks, hold down the Ctrl key when
selecting the command.
3. To make the parts visible again, do one of the following:

• Right-click the parts and select Show with Exact Lines.

Hiding selected parts (p. 130)
Showing parts with exact lines

Use the Show Part with Exact Lines command to temporarily display a part with exact lines
even if you are using the Fast representation option for parts.
To display a part with exact lines:
1. Select the part.
2. Click View > Representation > Short Part with Exact Lines.
3. Click the view in which you want to display exact lines.
4. To clear the exact lines effect, click View > Redraw All.
Showing and hiding assemblies

Do any of the following:
To Do this
Display the contents of an • Right-click the assembly and select Assembly >
assembly Show Assembly from the pop-up menu.
Tekla Structures displays all parts, bolts, welds, cuts,
fittings, and other details belonging to the assembly,
even if you had defined them as hidden in the view
properties.
Hide an assembly 1. Select the assembly you want to hide.
2. Right-click and select Assembly > Hide from the
pop-up menu.
Make a hidden assembly Do one of the following:
visible again
• Right-click and select Redraw View.

Examining the Model
Showing and hiding components

Do any of the following:
To Do this
Display the contents of a • Click View > Representation > Show Component
component Content and select a component.
Tekla Structures displays all bolts, welds, and other
details belonging to the component, even if you had
defined them as hidden in the view properties.
Hide a component 1. Select the component you want to hide.
2. Right-click and select Hide from the pop-up menu.
Make a hidden component Do one of the following:
visible again
• Right-click and select Redraw View.

Object groups
Object groups are sets of rules that can be used to group objects based on selected properties
and conditions.
Use object groups to control the transparency and coloring of model objects. Object groups are
also used in project status visualizations.

Creating an object group (p. 132)
Copying an object group to another model (p. 133)
Deleting an object group (p. 133)
Visualizing project status (p. 135)
Creating an object group

To create an object group:
1. Click View > Representation > Object Representation... to open the Object
Representation dialog box.
2. Click Object group... to open the Object Group - Representation dialog box.
3. Modify the object group settings.
a Click Add row.
b Select options from the Category, Property, and Condition list boxes.
c In the Value list box, type a value or select one from the model.
d Add more rows, and use the And/Or options or parentheses to create more
complex rules.
4. Select the check boxes next to all object group rules that you want to enable.
The check boxes define which rules are enabled and effective.

Examining the Model
5. Type a unique name in the field next to the Save as button.
6. Click Save as to save the object group.
See also Object groups (p. 132)

Selecting values from the model (p. 238)
Copying an object group to another model

To copy an object group to another model:
1. Select the object group you want to copy.
The object groups you have created are located in the model’s attributes folder, and
they have the file name extension *.PObjGrp.
2. Select where you want to copy the object group.
• To make an object group available in another model, copy the file to the
attributes folder of the destination model.
• To make an object group available in all models, copy the file to the system
folder.
3. Restart Tekla Structures.
Deleting an object group

To delete an object group:
1. Delete the object group file located in the model’s attributes folder.
Object groups have the file name extension *.PObjGrp.
Object representation settings

Use object representation settings to modify the color and transparency of objects in the model
view, and to create customized presentations of defined objects.
For example, the following images show the same model with different object representation
settings:

Examining the Model
Standard object representation
Only parts whose profile name starts with IPE* or HEA* are visible
Objects whose user-defined attribute Planned erection date is set to
01/05/2009 are displayed in blue, while all other parts are 90%
transparent

Creating object representation settings (p. 134)
Copying object representation settings to another model (p. 135)
Deleting object representation settings (p. 135)
Creating object representation settings

Create object representation settings to define the color and transparency of objects in a model.
To create object representation settings:
1. Click View > Representation > Object Representation...
2. Click Add row.
3. Select a predefined object group from the Object group list box.
4. Use the Color list box to define the color of the objects in the object group.
5. Use the Transparency list box to define the transparency of the objects in the object
group.
6. Repeat steps 3–5 for each row you add.
7. Use the Move up and Move down buttons to change the order of the rows.
If an object belongs to several object groups, the coloring and visibility of the objects
defined on the top row is applied to that object.
8. Type a unique name in the field next to the Save as button
9. Click Save as to save the set of object representation settings.

Examining the Model
If your object representation setting does not contain the group All, Tekla
Structures adds that row to the bottom of the list when you click Modify,
Apply, or OK.

Color settings (p. 213)
Transparency settings (p. 214)
Copying object representation settings to another model

To copy object representation settings to another model:
1. Select the object representation settings you want to copy.
The settings you have created are located in the model’s attributes folder, and they
have the file name extension *.rep.
2. Select where you want to copy the settings.
• To make the settings available in another model, copy them to the attributes
folder of the destination model.
• To make the settings available in all models, copy them to the system folder.
Deleting object representation settings

To delete object representation settings:
1. Delete the object representation file located in the model’s attributes folder.
Object representation settings have the file name extension *.rep.
5.4 Visualizing project status

Use the Project Status Visualization tool to review the status of modeling objects in a specific
time frame. For example, use this tool to:
• display the erection schedule for groups of parts using different colors
• identify the parts that are scheduled to be fabricated during a specific time period.
To create project status visualizations, you need to have predefined object representation
settings that include object groups based on date rules.
See also Creating a visualization (p. 136)

Copying visualization settings to another model (p. 136)
Deleting visualization settings (p. 136)
Example: Visualizing the erection schedule of a project (p. 136)

Examining the Model
Creating a visualization
To create a project status visualization:
1. Click Tools > Project Status Visualization... to open the Project Status Visualization
dialog box.
2. Modify the visualization settings.
a In the Object representation list box, select one of the predefined object
representation settings.
b Define a start and end date for the time scale slider.
c Define the length of the time step.
3. Select the Refresh view automatically check box.
4. Type a unique name in the field next to the Save as button.
5. Click Save as to save the visualization settings.
6. To view the visualization in the model, click the step buttons.
See also Visualizing project status (p. 135)

Example: Visualizing the erection schedule of a project (p. 136)
Copying visualization settings to another model

To copy project status visualization settings to another model:
1. Select the visualization settings you want to copy.
The settings you have created are located in the model’s attributes folder, and they
have the file name extension *.4d.
2. Select where you want to copy the settings.
• To make the settings available in another model, copy them to the attributes
folder of the destination model.
• To make the settings available in all models, copy them to the system folder.
3. Include a copy of the object representation settings file (*.rep) and object group files
(*.PObjGrp) in the attributes and system folders to ensure that all the files will
work correctly.
Deleting visualization settings

To delete project status visualization settings:
1. Delete the visualization file located in the model’s attributes folder.
Project status visualization settings have the file name extension *.4d.
Example: Visualizing the erection schedule of a project

This section explains how to visualize erection schedules using the project status visualization
tool available in Tekla Structures.

Examining the Model
In the following example, you will first define an erection schedule for parts using a specific
user-defined attribute. After that, you will create object groups to define which objects are
shown in the model, and object representation settings to define how the objects are shown in
the model. Finally, you will visualize the erection schedule using the project status
visualization tool.

Example: Defining an erection schedule (p. 137)
Example: Creating object groups (p. 137)
Creating object representation settings (p. 134)
Example: Creating visualization settings (p. 138)
Example: Visualizing the erection schedule (p. 139)
Example: Defining an erection schedule

In this example, you will define an erection schedule for parts using the user-defined attribute
Erection Scheduled.
To define an erection schedule:
2. Click User-defined attributes...
3. On the Status tab, modify the value of the user-defined attribute Erection Scheduled.
4. Ensure that all the check boxes are cleared.

5. Select the Erection Scheduled check box.
6. Select all the parts for which you want to use the same erection date.
To make it easier to select parts, create a separate selection filter for each
group of parts.
7. Click Modify.
8. Repeat steps 1–7 for each group of parts in your model.
Example: Creating object groups

In this example, you will create an object group to define which objects are shown in the
model.
To create the object group:
1. Click View > Representation > Object representation... to open the Object
2. Click Object group... to open the Object Group - Representation dialog box.
3. Create an object group that includes all objects whose user-defined attribute Erection
Scheduled is earlier than or equal to the review date.
a In the Category list box, select Object.
b In the Property list box, select INSTALL_PLAN.
c In the Condition list box, select Earlier than or equal.
d In the Value list box, select Select date... The Select Date dialog box appears.
e Select Review date and click OK.

Examining the Model
4. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the group. For example,
plan_same_or_before_review_date.
5. Click Save as.

Example: Creating object representation settings

In this example, you will create object representation settings to define how the objects are
shown in the model.
To create object representation settings:
1. Click View > Representation > Object Representation... to open the Object
2. Define the color and transparency settings for the object group that you created in
Example: Creating object groups (p. 137).
a Click Add row.
b In the Object group list box, select the object group you just created.
c In the Color list box, select Color by class.
d In the Transparency list box, select Visible.
3. Define the color and transparency settings for the object group All.
a Click Add row.
b In the Object group list box, select the object group All.
c In the Color list box, select Color by class.
d In the Transparency list box, select Hidden.
4. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the object representation settings.
For example, scheduled_erection_date.
5. Click Save as.

Example: Creating visualization settings

In this example, you will create project status visualization settings.
To create visualization settings:
dialog box.
2. Define the length of the time step.
3. Define a start and end date for the time scale slider.
4. In the Object representation list box, select the object representation setting you
created in Example: Creating object representation settings (p. 138).
5. Select the Refresh view automatically check box.
6. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the visualization.
7. Click Save as to save the visualization settings.

Examining the Model
Example: Visualizing the erection schedule

In this example, you will visualize the erection schedule using the Project Status
Visualization tool.
To visualize the erection schedule:
dialog box.
2. In the list box next to the Load button, select the visualization setting you created in
Example: Creating visualization settings (p. 138).
3. Click Load.
4. To view the visualization in the model, click the step buttons.
The images below show how the objects are shown when you change the review date:

Examining the Model
Review date Visualization
November 02
November 05
November 08

Examining the Model
November 11
November 14

Examining the Model
November 17
November 20
5.5 Checking the model

When the model is complete, it is useful to check the model for errors.
See also Measuring objects (p. 143)

Detecting clashes (p. 144)
Comparing parts or assemblies (p. 149)
Finding distant objects (p. 149)

Examining the Model
Measuring objects
Use the Measure tool to measure angles, the distance between two points and between bolts.
All measurements are temporary. The measurements appear in the rendered view window until
you update or redraw the window.
See also Measuring distances (p. 143)

Measuring angles (p. 143)
Measuring bolt spacing (p. 143)
Measuring distances
To measure horizontal, vertical and user-defined distances:
1. Press Ctrl+P to switch to the plane view.
2. Click Tools > Measure and select a command that measures distances.
5. Pick a point to indicate on which side of the dimension line you want the number to
appear.
Measuring angles
To measure angles:
1. Click or Tools > Measure > Angle.

2. Pick the center point.
Measuring bolt spacing

You can measure distances between bolts in a bolt group. Tekla Structures also gives you the
edge distances between the bolts and a selected part.
To measure bolt spacing:
1. Click or Tools > Measure > Bolt Spacing.

2. Select a bolt group.
3. Select a part.

Examining the Model
Detecting clashes
Use the Clash Check tool to find parts, bolts, or reference model objects that collide. Clashes
of objects that only touch one another are not included in the clash check results.
The following reference model file types are supported in clash checking:
• IFC
• DWG
• DGN
If you want to use another Tekla Structures model as a reference model,

you must export it in IFC format to be able to use it in clash checking.
If you are checking a reference model for clashes, ensure that all the
parts of the reference model are selected.
See also Finding clashes in a model (p. 145)

Clash Check Manager (p. 145)
Defining a clash check clearance area for bolts (p. 148)
Reverting to the old clash checking functionality (p. 149)

Examining the Model
Finding clashes in a model
To find clashes in a model:
1. Select the objects you want to check.
2. Click Tools > Clash Check.
The clash check progress is displayed on the status bar. You can continue working
during the clash check.
If colliding objects are found, Tekla Structures highlights them in yellow and displays
the clash check log.
3. To locate the colliding objects, select a row in the clash check log.
Tekla Structures selects the corresponding objects in the model.
If you start clash checking while another clash check is still running, you
can choose whether to continue checking, restart the operation and check
the currently selected parts, or stop checking.
See also Useful shortcuts in viewing logs and reports (p. 241)
Clash Check Manager

If you are using the Full or Construction Management configuration, you can also use Clash
Check Manager to detect and manage clashes in a model.
See also Finding clashes using Clash Check Manager (p. 146)
Managing the list of clashes (p. 146)
Symbols used in clash checking (p. 146)
Changing the status of clashes (p. 147)
Changing the priority of clashes (p. 147)

Examining the Model
Opening and saving clash check sessions (p. 147)
Finding clashes using Clash Check Manager

To find clashes in a model:
1. Click Tools > Clash Check Manager.
2. In the model, select the objects you want to include in the clash check.
3. Click to check the objects.

You can continue working during the clash check. When the clash check is complete, the
status bar message changes from Clash checking in progress to Ready.
When you re-run clash check, new clashes are appended to the end of the list.
4. To highlight a clash in the model, select a row in the list of clashes.
The clash is highlighted in the model and the related model objects are selected.
5. To zoom the active view so that the selected objects are shown in the center of the view,
double-click a row.
See also Clash Check Manager (p. 145)
Managing the list of clashes

To manage the list of clashes in Clash Check Manager:
To Do this
Change the sort order of clash Click the heading of the desired column to alternate
results between the ascending and descending sort order.
Select multiple rows in the list of Hold down Ctrl or Shift while selecting rows.
clashes
Show or hide a column 1. Right-click one of the colum headings to open a
pop-up menu.
2. Click any of the list items to show or hide them.
A check mark in front of the item indicates that
it is visible.
Symbols used in clash checking

Clash Check Manager uses the following flags to indicate the state of clashes:
Flag State Description

(none) Active The default state. The clash is not new, modified,
resolved, or missing.
New All clashes are marked as new when they are
found for the first time.
Modified If the object has been modified (for example, if the
profile has changed), the state changes to modified
when you re-run clash check.
Only certain object properties affect this flag. To
see which properties have an effect, right-click one
of the column headings. Both visible and hidden
properties affect the flag.

Examining the Model
Flag State Description
Resolved If the objects no longer clash, the state changes to
resolved when you re-run clash check.
Missing If one or both of the clashing objects have been
removed from the model, the state changes to
missing when you re-run clash check.
Changing the status of clashes

To change the status of clashes:
1. In Clash Check Manager, select the clashes whose status you want to change.
2. Right-click one of the selected rows to open a pop-up menu.
3. Select Status and then one of the status options:
• Assign
• Fix
• Approve
• Ignore
• Reopen
Changing the priority of clashes

To change the priority of clashes:
1. In Clash Check Manager, select the clashes whose priority you want to change.
2. Right-click one of the selected rows to open a pop-up menu.
3. Select Priority and then one of the status options:
• High
• Medium
• Low
Opening and saving clash check sessions

To open or save sessions in Clash Check Manager, do any of the following:
To Do this
Open a session
1. Click .
2. In the Open dialog box, select a session.
3. Click OK.
Create a new session
Click .
Clash Check Manager clears the list of clashes
without running clash check.

Examining the Model
To Do this
Save the active session
Click .
Save the active session under a
different name or in a different 1. Click the arrow button next to the icon.
location A pop-up menu appears.
2. Click Save as.

3. In the Save As dialog box, browse to the folder
where you want to save the session.
4. In the File name box, enter a new name.
5. Click Save.
By default, clash check sessions are stored as XML files in the

..\TeklaStructuresModels\<model>\Clashes folder.
Tekla Structures creates the folder automatically when you open Clash
Check Manager for the first time.
Defining a clash check clearance area for bolts

To check if bolts collide with profiles and if there is enough space to fix the bolt, you can define
a clash check clearance area for bolts.
To define a clearance area for bolts:
1. Click Tools > Options > Options...
2. In the Options dialog box, go to the Clash check page.
3. Modify the bolt clearance values.
If the fields are empty, Tekla Structures uses the default value 1.00.
d is the larger value of the bolt head or nut diameters
Clash check clearance area
4. Ensure that you have selected the check box in front of each field.
If you clear the check boxes, the clearance will be zero.

Examining the Model
If Tekla Structures cannot find the bolt head or nut diameter in the bolt
catalog, it uses the shank diameter instead.
See also Detecting clashes (p. 144)
Reverting to the old clash checking functionality

If you are working on a large model, running the clash check may sometimes be slow. In that
case you can use the old clash checking functionality, which does not recognize clashes with
reference models.
For more information on the old clash checking functionality, see
XS_USE_NEW_CLASH_CHECK and
XS_CLASH_CHECK_BETWEEN_REFERENCES.
See also Detecting clashes (p. 144)
Comparing parts or assemblies

To compare two parts or assemblies:
1. Select the objects you want to compare.
• To compare parts, select two parts in the model.
• To compare assemblies, select a part in each assembly.
2. Click Tools > Compare, and then select either Parts or Assemblies.
Tekla Structures displays the results on the status bar.
See also Checking the model (p. 142)
Finding distant objects

When the work area is huge, the model may contain some distant objects that are not easy to
find. Use the Find Distant Objects command to find these objects.
You cannot use this command to find parts (such as beams, columns or
plates).
To find distant objects:

1. Click Tools > Diagnose & Repair Model > Find Distant Objects.
Tekla Structures displays a list of object IDs.
2. Select an object in the list.
3. Right-click and select a command from the pop-up menu.
You can, for example, inquire or delete the object.
See also XS_DISTANT_OBJECT_FINDER_TOLERANCE

Checking the model (p. 142)

Examining the Model
Examining the Model
6 Numbering the Model
This section explains how to change numbering settings and apply numbering in Tekla
Structures.
Contents • What is numbering (p. 151)

• What affects numbering (p. 152)
• Numbering objects (p. 156)
• Defining numbering series (p. 153)
• Viewing the numbering history (p. 161)
6.1 What is numbering

Tekla Structures assigns a mark to each part and assembly in a model. The mark includes part
or assembly prefix and position number, and other elements (such as profile or material grade).
This process is called numbering. Part numbers are vital in the fabrication, shipping, and
erection stages of construction.
Tekla Structures also uses numbers to identify parts, cast units, and assemblies when producing
drawings and reports, and exporting models. You must have Tekla Structures number the model
before you can create single-part, assembly, cast unit, and multi-drawings, or export files from
a model.
Tekla Structures uses part numbers in many tasks, for example to:
• connect a drawing with the right part, cast unit, or assembly
• report the properties of identical parts, cast units, and assemblies
• identify part information when exporting parts to another software.
If the numbering of a part or assembly is not up to date, a question mark (?) is displayed in the
part label and in the Inquire Object dialog box. For example:
See also Numbering objects (p. 156)

Numbering the Model
What affects numbering (p. 152)
Inquiring object properties (p. 126)
6.2 What affects numbering

Tekla Structures treats objects as different, and therefore numbers them differently, if the
following properties differ:
• Beam orientation
• Column orientation
• Reinforcement
• Cast-in embeds
• Surface treatment (affects only assemblies)
• Pop marks
• Shortening
• User-defined attributes
To define which properties affect numbering in your model, modify the settings in the
Numbering Setup dialog box. For example, if two otherwise identical concrete parts have
different names and you select the Part name check box, Tekla Structures gives the parts
different numbers.
By default, a part retains its number, as long as only one part has that particular number,
regardless of the settings in the Numbering Setup dialog box.
Always carry out full numbering on the model after you have changed
the numbering settings.
If the Renumber all option is selected in the Numbering Setup dialog
box, Tekla Structures will always carry out full renumbering.

Numbering settings (p. 233)
Identical parts (p. 152)
Identical reinforcements (p. 153)
User-defined attributes in numbering (p. 153)
Identical parts
Tekla Structures gives parts the same number if the parts are identical in the fabrication or
casting. If a part is deformed after fabrication or casting (for example if the part is cambered,
shortened, or warped), the final geometry on site and in the model may be different.
Tekla Structures treats parts as identical and gives them the same number if the following basic
part properties are the same:
• Part geometry
• Numbering series
• Profile
• Material
• Finish

Numbering the Model
You can set the degree of tolerance for part geometry in the Numbering Setup dialog box. If
the geometry of parts differs within this degree of tolerance, Tekla Structures treats the parts as
identical for numbering purposes.
Class and phase do not affect numbering. Tekla Structures gives the same number to identical
parts that belong to different classes or phases.
See also What affects numbering (p. 152)

Parts (p. 51)
Phases (p. 171)
Identical reinforcements
Tekla Structures treats reinforcing bars as identical, and gives them the same number, if the
following properties are the same:
• Bar geometry
• Numbering series
• Size
• Grade
• Bending radius
Tekla Structures uses the values of the rebar_config.inp file located in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system\ folder to
round bar dimensions up or down. For example, if you set the rounding accuracy for bar
dimensions to 5 and the rounding direction to up, Tekla Structures rounds all bar dimensions up
to the nearest 5 mm. In that case, two bars with dimensions of 131 mm and 133 mm would both
round up to 135 mm. This gives them identical bar geometry.
Class does not affect numbering. Tekla Structures gives the same number to identical
reinforcing bars that belong to different classes.

Reinforcement
User-defined attributes in numbering

Tekla Structures treats parts and reinforcing bars as different, and therefore numbers them
differently, if the values of a user-defined attribute differ.
Parts If a user-defined attribute has the variable special_flag set to yes, Tekla Structures takes
this user-defined attribute into account when numbering parts.
Reinforcements If a user-defined attribute has the variable consider_in_numbering set to yes, Tekla
Structures takes this user-defined attribute into account when numbering reinforcements.

User-defined attributes (p. 55)
6.3 Defining numbering series

You can use a numbering series to divide steel parts, cast units, and assemblies into groups. For
example, you can allocate a separate numbering series to different phases or part types.

Numbering the Model
The name of a numbering series consists of a prefix and a start number. You do not have to
define a part prefix (for example, you may want to omit the part prefix for minor parts).
When you run numbering, Tekla Structures compares parts that belong to the same series with
each other. All identical parts in the same numbering series are given the same part number.
Concrete parts are numbered according to the cast unit numbering

settings. For example, if the cast unit prefix is C and the start number is
1, concrete parts will get the part prefix Concrete_C-1.
This applies also to concrete components whose part position prefix is
Concrete and start number is 1.
Example For example, if you define a numbering series with the prefix P and start number 1001, Tekla
Structures numbers that series P1001, P1002, P1003, ...
See also Planning your numbering series (p. 154)

Assigning a numbering series to a part (p. 154)
Family numbers (p. 155)
Overlapping numbering series (p. 156)
Planning your numbering series

Before you start modeling, it is good idea to plan the numbering prefixes and start numbers you
will use for the entire project. Careful planning prevents numbering conflicts.
To save time, include the numbering series in the default part properties for each type of part
before you start modeling.
You may want to omit the part prefix for minor parts, such as plates. If you do this, ensure that
you assign a Start number for that numbering series so that it will not overlap other parts.
Example One way to plan the numbering series is to create a table:
Part Assembl
Part y Assembly
Start
Part type Prefix number Prefix Start number
Beam PB 1 AB 1
Vertical brace PVB 1 AVB 1
Horizontal brace PHB 1 AHB 1
Rafter PR 1 AR 1
Purlin PP 1 AP 1
Column PC 1 AC 1
Plate 1001 A 1
See also Defining numbering series (p. 153)

Overlapping numbering series (p. 156)
Assigning a numbering series to a part

You can assign a numbering series to any part or assembly.
To assign a numbering series to a part:

Numbering the Model
2. If you are modifying the properties of a concrete part, go to the Cast unit tab.
3. Under Numbering series, define a part prefix and a start number.
4. Click Modify.
Family numbers
With family numbering you can group objects within the same numbering series into different
“families”. This can be used, for example, to find similar cast units that can be cast in the same
bed.
When you use family numbering, the cast unit position numbers consist of a family number
and a qualifier. For example:
Family number
Qualifier
Assemblies and cast units that match the comparison criteria you define in the Numbering
Setup dialog box get the same family number. However, if they have the same family number
but different part geometry or materials, they get unique qualifier numbers.

Assigning family numbers (p. 155)
Changing the family number of an object (p. 156)
Example: Using family numbers (p. 163)
Assigning family numbers

To assign family numbers to numbering series:
1. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Numbering Settings... to open the
Numbering Setup dialog box.
2. Go to the Family numbering tab.
3. Define which numbering series to assign family numbers to.
a Click Add series to open the Add series dialog box.
Tekla Structures displays all the assembly and cast unit numbering series in the
model.
b Select a numbering series from the list, and then click Add.
The numbering series appears in the family numbering list.
4. Under Compare, select the properties that need to be identical for the members of the
same family.
Define comparison criteria for each numbering series separately.

Numbering the Model
Select at least one check box, but not all of them. If you select all the check boxes, the
family number will be the same as the normal assembly position, and the qualifier
number will be 1 for all. If you do not select any check boxes, only one family number
per series is assigned.
5. Click Apply.
Tekla Structures stores the settings in the numbering database file
(<model_name>.db2) in the current model folder the next time you save the model.
6. If you are assigning family numbers to parts that have already been numbered, clear the
existing numbers.
7. Update numbering in the model.
Tekla Structures assigns a family number to all objects in the numbering series.
See also Family numbers (p. 155)

Clearing numbers (p. 160)
Changing the family number of an object

To change the family number and/or family qualifier of an object:
1. Select the objects whose family numbers you want to change.
2. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Change Number > Family Number...
3. In the Assign Family Number dialog box, type the desired values in the Family number
and Family qualifier fields.
4. Click Assign.
Overlapping numbering series

When you plan numbering, ensure that you reserve enough numbers for each series. If a series
overlaps another, Tekla Structures might allocate the same number to different parts.
Tekla Structures warns you about series overlaps. View the numbering history log to check
which numbers overlap.

Viewing the numbering history (p. 161)
6.4 Numbering objects

To number objects in a model:
1. Optional: Modify the numbering settings.
a Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Numbering Settings... to open the
b Modify the settings.
c Click Apply or OK.
2. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering and select one of the following commands:

Numbering the Model
See also Numbering settings (p. 233)
Numbering assemblies and cast units (p. 157)
Numbering reinforcements (p. 157)
Saving preliminary numbers (p. 158)
Control numbers (p. 158)
Changing numbers (p. 159)
Clearing numbers (p. 160)
Creating a standard-part model (p. 160)
Example: Numbering identical beams (p. 162)
Numbering assemblies and cast units

Part numbering does not affect cast unit and assembly numbering. However, Tekla Structures
numbers assemblies and cast units in the same way as it does parts. The default start number is
1. The prefix varies based on the part type.
Surface treatments affect the numbering of assemblies, if you select the Surface treatment
check box in the Numbering Setup dialog box.
Assembly and cast unit numbering may affect part numbering, if the
advanced option XS_USE_ASSEMBLY_NUMBER_FOR is set.

Assembly position numbers (p. 157)
Assembly position numbers

Use the options in the Numbering Setup dialog box to sort the order in which assemblies are
given their position numbers. Sorting by user-defined attributes or by location does not affect
the part position.
The sort order can be based on the following criteria:
• The x, y or z coordinates of the main part of the assembly
The sorting is based on the center of gravity of the reference axis.
• The user-defined attribute of an assembly or the main part
If your sorting is based on user-defined attributes, Tekla Structures displays a list box that
includes all the available user-defined attributes.
If you add new parts, objects that have already been numbered are not
renumbered to suit the sorting order by, for example, the x coordinate. In
this case you should renumber the parts.
See also Numbering assemblies and cast units (p. 157)
Numbering reinforcements
Part numbering and cast unit numbering do not affect the numbering of reinforcements.
However, Tekla Structures numbers reinforcements in the same way as it does parts.

Numbering the Model
To force Tekla Structures to give otherwise identical concrete parts and cast units different
numbers if they have different reinforcements, select the Reinforcing bars check box in the
Saving preliminary numbers

A preliminary mark is a user-defined attribute that defines the part position number. You can
save the current part position numbers as preliminary marks for selected parts. The previous
preliminary numbers are overriden.
To save part position numbers for preliminary marks:
1. Select the parts.
2. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Save Preliminary Numbers.
Control numbers
Control numbers are properties that identify the location of parts in a model. You can assign
consecutive control numbers to all the parts or only selected parts.
When you assign control numbers, you can specify in what order to assign control numbers,
according to the location of each part on the global coordinate system. The options are:
• None
• X
• -X
• Z
• -Z
• Y
• -Y
With positive directions (such as X), the parts with the lowest coordinate value are numbered
first. With negative directions (such as -X), the parts with the highest coordinate value are
numbered first.
For example, if First direction is -X, Second direction is Y, and Third direction is Z,
numbering starts from the parts that have the highest x coordinate value. If multiple parts have
the same x coordinate, their y coordinates are also compared. If multiple parts have the same x
and y coordinates, their z coordinates are also compared.
Example In the following example, the sort order is X Y Z.

Numbering the Model
Assigning control numbers to parts (p. 159)
Locking and unlocking control numbers (p. 159)
Assigning control numbers to parts

Before you start, number the model.
To assign control numbers to parts:
1. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Assign Control Numbers... to open the
Create control numbers dialog box.
2. Indicate which parts to consider.
• To consider all parts in the model, do not select any parts.
• To only consider specific parts, select the parts.
3. In the Numbering list box, specify which parts get control numbers.
4. If you are assigning control numbers to parts in a specific numbering series, type the
prefix and start number in the corresponding fields.
5. Define the control numbers to be used.
a In the Start number of control numbers field, type the first control number to be
used.
b In the Step value field, define the interval.
For example, to assign the control numbers 2, 5, 8, 11, etc., type 2 in the Start
number of control numbers field and 3 in the Step value field.
6. In the Renumber list box, specify how to treat parts that already have control numbers.
7. Use the direction list boxes to specify in what order to assign control numbers.
8. Click Apply, and then click Create.
See also Control numbers (p. 158)

Control number settings (p. 235)
Locking and unlocking control numbers

To prevent Tekla Structures from renumbering the control numbers of all parts, or specific
parts, use the Lock/Unlock Control Numbers command.
To lock or unlock control numbers:
1. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Lock/Unlock Control Numbers to open the
Lock/Unlock control numbers (S10) dialog box.
2. Define which parts’ control numbers to lock or unlock.
• To lock or unlock the control numbers of all parts, do not select any parts in the
model.
• To lock or unlock the control numbers of specific parts, select the parts in the
model.
3. In the Status list box, select Lock or Unlock in the Status.
4. Click Apply, and then click Create.
Changing numbers
Use the Change Number command to change part, assembly, multi-position, or family
numbers after you run numbering. All objects with the same number will be given the number
you specified. This command does not change the numbering series.
To change the position numbers:

Numbering the Model
1. Select an object.
2. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Change Number and select one of the
commands.
3. Set the desired properties. The options you have vary depending on your selection in
step 2.
If the number you specified is already in use, Tekla Structures displays a warning and
does not change the number.Tekla Structures also displays a warning if the position
number is higher than the highest current number. This is for information only and the
number is still changed.
4. Click Assign.
Clearing numbers
Use the Clear Numbers command to permanently delete the assigned position numbers of
objects. Next time you run numbering, Tekla Structures assigns new numbers to the objects,
irrespective of what their previous numbers were.
To clear the position numbers:
1. Select the objects whose numbers you want to clear.
2. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Clear Numbers and select one of the
commands.
Creating a standard-part model

A standard-part model contains only standard parts with specific part prefixes. You can have
Tekla Structures use these prefixes when numbering parts in another model.
This functionality only applies to steel parts.
To create a standard-part model:

1. Create a new model and give it a descriptive name.

Numbering the Model
For example, StandardParts.
2. Create the objects you want to have as standard parts.
3. Explode all components.
4. Delete all unnecessary items.
5. Give the objects prefixes that are not used elsewhere (for example, STD1, STD2, and so
on).
Ensure that the standard-part model does not contain duplicate prefixes.
6. Save the standard-part model.
7. Open another model.
8. Click Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Numbering.
9. Check that the advanced option XS_STD_PART_MODEL is set, and that it points to
the correct standard-part model.
For example:
XS_STD_PART_MODEL=C:\Tekla StructuresModels\StandardParts
10. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Numbering Settings... to display the
11. If you have selected the Part name check box, ensure that the project model has the
same part names as the standard-part model.
12. Click Check for standard parts and Apply.
13. Number the model.
As Tekla Structures carries out the numbering, it compares all of the parts in the model
to the standard-part model. The numbering applies any part position numbers (only the
part prefix) found in the standard-part model to all identical parts found in the project
model.
6.5 Viewing the numbering history

To view the numbering history:
• Click Tools > Display Log File > Numbering History....
Tekla Structures displays the numbering log file.
For information on how to interpret the log file, see Numbering history
log.
6.6 Repairing numbering errors

We recommend that you check and repair numbering in the model every now and then,
especially before producing drawings or reports.
To check and repair numbering in a model:

Numbering the Model
2. Ensure that one of the following options is being used:
• Compare to old
• Keep number if possible
3. Click OK to save the changes.
4. Unless you want to repair the entire model, select the objects whose numbering you
want to repair.
5. Click Tools > Diagnose & Repair Model and select one of the following commands:
• Diagnose & Repair Numbering: All
• Diagnose & Repair Numbering: Series of Selected Objects
Tekla Structures assigns the position number of the oldest part or

assembly to all identical parts, even if a newer part or assembly has a
smaller position number.
To force a certain position number on a part or assembly, use the Change

Number command after repairing numbering in the model.

Changing numbers (p. 159)
6.7 Numbering examples

This section gives some examples of numbering the model.
Contents Example: Numbering identical beams (p. 162)

Example: Using family numbers (p. 163)
Example: Numbering selected part types (p. 164)
Example: Numbering parts in selected phases (p. 164)
Example: Numbering settings during a project (p. 165)
Example: Numbering identical beams

This example explains how different numbering settings result in different part numbers when
you modify a part.
To number identical beams:
1. Create three identical beams with the numbering series prefix P and start number 1.
2. Number the model. All the beams have the part position number P1.
3. Modify one of the beams.
4. Number the model. You should now have two beams P1 and one P2.
5. Change beam P2 to be identical to the others.
6. Number the model.

Numbering the Model
Depending on the numbering settings in the Numbering Setup dialog box, Tekla
Structures assigns one of the following part position numbers to the modified part:
• Compare to old: P1
• Keep number if possible: P2
• Take new number: P3
Example: Using family numbers

In this example, the following four beams have the numbering series prefix B and the start
number 1. The parts have the same main profile, and each pair has the same length, but the
holes are different.
Assembly position: B/1
We use the following family numbering settings:

• Numbering series: B/1
• Compare: Main part profile and Overall length
With the given family numbering criteria, Tekla Structures divides the beams into two families.
All beams have the same profile, but each pair has a different length. Within both families the
beams get different qualifiers because they have different holes.
• The first beam gets the assembly position number B/1-1
• The second beam gets the assembly position number B/1-2
• The third beam gets the assembly position number B/2-1
• The fourth beam gets the assembly position number B/2-2

Numbering the Model
Example: Numbering selected part types
This example shows how different numbering settings can be used for different part types. We
will use one set of numbering settings for steel anchor rods, and another one for steel columns.
To number anchor rods and columns:
1. Create steel columns.
2. Create anchor rods with the numbering series prefix AR and start number 1.
Ensure that this numbering series is different to any other parts or assemblies in the
model.
4. Ensure that the Column orientation check box is not selected, and then click Apply.
5. Select one of the anchor rods in the model.

6. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Number Series of Selected Objects.
All parts with the AR prefix and start number at 1 are numbered.
7. After the anchor rod numbering is complete, click Drawings & Reports > Numbering >
Number Series of Selected Objects.
8. Select the Column orientation check box, and then click Apply.
9. Select one of the steel columns in the model.
All columns belonging to the same numbering series as the selected column are
numbered.
Example: Numbering parts in selected phases

This example shows how to number a model that consists of multiple phases, each phase
having a different detailing and submittal schedule. This enables you to release drawings for a
particular phase at any time.
Before you start, divide the model into phases.
To number parts in selected phases:
1. Apply a specific numbering series prefix and start number for parts in each phase.
For example:

Numbering the Model
• The beams in phase 1 get the numbering series prefix B and start number 1000.
• The beams in phase 2 get the numbering series prefix B and start number 2000.
Phase 1: green
Phase 2: magenta
2. Ensure that the numbering series are not overlapping.

For example, to avoid numbering overlaps with the beams in phase 2, phase 1 should not
contain more than 1000 position numbers.
3. Select the parts you want to number.
Use selection filters to easily select parts belonging to a certain phase or

parts with a specific start number series. You can also use selection
filters to ignore specific phases that are already completed or phases that
are not ready for numbering.
5. Modify the numbering settings, and then click Apply.
6. Select one of the parts you want to number.
All parts belonging to the same numbering series as the selected part are numbered.
See also Example: Numbering settings during a project (p. 165)
Example: Numbering settings during a project

You can use different numbering settings at different times in a project. For example:

Numbering the Model
• Before releasing a phase of the project for fabrication, you might use the Re-use old
numbers option for numbering the entire model.
• If a phase has already been released for fabrication in a project, you might use the Take
new number option for new and modified parts.
• If you are numbering other phases of the project at earlier stages of detailing, you might
use the Compare to old option and try to combine as many position numbers as possible.
See also Example: Numbering parts in selected phases (p. 164)

General numbering settings (p. 233)

Numbering the Model
7 Advanced Modeling
This section explains some advanced modeling techniques available in Tekla Structures.
Contents • Organizing the model (p. 167)

• Phases (p. 171)
• Sequences (p. 172)
• Lotting (p. 174)
• Parametric modeling (p. 176)
• Sketched cross sections (p. 181)
7.1 Organizing the model

Use the Model Organizer to manage and view different logical areas and object types in your
model. You can classify information according to your needs.
Model Organizer can be used in construction planning and management. You can divide a
large model into logical sections and floors to help create building schedules, lots, and erection
sequences, and categorize object types, for example, based on purchasing contracts. You can
categorize both native Tekla Structures objects and reference objects.

Advanced Modeling
Model Organizer is included in the Full and Construction Management
configurations only.
See also Creating logical areas (p. 168)

Creating object type categories (p. 169)
Modifying logical areas and object type categories (p. 169)
Viewing logical areas and object type categories (p. 170)
Deleting logical areas and object type categories (p. 171)
Creating logical areas

Logical areas may already have been defined for the model. You can create new logical areas
for your own needs.

Advanced Modeling
To create logical areas using Model Organizer:
1. Click Tools > Model Organizer....
2. Create a path structure.
a Right-click Logical Areas.
b Click New Building.
c Click New Section.
d Click New Story.
You may create as many sections and storys as you need. Note that sections and
storys are both created under buildings.
3. Select a section or story in Model Organizer.

4. In the model, select the area for the section or the story.
Each model object can belong to only one section and one story.
5. In Model Organizer, right-click the selected section or story, and select Add Selected to
Category.
In large projects, you can create sites for your project by right-clicking
Logical Areas and selecting Show Site(s). You can hide the sites by
selecting Hide Site(s).
See also Organizing the model (p. 167)
Creating object type categories

Object types may already have been defined for the model. You can create new object type
categories for your own needs.
To create object type categories using Model Organizer:
2. Create object type categories.
a Right-click Object Types.
b Click New Object Type.
You can also create subtypes for object types.
3. In the model, select the objects you want to add to an object type category.
To make it easier to view and select parts, create a separate view or

selection filter for each group of parts.
4. In Model Organizer, right-click the object type category and select Add Selected to
Category .
Modifying logical areas and object type categories

To modify logical areas or object type categories, do any of the following:

Advanced Modeling
To Do this
Rename logical areas and Right-click the name in Model Organizer and select
object type categories Rename.
Redefine a logical area 1. Select the new area in the model.
2. Right-click the area name in Model Organizer and
select Add Selected to Category.
Move categories 1. Select the object type category in Model Organizer.
2. Drag the category to another location.
Add objects 1. Select the objects in the model.
2. Right-click the category name in Model Organizer
and select Add Selected to Category.
Move objects 1. Select the object type category in Model Organizer.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key and select the objects you
want to move.
3. Drag the objects to another category.
Remove objects 1. Select the object type category in Model Organizer.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key and select the objects you
want to remove.
3. Right-click and select Remove from Category.
Viewing logical areas and object type categories

To view logical areas and object type categories in the model, do any of the following:
To Do this
View a logical area or objects Select the logical area or the object type category.
belonging to an object type
The logical area or objects belonging to the selected
category
object type category are highlighted in the model.
View more than one logical Hold down the Ctrl key and select the logical areas and
area or object type category at object type categories you want to view.
a time
View only the objects Right-click a logical area or an object type category and
belonging the selected select Show Only Selected.
category
To show all objects again, right-click the category and
select Redraw View.
Hide the objects belonging to Right-click a logical area or an object type category and
the selected category select Hide.
To show all objects again, right-click the category and
select Redraw View.
View the classification Right-click the object in the model and select Model
information of an object Classification > Show Related Classification
or
in Model Organizer select an object and click .

Advanced Modeling
Deleting logical areas and object type categories
To delete a logical area or an object type category using Model Organizer:
2. Select a category under Logical Areas or Object Types.
3. Right-click and select Delete.
4. Click OK to confirm.
7.2 Phases
Use phases to break up a model into sections. Phases are often used to indicate erection
sequences. You can create reports and views, hide objects, and copy objects from other models,
according to their phase number.
For example, you might have a large project which several users work on simultaneously in
single-user mode. First create a basic model that includes, for example, the columns. This is
phase 1. You then copy this basic model to all users.
Each user then works on a separate part of the building. When a part of the model is completed,
you can copy it back to the basic model as a separate phase (phase 2, 3, etc.).
See also Dividing the model into phases (p. 171)

Custom phase properties (p. 171)
Dividing the model into phases

To divide a model into phases:
1. Click Tools > Phase Manager.... The Phase Manager dialog box appears.
2. Click Add to create new phases.
3. Click Set current to make the selected phase the current phase.
From now on, Tekla Structures assigns all objects you create to the current phase. The @
character in front of the phase number indicates the current phase.
4. Divide the model into phases.
a To identify the phase of an object, select an object and click Phases by objects.
Tekla Structures selects the phase of the object.
b To see which objects belong to a certain phase, select a phase from the list and
then click Objects by phases.
Tekla Structures highlights the corresponding objects in the model.
c To change the phase of one or more objects, select the objects, select a phase from
the list, and then click Modify phase.
5. Click OK to save your changes.
See also Phases (p. 171)
Custom phase properties

You can add custom phase properties, which will appear as extra columns in the Phase
Manager dialog box.

Advanced Modeling
Define the names of phase properties in the objects.inp file. To use phase properties in
reports and templates, use the syntax PHASE.ATTRIBUTE_NAME in the phase property field
name.
See also Phases (p. 171)
7.3 Sequences
Use the Sequencer tool to name sequences and assign incremental numbers to parts. For
example, you can define the order in which to erect parts by creating erection sequences. You
can define several sequences for different purposes, and a part can belong to several sequences
at the same time.
Sequencer works by assigning a sequence number to a user-defined attribute of a part. The
sequence name that you enter in the Sequencer Properties dialog box is the name of the user-
defined attribute defined in the objects.inp file.
Limitations Sequencer does not work for objects that are inside a reference model.
See also Creating a sequence (p. 172)

Adding parts to a sequence (p. 173)
Checking the sequence of a part (p. 173)
Modifying the sequence number of a part (p. 173)
Deleting a sequence (p. 173)
Creating a sequence
Use the Sequencer tool to assign sequence numbers to parts. If you want to view and modify
the sequence number afterwards, you must first create a user-defined attribute to which you
assign sequence numbers.
To create a new sequence:
1. Create a user-defined attribute to which you assign sequence numbers.
a Open the objects.inp file in any standard text editor.
b In the Part attributes section, add a new user-defined attribute.
The value_type must be integer, and the field_format must be %d.
For example:
attribute("MY_INFO_1", "My Info 1", integer, "%d", no, none,
"0.0", "0.0")
c Save the file.
d Restart Tekla Structures.
2. Click Tools > Sequencer to display the Sequencer Properties dialog box.
3. Type a name for the sequence. Use exactly the same name as in the objects.inp file.
For example, MY_INFO_1.
4. Click Apply.
5. Select the parts you want to include in the sequence.
The first part gets the sequence number 1, the second part number 2, and so on.
If you select a part that has already been included in the sequence, Tekla Structures asks
if you want to override the existing number. If you click Yes, Tekla Structures gives the
next available number to the part.
6. To finish adding parts to the sequence, click Edit > Interrupt or press Esc.

Advanced Modeling
See also Sequences (p. 172)
Adding parts to a sequence

To add parts to an existing sequence:
1. Click Tools > Sequencer to display the Sequencer Properties dialog box.
2. Select a sequence name from the list.
3. Click OK or Apply.
4. Select the parts you want to add to the sequence.
5. To finish adding parts to the sequence, click Edit > Interrupt or press Esc.
You cannot add new parts to a sequence, unless the new part is at the end
of the sequence. If the sequence changes, you must redefine the whole
sequence.
Checking the sequence of a part

You can check the sequence name and number of a part by using the Inquire tool.
To check the sequence of a part:
1. Click Tools > Inquire > Object.
2. Select a part.
Tekla Structures displays the properties of the part. The sequence name and number are
displayed under More. For example:
Modifying the sequence number of a part

Before you start, assign a sequence number to a user-defined attribute of a part.
To modify the sequence number of a part:
2. Click User-defined attributes...
The current sequence number is displayed next to the user-defined attribute to which you
assigned the sequence number. For example, MY_INFO_1.
3. Modify the sequence number.
4. Click Modify.
Deleting a sequence
To delete a sequence:
1. Click Tools > Sequencer....

Advanced Modeling
2. Select a sequence name from the list.
3. Click Delete and then click Yes.
7.4 Lotting
With lots you can group assemblies for transporting to site. Lotting means that you evaluate
specific model parts with respect to the number of units that can be carried by a transfer
vehicle. For example, you can calculate how many concrete truck deliveries are needed to pour
the footings or slabs for a specific portion of the model. With this information, it is easier to
determine area requirements and create an erection schedule.
When you define lots, you must take into account the load-carrying capacity of the vehicle,
because a lot cannot exceed the maximum total load capacity. You can calculate truck load
sizes based on material weights and model quantities. For most model parts, the weight is based
on the size, length, and material of the part.
To view the properties of a part, right-click the part and then select
Inquire > Part or Properties...
You can use lotting in conjunction with the Sequencer tool. For example, you can load each
part of the model onto a specific truck based on the erection sequence of the part.
The basic lotting process is the same for steel and concrete parts. However, if you are using
cast-in-place concrete, remember that the concrete is transported in a volumetric container (for
example, in a ten-cubic-yard truck). In that case, you must calculate the weight-carrying
capacity of the concrete vehicle before defining the number of lots.
See also Creating a lot (p. 174)

Adding parts to a lot (p. 175)
Removing parts from a lot (p. 175)
Deleting a lot (p. 175)
Sequences (p. 172)
Creating a lot
To create a lot:
1. Click Tools > Lotting to display the Lotting dialog box.
2. Click Properties... to display the Lot Properties dialog box.
3. Type a name in the field at the bottom of the dialog box.
4. Type a lot number in the Number field.
5. Type the maximum weight of the lot in the Max weight field.
6. Click Add.
Tekla Structures creates an empty lot with the defined properties.
See also Lotting (p. 174)

Advanced Modeling
Adding parts to a lot
After you have created the needed lots, you must select each part of the model and assign them
to a lot until the total load weight of the lot reaches the specified target.
To add parts to a lot:
2. Select an existing lot from the list.
Tekla Structures highlights the parts included in the lot. The total weight of the lot and
the number of assemblies it contains are displayed under Applied values.
3. Hold down Shift and select the parts that you want to add to the lot.
4. Click Apply selected.
The weight and number of the added parts is displayed under Current values. Tekla
Structures displays a warning message if the weight limit of the lot is exceeded.
When you re-open the dialog box, the Applied values include the weight and number of
the parts you added.
Always use the Shift key when adding parts to an existing lot. If you
simply select parts, you will overwrite the contents of the lot. When you
hold down Shift, you cannot select parts that already belong to another
lot.
Removing parts from a lot

To remove parts from a lot:
Tekla Structures highlights the parts included in the lot.
3. Hold down Ctrl and select the parts you want to remove from the lot.
Tekla Structures deselects the parts.
4. Click Apply selected.
Deleting a lot
To delete a lot:
2. Click Properties...
4. Click Delete.

Advanced Modeling
7.5 Parametric modeling
Tekla Structures models are parametric, which means that each model object has parameters
that define various properties, including its geometry, location and relationship to other parts.
You can use these parameters to:
• Create variables that define the properties of the model object, such as a beam or column.
Variables can define fixed properties, such as the name of a column. They can also include
formulas, so that Tekla Structures calculates the property value each time you use the
model object.
• Create dependencies, or relationships, between model objects, so the properties of one
model object adjust if you change the related model object.
For example, you might create a dependency that offsets a column a fixed distance from a
plane on a wall, so that when you move the wall, the column follows.
See also Defining variables

Creating distance variables
Creating reference distances
Parametric profiles available in Tekla Structures (p. 176)
Parametric profiles available in Tekla Structures

These are the parametric profiles available in Tekla Structures:
HIh-s-t*b (symmetric)
HIh-s-t1*b1-t2*b2
PHIh1-h2-s-t*b (symmetric)
PHIh1-h2-s-t1*b1-t2*b2
BLLh*b*t
BLZh*b*t

Advanced Modeling
BLUh*b*t
PLh*b
h=height
b=thickness
(smaller=b)
Dd
ELDd1*r1*d2*r2
PDd*t
EPDd1*r1*d2*r2*t
Ph*t
Ph*b*t
Ph1*b-h2*b*t

Advanced Modeling
HKh-s-t*b-c (symmetric)
HKh-s-t1*b1-t2*b2-c
HQh-s-t1*b1-t2*b2 (centered)
HQh-s-t1*b1-t2*b2-c
ZZh-t-e-b (symmetric)
ZZh-t-e1-b1-e2-b2
CCh-t-e-b (symmetric)
CCh-t-e1-b1-e2-b2
CWh-t-e-b-f-h1
CUh-t-h1-b-e (symmetric)
CUh-t-h1-b1-h2-b2/e
EBh-t-e-b-a (symmetric)
EBh-t-e1-b1-e2-b2-a
Reference points:1=right
2=left
3=top

Advanced Modeling
BFh-s-b-h1
SPDd*t
SPDd1-d2*t
ECh-t-e-b-a (symmetric)
ECh-t-e1-b1-e1-b1-a
EDh-t-b-e-h1-h2-f1-f2-a
EEh-t-e-b-f1-f3-h1-f2-a
EFh-t-e-b1-b2-f1-f2/h1-a

Advanced Modeling
EZh-t-e-b-f1-f3-h1-f2-a
EWh-t-e-b-b-f1-f2-h2-h1-a
RCDLs*h-d*t (symmetric)
RCDLs*h-d*t1*t2
RCXXs*h-b*t*h1-h2-ex
RCLs*h-b*t
RCDXs*h-b*h2*h1 (symmetric)
RCDXs*h-b*h4*h3*h2*h1
RCDXs*h-b*h4*h3*h2*h1-ex
RCXs*h-b*h2*h1

Advanced Modeling
See also Parametric modeling (p. 176)
Parametric profiles (p. 53)
7.6 Sketched cross sections

This section explains how to create and modify your own cross sections, and how to use them
in a model.
The cross sections you create using the cross section sketch editor can be parametric or fixed.
You can change the dimensions of parametric cross sections each time you use them in a
model.
Contents Opening the cross section sketch editor (p. 181)

Sketching the outline of a cross section (p. 184)
Refining the shape of a sketched cross section (p. 186)
Adding dimensions to a sketched cross section (p. 190)
Defining positioning planes for a sketched cross section (p. 193)
Checking a sketched cross section (p. 197)
Saving a sketched cross section (p. 198)
Modifying a sketched cross section (p. 198)
Using sketched cross sections in a model (p. 201)
Importing and exporting sketched cross sections (p. 202)
Example: Creating a symmetric C-shaped cross section (p. 204)
Opening the cross section sketch editor

Use the cross section sketch editor to create and modify your own profile cross sections.
To open the cross section sketch editor:
1. Open a Tekla Structures model.
2. Click Modeling > Profiles > Define Cross Section in Sketch Editor....
Tekla Structures opens the cross section sketch editor, the Sketch Browser, and the
Variables dialog box.

Advanced Modeling
See also Sketch Browser (p. 182)
Variables (p. 183)
Sketch Browser
The Sketch Browser shows the objects (lines, arcs, circles, constraints, dimensions, and
chamfers) of a cross section sketch in a hierarchical, tree-like structure. The Sketch Browser
automatically opens when you open the cross section sketch editor.
When you click an object in the cross section sketch editor, Tekla Structures highlights the
object in the Sketch Browser, and vice versa.

Advanced Modeling
The Sketch Browser displays the following information about a cross section:
• Extrusion type (0, 1, or 2) and thickness of the sketch.
• Lines, arcs, and circles
• Constraints
• Distances and dimensions and their values
• Chamfers and their type (0=None, 1=Line ... 7=Line and arc) and dimensions.
See also Opening the cross section sketch editor (p. 181)
Cross section extrusion types (p. 200)
Variables
Use the Variables dialog box to define the properties of a sketched cross section. Variables can
define fixed properties, or they can include formulas, so that Tekla Structures calculates the
property value each time you use the profile in a model.
The Variables dialog box automatically opens when you open the cross section sketch editor.

Advanced Modeling
Defining variables
Display variables
Sketching the outline of a cross section

When you create a new cross section, start by sketching the outline and the holes of the cross
section using lines, arcs, and circles.
Ensure that you create a closed shape, unless you are creating a cross section of a consistent
thickness, such as a cold rolled section.
The maximum number of points in a sketched cross section is 100.
See also Sketching a polyline (p. 184)

Sketching an arc (p. 185)
Sketching a circle (p. 185)
Sketching a polyline
You can create line segments in the cross section sketch editor by picking points. Tekla
Structures automatically creates coincident constraints between the line segments and displays
a chamfer symbol where line segments meet.
To sketch a polyline:
1. Open the cross section sketch editor.
2. Click the Sketch polyline icon:
3. Pick points to create each line segment.

4. Click the middle mouse button to create the polyline.

Advanced Modeling
See also Sketching the outline of a cross section (p. 184)
Sketching an arc
You can create an arc in the cross section sketch editor by picking three points.
To sketch an arc:
2. Click the Sketch arc icon:
3. Pick three points to define the arc.
Sketching a circle
You can create a circle in the cross section sketch editor by picking two points.
To sketch a circle:
2. Click the Sketch circle icon:
3. Pick a point to indicate the center of the circle (1).

4. Pick a point to indicate the radius of the circle (2).

Advanced Modeling
Refining the shape of a sketched cross section

After you have sketched the outline of a cross section, use constraints to refine your sketch
and lock the shape. For example, you can straighten lines, create 90 degree angles, force lines
to meet, close the shape, and add chamfers in corners.
To straighten the entire profile, use horizontal and vertical constraints in conjunction with other
constraints. Although the shape is locked, you can still rotate the profile in the model.
See also Adding a parallel constraint (p. 186)

Adding a perpendicular constraint (p. 187)
Adding a coincident constraint (p. 187)
Adding a fixed constraint (p. 188)
Adding a horizontal constraint (p. 188)
Adding a vertical constraint (p. 189)
Deleting a constraint (p. 189)
Adding a parallel constraint

You can force two lines in a sketched cross section to be parallel to each other.
Before you start, sketch the shape of the cross section in the cross section sketch editor.
To add a parallel constraint:
1. Click the Parallel constraint icon:
2. Select a line in the sketch (1).

3. Select another line in the sketch (2).

Advanced Modeling
See also Refining the shape of a sketched cross section (p. 186)
Adding a perpendicular constraint

You can force a line in a sketched cross section to be at a 90 degree angle to another line you
select. The lines do not have to intersect.
To add a perpendicular constraint:
1. Click the Perpendicular constraint icon:
2. Select a line in the sketch (1).

3. Select another line in the sketch (2).
Adding a coincident constraint

You can force two lines in a sketched cross section to start or end at the same point, by
extending or shortening one or both lines. The lines do not have to intersect.
Tekla Structures automatically creates coincident constraints:

• Where two lines meet.
• Between line segments when you draw them with the Sketch
polyline tool.
• Between the start of the first line segment and the end of the last line
segment in a shape, if they are within a certain distance of each
other.
To add a coincident constraint:

Advanced Modeling
1. Ensure that the Snap to end points snap switch is active.
2. Click the Coincident constraint icon:
3. Pick the end of the first line (1).

4. Pick the end of the second line. (2)
Adding a fixed constraint

You can lock the position and angle of a line in a sketched cross section so that other constraints
do not affect it.
To add a fixed constraint:
1. Click the Fixed constraint icon:
2. Select a line in the sketch.
Adding a horizontal constraint

Use horizontal constraints to force a line in a sketched cross section to be parallel to the local x
axis. Tekla Structures automatically creates horizontal constraints when you create lines that
are nearly horizontal.
To add a horizontal constraint:
1. Click the Horizontal constraint icon:
2. Select the lines you want to straighten (1, 2).

Advanced Modeling
Adding a vertical constraint

Use vertical constraints to force a line in a sketched cross section to be parallel to the local y
axis. Tekla Structures automatically creates vertical constraints when you create lines that are
nearly vertical.
To add a vertical constraint:
1. Click the Vertical constraint icon:
2. Select the lines you want to straighten (1, 2).
Deleting a constraint
To delete a constraint from a sketched cross section:
1. Click to open the Sketch Browser.

2. Select the constraint you want to delete.
4. Click Refresh.

Advanced Modeling
Adding dimensions to a sketched cross section
After you have sketched a cross section, use dimensions to make different distances in the cross
section parametric. You can use these dimensions to define the size of the profile cross section
when you use it in a model.
Tekla Structures also adds the dimensions you create to the list of variables that you can use in
calculations.
Do not create too many dimensions in a sketch, or the dimensions will

not be able to adjust when the values are changed.
In the following example, if you create the dimension marked in red, the
dimension b1 will no longer work:
See also Adding a radial dimension to a sketch (p. 190)

Adding an angle dimension to a sketch (p. 191)
Adding a dimension between two points in a sketch (p. 191)
Adding a horizontal dimension to a sketch (p. 192)
Adding a vertical dimension to a sketch (p. 192)
Deleting a dimension from a sketch (p. 193)
Adding a radial dimension to a sketch

You can create a radial dimension for an arc or a circle in a sketched cross section.
To add a radial dimension:
1. Click the Sketch radial dimension icon:
2. Select the arc or circle.

Advanced Modeling
See also Adding dimensions to a sketched cross section (p. 190)
Adding an angle dimension to a sketch

You can create an angle dimension between two lines in a sketched cross section. The angle is
calculated anti-clockwise from the first line you select.
To add an angle dimension:
1. Click the Sketch angle dimension icon:
2. Select the first line (1).

3. Select the second line (2).
If you are unable to see the angle symbol, scroll with the mouse wheel to
zoom in.
Adding a dimension between two points in a sketch

You can add a dimension to a sketched cross section, between two points you pick.
To add a dimension between two points in a sketch:
1. Click the Sketch free dimension icon:
2. Pick a point to indicate the starting point of the dimension (1).

3. Pick a point to indicate the end point of the dimension (2).

Advanced Modeling
4. Pick a point to indicate the location of the dimension lines and text.
Adding a horizontal dimension to a sketch

You can add a horizontal dimension to a sketched cross section, between two points you pick.
To add a horizontal dimension to a sketch:
1. Click the Sketch horizontal dimension icon:

Adding a vertical dimension to a sketch

You can add a vertical dimension to a sketched cross section, between two points you pick.
To add a vertical dimension to a sketch:
1. Click the Sketch vertical dimension icon:


Advanced Modeling
Deleting a dimension from a sketch

To delete a dimension from a sketched cross section:
1. Select the dimension you want to delete.
Defining positioning planes for a sketched cross section

When you sketch a cross section, you can define positioning planes for it. With positioning
planes you can determine the planes Tekla Structures will use for positioning parts and
components.
See also Part positioning planes (p. 193)

Connection positioning planes (p. 194)
Showing and hiding positioning planes (p. 195)
Moving positioning planes (p. 195)
Moving positioning plane handles (p. 196)
Reverting to default positioning planes (p. 197)
Part positioning planes

With part positioning planes you can determine how Tekla Structures positions parts that
have a sketched profile cross section. These planes are used for the On plane and At depth
settings for parts, and also when placing custom components that are bound to boundary
planes.
The part positioning planes are displayed in blue:

Advanced Modeling
The On plane options Left and Right are set according to the vertical blue planes, and the
Middle option is halfway between them.
The same principle applies to the At depth setting: the Front and Behind options are set
according to the horizontal blue planes, and the Middle option is halfway between them.
Example You can define part positioning planes so that an asymmetric cross section will be positioned
according to its web only. In the following example, the Middle option is illustrated in gray
dotted lines:
Middle option
See also Defining positioning planes for a sketched cross section (p. 193)
Connection positioning planes

With connection positioning planes you can determine how Tekla Structures positions
components in relation to the component main part that has a sketched profile cross section.

Advanced Modeling
The connection positioning planes are displayed in green:
Example The following image shows the default connection positioning planes of a double tee slab that
was created as a sketched cross section. The green line illustrates the default connection
positioning planes.
To place connections according to the location of the stems of the double tee, move the
connection positioning planes as shown below.
Showing and hiding positioning planes

To show or hide the positioning planes, do one of the following:
To Do this
Show or hide the part positioning
planes Click .
Show or hide the connection
positioning planes Click .
Moving positioning planes

To move positioning planes:

Advanced Modeling
1. Display the positioning planes you want to move.
2. Select the positioning planes.
3. Select one of the positioning plane handles.
The same handle controls both the vertical and horizontal plane, so you
can move them both at the same time.
4. Right-click and select a Move command from the pop-up menu.

5. Move the planes like any other object in Tekla Structures.
Showing and hiding positioning planes (p. 195)
Moving an object
Moving positioning plane handles

You can move the handles of each positioning plane. If you move the handles away from the
outmost corners of the sketched cross section, you must bind them by adding a dimension to
each handle. Otherwise the positioning will not function correctly in the model.
To move the positioning plane handles:
1. Click the positioning plane to display the handles.
The handles are displayed in pink. By default, the handles are at the outmost corners of
the sketched cross section. For example:
2. Click a handle to select it.

3. Move the handle like any other object in Tekla Structures. For example:
a Right-click and select Move.
b Pick the origin for moving.
c Pick a destination point.
4. If the handle is not at the outmost corner of the cross section, add a dimension between
the handle and the corner.
Example In the following examples, the left handle of the positioning plane has been bound by using a
horizontal dimension (b1):

Advanced Modeling
Reverting to default positioning planes

You can revert back to the default positioning planes of a sketched cross section if you have
moved the planes.
To revert to the default positioning planes, do one of the following:
To Do this
Revert to the default part
positioning planes 1. Click to show the part positioning planes.
2. Select the part positioning planes.
3. Right-click and select Delete from the pop-up
menu.
4. Click again to check that the planes have

reverted back to the default.
Revert to the default connection
positioning planes 1. Click to show the connection positioning
planes.
2. Select the connection positioning planes.
3. Right-click and select Delete from the pop-up
menu.
4. Click again to check that the planes have

reverted back to the default.
Checking a sketched cross section

To check that the constraints and dimensions in a sketched cross section work correctly:
1. Double-click a dimension line to open the Distance Properties dialog box.
2. Change the Value field.
3. Click Modify.
Tekla Structures updates the cross section in the cross section sketch editor.

Advanced Modeling
4. Check that the shape of the profile does not change and that the dimensions adjust
correctly.
5. Click Cancel to close the Distance Properties dialog box.
See also Using sketched cross sections in a model (p. 201)
Saving a sketched cross section

Tekla Structures saves the cross section in the current model folder. The sketched cross sections
are available in the Others section in the profile catalog.
Note the following limitations when naming cross sections:

• You cannot use the name of a standard profile.
• You cannot include numbers, special characters, or blank spaces in
the cross section name.
• Lower case letters are automatically converted into upper case
letters.
To save a sketched cross section, do one of the following:
To Do this
Save a new cross section
1. Click Save sketch .
2. Type a name in the Prefix field, and then click OK.
Update an existing cross section
1. Click Save sketch .
2. Click Yes when prompted to update the existing
cross section.
Save a copy of the cross section
under a different name 1. Click Save sketch as .
2. Type a new name in the Prefix field, and then click
OK.
Sketched cross sections are saved in the xslib.db1 file, which is a

library file that contains custom components and sketches. Ordinary
profiles are saved in the profdb.bin file.

Importing and exporting sketched cross sections (p. 202)
Modifying a sketched cross section

You can modify existing cross section sketches, for example, by modifying chamfers or
dimensions. You can also move corners or holes by moving the handles. The chamfers are
moved automatically when you move the handles.

Advanced Modeling
• You cannot change dimensions that have been calculated using
formulas in the Variables dialog box.
• Constraints may also prevent you from changing dimensions.
To modify a sketched cross section:

1. Click Modeling > Profiles > Edit Cross Section in Sketch Editor...
The Component Catalog dialog box opens.
2. Double-click a cross section to open it in the cross section sketch editor.
Sketched cross sections have the symbol next to their name.

3. Double-click an object to modify its properties.
The sketch objects you can modify appear in yellow.
4. Modify the object properties.
5. Click Modify in the object properties dialog box.
6. Close the object properties dialog box.
7. Click the Save sketch as icon to save the changes.
See also Modifying chamfers in a sketch (p. 199)

Setting the sketch thickness (p. 199)
Modifying chamfers in a sketch

You can change the shape and dimensions of chamfers in a sketched cross section. For
example, you can create rounded cross section corners.
To modify a chamfer:
1. Double-click a chamfer symbol in the cross section sketch editor.

2. In the Chamfer Properties dialog box, change the shape and dimensions of the chamfer.
3. Click Modify.
See also Modifying a sketched cross section (p. 198)

Setting the sketch thickness

If you have sketched an open shape, such as a cold rolled section, you must define the extrusion
type and thickness of the sketch in the Sketch Browser. The thickness can be either fixed or
parametric.

Advanced Modeling
To set the thickness of a sketch:
1. In the cross section sketch editor, sketch an open polyline.
• To set a fixed thickness:
a In the Sketch Browser, right-click Thickness and select Add Equation from
the pop-up menu.
b Type the value of the thickness after =.
• To define a parametric thickness:
a In the Variables dialog box, add a new parameter variable for Length (for
example, P1).
b In the Formula column, define the default value for the parameter variable.
c In the Sketch Browser, right-click Thickness and select Add Equation from
the pop-up menu.
d Type the name of the parameter variable (for example, P1) after =.
3. To define the extrusion type:
a In the Sketch Browser, right-click Extrusion Type and select Add Equation
from the pop-up menu.
b Type the extrusion type number (0, 1, or 2) after =.

Cross section extrusion types

The extrusion type defines how a cross section of a consistent thickness is extruded. When you
change the thickness, the profile grows inwards, outwards, or symmetrically in both directions,
depending on the extrusion type. You must define the extrusion type for cross sections that
consist of an open polyline.
The extrusion types are:

Advanced Modeling
Type Description Image
0 The sketch is extruded
symmetrically to the outside and
inside of the polyline.
(Default)
1 The sketch is extruded to the

outside of the polyline.
2 The sketch is extruded to the

inside of the polyline.
See also Setting the sketch thickness (p. 199)
Using sketched cross sections in a model

Once you have created a cross section and saved it in the profile catalog, you are ready to use it
in the model. If you have applied constraints correctly, the shape of the profile will be
maintained when you change its dimensions.
To use a sketched cross section for a new part in a model:
1. Double-click a toolbar button to open the part properties dialog box.
3. Open the Others branch at the end of the profile tree.
4. Select a profile with the sketched cross section.
5. Optional: If the cross section is parametric, define its dimensions in the Value column on
the General tab.
6. Click OK to apply the changes.
7. Pick points to place the part in the model.
See also Creating an image of a sketched cross section (p. 201)
Creating an image of a sketched cross section

To illustrate the shape and dimensions of your profile cross section, you can create an image of
the cross section you have sketched. Tekla Structures displays the image when you browse for
sketched profiles in the profile catalog.

Advanced Modeling
The image must be in Windows bitmap format (*.bmp) and can be created with any bitmap
editor, for example Microsoft Paint. You can also take a screenshot of your cross section in the
cross section sketch editor and use that image.
To create an image of a sketched cross section using a screenshot:
2. Click the sketch to ensure it is the active view.
3. Press F12 on your keyboard to take a screenshot of the sketch without the borders.
Tekla Structures saves the screenshot in the
..\TeklaStructuresModels\<model>\snapshots folder.
4. Open the screenshot in any graphics editor (for example, Microsoft Paint) and modify
the image if necessary.
5. Save the image in bmp format in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.
Use the cross section name as the filename, for example, mysketch.bmp.
See also Using sketched cross sections in a model (p. 201)

Creating a screenshot (p. 124)
Saving a screenshot in bitmap format (p. 125)
Importing and exporting sketched cross sections

To use a sketched cross section in other Tekla Structures models, you have to export the cross
section to a file (*.uel), and then import the file into another Tekla Structures model.
Use the Component Catalog to import and export sketched cross sections. They have the
following symbols and numbers in the Component Catalog:
See also Importing sketched cross sections (p. 203)

Exporting sketched cross sections (p. 203)

Advanced Modeling
Importing sketched cross sections
After you have exported sketched cross sections to a file, you can import the cross sections to
another Tekla Structures model.
To import sketched cross sections:
1. Open the Tekla Structures model you want to import to.
2. Press Ctrl+F to open the Component Catalog.
3. Optional: To view the sketched cross sections and profiles already available in the
current model, select Sketched profiles from the list box.
4. In the component list, right-click and select Import... from the pop-up menu.
5. In the Import Components dialog box, browse for the folder which contains the
exported file (*.uel).
6. Select the file to import.
7. Click OK.
If you have created a profile using a sketched cross section and want to
use the profile in another model, you need to import both the cross
section and profile. To use profiles from a model, you can either export
and then import the entire profile catalog or a part of it, or copy the
profdb.bin file.
To automatically import all *.uel files from a folder when creating a

new model, use the advanced option XS_UEL_IMPORT_FOLDER.
See also Importing and exporting sketched cross sections (p. 202)
Exporting the profile catalog
Exporting elements from the profile catalog
Exporting sketched cross sections

To export sketched cross sections:
1. Open the Tekla Structures model you want to export from.
2. Press Ctrl+F to open the Component Catalog.
3. Select Sketched profiles from the list.
Tekla Structures lists all the sketched cross sections available in the current model.
4. Select the cross sections you want to export. To export several cross sections, hold down
the Ctrl key when selecting.
5. Right-click and select Export... from the pop-up menu.
6. In the Export Components dialog box, enter a name for the export file in the Selection
box.
7. Optional: To save the export file to a specific location, browse for the folder.
By default, Tekla Structures saves the export file in the current model folder.
8. Click OK.
See also Importing and exporting sketched cross sections (p. 202)

Advanced Modeling
Example: Creating a symmetric C-shaped cross section
This example shows how to create a cross section using variables. You will create a symmetric
C-shaped cross section with the dimensions b1 = b2 and h2 = h3. When you use the profile in
the model, you can change the following dimensions:
• Width (b1)
• Total height (h1)
• Height (h2)
• Thickness (P1)
• Chamfers (P2)
In the following example, you will first sketch a C-shaped cross section and add dimensions to
it. After that, you will set the cross section thickness and modify the chamfers. Finally, you will
use the cross section in a model.
See also Example: Sketching a C-shaped cross section (p. 204)

Example: Adding dimensions to the cross section (p. 205)
Example: Setting the cross section thickness (p. 206)
Example: Modifying the chamfers of the cross section (p. 207)
Example: Using the cross section in a model (p. 208)
Example: Sketching a C-shaped cross section

To sketch the outline of a C-shaped cross section:
2. Use the Sketch polyline command to create a rough C-shaped cross section.
At this stage, the cross section does not have to be symmetric or have the right
dimensions.

Advanced Modeling
3. Straighten the lines using the Add horizontal constraint and Add vertical
constraint commands.
4. Save the cross section and name it CSHAPE.
Sketching a polyline (p. 184)
Adding a horizontal constraint (p. 188)
Adding a vertical constraint (p. 189)
Example: Adding dimensions to the cross section

To add dimensions to the cross section:
1. Use the Sketch horizontal dimension command to create the distances b1 and
b2.

Advanced Modeling
2. Use the Sketch vertical dimension command to create the distances h1, h2, and
h3.
3. In the Variables dialog box, enter the following values for the distances:
4. Ensure that Visibility is set to Show for the distances b1, h1, and h2.
5. Save the cross section.
See also Adding a horizontal dimension to a sketch (p. 192)

Adding a vertical dimension to a sketch (p. 192)
Variables (p. 183)
Example: Setting the cross section thickness

To set the cross section thickness:

Advanced Modeling
1. In the Variables dialog box, do the following:
a Click Add to add a parameter variable P1.
b In the Formula box, enter 20.00.
c In the Visiblity box, select Show.
d In the Label in dialog box box, enter Thickness.
2. In the Sketch Browser, set the cross section thickness using the parameter variable P1.
a Right-click Thickness, select Add equation from the pop-up menu, and then
enter =P1.
b Right-click ExtrusionType, select Add equation from the pop-up menu, and then
enter =2 to get the sketch extruded to the inside of the polyline.
See also Variables (p. 183)

Sketch Browser (p. 182)
Example: Modifying the chamfers of the cross section

To modify the chamfers of the cross section:
1. Double-click one of the cross section chamfers.
2. In the Chamfer Properties dialog box, do the following:
a Change the chamfer type to Line .

b Click Modify.
c Repeat steps a–b for all the cross section chamfers.
3. In the Variables dialog box, do the following:
a Click Add to add a parameter variable P2.
b In the Formula box, enter 10.00.
c In the Visiblity box, select Show.
d In the Label in dialog box box, enter Chamfer.

Advanced Modeling
4. In the Sketch Browser, do the following:
a Double-click Chamfer constraint to open the chamfer properties.
b Right-click Chamfer X, select Add equation from the pop-up menu, and then
enter =P2.
c Enter the same value for Chamfer Y.
d Repeat steps a–d for all the cross section chamfers.
See also Modifying chamfers in a sketch (p. 199)

Variables (p. 183)
Sketch Browser (p. 182)
Example: Using the cross section in a model

To use the cross section in a model:
1. Double-click a toolbar button open the part properties dialog box.
3. Open the Others branch at the end of the profile tree, and select the CSHAPE profile.
4. Optional: Modify the dimensions of the cross section profile on the General tab.
5. Click OK to apply the changes.

6. Pick points to place the part in the model.

Advanced Modeling
Defining positioning planes for a sketched cross section (p. 193)

Advanced Modeling
Advanced Modeling
8 Modeling Settings
This section provides more information about the various settings you can modify in Tekla
Structures.
Contents • General settings (p. 211)

• View settings (p. 215)
• Part properties (p. 217)
• Detail properties (p. 227)
• Numbering settings (p. 233)
8.1 General settings

This section provides more information about some general modeling settings.
See also Grid properties (p. 211)

Grid line properties (p. 212)
Point properties (p. 212)
Rotation settings (p. 213)
Color settings (p. 213)
Transparency settings (p. 214)
Screenshot settings (p. 214)
Grid properties
Use the Grid dialog box to view and modify the grid properties.

Modeling Settings
Option
Coordinates The coordinates of the grid in the global x, y, and z directions (x
and y are relative, z is absolute).
• X - grid lines vertical to the work plane
• Y - grid lines horizontal to the work plane
• Z - elevations in the structure
Labels The names of the grid lines.
Line extensions Define how far the grid lines extend in the directions Left/Below
and Right/Above.
Origin The coordinates of the grid origin in the global x, y, and z
directions.
Magnetic grid plane Select to bind objects to grid lines.
User-defined Click to access the user-defined properties of the grid.
attributes...
Grid line properties

Use the Grid Line Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a single grid
line.
Option
Label The name of the grid line.
Depth in view plane The height of the grid plane perpendicular to the view
plane.
Extension Left/Below Define how far the grid lines extend in the directions Left/
Below and Right/Above.
Extension Right/Above
Magnetic grid plane Select to bind objects to the grid line.
User-defined attributes... Click to access the user-defined properties of the grid line.
Visible in drawings Select to make the grid line visible in drawings.
Grid line automatic Select to use single grid lines in grid dimensioning.
dimensioning
Point properties
Use the Point Information dialog box to view and modify the properties of a point.
Option
Phase The phase number.
You can filter objects by their phase numbers.

Modeling Settings
Option
Id The ID number, which is used in log files.
You can filter objects by their ID numbers.
Coordinates The local (work plane) and global x, y, and z coordinates of a
point. Indicates the correct location of the point.
Rotation settings
Use the Copy - Rotate and Move - Rotate dialog boxes to view and modify the settings that are
used when you rotate objects in Tekla Structures.
Option
X0 The x and y coordinates of the starting point of the rotation axis.
Y0
Origin angle The angle of the rotation axis when rotating around a line on the
work plane.
Number of copies Defines the number of copies created.
dZ The difference in position between the original and copied object in
the z direction.
Rotation angle The rotation angle between the original and new position.
Around Defines whether the rotation axis is a line on the work plane or in
the z direction.
See also Rotating objects
Color settings
Use the Object Representation dialog box to define the color of object groups.
Option
As is The current color is used.
If the object belongs to one of the object groups defined in the
following rows, its color is defined by the settings that the object
group in question has on that row.
Colors Select color from the list.
Color by class All parts are colored according to their Class property.
Color by lot Parts belonging to different lots get different colors.
Color by phase Parts belonging to different phases get different colors.
Color by analysis type Displays parts according to the member analysis type.
Color by analysis Displays parts according to the utilization ratio in analysis.
utility check
Color by attribute Displays parts in different colors according to the values of a
user-defined attribute.

Modeling Settings
Transparency settings
Use the Object Representation dialog box to define the transparency of object groups.
Option
As is The current visibility.
If the object belongs to any object group whose visibility and
color settings have been defined, the settings will be read from
that object group.
Visible Object is shown in the views.
50% transparent Object is transparent in rendered views.
70% transparent
90% transparent
Hidden Object is not shown in the views.
Screenshot settings
Use the Screenshot dialog box to view and modify the screenshot settings.
Option
View name Shows the selected view name.
View Includes the view content and window borders in the
screenshot.
View without borders Includes only the view content in the screenshot.
Rendered view For high resolution screenshots from rendered views. The
Options... button displays the Screenshot Options dialog box.
Place on clipboard Places the screenshot on the clipboard.
Print to file Saves the screenshot to a file.
The following screenshot options are only available in rendered views:
Option
Final width The width of the screenshot.
Uses the same unit as other dimensions in modeling.
Final height The height of the screenshot.
Uses the same unit as other dimensions in modeling.
DPI The pixel density (DPI) of the screenshot.
There are limitations to pixel density. You can change the DPI
using a graphics editor.
White background Uses white background.
Smooth lines Uses smooth lines to decrease jagged edges.
Line width Sets the line width.

Modeling Settings
8.2 View settings

This section provides more information about specific view settings.
See also View properties (p. 215)

Grid view properties (p. 215)
Display settings (p. 216)
View properties
Use the View Properties dialog box to view and modify the view properties.
Option
Name The name of the view.
Angle Whether the view angle is Plane or 3D.
Projection The projection type of rendered views.
Orthogonal: All objects are of equal size (no perspective).
When you zoom, text and point size remains the same. In
addition, the zoom remains on part surfaces.
Perspective: Distant objects appear smaller than close ones, as
do text and points. You can zoom, rotate the model, or fly
through it.
Rotation How the view is rotated around the z and x axes. Rotation is
view-specific.
View type The appearance of the model in the view.
Color and transparency The color and transparency setting that is used in all views
in all views (according to the status of the objects in the model).
Representation... Opens the Object Representation dialog box for defining
color and transparency settings.
View depth The thickness of the displayed slice of model. You can define
the depth separately upwards and downwards from the view
plane. Only objects positioned within the view depth are
visible in the model.
Display... Opens the Display dialog box for defining which objects are
displayed in the view and how.
Visible object group Which object group is displayed in the view.
Object group... Opens the Object Group - View Filter dialog box for creating
and modifying object groups.
Grid view properties

Use the Creation of Views Along Grid Lines dialog box to view and modify the properties of
grid views.

Modeling Settings
Option
View plane The plane of the view defined by two axes similarly to the
default view.
Number of views Defines which grid lines the views will be created of.
None does not create any views.
One (First) only creates the view closest to the grid origin.
One (Last) only creates the view furthest from the grid origin.
All creates all views in grid planes in the relevant direction.
View name prefix The prefix to be used with the grid label in the view name. This
name overrides the name in the view properties.
View names consist of a prefix and a grid label, e.g. PLAN
+3000. If the View name prefix field is left empty, no prefix is
used. Tekla Structures adds a dash and a running number to the
view name if view names are otherwise identical.
View properties Defines which view properties (applied or saved) will be used.
Each view plane has its own view properties. You can load the
properties from the current view properties with the option
<applied values> or from saved view properties. The Show...
button displays the current view properties.
See also Creating grid views (p. 38)
Display settings
Use the Display dialog box to define which object types Tekla Structures displays and how
they appear in the model. Some of these settings may affect system performance.
Option
Parts Defines how parts are displayed.
Fast uses a rapid drawing technique that displays internal hidden
edges, but skips cuts.
Exact displays the cuts, but hides the internal hidden lines of
parts.
Reference line shows parts as sticks. This option increases
display speed significantly, when viewing the entire model, or
large parts of it.
Bolts Defines how bolts are displayed.
Fast displays the axis and a cross to represent the bolt head. This
is the recommended representation mode for bolts, because it
increases display speed significantly and consumes less system
memory.
Exact shows bolts, washers, and nuts as solids.

Modeling Settings
Option
Holes Defines how holes are displayed.
Fast only displays the circle in the first plane. When using this
option, Tekla Structures always displays fast holes on the first part
(counting from the head of the bolt). If there are slotted holes in
any of the parts, a slotted hole is displayed on the first part, even
if the hole in that part is not slotted. The new slotted hole has the
same size and rotation as the first slotted hole (counting from the
head of the bolt).
Holes that are outside a part are always displayed as fast holes in
rendered views.
Exact shows holes as solids.
Exact long holes only displays slotted holes in exact mode and
ordinary holes in fast mode.
Point size Defines the size of points in views. You can also change the size
of the part handle using this field.
In model increases the point size on the screen when you zoom
in.
In view does not increase the point size.
AutoStick Defines whether the objects are shown as sticks or as objects.
This option is only available in wire frame views.
By dragging the sliders you can adjust the zoom distance where
objects should be shown as reference lines.
This option increases performance significantly when viewing
large models. It still lets you zoom in on a small area and display
it exactly.
See also Defining which objects are displayed (p. 128)
8.3 Part properties

This section provides more information about the properties of specific steel and concrete parts.
See also Steel column properties (p. 218)

Steel beam properties (p. 218)
Orthogonal beam properties (p. 220)
Twin profile properties (p. 221)
Pad footing properties (p. 222)
Strip footing properties (p. 223)
Concrete column properties (p. 224)
Concrete beam properties (p. 225)
Concrete panel properties (p. 226)

Modeling Settings
Steel column properties
Use the Column Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a steel column.
The file name extension of a column properties file is *.clm.
Option
Part prefix and start The part mark series of the column.
number
Assembly prefix and The assembly mark series of the column.
start number
Name The user-definable name of the column.
Tekla Structures uses part names in reports and drawing lists,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile The profile of the column.
Material The material of the column.
Finish The type of finish.
Finish is user-definable. It describes how the part surface has
been treated, e.g. with anti-corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, etc.
Class Used to group columns.
For example, you can display parts of different classes in
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the column.
Vertical The position of the column, relative to its reference point.
Rotation How the column is rotated around its axis.
Horizontal The horizontal position of the column, relative to its reference
point.
Top The position of the second end of the column in the global z
direction.
Bottom The position of the first end of the column in the global z
direction.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the column.
Composite tab The analysis properties of the slabs in composite constructions.
Start releases tab The support conditions of the column ends.
End releases tab
Design tab The design information of the column.
Deforming tab Warping, cambering, and shortening of the column.
See also Creating a steel column (p. 66)
Steel beam properties

Use the Beam Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a steel beam, steel
polybeam, or curved beam. The file name extension of a beam properties file is *.prt.

Modeling Settings
Option
Part prefix and start The part mark series of a beam.
number
Assembly prefix and The assembly mark series of the beam.
start number
Name The user-definable name of a beam.
Profile The profile of a beam.
Material The material of a beam.
Finish The finish type.
been treated, e.g. with anti-corrosive paint, hot galvanized,
fire retardant coating, etc.
Class Used to group beams.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of a beam.
On plane The position of a beam on the work plane.
Rotation How much a beam is rotated around its axis on the work
plane.
At depth The position of a beam, in terms of depth perpendicular to the
work plane.
End offset The offsets of beam ends relative to a beam’s reference line.
Radius The plane of curvature and radius of a curved beam.
Number of segments The number of segments Tekla Structures uses when drawing
a curved beam.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the beam.
Loading tab The loading properties of the beam.
Composite tab The analysis properties of the slabs in composite
constructions.
Start releases tab The support conditions of the beam ends.
End releases tab
Design tab The design information of the beam.
Deforming tab Warping, cambering, and shortening of the beam.
See also Creating a steel beam (p. 67)
Contour plate properties

Use the Contour Plate Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a contour
plate. The file name extension of a contour plate properties file is *.cpl.

Modeling Settings
Option
Part prefix and start The part mark series of the contour plate.
number
Assembly prefix and The assembly mark series of the contour plate.
start number
Name The user-definable name of the contour plate.
Profile The profile of the contour plate.
The format is PL+ thickness, for example PL20.
Material The material of the contour plate.
Class Used to group contour plates.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the contour plate.
At depth The position of the contour plate, in terms of depth,
perpendicular to the work plane.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the contour plate.
Loading tab The loading properties of the plate.
Spanning tab The spanning properties of the plate.
Design tab The design information of the contour plate.
See also Creating a contour plate (p. 68)
Orthogonal beam properties

Use the Orthogonal Beam Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of an
orthogonal steel beam. The file name extension of an orthogonal beam properties file is
*.crs.
Option
Part prefix and start The part mark series of the beam.
number
Assembly prefix and The assembly mark series of the beam.
start number
Name The user-definable name of the beam.
Profile The profile of the beam.
Material The material of the beam.

Modeling Settings
Option
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the beam.
Vertical The position of the beam, relative to its reference point.
Rotation How much the beam is rotated around its axis.
Horizontal The horizontal position of the beam, relative to its reference
point.
Top The position of the second end of the beam in the z direction
of the work plane.
Bottom The position of the first end of the beam in the z direction of
the work plane.
Composite tab The analysis properties of the slabs in composite
constructions.
End releases tab
See also Creating an orthogonal beam (p. 69)
Twin profile properties

Use the Twin Profile Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a twin steel
profile. The file name extension of a twin profile properties file is *.dia.
Option
Part prefix and start The part mark series of the twin profile.
number
Assembly prefix and The assembly mark series of the twin profile.
start number
Name The user-definable name of the twin profile.
Profile The profile of both the beams in the twin profile.
Material The material of the beams.

Modeling Settings
Option
Class Used to group twin profiles.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the twin profile.
On plane The position of the twin profile on the work plane.
Rotation Defines how the twin profile is rotated around its axis on the
work plane.
At depth The beam position, in terms of depth, perpendicular to the
work plane.
End offset The offsets of the ends of the beam, relative to the beam’s
reference line.
Twin profile type Defines how the profiles are combined.
Horizontal The horizontal clearance between the profiles.
Vertical The vertical clearance between the profiles.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the twin profile.
Composite tab The analysis properties of the slabs in composite constructions.
Start releases tab The support conditions of the twin profile ends.
End releases tab
Design tab The design information of the twin profile.
See also Creating a twin profile (p. 70)
Pad footing properties

Use the Pad Footing Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a pad footing.
The file name extension of a pad footing properties file is *.cpf.
Option
Name The user-definable name of the pad footing.
Profile The profile of the pad footing.
Material The material of the pad footing.
Class Used to group pad footings.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the pad footing.
Vertical The vertical position of the pad footing, relative to its
reference point.
Rotation How much the pad footing is rotated around its axis.

Modeling Settings
Option
Horizontal The horizontal position of the pad footing, relative to its
reference point.
Top The position of the top surface of the pad footing in the global
z direction.
Bottom The position of the bottom surface of the pad footing in the
global z direction.
Cast unit prefix and Define the cast unit series of the pad footing.
start number
Cast unit type Indicates whether the footing is precast or cast in place.
See also Creating a pad footing (p. 78)
Strip footing properties

Use the Strip Footing Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a strip
footing. The file name extension of a strip footing properties file is *.csf.
Option
Name The user-definable name of the strip footing.
Shape The profile of the strip footing.
Material The material of the strip footing.
Class Used to group strip footings.
different colors.
User-defined User-defined properties of the strip footing.
attributes
On plane The position of the strip footing on the work plane.
Rotation How much the strip footing is rotated around its axis on the
work plane.
At depth The position of the strip footing in terms of depth perpendicular
to the work plane.
End offset The offsets of the ends of the strip footing relative to its
reference line.
Cast unit prefix and Define the cast unit series of the strip footing.
start number
Cast unit type Indicates whether the footing is precast or cast in place.
Radius The plane of curvature and radius of the curved strip footing.
Number of segments The number of segments required to draw a curved strip footing.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the strip footing.

Modeling Settings
Option
Start releases tab The support conditions of the footing ends.
End releases tab
Design tab The design information of the footing.
See also Creating a strip footing (p. 78)
Concrete column properties

Use the Concrete Column Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a
concrete column. The file name extension of a concrete column properties file is *.ccl.
Option
Name The user-definable name of the column.
Profile The profile of the column.
Material The material of the column.
Class Used to group columns.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the column.
Vertical The vertical position of the column relative to its reference
point.
Rotation How much the column is rotated around its axis.
Horizontal The horizontal position of the column relative to its reference
point.
Top The position of the second end of the column in the global z
direction.
Bottom The position of the first end of the column in the global z
direction.
Cast unit prefix and Define the cast unit series of the column.
start number
Cast unit type Indicates whether the column is precast or cast in place.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the column.
Start releases tab The support conditions of the column ends.
End releases tab
Design tab The design information of the column.
Deforming tab Warping, cambering and shortening of the column.
See also Creating a concrete column (p. 78)

Modeling Settings
Concrete beam properties
Use the Concrete Beam Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a concrete
beam or polybeam. The file name extension of a concrete beam properties file is *.cbm.
Option
Name The user-definable name of the beam.
Shape The profile of the beam.
Material The material of the beam.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the beam.
On plane The beam position on the work plane.
Rotation How much the beam is rotated around its axis on the work
plane.
At depth The position of the beam in terms of depth perpendicular to
the work plane.
End offset The offsets of the ends of the beam, relative to its reference
line.
Radius The plane of curvature and radius of the curved beam.
Number of segments The number of segments required to draw a curved beam.
Cast unit prefix and start Define the cast unit series of the beam.
number
Cast unit type Indicates whether the beam is precast or cast in place.
End releases tab
Loading tab The loading properties of the beam.
Deforming tab Warping, cambering and shortening of the beam.
See also Creating a concrete beam (p. 79)
Concrete slab properties

Use the Concrete Slab Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a concrete
slab. The file name extension of a concrete slab properties file is *.csl.

Modeling Settings
Option
Name The user-definable name of the slab.
Thickness The thickness of the slab.
Material The material of the slab.
Class Used to group slabs.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the slab.
At depth The position of the slab, in terms of depth, perpendicular to
the work plane.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the slab.
Spanning tab The spanning properties of the slab.
Loading tab The loading properties of the slab.
Design tab The design information of the slab.
Cast unit prefix and start Define the cast unit series of the slab.
number
Cast unit type Indicates whether the slab is precast or cast in place.
See also Creating a concrete slab (p. 80)
Concrete panel properties

Use the Concrete Panel Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a concrete
panel. The file name extension of a concrete panel properties file is *.cpn.
Option
Name The user-definable name of the panel.
Shape The profile of the panel (thickness × height of the wall).
Material The material of the panel.
Class Used to group panels.
different colors.
User-defined attributes User-defined properties of the panel.

Modeling Settings
Option
On plane The position of the panel on the work plane.
Rotation How much the panel is rotated around its axis on the work
plane.
At depth The position of the panel, in terms of depth perpendicular to
the work plane.
End offset The offsets of the ends of the panel, relative to its reference
line.
Analysis tab The analysis properties of the panel.
Spanning tab The spanning properties of the panel.
Loading tab The loading properties of the panel.
Design tab The design information of the panel.
Cast unit prefix and start Define the cast unit series of the panel.
number
Cast unit type Indicates whether the panel is precast or cast in place.
Radius The plane of curvature and radius of the curved panel.
Number of segments The number of segments required to draw a curved panel.
See also Creating a concrete panel (p. 81)
8.4 Detail properties

This section provides more information about the properties of specific modeling details.
See also Bolt properties (p. 227)

Weld properties (p. 229)
Weld types (p. 231)
Corner chamfer properties (p. 232)
Edge chamfer properties (p. 232)
Bolt properties
Use the Bolt Properties dialog box to view or modify the properties of a bolt group.
Option
Bolt size Bolt diameter.
Bolt standard Bolt assembly standard/grade.
Bolt type Defines whether the bolts are assembled on-site or in the shop.
Connect part/ Indicates whether you are bolting a secondary part or a sub-
assembly assembly.
Thread in material Indicates if the thread of the bolt can be inside the bolted parts.
Tekla Structures does not use this value when calculating the length
of full-threaded bolts.

Modeling Settings
Option
Cut length Indicates which parts the bolt connects. The value defines the area
Tekla Structures should search for parts that belong to the bolt
group. Using cut length you can determine whether the bolt will go
through one flange or two.
Tekla Structures searches for parts using half the cut length value,
in both directions from the bolt group plane. In the illustration
below, A is the cut length and B is the bolt origin. Tekla Structures
calculates the search area as A/2 in both directions from point B.
Tekla Structures warns you if the cut length is too small (i.e. the
bolt group contains no parts) and makes the bolt length 100 mm.
If there are large gaps between the connected parts, the gap is added
to the length of the bolt. Tekla Structures calculates bolt length
using the the total distance between the first and last surfaces.
If you want to force a bolt to be a certain length, enter a negative
value for cut length (e.g. -150).
Extra length Additional bolt length.
Increases the material thickness that Tekla Structures uses when
calculating bolt length. For example, you might need extra bolt
length to allow for painting. You can also build additional lengths
into bolt assemblies.
Shape Bolt group shape.
Bolt dist X Bolt spacing, number, or co-ordinate, depending on the bolt group
shape.
Bolt dist Y Bolt spacing, group diameter, or coordinate, depending on the bolt
group shape.
Tolerance Tolerance = Hole diameter - Bolt diameter
Hole type Oversized or slotted. Field activates after you select the Parts with
slotted holes check boxes.
Slotted hole X x allowance of a slotted hole. Zero for a round hole.
Slotted hole Y y allowance of a slotted hole. Zero for a round hole.
Rotate Slots If the bolt connects several parts, you may want to rotate alternate
holes by 90 degrees. This allows the bolt to move in different
directions.

Modeling Settings
Option
On plane Moves the bolt group perpendicular to the bolt group x axis.
Rotation Defines how far the bolt group is rotated around the x axis, relative
to the current work plane.
For example, you can use this field to indicate on which side of the
connected parts you want the bolt head to be.
At depth Moves the bolt group perpendicular to the current work plane.
Dx, Dy, Dz Offsets that move the bolt group by moving the bolt group x axis.
Weld properties
Use the Weld Properties dialog box to view or modify the properties of a weld.
Some of the properties are only displayed in reports, not in drawings.
Option
Prefix See Weld size prefixes (p. 93).
Size The size of the weld.
If you enter a zero or negative weld size, Tekla Structures creates
the weld, but does not display it drawings.
Type See Weld types (p. 231).
Angle The angle of weld preparation, bevels, or groove.
Tekla Structures displays the angle between the weld type symbol
and the fill type contour symbol.
Contour The fill type contour of a weld can be:
• None
• Flush
• Convex
• Concave

Modeling Settings
Option
Finish Tekla Structures displays the finish symbol above the weld type
symbol in drawings. The options are:
• G (Grind)
• M (Machine)
• C (Chip)
• (Flush finished weld)

• (Smooth blended weld face)
Length The length of a regular weld depends on the length of the
connection between the welded parts. You can set the exact length
of a polygon weld by, for example, defining the start and end points
of the weld.
Intermittent weld Indicates whether the weld is an intermittent weld.
Intermittent welds are staggered on both sides of the part being
welded. Tekla Structures shows the weld type symbols as staggered
in weld symbols.
Pitch The center-to-center spacing of welds for non-continuous welds.
To create a non-continuous weld, define the center-to-center
spacing and the pitch of the welds. Tekla Structures calculates the
distance between the welds as the pitch minus the length of the
weld.
Tekla Structures uses the – character by default to separate weld
length and pitch, for example 50–100. To change the separator to
@, for example, set the advanced option
XS_WELD_LENGTH_CC_SEPARATOR_CHAR to @.
Root face Root face thickness is the height of the narrowest part inside the
root opening. The RFT fields in the connection dialog boxes also
refer to the root face thickness.
Neither root face nor RFT values appear in drawings, but you can
use the WELD_ROOT_FACE_THICKNESS field in reports to show the
root face dimension in the weld list.
Effective throat The weld size used in weld strength calculation.
Root opening The space between the welded parts.
Reference text Additional information to appear in the weld symbol. For example,
information about the weld specification or process.
Edge/Around Indicates whether only one edge or the entire perimeter of a face
should be welded.
A circle in the weld symbol in drawings indicates the Around
option has been used.
Workshop/Site Indicates where the weld should be made. This setting affects
assemblies and drawings.
Tekla Structures indicates site welds in the weld symbol using a
flag.
NDT inspection Defines the non-desctructive testing and inspection level.
level
Connect part/ See Using welds to create assemblies (p. 72).
assembly
Position See Weld position (p. 92).

Modeling Settings
Option
Electrode Defines the weld electrode classification.
classification
Electrode strength Defines the electrode strength.
Electrode Defines the electrode strength coefficient.
coefficient
Welding process Defines the process type.
type
Weld types
Use the Weld Properties dialog box to define the weld type. Some weld types also
automatically prepare the parts to be welded. The following table shows the available weld
types:
Weld
type Name Number Preparation
None 0 No
Fillet weld 10 No
Bevel-groove (single-V butt 3 Both parts

weld)
Bevel-groove (single-bevel 4 Secondary part
butt weld)
Square-groove (square butt 2 No
weld)
Single-V butt weld with 5 Both edges
broad root face
Single-bevel butt weld with 6 Secondary part
broad root face
U-groove weld (single-U 7 Both parts
butt weld)
J-groove weld (single-J butt 8 Secondary part
weld)
Flare V-groove weld 16 Both parts
Flare-bevel-groove weld 15 Secondary part
Edge-flange weld 1 No
Corner-flange weld 17 No
Plug weld 11 No
Bevel backing weld 9 No
Spot weld 12 No
Seam weld 13 No

Modeling Settings
Weld
type Name Number Preparation
Slot weld 14 No
Partial penetration weld 18 Secondary part

(single-bevel butt + fillet)
Partial penetration weld 19 No
(square groove + fillet)
Melt-through weld 20 No
Steep-flanked single-V butt 21 No

weld
Steep-flanked single-bevel 22 No
butt weld
Edge weld 23 No
Surfacing weld 24 No
Fold joint 25 No
Inclined joint 26 No
Corner chamfer properties

Use the Chamfer Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of a corner chamfer.
Option
Type The shape of the chamfer.
x The dimensions of the chamfer. The dimension depends on the
chamfer type.
y
dz1 Only used for contour plates and concrete slabs.
dz2 Moves the top or bottom surface of the part corner in the part’s
local z direction.
Use these fields, for example, to give plates varying
thicknesses.
Edge chamfer properties

Use the Edge Chamfer Properties dialog box to view and modify the properties of an edge
chamfer.
Field Description More information

Type The shape of the chamfer.
Name The name of the chamfer.

Modeling Settings
Field Description More information
Cutting distance Defines how far away from the
in X direction chamfered edge the chamfer will
end in the x direction.
Cutting distance Defines how far away from the
in Y direction chamfered edge the chamfer will
end in the y direction.
First end type The shape and position of the The options are:
first end point.
• Full: The end point is
Second end type The shape and position of the positioned at the end of the
second end point. part (moving along the
nearest edge), and the shape
is straight.
• Straight: The end point is
positioned at the point you
pick, and the shape is
straight.
• Bevelled: The end point is
positioned at the point you
pick, and the shape is angled.
Dimension The distance between the
(picked) end point and the
bevelled points.
See also Chamfering part edges (p. 107)
8.5 Numbering settings

This section provides more information about specific numbering settings.
See also General numbering settings (p. 233)

Weld numbering settings (p. 234)
Control number settings (p. 235)
General numbering settings

Use the Numbering Setup dialog box to view and modify some general numbering settings.
Option
Renumber all All parts get a new number. All information on previous
numbers is lost.
Re-use old numbers Tekla Structures reuses the numbers of parts that have been
deleted. These numbers may be used to number new or
modified parts.

Modeling Settings
Option
Check for standard parts If a separate standard-part model has been set up, Tekla
Structures compares the parts in the current model to those in
the standard-part model.
If the part to be numbered is identical to a part in the standard-
part model, Tekla Structures uses the same part number as in
the standard-part model.
Compare to old The part gets the same number as a previously numbered
similar part.
Take new number The part gets a new number even if a similar numbered part
already exists.
Keep number if possible Modified parts maintain their previous numbers if possible.
Synchronize with master Use this setting when working in multi-user mode. Tekla
model Structures locks the master model and performs a save,
numbering, and save sequence, so that all other users can
continue working during the operation.
Automatic cloning If the main part of a drawing is modified and therefore gets a
new assembly position, the existing drawing is automatically
assigned to another part of the position.
If the modified part moves to an assembly position that does
not have a drawing, the original drawing is automatically
cloned to reflect the changes in the modified part.
Holes The location, size, and number of holes affects numbering.
Part name The part name affects numbering.
Beam orientation The orientation of beams affects numbering.
Column orientation The orientation of columns affects numbering.
Reinforcing bars The orientation of reinforcing bars affects numbering.
Embedded objects The orientation of equal embedded objects affects numbering.
Surface treatment Surface treatments affect the numbering of assemblies.
Tolerance Parts can get the same number if they do not differ more than
as set in this input field.
Assembly position sort See Assembly position numbers (p. 157).
order

Creating a standard-part model (p. 160)
Weld numbering settings

Use the Weld Numbering dialog box to view and modify the weld numbering settings. The
weld number is displayed in drawings and weld reports.

Modeling Settings
Option
Start number The number from which the numbering
starts. Tekla Structures automatically
suggests the following free number as the
start number.
Apply for Defines which objects are affected by the
change.
All welds changes the number of all welds in
the model.
Selected welds changes the number of the
selected welds without affecting others.
Renumber also welds that have a number Tekla Structures replaces existing weld
numbers.
Re-use numbers of deleted welds If some welds have been removed, Tekla
Structures uses their numbers when
numbering other welds.
Control number settings

Use the Create control numbers (S9) dialog box to view and modify the control number
settings.
Option
Numbering Defines which parts get control numbers.
All creates consecutive numbers for all parts.
By numbering series creates control
numbers for parts in a specific numbering
series.
Assembly/Cast unit numbering series Defines the prefix and start number of the
numbering series for which to create control
numbers.
Needed only with the By numbering series
option.
Start number of control numbers The number from which the numbering
starts.
Step value Defines the interval between two control
numbers.
Renumber Defines how to treat parts that already have
control numbers.
Yes replaces the existing control numbers.
No keeps the existing control numbers.
First direction Defines in what order to assign control
numbers.
Second direction
Third direction

Modeling Settings
Modeling Settings
9 Modeling Tips
This section provides useful hints and tips that help you to model structures more quickly and
accurately, and avoid potential problems with templates and drawings.
Contents • General modeling tips (p. 237)

• Part positioning tips (p. 241)
9.1 General modeling tips

These tips will help you to use some basic modeling functionalities more efficiently.
See also Defining default part properties (p. 237)

Copying and moving efficiently (p. 238)
Modeling identical areas (p. 238)
Selecting values from the model (p. 238)
Activating an overlapping view (p. 239)
Right-hand rule (p. 239)
Hiding cut lines in a view (p. 240)
Cutting efficiently (p. 240)
Useful shortcuts in viewing logs and reports (p. 241)
Defining default part properties

Save time by saving a default set of properties for each part you plan to create before you start
modeling.
To define default sets of part properties for a project:
2. Enter the part properties you want to use as defaults.

Modeling Tips
3. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the set of properties. For
example, enter BEAM.
4. Click Save as to save the set of properties.
5. Click OK to close the part properties dialog box.
6. Continue to save sets of properties for each type of part you intend to create.
7. To make the sets of part properties you have defined the default sets for this project,
click Tools > Defaults > Save Defaults.
To use a default set of part properties, open the part properties dialog box
and select an option from the list next to the Load button. Click Load to
load the properties.
Copying and moving efficiently

You can keep the Move and Copy dialog boxes open if you are going to use them often, for
example, when creating grids and levels in a new model.
To keep a dialog box open while modeling:
1. Start the Move or Copy command.
2. To stop copying or moving objects, right-click and select Interrupt from the pop-up
menu.
The dialog box remains open on the screen.
3. To continue copying or moving objects:
a Click the dialog box to activate it.
b Select an object.
c Enter the values you want to use, and then click the Move or Copy button in the
dialog box.
See also Copying and moving objects
Modeling identical areas

Most structures contain identical areas, from simple frames to entire floors. Save time by
modeling these areas once, then copying them throughout the model. For example, create a
column with a base plate and cap plate, then copy the column to all the locations where it
occurs in the model.
You can use this technique to create and reproduce any identical area. Depending on the
project, you may even be able to add connections before copying the area of the building.
For a project that has several identical floors, try modeling an entire
floor, then copying it to several levels.
See also Copying and moving objects
Selecting values from the model

You can select object properties and dates directly from the model. This can useful when
creating view filters, selection filters, and object groups.
Before you start, create an empty view or selection filter, or an object group.

Modeling Tips
To select values from the model:
1. Click Add row.
2. Select options from the Category and Property list boxes.
3. In the Value list box, select one of the options.
The availability of options depends on your selection in the Property list box. You can
select dates from the model only if the property is a date.
a To select an object property, click Select from model... and then select an object.
b To select a date, click Select date... to open the Select date dialog box, and then
select one of the options.
You can either select a date from the calendar, select the review date, or define the
number of days before or after the review date. The review date is the same as
Review date in the Project Status Visualization dialog box.
See also Creating a view filter

Creating a selection filter
Creating an object group (p. 132)
Creating a visualization (p. 136)
Activating an overlapping view

When you want to pick positions from two views that partly overlap, you can use the Xmouse
option. With Xmouse active, simply moving the mouse pointer over a view activates the view.
To activate a view using Xmouse:
1. Click Tools > Options > Xmouse to switch on Xmouse.
A check mark appears next to the menu option if Xmouse is already switched on.
2. To activate a view, do one of the following:
• Move the mouse pointer over the view.
• Use the Page Up, Page Down and arrow keys.
Finding RGB values for colors

To find RGB values for colors:
1. Log in to the Tekla Extranet.
2. Click Tekla Structures > Self learning > Questions and answers.
3. Open the Background color in model editor document.
4. Download and install the application.
Right-hand rule
Right-hand rule indicates the direction of the coordinate axes. When you hold the thumb, index
finger, and middle finger of your right hand so that they form three right angles, then the thumb
symbolizes the x axis, the index finger the y axis, and the middle finger the z axis.

Modeling Tips
Hiding cut lines in a view
To hide all cut lines in a view:
3. Clear the Cuts check box.
4. Click Modify.
Cutting efficiently
Follow these guidelines when cutting objects in the model:
• Avoid part faces
Avoid creating cuts that are exactly on the part planes or go through vertices. Try to
position the cut at least 0.3 mm outside of the part planes.
• Use polygon cuts
Whenever possible, use polygon cuts. The Cut part with polygon command automatically
extends the cut slightly outside of the part face. Note that after creating the polygon, you
may have to adjust the position of the handles manually.
• Use edge chamfers
Whenever possible, use edge chamfers instead of small cuts, especially in components.
• Tips for flange cuts
When cutting a flange, if the cutting part cuts very slightly the web as well (at least 0.3
mm), the cut is more likely to succeed. For example, if you are cutting a beam that has
roundings, it may be useful to cut even further onto the web than just the flange thickness.
• Tips for round tube cuts
Use the Round tube (23) component for round tube cuts. The component automatically
rotates the cutting part until a successful cut position is found. If the component fails,
rotate the cutting part slightly until you find a successful cut position.
If a cut fails, Tekla Structures displays the cutting part using dash-and-
dot lines. An error notification is printed in the session history log stating
which part and which cut caused the failure.
To locate the failure in the model, click a row that contains an ID
number in the session history log. Tekla Structures selects the
corresponding part and cut in the model.

Modeling Tips
Viewing log files
Useful shortcuts in viewing logs and reports (p. 241)
Useful shortcuts in viewing logs and reports

Use the following shortcuts when viewing items in log files and reports:
To Do this
Zoom to the selected objects 1. Hold down Z.
2. Click a row that contains an ID number.
Tekla Structures zooms to the corresponding
objects in the active model view.
Fit the work area to include only 1. Hold down F.
the selected objects 2. Click a row that contains an ID number.
Tekla Structures zooms to the corresponding
objects in the active model view.
See also Viewing log files

Viewing reports
9.2 Part positioning tips

These tips will help you to efficiently create and position parts in a view.
See also Modifying part length (p. 241)

Creating horizontal parts (p. 242)
Optional ways of placing objects in a model (p. 242)
Positioning objects in a radial or circular pattern (p. 242)
Modifying part length

To modify the length of a part, do one of the following:
• To shorten a part, move the part handles, or use the Fit Part End command.
• To lengthen a part, move the part handles.
Do not cut the end of a part to shorten it. This can cause shop errors,
because cuts do not always affect part length when you export
information to NC files.
Do not use fittings to lengthen parts. It can cause problems with

connections and details.

Modeling Tips
Fittings (p. 108)
Creating horizontal parts

When creating horizontal parts, such as beams, always pick points in the same direction. For
example, pick positions from left to right, and from bottom to top (in positive x, y directions).
This ensures that Tekla Structures places and dimensions the parts in the same way in drawings,
and that part marks automatically appear at the same part end.
To ensure that beam rotation is correct in drawings, set part Rotation to Top in the part
Optional ways of placing objects in a model

When you want to place an object to a position where no lines or objects intersect, you have the
following options:
• Use the snapping commands.
• Use construction planes, lines and circles.
• Create points.
See also Snapping to positions

Construction objects (p. 40)
Points (p. 42)
Positioning objects in a radial or circular pattern

To position objects in a radial or circular pattern, do one of the following:
• Create a grid line and use the Copy Special > Rotate command to copy it.
• Use construction lines and circles to position the objects.
See also Creating a single grid line (p. 32)

Rotating objects
Construction objects (p. 40)

Modeling Tips
Index
# beams
cambering............................................................115
concrete beams............................................ 79, 225
3D concrete polybeams ..............................................79
models................................................................... 15 curved beams........................................................68
views ..................................................................... 39 orthogonal beams..................................................69
4D tool, see visualizing project status ........................ 135 steel beams .................................................. 67, 218
steel polybeams ....................................................67
warping................................................................113
a bending.........................................................................65
bolts ............................................................... 71, 85, 227
bolt group position .................................................87
absolute coordinates .................................................... 30 bolt group shape....................................................86
angle dimensions ....................................................... 191 bolt offsets .............................................................88
angles......................................................................... 143 bolt spacing .........................................................143
arcs............................................................................. 185 bolting sub-assemblies..........................................72
assemblies ................................................................... 70 clash checking.....................................................148
adding objects .................................................73, 74 creating........................................................... 86, 88
changing the main assembly................................. 75 modifying ...............................................................88
changing the main part.......................................... 75
comparing ........................................................... 149
creating ................................................................. 71 c
examples............................................................... 76
exploding............................................................... 76
highlighting ............................................................ 75 cambering parts..........................................................115
joining.................................................................... 75 cast in place..................................................................83
lotting................................................................... 174 cast units ......................................................................81
nested assemblies ..........................................73, 74 adding non-concrete objects .................................82
numbering ........................................................... 157 adding objects .......................................................82
removing objects ................................................... 75 cast unit type .........................................................83
showing and hiding ............................................. 131 casting direction ....................................................84
sub-assemblies ..................................................... 71 changing the main part..........................................82
using bolts to create assemblies ........................... 71 creating..................................................................82
using welds to create assemblies ......................... 72 exploding ...............................................................83
attaching parts............................................................ 117 highlighting ............................................................83
lotting...................................................................174
numbering ...........................................................157
b removing objects ...................................................83
top-in-form face .....................................................84
chamfering..................................................................104
background color corner chamfer dimensions .................................105
changing................................................................ 23 corner chamfer types...........................................105
examples............................................................... 23 corner chamfers ..................................................105
edge chamfers.....................................................107
in sketches ..........................................................199

checking concrete parts ...............................................................77
sketched cross sections ......................................197 beams ........................................................... 79, 225
checking the model.....................................................142 cast units................................................................81
circles..........................................................................185 casting direction.....................................................84
Clash Check Manager ....................................... 145, 146 columns ........................................................ 78, 224
clash checking .................................. 144, 145, 146, 149 pad footings .................................................. 78, 222
bolts .....................................................................148 panels ........................................................... 81, 226
changing priority ..................................................147 polybeams .............................................................79
changing status ...................................................147 slabs ............................................................. 80, 225
list of clashes .......................................................146 strip footings ................................................. 78, 223
managing results .................................................146 warping ................................................................113
sessions...............................................................147 constraints...................................................................186
symbols ...............................................................146 coincident.............................................................187
class....................................................................... 51, 55 deleting ................................................................189
classifying information ................................................167 fixed .....................................................................188
clip planes...................................................................124 horizontal .............................................................188
coincident contraints ...................................................187 parallel .................................................................186
colliding objects ..........................................................144 perpendicular .......................................................187
colors ............................................................................55 vertical .................................................................189
background color ...................................................23 construction objects ......................................................40
background color examples...................................23 construction circles ................................................41
color settings .......................................................213 construction lines ...................................................41
finding RGB values..............................................239 construction planes................................................40
grid color......................................................... 28, 31 contour plates ................................................68, 69, 219
columns control numbers ................................................. 158, 159
concrete columns ......................................... 78, 224 settings ................................................................235
steel columns................................................ 66, 218 coordinates
combining parts ................................................. 116, 117 coordinate system..................................................28
comparing parts or assemblies...................................149 copying
components hints and tips........................................................238
showing and hiding..............................................132 object groups .......................................................133
object representation settings..............................135
project status visualizations .................................136
corner chamfers .........................................104, 105, 232
types and dimensions ..........................................105

creating Custom Inquiry ...........................................................126
assemblies ......................................................70, 71 adding attributes..................................................127
bolts....................................................................... 86 modifying contents ..............................................127
cast units ............................................................... 82 cuts .............................................................................109
clip planes ........................................................... 124 hints and tips .......................................................240
concrete beams..................................................... 79 line cuts ...................................................... 109, 111
concrete columns .................................................. 78 part cuts...................................................... 110, 112
concrete panels..................................................... 81 polygon cuts ............................................... 109, 111
concrete polybeams .............................................. 79
concrete slabs ....................................................... 80
construction circles................................................ 41 d
construction lines .................................................. 41
construction planes ............................................... 40 deleting
contour plates..................................................68, 69 logical areas ........................................................171
curved beams........................................................ 68 object types .........................................................171
fittings.................................................................. 108 detail properties ..........................................................227
grid lines................................................................ 32 DGN
grid views .............................................................. 38 supported objects ..................................................48
grids ...................................................................... 30 dimensions
holes................................................................89, 90 angle....................................................................191
logical areas ........................................................ 168 between two points..............................................191
lots....................................................................... 174 deleting from a sketch .........................................193
models................................................................... 16 horizontal.............................................................192
nested assemblies ................................................ 74 in sketching .........................................................190
object groups....................................................... 132 radial....................................................................190
object representation settings ............................. 134 vertical .................................................................192
object type categories ......................................... 169 display settings ...........................................................216
orthogonal beams ................................................. 69 distances
pad footings........................................................... 78 measuring............................................................143
project status visualizations ................................ 136 dividing models...........................................................171
screenshots......................................................... 124
sections ............................................................... 168
sequences........................................................... 172
single bolts ............................................................ 88
e
sketched cross sections ...................................... 184
slabs...................................................................... 80 edge chamfers........................................... 104, 107, 232
standard-part models .......................................... 160 end offsets ....................................................................63
steel beams........................................................... 67 erection schedules............................................. 137, 139
steel columns ........................................................ 66 erection sequences ....................................................171
steel polybeams .................................................... 67 exact lines...................................................................131
storys................................................................... 168 examining the model ..................................................119
strip footings.......................................................... 78 examples
sub-assemblies ..................................................... 71 assemblies ............................................................76
tile patterns.......................................................... 100 background colors .................................................23
twin profiles ........................................................... 70 creating object groups .........................................137
views ..................................................................... 35 creating object representation settings................138
welds ........................................................ 91, 93, 94 creating project status visualization settings .......138
cross sections creating symmetric C-shaped cross section........204
cross section sketch editor.................................. 181 defining erection schedules.................................137
sketching cross sections ..................................... 181 numbering ..................................162, 163, 164, 165
curved parts............................................................65, 68 tile pattern definition ............................................101
visualizing erection schedules.............................139
visualizing project status .....................................136

exploding hiding
assemblies.............................................................76 assemblies...........................................................131
cast units ...............................................................83 components .........................................................132
exporting cut lines................................................................240
sketched cross sections ......................................203 grid labels ..............................................................31
extrusion types............................................................200 part labels ..............................................................56
positioning planes ................................................195
f reference lines .......................................................58

reference models ...................................................45
selected parts ......................................................130
family numbers ...........................................................155 top-in-form face......................................................84
example ...............................................................163 unselected parts ..................................................131
modifying .............................................................156 work area ...............................................................26
finding highlighting
clashes ................................................................145 assemblies.............................................................75
finding distant objects .................................................149 cast units................................................................83
fittings .........................................................................108 reference models ...................................................45
fixed constraints..........................................................188 hints and tips, see tips ................................................237
flying through model ...................................................123 holes ...................................................................... 89, 90
footings ........................................................78, 222, 223 horizontal constraints ..................................................188
horizontal dimensions .................................................192
horizontal position .........................................................62
g
i
global coordinate system ..............................................28
grid lines .......................................................................32
creating..................................................................32 identical
deleting ..................................................................33 areas....................................................................238
modifying ...............................................................33 parts.....................................................................152
properties.............................................................212 reinforcements .....................................................153
grid views importing
creating..................................................................38 points .....................................................................42
properties.............................................................215 sketched cross sections.......................................203
grids inquiring
coordinates ............................................................30 models .................................................................126
creating..................................................................30 object properties ..................................................126
deleting ..................................................................31
grid color......................................................... 28, 31
labels .............................................................. 29, 31
j
line extensions.......................................................29
modifying ...............................................................31 joining assemblies.........................................................75
origin......................................................................29
properties.............................................................211
work plane grid ......................................................27 l
h lengthening parts ........................................................116
levels.............................................................................64
line cuts.............................................................. 109, 111
handles .........................................................................57 lines
moving ...................................................................57 exact ....................................................................131
of positioning planes............................................196 local coordinate system ................................................28

log files moving
viewing ................................................................ 241 hints and tips .......................................................238
logical areas .......................................................167, 168 models in a view..................................................122
viewing ................................................................ 170 positioning planes................................................195
lotting.......................................................................... 174 using handles ........................................................57
adding parts ........................................................ 175
creating ............................................................... 174
deleting................................................................ 175 n
removing ............................................................. 175
nested assemblies................................................. 73, 74
m numbering.......................................................... 151, 156
about numbering .................................................151
assemblies ..........................................................157
Magnifier..................................................................... 120 cast units .............................................................157
materials....................................................................... 54 checking and repairing ........................................161
measuring objects ...................................................... 143 clearing................................................................160
angles.................................................................. 143 control numbers.......................................... 158, 159
bolt spacing ......................................................... 143 examples ....................................162, 163, 164, 165
distances ............................................................. 143 family numbers ................................... 155, 156, 163
Mini Toolbar history..................................................................161
modifying part position .......................................... 58 identical parts ......................................................152
Model Editor identical reinforcements ......................................153
screen layout......................................................... 21 modifying .............................................................159
Model Organizer......................................................... 167 numbering series.................................................154
modeling preliminary numbers............................................158
hints and tips ....................................................... 237 reinforcements.....................................................157
identical areas ..................................................... 238 sequences ...........................................................172
parametric modeling............................................ 176 series.................................................. 153, 154, 156
rendered or plan view?.......................................... 34 settings ............................................... 233, 234, 235
Modeling of floor bay (66)........................................... 114 standard-part model ............................................160
models user-defined attributes.........................................153
about 3D models ................................................... 15 what affects .........................................................152
checking for errors .............................................. 142 numbering settings .....................................................233
creating ................................................................. 16
dividing into phases............................................. 171
examining............................................................ 119 o
flying through model............................................ 123
inquiring............................................................... 126 object groups ..............................................................132
moving................................................................. 122 color settings .......................................................213
numbering ........................................................... 151 copying to another model ....................................133
organizing............................................................ 167 creating................................................................132
rotating ................................................................ 121 deleting................................................................133
saving.................................................................... 17 example...............................................................137
viewing ................................................................ 119 transparency settings ..........................................214
zooming............................................................... 119 object property report templates.................................126
modifying object representation settings.....................................133
logical areas ........................................................ 169 copying ................................................................135
object types ......................................................... 169 creating................................................................134
deleting................................................................135
example...............................................................138
object types ................................................................167
viewing ................................................................170

objects parts
clash checking ............................................ 144, 145 adding to assembly................................................74
defining visibility...................................................128 assemblies.............................................................70
finding distant objects ..........................................149 bending ..................................................................65
inquiring properties ..............................................126 cambering ............................................................115
measuring............................................................143 changing the material ............................................54
numbering............................................................156 changing the profile ...............................................52
placing objects in model ......................................242 combining ............................................................116
positioning ...........................................................242 comparing ............................................................149
showing and hiding..............................................128 concrete parts ........................................................77
offsets ...........................................................................63 cutting with another part ............................. 110, 112
opening default properties .................................................237
models ...................................................................17 hiding ...................................................................130
organizing the model ..................................................167 horizontal parts ....................................................242
orthogonal beams .......................................................220 identical parts.......................................................152
overlapping labels .....................................................................56
numbering series .................................................156 lengthening ..........................................................115
views....................................................................239 lengthening in drawings .......................................116
oversized holes.............................................................90 lotting ...................................................................174
material ..................................................................54
p modifying part length ...........................................241

numbering................................................... 154, 156
part types ...............................................................52
pad footings ......................................................... 78, 222 position ........................................................... 57, 58
panels ...........................................................................81 profiles ...................................................................52
panning .......................................................................122 properties...............................................................51
parallel constraints......................................................186 sequences .................................................. 172, 173
parametric modeling ...................................................176 shortening ............................................................115
profiles .................................................................176 shortening in drawings.........................................116
parametric profiles ........................................................53 showing only selected parts.................................131
part add, see attaching parts ......................................117 showing with exact lines ......................................131
part labels .....................................................................56 splitting.................................................................117
showing and hiding................................................56 steel parts ..............................................................66
part properties.............................................................217 user-defined attributes ...........................................55
warping ................................................................113
perpendicular constraints............................................187
phases ........................................................................171
in numbering ........................................................164
plane views ...................................................................39
points ............................................................................42
coordinates ..........................................................212
importing ................................................................42
phase and ID .......................................................212
properties.............................................................212
polybeams.............................................................. 67, 79
polygon cuts....................................................... 109, 111
polygon shapes...........................................................112
polygon welds ...............................................................93
polylines ......................................................................184

position reference models..........................................................43
bending ................................................................. 65 clash checking.....................................................144
depth ..................................................................... 60 hiding.....................................................................45
end offsets............................................................. 63 highlighting ............................................................45
horizontal............................................................... 62 inserting.................................................................44
levels ..................................................................... 64 modifying properties ..............................................44
on the work plane.................................................. 59 selecting ................................................................45
rotation .................................................................. 59 splitting into reference objects...............................48
vertical................................................................... 61 supported DGN objects .........................................48
positioning planes....................................................... 193 updating.................................................................45
handles................................................................ 196 viewing changes....................................................45
moving................................................................. 195 viewing layers........................................................46
reverting to default .............................................. 197 reference points............................................................57
prefixes refreshing views............................................................39
profile name prefixes............................................. 53 reinforcements
weld size prefix...................................................... 93 identical ...............................................................153
preliminary numbers................................................... 158 numbering ...........................................................157
preparing parts for welding........................................... 94 relative coordinates ......................................................30
printing rendered views .............................................................36
screenshots......................................................... 125 representation options.........................................128
priority repairing
in clash checking................................................. 147 numbering errors .................................................161
profiles.......................................................................... 52 report templates
parametric .....................................................53, 176 for inquiring object properties ..............................126
prefixes.................................................................. 53 reports
separators ............................................................. 53 viewing ................................................................241
sketched profiles ................................................. 201 representation options ................................................128
standard ................................................................ 53 restoring default work plane .........................................28
twin profiles ........................................................... 70 reverting
user-defined .......................................................... 53 to default positioning planes................................197
project status visualizations........................................ 135 to old clash checking functionality .......................149
copying................................................................ 136 RGB values ................................................................239
creating ............................................................... 136 right-hand rule ............................................................239
deleting................................................................ 136 rotating
example.......................................................136, 138 models.................................................................121
properties parts ......................................................................59
default ................................................................. 237 rotation settings ...................................................213
rotation angle knob .......................................................58
r round
holes......................................................................89
plates.....................................................................69
radial dimensions ....................................................... 190 slabs ......................................................................80
radius............................................................................ 65
redrawing views............................................................ 39
reference lines........................................................57, 58
s
reference model objects ............................................... 47
selecting ................................................................ 48 saving
models...................................................................17
sketched cross sections ......................................198
screen layout
in Model Editor ......................................................21

screenshots shortening parts in drawings .......................................116
creating................................................................124 showing
in Windows Vista .................................................125 assemblies...........................................................131
printing.................................................................125 components .........................................................132
saving in bitmap format .......................................125 cut lines................................................................240
settings ................................................................214 parts labels ............................................................56
sections.......................................................................168 parts with exact lines ...........................................131
selecting positioning planes ................................................195
dates from model.................................................238 reference lines .......................................................58
reference model objects ........................................48 top-in-form face......................................................84
reference models...................................................45 views......................................................................38
values from model ...............................................238 work area ...............................................................26
selection dial .................................................................58 single bolts ....................................................................88
sequences ..................................................................172 single grid lines .............................................................32
adding parts.........................................................173 single-part welds ...........................................................94
creating................................................................172 Sketch Browser...........................................................182
deleting ................................................................173 sketch editor................................................................181
inquiring ...............................................................173 sketched cross sections..............................................181
modifying .............................................................173 adding constraints................................................186
settings adding dimensions...............................................190
bolt properties......................................................227 arcs ......................................................................185
concrete beam properties....................................225 chamfers ..............................................................199
concrete column properties .................................224 checking...............................................................197
concrete panel properties ....................................226 circles...................................................................185
concrete slab properties ......................................225 creating ................................................................184
contour plate properties.......................................219 creating images ...................................................201
corner chamfer properties ...................................232 example ...............................................................204
detail properties ...................................................227 exporting ..................................................... 202, 203
display settings ....................................................216 extrusion types.....................................................200
edge chamfer properties......................................232 importing ..................................................... 202, 203
general modeling settings....................................211 modifying .............................................................198
grid line properties ...............................................212 polylines...............................................................184
grid properties......................................................211 positioning planes ...............................193, 194, 196
grid view properties .............................................215 profiles .................................................................201
numbering settings .............................233, 234, 235 refining the shape ................................................186
orthogonal beam properties.................................220 saving ..................................................................198
pad footing properties..........................................222 sketch thickness ..................................................199
part properties .....................................................217 using in models....................................................201
point properties....................................................212 variables ..............................................................183
rotation settings ...................................................213 slabs..............................................................................80
screenshot settings..............................................214 warping ....................................................... 113, 114
steel beam properties ..........................................218 slotted holes..................................................................90
steel column properties .......................................218 snapping
strip footing properties .........................................223 to middle points......................................................57
twin profile properties ..........................................221 snapshots, see screenshots .......................................124
view properties ....................................................215 splitting
view settings ........................................................215 parts............................................................ 117, 118
weld properties ....................................................229 plates and slabs...................................................118
shifting the work plane ..................................................27 standard profiles ...........................................................53
shortcuts standard-part models ..................................................160
in viewing logs and reports ..................................241 status
shortening and lengthening parts ...............................115 in clash checking .................................................147

steel parts..................................................................... 66 top-in-form face ............................................................84
assemblies ............................................................ 70 transparency settings .................................................214
beams ...........................................................67, 218 twin profiles.......................................................... 70, 221
columns.........................................................66, 218
contour plates......................................... 68, 69, 219
curved beams........................................................ 68 u
orthogonal beams .........................................69, 220
polybeams............................................................. 67 user interface
twin profiles ...................................................70, 221 in Model Editor ......................................................21
storys.......................................................................... 168 user-defined attributes..................................................55
strip footings .........................................................78, 223 in numbering........................................................153
sub-assemblies ............................................................ 71 user-defined profiles .....................................................53
bolting to existing assembly .................................. 72
welding to existing assembly................................. 72
surface treatment ......................................................... 95
adding ................................................................... 96
v
creating new surface treatments ........................... 99
modifying............................................................... 96 values
on all faces of part................................................. 97 selecting from model ...........................................238
on chamfered parts ............................................... 98 variables
on cut faces........................................................... 97 in parametric modeling ........................................176
on part face ........................................................... 97 in sketching .........................................................183
on parts with openings and recesses.................... 98 vertical constraints......................................................189
on selected areas.................................................. 97 vertical dimensions .....................................................192
tiled surface treatment...................................96, 100 vertical position.............................................................61
switching between view depth ..................................................................128
views ..................................................................... 39 view planes...................................................................36
moving...................................................................37
view settings ...............................................................215
t viewing
logical areas ........................................................170
models........................................................ 119, 124
testing numbering history................................................161
sketched cross sections ...................................... 197 object types .........................................................170
tiled surface treatment................................................ 100 sequence numbers..............................................173
creating new tile patterns .................................... 100 views.............................................................................33
pattern definition example ................................... 101 arranging ...............................................................39
pattern definitions................................................ 103 closing ...................................................................39
pattern elements ................................................. 104 creating..................................................................35
tips deleting..................................................................38
activating overlapping views ............................... 239 modifying ...............................................................38
copying and moving efficiently ............................ 238 naming...................................................................35
creating horizontal parts...................................... 242 opening..................................................................38
cutting efficiently.................................................. 240 overlapping..........................................................239
defining default part properties............................ 237 properties ............................................................215
finding RGB values for colors.............................. 239 refreshing ..............................................................39
modeling identical areas ..................................... 238 switching between views .......................................39
modifying part length........................................... 241 temporary ..............................................................35
placing objects .................................................... 242 view planes............................................................36
positioning objects in radial or circular pattern .... 242 view types..............................................................36
right-hand rule ..................................................... 239 visibility of objects.......................................................128
selecting values from model................................ 238 visualizing project status.............................................136
useful shortcuts in viewing logs and reports ....... 241

w work area ............................................................. 25, 128
defining ..................................................................26
hiding .....................................................................26
warping work plane.....................................................................27
beams..................................................................113 restoring.................................................................28
concrete parts......................................................113 shifting ...................................................................27
concrete slabs ............................................ 113, 114 workspace
welds.................................................................... 91, 229 in Model Editor.......................................................21
between parts ........................................................91
creating.....................................................91, 93, 94
numbering............................................................234
z
polygon welds........................................................93
single-part welds....................................................94 zooming
weld position..........................................................92 using Magnifier ....................................................120
weld preparation ....................................................94 with keyboard shortcuts .......................................120
weld size prefixes ..................................................93 zoom settings.......................................................120
weld types............................................................231 zoom window .......................................................120
welding sub-assemblies ........................................72 zooming in or out ........................................................119
wire frame views ...........................................................36


Modeling 160 Enu

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Modeling 160 Enu

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Tekla Structures

Product version 16.0

© 2010 Tekla Corporation

Noteboxes The following types of noteboxes are used in this guide:

A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways of doing

This symbol indicates advanced or highly technical information that

Conventions used in this guide ........................................................................................................................... 3

1 Creating 3D Models ................................................................................. 15

2 Setting up the Workspace ...................................................................... 21

3 Creating and Modifying Structures........................................................ 51

4 Detailing Structures ................................................................................ 85

5 Examining the Model............................................................................. 119

6 Numbering the Model............................................................................ 151

7 Advanced Modeling............................................................................... 167

8 Modeling Settings.................................................................................. 211

9 Modeling Tips ........................................................................................ 237

Contents • What is a 3D model (p. 15)

1.1 What is a 3D model

1.2 Creating a new model

1. Click File > New... or .

See also Model templates (p. 18)

1. Click File > Open... or .

You can sort models by clicking the column titles.

See also Creating a new model (p. 16)

1.4 Saving a model

Saving a model with a different name or location

See also Saving a model (p. 17)

1.5 Model templates

This section is for advanced users.

See also Creating a model template (p. 18)

Creating a model template

6. Set the IsTemplate element to TRUE.

See also Model templates (p. 18)

Contents • Screen layout (p. 21)

2.1 Screen layout

Status bar displays instructions, and the status of some settings

Select switches determine the selectable objects

Pull-down menus contain all the commands

Toolbars can be either docked or floating

See also Changing the background color (p. 23)

See also Finding RGB values for colors (p. 239)

Background color examples

0.0 0.4 0.2

0.0 0.2 0.7

See also Changing the background color (p. 23)

2.2 Work area

See also Defining the work area (p. 26)

Defining the work area

See also Work area (p. 25)

Hiding the work area

See also Work area (p. 25)

See also Shifting the work plane (p. 27)

Shifting the work plane

Restoring the default work plane

See also Work plane (p. 27)

Changing the color of the work plane grid

See also Work plane (p. 27)

2.4 Coordinate system

See also Work plane (p. 27)

See also Creating a grid (p. 30)

See also Grids (p. 29)

See also Creating a grid (p. 30)

See also Grids (p. 29)