Tekla Structures 2023

Create models

April 2023

©2023 Trimble Solutions Corporation

Contents

1 Get to know Tekla Structures basic working methods........... 19

1.1 Set up the workspace..................................................................................... 19
Change units and decimals.................................................................................................. 20
Work with grids...................................................................................................................... 20
Create, modify, or delete a grid...................................................................................... 23
Add a single grid line........................................................................................................28
Modify a single grid line...................................................................................................28
Delete a single grid line................................................................................................... 31
Work with views..................................................................................................................... 32
Move the view plane........................................................................................................ 33
Create model views.......................................................................................................... 33
Open, save, modify, or delete a view............................................................................. 43
Switch between views...................................................................................................... 45
Update and refresh views............................................................................................... 46
View properties.................................................................................................................46
Grid view properties.........................................................................................................48
Define the work area.............................................................................................................48
Fit work area to entire model..........................................................................................49
Fit work area to selected parts....................................................................................... 49
Fit work area using two points........................................................................................50
Hide the work area box................................................................................................... 50
If you place objects are outside the work area.............................................................50
If you cannot see all objects................................................................................................. 51
Coordinate system.................................................................................................................51
Right-hand rule................................................................................................................. 53
Show or hide the work plane grid.................................................................................. 53
Shift the work plane......................................................................................................... 53
Base points........................................................................................................................57
Select the work plane.......................................................................................................68
Change the color settings for dimensions, labels, and model background................... 69
Find RGB values for colors.............................................................................................. 69
Change the model background color ........................................................................... 70
Change the color of dimensions, part labels, and bolts.............................................. 72
Change the rendering mode for model views................................................................... 73
DirectX rendering engine.................................................................................................73
DirectX rendering examples............................................................................................74
1.2 Zoom and rotate the model........................................................................... 81
Zoom in and out.................................................................................................................... 81
Rotate the model................................................................................................................... 81
Pan the model........................................................................................................................ 83
1.3 Snap to positions............................................................................................. 83
Snap to points by using snap switches............................................................................... 84
Snap zone.......................................................................................................................... 85
Snap priority......................................................................................................................85
Snap depth........................................................................................................................ 85

2
 Visual cues in snapping................................................................................................... 85
Override the current snap switch settings.................................................................... 86
Snap to points by using exact distance or coordinates - numeric snapping..................87
Enter a distance or coordinates......................................................................................87
Snapping example: Track along a line towards a snap point......................................88
Change the snapping mode............................................................................................ 91
Options for coordinates...................................................................................................91
Snap to lines, edges, and extension lines........................................................................... 93
Snap to a line or an edge.................................................................................................93
Snap to extension lines....................................................................................................94
Lock X, Y, or Z coordinate on a line.................................................................................98
Align objects using a snap grid....................................................................................... 99
Snap in orthogonal directions..............................................................................................99
Activate the Ortho tool.................................................................................................... 99
Snap to orthogonal points............................................................................................ 100
Snap in orthogonal direction relative to previously picked points...........................101
Set a temporary reference point.................................................................................. 103
Settings for the Ortho tool............................................................................................ 104
Snap settings........................................................................................................................ 104
1.4 Create model objects.................................................................................... 105
Examples of model objects................................................................................................ 106
Create or delete a model object........................................................................................ 106
1.5 Resize and reshape model objects.............................................................. 107
1.6 Select objects................................................................................................. 113
Select single objects............................................................................................................ 114
Select multiple objects using area selection.................................................................... 114
Select all objects.................................................................................................................. 115
Select previous objects....................................................................................................... 116
Select objects by identifier..................................................................................................116
Select handles...................................................................................................................... 118
Modify the selection............................................................................................................ 120
Select assemblies, cast units, and nested objects........................................................... 121
Select assemblies and cast units.................................................................................. 121
Select nested objects..................................................................................................... 121
Select reference models, reference model objects and assemblies............................. 122
Select an entire reference model................................................................................. 122
Select a reference model object................................................................................... 122
Select a reference model assembly............................................................................. 123
Tips for selecting objects.................................................................................................... 123
Switch rollover highlight on or off................................................................................ 123
Select on right-click........................................................................................................ 124
If you cannot select objects...........................................................................................124
Interrupt object selection..............................................................................................124
1.7 Copy and move objects.................................................................................125
Copy objects......................................................................................................................... 127
Copy by picking two points........................................................................................... 127
Copy linearly................................................................................................................... 130
Copy by specifying a distance from origin.................................................................. 130
Copy using drag-and-drop............................................................................................ 131
Copy objects to another object.................................................................................... 131
Copy all content to another object...............................................................................132
Copy to another plane................................................................................................... 133
Copy from another model.............................................................................................133
Copy objects using linear array tool.............................................................................134

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 Copy objects using radial array tool.............................................................................136
Copy objects using Array of objects (29) component ............................................... 139
Move objects........................................................................................................................ 140
Move by picking two points...........................................................................................140
Move linearly...................................................................................................................141
Move by specifying a distance from origin..................................................................142
Move using drag-and-drop............................................................................................142
Move to another plane.................................................................................................. 144
Move objects to another object....................................................................................144
Rotate objects...................................................................................................................... 145
Rotate around a line...................................................................................................... 145
Rotate around the z axis................................................................................................146
Rotate drawing objects.................................................................................................. 148
Rotation settings............................................................................................................ 149
Mirror objects.......................................................................................................................149
Mirror model objects..................................................................................................... 149
Mirror drawing objects.................................................................................................. 150
1.8 Filter objects.................................................................................................. 150
Use existing filters............................................................................................................... 151
How to use a view filter................................................................................................. 151
How to use a selection filter..........................................................................................153
Create new filters.................................................................................................................154
Create a view filter..........................................................................................................154
Create a selection filter..................................................................................................156
Create a drawing filter................................................................................................... 156
Create a drawing view filter.......................................................................................... 159
Create a drawing selection filter...................................................................................161
Filtering techniques............................................................................................................. 161
Object properties in filtering.............................................................................................. 164
Wildcards ............................................................................................................................ 181
Examples of filters............................................................................................................... 181
Filter parts based on their name..................................................................................181
Filter main parts............................................................................................................. 182
Filter bolts based on their size......................................................................................183
Filter parts based on their assembly type...................................................................184
Filter sub-assemblies..................................................................................................... 185
Filter objects based on their class................................................................................ 186
Filter reference model objects......................................................................................186
Filter parts within component...................................................................................... 187
Filter reinforcement in pour units based on pour object type................................. 188
Filter all contents of a pour unit................................................................................... 188
Copy and remove filters......................................................................................................189
Copy a filter to another model..................................................................................... 189
Remove a filter................................................................................................................190
Select values from the model.............................................................................................190
1.9 Tips for large models.................................................................................... 191
1.10 Create model templates...............................................................................193
Create a new model template............................................................................................193
Modify an existing model template...................................................................................194
Download model templates............................................................................................... 194
Model template options..................................................................................................... 194

2 Create parts, reinforcement, and construction objects....... 196

2.1 Create parts and modify part properties................................................... 197

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Create a steel column......................................................................................................... 199
Modify steel column properties................................................................................... 200
Steel column properties................................................................................................ 200
Create a steel beam............................................................................................................ 201
Modify steel beam properties...................................................................................... 202
Steel beam properties................................................................................................... 202
Create a steel polybeam..................................................................................................... 204
Modify steel polybeam properties............................................................................... 205
Steel beam properties................................................................................................... 205
Create a curved steel beam................................................................................................207
Modify curved beam properties...................................................................................208
Steel beam properties................................................................................................... 208
Create a twin profile............................................................................................................ 210
Modify twin profile properties...................................................................................... 211
Twin profile properties.................................................................................................. 211
Create an orthogonal beam............................................................................................... 213
Modify orthogonal beam properties........................................................................... 214
Orthogonal beam properties........................................................................................214
Create a steel spiral beam.................................................................................................. 216
Basic concepts related to spiral beams....................................................................... 216
Create a spiral beam...................................................................................................... 217
Limitations.......................................................................................................................218
Steel spiral beam properties.........................................................................................219
Create a contour plate........................................................................................................ 220
Create a round contour plate....................................................................................... 221
Modify contour plate properties.................................................................................. 222
Contour plate properties...............................................................................................222
Create a conical or a cylindrical bent plate...................................................................... 224
Create a cylindrical bent plate...................................................................................... 224
Create a conical bent plate........................................................................................... 227
Modify the bend radius................................................................................................. 230
Modify the shape of a bent plate................................................................................. 232
Remove curved sections................................................................................................236
Examples......................................................................................................................... 237
Modify bent plate properties........................................................................................ 238
Bent plate properties..................................................................................................... 238
Create a stand-alone bent plate........................................................................................ 239
Create a stand-alone bent plate................................................................................... 240
Modify the shape of a stand-alone bent plate........................................................... 243
Modify bent plate properties........................................................................................ 245
Bent plate properties..................................................................................................... 245
Create a steel lofted plate.................................................................................................. 247
Prerequisites and examples of lofted plates.............................................................. 247
Create a lofted plate...................................................................................................... 249
Modify the shape of a lofted plate............................................................................... 253
Split a lofted plate.......................................................................................................... 254
Swap the end handle points to correct the geometry of a lofted plate.................. 255
Unfold lofted plates....................................................................................................... 256
Modify lofted plate properties......................................................................................257
Lofted plate properties..................................................................................................257
Create a concrete column.................................................................................................. 260
Modify concrete column properties............................................................................ 260
Concrete column properties......................................................................................... 261
Create a concrete beam......................................................................................................263
Modify concrete beam properties................................................................................263

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 Concrete beam properties............................................................................................ 263
Create a concrete polybeam.............................................................................................. 266
Modify concrete polybeam properties........................................................................ 267
Concrete beam properties............................................................................................ 267
Create a concrete spiral beam........................................................................................... 270
Basic concepts related to spiral beams....................................................................... 270
Create a spiral beam...................................................................................................... 271
Limitations.......................................................................................................................272
Concrete spiral beam properties..................................................................................273
Create a concrete panel or wall......................................................................................... 275
Modify concrete panel or wall properties................................................................... 276
Concrete panel or wall properties................................................................................276
Create a concrete slab........................................................................................................ 279
Create a round concrete slab........................................................................................279
Modify concrete slab properties.................................................................................. 280
Concrete slab properties............................................................................................... 280
Create a concrete lofted slab............................................................................................. 282
Prerequisites and examples of lofted slabs................................................................ 282
Create a lofted slab........................................................................................................ 285
Modify the shape of a lofted slab.................................................................................289
Split a lofted slab............................................................................................................ 290
Swap the end handle points to correct the geometry of a lofted slab.................... 290
Modify concrete lofted slab properties....................................................................... 291
Lofted slab properties................................................................................................... 291
Create a pad footing............................................................................................................294
Modify pad footing properties......................................................................................295
Pad footing properties...................................................................................................295
Create a strip footing.......................................................................................................... 297
Modify strip footing properties.................................................................................... 298
Strip footing properties................................................................................................. 298
Create items......................................................................................................................... 300
Create an item or a concrete item............................................................................... 301
Modify item or concrete item properties.................................................................... 303
Change the shape of an item........................................................................................303
Convert a part to an item.............................................................................................. 303
Item and concrete item properties.............................................................................. 304
2.2 Adjust part position and show part information...................................... 306
Show part handles and part reference lines in a model view........................................307
Show part handles......................................................................................................... 307
Show part reference lines in a model view................................................................. 309
Modify the position of a part............................................................................................. 310
Part position on the work plane.................................................................................. 311
Part rotation....................................................................................................................313
Part position depth........................................................................................................ 314
Part vertical position...................................................................................................... 315
Part horizontal position.................................................................................................317
Part end offsets.............................................................................................................. 318
Select and change the profile or material of a part........................................................ 320
Select and change the profile of a part....................................................................... 320
Select and change the material of a part.................................................................... 322
Examples of user-defined attributes (UDAs) for parts....................................................323
Show part information by using part labels..................................................................... 324
Create curved parts............................................................................................................. 325
Create horizontal parts....................................................................................................... 326
Create beams close to each other.....................................................................................327

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 Position columns, pad footings, and orthogonal beams................................................327
How to model identical areas........................................................................................... 328
2.3 Modify parts...................................................................................................328
Split parts..............................................................................................................................329
Split a straight or curved part or polybeam................................................................ 329
Split a plate or slab.........................................................................................................329
Combine parts..................................................................................................................... 330
Attach parts to each other..................................................................................................330
Attach a part to another part........................................................................................331
Detach an attached part................................................................................................331
Explode attached parts..................................................................................................332
Warp a part...........................................................................................................................332
Warp a beam or a column using deformation angles............................................... 332
Warp a concrete slab by moving chamfers................................................................. 333
Warp a Floor Bay (66) slab.............................................................................................333
Camber a part...................................................................................................................... 334
Modify items.........................................................................................................................335
Start geometry editing...................................................................................................335
Modify the geometry of an item...................................................................................336
Add an edge to an item................................................................................................. 338
Add a vertex to an item................................................................................................. 338
Save a modified item and shape.................................................................................. 340
2.4 Add details to parts.......................................................................................341
Create bolts.......................................................................................................................... 341
Create a bolt group........................................................................................................ 342
Create a single bolt........................................................................................................ 343
Create bolts using the Auto bolt component............................................................. 343
Create a bolt group by exploding a component.........................................................346
Change or add bolted parts.......................................................................................... 347
Bolt group shape............................................................................................................ 347
Bolt properties................................................................................................................348
Create studs......................................................................................................................... 353
Create bolt holes..................................................................................................................353
Create round holes........................................................................................................ 354
Create oversized holes.................................................................................................. 354
Create slotted holes....................................................................................................... 356
Create tapped holes.......................................................................................................357
Create different holes with one bolt group.................................................................358
Create welds.........................................................................................................................359
Create a weld between parts........................................................................................ 360
Create a weld to a part.................................................................................................. 360
Create a polygon weld................................................................................................... 361
Weld properties.............................................................................................................. 362
List of weld types............................................................................................................367
Welds in components.................................................................................................... 369
Weld preparation............................................................................................................370
Set the visibility and appearance of welds.................................................................. 371
Change a weld to a polygon weld................................................................................ 373
Split a polygon weld....................................................................................................... 373
Create user-defined cross sections for welds.............................................................374
Fit part ends......................................................................................................................... 375
Fit beams and columns.......................................................................................................377
Fit objects..............................................................................................................................380
Connection logic............................................................................................................. 381
Fit objects in the model................................................................................................. 383

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 Cut objects with a polygon, line, or part........................................................................... 389
Cut objects with a polygon............................................................................................390
Cut objects with a line....................................................................................................391
Cut objects with a part...................................................................................................393
Tips on how to cut efficiently........................................................................................ 395
Hide cuts in a model view............................................................................................. 395
Polygon cut properties.................................................................................................. 396
Part cut properties......................................................................................................... 397
Chamfer part corners and edges.......................................................................................397
Chamfer part corners.................................................................................................... 397
Chamfer part edges....................................................................................................... 398
Corner chamfer properties........................................................................................... 399
Edge chamfer properties...............................................................................................401
Add surface treatment to parts......................................................................................... 402
Add surface treatment to an entire part face............................................................. 403
Add surface treatment to a selected area on a part face..........................................403
Add surface treatment to all faces of a part............................................................... 404
Add surface treatment to cut faces..............................................................................404
Surface treatment on chamfered parts.......................................................................404
Surface treatment on parts with openings and recesses..........................................405
Modify surface treatment properties.......................................................................... 405
Surface treatment properties....................................................................................... 406
Define new surface treatment subtypes..................................................................... 407
Tiled surface treatment................................................................................................. 408
Create an unpainted area using the No paint area component.............................. 412
Add surfaces to part faces and pour object faces........................................................... 414
Add a surface to a face.................................................................................................. 415
Modify surface properties............................................................................................. 415
Modify the adaptivity of reinforcement, surface treatment, or edge chamfers
in parts.................................................................................................................................. 416
Define default adaptivity settings................................................................................ 416
Modify the adaptivity of an individual model object................................................. 416
Display detailing of a part...................................................................................................416
2.5 Work with assemblies...................................................................................417
Assembly types and assembly hierarchy..........................................................................418
Assembly types...............................................................................................................419
How to check the assembly hierarchy in a nested assembly................................... 421
Assembly examples....................................................................................................... 423
Use bolts and welds to create and connect assemblies and sub-assemblies............. 424
Use bolts to create and connect assemblies.............................................................. 424
Use welds to create and connect assemblies............................................................. 425
Modify the assembly structure.......................................................................................... 426
Add parts to an existing assembly............................................................................... 427
Create nested assemblies............................................................................................. 427
Join existing assemblies.................................................................................................427
Create a sub-assembly of assembly parts.................................................................. 428
Check and highlight objects in an assembly............................................................... 428
Change the main part in an assembly......................................................................... 429
Change the main assembly...........................................................................................429
Remove objects from assemblies......................................................................................430
Remove a part or a sub-assembly from an assembly............................................... 430
Explode an assembly or a sub-assembly.................................................................... 430
2.6 Create cast units........................................................................................... 430
Create a cast unit................................................................................................................. 431
Check and highlight objects in a cast unit........................................................................ 431

8
 Change the cast unit main part......................................................................................... 431
Define the cast unit type of a part.....................................................................................432
Some best practices when you are working with cast units.......................................... 432
Add objects to cast units.....................................................................................................433
Remove objects from cast units.........................................................................................434
Remove objects from a cast unit.................................................................................. 434
Explode a cast unit......................................................................................................... 434
Casting direction.................................................................................................................. 434
Casting direction for concrete and non-concrete parts............................................ 435
Define the casting direction of a part.......................................................................... 436
Show the top-in-form face............................................................................................ 436
2.7 Batch editing of assemblies or cast units.................................................. 437
Limitations and recommendations in using Batch editor.............................................. 439
Edit similar assemblies or cast units with Batch editor.................................................. 440
Settings in Batch editor.......................................................................................................442
Work with property columns in Batch editor................................................................... 443
2.8 Manage pours................................................................................................ 444
Enable pour management..................................................................................................445
Disable pour management temporarily...................................................................... 446
View cast-in-place concrete structures............................................................................. 447
Set the appearance of cast-in-place concrete structures..........................................447
Part view vs. pour view.................................................................................................. 449
Define the pour phase of a part........................................................................................ 450
Pour objects......................................................................................................................... 451
Change the color and transparency of pour objects................................................. 452
Modify the properties of a pour object....................................................................... 453
Pour units............................................................................................................................. 453
Calculate pour units....................................................................................................... 454
Check and inquire objects in a pour unit.................................................................... 454
Add objects to a pour unit.............................................................................................455
Remove objects from a pour unit................................................................................ 456
Reset pour unit relations...............................................................................................456
Modify the properties of a pour unit........................................................................... 457
How Tekla Structures automatically adds objects to pour units.............................. 457
Pour breaks.......................................................................................................................... 458
Pour break adaptivity.....................................................................................................459
Set the visibility of pour breaks.................................................................................... 460
Create a pour break....................................................................................................... 461
Modify a pour break...................................................................................................... 463
Troubleshoot pours.............................................................................................................464
Example: Create concrete geometry and work with pours............................................ 467
2.9 Create reinforcement................................................................................... 469
Create a rebar set................................................................................................................ 470
Basic concepts related to rebar sets............................................................................ 470
Create longitudinal rebars............................................................................................ 472
Create crossing rebars...................................................................................................474
Create rebars by face..................................................................................................... 477
Create rebars by guidelines.......................................................................................... 479
Create rebars by point input.........................................................................................481
Rebar set properties...................................................................................................... 482
Limitations.......................................................................................................................483
Create a rebar set using Rebar shape placing tool.................................................... 483
Examples: Rebar sets in curved structures................................................................. 489
Create a single reinforcing bar...........................................................................................496

9
 Create a reinforcing bar group...........................................................................................497
Create a reinforcing bar group using Rebar shape catalog...................................... 499
Create a curved reinforcing bar group........................................................................ 505
Create a circular reinforcing bar group....................................................................... 507
Create a tapered or spiral reinforcing bar group....................................................... 509
Create a reinforcement mesh............................................................................................ 512
Create a rectangular reinforcement mesh..................................................................512
Create a polygonal reinforcement mesh.....................................................................513
Create a bent reinforcement mesh..............................................................................514
Create a customized reinforcement mesh..................................................................516
Create a reinforcement strand pattern.............................................................................517
Debond reinforcement strands.................................................................................... 518
Create a reinforcement splice............................................................................................ 519
2.10 Modify reinforcement...................................................................................521
Modify a rebar set............................................................................................................... 521
Modify the properties of a rebar set............................................................................522
Change the layer order of a rebar set..........................................................................522
Modify a rebar set using guidelines............................................................................. 523
Change the bar plane orientation of a rebar set........................................................524
Modify a rebar set using leg faces and leg surfaces.................................................. 525
Modify a rebar set locally using modifiers.................................................................. 533
How to cut rebar sets.....................................................................................................541
Distribute bars in a rebar set........................................................................................ 542
Modify a single reinforcing bar, bar group, or mesh.......................................................544
Distribute bars in a reinforcing bar group.................................................................. 548
Delete bars from a reinforcing bar group................................................................... 550
Ungroup a reinforcement............................................................................................. 551
Group reinforcement..................................................................................................... 552
Combine two reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups into one..........................553
Split a reinforcing bar group ........................................................................................ 553
Use handles to modify a reinforcement......................................................................554
Add hooks to reinforcing bars............................................................................................555
Define the reinforcement cover thickness....................................................................... 558
Select the definition for a reinforcement......................................................................... 561
Use adaptivity to modify a reinforcement........................................................................561
Attach a reinforcement object to a concrete part........................................................... 562
Check the validity of reinforcement geometry................................................................ 564
Split and splice a reinforcement........................................................................................ 564
Assign running numbers to reinforcement...................................................................... 566
Classify reinforcement to layers........................................................................................ 567
How Tekla Structures automatically attaches rebar set bars to concrete parts.......... 568
How to calculate the reinforcing bar length..................................................................... 570
How to calculate the reinforcing bar leg length...............................................................573
Reinforcement shape recognition..................................................................................... 575
Rebar shape manager in reinforcement shape recognition.....................................576
Hard-coded bending type identifiers in reinforcement shape recognition............ 588
Reinforcement in templates......................................................................................... 612
2.11 Work with rebar assemblies........................................................................ 614
Create a rebar assembly..................................................................................................... 615
Create a basic rebar assembly......................................................................................616
Rebar assembly properties........................................................................................... 616
Modify a rebar assembly.................................................................................................... 617
Add objects to an existing rebar assembly................................................................. 617
Create a nested rebar assembly...................................................................................618
Check and highlight objects in a rebar assembly.......................................................618

10
 Change the main object of a rebar assembly............................................................. 618
Change the coordinate system of a rebar assembly................................................. 619
Remove objects from a rebar assembly........................................................................... 620
Remove an object from a rebar assembly.................................................................. 620
Explode a rebar assembly or a sub-assembly............................................................ 620
2.12 Create construction objects and points..................................................... 621
Create a construction line.................................................................................................. 622
Create a construction plane............................................................................................... 623
Create a construction circle................................................................................................623
Create a construction arc................................................................................................... 624
Create a construction polycurve........................................................................................626
Copy a construction object with offset............................................................................. 627
Modify a construction object............................................................................................. 628
Create points........................................................................................................................ 631
Create points on a line...................................................................................................632
Create points on a plane............................................................................................... 633
Create points parallel to two points.............................................................................633
Create points along the extension line of two points................................................ 634
Create projected points on a line................................................................................. 635
Create points along an arc using center and arc points............................................635
Create points along an arc using three arc points..................................................... 636
Create points tangent to a circle.................................................................................. 637
Create points at any position........................................................................................637
Create bolt points...........................................................................................................638
Create points at the intersection of two lines.............................................................638
Create points at the intersection of a plane and a line............................................. 638
Create points at the intersection of a part and a line................................................638
Create points at the intersection of a circle and a line.............................................. 639
Create points at the intersection of two part axes.....................................................639
Import points.................................................................................................................. 640
Point properties..............................................................................................................640

3 Adjust how model objects are displayed ............................... 642

3.1 Change the rendering of parts, components and reference models...... 642
3.2 Adjust the display settings ..........................................................................647
Set the visibility and representation of model objects in the Display settings............ 647
Display settings.................................................................................................................... 648
3.3 Change the part representation to show parts with exact lines or
with high accuracy........................................................................................ 651
Show parts with exact lines................................................................................................ 651
Show parts with high accuracy.......................................................................................... 651
3.4 Temporarily hide model objects or show only selected model objects..652
Hide parts or other objects in a model view.................................................................... 652
Show only selected parts or other objects in a model view........................................... 654
Temporarily show assembly and component objects in a model view........................ 655
3.5 Change the color and transparency of model objects by using
object representation................................................................................... 656
Use the Class property to change the color of parts and reinforcement..................... 657
Define color and transparency settings for object groups.............................................658
Color settings in object representation............................................................................ 659
Transparency settings in object representation.............................................................. 660
Define your own colors for object groups in object representation............................. 660
Copy object representation settings to another model..................................................662

11
3.6 Use object groups in object representation and in filters....................... 663
Where object groups are used...........................................................................................663
Create an object group for object representation...........................................................663
Object group - Representation settings............................................................................ 664
Copy object groups to another model.............................................................................. 665

4 Check the model........................................................................ 666

4.1 Search for model objects..............................................................................666
Search in the entire model................................................................................................. 668
Search within the selected model objects........................................................................ 668
Review the search results................................................................................................... 668
Show or hide the Model search toolbar........................................................................... 669
4.2 Visualize the model with Trimble Connect Visualizer.............................. 669
Visualize all model objects..................................................................................................669
Visualize the selected model objects................................................................................ 669
Working in Trimble Connect Visualizer............................................................................. 670
Zoom, rotate, or pan the rendered model.................................................................. 670
Adjust the scene............................................................................................................. 670
Take and view snapshots...............................................................................................673
Create animations.......................................................................................................... 673
Return to the initial view of the model........................................................................ 675
Enter or exit full screen mode...................................................................................... 675
Show or hide the Trimble Connect Visualizer side pane........................................... 675
Use Trimble Connect Visualizer in VR mode............................................................... 675
Modify material mappings for Trimble Connect Visualizer............................................ 676
Create and modify user-defined materials...................................................................... 679
4.3 Fly through the model.................................................................................. 682
4.4 Create clip planes.......................................................................................... 683
Create a clip plane .............................................................................................................. 683
Create a view depth clip plane........................................................................................... 685
4.5 Show parts, components, or assemblies in a selected view angle..........686
4.6 Inquire object properties............................................................................. 686
Object property report templates..................................................................................... 688
Custom inquiry.................................................................................................................... 689
Use the Custom Inquiry tool......................................................................................... 689
Define what information is shown by Custom Inquiry tool...................................... 690
Modify the default attributes in InquiryTool.config file............................................. 691
4.7 Measure objects............................................................................................ 692
Measure distances...............................................................................................................692
Measure angles....................................................................................................................693
Measure arcs........................................................................................................................ 693
Measure bolt spacing.......................................................................................................... 694
4.8 Detect clashes................................................................................................695
Find clashes in a model.......................................................................................................696
Check the model for clashes.........................................................................................696
Symbols used in clash check.........................................................................................698
About clash types........................................................................................................... 698
Open and save clash check sessions........................................................................... 701
Modify, view, and print clash check results...................................................................... 703
Modify clash check results............................................................................................ 703
View clash check results................................................................................................ 705
Print clash check results................................................................................................ 706

12
4.9 Compare parts or assemblies...................................................................... 707
4.10 View solid errors............................................................................................707
4.11 Diagnose and repair the model................................................................... 708
4.12 Find distant objects...................................................................................... 710

5 Number the model.................................................................... 712

5.1 What is numbering and how to plan it....................................................... 712
Numbering series................................................................................................................ 713
Plan your numbering series..........................................................................................714
Assign a numbering series to a part............................................................................ 715
Assign a numbering series to an assembly.................................................................715
Overlapping numbering series..................................................................................... 716
Identical parts...................................................................................................................... 717
Identical reinforcement...................................................................................................... 717
Define what affects numbering......................................................................................... 718
User-defined attributes in numbering.............................................................................. 719
Family numbers................................................................................................................... 720
Assign family numbers.................................................................................................. 720
Change the family number of an object......................................................................721
5.2 Adjust the numbering settings....................................................................721
5.3 Number parts................................................................................................ 722
Number a series of parts....................................................................................................722
Number assemblies, cast units, and rebar assemblies.................................................. 723
Number reinforcement.......................................................................................................724
Number welds......................................................................................................................725
Save preliminary numbers................................................................................................. 725
5.4 Change existing numbers.............................................................................725
5.5 Clear existing numbers.................................................................................726
5.6 Check the numbering................................................................................... 727
5.7 View the numbering history........................................................................ 729
5.8 Repair numbering errors..............................................................................730
5.9 Renumber the model.................................................................................... 731
5.10 Control numbers........................................................................................... 731
Assign control numbers to parts....................................................................................... 732
Control number order.........................................................................................................733
Display control numbers in the model............................................................................. 734
Remove control numbers................................................................................................... 735
Lock or unlock control numbers........................................................................................736
Example: Use control numbers to indicate the erection order .................................... 736
5.11 Number parts by design group.................................................................... 738
5.12 Numbering examples................................................................................... 741
Example: Number identical beams................................................................................... 741
Example: Use family numbers........................................................................................... 742
Example: Number selected part types..............................................................................743
Example: Number parts in selected phases.....................................................................744
5.13 Tips for numbering........................................................................................746
Numbering settings during a project................................................................................ 746
Create a standard-part model............................................................................................747

13
6 Applications................................................................................749
6.1 Working with applications........................................................................... 751
6.2 Import a .tsep extension to the Applications & components catalog.... 755
6.3 Remove .tsep extensions from the Applications & components
catalog............................................................................................................ 756
6.4 Copy .tsep extensions to a new Tekla Structures version........................ 756
6.5 Publish a group in the Applications & components catalog.................... 756

7 Components............................................................................... 759
7.1 Component properties................................................................................. 760
7.2 Add a component to a model.......................................................................762
7.3 Modify a component in a model..................................................................764
7.4 View a component in a model..................................................................... 765
7.5 Component tips............................................................................................. 765
7.6 How to use the Applications & components catalog................................ 766
Groups in the catalog.......................................................................................................... 767
Search for a component in the catalog.............................................................................767
Change the view in the catalog.......................................................................................... 768
Show selected components in the catalog....................................................................... 768
View and modify component information in the catalog............................................... 769
Add a thumbnail image for a component in the catalog................................................769
Publish a component in the catalog..................................................................................770
Create and modify groups in the catalog......................................................................... 770
Change the order of groups in the catalog...................................................................... 771
Hide groups and components in the catalog...................................................................773
Show the catalog message log...........................................................................................773
Catalog definitions...............................................................................................................773
7.7 Convert components to conceptual or detailing components................773
7.8 Automate connection creation .................................................................. 775
AutoConnection................................................................................................................... 775
Define AutoConnection settings and rules................................................................. 775
Create a connection using AutoConnection............................................................... 779
AutoDefaults........................................................................................................................ 780
Define AutoDefaults settings and rules.......................................................................780
Modify a connection using AutoDefaults.................................................................... 785
AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules..........................................................................785
Combining and iterating properties for AutoDefaults...............................................788
AutoDefaults example: Using iteration with connection check................................790
Using reaction forces and UDLs in AutoDefaults and AutoConnection.................. 792
7.9 Advanced component settings ................................................................... 793
Define connection properties in the joints.def file..........................................................794
How to use the joints.def file........................................................................................ 794
Example: How Tekla Structures uses the joints.def file............................................. 796
General defaults in the joints.def file...........................................................................797
Bolt diameter and number of bolts in the joints.def file...........................................798
Bolt and part properties in the joints.def file............................................................. 800
Excel spreadsheets in connection design.........................................................................806
Files used in Excel spreadsheet connection design................................................... 807
Example of an Excel spreadsheet in connection design........................................... 808

14
 Example of visualizing the Excel connection design process....................................812
Showing connection status in Excel connection design............................................ 816
General tab...........................................................................................................................816
Design and Design type tabs..............................................................................................818
Analysis tab.......................................................................................................................... 820

8 Custom components................................................................. 823

8.1 Examples of custom parts............................................................................ 825
8.2 Examples of custom connections................................................................826
8.3 Examples of custom details......................................................................... 827
8.4 Examples of custom seams.......................................................................... 829
8.5 Define custom components......................................................................... 830
Explode an existing component........................................................................................ 831
Define a custom component..............................................................................................831
Define a nested custom component.................................................................................835
Example: Define a custom end plate component........................................................... 837
8.6 Edit and save custom components............................................................. 840
Edit a custom component.................................................................................................. 840
Save a custom component................................................................................................. 844
Protect a custom component with a password............................................................... 845
8.7 Add custom components to a model.......................................................... 845
Add a custom connection, detail, or seam to a model................................................... 846
Add or move a custom part in the model.........................................................................847
8.8 Add variables to a custom component.......................................................849
Bind component objects to a plane.................................................................................. 851
Bind objects automatically............................................................................................ 851
Bind objects manually................................................................................................... 852
Test a binding..................................................................................................................855
Check a binding.............................................................................................................. 856
Delete a binding............................................................................................................. 857
Example: Bind an end plate to a plane........................................................................857
Bind component objects using magnetic construction planes or lines........................859
Bind handles using a magnetic construction plane................................................... 859
Bind handles using a magnetic construction line...................................................... 861
Add a distance between component objects...................................................................862
Set object properties by using parametric variables.......................................................864
Copy properties and property references from another object.................................... 868
Create a variable formula................................................................................................... 869
Functions in variable formulas.......................................................................................... 871
Arithmetic operators......................................................................................................871
Logical and comparison operators.............................................................................. 872
Reference functions....................................................................................................... 872
ASCII file as a reference function..................................................................................874
Mathematical functions.................................................................................................875
Statistical functions........................................................................................................ 876
Data type conversion functions....................................................................................877
String operations............................................................................................................ 878
Trigonometric functions................................................................................................ 879
Market size function...................................................................................................... 880
Framing condition functions......................................................................................... 881
How to avoid cyclic dependencies in formulas.......................................................... 883

15
8.9 Examples of parametric variables and variable formulas in
custom components..................................................................................... 884
Example of a variable formula: Set the end plate material............................................886
Example of a variable formula: Create a nested connection with stiffeners............... 887
Example of a variable formula: Create new component objects...................................890
Example of a variable formula: Replace sub-components.............................................891
Example of a variable formula: Modify a sub-component by using a
component attribute file.....................................................................................................893
Example of a variable formula: Define the stiffener position using
construction planes.............................................................................................................894
Example of a variable formula: Determine the bolt size and bolt standard................ 897
Example of a variable formula: Calculate the bolt group distance............................... 899
Example of a variable formula: Calculate the number of bolt rows............................. 900
Example of a variable formula: Link variables to user-defined attributes................... 902
Example of a variable formula: Calculate the number of handrail posts using
a template attribute............................................................................................................ 904
Example of a variable formula: Link an Excel spreadsheet to a custom component. 907
Examples of a variable formula: Rebar set modifiers in custom components............907
Example: Define the class and size of rebar set bars using a property modifier...908
Example: Create and modify rebar hooks using an end detail modifier.................911
8.10 Import and export custom components.................................................... 914
Export a custom component..............................................................................................914
Import a custom component............................................................................................. 915
8.11 Hints and tips for using and sharing custom components...................... 915
Tips for creating custom components.............................................................................. 916
Tips for sharing custom components............................................................................... 917
Tips for updating custom components to a new version...............................................917
8.12 Customize the dialog boxes of custom components................................ 918
Modify the dialog box of a custom component...............................................................918
Custom component input files.......................................................................................... 921
Lock or unlock the custom component input file............................................................921
Custom component dialog editor settings.......................................................................922
Customize the dialog boxes of custom components by using a text editor................ 923
Add new tabs.................................................................................................................. 923
Add text boxes................................................................................................................ 924
Add images..................................................................................................................... 924
Change the order of boxes............................................................................................925
Change the location of boxes....................................................................................... 926
Example: Add a group of check boxes in the custom component dialog box........926
Example: Customize the dialog box of a custom stiffener detail.................................. 930
Example: Create a custom stiffener detail with variables......................................... 931
Example: Add a list with images in a custom component dialog box..................... 942
Example: Arrange text boxes and labels in a custom component dialog box........947
Example: Dim unavailable options in a custom component dialog box................. 949
8.13 Custom component settings........................................................................952
Custom component properties in the Custom Component Wizard............................. 953
Type/Notes tab properties............................................................................................ 953
Position tab properties.................................................................................................. 954
Advanced tab properties............................................................................................... 955
Default properties of a custom component dialog box..................................................956
Default properties of custom connections, details, and seams............................... 956
Default properties of custom parts............................................................................. 958
Plane types........................................................................................................................... 960

16
 Examples of component planes................................................................................... 962
Variable properties ............................................................................................................. 964

9 Predefined parametric profiles available in Tekla

Structures................................................................................... 971
9.1 I profiles..........................................................................................................971
9.2 I beams (steel)............................................................................................... 972
9.3 L profiles......................................................................................................... 972
9.4 Z profiles.........................................................................................................973
9.5 U profiles........................................................................................................ 974
9.6 C profiles.........................................................................................................974
9.7 T profiles.........................................................................................................975
9.8 Welded box profiles.......................................................................................975
9.9 Welded beam profiles................................................................................... 975
9.10 Box profiles.................................................................................................... 978
9.11 WQ profiles.....................................................................................................979
9.12 Rectangular sections.................................................................................... 979
9.13 Circular sections............................................................................................ 980
9.14 Rectangular hollow sections........................................................................980
9.15 Circular hollow sections............................................................................... 981
9.16 Cold rolled profiles........................................................................................ 981
9.17 Folded plates..................................................................................................984
9.18 Hat profiles.................................................................................................... 991
9.19 I beams (concrete).........................................................................................992
9.20 Ledger beams (concrete).............................................................................. 992
9.21 T profiles (concrete)...................................................................................... 993
9.22 Irregular beams (concrete).......................................................................... 995
9.23 Panels............................................................................................................. 998
9.24 Variable cross sections............................................................................... 1001
9.25 Others........................................................................................................... 1003

10 Modeling settings.................................................................... 1005

10.1 Numbering settings.................................................................................... 1005
General numbering settings............................................................................................ 1005
Weld numbering settings................................................................................................. 1007
Control number settings.................................................................................................. 1008
10.2 Reinforcement settings.............................................................................. 1009
Reinforcing bar and bar group properties..................................................................... 1009
Reinforcement mesh properties..................................................................................... 1012
Custom reinforcement mesh properties.................................................................. 1013
Rebar set properties......................................................................................................... 1016
Secondary guideline properties................................................................................. 1019
Leg face properties...................................................................................................... 1020
Leg surface properties.................................................................................................1021
Property modifier properties......................................................................................1022

17
 End detail modifier properties................................................................................... 1026
Splitter properties........................................................................................................ 1030
Reinforcement strand properties.................................................................................... 1032

11 Disclaimer.................................................................................1035

18
1 Get to know Tekla Structures
basic working methods

Before starting to create models and drawings, get to know some basic
working methods that you will need to work efficiently both in the Tekla
Structures models and in the drawings.
We recommend you to familiarize yourself how to
• work with grids (page 20) and views
• define the work area (page 48) and coordinates (page 51) that affect your
work
• zoom and rotate (page 81) the model
• create (page 196), select (page 113) and move (page 140) objects
• position objects by using snapping (page 83)
• filter objects (page 150) both in the modeling mode and in the drawing
mode.

See also
Create parts and modify part properties (page 196)

1.1 Set up the workspace

Before starting to model, check that your Tekla Structures workspace is set up
correctly.
1. Define the units and decimals you will use. (page 20)
2. Modify the grid to suit your needs. (page 20) Create a modular grid if
needed.
3. Create some views (page 31) to examine the model from different angles
and elevations.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 19 Set up the workspace

methods
 4. Resize the work area to suit your project. (page 48)
5. Get familiar with the coordinate system (page 51). If you are modeling
sloped structures, shift the work plane accordingly. (page 53)

Change units and decimals

You can define which units and how many decimals Tekla Structures uses. The
settings are model-specific. Note that these settings do not have any effect on
drawings or reports, or on the Inquire and Measure tools.
1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Options , and go to the Units and
decimals settings.
2. Modify the units and decimals to suit your needs.
The number located to the right of each option indicates the number of
decimals. The number of decimals affects the input and storage accuracy.
Always use a sufficient number of decimals.
• The settings on the Modeling tab affect the data that is used when you
are modeling, for example copying, moving, creating grids, creating
points, and so on.
• The settings on the Catalogs tab affect the profile and material data,
for example catalogs.
• The settings on the Analysis results tab affect the output data.
Reinforcement area and Mass/Length also affect cross section area
and weight per unit length in the rebar catalog.
• The settings on the MEP tab affect the data that is used in mechanical,
electrical, and plumbing design and construction.
3. Click OK to save the changes.

Work with grids

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. You can
create both rectangular and radial grids. Use grids as an aid in locating objects
in a model. You can make rectangular grids and grid lines act magnetically so
that the objects on the grid lines of a rectangular grid follow if you move the
grid line.
• Create, modify, or delete a grid (page 23)
• Add a single grid line (page 28)
• Modify a single grid line (page 28)

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 20 Set up the workspace

methods
 Grid terminology

(1) Grid origin is the point where the zero points of each coordinate axis
intersect
(2) Grid line extensions define how far the grid lines extend in each direction
(3) Grid labels are the names of the grid lines shown in views

Several grids in one model

You can have more than one grid in a model. You can create a large-scale grid
for the entire structure, and smaller grids for some detailed sections. Create as
many grids as needed, so that you can easily place objects in your model.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 21 Set up the workspace

methods
 Single grid lines
You can create single grid lines and attach them to an existing grid.

Single grid lines have handles (page 307). If the Select grid line selection
switch is active and you select a grid line, the handles appear in magenta. If
you move the handles to make a skewed grid, you can do this only on the local
XY plane (page 31) of the grid.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 22 Set up the workspace

methods
 Create, modify, or delete a grid
When you create a new model, Tekla Structures automatically creates a
rectangular grid and a view according to the saved standard properties. If
needed, you can later modify the grid properties, or create new rectangular
and radial grids. You can modify an existing grid, or delete it. Use the grid
properties in the property pane to view and modify the grids.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 23 Set up the workspace

methods
 Create a rectangular grid or a radial grid
You can create both rectangular and radial grids and modify their properties in
the property pane.

1. Select whether to create a rectangular or a radial grid.

• To create a rectangular grid: on the Edit tab, click Grid --> Create
rectangular grid .
• To create a radial grid: on the Edit tab, click Grid --> Create radial
grid .
Tekla Structures shows a preview of the grid. You can modify the grid
properties in the property pane before inserting the grid. The grid preview
changes according to the changes in the property pane.
2. Pick a point in the model to indicate the origin of the grid, or click the
middle mouse button to accept the grid property values in the property
pane.
• If you pick an origin point to the grid, the grid is created using the
properties in the property pane, and the origin is the location you
picked.
• If you click the middle mouse button, the grid is created using the
properties in the property pane, and to the origin defined in the
property pane.
The coordinates of the origin are shown in the property pane in the
Origin section as the X, Y, and Z values.

NOTE 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.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 24 Set up the workspace

methods
 Create a radial grid (alternative method)
This is an alternative method to create a radial grid. You can create a radial
grid using a component called Radial Grid. Note that the curved grid lines
created by the Radial Grid component are not truly curved but straight.

1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to

open the Applications & components catalog.
2. Start typing radial grid in the search box.
3. Double-click Radial Grid to open the properties dialog box.
4. Modify the grid properties.
In the coordinate properties
• X defines the location of the curved grid lines and the distance
between the grid lines.
The first value is the radius of the innermost curved grid line.
• Y (degrees) defines the location of the straight grid lines and the
distance between the grid lines in degrees.
The first value defines how the grid is rotated. The grid is rotated
counter-clockwise from the x axis in the current work plane.
5. Click OK.
6. Pick a point to indicate the origin of the grid.
The grid is created automatically.

Modify a grid
Double-click an existing grid to modify it.

1. Ensure that the Select grid selection switch is active.

2. Double-click a grid line.
Depending on the type of the grid, the Rectangular grid or the Radial
grid properties open in the property pane.
3. Change the grid properties.
4. Click Modify to apply the changes.

Delete a grid
When you delete an entire grid, ensure that you do not have any other objects
selected. Otherwise Tekla Structures only deletes the objects, not the grid.

1. Ensure that only the Select grid selection switch is active.

2. Select the grid.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 25 Set up the workspace

methods
 3. Press Delete.
4. Confirm that you want to delete the grid.

Grid properties
Use the Rectangular grid or the Radial grid properties in the property pane
to view and modify the properties of a grid. To open the properties, double-
click the grid. The file name extension of a rectangular grid property file is
*.grd. The file name extension of a radial grid property file is *.rgrd.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
Coordinates In the Rectangular grid properties:
Coordinates of the grid in the x, y, and z directions.
X: grid lines vertical to the work plane
Y: grid lines horizontal to the work plane
Z: elevations in the structure
You can enter a maximum of 1024 characters. Use a
zero at the start to represent a grid on the 0,0
coordinate and spaces as separators for
coordinates.
The x and y coordinates are relative, which 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.
You can either define the coordinates individually,
or you can define several grid lines with equal
spacing. Both of the following coordinate entries
create three grid lines with the spacing of 4000:
0 4000 4000
0 2*4000
In the Radial grid properties:
Radial and angular values of the grid lines.
Elevations is the value of the grid in z direction.
Radial: curved grid lines. If you enter only one value
for radius, it must be >0.
Angular: straight grid lines. You can enter negative
angle values, if needed.
Elevations: elevations in the structure

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 26 Set up the workspace

methods
 Setting Description
Use a zero at the start to represent a grid on the 0,0
coordinate and spaces as separators for
coordinates.
The Radial and Angular coordinates are relative,
which means that the entries are always relative to
the previous entry. The Elevations are absolute,
which means that entries are absolute distances
from the work plane origin.
You can either define the coordinates individually,
or you can define several grid lines with equal
spacing. Both of the following coordinate entries
create three grid lines with the spacing of 4000:
0 4000 4000
0 2*4000
Labels In the Rectangular grid properties:
Names of the grid lines shown in views.
Names in the X box are associated with the grid
lines parallel to the y axis and vice versa. The Z box
is for the names of levels parallel to the work plane.
If you wish, you can leave the label boxes empty.
In the Radial grid properties:
Names of the grid lines shown in views.
Names in the Radial box are associated with the
curved grid lines.
Names in the Angular box are associated with the
straight grid lines.
The Elevations box is for the names of levels
parallel to the work plane.
If you wish, you can leave the label boxes empty.
Line extensions In the Rectangular grid properties:
Define how far the grid lines extend in the directions
Left/Below and Right/Above.
In the Radial grid properties:
Define how far the grid lines extend in the directions
Start and End.
Origin Coordinates of the grid origin in the x, y, and z
directions. These values offset the grid from the
work plane origin, not from the global model origin.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 27 Set up the workspace

methods
 Setting Description
Magnetic grid plane In the Rectangular grid properties:
Select whether objects are bind to grid lines
(page 28). If you bind the objects to grid lines, the
objects follow if you move the grid line.
Grid color Use the color picker to pick the grid color.
Label font size and Define the label font size.
color
Use the color picker to pick the label color.
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes button to open
the user-defined attributes (UDAs) of the grid. These
can be used for customizing drawing grid labels.

Add a single grid line

You can add new grid lines either between existing grid lines or between two
freely chosen points that you define in the model.

Add a grid line between existing grid lines

You can add new grid lines between existing grid lines.

1. Ensure that the Direct modification switch is active.

2. Ensure that the Select grid selection switch is active.

3. Select an existing grid to attach the grid line to.

4. Click the symbol between two existing grid lines or outside the grid.
Tekla Structures creates the grid line and gives it a label using the labels of
the adjacent grid lines. For example, a new grid line between the grid lines
1 and 2 receives the label 12*.

Add a grid line between two points

You can add new grid lines between two picked points.
1. On the Edit tab, click Grid --> Add grid line .
2. Select an existing grid to attach the grid line to.
3. Pick the start point of the grid line.
4. Pick the end point of the grid line.
Tekla Structures creates the grid line.

Modify a single grid line

You can modify single grid line properties. You can also move grid lines or
change the grid line labels.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 28 Set up the workspace

methods
 Modify grid line properties
You can edit the properties of a single grid line in the property pane.

1. Ensure that the Select grid line selection switch is active.

2. If the property pane is not open, double-click the grid line to open the
Grid line properties.
3. Change the properties as needed.
4. Click Modify to apply the changes.

Move a grid line

Use direct modification to move single grid lines.

1. Ensure that the Direct modification switch is active.

2. Ensure that the Select grid selection switch is active.

3. Select the grid.
4. Select the grid line you want to move.
5. Drag the grid line to a new location.
You can also use the keyboard to enter a numeric location.
To start with the negative sign (-), use the numeric keypad. To enter an
absolute coordinate, first enter $, then the value. Press Enter to confirm.

Change a grid line label

Use the contextual toolbar to change the label of a single grid line.

1. Ensure that the Direct modification switch is active.

2. Ensure that the Select grid line selection switch is active.

3. Select a grid line.
4. On the contextual toolbar, enter a new label.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 29 Set up the workspace

methods
 Stretch, shrink, or incline a grid line
Use direct modification to stretch, shrink, or incline single grid lines in
rectangular grids.
Note that this works only for the single grid lines that you have added in
rectangular grids by using the Add grid line command.

1. Ensure that the Direct modification switch is active.

2. Ensure that the Select grid selection switch is active.

3. Select the rectangular grid.
4. Select the grid line.

5. Drag a grid line handle to a new location.

Turn grid line stretching off

If you move the outermost grid lines in rectangular grids using the line
handles, Tekla Structures stretches or shrinks the perpendicular, crossing grid
lines accordingly by default. You can switch this off temporarily.

1. Ensure that the Direct modification switch is active.

2. Ensure that the Select grid selection switch is active.

3. Select the grid line.

4. On the contextual toolbar, click the Turn grid line stretching off
button.

Grid line properties

Use the Grid line properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a single grid line. To open the properties, double-click a single
grid line. The file name extension of a grid line property file is .grdp.

The units depend on the settings in File menu --> Settings --> Options -->
Units and decimals .

Setting Description
Label Name of the grid line.
Depth in view plane Height of the grid plane
perpendicular to the view plane.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 30 Set up the workspace

methods
 Setting Description
Line extension Left/Below Define how far the grid lines extend in
Line extension Right/Above the directions Left/Below and Right/
Above.
Magnetic Select whether objects are bind to
straight grid lines. If you bind the
objects to grid lines, the objects follow
if you move the grid line.
Visible in drawing Select whether grid lines are made
visible in drawings.
Grid line automatic dimensioning Select whether single grid lines are
used in grid dimensioning.
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (UDAs) of the grid line.

Delete a single grid line

You can delete grid lines in two different ways. The easiest way is by using
direct modification.

Delete a grid line using direct modification

Use direct modification to quickly delete single grid lines.

1. Ensure that the Direct modification switch is active.

2. Select the grid line you want to delete.
3. Press Delete.

Delete a grid line (alternative method)

This is the alternative way of deleting single grid lines.

1. Ensure that the Select grid line selection switch is active.

2. Select the grid line you want to delete.
3. 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.
4. Right-click and select Delete from the pop-up menu.
5. Confirm that you want to delete the grid line.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 31 Set up the workspace

methods
 Work with views
A view is a representation of a model from a specific location. Each view is
represented in its own window within Tekla Structures. Selecting a part in a
view highlights the part in all open views.
• Create model views (page 33)
• Open, save, modify, or delete a view (page 43)
• Switch between views (page 45)
• Change the color settings for dimensions, labels, and model background
(page 69)

View plane
Each view has a view plane on which the grids (page 20) are visible and points
(page 631) are represented as blue crosses. Points that are located outside the
view plane are red. You can move the view plane (page 33) like any other
object.

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.
When you create basic views (page 34), you must define the view plane's
distance (the view plane coordinate) from the global origin in the direction of
the third axis.
Examples of basic views:

Plane 3D view Plane view

XY

XZ

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 32 Set up the workspace

methods
 Plane 3D view Plane view
ZY

Other views
For other view types, you either define the view plane and coordinate by
picking points, or the points are defined automatically, depending on the
creation method.

Should I model in a 3D or plane view?

Views can be 3D or plane views. 3D, plane, and also elevation views provide
different type 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
If you are working with several screens, maximize your work area by putting
the different views on different screens.
You can easily switch between the 3D and plane view (page 31) by using the
keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P.

Move the view plane

You can move the view plane like any other object. When you move it, Tekla
Structures only uses the vector that is perpendicular to the view plane.
1. Click the view.
2. Right-click and select Move --> Linear.
3. Pick the start 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 to move the view plane.

Create model views

You can create model views in several ways in Tekla Structures.

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 For example, you can create views
• of the entire model (3D view) (page 34)
• of selected parts (page 39)
• of selected components (page 40)
• along grid lines (axis views) (page 35)
• to the surface of an object (page 40)
Each view has properties which define its appearance. You can change the
appearance of a view after you have created it. To view and modify the
properties of each view (page 46), double-click anywhere on the model
background to open the View Properties dialog box.
If you create views along grid lines, you can view and modify the properties
(page 48) using the Creation of Views Along Grid Lines dialog box.
If you need to reopen views for later use, you can name and save (page 43)
them. Tekla Structures only saves the named views when you exit the model.

Create a basic view of the model

You can create a basic view along two coordinate axes. Use this view for the
overall viewing of the model.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> Basic view .

2. Select a view plane from the Plane list.
The view plane is defined by two axes.
3. In the Coordinate box, enter the view level.
This value defines the distance of the view plane from the global origin,
perpendicular to the view plane.
4. Click Create.

Create a view using two points

You can create a view using two points you pick: the origin and a point in the
direction of the x axis.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> Using two points .
2. Pick a point to indicate the origin of the view plane.
3. Pick a second point to indicate the direction of the x axis.
The y axis is perpendicular to the view plane on which you picked the
second point.

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 Create a view using three points
You can create a view using three points you pick: the origin, a point in the
direction of the x axis, and the third point in the direction of the y axis.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> Using three points .
2. Pick a point to indicate the origin of the view plane.
3. Pick a second point to indicate the direction of the x axis.
4. Pick a third point to indicate the direction of the y axis.

Create a view of the work plane

You can create a view of the work plane using the current view properties.

• On the View tab, click New view --> On work plane .

Create grid views

You can create views along the grid lines you select.
Before you start, create a view that contains a grid, and check the grid
properties. Note that with radial grid you can create the grid views only on the
straight grid lines, not on the arched grid lines.
If the grid properties are incorrect in some way, Tekla Structures may cut the
views at the wrong elevations or they may be named incorrectly. If you change
the grid labels or the elevation or grids later on, the views will not be
automatically renamed.
1. Select the grid.

2. On the View tab, click New view --> Along grid lines .
3. Modify the grid view properties if needed.
a. In the Number of views list, select how many views you want to
create.
b. In the View name prefix box, enter a prefix.
c. In the View properties list, define which view properties (applied or
saved) you want to use.
4. Click Create.
The Views dialog box opens.

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 5. Click the arrow buttons to move views from the Named views list to the
Visible views list.
The views will not be visible until you move them to the Visible views list.

Example
This example shows how to create vertical views of the grid lines 1–7 on the
following model:

In the Creation of views along grid lines dialog box, select All for the view
plane XZ and None for the view planes XY and ZY. Use the default settings for
the view name prefix and the view properties.

After creating the grid views, move the view named Grid 2 to the Visible views
list:

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 The grid view is displayed as a plane view in a new window:

Rotate the view to see it in 3D:

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 Create a view on a plane
You can create a view on the work plane or almost any plane of an existing
part.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> On plane .

When you hover the mouse cursor over model objects, Tekla Structures
highlights the available planes in light blue.
2. Select the desired plane.

TIP Alternatively, to create a view on the front, top, back, or bottom plane of
a part, you can also use the following commands available on the View
tab:
• On part front plane
• On part top plane
• On part back plane
• On part bottom plane
To use these commands, first select a command and then the part.

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 Create a 3D view of a part
When you need to see a specific part clearly, create a 3D view of the part. The
part is placed in the center of the view.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> 3D view of part .

2. Select the part.
Tekla Structures creates the view using the properties defined in the
part_basic_view property file. The view plane y axis is the global z axis
of the model. The x axis is the projection of the part's local x axis onto the
global xy plane.
Tekla Structures fits the work area to include the selected part.
If you want Tekla Structures to rotate the view once whenever you create a
new 3D view, select the Basic view auto rotation setting in the File menu.

Create default part views

You can create four views of a part: front, top, end, and 3D view. Tekla
Structures creates these views all at once with the same command. The front,
top, and end views are plane views by default.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> Default part views .
2. Select the part.
Tekla Structures creates the four default views all at once, using the
properties defined in part_front_view, part_top_view,
part_end_view, and part_persp_view property files.

Create an undeformed part view

You can create a view that shows a deformed part in undeformed form. This
works only for beams and columns.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> Undeformed part view .
2. Select the part.
For example, select a warped beam. Tekla Structures displays the beam in
a separate view in undeformed form.

Create a 3D view of a component

When you need to see a specific component clearly, create a 3D view of the
component. The component is placed in the center of the view.

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 1. On the View tab, click New view --> 3D view of component .
2. Select the component.
Tekla Structures creates the view, using the properties defined in the
component_basic_view property file. The view plane y axis is the global
z axis of the model. The x axis is the projection of the first secondary part
local x axis onto the global xy plane. Work area depth is 1 m in all
directions.
The component you select automatically defines the work area.
If you want Tekla Structures to rotate the view once whenever you create a
new 3D view, select the Basic view auto rotation setting in the File menu.

Create default component views

You can create four views of a component: front, top, end, and 3D view. Tekla
Structures creates these views all at once with the same command. The front,
top, and end views are plane views by default.

1. On the View tab, click New view --> Default views of

component .
2. Select the component.
Tekla Structures creates the four default views all at once, using the
properties defined in the component_front_view,
component_top_view, component_end_view, and
component_persp_view property files.

Create a surface view

Use the Create surface view macro to create an automatically aligned surface
view. This can be useful when modeling bolt groups, stiffener plates, and hole
penetrations on complex geometry.
To be able to select the surface of a part, ensure that you are using a model
view that shows part faces. On the View tab, click Rendering, and select either
the Parts grayscale or the Parts rendered option.

1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to

open the Applications & components catalog.
2. Click the arrow next to Applications to open the applications list.
3. Double-click Create surface view to start the macro.
4. Select the surface of the part.

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 Tekla Structures creates a new temporary view and moves the work plane
typically along the longest edge of the part face. You can model in the
surface view and see your modeling work being done in your original 3D
view at the same time.

5. Press Esc to stop the macro.

6. To return the work plane back to the origin:
a. Repeat steps 1–2 to open the Applications list.
b. Double-click the Work plane global macro.
The work plane returns back to the origin and is aligned with the
global x,y, and z planes of the model.

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 Create a surface view along selected edge
Use the Create surface view wEdge macro to create a surface view and align
the work plane along the edge you select. This can be useful when modeling
bolt groups, stiffener plates, and hole penetrations on complex geometry.
To be able to select the surface of a part, ensure that you are using a model
view that shows part faces. On the View tab, click Rendering, and select either
the Parts grayscale or the Parts rendered option.

1. Ensure that the Snap to geometry lines / points snap switch

(page 84) is active.
This allows you to pick along an edge to define the direction.

2. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to

open the Applications & components catalog.
3. Click the arrow next to Applications to open the applications list.
4. Double-click Create surface view wEdge to start the macro.
5. Select the surface of the part.
When you hover the mouse pointer over the part edges, a yellow arrow
symbol is displayed to indicate the possible edges you can align the view
to. The head of the arrow represents the positive direction of the x axis.
The view will be rotated in this direction to form the flat horizontal edge of
the view. The origin of the view and work plane will be at the start of the
arrow snap line.

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 6. Pick the desired edge.
Tekla Structures creates a new temporary view, and the selected edge
forms the x axis of the view. You can model in the surface view and see
your modeling work being done in your original 3D view at the same time.

7. Press Esc to stop the macro.

8. To return the work plane back to the origin:
a. Repeat steps 2–3 to open the Applications list.
b. Double-click the Work plane global macro.
The work plane returns back to the origin and is aligned with the
global x,y, and z planes of the model.

Open, save, modify, or delete a view

When you create views, you can have up to nine views on the screen at the
same time. If you need views for later use, you can name and save them. You
can modify the properties of an existing view by using the View Properties
dialog box.

Open a view
You can have up to nine views on the screen at the same time. If you are
unable to open a view, check how many views you already have open - you
may need to close some of them first.

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 1. On the View tab, click View list to open the Views dialog box.
Tekla Structures lists all invisible named views on the left, and all visible
views on the right.
2. Select a view from the Named views list and click the right arrow to move
it to the Visible views list.
You can also double-click a view to open it. If the view does not appear,
check how many views you already have open.
3. To open multiple views, use the Shift and Ctrl keys when you select views
from the list.

Save a view
If you need to reopen views later on, give each view a unique name. When you
exit the model, Tekla Structures only saves the named views. Temporary views
disappear when you close them.
Before you start, create one or more views (page 33) in the model.
1. Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog box.
2. Enter a unique name in the Name box.
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.

NOTE 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 accidentally override the
settings of another user.

3. Click Modify.
Tekla Structures will automatically save all named views when you close
the model.

Modify a view
You can modify a view simply by double-clicking it.
1. Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog box.
2. Modify the view properties (page 46).
For example, to rename the view, enter a new name in the Name box.
3. Click Modify.

Delete a view
You can permanently delete named views.

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 1. On the View tab, click View list to open the Views dialog box.
Tekla Structures lists all invisible named views (page 31) on the left, and all
visible views on the right.
2. Select the view you want to delete.
3. Click Delete.
Tekla Structures deletes the view permanently. If the view was visible
during the deletion, it will remain visible until you close it.
4. To delete multiple views, use Shift or Ctrl when you select views from the
list.

Switch between views

You can easily switch between all open views while modeling. You can also
switch between the 3D and plane view to examine the current view from
different perspectives, or switch between view angles to show the model in
different angles.

Switch between open views

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

The views are listed in alphabetical order.

• Right-click a view, then select Next window from the pop-up menu.
The next open view becomes active.

Switch between 3D and plane view

Use the Switch to 3D or plane command to examine the current view from
different perspectives.

• On the View tab, click Switch to 3D or plane.

You can also press Ctrl+P.

Switch between view angles

Use the View angle command to show a view in different view angles.

1. Select the view, and click View angle on the contextual toolbar.
2. Select a top, back, right, bottom, front, or left view.

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 3. To return to the original 3D view, click the button in the middle of the view
angle options.

Update and refresh views

Use the Update window and Redraw commands to refresh a single view or
all views at once.

• Update: Removes temporary graphics (such as measured distances) but

does not redraw the view. Faster than redrawing.
• Redraw: Redraws the view completely and shows all previously hidden
objects.

To Do this
Update the current view Right-click the view and select Update window.
Update all of the views On the View tab, click Redraw --> Erase
temporary graphics.

Redraw the current view Right-click the view and select Redraw view.
Redraw all of the views
On the View tab, click .

See also
Switch between views (page 45)

View properties
Use the View Properties dialog box to view and modify the model view
properties.

Option Description
Name The name of the view.
Angle Whether the view angle is Plane or
3D.
Projection The projection type of views.
Orthogonal: All objects are of equal
size (no perspective). When you
zoom, text and point size remains the

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 Option Description
same. In addition, the zoom remains
on object faces.
Perspective: Distant objects appear
smaller than close ones, as do text
and points. You can zoom, rotate, or
fly through the model.
Rotation How the view is rotated around the z
and x axes. Rotation is view-specific.
The units depend on the settings in
File menu --> Settings --> Options --
> Units and decimals .
Share This option is available only if the
model has been shared with Tekla
Model Sharing.
In Tekla Model Sharing, views are not
shared by default. Views are shared if
they have a name, and the Share
option is set to Shared.
Color and transparency in all views The color and transparency setting
that is used 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.
The units depend on the settings in
File menu --> Settings --> Options --
> Units and decimals .
Display... Opens the Display dialog box for
defining which objects are displayed
(page 647) 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.

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 See also
Open, save, modify, or delete a view (page 43)

Grid view properties

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

Option Description
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 box 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
Create model views (page 33)

Define the work area

Tekla Structures indicates the work area of a view using dashed lines. Objects
outside the work area exist, but they are not visible. You can shrink and
expand the work area to suit particular situations, for example to concentrate
on a particular area of the model. You can temporarily hide the work area box.

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 Fit work area to entire model
You can resize the work area to include all model objects, either in all views or
in selected views only.

1. On the View tab, click Work area and select one of the following:

• To entire model in all views

Fits the work area to include all model objects in all visible views.
• To entire model in selected views
Fits the work area to include all model objects in the selected views.

Fit work area to selected parts

You can resize the work area to include only selected parts, either in all views
or in selected views only.
1. Select the objects you want to include.

2. On the View tab, click Work area and select one of the following:

• To selected parts in all views

Fits the work area to include the selected model objects in all views.
• To selected parts in selected views
Fits the work area to include the selected model objects in the selected
views.

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 Fit work area using two points
You can resize the work area based on two corner points you pick on the view
plane. The depth of the work area is the same as the view depth.

1. On the View tab, click Work area and select Using two points.
2. Pick the first point.
3. Pick the second point.

Hide the work area box

You can temporarily hide the work area box in a view. This can be useful, for
example, when creating screenshots for presentations.
1. Hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys simultaneously.
2. On the View tab, click Redraw --> Redraw all views.

3. To make the box visible again, click Redraw --> Redraw all views again.

TIP Alternatively, use the advanced option XS_HIDE_WORKAREA.

If you place objects are outside the work area

If you place new objects outside the work area, or copy or move objects
outside the work area, Tekla Structures displays a warning message Objects
outside the work area. You can expand the work area to include the new
objects.
If you do not wish to see thew warning message again you have the option to
hide future warnings of the same type. You can also have Tekla Structures
show these warnings again.
• To hide future warnings of the same type, select the Do not show this
message again check box.
• To re-display the warnings, hold down the Shift key while running a
command that should normally induce a warning message. For example, if
you deliberately copy or move objects outside the work area while holding
down the Shift key, the associated warning message reappears.

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 If you cannot see all objects
The visibility of objects in a view depends on a number of different settings. If
you cannot see all the desired objects in a model view, check the following
settings:
• work area
• view depth
• view filter
• view and representation settings
• color and transparency settings
Note that work area and view depth are like two virtual boxes. Objects that
have their handles 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
Define the work area (page 48)
View properties (page 46)
Filter objects (page 150)
Change the color and transparency of model objects by using object
representation (page 656)

Coordinate system
Tekla Structures uses two coordinate systems: the global and the local
coordinate system. The local coordinate system is also known as the work
plane.

Global coordinate system

The green cube symbol represents the global coordinate system and lies at the
global point of origin (x=0, y=0, z=0). The global coordinate system is static and
it cannot be changed.

Do not place the model far away from the origin. If you create model objects
far away from the origin, snapping to points (page 83) in the model views

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 may become inaccurate. The further away from the origin you model, the less
precise all computations become.
If you need to use another coordinate system for inserting reference models
or exporting IFC models, you can use base points (page 57). When you use
base points, you can keep the coordinates small and locate the model
wherever needed.

Local coordinate system (Work plane)

The work plane represents the local coordinate system. Most of the
commands that are dependent on the coordinate system use the work plane
coordinates. For example creating points, part positioning, and copying always
comply with the work plane coordinate system. The coordinate symbol, which
is located in the lower right corner of the model view, follows the work plane.

The work plane is model specific, so it is the same in all views. The red work
plane arrow symbol shows the xy plane. The z direction follows the right-hand
rule (page 53).

You can change the local coordinate system by shifting the work plane
(page 53). The work plane also has its own red grid, which can be used for
positioning parts. You can show or hide (page 53) this grid as needed.

To control which work plane or base point you currently have in use in the
model, use the work plane handler toolbar (page 68).

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 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.

Show or hide the work plane grid

The work plane grid is hidden by default. Use the options on the Snapping
toolbar to show or hide the work plane grid.
1. To show the grid, select Work plane from the second list.

2. To hide the grid, select View plane from the same list.

See also
Shift the work plane (page 53)

Shift the work plane

You can set the work plane to any position by picking points or by selecting a
plane. This makes it easier to place parts accurately when modeling sloped
parts.

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 For example, you can shift the work plane to the slope of the roof to make it
easier to model horizontal bracing and purlins in a sloped roof.

Set work plane to any part plane

Use the Work plane tool command to set the work plane to any part plane or
grid intersection. Note that you can select only native Tekla Structures object
planes. You cannot select reference model object planes.
1. On the View tab, click Work plane --> Work plane tool.

2. Move your mouse over the model to preview the work plane direction.
3. Click the left mouse button to set the work plane.

Set work plane parallel to xyz plane

You can set the work plane parallel to the xy, xz, or zy plane.
1. On the View tab, click Work plane and select Parallel to XY(Z) plane.

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 2. In the Plane list box, select the plane parallel to the work plane.
3. Enter the depth coordinate.
The depth coordinate defines the distance of the work plane from the
global origin along a line perpendicular to the plane parallel to the third
axis.
4. Click Change.

Set work plane using one point

You can set the work plane using one picked point. The work plane stays
parallel to the current work plane, but moves to a new position. The x and y
directions are unchanged.
1. On the View tab, click Work plane and select Using one point.

2. Pick the new position of the work plane.

Set work plane using two points

You can set the work plane using two picked points. The first point you pick is
the origin, the second defines the x direction of the work plane. The y direction
remains the same as the previous work plane.
1. On the View tab, click Work plane and select Using two points.

2. Pick the origin of the work plane.

3. Pick a point in the work plane, in the positive x direction.

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 Set work plane using three points
You can set the work plane using three picked points. The first point you pick is
the origin, the second defines the x direction, and the third defines the y
direction of the work plane. Tekla Structures fixes the z direction according to
the right-hand rule.
1. On the View tab, click Work plane and select Using three points.

2. Pick the origin for the work plane.

3. Pick a point in the positive x direction.
4. Pick a point in the positive y direction.

Set work plane parallel to view plane

You can set the work plane to be the same as the view plane of a selected
view.
1. On the View tab, click Work plane and select Parallel to view plane.

2. Select the view.

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 Restore the default work plane
Remember to change back to the default work plane when you have finished
modeling sloped structures.
1. On the View tab, click Work plane --> Parallel to XY(Z) plane.

2. In the Plane list, select XY.

3. In the Depth coordinate box, enter 0.
4. Click Change.

Base points
The base points (control points) allow you to use a coordinate system based
on the civil origin or other coordinate system for interoperability and
collaboration. For example, you can use base points when inserting reference
models, exporting IFC models, in drawings, in Layout manager, and in reports
and templates.
Civil origin is the datum point or fundamental benchmark point of the national
land survey network.
When you use base points, you can keep the coordinates small and locate the
model wherever needed. You can create as many base points as you need, and
select one of those to be the project base point.

Note the following:

• Reference models should not have any additional lines to the origin.
• Reference models should not include objects that are very far from each
other because otherwise using the model may get difficult.
• Tekla Structures native objects, including reference models, should not be
inserted very far from the Tekla Structures model origin.

Define a base point

You can define base points in Project properties. In case you need to import
or export a reference model, you need to know the coordinates of the

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 reference model that you are importing, or the coordinates that you want to
use in the resulting IFC export file.

TIP You can inquire the point coordinates in Tekla Structures: On the ribbon,

click the down arrow next to , and then select Point coordinates.
For more information, see Inquire object properties (page 686).

1. Open a Tekla Structures.

2. Click File --> Project properties --> Base points to open the Base point
dialog box.
3. Fill in the needed information:

You can load existing base point settings. To do this, copy your settings file
<settings name>.basePoint.json from the \attributes folder
under the model where you have the base point settings you want to use
to the \attributes folder under the current model folder. In the Base
point dialog box, select the base point settings from the list.
Note that base point settings also work with project and firm folders: Copy
the base point settings file to the \attributes folder under the firm and
project folders.

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 Name, Description Enter a name and a description for the base
point. Giving a name is obligatory.
Coordinate System Enter the name of the coordinate system you
are using.
East coordinate (E) Enter the East coordinate (E) that represents
the X coordinate related to the civil origin.
North coordinate (N) Enter the North coordinate (N) that represents
the Y coordinate related to the civil origin.
Elevation Enter the Elevationthat represents the Z
coordinate related to the civil origin.
Latitude,Longitude Enter the Latitude and Longitude of the base
point to be used in the IFC export.
Latitude and Longitude is additional
information, which some software can use. In
the IFC file, this is written to IFCSITE
information.
If the total number of digits in Longitude is
more than 15, the value is rounded up to the
nearest if it is > 99.999999999999999999.
To convert Latitude and Longitude information
between decimal format and degree/minute/
second (DMS) format, see Convert Latitude/
Longitude to decimal.
Location in the model Pick or enter a location for the base point in the
Tekla Structures model. The distance is
measured from the model origin.
The base point location in the model can have a
maximum value of +/- 10 km from the model
origin. Modeling is meant to be done near the
model origin, and the offset is to be given with
East coordinate and North coordinate values.
Angle to North Pick or enter the Angle to North, which is the
angle between Y and North directions. The
maximum number of decimals for the angle is
13.
Project base point If you want to set a coordinate system as the
project base point, select a base point from the
list at the top and then select the Project base
point check box.
4. To save the base point settings, type a unique name for the settings and
click Save. To use the same base point settings in another model, copy
your settings file <settings name>.basePoint.json from the
\attributes folder under the current model folder to the \attributes

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 folder under the model where you wish to use the same base point
settings. The settings also work with project and firm folders: Copy the
base point settings file to the \attributes folder under the firm and
project folders.
5. To avoid unwanted changes by others working in the same model, lock
the base point by clicking the Lock/Unlock button next to the base
point name. The button changes to . To unlock the base point, click the
button again.
6. Click Modify to save the base point.
A blue symbol is added in the model.
If you later on make changes to the base point, the base point location in
the model changes according to the location or rotation changes you
make in the Base point dialog box when you press Enter or click another
input field, and there is no need to click Modify. Note that if the base
point is locked, you cannot modify it.

Now you can insert a reference model, or export an IFC model using the
defined base point, for example.

Set a coordinate system as the project base point

One base point can be set to be as the project base point. Model origin is the
default project base point value if the model does not contain any base points,
or if none of the existing base points has been set to be the project base point.

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 You can check and change the current project base point through File -->
Project properties --> Location by.
Note that it is not recommended to change the project base point temporarily
during a project.
1. Click File --> Project properties.
You can see the current project base point in the Location by box.
2. To change the project base point, click Edit, and select a new project base
point from the Location by list.
3. Click Apply.

TIP You can also set a base point as the project base point in the Base point
dialog box by selecting a base point from the list at the top and then
selecting the Project base point check box.

Insert a reference model using a base point

Before you can insert a reference at the base points, you need to create a base
point in your model. To create the base point, you need to know the
coordinates of the reference model that you are importing.
1. Open the Reference Models list by clicking the Reference Models button

in the side pane .

2. In the Reference Models list, click the Add model button.
3. In the Add model dialog box, if you have any previously created reference
model properties files, load the desired file by selecting the file from the
properties file list at the top.
4. Browse for the reference model by clicking Browse....
5. In Group, select a group for the reference model, or enter a name for a
new group.
If you do not enter a name for the group, the reference model is inserted
in the Default group.

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 6. In Location by, select the base point you want to use.

7. Click the Add model button. Tekla Structures inserts the reference model
relative to the selected base point by using the coordinate system values,
elevation and angle in the base point definition in the model Project
properties. For example, both IFC2x3 and IFC4 reference model inserting
support base points.

Export an IFC model using a base point

Before you can export an IFC file using a base point, you need to create a base
point in your model.
1. Click File --> Export --> IFC to open the Export to IFC dialog box.
2. In Location by, select a base point that you have created.
3. Fill in other necessary IFC export information.
4. Click Export. The base point option exports the IFC model relative to the
base point using the coordinate system values, elevation, latitude,
longitude and angle in the base point definition in the model Project
properties.

Base points in drawings

It is possible to use base-point-defined coordinate system values in drawings.
If you change the project base point Z or the elevation value, the level value
will change accordingly when a drawing is opened.
• Base point data can be used in drawing and view level to set the coordinate
system. The base point can be used instead of datum offset.
• When the base point is set, level attributes and template attributes in
marks provide values in the specific base-point-defined coordinate system.

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 • This setting affects level marks and attributes that end with _BASEPOINT.
• When the base point is set at the drawing level, the _BASEPOINT template
attributes can be used in drawing templates.
You can set Location by in drawing view properties to use model origin,
project base point or any base point defined coordinate system. Location by
uses the project base point as the default value.
The datum level only affects the attributes TOP_LEVEL and
TOP_LEVEL_UNFORMATTED when Location by is set to Model origin or to the
project base point that is in the model origin.
To change the Location by value:
1. In an open drawing, double-click the drawing view frame to open the View
Properties dialog box.
2. On the Attributes 2 tab, set Location by to a new base point, or to the
model origin.
3. Click Modify.

Example of base point usage in a drawing

In the following example, do the following:
1. Create a slab with a thickness of 200 mm with the slab's top at the level 0
in the model.

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 2. Create a new base point "Control point 1" with elevation 20000 mm.

3. Create a GA drawing in plan view.

4. Open the GA drawing, double-click the view frame to open the View
properties dialog box.

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 5. On the Attributes 2 tab, you set Location by to the new base point
(Project base point) "Base point 2" and click Modify.

6. Add a level mark using the following template attributes:

• COG_Z
• COG_Z_PROJECT
• COG_Z_BASEPOINT
7. Reopen the drawing.
Note that changing the value does not update the template attribute
automatically but after reopening the drawing.

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 Base points in Layout manager
You can use base points in Layout manager when defining the location of
layout points.
• You can use base points as location coordinates when exporting and
importing layout points.
• When you add, modify or delete base points, you need to reopen or refresh
Layout manager to make the changed base point data available in Layout
manager.

Base point in reports and templates

You can inquire project base point and current base point value in reports and
templates.

The following table lists the template attributes where you can use _PROJECT
and _BASEPOINT at the end, for example,
ASSEMBLY_BOTTOM_LEVEL_PROJECT or
ASSEMBLY_BOTTOM_LEVEL_BASEPOINT. Note that _BASEPOINT uses the
current base point in the same way as the workplane uses the current
workplane. If there is no current base point defined, _BASEPOINT provides
values relative to model origin (Global).

Content type Attributes

ASSEMBLY, CAST_UNIT ASSEMBLY_BOTTOM_LEVEL
and PART ASSEMBLY_BOTTOM_LEVEL_UNFORMATTED
ASSEMBLY_TOP_LEVEL
ASSEMBLY_TOP_LEVEL_UNFORMATTED

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 Content type Attributes
BOTTOM_LEVEL
BOTTOM_LEVEL_UNFORMATTED
BOUNDING_BOX_MIN_X
BOUNDING_BOX_MIN_Y
BOUNDING_BOX_MIN_Z
BOUNDING_BOX_MAX_X
BOUNDING_BOX_MAX_Y
BOUNDING_BOX_MAX_Z
BOUNDING_BOX_X
BOUNDING_BOX_Y
BOUNDING_BOX_Z
COG_X
COG_Y
COG_Z
START_X
START_Y
START_Z
END_X
END_Y
END_Z
TOP_LEVEL
TOP_LEVEL_UNFORMATTED
LOCATION_BREAKDOWN_STRUCTURE.LBS_FLOOR_
ELEVATION
ASSEMBLY.LOCATION_BREAKDOWN_STRUCTURE.L
BS_FLOOR_ELEVATION
REFERENCE MODEL, BOUNDING_BOX_MIN_X
REFERENCE OBJECT and BOUNDING_BOX_MIN_Y
REFERENCE_ ASSEMBLY
BOUNDING_BOX_MIN_Z
BOUNDING_BOX_MAX_X
BOUNDING_BOX_MAX_Y
BOUNDING_BOX_MAX_Z
LOCATION_BREAKDOWN_STRUCTURE.LBS_FLOOR_
ELEVATION

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 Content type Attributes
POUR OBJECT BOTTOM_LEVEL
BOTTOM_LEVEL_UNFORMATTED
TOP_LEVEL
TOP_LEVEL_UNFORMATTED
LOCATION_BREAKDOWN_STRUCTURE.LBS_FLOOR_
ELEVATION
CONNECTION ORIGIN_X
ORIGIN_Y
ORIGIN_Z
HIERARCHIC OBJECT LOCATION_BREAKDOWN_STRUCTURE.LBS_FLOOR_
ELEVATION

Select the work plane

If you have defined base points or saved work planes, you can use the Work
plane handler toolbar to select which work plane you currently have in use in
the model.
By default, the Work plane handler toolbar is located at the bottom of the
screen.

You can select among the following work planes:

• Model origin (if project base point is set somewhere else)
• Project base point
• All base points (page 57) you have defined
• All work planes (page 53) you have set and saved
The symbol for model origin is different if the project base point is set to
model origin, or if the project base point is set somewhere else.
When a model is reopened, the last used work plane or base point is used.

Add a work plane to the toolbar

1. Set a work plane in the model.

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 2. On the Work plane handler toolbar, enter a name for the work plane in
the Select work plane box.

3. Click the Save work plane button to add the new work plane to the
list.
If needed, you can rename your work plane by double-clicking it and
entering a new name.

4. To remove a work plane from the list, click the Remove work plane
button.
By default, the Work plane handler toolbar is located at the bottom of the
screen. If you are unable to find the toolbar, click File --> Settings, and in the
Toolbars list ensure that the Work plane handler toolbar is selected.

See also
Coordinate system (page 51)

Change the color settings for dimensions, labels, and model

background
You can define which color you want to use for dimensions, labels, and
background in the model. For example, if you set the background color to
black, you may need to adjust the other color settings as well to ensure that
the text and dimensions will be visible.
Change the color settings in the Advanced options dialog box by using RGB
values on a scale of 0.0 to 1.0. Separate the values with spaces. For example,
the color code for yellow is 1.0 1.0 0.0.

TIP Alternatively, if you wish to change the color settings at one go without using the
advanced options, you can use the Background Color Tool, which is available in
Tekla Warehouse.

To change the drawing mode color, go to File --> Settings --> Color mode and
select one of the options.

Find RGB values for colors

To find the right RGB values for colors, use, for example, the following tools:
• Background Color Selector tool, which is available in Tekla Warehouse
• Color picker for Tekla Structures tool, which is available in Tekla User
Assistance

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 Change the model background color
Set the background color using a combination of four different advanced
options. You can control the color of each corner of the background
separately.
1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Advanced options , and go to the
Model views category.
2. Set the background color using the following advanced options:
• XS_BACKGROUND_COLOR1
• XS_BACKGROUND_COLOR2
• XS_BACKGROUND_COLOR3
• XS_BACKGROUND_COLOR4
To use a single-colored background, set the same color code for all four
corners of the background. To use the default background color, leave the
boxes empty.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
4. Close and reopen the view to see the changes.

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

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 RGB values Result
0.98 0.98 0.99
0.99 0.99 0.99
0.00 0.37 0.99
0.21 0.46 0.88

0.6 0.8 0.9

0.6 0.8 0.9
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0

0.6 0.8 0.9

0.6 0.8 0.9
0.5 0.2 0.0
0.5 0.2 0.0

0.1 0.6 0.6

0.5 0.9 0.5
0.1 0.6 0.6
0.5 0.9 0.5

TIP You can change the drawing mode background to black with the advanced
option XS_BLACK_DRAWING_BACKGROUND.

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 Change the color of dimensions, part labels, and bolts
You can define which color you want to use for dimensions, part labels, and
bolts that are using the representation option Fast in the model.

1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Advanced options .

2. Search for the color setting you want to change.

Color setting Advanced option

Dimension lines XS_VIEW_DIM_LINE_COLOR
Dimension text XS_VIEW_DIM_TEXT_COLOR
Part labels XS_VIEW_PART_LABEL_COLOR
Work plane grid XS_GRID_COLOR_FOR_WORK_PLANE
Bolts using the representation option XS_VIEW_FAST_BOLT_COLOR
Fast

TIP To quickly find all color related advanced options, type color in the
Search box and press Enter. Make sure the In all categories check
box is selected.

3. Define the color using RGB color codes.

4. Click OK to save the changes.
You may be required to restart Tekla Structures.
5. Close and reopen the view to see the changes.

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 Change the rendering mode for model views
Tekla Structures model view rendering can use either DirectX technology or
the legacy OpenGL technology.
By default, Tekla Structures uses the DirectX rendering. The DirectX rendering
adds a subtle shading effect to Tekla Structures objects, making the 3D
visualizations clearer and more defined.
If you want to use the legacy OpenGL rendering, switch the Use legacy
rendering option on in File --> Settings --> Switches.
The rendering setting is model view specific, which means that you can use
different rendering options in different model views. If you switch between the
rendering options, you need to reopen the model view to activate the
rendering option.

DirectX rendering engine

The DirectX rendering mode is better optimized for modern graphics cards,
and the graphics performance is better on the recommended NVIDIA GeForce
GTX graphics cards than with graphics cards that have a lower end or no
graphics processing unit (GPU). For more information on the graphics cards,
see Tekla Structures hardware recommendations.
If you want to measure the performance of your DirectX 3D rendering engine,
you can use the TeklaMark tool from Tekla Warehouse. The tool tests how fast
your computer handles graphical information typically used in Tekla
Structures, for example, processor speed, load time, average draw time, and
per frame details. For more information, see the TeklaMark support article that
shows graphs of the collected performance data on different hardware setups.

NOTE If you use Tekla Structures via remote connections, the DirectX rendering may
not work as expected: parts that you have created may not show in the
model, or the model is working slowly. If you experience such problems,
switch the DirectX rendering off.

Use the following advanced options to fine-tune the DirectX rendering:

• XS_USE_ANTI_ALIASING_IN_DX
• XS_SHOW_SHADOW_FOR_ORTHO_IN_DX
• XS_SHOW_SHADOW_FOR_PERSPECTIVE_IN_DX
• XS_SHOW_STATISTICS_IN_DX

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 DirectX rendering examples
Visualization of distance
In DirectX rendered model views, the visualization of the distances uses subtle
shadows and ambient occlusion. This gives a better understanding of the
structure and distances.

DirectX OpenGL

Depth accuracy
In DirectX rendered model views, the accuracy in depth buffer is improved so
that when the model is zoomed, parts are not shown through other parts'
faces as often as previously.

DirectX OpenGL

Dynamic states
In DirectX rendered model views, in dynamic states, such as in selection and in
preselection highlight, the selection is clearer and the highlight is less intrusive.

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 DirectX OpenGL

Antialiasing for higher fidelity

In DirectX rendered model views, the image quality is by default better than in
OpenGL rendered model view, with less flickering.

DirectX OpenGL

High fidelity edge line

In DirectX rendered model views, there are no flickering zigzag lines but
continuous, smooth edges.

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 DirectX OpenGL

Accurate reinforcing bars

In DirectX rendered model views, reinforcing bars have edge lines. When you
zoom in, the reinforcing bars are shown as round.

DirectX OpenGL

Automatic edge lines for intersecting material in transparent view

In DirectX rendered model views, you can see where there are intersecting
materials in the model.

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 DirectX OpenGL

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 Accuracy and clarity on details

DirectX OpenGL

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 Automatic hatching for overlapping surfaces on same plane
In DirectX rendered model views, duplicate objects or overlapping parts are
visualized with a hatch in non-transparent views (Ctrl+4 for parts and Shift+4
for components).
Switch the hatching on in File menu --> Settings --> Switches --> Hatching of
overlapping surfaces.

Dashed hidden lines

In DirectX rendered model views, the part edge lines that are hidden behind
another part are shown as dashed lines in transparent views (Ctrl+1, 2, 3, or 5
for parts and Shift+1, 2, 3, or 5 for components).
Switch the dashed lines on in File menu --> Settings --> Switches --> Dashed
line for hidden line.

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Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 80 Set up the workspace
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 1.2 Zoom and rotate the model
The commands on the View tab allow you to focus on a particular area, or pull
out for a wider view. You can use a mouse, command, keyboard shortcut, or a
combination of these.

Zoom in and out

You can use a variety of tools to zoom in and out in the model. By default, the
mouse pointer position determines the center point of zooming.

To Do this
Zoom in Scroll forward with the mouse wheel.
Alternatively, press Page Up.
Zoom out Scroll backward with the mouse
wheel.
Alternatively, press Page Down.
Zoom to selected objects 1. Select the objects.
2. On the View tab, click Zoom --
> Zoom selected.
Alternatively, press Shift+Space.
Zoom with menu commands On the View tab, click Zoom and
select one of the zoom commands.
Keep the center point of zooming in On the File menu, click Settings and
the middle of the view select Centered zooms.
Define the zoom ratio Use these advanced options:
XS_ZOOM_STEP_RATIO
XS_ZOOM_STEP_RATIO_IN_
MOUSEWHEEL_MODE
XS_ZOOM_STEP_RATIO_IN_SCROLL_
MODE

Rotate the model

You can use either the middle or left mouse button, or keyboard, to rotate the
model in a view.

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 To Do this
Rotate using the middle mouse 1. On the View tab, click
button Navigate --> Set view point.
You can also press V.
2. To set the view point, pick a
position in the view.
The following symbol appears in
the model:

3. Hold down the Ctrl key, and click

and drag the model with the
middle mouse button.
Tekla Structures rotates the
model around the view point you
defined in step 2.
Rotate using the left mouse button 1. On the View tab, click
Navigate --> Rotate with
mouse.
You can also press Ctrl+R.
2. To set the view point, pick a
position in the view.
The following symbol appears in
the model:

3. Click and drag the model with the

left mouse button.
Tekla Structures rotates the
model around the view point you
defined in step 2.
Rotate using keyboard Use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl
+arrow keys and Shift+arrow keys.
Ctrl+arrow keys rotates the model in
15 degree increments.
Shift+arrow keys rotates the model
in 5 degree increments.

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 Pan the model
You can use either the middle or left mouse button to pan the model in a view.

To Do this
Move the model using the middle 1. On the File menu, click Settings
mouse button and check that the Middle
button pan check box is
selected.
2. Hold down the middle mouse
button and drag the model.
Move the model using the left mouse 1. To activate dynamic panning, go
button to the View tab and click
Navigate --> Pan.
You can also press P.
The mouse pointer changes to a

hand:
2. Hold down the left mouse button
and drag the model.
3. To stop panning, press Esc.

1.3 Snap to positions

Most commands ask you to pick points to place objects in the model or
drawing. This is called snapping. When you are creating a new object, Tekla
Structures displays snap symbols and snap tooltips for the available snap
points and a light gray line between the snap point and the last point picked.

Use the snap switches (page 84) on the Snapping toolbar to control which
positions you can snap to.

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 For example, you can snap to
• different points, such as end points and midpoints
• centers
• intersections
• lines and edges
• dimensions and mark lines, drawing layout items and drawing frames
If you want to use exact distances or coordinates when snapping to positions,
use numeric snapping (page 87).
With the combination of different snapping tools, you can, for example, snap
to the closest orthogonal point (page 99) on the plane, both in the model and
in the drawings. Additionally, you can follow a line and pick a point at a
specified distance along the line, or create a temporary reference point to use
as a local origin, both in the model and in the drawings.
Tekla Structures displays snap dimensions in the model, which means you can
easily create objects of a desired length. Use the advanced option XS_DISPLAY_
DIMENSIONS_WHEN_CREATING_OBJECTS to switch the snap dimensions on or
off.

TIP Use the snapping keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work.

Snap to points by using snap switches

Use the snap switches to control which positions you can pick in the model or
drawing. By using snap switches, you can position objects precisely without
having to know the coordinates. You can use snap switches whenever Tekla
Structures prompts you to pick a point.
Click the snap switches on the Snapping toolbar to switch them on or off. If
there is more than one point available to snap to, press the Tab key to cycle
forward through the snap points, and Shift+Tab to cycle backwards through
them. Click the left mouse button to select the appropriate point.

(1) Use the snap switches (page 84) to control which positions you can pick
when placing objects. Snap switches define exact locations on objects, for
example, end points, midpoints, and intersections.
(2) Use the first list to define the snap depth.
(3) Use the second list to switch between the view plane and work plane
(page 53).

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 (4) Use the third list to set the plane type (page 960). The plane type defines
what planes you can select in the model.
(5) You can hide selected switches from the toolbar.
Alternatively, you can control the snap switches with Quick Launch. Start
typing the name of the snap switch, for example, snap, and click the name of
the snap switch in the search results list to activate the switch.

Snap zone
Each object has a snap zone. It defines how close you need to pick to hit a
position. When you pick within the snap zone of an object, Tekla Structures
automatically snaps to the closest pickable point on that object.
You can set the snap zone using the advanced option XS_PIXEL_TOLERANCE.

Snap priority
If you pick and hit several positions simultaneously, Tekla Structures
automatically snaps to the point with the highest snap priority. To control
which positions you can pick, use snap switches. Snap switches define the
snap priority of positions.

Snap depth
The first list on the Snapping toolbar defines the depth of each position you
pick. You have the following options:
• Plane: You can snap to positions either on the view plane (page 31) or the
work plane (page 51), depending on what you have selected in the second
list on the Snapping toolbar.
• Auto: In perspective views, this option works like the 3D option. In non-
perspective views, it works like the Plane option.
• 3D: You can snap to positions in the entire 3D space.

Visual cues in snapping

Tekla Structures indicates where you can snap in the model and which snap
switches can be used to snap to certain positions.
When you start a command that requires picking points and you move the
mouse pointer over objects, the mouse pointer locks to a snap point and Tekla
Structures displays in the model
• a snap symbol
The snap symbol changes according to the possible snap point. Tekla
Structures automatically highlights the points where you can snap to.
Use the snap settings (page 104) to show or hide the snap symbols.

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 • a snap tooltip which shows the name of the possible snap point
To show or hide the snap tooltips, click File --> Settings and select the
Snap tooltips check box.
• a turquoise reference line or geometry line of the object. The turquoise line
shows the line or the edge to which the snap point belongs to.
For example:

Additionally, Tekla Structures indicates in which direction the picked points are
located. When the Ortho (page 99) tool is active, Tekla Structures displays a
rubber band line between the last point picked and the snap point. The color
of the cursor and the rubber band line follow the color of the work plane axis:
red for x-axis, green for y-axis and blue for z-axis. For any other direction the
color of the rubber band line and the cursor is black.

As a general rule of thumb, you can only snap to something that is visible.
For example, if you use the rendering options Parts rendered or
Components rendered (Ctrl/Shift +4), the object surfaces are displayed and
the objects are not transparent. This means that you cannot snap to the
object's geometry lines or reference lines which cannot be seen through the
object.

Override the current snap switch settings

You can temporarily override the current snap switch settings, and activate
only the selected snap switch. The selected snap switch overrides the other
snap settings for the next point you pick.

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 1. Run a command that asks you to pick a point.
For example, start creating a beam.
2. To override the current snap switches, do one of the following:
• Right-click to show a list of snap options, and then select one of the
options.
• Click File --> Settings, and in the list of toolbars select Snap override
toolbar.
A new toolbar appears. Click a button to activate the selected snap
switch.

• Use Quick Launch to activate a snap override switch. Type override in

the Quick Launch box and select the needed override switch in the
search results list.

Snap to points by using exact distance or coordinates -

numeric snapping
You can enter exact distances and coordinates when snapping to a position.
This is called numeric snapping.

Enter a distance or coordinates

Use the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box to specify the distance or
coordinates to a position you want to snap to.
1. Run a command that requires you to pick points.
For example, start creating a beam.
2. Pick the first point.
3. Move the mouse pointer to indicate the direction of snapping.
4. Enter a distance or coordinates by using the keyboard.
For example, type 1000 as the distance from the last point picked. When
you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric Location
dialog box automatically.

5. After entering the distance or coordinates, click OK or press Enter to snap

to the position.

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 Snapping example: Track along a line towards a snap point
Tracking means that you follow a line and pick a point at a specified distance
along the line. You usually use tracking in combination with numeric
coordinates and other snapping tools, such as snap switches and orthogonal
snapping. This example shows how to pick a point at a specified distance along
a line. Use the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box to specify the distance
from the last point picked.
1. Create two beams and place them as shown below:

2. Activate the beam command, to create one more beam.

3. Pick the first point.

4. Move the mouse pointer over the grid line intersection so that it locks
onto the snap point, but do not click the mouse button.

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 5. Type 1000.
When you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric
Location dialog box.

6. Click OK to confirm the distance.

Tekla Structures creates a beam, which is 1000 units long and positioned
between the points you defined:

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 You can also:
• Track beyond the snap point, for example 4000 units from the first point:

• Track in the opposite direction by entering a negative value, for example

-1000:

For an example of how to use numeric snapping in drawings, see Place a

sketch object at a specified distance.

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 Change the snapping mode
Tekla Structures has three snapping modes: relative, absolute, and global. Use
the advanced option XS_KEYIN_DEFAULT_MODE to indicate the default
snapping mode.
1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Advanced options and go to the
Modeling properties category.
2. Set the advanced option XS_KEYIN_DEFAULT_MODE to RELATIVE,
ABSOLUTE, or GLOBAL.
• In the relative snapping mode, the coordinates you enter in the Enter
a Numeric Location dialog box as such without any prefix are relative
to the last position picked.
• In the absolute snapping mode, the coordinates are based on the
origin of the work plane.
• In the global snapping mode, the coordinates are based on the global
origin and the global x and y directions.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
4. If you want to temporarily override the default snapping mode, enter a
special character in front of the coordinates when entering a numeric
location.
By default, the special characters are:
• @ for relative coordinates
• $ for absolute coordinates
• ! for global coordinates
Alternatively, you can start numeric snapping and bring up the special
characters by typing R, A, or G. R is for relative coordinates, A is for
absolute coordinates, and G is for global coordinates.

NOTE If you want to change the special character for any of the three
snapping modes, use the advanced options XS_KEYIN_RELATIVE_
PREFIX, XS_KEYIN_ABSOLUTE_PREFIX, and XS_KEYIN_GLOBAL_
PREFIX.

Options for coordinates

The table below explains the types of information you can enter in the Enter a
Numeric Location dialog box.
Note that Tekla Structures has three snapping modes: relative, absolute, and
global. You can temporarily override the default snapping mode by using a

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 91 Snap to positions

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 special character in front of the coordinates in the Enter a Numeric Location
dialog box.

You can enter Description Special character

One coordinate A distance to an indicated direction.
Two coordinates If you omit the last coordinate (z) or
Three angle, Tekla Structures assumes that
coordinates the value is 0.
In drawings, Tekla Structures ignores
the third coordinate.
Cartesian The x, y, and z coordinates of a , (comma)
coordinates position separated by commas.
For example, 100,-50,-200.
Polar A distance, an angle on the xy plane, <
coordinates and an angle from the xy plane
separated by angle brackets.
For example, 1000<90<45.
Angles increase in the
counterclockwise direction.
Relative The coordinates relative to the last @
coordinates position picked.
For example, @1000,500 or
@500<30.
Absolute The coordinates based on the origin $
coordinates of the work plane.
For example, $0,0,1000.
Global The coordinates relative to the global !
coordinates origin and the global x and y
directions.
For example, 6000,12000,0.
This is useful, for example, when you
have set the work plane to a part
plane and want to snap to a position
defined in the global coordinate
system without changing the work
plane to global.
Coordinate axis When using direct modification, with x
prefixes relative and absolute coordinates,
y
you can also use axis prefixes to
z

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 You can enter Description Special character
allow snapping in the prefixed
directions only.
For example, @z500 or
$y6000,z-500.
Axis prefixes cannot be used with
global coordinates.
If any of the entered coordinate
values has an axis prefix, the other
values need to have prefixes, too.
The axis prefixes are not case-
sensitive, and the prefixed values
can be entered in any order.

Snap to lines, edges, and extension lines

You can snap to lines when you model objects that should be lined up with an
existing object or with a grid line. You can also snap to the extension lines of
part reference lines, or to the extension lines of nearby objects' reference
lines.

Snap to a line or an edge

Use the Snap to line snap switch when you need to snap to another line in the
model. You can snap to grid lines, reference lines, and the edges of existing
objects.
Use the Snap to line snap switch when you need to create, for example,
several beams one after another on a grid line. With the Snap to line snap
switch you do not need separately pick the start point and the end point of the
beam.

1. Ensure that the Snap to line snap switch is active.

2. Run a command that requires you to pick two or more points.
For example, start creating a beam. When you move the mouse pointer
over a grid line or a nearby object, Tekla Structures automatically picks

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 93 Snap to positions

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 both ends of the line. The yellow arrow symbol indicates the direction of
the points.

3. To switch direction, move the mouse pointer closer to the opposite end of
the line.
4. Click the left mouse button to confirm the snap position.
Tekla Structures creates the object. For example:

NOTE If you use the Snap to line snap switch with a command that requires
only one point to be picked, for example when creating a column, only
the start point of the line is used to position the part.

Snap to extension lines

Use the Snap to extension lines snap switch when you need to snap to the
extensions of the part reference lines, which are the lines between part
handles, or to the extensions of nearby objects' reference lines. The extension
line is shown as a blue, dashed line.

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 The Snap to extension lines snap switch works with beams, polybeams,
plates, and slabs.
• With beams, the extension line is the line that passes through both of the
part handles.

• With polybeams, plates, and slabs, the extension lines are the lines that
pass through to the consecutive part handles.

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 • With beams and polybeams, you can snap to the line that passes through
the handle at the end of the beam, and which is perpendicular to the
direction of the beam.

• When you snap to the extension lines of nearby objects, the extension line
snaps to the direction of the nearby object and the extension line indicates
the direction that is followed in snapping. Snapping to the extension lines
of nearby objects can be useful, for example, when you want to align
objects with one another.

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 NOTE The Snap to reference lines and points and Snap to geometry

lines and points snap switches do not affect the Snap to

extension lines snap switch.

1. Ensure that the correct snap switches are active:

• Switch on Snap to extension lines.

• Switch on either Snap to intersection points or Snap to

nearest points (points on line) if you are snapping to the intersection
of an extension line and a grid line.

• Switch off Snap to end points if you are working in 3D.

2. Run a command that requires you to pick points.
For example, start creating a beam, a plate, or slab.
3. Move the mouse pointer over an existing object to see the extension lines.

When a line is found, you can move the pointer further away while
keeping the snap.
4. Pick the rest of the points.

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 Tekla Structures creates the object:

Lock X, Y, or Z coordinate on a line

You can lock the x, y, and z coordinates on a line. This is useful when you need
to determine a point to pick and the needed point does not exist on the line.
When a coordinate is locked, you can only snap to points in that direction.
1. Run a command that requires you to pick positions.
For example, start creating a beam.
2. Lock a coordinate:
• To lock the x coordinate, press X.
• To lock the y coordinate, press Y.
• To lock the z coordinate, press Z.
Now you can only snap to points in the chosen direction.
Tekla Structures indicates the locked coordinate with the letters X, Y, or Z
in the status bar at the bottom of the Tekla Structures main window.
3. To unlock the coordinate, press the same letter (X, Y, or Z) again.

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 Align objects using a snap grid
A snap grid makes it easier to align objects in a model, because it allows you to
snap to positions only at set intervals (page 104). Use a snap grid when you

pick points using the Snap to any position snap switch.

1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Snap settings .
2. Define the grid spacing intervals in the Spacing boxes.
For example, if the spacing of the x coordinate is 500, you can snap to
positions at intervals of 500 units in the x direction.
3. If needed, define offsets for the snap grid origin in the Origin boxes.
4. To activate the snap grid, select the Active (when free snap is on) check
box.
5. Click OK.

Now when you pick points using the Snap to any position snap
switch, you can only snap to positions at set intervals. The snap grid itself
is invisible in the model.

Snap in orthogonal directions

You can snap to orthogonal points in models and in drawings using the Ortho
tool. If you create objects that require you to pick multiple points, you can
snap in orthogonal directions relative to the two previously picked points.

NOTE The Ortho tool has the lowest priority among snap points.
Even if you have activated the Ortho tool, but Tekla Structures detects any
other possible snap point than an orthogonal point, Tekla Structures uses the
found snap point instead of the orthogonal snap point. If there are no other
possible snap points found, then Tekla Structures uses the orthogonal snap
point.

Activate the Ortho tool

Before you can snap in orthogonal directions, ensure that the Ortho tool is
active. The letter O in the status bar at the bottom of the Tekla Structures main
window indicates that Ortho is active.
If Ortho is not active
• press O to activate it
• alternatively, click File --> Settings and select the Ortho check box.

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 Snap to orthogonal points
Use the Ortho tool to snap to the closest orthogonal point on the plane (0, 45,
90, 135, 180 degrees, and so on). The mouse pointer automatically snaps to
positions at even distances in the given direction. This can be useful, for
example, if you need to place marks in a consistent manner in exact locations
in a drawing.
1. Ensure that the Ortho tool is active.
• Press O to activate Ortho if the tool is not active.
• Alternatively, on the File menu, click Settings and select the Ortho
check box.
2. Run a command that requires you to pick points.
For example, start creating a beam. Tekla Structures displays an angle
symbol to indicate the direction of snapping.
The snapping precision depends on the current zoom level.
The angle interval (page 104) depends on the settings in the Model snap
settings dialog box.

3. Click the left mouse button to confirm the snap position.

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 Tekla Structures creates the object. For example:

Snap in orthogonal direction relative to previously picked points

When you create objects that require you to pick more than two points, for
example when you create a polybeam or a contour plate, you can snap in
orthogonal directions relative to the two previously picked points. This can be
useful, for example, if you need to create a rectangular slab that is on the view
plane but not along the x and y axes.
1. Ensure that the Ortho tool is active.
• On the File menu, click Settings and select the Ortho check box.
• Alternatively, you can press O.
2. Run a command that requires you to pick multiple points.
For example, start creating a polybeam or a rectangular slab.
3. Pick the first two points.
Tekla Structures displays an angle symbol to indicate the direction of
snapping.
4. Move the mouse pointer in the model to see the angle symbol.

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 When the snap is orthogonal to a work plane axis, the color of the angle
symbol follows the color of the work plane axis: red for x-axis, green for y-
axis and blue for z-axis.

When the snap is orthogonal to the previous points, the color of the angle
symbol is black.

5. Pick the rest of the points.

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 Tekla Structures creates the object. For example:

Set a temporary reference point

You can set a temporary reference point to be used as a local origin when
snapping in models and drawings. Typically the Ortho tool and the Snap to
perpendicular points snap switch use the reference point information.
The reference point information is automatically set to the last picked point,
and shown as a gray cross. When you interrupt a command, the reference
point information, meaning the last picked point, is cleared. If you need to use
the reference point, set the temporary reference point manually.
1. Run a command that requires you to pick points.
For example, start creating a beam.
2. Pick the start point.

3. Hold down the Ctrl key and pick a position.

Alternatively, right-click and select Define temporary snap reference
point and pick a position.
A gray cross indicates that this position is now a temporary reference
point. You can continue snapping from the temporary reference point.

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 4. Repeat step 3 to create as many reference points as needed.
If you use the Define temporary snap reference point command, you
need to activate it for every reference point you pick.
5. Release the Ctrl key and pick the end point.
Tekla Structures creates the object between the start point and the end
point. For example:

Settings for the Ortho tool

Use the settings (page 104) in the Snap settings dialog box to set the angle
interval for Ortho. Use the Angle interval or the Custom angles option.
The default angle interval value is 90 degrees.

Snap settings
Use the Model snap settings dialog box in File menu --> Settings --> Snap
settings to view and modify the snap settings in the model. The Drawing
snap settings dialog box has the same options for drawings. These settings
are user specific.

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 Option Description
Symbol Show or hide the snap symbols.
Select the check box to show the snap
symbols, and clear the check box to
hide them.
Active (when free snap is on) Select the check box to activate the
snap grid (page 99).
Spacing Define grid spacing intervals for the
snap grid origin. For example, if the
spacing of the x coordinate is 500,
you are can snap to positions at
intervals of 500 units in the x
direction.
Origin Define offsets for the snap grid origin.
Angle interval Set the angle interval for the Ortho
tool. This setting is used when you
snap to orthogonal points (page 100).
For example, if you set the interval to
10, the Ortho tool will snap to angles
at intervals of 10 degrees in the
model or drawing.
Custom angles Define custom angles for the Ortho
tool. This setting is used when you
snap to orthogonal points (page 100).
Separate the values with empty
spaces. For example, if you enter
12.5 60, the Ortho tool will snap to
the angles 12.5 and 60 in the model
or drawing.

See also
Snap to points by using snap switches (page 84)

1.4 Create model objects

When you model in Tekla Structures, you create and work with different types
of model objects. In most cases, a model object represents a building object
that will exist in the real building or structure, or that will be closely related to
it. A model object can also be a modeling aid that represents information that
is only relevant when you are creating the model. Model objects are either
created in the model or imported to it.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 105 Create model objects
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 You can create different types of model objects, such as parts and items, bolts,
reinforcement, and cuts, by using the commands on the ribbon.
Some ribbon commands have a keyboard shortcut that speed up your
modeling work. You can customize the keyboard shortcuts and assign your
own shortcuts for the most used commands.
Alternatively, you can use Quick Launch or the property pane to start many of
the commands that create model objects.
After you have created the model objects, you can view and modify the model
object properties by using the property pane.

Examples of model objects

Examples of model objects include:
• Parts (page 196) and items (page 300)
• Bolts (page 341) and welds (page 359)
• Reinforcement (page 469) and embeds
• Surface treatment (page 402) and surfaces (page 415)
• Cuts (page 389), fittings (page 375), bolt holes (page 353), and chamfers
(page 397)
• Pour breaks (page 458)
• Loads
Model objects may also be created by components (page 759).
To resize and reshape model objects, use the direct modification (page 107)
handles.
The following modeling aids can be used in the model:
• Grids (page 23) and grid lines (page 28)
• Construction objects (page 621) and points
• Reference models
You can combine model objects to bigger entities by creating assemblies, cast
units (page 430), and pour units (page 453).
You can manage model objects by using object groups (page 662), Organizer,
and other planning tools.

Create or delete a model object

1. Run a command that creates a model object, such as a part.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 106 Create model objects
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 • On the ribbon: click a command. For example, click to create a
steel beam.
• By using Quick Launch: enter a search term. For example, type steel
beam to find the Create steel beam command.
• In the property pane: ensure that you have nothing selected in the

model. Click the Object type list button and select from the list
the object you want to create.
2. Pick points (page 83) to place the model object in the model.
Tekla Structures creates the model object using the current properties of
the object type.
3. Follow the status bar messages to get instructions on how to proceed.
4. To create more model objects with the same properties, pick more points.
The command runs until you end it or start another command.
5. If you want to delete a model object, select the object and press Delete.

1.5 Resize and reshape model objects

You can resize, reshape, and move model objects by using direct modification
handles. When you select an object, Tekla Structures displays the handles and
dimensions that are specific for that model object.
Direct modification can be used with the following object types:
• Parts
• Construction objects
• Grids and grid lines
• Line cuts and polygon cuts
• Reinforcement
• Rebar set guidelines, modifiers, and leg faces
• Pour breaks
• Custom parts
• Loads
1. Ensure that Direct modification is switched on.

To switch direct modification on or off, click or press D.

2. Click the object to select it.

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 Tekla Structures displays the handles that you can use to modify the
object.

The relevant dimensions are shown when you move the mouse pointer
slowly over the object's edges. The dimension colors follow the colors of
the work plane coordinate axes: red in the X direction, green in the Y
direction, and blue in the Z direction. Diagonal dimensions are magenta.
3. To reshape the object, drag any of the handles.

Here are some examples of direct modification handles:

Handle Description

Reference point handle

Midpoint handle

End point handle (for reinforcing bars

only)

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 Handle Description

Plane handle

Line handle

Axis handle (for items (page 300) and

custom parts only)

Rotation handle (for items and

custom parts only)

TIP You can use the snap switches (page 84) when dragging a handle. To
temporarily disable the snap switches, hold down the Shift key
when dragging a handle.

4. To give an exact value for a dimension, modify the dimension value.

a. Click a dimension to select it.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 109 Resize and reshape model objects
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 b. Type a new value.

The yellow arrow defines the direction in which the object is extended
or shortened. You can change the direction by clicking the arrows.
c. Press Enter to confirm the new value.

5. To change a dimension only from one end, move the dimension

arrowheads.
You can either drag an arrowhead to a new location, or you can type an
exact distance or coordinates.
a. Select the dimension arrowhead you want to move. For example:

To change a dimension at both ends, select both arrowheads.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 110 Resize and reshape model objects
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 b. Type the distance or coordinates.
When you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric
Location dialog box. Click OK to confirm the dimension.

6. To add a new object corner, drag a midpoint handle . For example:

7. To display more modification options, select a handle.

A contextual toolbar appears with more options. The availability of the
options depends on the object and handle you have selected.

Click this button To do this Location

Move a handle to
any location in the
3D space.
Move a handle in the
XY plane only.
Move a handle in the
Z direction only.
Move a handle along
the reference line
only.

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 Click this button To do this Location

Move a handle in the

parallel direction
only.
Move a handle in the
perpendicular
direction only.

Move a handle
parallel to a certain
plane only. Select the
plane and drag the
handle to a new
location.
This option can be
useful when working
with a sloped roof,
for example.

Control the visibility

of direct
modification
dimensions. Click the
eye symbol to show
or hide dimensions.
• X, Y, Z
dimensions: All
orthogonal
dimensions in the
work plane
directions X, Y,
and Z are
displayed.
• Total
dimensions:
Only the total

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 Click this button To do this Location
length is
displayed.

Show or hide
midpoint handles.

Add a new point at

the end of an object.
Only available for
objects that pass
through multiple
points, such as
polybeams, panels,
strip footings, and
rebar set modifiers.

NOTE Some of these options are located in an expandable section on

the contextual toolbar. Click the small triangle symbol on the
contextual toolbar to show or hide the options:

8. To delete a handle, select it and press Delete.

See also
Modify a construction object (page 628)
Modify a single grid line (page 28)
Modify a single reinforcing bar, bar group, or mesh (page 544)
Modify a rebar set (page 521)
Modify a pour break (page 463)
Add custom components to a model (page 845)

1.6 Select objects

Many Tekla Structures commands require to select objects. You can make
single selections and area selections. Tekla Structures highlights the selected
objects. The number of selected objects and handles is displayed in the

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methods
 bottom right corner of the status bar. For example:

Use the different commands and methods to select the objects. To control
which type of objects can be selected, use the selecting toolbar and the
selection switches.

Select single objects

1. Make sure that the correct selection switches are active.
2. Click an object to select it.
Tekla Structures displays dimensions and dimension lines for column,
beam, reinforcing bar group, and for rebar set. If you want to hide the
dimensions, use the advanced options XS_DISPLAY_DIMENSIONS_WHEN_
SELECTING_OBJECTS and XS_DISPLAY_DIMENSIONS_WHEN_SELECTING_
REBARS.

NOTE When direct modification (page 107) is switched on, the object
dimensions and dimension lines are always hidden. Only the direct
modification dimensions are then shown. This makes it easier to know which
dimensions can be edited.

Select multiple objects using area selection

You can select multiple objects using area selection. By default, the dragging
direction affects the selection of objects.

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methods
 1. Make sure that the correct selection switches are active.
2. To select all objects that are completely within a rectangular area, hold
down the left mouse button and drag the mouse from left to right.

3. To select all objects that are at least partly within a rectangular area, hold
down the left mouse button and drag the mouse from right to left.

4. If you want to change how area selection works, click File menu -->
Settings and select or clear the Crossing selection check box.
By default, the option is switched off. When the option is off, the dragging
direction affects the selection of objects. When the option is on, all objects
that fall at least partially inside the rectangular area are selected,
regardless of the dragging direction.

Select all objects

To select all objects at once, do one of the following:
• On the ribbon, click the small down arrow next to the arrow button

, and then click Select all objects.

• Press Ctrl+A.
Note that

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methods
 • the Select all objects command respects the selection filter so that only
the objects that are matching the current selection filter are selected.
• the Select all objects command selects also those objects that are hidden
by a view filter, work area, or that have been hidden by using the Hide
command, if they match the selection filter.

Select previous objects

Sometimes you need to select again the same objects that you selected
previously but have then deselected. To select previously selected objects, do
one of the following:
• On the ribbon, click the small down arrow next to the arrow button

, and then click Select previous objects.

• Press Alt+P.

Select objects by identifier

If you know the GUID (globally unique identifier), or the ID of an object, or the
IFC GUID of a reference object, you can use the Select by identifier command
to locate the objects in a model or in a drawing.
You can often find information about the object GUID or ID, for example, in
reports and log files. By using the Select by identifier command you can
quickly find the objects in a model or in a drawing, instead of defining a view
filter or a selection filter with the specific GUID or ID. You can use IFC GUIDs to
find IFC reference objects. This is useful if you need to track updates and
changes in IFC reference models.
Additionally, you can use the Select by identifier command to inquire the
GUIDs of selected objects, instead of using the traditional inquiry (page 686).

To Do this
Find objects based on 1. Do one of the following:
the object GUID, ID, or
• In the modeling mode: on the ribbon, click
IFC GUID identifier
the small down arrow next to the arrow

button , and then click Select

by identifier.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 116 Select objects

methods
 To Do this
• In the drawing mode: in Quick Launch,
type Select by identifier.
The Select by identifier dialog box opens.
2. Copy the object identifier, for example from a
log file, to the dialog box.
You can enter multiple identifiers in the dialog
box. Either enter each identifier on its own
row, or separate them with semicolon ;.
3. To define the search, select the needed check
boxes.
• Reference objects: Tekla Structures selects
IFC objects based on their GUID or IFC
GUID.
• Keep selection: Tekla Structures keeps the
currently selected object and appends it
with new selection.
• Zoom to selected: Tekla Structures selects
the object and zooms to it.
4. Click Select.
Tekla Structures selects the objects based on
the GUID in the model or in the drawing.
If there are identifiers that are not found in the
model or in the drawing, they are listed in the
status bar as identifier?.
Find a model object in a You can select an object in a model, get its
drawing identifier, and then find it in a drawing based on
the identifier.
1. In the modeling mode: on the ribbon, click the
small down arrow next to the arrow button

, and then click Select by

identifier.
The Select by identifier dialog box opens.
2. Select an object or objects in the model.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 117 Select objects

methods
 To Do this
3. Click Get.
The Select by identifier dialog box lists the
identifiers of the selected objects.
If you want to get IFC GUIDs, make sure that
the Reference objects check box is selected.
4. Keep the dialog box open.
5. Open a drawing.
6. In the drawing mode, click Select to find the
objects in the drawing.
You can then continue working with the found
objects.
Find a drawing object in You can select an object in a drawing, get its
a model identifier, and then find it in a model based on the
identifier.
1. In the drawing mode: in Quick Launch, type
Select by identifier.
The Select by identifier dialog box opens.
2. Select an object or objects in the drawing.
3. Click Get.
The Select by identifier dialog box lists the
identifiers of the selected objects.
4. Keep the dialog box open.
5. Close the drawing.
6. In the modeling mode, click Select to find the
objects in the model.
You can then continue working with the found
objects.

Select handles
Sometimes you need to select only the handles of a part, for example when
moving the part.
Before you start, make sure that Crossing selection is switched off, and that

the Direct modification switch is not active.

1. On the File menu, click Settings and make sure that Crossing selection is
switched off. If the Crossing selection is not switched off, selecting the
handles with the Alt key does not work.

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 2. Make sure that the correct selection switches are active.
3. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse from left to right to
include the entire part.

The part becomes selected:

4. Hold down the Alt key and drag the mouse from left to right again.

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 Now only the part handles are selected:

NOTE When direct modification (page 107) is switched on, Tekla Structures
also displays the direct modification handles for reference points, corners,
segments, and segment midpoints of the selected part. These handles are
blue.

Modify the selection

You can add objects to the current selection, or remove objects from the
selection.
1. To add objects to the current selection, press the Shift key and select
more objects.
2. To switch the selection of an object on or off, press the Ctrl key during the
selection.
Tekla Structures deselects the objects that were already selected and
selects those that were previously not selected.

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 3. To clear the selection of all objects and handles, click somewhere else.
For example, click on the empty background of the current view.

Select assemblies, cast units, and nested objects

You can select either assemblies or cast units, or single objects in nested
assemblies or nested components.

Select assemblies and cast units

Use the Select assemblies selection switch to select assemblies and cast units
(page 430).

1. Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.

2. Select a part.
Tekla Structures selects the entire cast unit or assembly that contains the
selected part.

Select nested objects

You can select nested assemblies and components. The active selection switch
defines on which level you start and toward which direction you move in the
component or assembly hierarchy. The status bar shows the steps you take in
the hierarchy.
1. Ensure that the correct selection switch is active.

• : to start from the assemblies on the highest level, move to their

sub-assemblies, and finally select single parts, bolts, and so on

• : to start from single objects and move to higher levels of nested

assemblies

• : to start from the components on the highest level, move to their

sub-components, and finally select single parts, bolts, and so on

• : to start from single objects and move to higher levels of nested

components
2. Place the mouse pointer on any part in the assembly or in the component.
3. Hold down the Shift key.
4. Scroll with the mouse wheel.

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 The blue highlighting box indicates the assembly or the component that
you can select.

Select reference models, reference model objects and

assemblies
You can select either entire reference models, or single objects and assemblies
that are part of a reference model. The use of selection switches differs in each
case.

Select an entire reference model

1. Activate the Select reference models selection switch.

2. Activate the Select components selection switch.

3. Select the reference model.

Select a reference model object

1. Activate the Select reference models selection switch.

2. Activate the Select objects in components selection switch.

3. Select the desired object in the reference model.

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 Select a reference model assembly

1. Activate the Select reference models selection switch.

2. Activate the Select assemblies selection switch.

3. Select the desired assembly in the reference model.

Tips for selecting objects

Here are listed some tips that can help when you are selecting objects.

Switch rollover highlight on or off

By default, Tekla Structures highlights the objects that you can select. You can
switch the highlighting on or off.
To switch the rollover highlight on or off, on the File menu, click Settings and
select or clear the Rollover highlight check box. Alternatively, you can press
H.
Depending on the rendering engine (page 72) you are using, OpenGL or
DirectX, Tekla Structures highlights the objects differently when rollover
highlight is on.
In the example below, the rendering of parts (page 642) is set to Parts shaded
wireframe.

DirectX OpenGL
Tekla Structures highlights the objects Tekla Structures highlights the objects
by showing them with darker object by showing them with light edge line
color. color.
For example: For example:

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 DirectX OpenGL

Select on right-click
You can change the settings so that you can select objects also with the right
mouse button.
1. On the File menu, click Settings and select the following check boxes:
• Select on right-click
• Rollover highlight
2. Right-click an object to select it. Tekla Structures highlights the object and
shows the related shortcut menu.

If you cannot select objects

If you cannot select desired objects in the model, check the selection switches
and the filter settings.
• Check that you have switched on all the needed selection switches.
• If you still cannot select the objects, check the selection filter settings. You
can select a different filter or modify the current filter.

Interrupt object selection

You can have Tekla Structures interrupt the object selection process if the
selection takes over a defined period of time. For example, if you are working
on a large model and you accidentally select all or part of the model, you can
interrupt the selection if it takes over 5000 milliseconds (5 seconds) to
complete.
1. Define the time after which Tekla Structures asks if you want to interrupt
object selection.
a. On the File menu, click Settings --> Advanced options and go to the
Modeling properties category.

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 b. Modify the advanced option XS_OBJECT_SELECTION_CONFIRMATION.
The default value is 5000 milliseconds.
c. Click OK.
2. Select (page 113) all or part of the model.
3. When Tekla Structures asks if you want to interrupt object selection, click
Cancel.

1.7 Copy and move objects

The basic functionality of copying and moving objects is the same in models
and drawings. You can copy and move objects linearly, with rotation, and with
mirroring.

• Copy objects (page 127)

• Move objects (page 140)
• Rotate objects (page 145)
• Mirror objects (page 149)

Tips for copying and moving objects

By copying objects the modeling work becomes faster, more efficient, and
more consistent.
• Copy carefully
Always copy the objects carefully, and ensure that you are copying the
intended objects.
• Control over copying
At first, when you familiarize yourself with snapping, we recommend to use
the Copy Special - Linear - Pick method to have more control over the
copying action.
• Compare copied objects
Any comparison between the copied objects should be done before
running numbering. The numbering itself works as the final check.
• Select a suitable command for copying
• To ensure that the object is copied in the intended plane, use the Copy
special --> Linear command. The Copy - Linear dialog box can be used
as an explicit check to confirm that copying distance is in the intended
direction and round values.
• To copy objects, such as reinforcement, between similar objects, use the
Copy special --> To another object command. Always ensure that the
object you copy from and the object you copy to are of similar type and
have similar shape. For example, a polygonal slab and a rectangular

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 column have different types of part handles, and their front faces are of
different shape and location.
• To copy objects around a specified line on the work plane, use the Copy
special --> Rotate command. When you use this command, copy
carefully and always check the outcome. If the results are not as
expected, copy in smaller chunks, for example, one component at a
time.
• To copy objects from one model to another, use the Copy special -->
From another model command. The copying is based on the phase
numbers in the original model. Successful copying requires that you
have set the objects correctly, without any additional objects, in a
specific phase in the source model. Otherwise all the objects included in
the phase are copied.
Note that if you copy objects from another model, only the model
objects are copied. The drawings are not copied.
• The source object for the copying determines the object orientation.
When the objects are copied with the Copy command, the object
orientation of the target object remains the same as the orientation of
the source object.
When the objects are copied with the Copy special --> To another
object command, the object orientation is defined in relation to the
source object's internal coordinate system, and this orientation will be
translated into the target object's internal coordinate system.
Custom components have their own logic for object orientation. It may
be more straightforward to add the component in the model than to
use copying, especially if the target object's main geometry differs
considerably from the source object's geometry.
• Duplicate objects
After copying and moving, check that the outcome is as expected and there
are no accidentally created duplicates in the model.
Two objects are considered duplicates if they have the same properties and
location. Tekla Structures checks for duplicate, overlapping objects when
you copy and move objects or create new objects in the same location as
an existing object. If duplicates are found, you can choose whether to keep
or delete them. If you choose to keep the duplicates, they are hard to
detect later on.
Use the advanced option XS_DUPLICATE_CHECK_LIMIT_FOR_COPY_AND_
MOVE to define the maximum number of objects that can be counted as
duplicates while copying or moving objects.

NOTE Tekla Structures does not check for duplicates when you copy
objects using a modeling tool, such as the Array of objects (29)
component.

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 • Assemblies and cast units
If you copy or move objects from an assembly or cast unit, Tekla Structures
copies the assembly structure if possible. For example, sub-assemblies are
copied as sub-assemblies if a parent object is found.
When selecting the correct content to be copied, first use model selection
filters (page 151), and secondly assembly, part, or component selection
switches.
To easily select all objects within an assembly or a cast unit according to the
selection filter, hold down the Alt key and click any object in the assembly
or cast unit.
• Drawing objects
You can copy and move drawing objects between drawing views that have
different scales.
• Reinforcement and surface treatment
If you copy or move reinforcement or surface treatments (page 402), and
want them to adapt to the part they are copied or moved to:
• The reinforcement handle or surface treatment handles must be in part
corners.
• The parts between which you copy or move must have the same
number of cross section corners.
• Circular parts must have the same cross section dimensions.
• Copy and move efficiently
You can keep the Move and Copy dialog boxes open if you are going to use
them often.
After you have run the Copy - Linear, Copy - Mirror, Copy - Rotate, or the
Move - Linear, Move - Mirror or Move - Rotate command, interrupt the
command and leave the dialog box open. When you want to continue
copying or moving, click the dialog box to activate it and continue to copy
or move objects.

Copy objects
You can copy objects in a number of different ways. When you copy an object,
Tekla Structures copies all objects connected to it, including the components.

Copy by picking two points

The basic way to copy objects in a model or drawing is by defining the origin
and one or more destination points.
1. Select the objects you want to copy.
2. Run the Copy command:

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 • In the model, on the Edit tab, click Copy.

• In the drawing, on the Drawing tab, click Copy --> Copy.

3. Pick the origin for copying.

In the model, Tekla Structures displays a rubber band line between the
first picked point and the cursor position. This is a preview of the position
where the objects will be copied. Move the cursor to see how the preview
changes.
Note that Tekla Structures always displays the preview in the position
where the objects will be copied, not in the position where the cursor is
when you pick the destination point.
4. Pick one or more destination points.

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 The objects are copied immediately. The Copy command remains active.

5. If you want to undo the latest copy operation, click the Undo button
on the top left corner of the Tekla Structures main window.
The Copy command still remains active.
6. To stop copying, press Esc.

NOTE If you want to limit the number of objects shown in the preview, use
the advanced option XS_PREVIEW_LIMIT. The default value is 1000.
When the value is 0, the preview is off.

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 Copy linearly
In the model, you can create multiple copies of an object in the same linear
direction.
1. Select the objects you want to copy.

2. On the Edit tab, click Copy special --> Linear.

The Copy - Linear dialog box opens.
3. Pick two points, or enter the coordinates in the dX, dY, and dZ boxes.
You can also use a formula to calculate the x, y, and z displacements. For
example:

4. Enter the number of copies.

5. Click Copy.
6. To stop copying, press Esc.

TIP If the dialog box is open but the command is no longer active, click
the Pick... button to re-activate the command.

Copy by specifying a distance from origin

You can copy objects to a new position in the model or drawing by specifying a
distance from the origin. Use the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box to
specify the distance.
1. Select the objects you want to copy.
2. Run the Copy command:

• In the model, on the Edit tab, click Copy.

• In the drawing, on the Drawing tab, click Copy --> Copy.

3. Pick the origin for copying.
4. Move the cursor in the direction you want to copy the objects, but do not
pick the point.
5. Type the distance.
When you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric
Location dialog box automatically.
6. Click OK.

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 Copy using drag-and-drop
You can copy objects by using drag-and-drop.
1. On the File menu, click Settings and select the Drag & drop check box to
activate the command.
2. Select the objects you want to copy.

3. Hold down the Ctrl key and drag the objects to a new location.
The point you start dragging from (center, corner, or middle point) affects
the object's alignment in the new location.

Tekla Structures copies the objects:

NOTE To copy grid labels in a drawing, first select the grid label and then

either activate the Select grid line selection switch or select the
grid label handle.

Copy objects to another object

In the model, you can copy reinforcement, surface treatments, and single part
welds between similar objects and make them adaptive to the object they are
copied to. This is useful, for example, when you detail previously modeled
parts. The objects that you can copy between can have different dimensions,

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 length, and rotation. If you copy objects from an assembly or cast unit, Tekla
Structures copies the assembly structure as well, if possible. For example, sub-
assemblies are copied as sub-assemblies if a parent object is found.

TIP Instead of copying objects from an assembly or cast unit to other

identical assemblies or cast units, you can use the Batch editor tool.
Batch editor detects matching objects in the target assemblies or cast
units, and edits the matching objects by modifying their geometry and
properties.

If you copy reinforcement or surface treatments and want them to adapt to

the part they are copied to, note the limitations:
• The reinforcement or surface treatment handles must be in part corners.
• The parts between which you copy must have the same number of cross
section corners.
• Circular parts must have the same cross section dimensions.
1. Select the objects you want to copy.

2. On the Edit tab, click Copy special --> To another object.

3. Select the object to copy from (source object).
4. Select the objects to copy to (target object).

Copy all content to another object

In the model, you can copy objects from an assembly or cast unit to other
similar assemblies or cast units without individually selecting each object to
copy. This is useful, for example, when you have detailed an assembly and
want to copy all details to another similar assembly.

TIP Instead of copying objects from an assembly or cast unit to other

identical assemblies or cast units, you can use the Batch editor tool.
Batch editor detects matching objects in the target assemblies or cast
units, and edits the matching objects by modifying their geometry and
properties.

1. Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.

2. Select the assembly or cast unit to copy from (source object).

3. On the Edit tab, click Copy special --> All content to another
object.
4. Select the assemblies or cast units to copy to (target objects).

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 As a result, Tekla Structures copies the following objects:
• Secondary parts
• Reinforcement, bolts, and welds
• Cuts, fittings, and edge chamfers
• Sub-assemblies
• Components

NOTE Tekla Structures does not copy pour breaks, or secondary parts
created by a component that has also created the assembly main part.
If some of the objects to be copied already exist in the assembly or
cast unit to copy to, Tekla Structures may create duplicate objects.
Tekla Structures warns you about duplicate secondary parts,
reinforcement, and sub-assemblies, but not about duplicate bolts,
welds, cuts, or components.

Copy to another plane

In the model, you can copy objects from the first plane you specify to the
second, third, and so on, plane you specify. The position of the copied objects
relative to the second, third, and so on, plane remains the same as the
position of the original objects relative to the first plane.
1. Select the objects you want to copy.

2. On the Edit tab, click Copy special --> To another plane.

3. Pick the point of origin of the first plane.
4. Pick a point on the first plane in the positive x direction.
5. Pick a point on the first plane in the positive y direction.
6. Repeat steps 3–5 for all destination planes.

Copy from another model

You can copy objects from another model based on phase numbers. Note that
Tekla Structures copies secondary parts from the model only if they belong to
the same phase as their main part. This also applies to component objects.

1. On the Edit tab, click Copy special --> From another model.
The Copy from Model dialog box opens.
2. In the Model directories list, select the model to copy from.
This is the source model. Note that the target model must have been
created using the same or newer version of Tekla Structures as the source
model. You cannot copy from a newer version to an older version.

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 3. In the Phase numbers box, enter the numbers of the phases from which
to copy objects, separated by spaces.
For example, 2 7.
4. Click Copy.
5. Close the dialog box.

NOTE If you copy pour breaks from another model, the copied pour breaks
automatically adapt to the target model. Always check that the copied
pour breaks have adapted correctly.

Copy objects using linear array tool

Use Linear array tool to copy selected objects linearly along multiple
directions at defined intervals or spacing. Tekla Structures does not check for
duplicates when you copy objects using this method.

How to use Linear array tool

1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to

open the Applications & components catalog.
2. Search for Linear array tool, and then double-click to open it.
3. Select the Copy method. The options are:
• Selected objects only
This is the default. Only the selected objects are copied.
• All associated objects
Selected objects and all objects associated with them are copied. For
example, cuts and fittings applied to a part.
• Advanced
This option is similar to All associated objects, but works better with
modifications. For example, when you have stairs that have posts
welded to the steps, and you modify the distance between steps.
4. Select the Copy origin. The options are:

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 • Object to be copied
This is the default. Copies are relative to the input objects.
• Origin point
Copies are relative to the input origin point.
5. Define the settings.
6. Select the objects to copy.
7. Click OK to close the dialog box.
8. Click the middle mouse button.
9. Pick origin point.
10. Pick axis direction X.
11. Pick axis direction Y.
The selected objects are copied.

How to define the settings

1 Offset along the Y axis. The default value is 0 mm.

2 Offset along the Z axis. The default value is 0 mm.
3 Number of copies. The default value is 0.
If you leave this empty, the number of copies is taken from the Space
between copies field.

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 4 Space between copies. The default value is 0 mm.
Use the space character to separate values. Enter a value for each space
between copies.
This option is not available if you select Equal as the spacing method.
5 Copy direction. The options are:
• Normal (default)
Spacing values are calculated from the origin in positive direction along
the axis.
• Reverse
Spacing values are calculated from the origin in negative direction along
the axis.
• Centered
Copies are centered on the origin.
• Mirror
Spacing values are calculated from the origin in both positive and
negative direction. Mirrored copying doubles the number of copies.
6 Spacing method. The options are:
• Equal (default)
Copies are equally spaced based on the length of the X or Y axis.
• Specified
Copies are spaced according to the number and spacing values given.

Copy objects using radial array tool

Use Radial array tool to copy selected objects radially along multiple
directions at defined intervals or spacing. Tekla Structures does not check for
duplicates when you copy objects using this method.

How to use Radial array tool

1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to

open the Applications & components catalog.
2. Search for Radial array tool, and then double-click to open it.

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 3. Select the Copy method. The options are:
• Selected objects only
This is the default. Only the selected objects are copied.
• All associated objects
Selected objects and all objects associated with them are copied. For
example, cuts, welds, and bolts.
• Advanced
This option is similar to All associated objects, but works better with
modifications. For example, when you have stairs that have posts
welded to the steps, and you modify the distance between steps.
4. Select the Rotate copies option.
The default is Yes.
5. Define the rotation axis.
The default is X.
6. Define the settings.
7. Select the objects to copy.
8. Click OK to close the dialog box.
9. Click the middle mouse button.
10. Pick origin point.
11. Pick axis direction X.
12. Pick axis direction Y.
The selected objects are copied.

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 How to define the settings

1 Distance between copies. The default value is 0.

2 Rotation. The options are:
• Angle (default)
The copies are rotated by angle.
• Distance
The copies are rotated by distance.
3 Number of angles or distances. The default value is 0.
If you leave this empty, the number of copies is taken from the
Space between copies field.
4 Space between copies.
Use the space character to separate values. Enter a value for each
space between copies.
5 Copy direction. The options are:
• Normal (default)
Spacing values are calculated from the origin in positive direction
along the axis.
• Reverse
Spacing values are calculated from the origin in negative
direction along the axis.
• Centered
Copies are centered on the origin.

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 • Mirror
Spacing values are calculated from the origin in both positive
and negative direction. Mirrored copying doubles the number of
copies.
6 Radial distance.
The radial distance should be equivalent to the distance you picked
when applying the component.
If the radial distance is smaller or greater than the picked distance,
the spacing between the copied objects is not the same as given in
the Space between copies box (4).
Tekla Structures calculates the rotation angle according to the dialog
box values (spacing and radial distance), and the rotation angle
overrides the spacing given in the dialog box.

Copy objects using Array of objects (29) component

Use the Array of objects (29) component to copy model objects along a line. If
you modify the original object, Tekla Structures also changes the copied
objects.

1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to

open the Applications & components catalog.
2. Search for the Array of objects (29) component, and then double-click to
open it.
3. Define the settings:
• Number of copies: Enter the number of copies you want to create.
• Spacing values: Define the spacing of the objects.
• Copy to the opposite direction: Select Yes if you want to copy in the
direction opposite to the points you pick.
• Start point for copying: Choose either the object to be copied or the
first input point.
• Copy at equal distances (Ignore spacing values): Select Yes if you
want to create the objects at equal distances. Spacing value will be
ignored.
4. Click OK to save the settings.
5. Select the objects to copy.
6. Click the middle mouse button to finish selecting.
7. Pick a point to indicate the start of the line along which to arrange copied
objects.
8. Pick a point to indicate the end of the line.

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 Examples

Example Description
An array of steel objects.

An array of concrete objects.

Move objects
You can move objects in a number of different ways, especially in models.
When you move an object, Tekla Structures also copies all objects connected
to it, including the components.

Move by picking two points

The basic way to move objects in a model or drawing is by defining the origin
and one or more destination points.
1. Select the objects you want to move.

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 2. Run the Move command:

• In the model, on the Edit tab, click Move.

• In the drawing, on the Drawing tab, click Move --> Move

3. Pick the origin for moving.

In the model, Tekla Structures displays a rubber band line between the
first picked point and the cursor position. This is a preview of the position
where the objects will be moved. Move the cursor to see how the preview
changes.
Note that Tekla Structures always displays the preview in the position
where the objects will be moved, not in the position where the cursor is
when you pick the destination point.
4. Pick the destination point.

The objects are moved immediately. The Move command does not
remain active.

NOTE If you want to limit the number of objects shown in the preview, use
the advanced option XS_PREVIEW_LIMIT. The default value is 1000.
When the value is 0, the preview is off.

Move linearly
You can move objects linearly to a new position in the model.

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 1. Select the objects you want to move.

2. On the Edit tab, click Move special --> Linear.

The Move - Linear dialog box opens.
3. Pick two points in the model, or enter the coordinates in the dX, dY, and
dZ boxes.
You can also use a formula to calculate the x, y, and z displacements. For
example:

4. Click Move.

TIP If the dialog box is open but the command is not active anymore, click
the Pick... button to re-activate the command.

Move by specifying a distance from origin

You can move objects to a new position in the model or drawing by specifying
a distance from the origin. Use the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box to
specify the distance.
1. Select the objects you want to move.
2. Run the Move command:

• In the model, on the Edit tab, click Move.

• In the drawing, on the Drawing tab, click Move --> Move.

3. Pick the origin for moving.
4. Move the cursor in the direction you want to move the objects, but do not
pick the point.
5. Type the distance.
When you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric
Location dialog box automatically.
6. Click OK.

Move using drag-and-drop

You can move objects by dragging them to a new location.
1. On the File menu, click Settings and select the Drag & drop check box to
activate the command.
2. Select the objects you want to move.

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 3. Drag the objects to a new location.
The point you start dragging from (center, corner, or middle point) affects
the object's alignment in the new location.

The objects are moved immediately.

4. To move an end point using drag-and-drop:

a. Select the handle.
b. Hold down the left mouse button, and drag the handle to a new
location.

The end point is moved accordingly:

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 143 Copy and move objects
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 Note that for some objects you may need to switch on Smart select
to drag from handles without selecting them first. To switch it on, click
File --> Settings and select the Smart select check box.

NOTE To move grid labels in a drawing, first select the grid label and

then either activate the Select grid line selection switch or

select the grid label handle.

Move to another plane

In the model, you can move objects from the first plane you specify to the
second, third, and so on, plane you specify. The moved objects remain in the
same position in the second plane, third, and so on, plane as the original
objects in the first plane.
1. Select the objects you want to move.

2. On the Edit tab, click Move special --> To another plane.

3. Pick the point of origin of the first plane.
4. Pick a point on the first plane in the positive x direction.
5. Pick a point on the first plane in the positive y direction.
6. Repeat steps 3–5 for the destination planes.

Move objects to another object

In a model, you can move objects from an object to other, similar objects. This
is useful, for example, when you detail previously modeled parts. The objects
that you move between can have different dimensions, length, and rotation.
If you move reinforcement or surface treatments and want them to adapt to
the part they are moved to, note the limitations:
• The reinforcement or surface treatment handles must be in part corners.
• The parts between which you move must have the same number of cross
section corners.
• Circular parts must have the same cross section dimensions.
1. Select the objects you want to move.

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 2. On the Edit tab, click Move special --> To another object.
3. Select the object to move from (source object).
4. Select the objects to move to (target object).

Rotate objects
You can copy or move an object in a model by rotating it around any line you
choose. In a drawing, you can copy or move an object by rotating it around a
given line on the work plane.

NOTE Positive rotation is according to the right-hand rule (page 53) (clockwise when
looking from the start point of the rotation axis).

Rotate around a line

Use the line option in the Rotate dialog box when you want to copy and
rotate, or move and rotate objects around any given line in the model.
1. Select the objects you want to copy or move.
2. Activate the rotation command.

• To copy and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Copy special -->
Rotate.
The Copy - Rotate dialog box opens.

• To move and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Move special -->
Rotate.
The Move - Rotate dialog box opens.
3. In the Around list, select line.
4. Pick the start point of the rotation axis, or enter its coordinates.
5. Pick the end point of the rotation axis, or enter its coordinates.
6. If you are copying, enter the number of copies.
7. If needed, enter the dZ value, which is the difference in position between
the original and copied object in the z direction.
8. Enter the rotation angle.
9. Click Copy or Move.
The objects are rotated accordingly.

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 Example
In this example, a fitting plate is copied and rotated around a construction line
that is located at the following coordinates.

As a result, the copied fitting plates follow the curve of the concrete panel.

Rotate around the z axis

Use the Z option in the Rotate dialog box when you want to copy and rotate,
or move and rotate objects around the z axis in the model.
1. Select the objects you want to copy or move. For example:

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 2. Activate the rotation command.

• To copy and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Copy special -->
Rotate.
The Copy - Rotate dialog box opens.

• To move and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Move special -->
Rotate.
The Move - Rotate dialog box opens.
3. Select Z in the Around list.
4. Pick a point to define the rotation axis, or enter its coordinates.
In the example below, the red cross indicates the picked point.

5. If you are copying, enter the number of copies.

6. If needed, enter the dZ value, which is the difference in position between
the original and copied object in the z direction.
7. Enter the rotation angle. For example:

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 8. Click Copy or Move.
The objects are rotated accordingly.

Rotate drawing objects

Use this option when you want to rotate drawing objects on the work plane.
1. Select the objects you want to copy or move.
2. Activate the rotation command.

• To copy and rotate, go to the Drawing tab and click Copy -->
Rotate.
The Copy - Rotate dialog box opens.

• To move and rotate, go to the Drawing tab and click Move -->
Rotate.
The Move - Rotate dialog box opens.
3. Pick a point, or enter its coordinates.
4. If you are copying, enter the number of copies.
5. Enter the rotation angle.
6. Click Copy or Move.

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 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. The units
depend on the settings in File menu --> Settings --> Options --> Units and
decimals .

Option Description
X0 The x and y coordinates of the start
Y0 point of the rotation axis.
Origin angle The angle of the rotation axis when
rotating around a line on the work
plane.
Number of copies Define 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 Define whether the rotation axis is a
line on the work plane or in the z
direction.

Mirror objects
When you copy or move objects, you can mirror them through a plane that is
perpendicular to the work plane and passes through a line you specify.
Note that Tekla Structures cannot create mirrored copies of object properties.
For example, the Copy special --> Mirror command does not fully mirror
objects if they include components with asymmetrically positioned parts, or
reinforcement objects with asymmetric properties such as spacing.

Mirror model objects

Use this method to copy and mirror, or move and mirror objects in a model.
1. Select the objects you want to copy or move.
2. Activate the mirroring command.

• To copy and mirror, go to the Edit tab and click Copy special -->
Mirror.
The Copy - Mirror dialog box opens.

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 • To move and mirror, go to the Edit tab and click Move special -->
Mirror.
The Move - Mirror dialog box opens.
3. Pick the start point of the mirroring plane, or enter its coordinates and
angle.
4. Pick the end point of the mirroring plane, or enter its coordinates and
angle.
The first picked point (X0, Y0) is the origin, and the second picked point
calculates the angle around the origin.
5. Click Copy or Move.

Mirror drawing objects

Use this method to copy and mirror, or move and mirror objects in a drawing.
1. Select the objects you want to copy or move.
2. Activate the desired mirroring command.
• To copy and mirror, go to the Drawing tab and click Copy --> Mirror.
The Copy - Mirror dialog box opens.
• To move and mirror, go to the Drawing tab and click Move --> Mirror.
The Move - Mirror dialog box opens.
3. Pick the start point of the mirroring plane, or enter its coordinates in the
dialog box.
4. Pick the end point of the mirroring plane, or enter its coordinates in the
dialog box.
5. Enter the angle in the dialog box.
6. Click Copy or Move.

1.8 Filter objects

Use filters to restrict what can be selected or what is visible in a view. You can
create filters of your own, or you can use any of the standard filters available
in Tekla Structures.
Here are some examples of what filters can be used for:
• To select a large number of objects
Use selection filters when you need to change a specific object property
that is common for many objects. The rest of the objects will not be
affected, even if you try to include them in the selection.

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 • To check the model
Use view filters to ensure that beams are called beams, columns are called
columns, and so on. You can highlight several groups of objects, one at a
time, to check that all required objects are included in a given group.
• To hide objects
Use view filters to temporarily hide the columns in a view so that it easier
to select all the beams, for example.
• To find objects
You can create a selection filter to find all locations where ½” reinforcing
bars are in the model, for example. Once the filter is active, you can make
an area selection that includes the entire model. All specified reinforcing
bars become selected, but the other objects will not be affected.

See also
Use existing filters (page 151)
Create new filters (page 153)
Filtering techniques (page 161)
Examples of filters (page 181)

Use existing filters

Before creating new custom filters, check out the existing view and selection
filters available in Tekla Structures.

How to use a view filter

Use view filters to define which objects are displayed in a model view.
1. Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog box.
2. Select a filter from the Visible object group list.
For example, select purlins.

3. Click Modify.

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 Now only the objects defined by the filter are visible. For example, the
purlins:

4. To stop using the filter:

a. Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog box.
b. In the Visible object group list, select the standard filter.
c. Click Modify.
All objects are visible again:

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 NOTE If you cannot see all desired objects (page 50), note that the
work area, view depth, view setup, and object representation
settings also affect the visibility of objects.

How to use a selection filter

Use selection filters to define which objects can be selected in the model. Note
that an object must be visible in the model to be selectable.

1. On the Selecting toolbar, select a filter from the

list.
The list is by default located at the bottom of the Tekla Structures main
window.
For example, select the Name - Footing filter.
2. Select the desired objects in the model.
You can select multiple objects or even the entire model at once. Now that
the filter is active, only objects defined by the filter become selected. For
example, if the Name - Footing filter is active, only footings are selectable
and the rest of the objects stay intact:

3. If you cannot select all objects defined by the selection filter, check your
view filter settings and ensure that you have switched on all the needed
selection switches.
4. To stop using the filter, go to the Selecting toolbar and select the
standard filter.
All objects are selectable again.

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 Create new filters
You can create custom filters to define which objects are visible and selectable
in the model and drawings. Add new filter rules, one on each row, to define
which objects should be included or excluded.

Create a view filter

You can create your own custom filters to define which objects are visible in a
model.
1. Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog box.
2. Click Object group.
The Object Group - View Filter dialog box opens, showing the currently
active filter.
3. Click New filter to create a new filter from scratch.
4. Click Add row to add a new filter rule.
5. In the Category list, select an object category.
You have the following options:
• Part
• Component
• Bolt
• Weld
• Reinforcing bar
• Surface
• Assembly
• Construction object
• Load
• Template
• Reference assembly
• Reference object
• Location breakdown structure
• Pour object
• Pour break
• Pour unit
• Task
• Object

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 6. In the Property list, select a suitable object property (page 164).
The options vary depending on the object category you chose in step 5.
7. In the Condition list, select a suitable condition (page 161).
8. In the Value list, type a value.
Alternatively, to use the current value of an existing object, click Select
from model... and select the desired object from the model. To use the
values of multiple objects, click Multi-select from model, select the
objects from the model, and then click the middle mouse button. For date
values, also the Select date... option is available.

The values can be complete strings, such as the profile name UC310*97.
You can also use incomplete strings together with wildcards (page 181).
For example, the value UC* will match with all parts whose profile name
begins with the characters UC*. Empty values are matched to empty
object properties.
If you use multiple values, separate the strings with blank spaces (for
example, 12 5). If a value consists of multiple strings, enclose the entire
value in quotation marks (for example, "custom panel"), or use a
question mark (for example, custom?panel) to replace the space.
9. Repeat steps 4–8 to create as many filter rules as needed.
You can apply several filter rules at the same time.
10. Use the And/Or options and brackets (page 161) to define how multiple
rows work together.
11. Select the check boxes next to all filter rules that you want to enable.
If the check box is selected, the filter rule is enabled and effective. For
example:

By default, each new rule is disabled.

12. Define the filter type.

a. Click to display more settings.

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 b. Select or clear the check boxes to define where the filter will be used.
For example, the same filter may be used both as a view filter and as
a selection filter.
13. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.

NOTE • Filters are case sensitive.

• Do not use spaces in filter names.
• We recommend that you use _ (underscores) in your naming
convention.
• To have the filter appear at the top of the list, right after the
standard filter, use capital letters in the filter name.

14. Click Save as to save the filter.

15. To apply the filter to the current view, click Modify.

Create a selection filter

You can create your own custom filters to help you select objects in a model.

1. On the Selecting toolbar, click to open the Object Group - Selection

Filter dialog box.

2. Follow the instructions above on how to create a view filter.

The same instructions apply to selection filters.

Create a drawing filter

For general arrangement drawings, you can create drawing filters that affect
the whole drawing, not just a specific view. Drawing filters select objects in the
whole drawing.
You can use drawing filters together with saved object property files when you
create and apply object level settings in the whole drawing. For example, you
might create a filter that selects all beams, then save an object property file
that defines that the part color is blue, and then create and apply an object
level settings file that changes all beams to blue in the whole drawing.
1. In a GA drawing, on the Drawing tab, click Properties --> Drawing.
2. Click Filter.
3. Click New filter to create a new filter from scratch.
4. Click Add row to add a new filter rule.
5. In the Category list, select an object category.

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 You have the following options:
• Part
• Component
• Bolt
• Weld
• Reinforcing bar
• Surface
• Assembly
• Construction object
• Template
• Reference assembly
• Reference object
• Location breakdown structure
• Pour object
• Pour break
• Pour unit
• Task
• Object
6. In the Property list, select a suitable object property (page 164).
The options vary depending on the object category you chose in step 5.
7. In the Condition list, select a suitable condition (page 161).
8. In the Value list, type a value.
Alternatively, to use the current value of an existing object, click Select
from drawing and select the desired object from the drawing. To use the
values of multiple objects, click Multi-select from drawing, select the
objects from the drawing, and then click the middle mouse button. For
date values, also the Select date... option is available.

The values can be complete strings, such as the profile name UC310*97.
You can also use incomplete strings together with wildcards (page 181).
For example, the value UC* will match with all parts whose profile name

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 begins with the characters UC*. Empty values are matched to empty
object properties.
If you use multiple values, separate the strings with blank spaces (for
example, 12 5). If a value consists of multiple strings, enclose the entire
value in quotation marks (for example, "custom panel"), or use a
question mark (for example, custom?panel) to replace the space.
9. Repeat steps 4–8 to create as many filter rules as needed.
You can apply several filter rules at the same time.
10. Use the And/Or options and brackets (page 161) to define how multiple
rows work together.
11. Select the check boxes next to all filter rules that you want to enable.
If the check box is selected, the filter rule is enabled and effective. For
example:

By default, each new rule is disabled.

12. Define the filter type.

a. Click to display more settings.

b. Select or clear the check boxes to define where the filter will be used.
For example, the same drawing filter may be used both as a model
view filter and as a model selection filter, and also as an Organizer
filter.
13. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.

NOTE • Filters are case sensitive.

• Do not use spaces in filter names.
• We recommend that you use _ (underscores) in your naming
convention.
• To have the filter appear at the top of the list, right after the
standard filter, use capital letters in the filter name.

14. Click Save as to save the filter.

15. When you are done, click Cancel to close the filter properties dialog box.

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 Create a drawing view filter
You can create your own custom view filters to help you select a specific group
of view objects in a drawing view.
You can use drawing view filters for changing the appearance of a certain
object group, or for selecting which objects are hidden in a drawing view.
You can also use drawing view filters together with saved object property files
when you create and apply object level settings in the selected view. For
example, you might create a view filter that selects all columns in a view, then
save an object property file that defines that the part color is red, and then
create and apply an object level settings file that changes all columns to red in
the selected view.
1. Open a drawing.
2. Double-click a drawing view frame.
3. Click Filter.
4. Click New filter to create a new filter from scratch.
5. Click Add row to add a new filter rule.
6. In the Category list, select an object category.
You have the following options:
• Part
• Component
• Bolt
• Weld
• Reinforcing bar
• Surface
• Assembly
• Construction object
• Template
• Reference assembly
• Reference object
• Location breakdown structure
• Pour object
• Pour break
• Pour unit
• Task
• Object

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 7. In the Property list, select a suitable object property (page 164).
The options vary depending on the object category you chose in step 5.
8. In the Condition list, select a suitable condition (page 161).
9. In the Value list, type a value.
Alternatively, to use the current value of an existing object, click Select
from drawing and select the desired object from the drawing. To use the
values of multiple objects, click Multi-select from drawing, select the
objects from the drawing, and then click the middle mouse button. For
date values, also the Select date... option is available.

The values can be complete strings, such as the profile name UC310*97.
You can also use incomplete strings together with wildcards (page 181).
For example, the value UC* will match with all parts whose profile name
begins with the characters UC*. Empty values are matched to empty
object properties.
If you use multiple values, separate the strings with blank spaces (for
example, 12 5). If a value consists of multiple strings, enclose the entire
value in quotation marks (for example, "custom panel"), or use a
question mark (for example, custom?panel) to replace the space.
10. Repeat steps 4–8 to create as many filter rules as needed.
You can apply several filter rules at the same time.
11. Use the And/Or options and brackets (page 161) to define how multiple
rows work together.
12. Select the check boxes next to all filter rules that you want to enable.
If the check box is selected, the filter rule is enabled and effective. For
example:

By default, each new rule is disabled.

13. Define the filter type.

a. Click to display more settings.

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 b. Select or clear the check boxes to define where the filter will be used.
For example, the same drawing view filter may be used both as a
model view filter and as a model selection filter, and also as an
Organizer filter.
14. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.

NOTE • Filters are case sensitive.

• Do not use spaces in filter names.
• We recommend that you use _ (underscores) in your naming
convention.
• To have the filter appear at the top of the list, right after the
standard filter, use capital letters in the filter name.

15. When you are done, click Cancel to close the filter properties dialog box.

Create a drawing selection filter

You can create your own custom filters to help you select objects in a drawing.
You can use selection filters in drawings if you want to hide certain parts from
drawings or drawing views, or change the part color or representation for
certain parts.
Also, if you have some different looking part marks for different types of parts,
you can select the specific parts using a selection filter and then only modify
part marks for those parts.

1. In an open drawing, on the Selecting toolbar, click (Ctrl+G).

The Selection filter dialog box opens.
2. Follow the instructions above on how to create a drawing or drawing view
filter.
The same instructions apply to drawing selection filters.
3. Click Apply or OK to select the parts according to the filter.

Filtering techniques
By using conditions, brackets, and the And/Or options you can create filters
that can be as complex as needed.

Conditions
Use conditions to define how filter criteria relate to one another. Note that
when you create filters (page 153), you are always defining what should be
shown (or be selectable) in the model or drawing. Therefore, if you enter
"Component name does not contain gusset", you are telling Tekla Structures

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 to show all components whose name does not contain the word "gusset".
Tekla Structures then hides all components which have the word "gusset" in
their name.

Condition Description
Equals Use this condition when the filter
value must be matched exactly. For
example, "Part name equals BEAM."
Does not equal Filters out objects that contain the
value you enter. For example, "Part
profile does not equal BL200*20"
means that Tekla Structures will hide
(or not select) the objects whose
profile is BL200*20. The rest of the
objects will be shown (or selected).
Begins with Finds all objects that start with the
value you enter. For example,
"Component name begins with
purlin."
Does not begin with Filters out objects that start with the
value you enter. For example,
"Component name does not begin
with shear" means that Tekla
Structures will hide (or not select) the
objects whose name begins with the
word "shear". The rest of the objects
will be shown (or selected).
Ends with Finds all objects that end with the
value you enter. For example,
"Component name ends with plate."
Does not end with Filters out objects that end with the
value you enter. For example,
"Component name does not end with
angle" means that Tekla Structures
will hide (or not select) the objects
whose name ends with the word
"angle". The rest of the objects will be
shown or selected.
Contains Finds all objects that include the value
you enter. For example, "Component
name contains plate" would find
base plate and shear plate
simple.
Does not contain Filters out objects that include the
value you enter. For example,
"Component name does not contain

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 Condition Description
gusset" means that Tekla Structures
will hide (or not select) the objects
whose name contains the word
"gusset". The rest of the objects will
be shown or selected.
Greater than Finds all objects that exceed the value
you enter. For example, "Template
attribute LENGTH is greater than
5000."
This property can only be used with
numerical data, such as the part start
number, class, phase, or LENGTH.
Greater or equal Finds all objects that match or exceed
the value you enter.
This property can only be used with
numerical data, such as the part start
number, class, phase, or LENGTH.
Less than Finds all objects that are less than the
value you enter.
This property can only be used with
numerical data, such as the part start
number, class, phase, or LENGTH.
Less or equal Finds all objects that match or are
less than the value you enter.
This property can only be used with
numerical data, such as the part start
number, class, phase, or LENGTH.
Later than Available for dates only. The date
must be later than the one you have
defined. For example, "Object's
approval date later than 4/10/2017."
Later than or equal Available for dates only. The date
must be later than or equal to the one
you have defined.
Earlier than Available for dates only. The date
must be earlier than the one you have
defined. For example, "Object's
approval date earlier than
2/18/2017."
Earlier than or equal Available for dates only. The date
must be earlier than or equal to the
one you have defined.

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 And/Or options
Use the And/Or options when you create filter rules that consist of several
rows.

Option Description
And Use to find objects that match both
values.
When you create filter rules between
objects whose Category settings
differ, use the And option when
possible to avoid potential problems
with more complex rules.
Or Use to find objects that match either
value.
empty (= And) Empty means the same as And.

Brackets
You can use single, double, and triple brackets to create more complex filter
rules.
Example 1. Use the format "A and (B or C)" to find objects that match the first
filter rule and either of the last two rules.

Example 2. Use the format "(A and B) or C" to find objects that match both of
the first two rules or the third.

Object properties in filtering

You can select from a wide variety of object properties when creating new
filters. In the tables below, the properties are listed according to their object
category. In addition to these, almost all categories contain user-defined
attributes and template attributes that can also be used in filtering.

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 Category: Object
Use the Object category to filter objects based on their object level properties.

Property Description
GUID To filter objects based on their
globally unique identifier (GUID). For
example, "Object GUID begins with
ID7554C9EB-C8B4."
Phase To filter objects based on their phase
number. For example, "Object phase
does not equal 3."
Object type To filter objects based on their type.
Select an object type from the Value
list, or use the Select from model...
or Multi-select from model option.
NOTE: We recommend that you
include one filter rule for the Object
type property in each filter you
create. This ensures that only objects
of this type are filtered in. If you leave
the object type out, the filtering
outcome will be different, and objects
that do not match the category in
further filter rules may be filtered in.
The following object types can be
selected from the list:
• Assembly
• Bolt group
• Connection
• Part
• Pour break
• Pour object
• Pour unit
• Reference object
• Reinforcing bar
• Surface
• Surface treatment
• Weld
The following object types are shown
as numeric values only:

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 Property Description
• 1 = point
• 9 = fitting
• 11 = polygon cut
• 12 = line cut
• 24 = construction line
• 30 = construction plane
• 38 = added material
• 42 = construction circle
• 43 = construction arc
• 48 = reference model
• 76 = analysis part
• 79 = edge chamfer
• 103 = construction polycurve
Is component To filter objects based on whether or
not they are components. The options
are Yes and No. For example, "Object
is component equals Yes."

Some object types are not visible directly, but only when the objects that make
them up are visible. For example, assemblies are visible when parts are visible,
and pour units are visible when pour objects are visible. Therefore, using the
object type Assembly or Pour unit alone in a view filter in the model or in
drawings does not show anything. However, selection filters are able to select
object types like assemblies and pour units.

Category: Part
Use the Part category to filter parts (page 196) based on their common
properties.

Property Description
Name To filter objects based on their name.
For example, "Part name equals
SLAB."
Profile To filter objects based on their profile.
For example, "Part profile does not
equal L20*2."
Material To filter objects based on their
material grade. For example, "Part
material equals C25/30."

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 Property Description
Finish To filter objects based on how the
part surface has been treated. For
example, "Part finish equals "FP -
Fire proofing"."
Prefix To filter objects based on their
numbering prefix. For example, "Part
prefix equals P."
Start number To filter objects based on their start
number. For example, "Part start
number greater than 100."
Numbering series To filter objects based on their
numbering series information. For
example, "Part numbering series
equals TP/1."
Note that position number separator
can be a dot (.), comma (,), slash (/), or
hyphen (-), depending on what you
have defined in File menu -->
Settings --> Options --> Numbering.
Position number To filter objects based on their
position number. For example, "Part
position number does not equal P/5."
Note that position number separator
can be a dot (.), comma (,), slash (/), or
hyphen (-), depending on what you
have defined in File menu -->
Settings --> Options --> Numbering.
Class To filter objects based on their class
number. For example, "Part class
equals 210."
Phase To filter objects based on their phase
number. For example, "Part phase
equals 1 2."
Lot To filter objects based on their lot
number. For example, "Part lot
greater than 1."
Primary part To filter objects based on whether
they are main or secondary parts in
an assembly or cast unit. 1 = primary
part, 0 = secondary part. For example,
"Part primary part equals 1."

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 Property Description
Pour phase To filter parts based on their pour
phase. For example, "Pour phase
does not equal 0."

Category: Component
Use the Component category to filter components (page 759) based on their
common properties.

Property Description
Name To filter components based on their
name. For example, "Component
name equals "shear plate
simple"."
Connection code To filter components based on their
connection code, which can be either
a text string or a number. For
example, "Component connection
code equals 200_2."
Running number To filter components based on their
unique running number. For example,
"Component running number less
than 150."
Phase To filter components based on their
phase number. For example,
"Component phase equals 2."
Is conceptual To filter components based on their
type. Components can be either
detailed or conceptual. Yes =
conceptual, No = detailed. For
example, "Component is conceptual
equals Yes."

Category: Bolt
Use the Bolt category to filter bolts (page 341) based on their common
properties.

Property Description
Size To filter bolts based on their
diameter. For example, "Bolt size less
than 20.00."
Standard To filter bolts based on their bolt
assembly standard/grade. For
example, "Bolt standard equals
7990."

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 Property Description
Site/Workshop To filter bolts based on their assembly
type. Site = 0, Workshop = 1. For
example, "Bolt Site/Workshop equals
1."
Phase To filter bolts based on their phase
number. For example, "Bolt phase
equals 3 4."
Length To filter bolts based on their length.
For example, "Bolt length greater than
50.00."
Hole 1 type … Hole 5 type To filter bolts based on their hole
types in the bolted parts 1...5. The
options are Slotted, Oversized,
Tapped, No hole, and Regular.

Category: Weld
Use the Weld property to filter welds (page 359) based on their common
properties.

Property Description
Size above line To filter welds based on their size. For
example, "Weld size above line equals
Size below line
5.00."
Reference text To filter welds based on their
reference text, which is a user-
definable value in the Weld
properties. For example, "Weld
reference text contains 12345."
Phase To filter welds based on their phase
number. For example, "Weld phase
equals 3."
Type above line To filter welds based on their weld
type (page 367). Select the type from
Type below line
the Value list.
Length above line To filter welds based on their length
value. For example, "Weld length
Length below line
greater than 0.00."
Welding site To filter welds based on where they
should be made. The options are Site
and Workshop.
Position number To filter welds based on their unique
position number. For example, "Weld
position number is greater than 100."

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 Property Description
Angle above line To filter welds based on the angle of
weld preparation, bevels, or groove.
Angle below line
For example, "Weld angle below line
greater than 0.000."
Contour above line To filter welds based on their fill type
contour. The options are None,
Contour below line
Flush, Convex, and Concave. For
example, "Weld contour above line
does not equal None."
Effective throat above line To filter welds based on their weld
size used in weld strength calculation.
Effective throat below line
For example, "Weld effective throat
above line equals 0.500."
Finish above line To filter welds based on how they
have been treated. The options are
Finish below line
None, Grind, Machine, Chip,
Finished weld, and Smooth
transition.
Increment amount above line To filter welds based on their amount
of increments. For example, "Weld
Increment amount below line
increment amount above line greater
than 0."
Intermittent type To filter welds based on their shape.
The options are Continuous,
Intermittent, and Staggered
intermittent.
Pitch above line To filter welds based on their spacing
of weld increments.
Pitch below line
Root face thickness above line To filter welds based on their root
face thickness, in other words, the
Root face thickness below line
height of the narrowest part inside
the root opening.
Root opening above line To filter welds based on the space
found between the welded parts.
Root opening below line
Size prefix above line To filter welds based on their weld
size prefix. For example, "Weld size
Size prefix below line
prefix above line equals a."
The standard ISO 2553 prefixes are a
(Design throat thickness), s
(Penetration throat thickness), and z
(Leg length).

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 Property Description
User defined cross-section To filter welds based on whether or
not they contain user-defined cross-
sections. The options are Yes and No.
Electrode classification To filter welds based on their weld
electrode classification. The options
are (empty), 35, 52, 50, E60XX, E70XX,
E80XX, and E90XX.
Electrode strength To filter welds based on their
electrode strength. For example,
"Weld electrode strength greater than
0.000."
Electrode coefficient To filter welds based on their
electrode coefficient.
Process type To filter welds based on their welding
process type. The options are SMAW,
SAW, GMAW, FCAW, ESW, and EGW.
NDT inspection To filter welds based on their non-
destructive testing and inspection
level. The options are A, B, C, D, and
E.
Is around weld To filter welds based on whether only
one edge or the entire perimeter of a
face is welded. No = edge, Yes =
around.

Category: Reinforcing bar

Use the Reinforcing bar category to filter reinforcing bars (page 496) based on
their common properties.

Property Description
Name To filter reinforcing bars based on
their name. For example, "Reinforcing
bar name equals "STIRRUP"."
Class To filter reinforcing bars based on
their class number. For example,
"Reinforcing bar class equals 3."
Size To filter reinforcing bars based on
their size. The size property depends
on the environment and may contain
letters and special characters. For
example, in the US imperial
environment, "Reinforcing bar size
equals #18."

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 Property Description
Diameter To filter reinforcing bars based on
their diameter. Diameter is the
nominal diameter of the bar, not
actual. For example, "Reinforcing bar
diameter less than 12."
Length To filter reinforcing bars based on
their total length. For example,
"Reinforcing bar length greater than
5000.00."
Material To filter reinforcing bars based on
their material grade. For example,
"Reinforcing bar material does not
equal Undefined."
Prefix To filter reinforcing bars based on
their numbering prefix. For example,
"Reinforcing bar prefix equals R."
Start number To filter reinforcing bars based on
their start number. For example,
"Reinforcing bar start number greater
than 1."
Numbering series To filter reinforcing bars based on
their numbering series information.
For example, "Reinforcing bar
numbering series equals R/1."
Position number To filter reinforcing bars based on
their position number. For example,
"Reinforcing bar position number
equals R/3."
Phase To filter reinforcing bars based on
their phase number. For example,
"Reinforcing bar phase equals 2."
Shape To filter reinforcing bars based on
their bending shape (page 588). For
example, "Reinforcing bar shape does
not equal 2_1."
Layer To filter rebar set bars based on their
bar layer information. For example,
"Rebar set bar layer equals B3" (the
third layer of bottom bars).

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 Category: Surface
Use the Surface category to filter surfaces (page 415) based on their common
properties.

Property Description
Name To filter surfaces based on their
name. For example, "Surface name
equals SURFACE."
Type To filter surfaces based on their type.
The options are Formwork and
Concrete finish.
Class To filter surfaces based on their class
number. For example, "Surface class
does not equal 13."
Phase To filter surfaces based on their phase
number. For example, "Surface phase
equals 3 4."

Category: Assembly
Use the Assembly category to filter assemblies, cast units (page 430), and
rebar assemblies (page 614) based on their common properties.

Property Description
Name To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their name. For example,
"Assembly name does not contain
RAFTER."
GUID To filter assemblies based on their
globally unique identifier (GUID). For
example, "Assembly GUID equals
ID89F414A7-
ECA6-4B14-99CB-6985B84E64CB."
Prefix To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their numbering prefix. For
example, "Assembly prefix equals A."
Start number To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their start number. For
example, "Assembly start number
greater than 1."
Position number To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their position number. For
example, "Assembly position number
equals A/13."
Phase To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their phase number. For

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 Property Description
example, "Assembly phase does not
equal 1."
Assembly level To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their position in the
assembly hierarchy. The larger the
value, the lower the position in the
assembly hierarchy. 0 is the top-most
level, and 1 is the first sub-assembly
level.
For example, to check if the model
contains sub-assemblies, use the filter
rule "Assembly level greater than or
equal to 1."
Assembly type To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their type.
• 0 = precast
• 1 = cast in place
• 2 = steel
• 3 = timber
• 4 = rebar
• 6 = miscellaneous
Assembly series To filter assemblies and cast units
based on their numbering series
information. For example, "Assembly
series equals C/1."

Category: Construction object

Use the Construction object category to filter construction objects based on
their common properties.

Property Description
Phase To filter construction objects based on
their phase number. For example,
"Construction object phase does not
equal 1."
Type To filter construction objects based on
their type. The options are Line, Arc,
Circle, Plane, and Polycurve.

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 Category: Load
Use the Load category to filter loads based on their common properties.

Property Description
Load group To filter loads based on which load
group they belong to. For example,
"Load group does not equal
DefaultGroup."
Load type To filter loads based on their type.
The options are line, point, area,
uniform, and temperature.
Note that wind loads are handled as

area loads in filtering. Use the

Select components and Select

objects in components selection
switches to select wind loads.
Phase To filter loads based on their phase
number. For example, "Load phase
does not equal 1."

Category: Template
Use the Template category to filter parts and other objects by using template
attributes.
With this category, you can type the name of any template attribute or user-
defined attribute directly in the Property box, even if it is not on the list. Use
the ASSEMBLY., CAST_UNIT., or POUR_UNIT. prefix in front of the property
name to access higher hierarchy level attributes, and the USERDEFINED.
prefix to access user-defined attributes.
For example, to filter objects that are one hierarchy level below the cast-unit
with the user-defined attribute User field 1, type
CAST_UNIT.USERDEFINED.USER_FIELD_1 in the Property box.
In some cases, you can filter objects based on properties of other objects from
lower hierarchy levels. This is possible when there is only one lower level
object to be accessed. For example, there is only one main part in each
assembly or cast unit, so you can access the main part properties from the
assembly or cast unit level using the MAINPART prefix. Similarly, there can only
be one pour object in each pour unit, so you can access the pour object
properties from the pour unit level using the POUR_OBJECT prefix.
For example, to filter objects in assemblies whose main part has a certain
name, type ASSEMBLY.MAINPART.NAME in the Property box.

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 For example, to filter all reinforcing bars belonging to pour units with a certain
pour object type, type POUR_UNIT.POUR_OBJECT.POUR_TYPE in the Property
box.

TIP To check which unit Tekla Structures uses for a particular template
attribute, use the Select from model... option in the Value list in the
filtering dialog box.

Category: Reference assembly

Use the Reference assembly category to filter reference model assemblies
based on their common properties.

Property Description
Creation
GUID To filter reference model assemblies
based on their globally unique
identifier (GUID). For example,
"Reference assembly GUID equals
IDA51E6BFF-
DAB9-4A56-970C-7486EF17B7B7."
Phase To filter reference model assemblies
based on their phase number. For
example, "Reference assembly phase
equals 2."
Lot To filter reference model assemblies
based on their lot number. For
example, "Reference assembly lot
greater than 1."
Description To filter reference model assemblies
based on their description, which is a
user-definable value in the Reference
object dialog box. For example,
"Reference assembly description
contains "architect model"."
Info text To filter reference model assemblies
based on their info text, which is a
user-definable value in the Reference
object dialog box. For example,
"Reference assembly info text
contains revised."
Locked To filter reference model assemblies
based on whether or not they are
locked. 0 = No, 1 = Yes, 2 =
Organization.
Logical name To filter reference model assemblies
based on their logical name, which is

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 Property Description
a user-definable value in the
Reference object dialog box. For
example, "Reference assembly logical
name equals "MEP heating
system"."

Category: Reference object

Use the Reference object category to filter reference model objects based on
their common properties.

Property Description
Creation
GUID To filter reference model objects
based on their globally unique
identifier (GUID).
Phase To filter reference model objects
based on their phase number. For
example, "Reference object phase
does not equal 1."
Lot To filter reference model objects
based on their lot number. For
example, "Reference object lot equals
1."
Description To filter reference model objects
based on their description, which is a
user-definable value in the Reference
object dialog box. For example,
"Reference object description
contains "architect model"."
Info text To filter reference model objects
based on their info text, which is a
user-definable value in the Reference
object dialog box. For example,
"Reference object info text contains
revised."
Locked To filter reference model objects
based on whether or not they are
locked. 0 = No, 1 = Yes, 2 =
Organization.
Logical name To filter reference model objects
based on their logical name, which is
a user-definable value in the
Reference object dialog box. For

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 Property Description
example, "Reference object logical
name contains "3rd floor"."

TIP You can filter reference model object attributes using the Template
category and the EXTERNAL. prefix in the Property box. For example,
"Reference object EXTERNAL.Material equals A572."

Category: Location breakdown structure

Use the Location breakdown structure category to filter objects based on
their location categories, which can be defined in Organizer.

Property Description
Site To filter objects based on which site
category they belong to. For example,
"Location breakdown structure site
equals "Site 2"."
Building To filter objects based on which
building category they belong to. For
example, "Location breakdown
structure building does not equal
"Building A"."
Section To filter objects based on which
section category they belong to. For
example, "Location breakdown
structure section equals Ramp."
Floor To filter objects based on which floor
they are located on. For example,
"Location breakdown structure floor
equals "Floor 4"."

Category: Pour object

Use the Pour object category to filter pour objects (page 451) based on their
common properties.

Property Description
Pour number To filter pour objects based on their
pour number. For example, "Pour
number equals 5."
Pour type To filter pour objects based on their
type. For example, "Pour type equals
WALL."
Concrete mixture To filter pour objects based on the
properties of their concrete mix, for
example, maximum grain size of

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 Property Description
aggregate, and/or plasticity of fresh
concrete.
Material To filter pour objects based on their
material grade. For example,
"Material equals C35/45 ."
Pour phase To filter pour objects based on their
pour phase. For example, "Pour
phase does not equal 0."

Category: Pour break

Use the Pour break category to filter pour breaks (page 458) based on their
common properties.

Property Description
Creation
ID number To filter pour breaks based on their ID
number. For example, "ID number
equals 25237."
Phase To filter pour breaks based on their
phase. For example, "Pour break
phase equals 2 3."
Pour break type To filter pour breaks based on their
type. For example, "Pour break type
equals "Watertight construction
joint"."

Category: Pour unit

Use the Pour unit category to filter pour units based on their common
properties.

Property Description
Name To filter pour units based on their
name. For example, "Pour unit name
contains beam."
GUID To filter pour units based on their
globally unique identifier (GUID). For
example, "Pour unit GUID contains
8505."

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 Category: Task
Use the Task category to filter scheduled tasks based on their common
properties.

Property Description
Name To filter scheduled tasks based on
their name. For example, "Task name
contains floors."
Planned start date To filter scheduled tasks based on
their planned start date. For example,
"Task planned start date earlier than
Review date."
Planned end date To filter scheduled tasks based on
their planned start date. For example,
"Task planned end date later than or
equal to 10/13/2017."
Actual start date To filter scheduled tasks based on
their actual start date.
Actual end date To filter scheduled tasks based on
their actual end date.
Completeness To filter scheduled tasks based on
their completeness. The value is a
percentage. For example, "Task
completeness is 75."
Critical To filter scheduled tasks based on
how critical they are. A task can be
critical only if it has been imported
from external software. 1 = Critical, 0
= Not critical.
Note that this property is not visible
in Task manager.
Local To filter scheduled tasks based on
whether they were created in Task
manager or imported from external
software. 1 = Created in Task
Manager, 0 = Imported.
Contractor To filter scheduled tasks based on the
contractor. For example, "Task
contractor equals "Contractor A"."
Scenario To filter scheduled tasks based on the
scenario they belong to. For example,
"Task scenario equals "Scenario
1"."

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 Property Description
Task type To filter scheduled tasks based on
their type. For example, "Task type
does not equal "A - Floor
tiling"."

Wildcards
A wildcard is a symbol that stands for one or more characters. You can use
wildcards to shorten strings, for example in filtering.

Wildcard Description Example

* (asterisk) Matches any number HE* matches all parts with a profile name
of characters that begins with the characters "HE".
You can also this symbol at the beginning
of a word: *BRAC*.
? (question Matches a single HE?400 matches parts with profile names
mark) character such as HEA400, HEB400, and HEC400.
[ ] (square Matches whatever is L[78]X4X1/2 matches parts with the
brackets) enclosed in the profile names L7X4X1/2 and L8X4X1/2.
brackets

NOTE The characters * and ? may also be used in object names in Tekla Structures. If
the object name you want to filter contains * or ?, you need to enclose these
characters in square brackets. For example, to find the profile P100*10, enter
P100[*]10 in the filter field.

See also
Filter objects (page 150)

Examples of filters
Here are some examples of filters that you can create. The same filtering
techniques can be used for view, selection, and drawing filters.

Filter parts based on their name

Create a filter that only shows parts with a certain name.
1. Create a new view filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row three times to add three filter rules.
3. In the first filter rule, define that the object type must be part:

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 a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Object type.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Part.
e. In the And/Or list, select And.
4. In the second and third filter rules, define that the part name must be
BEAM or COLUMN:
a. In the Category list, select Part.
b. In the Property list, select Name.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value box, enter the part names, BEAM and COLUMN.
e. In the And/Or list, select Or.
5. Include the second and third filter rule in brackets. The filter is now
looking for parts that are named either BEAM or COLUMN.
6. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
7. Click Save as.

Filter main parts

Create a filter that selects the main parts only.
1. Create a new selection filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row twice to add two filter rules.
3. In the first filter rule, define that the object type must be part:
a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Object type.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Part.
e. In the And/Or list, select And.
4. In the second filter rule, define that you only want to include main parts:
a. In the Category list, select Part.

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 b. In the Property list, select Primary part.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value box, enter 1.
In this context, 1 means the main parts, and 0 would mean the
secondary parts.
5. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
6. Click Save as.

Filter bolts based on their size

Create a filter that only shows bolts of certain sizes.
1. Create a new view filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row twice to add two filter rules.
3. In the first filter rule, define that the object type must be bolt:
a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Object type.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Bolt group.
e. In the And/Or list, select And.
4. In the second filter rule, define that the bolt size must be 12.00 or 16.00:
a. In the Category list, select Bolt.
b. In the Property list, select Size.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value box, enter the bolt sizes, 12.00 and 16.00.
Separate the strings with a blank space.
5. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
6. Click Save as.

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 Filter parts based on their assembly type
Create a filter based on assembly types. For example, you can create a filter
that only shows cast-in-place and precast columns. Steel columns and any
other columns or parts are hidden. The same filtering technique can be used
for steel, concrete, timber, and miscellaneous parts.
1. Create a new filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row four times to add four filter rules.
3. In the first filter rule, define that the object type must be part:
a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Object type.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Part.
e. In the And/Or list, select And.
4. In the second filter rule, define that the part name must be COLUMN:
a. In the Category list, select Part.
b. In the Property list, select Name.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value box, enter the part name, COLUMN.
e. In the And/Or list, select And.
5. Include the first and second filter rule in brackets.
6. In the third and fourth filter rules, define that the assembly type must be
precast or cast in place:
a. In the Category list, select Assembly.
b. In the Property list, select Assembly type.
c. In the Value box, enter the assembly types, 0 and 1.

Value Assembly type

0 precast
1 cast in place
2 steel

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 Value Assembly type
3 timber
4 rebar
6 miscellaneous
d. In the And/Or list, select Or.
7. Include the third and fourth filter rule in brackets. The filter is now looking
for concrete parts that are named COLUMN.
8. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
9. Click Save as.

Filter sub-assemblies
Create a filter that only selects parts that belong to a sub-assembly.
1. Create a selection filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row to add a new filter rule.
3. In the Category list, select Template.
4. In the Property list, select ASSEMBLY.HIERARCHY_LEVEL.
5. In the Condition list, select Does not equal.
6. In the Value box, enter 0.
In this context, 0 means that the part does not belong to any sub-
assembly, and 1 would mean that the part does. The filter will show only
those parts whose value is not 0.
7. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
8. Click Save as.

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 Filter objects based on their class
Create a filter based on object types and class. The following example filter can
be used to select or show parts and reinforcement in certain classes.
1. Create a new view filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row three times to add three filter rules.
3. In the first and second filter rules, define that the object type must be part
or reinforcement.
a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Object type.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Part for the first rule and Reinforcing bar for
the second rule.
e. In the And/Or list, select Or for the first rule and And for the second
rule.
4. Include the first and second filter rule in brackets.
5. In the third filter rule, use the template attribute CLASS_ATTR to define
that the object class must be less than or equal to 5:
a. In the Category list, select Template.
b. In the Property list, type CLASS_ATTR.
c. In the Condition list, select Less or equal.
d. In the Value list, enter 5.
The filter is now looking for parts and reinforcement that belong to
classes 0–5.
6. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
7. Click Save as.

Filter reference model objects

Create a filter based on reference model object properties.
1. Create an empty view or selection filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row to add a new filter rule.
3. In the Category list, select Template.
4. In the Property list, select the desired template attribute or enter one of
your own (page 164).

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 TIP To find the attribute name used by the reference model, select a
reference model object, right-click and select one of the Inquire
commands. Find the property name in the Inquire object dialog box
and copy it.

5. Add the prefix EXTERNAL. in front of the template attribute name.

6. In the Condition list, select Equals.
7. In the Value box, enter the desired value or click Select from model... to
select the object in the model.
8. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
9. Click Save as.

Filter parts within component

Create a filter that selects all parts within a component.
1. Create an empty selection filter. (page 153)
2. Click Add row twice to add two filter rules.
3. In the first filter rule, define that the object must be a component:
a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Is component.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Yes.
e. In the And/Or list, select And.
4. In the second filter rule, define that the object type must be part:
a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Object type.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Part.
5. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
6. Click Save as.

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 Filter reinforcement in pour units based on pour object type
Create a filter that only shows all reinforcement that belongs to pour units
with a pour object of a certain type.
1. Ensure that you have XS_ENABLE_POUR_MANAGEMENT set to TRUE.
2. Calculate the pour units. (page 453)
3. Create a new view filter. (page 153)
4. Click Add row twice to add two filter rules.
5. In the first filter rule, define the pour object type.
a. In the Category list, select Template.
b. In the Property box, enter POUR_UNIT.POUR_OBJECT.POUR_TYPE.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value box, enter the pour object type, for example MyType, or
click Select from model... to select the object in the model.
e. In the And/Or list, select And.
6. In the second filter rule, define that the object type must be
reinforcement:
a. In the Category list, select Object.
b. In the Property list, select Object type.
c. In the Condition list, select Equals.
d. In the Value list, select Reinforcing bar.
7. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
8. Click Save as.

Filter all contents of a pour unit

Create a filter that selects all contents of a pour unit with a certain name.
1. Ensure that you have XS_ENABLE_POUR_MANAGEMENT set to TRUE.
2. Calculate the pour units. (page 453)

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 188 Filter objects

methods
 3. Create a selection filter. (page 153)
4. Click Add row to add a new filter rule.
5. In the Category list, select Pour unit.
6. In the Property list, select Name.
7. In the Condition list, select Equals.
8. In the Value box, enter the pour unit name, for example MyName.
9. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
10. Click Save as.

Copy and remove filters

You can copy custom filters to another model by manually copying filter files to
the attributes folder under the desired model folder. You can also manually
remove unneeded filters from the same folder. If you want to make a filter
available in all models, copy the file to your company's project or firm folder.

Copy a filter to another model

1. Select the filter you want to copy.
The filters you have created are located in the attributes folder under
the current model folder. You can recognize different filter types based on
their file name extension:

File name extension Filter type

.VObjGrp Model view filter
.SObjGrp Model selection filter
.PObjGrp Object group filter
.vf Drawing view filter
.vnf Drawing view level neighbor part filter
.wdf Single-part drawing filter
.wdnf Single-part drawing neighbor part
filter
.adf Assembly drawing filter
.adnf Assembly drawing neighbor part filter
.cuf Cast unit drawing filter

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 189 Filter objects

methods
 File name extension Filter type
.cunf Cast unit drawing neighbor part filter
.gdf General arrangement drawing filter
.gdnf General arrangement drawing
neighbor part filter
.dsf Drawing selection filter
2. To make the filter available in another model, copy the file to the
attributes folder of the destination model folder.
3. To make the filter available in all models, copy the file to your company's
project or firm folder.
4. Restart Tekla Structures.

Remove a filter
1. Remove the filter file from the model’s attributes folder.
2. Restart Tekla Structures.

Select values from the model

You can select object properties and dates directly from the model. This can be
useful when creating view filters, selection filters, and object groups.

Before you start, create an empty view or selection filter, or an object group.
1. Create an empty view or selection filter (page 153), or an object group
(page 662).
2. Click Add row.
3. Select options from the Category and Property lists.
4. In the Value list, select one of the options.
The availability of options depends on your selection in the Property list.
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.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 190 Filter objects

methods
 1.9 Tips for large models
Modeling item Tips
Coordinate system (page 51) • Do not place the model far away
from the origin. The further away
from the origin you model, the
less precise all the computations
become.
• Mark global coordinates as labels
instead of actually using them
during modeling.
• If you need to use building site
coordinates, drop the first digits if
they are always the same. For
example, instead of coordinate
758 375 6800, use 375 6800.
• Base points allow you to use
another coordinate system
needed for interoperability and
collaboration. You can use another
coordinate system for inserting
reference models and exporting
IFC models. When you use base
points, you can keep the
coordinates small and locate the
model wherever needed. You can
create as many base points as you
need, and select one of those to
be the project base point. For
more information, see Base points
(page 57).
Work area (page 48) and visibility • Keep the work area as small as
possible.
• Show only the required parts in
views.
• Use view filters to control the
visibility of parts.
Views (page 31) • Close unnecessary views.
• Close all views when you save
large models.
Selection switches • Switch on the Select reference
models selection switch only
when necessary. The speed of

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 191 Tips for large models
methods
 Modeling item Tips
zooming and rotating may be
affected by this switch especially in
large and complicated models that
contain reference models.
Round objects • Create holes with the Create bolts
command instead of using part
cuts with round beams.
• Use studs to model small straight
round objects instead of small
round beams.
• Model lifting hooks and other
embeds with reinforcement bars
instead of round polybeams.
Hollow core profiles • Use simple fixed (non-parametric)
profiles.
• Use chamfers for curved corners.
Custom components (page 823) • Do not create overly complex
custom components. When used
in great numbers they consume a
lot of memory.
Numbering (page 712) • Do not number the whole model
in one go. Numbering all objects in
large models may take a
considerable amount of time.
Model database • If your model file is getting large,
repairing the model database can
help to reduce the file size
considerably and therefore help
with memory problems.
Firm and Project folders • Save Firm and Project folders
locally on the hard drive of your
computer instead of a network
drive. This saves time if network
speed is slow.
When working in the multi-user
mode, ensure that the folders are
synchronized on all users’ hard
drives so that important data is
not lost or changed.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 192 Create model templates
methods
 1.10 Create model templates
Model templates allow you to start a model with predefined company
templates and settings. This can be especially useful for sub-contractors.
Only single-user models can be created 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.
By default, the model template folder is saved in your environment folder. Use
the advanced option XS_MODEL_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY to define a different
location.

Create a new model template

You can create your own model templates and use them for creating new
models. You can select which catalogs, custom components, model subfolders,
drawing templates, and report templates from the model are included in the
model template.
1. Create a new model.
Always start by creating a new empty model. This is because old models
that have been used in live projects cannot be completely cleaned. They
may contain excess information that increases the size of the model even
if you delete all objects and drawings from the model.
2. Add the desired part properties, drawing properties, profiles, materials,
custom components, sketches, and so on, in the model.
You can copy the needed attribute files from another model, for example.
3. On the File menu, click Save as --> Save.
You need to save the model to include custom components in the
xslib.db1 file. If you do not save the model, custom components will not
be included in the model template.
4. On the File menu, click Save as --> Save as model template.
5. Enter a name for the model template.
6. Select which catalogs, drawing templates, report templates, and model
subfolders to include in the model template.
You can only select files and folders that are available in the model folder.
Catalogs are typically located in an environment folder and they are
included in the model folder only if they have been modified.
7. If you want to open the destination folder after creating the model
template, select the check box.
8. Click OK.
You can now use the model template for creating new models.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 193 Create model templates
methods
 9. When you create new models in File --> New, you can mark the important
model templates as favorites, or hide the templates that you do not need.
a. Select a model template in the list.
b. Right-click and select Favorite or Hidden.
If you marked a template as Favorite, it is placed on top of the
template list. Alternatively, use the star icon on the template to mark
it as Favorite, or to remove the marking.
If you marked a template as Hidden, it is removed from the template
list. Select the Show hidden items check box to show it again.

Modify an existing model template

To modify an existing template, save the model as a new template.
Alternatively, you can modify the template by copying new or updated files
directly to the model template folder.
1. Create a model using the existing model template.
2. Make the needed changes.
3. Save it as a new model template.

Download model templates

You can download, share, and store model templates using Tekla Warehouse.

Model template options

Use the Save as model template dialog box to define which files and folders
are included in the model template.

Setting Files and folders included

Profiles profdb.bin
profitab.inp
Materials matdb.bin
Components and sketches ComponentCatalog.txt
ComponentCatalogTreeView.txt
xslib.db1
thumbnail_bitmap.arc
*.dat files
CustomComponentDialogFiles
folder

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 194 Create model templates
methods
 Setting Files and folders included
Attribute definitions Includes all attribute definitions of the
current model.
Bolts and bolt assemblies screwdb.db
assdb.db
Reinforcement rebar_database.inp
RebarShapeRules.xml
rebardatabase_config.inp
rebardatabase_schedule_config
.inp
Meshes mesh_database.inp
Options Includes all options of the current
model.
Drawing templates *.tpl files
Report templates *.rpt files
Include model subfolders Lists all subfolders found in the
model folder. The selected folders are
included in the model template.
The attributes folder, which
contains part and drawing properties,
and the
CustomComponentDialogFiles
folder are included by default.

Get to know Tekla Structures basic working 195 Create model templates
methods
2 Create parts, reinforcement,
and construction objects

When you know the basic principles of how to create and modify different
types of model objects in Tekla Structures, you can start working on more
detailed level with your model.
First, to get your model started, you need to create some parts (page 196).
Parts are the building blocks of the physical model. You can continue working
with the parts by, for example, deforming their shape (page 328), or by adding
some details to the parts (page 341), such as bolts, welds, or cuts or fittings.
When you use a workshop weld or bolt to join parts together, you will learn
how to work with assemblies.
For concrete parts, each concrete part is considered a separate cast unit
(page 430). For construction purposes, you may need to merge several
concrete parts into one cast unit. If you model cast-in-place concrete
structures, you may need to check how to work with pours (page 444). And
once you have created a model of concrete parts, you will need to reinforce
the parts (page 469) to gain higher strength for the parts.
Additionally, you may need to use points or construction objects (page 621) as
modeling aids. Points and construction objects help you to place other objects
in the model.

See also
Adjust how model objects are displayed (page 642)
Change the color and transparency of model objects by using object
representation (page 656)
Check the model (page 666)
Number the model (page 712)

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 196 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 2.1 Create parts and modify part properties
In Tekla Structures, the term part refers to the basic building objects that can
be modeled and detailed further. Parts are the building blocks of the physical
model.
You can create steel parts and concrete parts. A special type of parts are items
(page 300). Use them to model objects that would be difficult to model using
basic Tekla Structures parts and commands, such as cutting.
Create steel parts by using the commands on Steel tab on the ribbon. Create
concrete parts by using the commands on the Concrete tab on the ribbon.

Every part has properties that define it, such as material, profile, and location
(page 310). Also, parts have user-defined attributes (UDAs) (page 323) that you
can use to provide additional information about a part. You can use part
properties in view filters (page 154) and selection filters (page 156) to, for
example, select, modify, and hide parts. You can also include part properties
and UDAs in drawing and report templates.
To view and modify the part properties, use the property pane. You can view
and modify the properties of a one part type at a time, or the common
properties of several, similar part types. If needed, you can copy properties

from one part to another part by using the Copy properties button in
the property pane.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 197 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 The basic steel parts are
• column (page 199)
• beam (page 201)
• polybeam (page 204)
• curved beam (page 207)
• twin profile (page 210)
• orthogonal beam (page 213)
• spiral beam (page 216)
• plate (page 220)
• bent plate (page 224)
• lofted plate (page 247)

The basic concrete parts are

• column (page 260)
• beam (page 260)
• polybeam (page 266)
• spiral beam (page 270)

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 198 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • panel (page 275)
• slab (page 278)
• lofted slab (page 282)
• pad footing (page 294)
• strip footing (page 297)

Create a steel column

1. On the Steel tab, click Column .

2. Pick a point.
Tekla Structures creates the column using the Steel column properties in
the property pane, and at the level defined in the properties.

Alternatively, you can start the command in the property pane.

1. Ensure that you have nothing selected in the model.

2. In the property pane, click the Object type list button and select
Steel column from the list.
Tekla Structures starts the command and shows the properties in the
property pane.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 199 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Modify steel column properties
1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the column to open the
Steel column properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Steel column properties

Use the Steel column properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a steel column. To open the properties, double-click the steel
column. The file name extension of a steel column property file is *.clm.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of the column.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the column.
Material Material (page 322) of the column.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group columns.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for
the assembly position number
(page 713).
Position

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 200 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Vertical Vertical position (page 315) of the
column, relative to column's reference
point.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the column
around its axis on the work plane.
Horizontal Horizontal position (page 317) of the
column, relative to column's reference
point.
Top Position of the second end of the
column in the global z direction.
Bottom Position of the first end of the column
in the global z direction.
Deforming
Warping Use to warp columns using
deformation angles.
Cambering Use to pre-camber (page 334) the
column.
Shortening Use to shorten the column in the
model. The true length of the column
is decreased in the drawing.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a steel beam

1. On the Steel tab, click .

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 201 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 2. Pick two points.
Tekla Structures creates the beam between the points you picked, using
the Steel beam properties in the property pane.

Alternatively, you can start the command in the property pane.

1. Ensure that you have nothing selected in the model.

2. In the property pane, click the Object type list button and select
Steel beam from the list.
Tekla Structures starts the command and shows the properties in the
property pane.

Modify steel beam properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the beam to open the Steel
beam properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Steel beam properties

Use the Steel beam properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a steel beam, steel polybeam, or curved beam. To open the
properties, double-click the steel beam. The file name extension of a beam
property file is *.prt.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 202 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Name User-definable name of a beam.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the beam.
Material Material (page 322) of the beam.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group beams.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for
the assembly position number
(page 713).
Position
On plane Beam's position on the work plane
(page 311), relative to the beam's
reference line.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the beam
around its axis on the work plane.
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the
beam. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
End offset
Dx Change the length of the beam
(page 318) by moving the beam end
point along the beam's reference line.
Dy Move the beam end (page 318)
perpendicular to the beam's
reference line.
Dz Move the beam end (page 318) in the
z direction of the work plane.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 203 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Curved beam
Plane Plane of curvature.
Radius Radius of the curved beam.
Number of segments Number of segments Tekla Structures
uses when drawing the curved beam.
Deforming
Warping Use to warp beams using
deformation angles.
Cambering Use to pre-camber (page 334) beams.
Shortening Use to shorten beams in the model.
The true length of the beam is
decreased in the drawing.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a steel polybeam

A polybeam can contain straight and curved segments.
1. On the Steel tab, click Beam --> Polybeam.
2. Pick the points you want the beam to go through.
3. Click the middle mouse button.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 204 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Tekla Structures creates the polybeam between the points you picked,
using the Steel beam properties in the property pane. Note that you
cannot create a closed polybeam.

4. If you want to create curved segments, chamfer the corners of the

polybeam.
For example:

Modify steel polybeam properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the polybeam to open the
Steel beam properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Steel beam properties

Use the Steel beam properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a steel beam, steel polybeam, or curved beam. To open the
properties, double-click the steel beam. The file name extension of a beam
property file is *.prt.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 205 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of a beam.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the beam.
Material Material (page 322) of the beam.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group beams.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for
the assembly position number
(page 713).
Position
On plane Beam's position on the work plane
(page 311), relative to the beam's
reference line.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the beam
around its axis on the work plane.
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the
beam. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
End offset
Dx Change the length of the beam
(page 318) by moving the beam end
point along the beam's reference line.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 206 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Dy Move the beam end (page 318)
perpendicular to the beam's
reference line.
Dz Move the beam end (page 318) in the
z direction of the work plane.
Curved beam
Plane Plane of curvature.
Radius Radius of the curved beam.
Number of segments Number of segments Tekla Structures
uses when drawing the curved beam.
Deforming
Warping Use to warp beams using
deformation angles.
Cambering Use to pre-camber (page 334) beams.
Shortening Use to shorten beams in the model.
The true length of the beam is
decreased in the drawing.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a curved steel beam

1. On the Steel tab, click Beam --> Curved beam.
2. Pick the start point (1).

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 207 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 3. Pick a point on the arc (2).
4. Pick the end point (3).
Tekla Structures creates the beam between the points you picked, using
the Steel beam properties in the property pane.
The radius is defined by the points you pick.

Modify curved beam properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the curved beam to open
the Steel beam properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Steel beam properties

Use the Steel beam properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a steel beam, steel polybeam, or curved beam. To open the

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 208 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 properties, double-click the steel beam. The file name extension of a beam
property file is *.prt.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of a beam.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the beam.
Material Material (page 322) of the beam.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group beams.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for
the assembly position number
(page 713).
Position
On plane Beam's position on the work plane
(page 311), relative to the beam's
reference line.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the beam
around its axis on the work plane.
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the
beam. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
End offset

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 209 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Dx Change the length of the beam
(page 318) by moving the beam end
point along the beam's reference line.
Dy Move the beam end (page 318)
perpendicular to the beam's
reference line.
Dz Move the beam end (page 318) in the
z direction of the work plane.
Curved beam
Plane Plane of curvature.
Radius Radius of the curved beam.
Number of segments Number of segments Tekla Structures
uses when drawing the curved beam.
Deforming
Warping Use to warp beams using
deformation angles.
Cambering Use to pre-camber (page 334) beams.
Shortening Use to shorten beams in the model.
The true length of the beam is
decreased in the drawing.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a twin profile

A twin profile consists of two parallel and 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.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 210 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 1. On the Steel tab, click Beam --> Twin profile.
2. Pick two points.
Tekla Structures creates the twin profile between the points you picked,
using the Twin profile properties in the property pane.

Alternatively, you can start the command in the property pane.

1. Ensure that you have nothing selected in the model.

2. In the property pane, click the Object type list button and select
Twin profile from the list.
Tekla Structures starts the command and shows the properties in the
property pane.

Modify twin profile properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click either of the beams to open
the Steel beam properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify .

Twin profile properties

Use the Twin profile properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a twin steel profile. The file name extension of a twin profile
property file is *.dia.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 211 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Name User-definable name of a twin profile.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile The profile of both the beams in the
twin profile.
Material Material (page 322) of the beams.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group twin profiles.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Twin profile type Define how the profiles are
combined.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number the
assembly position number (page 713).
Position
On plane Twin profile's position on the work
plane (page 311), relative to the twin
profile's reference line.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the twin profile
around its axis on the work plane.
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the twin
profile. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
End offset
Dx Change the length of the twin profile
(page 318) by moving the twin profile
end point along the twin profile's
reference line.
Clearance between members

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 212 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Horizontal The horizontal clearance between the
profiles.
Vertical The vertical clearance between the
profiles.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create an orthogonal beam

Use the Orthogonal beam command when you want to create a steel part
that is perpendicular to the current work plane. After you have created an
orthogonal beam, you can modify it as if it were beam or column.
1. On the Steel tab, click Beam --> Orthogonal beam.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 213 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 2. Pick a point.
Tekla Structures creates the beam using the Orthogonal beam properties
in the property pane, and at the level (page 327) defined in the properties.

Alternatively, you can start the command in the property pane.

1. Ensure that you have nothing selected in the model.

2. In the property pane, click the Object type list button and select
Orthogonal beam from the list.
Tekla Structures starts the command and shows the properties in the
property pane.

Modify orthogonal beam properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the orthogonal beam to
open the properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Orthogonal beam properties

Use the Orthogonal beam properties in the property pane to view and modify
the properties of an orthogonal steel beam. The file name extension of an
orthogonal beam property file is *.crs.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 214 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Name User-definable name of the beam.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the beam.
Material Material (page 322) of the beam.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group beams.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Position
Vertical Vertical position (page 315) of the
beam, relative to beam's reference
point.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the beam
around its axis on the work plane.
Horizontal Horizontal position (page 317) of the
beam, relative to beam's reference
point.
Top Position of the second end of the
beam in the global z direction.
Bottom Position of the first end of the beam
in the global z direction.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number the
assembly position number (page 713).
IFC Export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
User-defined type (IFC4)

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 215 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
available subtypes depend on the
selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a steel spiral beam

Use the Create steel spiral beam command when you want to model spiral
staircases and complex architectural shapes, for example.

Basic concepts related to spiral beams

The images below illustrate some basic concepts related to the creation of
spiral beams. Note that if you change the positioning, the entire geometry of
the spiral beam changes.

(1) Start point (the first point picked)

(2) Center point (the second point picked)
(3) Direction of the rotation axis (the optional third point picked)
(4) Center axis

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 216 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 (5) Total rise: the distance from the start point to the end point, parallel to the
center axis
(6) Rotation angle: the rotation angle of the spiral beam, given in degrees.
Note: positive value = counter-clockwise rotation, negative value = clockwise
rotation.
(7) Radius: the distance from the start point to the center point, perpendicular
to the center axis

Create a spiral beam

1. On the Steel tab, click Beam --> Spiral beam.
2. Pick the start point.

3. Pick the center point.

4. To set the rotation axis in the work plane +Z direction, click the middle
mouse button to finish.

NOTE Alternatively, instead of clicking the middle mouse button, you

can pick a second center axis point to define the direction of the
rotation axis.

Tekla Structures creates the spiral beam. For example:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 217 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 5. Click the spiral beam to select it.
The contextual toolbar appears with the following options:

(1) Rotation angle

(2) Total rise
(3) Twist angle at start
(4) Twist angle at end
6. To add more rotation, enter a bigger value in the Rotation angle box.
7. To make the spiral more loose, enter a bigger value in the Total rise box.
8. To change the radius, move the start point or center point.

Limitations
• Spiral beam has a single, constant radius.
• Unfolding of spiral beams whose total rise is larger than 0.00 does not
produce completely straight results in drawings. The amount of deviation in
the part profile outlines and part length depends on several factors: the
type, size, and length of the profile; the amount of total rise; and the
amount of rotation angle and detailing used.
• Spiral beams are not always untwisted in unfolding. If unequal twisting is
applied to the start end and end end, the unfolded drawing shows an
unfolded but twisted part as a result.
• Connections and details may not work as expected with spiral beams.
• DSTV export of spiral beams may not produce a correct result.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 218 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • You cannot export spiral beams as parts in IFC export. If you are modeling
cast-in-place structures with spiral beam, you can export the geometry to
IFC as pour objects.

Steel spiral beam properties

Use the Steel spiral beam properties in the property pane to view and modify
the properties of a steel spiral beam. To open the properties, double-click the
spiral beam. The file name extension of a steel spiral beam property file is
*.sb.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of a beam.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the beam.
Material Material (page 322) of the beam.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user-definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated.
Class Use to group beams.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for
the assembly position number
(page 713).
Position
On plane Beam's position on the work plane
(page 311), relative to the beam's
reference line.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the beam
around its axis on the work plane.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 219 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the
beam. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
Geometry
Rotation angle Rotation angle of the spiral beam,
given in degrees.
Total rise Distance from the start point to the
end point, parallel to the center axis.
Twist angle at start Twist +/- angle of the spiral beam at
the start/end of the beam.
Twist angle at end
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a contour plate

When you create a contour plate, the profile you select defines the thickness
of the plate and the points you pick define the shape. The corners of the
contour plate can be chamfered.

1. On the Steel tab, click .

2. Pick the corner points of the contour plate.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 220 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 3. Click the middle mouse button.
Tekla Structures creates the plate using the Contour plate properties in
the property pane.

Alternatively, you can start the command in the property pane.

1. Ensure that you have nothing selected in the model.

2. In the property pane, click the Object type list button and select
Contour plate from the list.
Tekla Structures starts the command and shows the properties in the
property pane.

Create a round contour plate

1. Create a square contour plate with four equal sides.
2. Select the plate.
3. Double-click a handle.
To make it easier to select the handles of the contour plate corners,

ensure that the Direct modification switch is not active.

The Corner chamfer properties open in the property pane.

4. In the Type list, select Rounding .

5. In the Radius box, enter the chamfer radius.
The radius must be equal to half of the side of the square.
6. Click Modify.
7. Repeat the above steps for each corner you want to chamfer.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 221 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Alternative way of creating a round plate
1. Create a diamond-shaped plate with four equal sides.

2. To round the corners, use the Arc point chamfer type.

Modify contour plate properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the plate to open the
Contour plate properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Contour plate properties

Use the Contour plate properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a contour plate. To open the properties, double-click the contour
plate. The file name extension of a contour plate property file is *.cpl.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 222 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Name User-definable name of the contour
plate.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the contour
plate.
Material Material (page 322) of the contour
plate.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group contour plates.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number the
assembly position number (page 713).
Position
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the
contour plate. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 223 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a conical or a cylindrical bent plate

You can create cylindrical or conical bent steel plates either by selecting two
parts or two part faces. The parts that you use for creating a bent plate must
be contour plates, or beams whose profile is a plate (for example, PL200*20).
Position the parts so that there is some room on both sides, so that Tekla
Structures can create a curved section between them.
After creating a cylindrical or conical bent plate, the individual parts no longer
exist in the model. The bent plate gets its properties and coordinates from the
first part that you selected when creating the bent plate. The first part is the
main section of the bent plate. You can later change the main section, if
needed.
Limitations
• Only the side faces of the part can be used for creating a bent plate.
• Chamfered or cut faces cannot be used for creating a bent plate.
• Curved beams and deformed parts cannot be used for creating a bent
plate.
• Details (such as bolts, welds, cuts, chamfers, and preparations) in simple
cases are supported on the curved section of the bent plate.
In addition to the cylindrical and conical bent plates, you can also create stand-
alone bent plates (page 240) which do not require any input parts.

Create a cylindrical bent plate

You can create a cylindrical bent plate by selecting two steel parts or two part
faces. Cylindrical bent plate has a radius that you can modify. The bent plate
properties, such as the ID, thickness, class, and material of the plate, are
determined by the first part you select.
You can create cylindrical bent plates also when the selected parts are
intersecting.

1. On the Steel tab, click Plate --> Create cylindrical bent plate .
2. On the bent plate toolbar, select whether you want to create the bent
plate by selecting parts or by selecting part faces.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 224 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Additionally, you can enter the radius of the cylindrical bent plate. If no
radius is entered, Tekla Structures creates the bent plate using the default
radius.
• If you selected By parts:
a. Select the first part.

b. Select the second part.

Tekla Structures creates the cylindrical bent plate.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 225 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • If you selected By faces:
a. Select the first part face.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 226 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 b. Select the second part face.

Tekla Structures creates the cylindrical bent plate.

Create a conical bent plate

You can create a conical bent plate by selecting two steel parts or two part
faces. Conical bent plate has two radiuses that you can modify. The bent plate
properties, such as the ID, thickness, class, and material of the plate, are
determined by the first part you select.
To be able to create conical bent plates, the selected parts or part faces need
to be of a shape that creating a conical bent plate is possible. If the selected
parts or part faces are such that creating a cylindrical bent plate is possible, a

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 227 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 cylindrical bent plate is created. You can create different shapes of conical
bent plates: inward bend, outward bend, or with 180 degrees opening angle.

1. On the Steel tab, click Plate --> Create conical bent plate .
2. On the bent plate toolbar, select whether you want to create the bent
plate by selecting parts or by selecting part faces.
You can enter two radiuses for the conical bent plate. If no radiuses are
entered, Tekla Structures creates the bent plate using the default radiuses.
• If you selected By parts:
a. Select the first part.

b. Select the second part.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 228 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 c. Tekla Structures creates the conical bent plate.

• If you selected By faces:

a. Select the first part face.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 229 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 b. Select the second part face.

c. Tekla Structures creates the conical bent plate.

Modify the bend radius

When you create a cylindrical bent plate, you can enter a radius for the plate.
For a conical bent plate you can enter two radiuses. If you do not enter any
radius, Tekla Structures uses a default bend radius when creating bent plates.
You can later change the bend radius to suit your needs.

1. Ensure that Direct modification is switched on.

2. Select the bent plate.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 230 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 A blue line handle appears in the middle of the curved section.

3. Select the line handle.

Depending on the type of the bent plate, one (for cylindrical bent plate) or
two (for conical bent plate) blue dimension arrows appear.
• For cylindrical bent plate:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 231 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • For conical bent plate:

4. To modify the radius, do one the following:

• Drag the arrow or arrows forward or backward along the magenta line.
The dimension "r =" changes accordingly. When you release the arrow,
the radius also changes in the model.

• On the contextual toolbar, enter the radius or the radiuses.

• Alternatively, you can select the arrow and type a dimension. When
you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric
Location dialog box. Click OK to confirm the dimension.

Modify the shape of a bent plate

When you create a bent plate, Tekla Structures adds a curved section between
the parts you select. You can modify the curved section by choosing one of the
predefined options or by modifying the shape manually. You can also modify
the flat sections, which are the original parts the bent plate was made of.

1. Ensure that Direct modification is switched on.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 232 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 2. Select the bent plate.
A blue line handle appears in the middle of the curved section.
3. Select the line handle.
A contextual toolbar appears.
4. On the contextual toolbar, select one of the predefined shape options:

Option Description Example

Tapered bend A gradual decrease in

the width between the
parts.
This is the default shape.

Narrow bend Constant width between

the parts. The width is
determined by the
narrowest part.

Wide bend Constant width between

the parts. The width is
determined by the
widest part.
5. To modify the curved section manually:
a. Select the blue line handle.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 233 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 You can modify the side boundaries or the lateral boundaries of the
bends both in the cylindrical and in the conical bent plate. Tekla
Structures displays the boundary handles in blue:

b. Drag the handles to change the shape of the curved section.

For example:

6. To modify the flat sections:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 234 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 a. Select the bent plate.
Tekla Structures displays a green selection handle in the middle of
each flat section:

b. Click the selection handle of the section you want to modify.

The direct modification handles of the selected section become
visible:

c. Use the direct modification handles to change the shape of the flat
section.
7. To modify the angle of the bent plate:
a. Click the green selection handle in the middle of the flat section
whose angle you want to modify.
b. Select the line handle.
A contextual toolbar appears.

c. On the contextual toolbar, click Enable angle manipulator.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 235 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 The angle manipulator wheel appears in the model.

d. Modify the angle using the wheel.

If you want to modify the angle of another flat section, click the other
green selection handle.
8. To change the main section of the bent plate:
a. Click the green selection handle of the section that you want to set as
the main section.
A contextual toolbar appears.

b. On the contextual toolbar, click Set main section.

The direct modification handles become active in the new main
section. The main section and the coordinate system of the bent plate
change accordingly, changing the bent plate orientation in an
unfolded drawing.

Remove curved sections

You can return bent plates into individual objects, and then edit and use them
as any other model object. If the bent plate consists of several curved sections
that are all joined to the same part, you can either remove each curved section
separately or explode the entire bent plate all at once.

To Do this
To remove individual 1.
curved sections Ensure that Direct modification is
switched on.
2. Select the curved section you want to remove.
A blue line handle appears.
3. Select the line handle.
A contextual toolbar appears.
4.
On the contextual toolbar, click Remove
bend.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 236 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 To Do this
Tekla Structures removes the selected curved
section. For example:

To explode the entire 1. Select one of the curved sections.

bent plate
2. Right-click and select Explode.
Tekla Structures explodes the entire bent plate
into individual objects. For example:

If the bent plate solids that have been created using a previous version of
Tekla Structures seem to be broken, you can remove or explode the bends.
Then remodel the bends using the Create cylindrical bent plate command.

Examples
Here are some examples of bent plates that you can create:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 237 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Starting point End result

Modify bent plate properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the bent plate to open the
Bent plate properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Bent plate properties

Use the Bent plate properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a bent plate. To open the properties, double-click the bent plate.
The file name extension of a bent plate property file is *.bpl.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 238 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Name User-definable name of the plate.
The name can contain a maximum of 61
characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in reports and in
Document manager, and to identify parts of the
same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the plate.
Material Material (page 322) of the plate.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes how the part
surface has been treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire retardant
coating, and so on.
Class Use to group plates.
For example, you can display parts of different
classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the part position
number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for the assembly
position number (page 713).
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity type and
Subtype (IFC4) subtype of the part. The available subtypes depend
on the selected IFC entity.
User-defined type
(IFC4) You can select the IFC4 subtype among the
predefined options, or you can select
USERDEFINED and then enter any text in User-
defined type (IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes button to open
the user-defined attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of
the part. UDAs provide additional information
about the part.

Create a stand-alone bent plate

You can create stand-alone bent plates which do not require any input parts to
be selected. Use stand-alone bent plates to model cylindrical and conical parts,
such as hoods, hoppers, cones, and so on.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 239 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Limitations
• Tekla Structures does not support full 360 degree stand-alone bent plates.
However, you can create 359 degree plates instead.
• Use the local coordinate system in drawing creation.
In addition to the stand-alone bent plates, you can also create cylindrical and
conical bent plates (page 224) either by selecting two parts or two part faces.
The parts that you use for creating a bent plate must be contour plates, or
beams whose profile is a plate.

Create a stand-alone bent plate

1. Ensure that Direct modification is switched on.

2. On the Steel tab, click Plate --> Create stand-alone bent plate .
3. Define the first radius of the bend:
a. Pick the center point.
b. Pick the start point for the arc.
c. Pick the end point for the arc.
The picking order defines the up direction. For example, if you create an
arc on the xy plane in the counterclockwise direction, the up direction
points to the positive z axis, according to the right-hand rule (page 53).

4. Pick a point to define the height of the bend.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 240 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Alternatively, you can enter the height in the bent plate contextual
toolbar.

5. Define the second radius of the bend:

a. Pick a point based on the preview of the plate.
b. If you want to change the direction of the plate after you have picked
a point, click the left mouse button.
Alternatively, if you want to create a cylindrical bend, click the middle
mouse button. In this case the radius 2=radius 1.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 241 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 6. To complete the bent plate creation, click the middle mouse button.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 242 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Modify the shape of a stand-alone bent plate
Use direct modification dimension values and handles to modify the bent
plate shape.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 243 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • You can change the angle, radiuses and height of the bend by entering new
dimension values.

• You can drag and stretch the edges of the bent plate.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 244 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • You can add and delete intermediate points.

• You can create unfolded drawings of the stand-alone bent plates.

Modify bent plate properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the bent plate to open the
Bent plate properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Bent plate properties

Use the Bent plate properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a bent plate. To open the properties, double-click the bent plate.
The file name extension of a bent plate property file is *.bpl.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 245 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of the plate.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the plate.
Material Material (page 322) of the plate.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated, for example, with anti-
corrosive paint, hot galvanized, fire
retardant coating, and so on.
Class Use to group plates.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for
the assembly position number
(page 713).
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 246 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a steel lofted plate

With lofted plates you can create rolled plates with varying shapes and plates
with double-curved form, for example.

Prerequisites and examples of lofted plates

Before you can create lofted plates, you need to have construction objects
(page 621) in your model. Tekla Structures creates the shape of the lofted plate
according to the geometry of the used construction objects, by connecting the
start point of the first construction object to the start point of the second
construction object. The end points of construction objects are connected in
similar way.
You can connect the following construction objects as a lofted plate:
• construction line to construction line
For example:

• construction line to construction arc

For example:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 247 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • construction arc to construction arc
For example:

• construction circle to construction circle

For example:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 248 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • construction polycurve to construction polycurve

Create a lofted plate

1. Create the needed construction objects in the model. The shape of the
lofted plate is based on the construction objects' shape.
You need to have
• construction lines (page 622)
• construction arcs (page 624)
• construction circles (page 623)
or
• construction polycurves (page 626)
With polycurves, use the Create arc by tangent or Create tangent

line options on the construction polycurve toolbar. To

create polycurves only with straight segments, use the Create line

option . Note that the construction polycurves do not

need to have the same number of segments, as long as both of them
are tangential.
2. When you have created the needed construction objects, go to the Steel
tab and click Plate --> Create lofted plate.
3. On the toolbar that appears, click a button to specify whether to create
the lofted plate by using two construction objects, or by using a
construction object and a point.

• Use two construction objects to create a lofted plate:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 249 Create parts and modify part properties
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 a. Select the first construction object: line, arc, circle, or polycurve.
For example, if you are using two construction circles to create a
lofted plate.

b. Select the second construction object.

Tekla Structures creates the lofted plate between the selected

construction objects, using the Lofted plate properties in the
property pane.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 250 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 • Use one construction object and a point to create a lofted
plate:
a. Select the first construction object: line, arc, circle, or polycurve.
For example, if you are using a construction polycurve and a point
to create a lofted plate.

Tekla Structures shows a preview of the part geometry. Use the

preview to set the direction and size of the lofted plate.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 251 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 b. Pick a point.

Tekla Structures creates the lofted plate based on the preview,

using the Lofted plate properties in the property pane.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 252 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Modify the shape of a lofted plate
Use direct modification dimension handles and dimension values to modify
the lofted plate shape.
• Modify, for example, the height and radius of the lofted plate.

• For lines and arcs: drag the arc symbol at the midpoint of a line or an
arc to modify the lofted plate shape.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 253 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Split a lofted plate
Note that you cannot split closed cylindrical or conical lofted plates.
1. On the Edit tab, click Split.
2. Select the lofted plate you want to split.
3. Pick a point for the dividing line.
Tekla Structures splits the lofted plate.
For example:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 254 Create parts and modify part properties
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 Swap the end handle points to correct the geometry of a lofted plate
In some cases when you try to create a lofted plate, the geometry of the plate
would become self-intersecting, meaning that the start and end points of the
top and bottom construction object are opposite of each other. In these cases
the plate is not created.

You can try to resolve the situation and create the lofted plate by changing the
modeling direction of the construction lines or arcs.
1. Select the construction line or the construction arc.

With construction lines, ensure that the Direct modification switch

is not active. You can then see the yellow and magenta object handles.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 255 Create parts and modify part properties
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 2. On the contextual toolbar, click Swap ends.
Tekla Structures changes the modeling direction of the selected
construction object, and the lofted plate can be created correctly.
With construction circles you can try to resolve the situation by moving either
of the circles.

Unfold lofted plates

You can unfold lofted plates in single-part drawings. The unfolding works for
lofted plates which have been created from single geometry to single
geometry, and for tangential polycurve lofted plates.
Examples of unfolded lofted plates created from single geometry to single
geometry:

Examples of tangential polycurve unfolded lofted plates:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 256 Create parts and modify part properties
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 Modify lofted plate properties
1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the lofted plate to open the
Lofted plate properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Lofted plate properties

Use the Lofted plate properties in the property pane to view and modify the
properties of a steel lofted plate. To open the properties, double-click the steel
lofted plate. The file name extension of a steel lofted plate property file is
*.lpl.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 257 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of the lofted
plate.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the lofted plate.
Material Material (page 322) of the lofted
plate.
Finish 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 Use to group lofted plates.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Numbering series
Part numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Assembly numbering Assembly prefix and start number for
the assembly position number
(page 713).
Face type
Face type Select whether the top and bottom
faces of the plate are flush with the
plane.
Perpendicular:

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 258 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description

The top and bottom faces of the plate

are non-linear.
Bounded by curved planes:

The top and bottom faces of the plate

are planar.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 259 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Create a concrete column

1. On the Concrete tab, click Column .

2. Pick a point.
Tekla Structures creates the column using the Concrete column
properties in the property pane, and at the level defined in the properties.

Alternatively, you can start the command in the property pane.

1. Ensure that you have nothing selected in the model.

2. In the property pane, click the Object type list button and select
Concrete column from the list.
Tekla Structures starts the command and shows the properties in the
property pane.

Modify concrete column properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the column to open the
Concrete column properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 260 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Concrete column properties
Use the Concrete column properties in the property pane to view and modify
the properties of a concrete column. To open the properties, double-click the
concrete column. The file name extension of a concrete column property file is
*.ccl.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of the column.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the column.
Material Material (page 322) of the column.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user-definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated.
Class Use to group columns.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Position
Vertical Vertical position (page 315) of the
column, relative to column's reference
point.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the column
around its axis on the work plane.
Horizontal Horizontal position (page 317) of the
column, relative to column's reference
point.
Top Position of the second end of the
column in the global z direction.
Bottom Position of the first end of the column
in the global z direction.
Cast unit
Cast unit numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 261 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Cast unit Indicate whether the column is
precast or cast-in-place.
Pour phase Pour phase (page 450) of the cast-in-
place parts. Use to separate pour
objects from one another.
Deforming
Warping Use to warp columns using
deformation angles.
Cambering Use to pre-camber (page 334) the
column.
Shortening Use to shorten the column in the
model. The true length of the column
is decreased in the drawing.
Concrete covers for rebar sets
Coordinate system Select whether the concrete cover
thickness (page 558) of the rebar sets
in the part is defined in the global
coordinate system, or in the part's
local coordinate system.
The default global and local cover
thickness values are defined in the
Options dialog box.
If you select the empty option, Tekla
Structures uses the global values.
Top, Bottom, Sides, Front , Back, To override global or local default
Start, End values from the Options dialog box,
define the cover thickness at each
required part face.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 262 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a concrete beam

1. On the Concrete tab, click .

2. Pick two points.
Tekla Structures creates the beam between the points you picked using
the Concrete beam properties in the property pane.

Alternatively, you can start the command in the property pane.

1. Ensure that you have nothing selected in the model.

2. In the property pane, click the Object type list button and select
Concrete beam from the list.
Tekla Structures starts the command and shows the properties in the
property pane.

Modify concrete beam properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the beam to open the
Concrete beam properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Concrete beam properties

Use the Concrete beam properties in the property pane to view and modify
the properties of a concrete beam or polybeam. To open the properties,
double-click the concrete beam. The file name extension of a concrete beam
property file is *.cbm.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 263 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General
Name User-definable name of a beam.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the beam.
Material Material (page 322) of the beam.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user-definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated.
Class Use to group beams.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Position
On plane Beam's position on the work plane
(page 311), relative to the beam's
reference line.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the beam
around its axis on the work plane.
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the
beam. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
End offset
Dx Change the length of the beam
(page 318) by moving the beam end
point along the beam's reference line.
Dy Move the beam end (page 318)
perpendicular to the beam's
reference line.
Dz Move the beam end (page 318) in the
z direction of the work plane.
Curved beam
Plane Plane of curvature.
Radius Radius of the curved beam.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 264 Create parts and modify part properties
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 Setting Description
Number of segments Number of segments Tekla Structures
uses when drawing the curved beam.
Cast unit
Cast unit numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Cast unit Indicate whether the beam is precast
or cast in place.
Pour phase Pour phase (page 450) of the cast-in-
place parts. Use to separate pour
objects from one another.
Deforming
Warping Use to warp beams using
deformation angles.
Cambering Use to pre-camber (page 334) beams.
Shortening Use to shorten beams in the model.
The true length of the beam is
decreased in the drawing.
Concrete covers for rebar sets
Coordinate system Select whether the concrete cover
thickness (page 558) of the rebar sets
in the part is defined in the global
coordinate system, or in the part's
local coordinate system.
The default global and local cover
thickness values are defined in the
Options dialog box.
If you select the empty option, Tekla
Structures uses the global values.
Top, Bottom, Sides, Front , Back, To override global or local default
Start, End values from the Options dialog box,
define the cover thickness at each
required part face.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 265 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a concrete polybeam

A polybeam can contain straight and curved segments.
1. On the Concrete tab, click Beam --> Polybeam.
2. Pick the points you want the beam to go through.
3. Click the middle mouse button.
Tekla Structures creates the beam between the points you picked, using
the Concrete beam properties in the property pane. Note that you
cannot create a closed polybeam.

4. If you want to create curved segments, chamfer the corners of the

polybeam.

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 266 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 For example:

Modify concrete polybeam properties

1. If the property pane is not open, double-click the polybeam to open the
Concrete beam properties.
2. Change the properties as needed.
3. Click Modify.

Concrete beam properties

Use the Concrete beam properties in the property pane to view and modify
the properties of a concrete beam or polybeam. To open the properties,
double-click the polybeam. The file name extension of a concrete beam
property file is *.cbm.

If you have customized the property pane layout, the list of properties may be
different.

Setting Description
General

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 267 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Name User-definable name of a beam.
The name can contain a maximum of
61 characters.
Tekla Structures uses part names in
reports and in Document manager,
and to identify parts of the same type.
Profile Profile (page 320) of the beam.
Material Material (page 322) of the beam.
Finish Type of finish.
Finish is user-definable. It describes
how the part surface has been
treated.
Class Use to group beams.
For example, you can display parts of
different classes in different colors.
Position
On plane Beam's position on the work plane
(page 311), relative to the beam's
reference line.
Rotation Rotation (page 313) of the beam
around its axis on the work plane.
At depth Position depth (page 313) of the
beam. The position is always
perpendicular to the work plane.
End offset
Dx Change the length of the beam
(page 318) by moving the beam end
point along the beam's reference line.
Dy Move the beam end (page 318)
perpendicular to the beam's
reference line.
Dz Move the beam end (page 318) in the
z direction of the work plane.
Curved beam
Plane Plane of curvature.
Radius Radius of the curved beam.
Number of segments Number of segments Tekla Structures
uses when drawing the curved beam.
Cast unit

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 268 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
Cast unit numbering Part prefix and start number for the
part position number (page 713).
Cast unit Indicate whether the column is
precast or cast in place.
Pour phase Pour phase (page 450) of the cast-in-
place parts. Use to separate pour
objects from one another.
Deforming
Warping Use to warp beams using
deformation angles.
Cambering Use to pre-camber (page 334) beams.
Shortening Use to shorten beams in the model.
The true length of the beam is
decreased in the drawing.
Concrete covers for rebar sets
Coordinate system Select whether the concrete cover
thickness (page 558) of the rebar sets
in the part is defined in the global
coordinate system, or in the part's
local coordinate system.
The default global and local cover
thickness values are defined in the
Options dialog box.
If you select the empty option, Tekla
Structures uses the global values.
Top, Bottom, Sides, Front , Back, To override global or local default
Start, End values from the Options dialog box,
define the cover thickness at each
required part face.
IFC export
IFC entity For IFC export, select the IFC entity
Subtype (IFC4) type and subtype of the part. The
available subtypes depend on the
User-defined type (IFC4) selected IFC entity.
You can select the IFC4 subtype
among the predefined options, or you
can select USERDEFINED and then
enter any text in User-defined type
(IFC4).
More
UDAs Click the User-defined attributes
button to open the user-defined

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 269 Create parts and modify part properties
objects
 Setting Description
attributes (page 323) (UDAs) of the
part. UDAs provide additional
information about the part.

Create a concrete spiral beam

Use the Create concrete spiral beam command when you want to model
spiral staircases, parking ramps, and complex architectural shapes, for
example.

Basic concepts related to spiral beams

The images below illustrate some basic concepts related to the creation of
spiral beams. Note that if you change the positioning, the entire geometry of
the spiral beam changes.

(1) Start point (the first point picked)

(2) Center point (the second point picked)
(3) Direction of the rotation axis (the optional third point picked)
(4) Center axis
(5) Total rise: the distance from the start point to the end point, parallel to the
center axis
(6) Rotation angle: the rotation angle of the spiral beam, given in degrees.
Note: positive value = counter-clockwise rotation, negative value = clockwise
rotation.
(7) Radius: the distance from the start point to the center point, perpendicular
to the center axis

Create parts, reinforcement, and construction 270 Create parts and modify part properties
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