ts training std drawings 160 enu

Tekla StructuresSteel Detailing

Drawings

Training ManualProduct version 16.0February 2010

© 2010 Tekla Corporation

© 2010 Tekla Corporation and its licensors. All rights reserved.

This Software Manual has been developed for use with the referenced Software. Use of the Software, and use of this Software Manual are governed by a License Agreement. Among other provisions, the License Agreement sets certain warranties for the Software and this Manual, disclaims other warranties, limits recoverable damages, defines permitted uses of the Software, and determines whether you are an authorized user of the Software. All information set forth in this manual is provided with the warranty set forth in the License Agreement. Please refer to the License Agreement for important obligations and applicable limitations and restrictions on your rights. Tekla does not guarantee that the text is free of technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Tekla reserves the right to make changes and additions to this manual due to changes in the software or otherwise.

In addition, this Software Manual is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. Unauthorized reproduction, display, modification, or distribution of this Manual, or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law.

Tekla, Tekla Structures, Xcity, Xengineer, Xpipe, Xroad, Xpower, Xsteel, and Xstreet are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Tekla Corporation in the European Union, the United States, and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned in this Manual are or may be trademarks of their respective owners. By referring to a third-party product or brand, Tekla does not intend to suggest an affiliation with or endorsement by such third party and disclaims any such affiliation or endorsement, except where otherwise expressly stated.

Portions of this software:

D-Cubed 2D DCM © 2008 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software III (GB) Ltd. All rights reserved.

EPM toolkit © 1995-2004 EPM Technology a.s., Oslo, Norway. All rights reserved.

XML parser © 1999 The Apache Software Foundation. All rights reserved.

Project Data Control Library © 2006 - 2007 DlhSoft. All rights reserved.

DWGdirect, DGNdirect and OpenDWG Toolkit/Viewkit libraries © 1998-2005 Open Design Alliance. All rights reserved.

FlexNet Copyright © 2006 Flexera Software Limited. All Rights Reserved. This product contains proprietary and confidential technology provided by and owned by Flexera Software Limited Of Schaumburg, IL, USA. Any use, copying, publication, distribution, display, modification, or transmission of such technology in whole or in part in any form or by any means without the prior express written permission of Flexera Software Limited is strictly prohibited. Except where expressly provided by Flexera Software Limited in writing, possession of this technology shall not be construed to confer any license or rights under any of Flexera Software´s intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication, or otherwise.

The software is protected by U.S. Patent 7,302,368. Also elements of the software described in this Manual may be the subject of pending patent applications in the European Union and/or other countries including U.S. patent applications 2004031231, 2004267695, 2005285881, 2006000484 and 200613639.

Contents

TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 1

Introduction 7

LESSON 1 11

1 Drawing types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

1.1 Configurations....................................................................................................................................... 12

2 Numbering parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.1 Defining numbering settings ................................................................................................................. 13

Numbering setup.............................................................................................................................. 14

2.2 Comparing parts ................................................................................................................................... 15

2.3 Comparing assemblies ......................................................................................................................... 16

2.4 Assigning numbering series.................................................................................................................. 16

2.5 Assigning assembly numbers ............................................................................................................... 16

Changing the assembly number ...................................................................................................... 17

2.6 Assembly position numbers.................................................................................................................. 18

3 Drawing list. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.1 Entering drawing status ........................................................................................................................ 20

3.2 Searching drawings .............................................................................................................................. 21

Saving the search results................................................................................................................. 22

3.3 Status symbols ..................................................................................................................................... 22

4 Master Drawing Catalog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4.1 Saved settings ...................................................................................................................................... 26

Adding saved settings to Master Drawing Catalog .......................................................................... 27

Modifying master drawing properties of saved settings ................................................................... 27

Creating general arrangement drawings using saved settings ........................................................ 28

4.2 Wizard files ........................................................................................................................................... 29

Modifying master drawing properties and contents of wizard files................................................... 29

Interpreting a wizard file ................................................................................................................... 29

4.3 Rule sets............................................................................................................................................... 30

Adding a rule set to Master Drawing Catalog................................................................................... 31

Modifying master drawing properties of rule sets............................................................................. 32

Creating drawings using rule sets .................................................................................................... 32

2 TEKLA STRUCTURES 16

4.4 Cloning templates ................................................................................................................................. 32

Cloning ............................................................................................................................................. 33

Adding a new cloning template to Master Drawing Catalog............................................................. 33

Modifying master drawing properties of cloning templates .............................................................. 34

Creating drawings using cloning templates...................................................................................... 35

4.5 Managing Master Drawing Catalog....................................................................................................... 35

Creating and adding preview images ............................................................................................... 35

Using cloning templates from other models ..................................................................................... 36

Displaying master drawing descriptions ........................................................................................... 36

Working with folders ......................................................................................................................... 37

Using search .................................................................................................................................... 38

Removing master drawings.............................................................................................................. 39

LESSON 2 41

5 General arrangement drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

5.1 Three levels of modifying drawings....................................................................................................... 42

5.2 Creating GA drawings ........................................................................................................................... 42

5.3 Copying an entire model view to a GA drawing .................................................................................... 43

5.4 Cloning general arrangement drawings ................................................................................................ 44

Example ........................................................................................................................................... 45

5.5 Modifying view label .............................................................................................................................. 46

5.6 Moving views......................................................................................................................................... 48

Moving views in a drawing ............................................................................................................... 48

Moving views from one drawing to another ...................................................................................... 49

5.7 Creating multiple drawings of the same part......................................................................................... 49

Example ........................................................................................................................................... 49

5.8 Representing bolts in GA drawings....................................................................................................... 50

5.9 Defining part marks ............................................................................................................................... 50

5.10 Associative notes .................................................................................................................................. 51

Adding associative notes with leader line......................................................................................... 52

Adding associative notes without leader line.................................................................................... 52

Adding associative notes along line ................................................................................................. 52

5.11 Part representation................................................................................................................................ 53

Part representation examples .......................................................................................................... 55

5.12 Leader lines........................................................................................................................................... 56

6 Associativity in drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

6.1 Associative symbol................................................................................................................................ 57

6.2 Change symbol ..................................................................................................................................... 57


Selecting change symbol color ......................................................................................................... 58

Removing change symbols............................................................................................................... 58

6.3 Associativity examples .......................................................................................................................... 58

General Arrangement drawing.......................................................................................................... 59

Assembly drawing............................................................................................................................. 60

7 Updating drawings after model changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

7.1 Freezing and unfreezing general arrangement drawings ...................................................................... 61

7.2 Freezing and unfreezing single part and assembly drawings................................................................ 62

8 Grids in drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

8.1 Modifying grid visibility........................................................................................................................... 63

8.2 Moving grid labels.................................................................................................................................. 65

8.3 Defining grid label frame size ................................................................................................................ 66

9 Defining datum level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6710 Layouts and table layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

10.1 Modifying a table layout......................................................................................................................... 68

10.2 Key plans............................................................................................................................................... 72

Adding a key plan to a drawing layout .............................................................................................. 72

10.3 Using a specific drawing size ................................................................................................................ 72

10.4 Sizing drawings automatically ............................................................................................................... 73

LESSON 3 75

11 Detail views. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

11.1 Creating a detail view ............................................................................................................................ 76

11.2 Modifying a detail label .......................................................................................................................... 76

11.3 Moving section and detail views between drawings .............................................................................. 77

12 Anchor bolt plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

12.1 Creating an anchor bolt plan with one scale.......................................................................................... 78

12.2 Creating an anchor bolt plan with two combined scales........................................................................ 79

12.3 Increasing drawing size ......................................................................................................................... 82

12.4 Cutting grid lines at the point of the sloped profiles............................................................................... 82

12.5 Displaying additional parts in an anchor bolt plan ................................................................................. 83

12.6 Labeling and modifying detail views ...................................................................................................... 84

13 Adding objects in drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

13.1 Adding a rectangle on a selected location............................................................................................. 85

13.2 Adding a rectangle using fixed coordinates........................................................................................... 86

13.3 Adding single or multiple lines of text .................................................................................................... 87


Modifying text properties .................................................................................................................. 87

13.4 Adding links to text files......................................................................................................................... 87

13.5 Using symbols in the text field............................................................................................................... 88

13.6 Adding links to DWG or DXF files ......................................................................................................... 88

14 Dragging drawing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8815 Trim, split, and divide drawing objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

15.1 Trimming ............................................................................................................................................... 89

15.2 Splitting ................................................................................................................................................. 90

15.3 Dividing ................................................................................................................................................. 90

16 Using cover-up tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9017 Dimensioning a general arrangement drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

17.1 Dimensioning grid lines ......................................................................................................................... 92

17.2 Dimensioning anchor bars .................................................................................................................... 92

17.3 Dimensioning profiles and holes ........................................................................................................... 93

17.4 Dimensioning curved beams................................................................................................................. 94

Adding a radial dimension ................................................................................................................ 94

18 Level marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

LESSON 4 97

19 Creating assembly drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

19.1 Including single-part views in assembly drawings................................................................................. 98

20 Creating single-part drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9921 Displaying surface treatments in drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

LESSON 5 101

22 Saving drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

22.1 Saving drawings manually .................................................................................................................. 102

22.2 Using autosave ................................................................................................................................... 102

23 Drawing revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

23.1 Creating revisions ............................................................................................................................... 103

23.2 Changing revisions.............................................................................................................................. 104

23.3 Deleting revisions................................................................................................................................ 104

23.4 Creating revision marks on drawings .................................................................................................. 104

24 Hatching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

24.1 Hatching automatically ........................................................................................................................ 105


24.2 Hatching drawing objects .................................................................................................................... 106

24.3 Hatching part faces and sections ........................................................................................................ 107

24.4 Insulation ............................................................................................................................................. 107

24.5 Advanced hatching .............................................................................................................................. 108

25 Symbols in drawings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

25.1 Symbol Files browser .......................................................................................................................... 109

25.2 Symbol Editor ...................................................................................................................................... 110

25.3 Inserting a symbol ............................................................................................................................... 111

LESSON 6 113

26 Multidrawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

26.1 Modifying multidrawing properties ....................................................................................................... 114

26.2 Copying and linking drawing views to a multidrawing ......................................................................... 114

26.3 Creating multidrawings of selected parts............................................................................................. 115

27 Applying object level settings on drawing and view level . . . . . 115

27.1 Creating a drawing filter....................................................................................................................... 115

27.2 Creating drawing object property files ................................................................................................. 116

27.3 Creating detailed object level settings on drawing level ...................................................................... 116

27.4 Applying object level settings on drawing level ................................................................................... 117

27.5 Example............................................................................................................................................... 117

28 Template Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

28.1 Opening templates .............................................................................................................................. 120

29 Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

29.1 Creating reports................................................................................................................................... 120

29.2 Printing reports .................................................................................................................................... 121

29.3 Saw cut angles .................................................................................................................................... 122

30 Printing drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

30.1 Adding a printer ................................................................................................................................... 123

Defining line thicknesses ................................................................................................................ 124

30.2 Printing single drawings....................................................................................................................... 125

30.3 Printing multiple drawings.................................................................................................................... 125

31 Problem in opening a drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125


LESSON 7 127

32 Using Tekla Structures Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

32.1 Opening Tekla Structures Help ........................................................................................................... 128

32.2 Browsing Help topics by subject ......................................................................................................... 128

32.3 Finding Help topics using the index .................................................................................................... 128

32.4 Searching for Help topics .................................................................................................................... 129

Viewing the search results ............................................................................................................. 129

Using search filters......................................................................................................................... 129

32.5 Saving favorite Help topics.................................................................................................................. 130


Introduction

Tekla Structures is Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that enables the creation and management of accurately detailed and highly constructable 3D structural models regardless of material or structural complexity. Tekla models can be used to cover the entire building process from conceptual design to fabrication, erection, and construction management.

The 3D structural model includes the geometry and design of the structure, and all the information about profiles and cross sections, connection types, materials, structural analysis, etc. Tekla Structures drawings and reports are integrated with the models. Consequently, dimensions and marks are always correct. Drawings and reports can be created at any stage of the project and updated according to the changes in the model.

Tekla helps all new Tekla Structures users to get started and to maintain their development. Our well-defined training course is a jump start to Tekla Structures software and helps to maximize using Tekla Structures to its full potential. During the basic training course, you will be taught the basic principles of Tekla Structures. Each training day contains several exercises so you will learn to apply what you have learned in theory. The instructor will show the correct solution to each exercise. You can freely ask the the instructor questions to make sure you have understood each point correctly.

This training manual is intended to be used during a basic Tekla Structures training course, but you can also use it on your own after the training course. In addition, Tekla provides online learning material so the users can learn how to benefit from version improvements and adapt to using the new features.

The following learning and support material is available on the Tekla Extranet (https://extranet.tekla.com) for all our customers with a valid maintenance agreement. When the material is available also in the Tekla Structures software via the help menu, it is separately indicated.


Type Material Language Location

Training manuals Steel Detailing, Modeling

English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese

Extranet:

Self-learning > Manuals & instructionsSteel Detailing, Drawings

Precast Concrete Detailing, Modeling

Precast Concrete Detailing, Drawings

Engineering, Modeling

Engineering, Drawings

Construction Management

Cast-in-place Concrete Detailing, Modeling

English

Cast-in-place Concrete Detailing, Drawings

Product documentation

Help file English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese

Help > Tekla Structures Help

Manuals in PDF format

Extranet:

Self-learning > Manuals & instructions

Release Notes Help > Release Notes

Quick reference guide to Tekla Structures

Extranet:


Keyboard shortcuts Extranet:


Videos and tutorials First Steps with Tekla Structures - Interactive Tutorial

English, Finnish, Swedish, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese

Help > Learning Center > First Steps with Tekla Structures

Extranet:

Self-learning > Interactive tutorials & videos

http://www.tekla.com/firststeps

Top New Features Videos

English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese

Help > Learning Center > Top New Features

Extranet:


http://www.tekla.com/topnewfeatures

More videos and tutorials

English Extranet:



Other support material

Start-up checklist English Extranet:

Self-learning > Start-up checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Extranet:

Self-learning > Questions & answers

Discussion Forum Extranet:

Discussion Forum

Product Information

English, French, German, Japanese, Chinese

Extranet:

Product

Type Material Language Location

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LESSON 1In this lesson, you will learn the following things:

• what drawing types Tekla Structures has

• how to number parts

• how to use the Drawing List

• how to use Master Drawing Catalog


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1 Drawing types

Five different drawing types can be generated in Tekla Structures:

• single-part drawings

• assembly drawings

• cast unit drawings

• general arrangement (GA) drawings

• multidrawings

The configuration you use determines which drawing types you can create. You can see the different drawing types in the Drawing list.

1.1 ConfigurationsThe configuration you use determines which drawing types you can create:

• Steel detailing (STD)

• Engineering (ENG)

• Precast concrete detailing (PCD)

• Full detailing (FUD)

• Reinforced concrete detailing (RCD)

STD ENG PCD FUD RCD

single part drawing

X X

assembly drawing

X X

GA drawing X X X X X

multidrawing X X X

cast unit drawing X X

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2 Numbering parts

Before you can make drawings, you have to number all parts in the model. However, you can create general arrangement drawings before numbering.

After the numbering has been done, Tekla Structures checks all parts in the model.

• the existing parts retain their numbers (if unmodified)

• the new parts added during modification are compared with existing parts

• the new parts that are the same as existing parts receive the same existing number

• the new parts that do not have a number receive a new number

2.1 Defining numbering settings1. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Numbering Settings....

The Numbering Setup dialog box opens.

Numbering modified parts Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Number Modified Objects.

Numbering parts that have the same numbering series settings as the selected parts

Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Number Series of Selected Objects.


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2. Change the Numbering and Compare settings if necessary.Using the default settings is effective in most cases.

Numbering setup

You can define the Numbering and Compare options in the Numbering Setup dialog box.

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2.2 Comparing parts1. Select two parts in the model.

Option Description

Renumber all All parts receive a new number.

It is recommended to use Renumber all option once before generating drawings to avoid gaps in the numbering.

Re-use old numbers Numbers that are not in use anymore (due to model modifications) are reused for new parts.

Check for standard parts If a separate standard part model has been made, Tekla Structures compares the parts in the current model with those in the standard part model.

If the part to be numbered is identical to a part in the standard model, Tekla Structures assigns it the number of the part in the standard model.

New Defines how the new parts are numbered.

Modified Defines how the modified parts are numbered.

Synchronize with master model (save-numbering-save)

Use this setting when working in multiuser mode. Numbering locks the master model and performs a save, numbering, and a save sequence, so that all other users can continue working during the operation.

Automatic cloning If the main part of a drawing is modified and gets a new position, the existing drawing is not deleted, but automatically assigned to another part of the position. If the modified part moves to an assembly position that does not have a drawing, the original drawing is automatically cloned to reflect the changes in the modified part.

Holes The amount and the size of holes affects the numbering.

Part name The part name affects the numbering.

Beam orientation The orientation of the beams affects the numbering.

Column orientation The orientation of the columns affects the numbering.

Reinforcing bars The orientation of the reinforcing bars affects the numbering.

Embedded objects The orientation of the embedded objects affects the numbering.

Surface treatment Surface treatments affect the numbering.

Tolerance Parts can get the same number if they do not differ more than has been set in these boxes.


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2. Click Tools > Compare > Parts or click .The results are displayed on the status bar.

2.3 Comparing assemblies1. Select two assemblies in the model.

2. Click Tools > Compare > Assemblies or click .The results are displayed on the status bar.

2.4 Assigning numbering series1. Double-click the part to open the part properties dialog box.2. In the Numbering series area, define a part prefix and a starting number.3. Click Modify and OK.

2.5 Assigning assembly numbers1. Select the part to which you want to assign an assembly number. 2. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Change Number > Assembly Number....

The Assign Assembly Number dialog box opens.

3. Enter the number you want to assign.4. Click the Assign button.

The number is automatically assigned to all identical parts.

The model is not numbered

The model is numbered

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Changing the assembly number

You can change the assembly number of one part without affecting other parts.

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Change Number > Assembly Number....The Assign Assembly Number dialog box opens.

2. Select Selected objects only.3. Set 1 as the Start number.

The start number and the position number you assign will be added up and decreased by one.

You can also change the number for one part without affecting other parts by selecting Selected objects only in the Assign Assembly Number dialog box.


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2.6 Assembly position numbersYou can sort the order in which assemblies are given their position numbers. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Numbering Settings... and use the options in the Assembly position sort order area to sort the position numbers.

Display assembly numbers in model view when modeling to check the numbering.

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You can sort position numbers either in an ascending or descending order.

The order can be based on the following criteria:

• The x, y, or z coordinates of the main part of the assembly.

• The user-defined attribute of an assembly

• The user-defined attribute of a main part

If the sorting is based on user-defined attributes, Tekla Structures displays a list that includes all the available user-defined attributes.

When the sorting is based on x, y, or z coordinates, the sorting is based on the center of gravity of the reference axis. Sorting by user-defined attributes or by location does not affect the part position.

3 Drawing list

All drawings in a Tekla Structures model are displayed in the Drawing List dialog box. You can use the Drawing List to work with and manage drawings. You can open, print, update, edit, revise, freeze, lock, clone, export, and delete drawings, and add drawings to the Master Drawing Catalog. You can also search, sort, select, and display drawings according to different criteria. You can also use the Drawing List to locate the drawing parts in the model, and to find out if a part is included in any of the drawings.

The buttons on the right of the Drawing List dialog box are used to control the drawings in the dialog box.

The Drawing List dialog box can be opened in the model by selecting Drawings & Reports > Drawing List (Ctrl + L) or, when a drawing is open, by clicking Drawing File > Open (Ctrl + O).

If you add new parts, the already numbered objects are not renumbered to suit the sorting order by, for example, the x coordinate. To fix this, renumber the parts.


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• you can select one drawing by clicking it

• you can select all drawings displayed in the drawing list at once by pressing Ctrl + A

• you can select several drawings by holding down the Ctrl key while you pick the drawings

• you can select several adjacent drawings by clicking the first drawing and then holding down the Shift key while you click the last drawing

3.1 Entering drawing statusYou can use the variable DRAWING.USERDEFINED.DR_STATUS to indicate which drawings, for example, have been sent to an architect. You can enter any text. The status information is displayed in the column Drawing status in the Drawing List dialog box. You need to add filters to the drawing list. By default, the filters Final, For checking, and For approval are added to the drawing list to display and select drawings.

To enter drawing status:

1. Select one or more drawings.2. Right-click the drawing and select User-defined Attributes....

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3. Switch off all check boxes by clicking the .4. Enter a status in the Drawing status box.5. Click OK.

The status information is not case sensitive. The following criteria is used:

• The selection filter For checking must contain at least the word check.

• The selection filter Final must contain at least the word final.

• The selection filter For approval must contain at least the word approval.

6. Click OK to close the properties dialog box.The status information will be displayed in the Drawing status column of the Drawing List dialog box.

3.2 Searching drawings1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List....

The Drawing List dialog box opens. You can quickly find the drawings by using the text-based search by entering the desired criteria in the Enter search criteria box.


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2. Enter search criteria.You can limit the search:

• by selecting an option from the Search in list

• by selecting the Search within the currently visible drawings check box.

Saving the search results

You need to have made a search using the Drawing List dialog box before you can save the search results.

To save the search results:

1. Click Store.The Store Result dialog box opens.

2. Enter a name for the search result in the Store Result dialog box.The search results are saved in the DrawingListSearches file that is created in the model folder. The search results are visible also in the predefined drawing sets list.

3.3 Status symbolsTekla Structures uses certain symbols to indicate the status of the drawings. Symbols appear at the beginning of each row in the Drawing List dialog box. If a drawing does not have any symbol, it is up to date.

Symbol ColumnInformation in the Changes column Description

Up to date Parts modified The parts in the drawing have changed, for example parts have been added or deleted, or part properties have changed.

Up to date Quantity increased

Quantity decreased

The actual drawing is up to date, but the number of identical parts has changed

Up to date All parts deleted All the parts related to the drawing have been deleted.

Lock The drawing is locked.

Freeze The drawing is frozen.

Master The drawing has been added as a master drawing in the Master Drawing Catalog.

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4 Master Drawing Catalog

In Master Drawing Catalog, all drawing creation commands are available in one centralized location.

A master drawing is a Tekla Structures drawing or a set of drawing properties that is used for creating new drawings that look the same as the master drawing. There are several types of master drawings:

• Cloning templates: Cloning templates are Tekla Structures drawings that you have added to Master Drawing Catalog from the Drawing List. You can also use cloning templates from other models.

• Saved settings: By saved settings we mean drawing property files. There are several predefined property files, and you can also create your own in the drawing properties dialog box.

• Rule sets: Sets of rules on how to create new drawings for different object types. By rule set we mean a combination of object groups (selection filters) and master drawing settings (cloning template, saved settings) that define which objects to include in the drawing, and which drawing settings to use. You can use the existing AutoDrawings wizard files or create your own rule sets.

Opening Master Drawing Catalog

Click Drawings & Reports > Create Drawings... to open the Master Drawing Catalog.

The figure below shows the search view of the Master Drawing Catalog. The toolbar commands and view areas pointed out in the figure are shortly described.

Up to date Linked drawing changed

A linked drawing has been modified.

Up to date Copied view changed

A copied drawing has been modified.

Up to date Drawing updated A frozen drawing has been updated.

Up to date Cloned The drawing is a cloned drawing.

Issue The drawing has been issued. For example, you might re-issue drawings that have been sent to site.

Issue Issued drawing changed

The issued drawing has been modified or otherwise changed.

Symbol ColumnInformation in the Changes column Description


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Click this button to create drawings, on the basis of the master drawing you have selected from the catalog. When you click the arrow at the end of the Create drawings button, Create drawings for all parts command is displayed.

Switch to search view.

Switch to folder view.

Display the master drawings in a detail list or thumbnail list. The thumbnail list shows the master drawings as thumbnails, which are smaller versions of the saved preview images, whereas the detail list shows textual information about the master drawings. You can display a preview image of the master drawing by selecting the master drawing, right-clicking and selecting Preview. If you double-click the master drawing, Tekla Structures displays the catalog properties of the drawing.

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The figure below shows the search view of the Master Drawing Catalog as a detail list. Here you can see the name of the drawing, the master drawing type, and the drawing type to be created.

The figure below shows an example of the folder view of the Master Drawing Catalog. In this view, you can organize your master drawings into folders you create. By doing so you can limit the number of drawings shown in the list and find the desired master drawings more easily. The toolbar commands are the same as in the search view.

Display the master drawing description at the bottom of the dialog box.

Select the models from which you want to show cloning templates.

Define rule sets for creating drawings.

Display Drawing List.

Enter search conditions here and then click the Search button.

Click the Store button to save your search results.

Select the category of master drawings that you want to see in the catalog list. All shows all the master drawings you have in the models you have selected.

List of master drawings. The character after the name of the master drawing indicates its type. When you point to a master drawing, Tekla Structures displays a tooltip that tells the master drawing category, the type of the drawing to be created, and the path and name of the model.


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4.1 Saved settingsThe Saved settings or Master Drawing Catalog are drawing property files that have been created and saved in the drawing properties dialog boxed for different drawing types. There are many predefined drawing property files and you can create new ones.

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Adding saved settings to Master Drawing Catalog

1. Modify the drawing properties in the drawing properties dialog box.2. Give a name to the property file and click Save as.

The new property file is automatically added to Master Drawing Catalog. If it is not displayed in the list, press F5 to refresh the view

3. Modify the catalog properties of the master drawing by selecting it, right-clicking and selecting Edit properties. Add a preview image, and enter a description and keywords.

Modifying master drawing properties of saved settings

Each saved setting type of master drawing in Master Drawing Catalog has its own catalog properties. You can search for master drawings on the basis of the master drawing name, description and keywords entered in the Master Drawing Properties dialog box. Through the catalog properties you also have access to drawing properties.

To modify the catalog properties of saved settings:

1. Double-click a master drawing of the desired type, or select the master drawing, right-click and select Edit Properties. The type of the master drawing and the type of the drawing to be created are shown in the dialog box

Make sure to always add all important information for each master drawing in the Master Drawing Properties dialog box. This makes it a lot easier to find the master drawings you are looking for.


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2. Modify the name of the drawing in the Name box.3. Enter or modify the description of the master drawing. You can search master drawings

on the basis of data that you enter here.4. Enter or modify keywords for the master drawing. Use spaces between words. You can

search master drawings on the basis of data that you enter here.5. To add or change the preview image, click Change image and select the image. You can

use .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, or .png images. We recommend that you use .png images.6. If you want to modify the drawing properties of the master drawing, click Edit drawing

properties to display the drawing properties dialog box. Modify the properties and save them. Ensure that you have the correct drawing property file name at the top.

7. Click OK to save your changes.

Creating general arrangement drawings using saved settings

To create general arrangement drawings using saved settings type of master drawings:

1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Create Drawings.2. Select the desired set of saved settings (drawing property file) from the list. 3. Click Create drawings (Alt + C).4. In the Create General Arrangement Drawing dialog box, select the views that you

want the drawing to be produced from and select the desired option from the Options list. You also have a chance to modify the drawing properties here by clicking the Drawing properties button. The settings that you loaded by selecting the property file are in use.

5. Click Create to create the drawing(s). Tekla Structures creates the drawings and adds them in the Drawing List. Click the button in the Master Drawing Catalog toolbar to open the Drawing List.

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4.2 Wizard filesA wizard file consist of several sets of drawing requests containing drawing, attribute and part settings to apply to selected objects, as well as a selection filter. The order of sets is important, as Tekla Structures only creates one drawing for each object. Earlier wizard files could be modified through the AutoDrawings dialog box, but now your can modify them in Master Drawing Catalog. However, creating new wizard files is not possible in Master Drawing Catalog.

For information on creating drawings using a wizard file, see Creating drawings using rule sets (p. 32).

Modifying master drawing properties and contents of wizard files

Wizard files are rule sets that you can modify using a text editor.

To modify the master drawing properties of wizard files and the wizard contents:

1. In the catalog list, double-click a wizard file.2. Modify the name of the drawing in the Name box.3. Enter or modify the description of the master drawing. You can search master drawings



use .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, or .png images. We recommend that you use .png images.6. To modify the contents of the wizard file, click Edit drawing properties. The wizard

file is opened in a text editor. Modify the contents of the file, and save and close it.For more information on contents of wizard files, see Interpreting a wizard file (p. 29).

7. Click OK in the Master Drawing Properties dialog box.

Interpreting a wizard file

A typical wizard file includes several sets of drawing requests containing drawing, attribute and part settings to apply to selected objects, as well as a selection filter. The order of sets is important, as Tekla Structures only creates one drawing for each object.

An example of a wizard file is displayed below:



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Wizard files consist of the following entries. Note the use of parentheses.

• set_drawing_type(cast_unit)

This line defines the type of drawing the wizard creates. The drawing type appears in parentheses.

• set_drawing_attributes(column)

This line tells Tekla Structures which drawing properties to use when creating the drawings. The name of the saved drawing properties appears in parentheses.

• set_template_drawing

This line tells Tekla Structures to use the defined drawing as a template when creating a new drawing. This line is used instead of the line set_drawing_attributes. The path and the name of the drawing template are given in parenthesis like in the following example: set_template_drawing("C:\TSModels\AngleModel":"[A.2]")

• set_filter(conc_column)

This line tells Tekla Structures which selection filter to use to select the parts from which to create drawings. The filter name appears in parentheses.

• create_drawings()

Tekla Structures starts creating the drawings.

4.3 Rule setsA typical rule set includes several sets of drawing requests containing drawing, attribute, and part settings to apply to selected objects, as well as a selection filter. The order of sets is important, as Tekla Structures only creates one drawing for each object.

For example, a rule set creates an assembly drawing for an object that fulfills the selection filter criteria in one set. Tekla Structures will not create another assembly drawing for that object, even if it matches the criteria of the selection filter in later sets in the same rule set file.

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Adding a rule set to Master Drawing Catalog

1. Click the Add rule set toolbar command button . The Define Rules for Creating Drawings dialog box is displayed.

2. Select the type of drawings you want to create.The choices are Single-part drawings, Assembly drawings and Cast unit drawings. You can select several drawing types. For example, you can use the same rule set to create single-part drawings and assembly drawings.

3. Click Next.4. In the next dialog box, click Add rule and define the object groups for which you want

to create drawings, and select a master drawing for each group.Only those master drawing types are listed that can be used for the type of drawing that you selected in the previous dialog box.

If required, use the Move up and Move down buttons to move rules upwards and downwards in the list. If a rule that is higher in the list creates a drawing of an object, another rule that would create a drawing of the same object will not do it again.

Use the Properties button to check or modify the properties of a master drawing that you have selected on the list.

Use the Preview button to display a preview image of the selected master drawing.

5. Click Next. If you have selected several drawing types, repeat the previous steps for all drawing types that you have selected.

6. In the next dialog box, enter a name for the rule set, a short description and keywords. All these can be used in search.

7. If you have a screenshot that you want to use as a preview image for the rule set, click Browse and select the image.You can use .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, and .png images. This screenshot is displayed as a thumbnail in the Master Drawing Catalog thumbnail list.


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8. Click Finish.The rule set is added to Master Drawing Catalog.

Modifying master drawing properties of rule sets

To modify the master drawing properties of rule sets:


2. Modify your drawing type selections if necessary. Click Next.3. Add or remove object groups and select the appropriate master drawing type.4. Click Next and do the same for all selected drawing types.5. Modify the name of the drawing in the Name box.6. Enter or modify the description of the master drawing. You can search master drawings



use .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, or .png images. We recommend that you use .png images.9. Click Save to save your changes.

Creating drawings using rule sets

1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Create Drawings.2. Select the rule set from the list.3. Select the whole model or desired parts. Do one of the following:

• If you selected parts, click Create drawings (Alt + C).

• If you selected the whole model, click Create drawings for all parts (Alt + A).

4. Number the model if you are prompted to do so. Tekla Structures creates the drawings and adds them in the Drawing List. You can click the Drawing List button in the toolbar to open the Drawing List.

4.4 Cloning templatesCloning templates are Tekla Structures drawings that are used as templates for creating new drawings. You can select a drawing from the Drawing List and add it to the Master Drawing Catalog. You can also use cloning templates from other models.

You can display the preview image in a larger view by selecting the thumbnail, right-clicking and selecting Preview.


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Cloning

You should consider cloning drawings when

• There are several similar parts, assemblies, or cast units in the model

• You want to ease editing work when there are several similar parts that have different position numbers. You may have separate drawings of these similar parts.

• The drawings need a lot of manual modifying

If cloning does not produce a satisfactory result, you need to modify the cloned drawing manually. For example, you can create a drawing for one truss, modify the drawing, and then clone it for similar trusses. Sometimes you need to modify the cloned drawings where the trusses differ.

The cloned drawing may contain more or less parts than the original drawing. Part properties, marks, associative notes and related text objects are cloned from a similar part in the original drawing.

If the cloned drawing contains less parts than the original drawing, the dimensions to the missing parts are automatically removed.

Adding a new cloning template to Master Drawing Catalog

You can add drawings to Master Drawing Catalog from the Drawing List. These drawings are called cloning templates.

Before you add a cloning template to Master Drawing Catalog, create a drawing with the desired properties and contents in the model and save it.

To add a new cloning template:

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List.The Drawing List opens.

2. Select the drawing that you want to add in the Master Drawing Catalog as a cloning template, right-click and select Add to Master Drawing Catalog, or select the drawing and press Ctrl + M.The Master Drawing Properties dialog box is displayed.

3. On the General tab, enter a name for the cloning template, a short description and keywords. All these can be used in search.

4. If you have a screenshot that you want to use as a preview image for the cloning template, click Browse and browse to and select the image. This screenshot is displayed as a thumbnail in the Master Drawing Catalog thumbnail list, and opened in a larger view when you select and right-click a master drawing and select Preview.

5. Go to the Drawing creation tab and specify how dimensions and marks are created, and select the objects to be cloned from the master drawing.

You cannot clone general arrangement drawings through Master Drawing Catalog. You can clone general arrangement drawings using the Clone command in the Drawing List dialog box.

For more information on cloning general arrangement drawings, see Cloning general arrangement drawings (p. 44).

You cannot add general arrangement drawings or multidrawings to Master Drawing Catalog from the Drawing List. You can clone general arrangement drawings using the Clone command in the Drawing List dialog box.


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6. Click OK.

The new cloning template is added to Master Drawing Catalog. The button is displayed in the Master column of the Drawing List next to the drawing you added.

Modifying master drawing properties of cloning templates

Each cloning template type of master drawing in Master Drawing Catalog has its own catalog properties. You can search for master drawings on the basis of its name, description and keywords entered in the Master Drawing Properties dialog box. The cloning template catalog properties also define how dimensions and marks are created, and which objects are cloned from the master drawings.

To modify the catalog properties of cloning templates:


2. Modify the name of the drawing in the Name box.3. Enter or modify the description of the master drawing. You can search master drawings


search master drawings on the basis of data that you enter here.


If you want to modify the drawing properties of cloning templates, change them first in the actual drawing and add the drawing in Master Drawing Catalog after that.

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5. To add or change the preview image, click Change image and select the image. You can use .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, or .png images. We recommend that you use .png images.

6. Go to the Drawing creation tab.a For the Dimensions, Marks, and Marks for welds in model, define whether you

want to Clone them, recreate them automatically when you clone a drawing (Create) or Ignore them in cloning.

b Select the objects to be cloned from the master drawing: Drawing welds, Level marks, DWG/DXF, Text files, Texts, Symbols, Graphics, and Hyperlinks).

7. Click OK to save your cloning settings.

Creating drawings using cloning templates

In the Master Drawing Catalog you can create drawings using cloning templates that you have added in the Master Drawing Catalog from the Drawing List.

Before you start, ensure that you have a cloning template with all the necessary properties and contents in the Master Drawing Catalog.

To create drawings using a cloning template:

1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Create Drawings.Master Drawing Catalog opens.

2. Double-click the desired master drawing of type cloning template.3. Go to the Drawing creation tab and specify how dimensions and marks are cloned. You

can select to ignore the dimensions and marks, clone them, or recreate them. The Marks option controls revision marks and all marks for model objects. Then select the objects to be cloned from the master drawing.

4. Select the model or select the objects. Use an appropriate selection filter when you select the whole model. Activate only the Select parts selection switch when you select objects, otherwise the selection may take a long time.

5. Click Create drawings (Alt + C) or Create drawings for all parts (Alt + A).Tekla Structures creates the drawings and adds them in the Drawing List. You can click the Drawing List toolbar command to open the Drawing List.

4.5 Managing Master Drawing CatalogThis section contains instructions on managing Master Drawing Catalog.

Creating and adding preview images

You can create preview images in Tekla Structures and use them as preview images of master drawings in Master Drawing Catalog.

To create and add the preview image:

1. Create a drawing using the desired master drawing.2. Open the drawing. Delete all unnecessary objects from the drawing.3. Click Tools > Create Preview Image.

The image is saved in the \drawings folder under the model folder.

4. Close the drawing to go to the model.5. To open the Master Drawing Catalog, click Drawings & Reports > Create Drawings....6. Locate the desired master drawing and double-click it to open the Master Drawing

Properties dialog box.7. Add the image you created.


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• For master drawings of type saved settings, cloning templates, and wizard files, click Change image and browse for the image you just created. Click OK to save the image as a preview image

• For rule sets created in Master Drawing Catalog, click Next until you get to the page where you can add the preview image. Click Browse and browse for the image you just created. Click Save to save the image as a preview image. Now you can display the preview image by selecting the master drawing on the catalog list, right-clicking and selecting Preview.

Using cloning templates from other models

You can show cloning templates in other models in the Master Drawing Catalog and create drawings using them.

To use cloning templates from other models:

1. In the Master Drawing Catalog, click to open the Models Containing Master Drawings dialog box.

2. To use cloning templates in other models, click Add model and browse to the desired model.

3. Click OK to save your selection. You can use only cloning template type of master drawings from other models, not other types of master drawings.

Displaying master drawing descriptions

You can display a master drawing description in the folder view and in the search view. To

display the master drawing description, click .

The description entered in the Master Drawing Properties dialog box is displayed at the bottom of the view.

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Working with folders

In the folder view of the Master Drawing Catalog you can do the following:

• Add new, rename, and delete folders

• Copy master drawings to another folder

• Delete master drawings from folders

• Change the folder location in the tree

Example In the following example, we will create a new folder and two subfolders, change the order of the subfolders, rename a folder and add master drawings to a subfolder. Then we will copy master drawings to another folder and delete them from the original folder.

1. Open the Master Drawing Catalog by clicking Drawings & Reports > Create Drawings....

2. Click the folder view button to go to the folder view.3. Right-click the tree area of the folder view and select Create new folder and type a

name for the folder. In this example, we use the name Master Drawings for PROJECT2010.

Deleting master drawings from a folder or copying them to another folder does not affect the catalog contents in any way. The folder view is just another way to help you to keep you master drawings well organized.


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4. To create a subfolder, select the folder, in this case Master Drawings for PROJECT2010, right-click and select Create new subfolder. Type a name for the folder. In this example, we use the name Site12. Create another subfolder (Site10) in the same way.

5. We notice that the name of the subfolder Site10 is not correct, it should be Site11. To rename a folder, select the folder, right-click and select Rename or press F2, and type a new name.

6. Next, we want to move a folder upwards in the folder list. To move a folder upwards, select the folder, in this case Site11, right-click, and select Move up to move the folder one step upwards.

7. Next we will copy drawings to the created folders. Open the folder containing the master drawings that you want to copy. Select the drawings that you want to copy. You can use Ctrl or Shift to select several drawings.

8. To copy the selected master drawings, right-click and select Add to and then select the desired folder, in this case Site11. The master drawings are copied.

9. We notice after copying that some of the drawings we just copied should be in the Site12 folder. Copy the drawings there in the same way as above.

10. Now you can delete the copied drawings from the original folder, in this case Site11 subfolder. To delete, select the copied drawings, right-click and select Delete or press Del. The drawings are deleted from the subfolder.

Using search

In the Master Drawing Catalog search view, you can do the following:

• Search for master drawings on the basis of text that you have entered in the name, description and keyword boxes in the Master Drawing Properties dialog box.

• Save your search results and, in the folder view, copy master drawings from a search results folder to a folder that you have created for a certain purpose to make it easier for you to locate the needed master drawings.

Searching master drawings

To search for master drawings and save the search results:

1. Enter the search criteria in the box next to the Search button.Tekla Structures remembers search strings. When you start typing a string, it suggests previous strings starting with the same characters.

2. Click Search.The results are listed.

3. To save the search results, click Store, type a name for the search, and click OK. The search results are added in the category list in the search view.

The search results are also displayed as a folder in the folder view. There you can rename the saved search results, and copy the found drawings to the folders of your choice.

Removing search results

If you want to remove the search results, right-click the results in the folder list and select Delete.


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Removing master drawings

You can remove master drawings from Master Drawing Catalog both in folder view and in search view.

To remove master drawings:

1. In the Master Drawing Catalog, select the master drawing(s) you want to remove.2. Right-click and select Remove from Catalog.3. Confirm the deletion.

Tekla Structures removes the master drawing(s) from the catalog. The drawings that you have created on the basis of the removed master drawing are not removed, they are still listed in the Drawing List. The catalog properties that you have entered for the master drawing are not deleted. They are still available for the master drawing if you decide to add the master drawing back to the catalog.

In the folder view, you cannot remove master drawings from the Master Drawing Catalog through the folders that you have created yourself. The Remove from Catalog command is not available. Use the Saved searches folders to find the desired master drawings and then remove the extra ones.


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>


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• how to create general arrangement drawings

• how to clone GA drawings

• how to copy and move drawing views

• how to define part marks and part representation

• what are leader lines

• what associativity in drawings means

• how to update drawings after model changes

• how to use grids in drawings

• how to define datum level

• how to use layouts and table layouts


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5 General arrangement drawings

General arrangement drawings (GA drawing) are used for displaying model views, including foundation and anchor bolt plans, and details of models.

The G letter in the Type column in the drawing list denotes a GA drawing.

Many of the functions explained in this section concern other drawing types as well.

5.1 Three levels of modifying drawingsYou can modify drawing properties on three levels:

• drawing

• view

• object

On the highest level, you can change the drawing properties on the drawing level. This way you can change the properties of all model objects, marks, dimensions, and views in the drawing. For example, you can define that all parts are displayed in blue color in a drawing. When you save the drawing property settings in drawing property files, you can use the same settings later for other drawings of the same type. You can modify the drawing properties of the selected drawing type in the model before you create the drawing. You can also change the drawing properties in an existing drawing that you have opened. Settings propagate to all views on that drawing, except new views that you create after the drawing is created.

The second level is to modify the properties on the view level. The modifications apply only to the view that you have selected in an open drawing. Settings propagate to all objects in that one view.

The third and lowest level is to modify the properties on the object level, where you change the properties of the selected objects in an open drawing. Settings are for that one object only; however, you can select and modify many objects at a time. The properties modified on the object level are no longer affected by property changes on view or drawing level.

By saving the object property settings and combining them with drawing or view filters and drawing object types into detailed object level settings, you can also apply the object properties on the drawing and view level. When doing so, the object level settings override the property settings made in the drawing property dialog boxes on the view and drawing level. Object level settings applied on the drawing level are inherited to the view level settings if there are no object level settings defined on the view level. If you apply object level settings on the view level, they override the drawing level settings.

The recommended way of working is to work from the top down, from drawing level to object level. Once you change properties on the view level you should not go to the drawing level properties and modify drawing properties there, otherwise you modifications on the view level will be lost. The modifications made on the drawing level also remain when the drawing is recreated due to a model change, for example.

5.2 Creating GA drawingsYou can GA drawings through the Master Drawing Catalog or using menu, toolbar or pop-up menu commands. In the following, the general arrangement drawing is created using a menu command.

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1. Click Drawings & Reports > Create General Arrangement Drawing... to open the Create General Arrangement Drawing dialog box.

2. Select the views you want to include in the drawing.3. Select from the list in the Options area, whether you want to

• create one drawing that contains all the selected views,

• create one drawing per selected view, or

• create an empty drawing.

4. Click Drawing Properties... if you need to modify the GA drawing properties.5. Click Create to create the GA drawing.

If you select the Open drawing check box, the GA drawing opens automatically.

5.3 Copying an entire model view to a GA drawing1. Open a GA drawing and a model view.

You can also first create an empty GA drawing and place the model view there.

2. Click View > Create Drawing View > Of Entire Model View.3. Select the model view.

Tekla Structures places the view in the lower left corner of the drawing, but you can move the view.


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5.4 Cloning general arrangement drawingsYou can clone general arrangement drawings one plane view at a time. You can clone drawings in the Master Drawing Catalog or through the Drawing List.

Before cloning, finalize, save, and close the drawing you want to use as a cloning template.

To clone a general arrangement drawing through the Drawing List:

1. Select the model view you want to use.2. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List... to open the drawing list.3. Select the general arrangement drawing you want to use as a cloning template.4. Click Clone... in the drawing list.5. In the Clone Drawing dialog box, select the drawing object types that you want to clone

into the new drawing, and the actions for each object type:

• For Dimensions and Other marks (all marks for model objects), select whether you want to Clone them, recreate them automatically when you clone a drawing (Create) or Ignore them in cloning. Selecting Create in the Dimensions and Other marks box is useful if cloning the dimensions or other marks does not produce satisfactory results. Using this option does not create any new views.

• For other objects, select to Clone or Ignore them.

6. Click Clone selected.The cloned drawing appears in the Drawing List.

Change the view scale, if the view is too big.

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Example

In this example, we first created a general arrangement drawing of the first floor of a building, then edited the drawing and the cloned the general arrangement drawing of the second floor.

The first floor and second floor have some differences:

We edited the general arrangement drawing of the first floor slightly.

We selected the model view that represents the second floor and then cloned the drawing using the general arrangement drawing of the first floor as a template.

Section and detail views are not cloned when cloning general arrangement drawings.


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In the cloned drawing:

• The drawing view plane has been moved to match the model view PLAN 2nd Floor plane.

• If there are parts in matching places, the marks have been cloned to the new location and the content has been updated.

• Dimensions are cloned.

• Other marks and notes are cloned.

5.5 Modifying view labelWhen you create a drawing, the view label contains the elements selected in the drawing properties. You can modify the view label in the view properties.

To modify the view label:

1. Double-click the drawing to open the drawing properties dialog box.2. Click View... to open the view properties dialog box.3. Go to the Label tab.

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4. Click the ... button to open the Mark Contents dialog box.


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5. Modify the view label as required.For example, you can define the content of the view label, the font and frame type of the label mark elements, and the position of the mark in the label.

6. Click Modify to apply the changes on the drawing.

5.6 Moving viewsYou have two options for moving views:

• Move views inside a drawing. See Moving views in a drawing (p. 48).

• Move views from one drawing to another. See Moving views from one drawing to another (p. 49).

Moving views in a drawing

1. Select the view frame.2. Drag the view frame to move the view in the drawing.

Dragging a handle resizes the view.

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Moving views from one drawing to another

1. Open a drawing.2. Select the view you want to move.3. Right-click the view and select Move to drawing from the pop-up menu.4. Select the target drawing from the Drawing List dialog box.5. Click Move in the Move view to Drawing dialog box.

Tekla Structures moves the view to the target drawing and creates references between the source and target drawings.

5.7 Creating multiple drawings of the same partYou can create several drawings from the same part as multiple drawing sheets. The number of sheets is not limited, and each drawing can have its own properties. This is useful when you need extra sheets for details and section views, and especially when you want to have several drawings of an assembly with different presentation options: one with large 3D image of the assembly, one with additional section views, and one where only certain parts or subassemblies of the assembly are marked and dimensioned.

To create multiple drawings:

1. Open the drawing properties dialog box.2. Adjust the drawing properties and change the name of the drawing so that it refers to the

type of drawing you want to create. Do not change the Sheet number.3. Click Apply to keep the changes and leave the dialog box open.4. Create a drawing of the object by selecting the appropriate command from the Drawings

& Reports menu.5. In the drawing properties dialog box, adjust the drawing properties again and change the

name to match the type of the new drawing.6. Change the sheet number in the Sheet number box to get another drawing of the same

assembly with a different sheet number.7. Click Apply and create a new drawing of the same object.8. Continue making all the sheets you need in the same way as above.

Example

To create multiple assembly drawing sheets of the same part:

1. Open the Assembly drawing properties dialog box.2. Adjust the drawing properties and change the name so that it refers to the type of

drawing you want to create, for example, FRAME 3D. Do not touch the Sheet number.

3. Click Apply to keep the changes and leave the dialog box open.4. Create an assembly drawing of the object.5. In the drawing properties dialog box, adjust the drawing properties again and change the

name to match the type of the new drawing, for example, FRAME FRONT. 6. Change the sheet number in the Sheet number box to get another drawing of the same

assembly with a different sheet number.7. Click Apply and create a new drawing of the same object.8. Continue making all the sheets you need in the same way as above.An example how the Drawing List shows the multiple drawings:


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5.8 Representing bolts in GA drawings1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > General Arrangement Drawing... to

open the General Arrangement Drawing Properties dialog box.2. Click Bolt... to open the General - Bolt Properties dialog box.

3. To define how the bolts are displayed in drawings, select an option from the Solid/Symbol list.

4. To hide the bolts in main parts, select Not visible from the In main parts list.5. Click OK.

5.9 Defining part marks1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > General Arrangement Drawing... to

open the General Arrangement Drawing Properties dialog box.2. Click Part mark... to open the General - Part Mark Properties dialog box.

If you use a small scale (for example, 1:100), hide the bolts in drawings. The drawings will open faster.

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By default, the assembly position and profile are displayed for main parts. For secondary parts, part marks are not displayed.

3. Define the part marks as required.To add an element to part marks, move the element from the Available elements list to the Elements in mark list.

4. Click OK.

5.10 Associative notesYou can use associative notes in drawings as additional marks for parts that already have a part mark. The associative notes are updated automatically when the object changes in the model. You can add associative notes only in an open drawing.

There are three types of associative notes:

• associative notes with leader lines

• associative notes without leader lines

• associative notes along line


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To define properties of associative notes, click Annotating > Properties > Associative Note.... The Associative Notes Properties dialog box opens.

Adding associative notes with leader line

1. Click Annotating > Add Associative Note > With Leader Line.2. Pick the first point of the leader line.3. Pick the position of the note.

Adding associative notes without leader line

1. Click Annotating > Add Associative Note > Without Leader Line.2. Pick the object.3. Pick the position of the note.

Adding associative notes along line

1. Click Annotating > Add Associative Note > Along Line.2. Pick a point to indicate the start of the line along which you want to run the note.3. Pick the end point of the line.

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5.11 Part representationYou can control the appearance of ordinary and neighboring parts independently:

• To control the appearance of parts, click Part... in the drawing properties dialog box.

• To control the appearance of neighboring parts, click Neighbor part... in the drawing properties dialog box.

The options in the Content tab define the appearance of parts in drawings.

The main options in the Content tab are described below:

Part representation area

The list in the Part representation area contains the following options:

• Outline

Parts appear as solid objects in drawings.

• Exact

Parts appear as solid objects. Tekla Structures also draws the chamfers in profile cross sections .

• Symbol

Parts appear as lines.

• Symbol with partial profile

Shows a partial profile of the part. You cannot change the length of the partial profile. The length is fixed to 1000 mm.

• Workshop form

Tekla Structures draws round tube profiles as wrap-around templates.

• Bounding box

Parts appear as boxes which surround the actual profiles.

• Base box

Tekla Structures shows parts as boxes and uses the h and b values from the profile catalog as box dimensions.

Symbol offset defines the distance of the endpoints of reference lines and centerlines from the endpoints of the object.


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Hidden lines area Defines the appearance of hidden lines in drawing parts.

• Hidden lines

Shows hidden lines in secondary and neighboring parts.

• Own hidden lines

Shows hidden lines in main parts.

Center line area Use to switch the centerlines of parts on or off. You have the following options:

• Center line

Select the check box to show center lines.

• Main part

Select the check box to show center lines in main parts (beam, plate or polygon).

• Secondary part

Select the check box to show center lines in secondary parts (beam, plate or polygon).

Reference lines area

The reference line is a line between the points from which a part is created. You can switch part reference lines on or off. You have the following options:

• Reference lines

Select the check box to show reference lines.

• Main part

Select the check box to show reference lines in main parts (beam, plate or polygon).

• Secondary part

Select the check box to show reference lines in secondary parts (beam, plate or polygon).

Hidden lines on

Hidden lines off

Other part hidden lines

Own part hidden lines

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Part representation examples

The Part representation options Outline, Symbol, and Symbol with partial profile are displayed below.

The Outline option:

The Symbol option:

The Symbol with partial profile option:


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5.12 Leader linesYou can use leader lines in text, symbols, associative notes and marks to make it clearer to which item the text, symbol, note, or mark is related to.

Modifying leader lines

You can modify the shape of the leader line by first dragging from the middle point of the line, and then dragging further from the created anchor points and new middle points.

6 Associativity in drawings

All the Tekla Structures drawings are associative. This means that drawing objects are linked to model objects, so that most drawing objects automatically update if the model changes, but you do not lose manual changes made to drawings. This applies to all drawing types.

Tekla Structures updates the following drawing objects to reflect changes in the model:

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• parts

• marks

• dimensions

• welds

• views

• section marks

• detail marks

• associative notes

• lines and other shapes

• tables

Tekla Structures retains the following manual changes made to drawings:

• Base points of objects; for example, if you drag an object to a new location

• Object properties; for example, color, font, and line type

6.1 Associative symbol

In drawings, the associative symbol indicates which drawing objects are automatically updated. The symbol does not appear in printed drawings.

To hide the associative symbol in drawings, click Tools > Options > Associative Symbol, or use the shortcut Shift + A.

6.2 Change symbolTekla Structures highlights the marks and dimension marks that have been changed, and the dimension points that have been moved. Tekla Structures highlights also the changes in angle dimensions, level marks, and associative notes.

Tekla Structures highlights the changes in the following ways:

• A change symbol (by default a cloud) is drawn around the old point, the new point and the dimension values, or around the changed mark content or note.

• An arrow is drawn from the old point to the new point.

When you have frozen a drawing in Tekla Structures, the changes that you make to associative objects afterwards in the model are no longer available in the drawing.


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Selecting change symbol color

You can include the automatic change symbols in printed drawings and select the color of the change symbol.

To change the color of the change symbol:

1. Click Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Drawing Properties.2. Enter the name of the color in the advanced option

XS_DRAWING_CHANGE_HIGHLIGHT_COLOR.3. Click OK.

Removing change symbols

Removing dimension change symbols

Click Dimensioning > Review Dimensions > Remove Dimension Change Symbol and select Single or All depending on how many change symbols you want to remove.

Removing mark change symbols

Click Annotating > Review Marks > Remove Mark Change Symbol and select Single or All depending on how many change symbols you want to remove.

Removing associative note change symbols

Click Annotating > Review Marks > Remove Associative Note Change Symbol and select Single or All depending on how many change symbols you want to remove.

6.3 Associativity examplesThe following examples demonstrate how associativity affects drawings. Frozen drawings are not updated, when the model is modified. Drawings that are not frozen are automatically updated.

Change symbols only appear in associative drawings. They do not appear in frozen drawings.

If you use the default color (magenta), the symbols are displayed on the screen but they will not appear in the printed drawings.

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General Arrangement drawing

Drawing is not frozen

Drawing is frozen

Before modifications

After modifications


After modifications


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Assembly drawing

Drawing is not frozen

Drawing is frozen


After modifications


After modifications

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7 Updating drawings after model changes

When you have modified the model, you may need to update the drawing.

To update drawings after model modifications:

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Numbering Modified Objects to renumber the model.

2. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List... to open the drawing list.

The affected drawings have the symbol in the Up to date column.

3. Click Show all to display all the drawings in the list.4. Click Up-to-date to display all the drawings that are up-to-date.5. Click Invert.

The drawing list now displays only the drawings which need to be updated.

6. Select the drawings from the list.7. Click Update.

The selected drawings are updated.

7.1 Freezing and unfreezing general arrangement drawings

You can select whether to allow or not allow the drawing to update all associative objects on top of the drawing views. The geometry of the model always updates, but this switch is used to stop the drawing intelligence (associativity) of drawing objects on top of the model views, and prevents them from being updated. For example, parts are updated, but dimensions, associative notes, text, marks, views, additional drawing objects are not.

To freeze a general arrangement drawing if something has gone not the way you want:

1. If you have the drawing open, close it without saving it. 2. In the Drawing List, select the drawing you want to freeze. 3. Click Freeze > On.4. When freezing is no longer necessary, select the frozen drawings and click Freeze > Off.

This section does not apply to general arrangement drawings.

If there have been changes in the model, the drawing views or associative objects may not always be placed correctly in a general arrangement drawing. Use Freeze to solve the situation.


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7.2 Freezing and unfreezing single part and assembly drawings

To freeze and unfreeze single part and assembly drawings:

1. Save the model.2. Open a drawing.3. If the drawing does not look the way you want, close it without saving it.4. Reopen the model. Do not save it.5. In the Drawing List, select the drawing you want to freeze. 6. Click Freeze > On.7. Open the drawing.8. When freezing is no longer necessary, select the frozen drawings and click Freeze > Off.

8 Grids in drawings

You can modify grid properties on the drawing and view levels, and modify individual grids or grid lines in a drawing view.

Use the Select grids in drawings and Select grid lines in drawings in the Drawings: Select toolbar to select grids and grid lines in drawings and views.

To modify grids, do one of the following:

• Click Grid... in the drawing properties dialog box to modify grids on the drawing level.

• Double-click the border of the drawing view, and click Grid... in the View Properties dialog box to modify grids on the view level.

• Double-click grid in a drawing to modify the individual grid.

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You can modify the following grid properties:

• grid visibility

• label text placement

• grid line color and type

• label text color, size, font, and frame style

8.1 Modifying grid visibilityYou can hide grids, display grids and show only grid labels. The visibility of the grids in a drawing depends on the drawing properties used in drawing creation.

Hiding grids To hide a grid on the view level:

1. Double-click the view frame to open the View Properties dialog box.2. Click Grid... to open the View Grid Properties dialog box.3. Select Not visible from the Grid list.


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4. Click Modify to hide the grid.

Showing only grid labels

To show only grid labels of an individual grid:

1. Double-click the grid in an open drawing to open the Grid properties dialog box.2. Select Only grid labels visible from the Grid list.3. Click Modify to show only the grid labels and hide the grid lines.

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8.2 Moving grid labelsGrid labels may overlap. You can move the grid labels to make them distinct.

Moving grid line When you move a grid line, the label also moves. To move a grid line:

1. Activate the Select grid lines in drawings switch in the Drawings: Select toolbar.2. Double-click a grid line to open the Grid line properties dialog box.3. Enter a value in a box in the Text placing area.4. Click Modify to move the grid line.

Moving grid label You can move individual grid labels. To move a label:

Grid label


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1. Activate the Select grid lines in drawings switch in the Drawings: Select toolbar.2. Select a grid line.

The grid line and its handles are highlighted.

3. Drag the handle to move the grid label.

8.3 Defining grid label frame sizeYou can define a fixed size for the grid label frames. This is useful, for example, when you want all the grid label frames to be the same size no matter whether there are one or two digits in the frame.

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To define the grid label frame size:

1. Click Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Drawing Properties.2. Enter a value in millimeters for the XS_DRAWING_GRID_LABEL_FIXED_WIDTH option.

The default value is zero, which indicates that the width of the grid label frame depends on the width of the grid label.

3. Click OK.

9 Defining datum level

Tekla Structures dimensions elevations relative to a datum level, which you can change. For example, if the elevation is 3610 mm, and you set the datum level to 200, the elevation changes to 3410 mm.


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To define the datum level:

1. In the drawing, click Drawing File > Drawing Properties... to open the drawing properties dialog box.

2. Click View... to open the view properties dialog box.3. Select Specified from the Datum point for elevations list.4. Enter a value for the datum level in the Datum level box.

5. Click OK.

10 Layouts and table layouts

To produce finalized drawings, you usually need to include a lot of other information, such as lists and tables. You also need to specify paper size, scale, and perhaps the types of frames you want to use. This is what the layout is all about.

Layout A layout connects a set of table layouts and a set of drawing sizes. Before you create a drawing, you must select a layout. Tekla Structures then selects the smallest defined drawing size which will fit the drawing views and the connected table layout. This tells Tekla Structures which elements to automatically include in your drawings.

Table layout A table layout is a group of tables which appear together in a drawing of certain type and size. Table layouts define:

• Which tables appear in drawings

• Where the tables are located

• How much space Tekla Structures leaves between the drawing frame and views

Table In Tekla Structures, the term tables refers to various elements of the drawing layout, such as:

• tables (e.g. revision table)

• title blocks

• lists (e.g. part lists)

• general notes

Tables include information on drawing objects. If you change the model, Tekla Structures updates the contents of the affected drawings and tables.

10.1 Modifying a table layout1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > Drawing Layout....

The Layout dialog box opens.

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2. Select a layout from the Layouts list.3. Click Table layout... to open the Table Layouts dialog box.4. Select the table layout you want to modify from the Table layouts list.5. Click Tables... to open the Tables dialog box.


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The Chosen tables list shows the tables that are positioned in drawings when the layout is used.

6. To add a table to the table layout, select the table from the Available tables list and click the arrow to move the table to Chosen tables list.

7. To define the position of a table, select the table from the Chosen tables list.The table appears in the Current table area.

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a Choose one of the table corners as its reference point, and select the check box in that corner.

b In the Reference list, select the reference object (another table or the drawing frame).

c Choose the reference point of the reference object, and select the check box in the appropriate corner.

d In the Vector between corners boxes, define the horizontal and vertical distances of the table from the reference object.

e Set the scale for the table.f Select the Transparent check box if the table needs to be transparent.g Click Update.

8. When the table layouts are modified properly, close all the dialog boxes by clicking OK.The settings are saved in a *.lay file, which is stored in the attributes folder in the model folder.

You can also position a table to the midpoint of a frame or table boundary by selecting two reference points, for example, the lower left and right corners.


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10.2 Key plansA key plan is a small map is a small “map” in a drawing that indicates the location of an assembly, a cast unit, or a part in the model. The key plan contains the model grid and the assembly, cast unit, or part shown in the included drawing view.

Adding a key plan to a drawing layout

1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > Drawing Layout....The Layout dialog box opens.

2. Select the layout you want to modify and click Table layout....The Table Layouts dialog box opens.

3. Select the table layout you want to modify. Click Tables....The Tables dialog box opens.

4. In the Available tables list, double-click Key plan.The Drawing List is displayed.

5. Select the drawing that you want to use as a key plan click OK.6. From the Chosen tables list, select Key plan and set the key plan properties.

7. Click Update.8. Close the dialog boxes by clicking OK.

The key plan is added to the drawing layout.

10.3 Using a specific drawing sizeIf you prefer to use a specific drawing size rather than specific drawing view scales, do the following before creating the drawings:

1. In the drawing properties dialog box, click Layout....The layout properties dialog box opens.

2. Select Specified size from the Size definition mode list.3. Enter the specified size.4. Select the table layout.5. To let Tekla Structures automatically scale the drawing views, go to the Scale tab.

a Select Yes from the Autoscale list.b Enter the main and section view scales.c Select the scale change mode.

You cannot scale the key plan in the Tables dialog box. The properties of the key plan view define the key plan scale and size.

The Scale tab only relates to single-part, assembly, and cast unit drawings.

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d Enter the preferred drawing size.6. Click OK or Apply.7. In the drawing properties dialog box, click View > Attributes and enter the preferred

scale. 8. Click OK or Apply. Tekla Structures creates the drawing using the specified size. It first tries to use the preferred scale for the drawing views, then the alternative scales, and selects the largest possible scale.

10.4 Sizing drawings automaticallyYou can let Tekla Structures find appropriate sizes and table layouts for drawings. This is very useful if, for example, the number, size, or location of drawing views might change. Tekla Structures automatically updates drawings to adapt to these changes by using different drawing sizes and table layouts.

If you prefer to use specific drawing view scales rather than a specific drawing size, do the following before creating the drawings:

1. In the drawing properties dialog box, click Layout....The layout properties dialog box opens.

2. Select Autosize from the Size definition mode list.3. Select the set of drawing sizes in the Autosize area.

You have three options:

• Calculated sizes. Use this when you want to define the rules that Tekla Structures follows when it tries to adjust the drawing size.

• Fixed sizes. Use this when you want Tekla Structures to use fixed drawing sizes A2, A3, A4, etc.

• Calculated/fixed sizes. Use this when you want Tekla Structures to select the smallest of the suitable sizes.

4. To fix the scales of drawing views, go to the Scale tab and select No from the Autoscale list.Tekla Structures will use the preferred scales of the main and section views.

5. Click OK or Apply.6. Click View..., go to the Attributes tab and set the desired Scale.7. Click OK or Apply.When you create the drawing, Tekla Structures creates the views using the selected scale and selects the smallest drawing size where the views fit in the drawing. Tekla Structures may also need to change the table layout to adapt to the new drawing size. It will then use another appropriate table layout within the same layout specified in drawing properties.

The Scale tab only relate to single-part, assembly, and cast unit drawings.


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• how to create and modify detail views

• how to create anchor bolt plans

• how to add objects in drawings

• how to drag drawing objects

• how to use cover-up tools

• how to dimension general arrangement drawings

• how to use level marks


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11 Detail views

A detail view is a detailed area of an existing view in another scaled-up view. Tekla Structures creates a detail view using the active properties in the View Properties and Detail Symbol Properties dialog boxes.. A detail view can be either in the same drawing as the existing view or you can move it to another drawing.

11.1 Creating a detail viewTo create a detail view:

1. Click View > Create Drawing View > Detail view or click .2. Pick the first corner for the detail view or pick the center point for the circle.

You only pick the center point if you are making a circle.

3. Pick the second corner or pick a point in the circle.4. Pick the position for the detail symbol.5. Pick a position for the detail view.

Tekla Structures creates the detail view and adds a detail mark to the original view.

11.2 Modifying a detail label1. Double-click the detail label.

The Detail symbol properties dialog box opens.

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2. Modify the properties as required.For example, you can change the name and appearance of the label.

3. Click Modify and OK.

11.3 Moving section and detail views between draw-ings

You can move section views or detail views from one drawing to another. After you move a view, the source and target drawings will contain references to each other.


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12 Anchor bolt plans

There are two ways of generating anchor bolt plans:

• An anchor bolt plan with only one scale and broken gridlines

• An anchor bolt plan with two combined scales and no broken gridlines and it is possible to set a separate scale for detail views

12.1 Creating an anchor bolt plan with one scale1. Click Drawings & Reports > Create a General Arrangement Drawing....

The Create General Arrangement Drawing dialog box opens.

2. Select 3D Model from Views list.3. Click the Drawing properties button.

The General arrangement drawing properties dialog box opens.

Drawing G1 contains the detail view

Drawing G2 is the target drawing

The detail view contains a reference to the target drawing G2 and vice versa

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4. Select anchor_bolt_plan from the list and click the Load button.This property file contains settings needed to create an anchor bolt plan.

5. Click OK to close the General arrangement drawing properties dialog box.6. If you want to view the drawing immediatelly after creating, select the Open drawing

check box.7. Click Create.

The anchor bolt plan is created.

12.2 Creating an anchor bolt plan with two combined scales

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Create General Arrangement Drawing....The Create General Arrangement Drawing dialog box opens.

2. Click the Drawing properties... button.The General arrangement drawing properties dialog box opens.

3. Select the setting achor_bolt_plan and click Load.The setting is loaded and appears in the Name box.

4. Click the View button.The General - View Properties dialog box opens.

5. Go to the Anchor bolt plan tab.6. Set the option Show as anchor bolt plan to Yes.

7. If needed, set the option Create detail views to Yes to create separate detail views.If you select No, Tekla Structures dimensions the anchor bolts in the main drawing view.

8. Create and open the drawing.


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In the model, the yellow and magenta colored points on the column are used as a reference.

In the drawing, the view that represents the enlarged part is positioned to the original view.

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In the model, the column is positioned correctly to the grid, because the yellow and the magenta colored points are in the center of the column.

In the drawing, the position is indicated by the yellow and purple colored points of the column.

The view which represents the enlarged part is positioned to the original view. The position of the view that includes the enlarged parts is not correct.

The parts in the original view are hidden.

The final display of the view that includes the enlarged parts.


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12.3 Increasing drawing size1. Open a drawing.2. Click Edit > Properties... or double-click the drawing.


3. Click the Layout... button.The General - Layout Properties dialog box is displayed.

4. Select a property file that contains the desired drawing size setting next to the Load button.

5. Click Load.6. Click Modify.

12.4 Cutting grid lines at the point of the sloped pro-files

To cut the grid lines at the point of the sloped profiles (windbracings):

1. Open a drawing.2. Click View > Drawing View Properties....

The View Properties dialog box opens.

3. Open the Attributes 2 tab.4. Set Cut skew parts to Yes.5. Click OK.

The parts in the original view are hidden.

The final display of the view which includes the enlarged parts.

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12.5 Displaying additional parts in an anchor bolt planYou can use a drawing filter to add to an anchor bolt plan parts that are not usually a part of a column. You need to define the name of the filter as the value for the advanced option XS_ANCHOR_BOLT_PLAN_ADDITIONAL_PARTS_FILTER. In the following example, we will make anchor rods and leveling plates visible in an anchor bolt plan.

1. Click Tools > Options > Advanced Options > Drawing Properties and enter the name of the general arrangement drawing filter in XS_ANCHOR_BOLT_PLAN_ADDITIONAL_PARTS_FILTER.In this example, we will use the name SHOW_IN_ANCHORBOLTPLAN.

2. In the General Arrangement Drawing Properties dialog box, click Filter... .3. Click Add row.4. Select Part as the Category, Name as the Property, Equals as the Condition and enter

*ANCHOR*LEVEL in the Value box.5. Enter the name SHOW_IN_ANCHORBOLTPLAN in the Save as box and click Save as. 6. Click Cancel to exit the dialog box.

In case you create an anchor bolt plan with two combined scales in which the column reference point does not fall on the grid line, Tekla Structures adjusts the dimensions relative to the reference point automatically to the grid lines. If the column is rotated relative to the drawing, the rotation is automatically dimensioned as well.


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12.6 Labeling and modifying detail viewsYou can set the appearance of the views that include the enlarged parts and detail views before you create the drawings.

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1. Click Drawings & Reports > Create General Arrangement Drawing....The Create General Arrangement Drawing dialog box opens.

2. Click the Drawing properties... button.The General arrangement drawing properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Detail view... button.The General - detail label dialog box opens.

4. Modify the label contents in the View label tab.5. In the Detail boundary and Detail mark tabs, you can set the appearance of the views

that include the enlarged parts.

13 Adding objects in drawings

In Tekla Structures, it is possible to add drawing objects in the created drawing that you have opened. You can add objects such as graphical objects (lines, rectangles, clouds), AutoCAD drawings (DWG/DXF), symbols, text fields, and dimension lines to drawings. Objects can be placed by snapping on locations or by using fixed coordinates.

13.1 Adding a rectangle on a selected locationCheck that all switches in the Snapping toolbar are active so that the rectangle can be created in any position.

To add a rectangle on a selected location:

1. Open a drawing.

2. Double-click the Draw rectangle button .The Rectangle Properties dialog box opens.


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3. Enter or modify the properties as required.4. Click OK to close the Rectangle Properties dialog box.5. Pick the first corner of the rectangle.6. Pick the diagonally opposite corner.

To resize the rectangle, select the rectangle and drag a handle. By holding down the Shift key, the rectangle can be moved.

13.2 Adding a rectangle using fixed coordinates1. Open a drawing.2. Click Shapes > Draw Rectangle.3. Enter the coordinates of the first point relative to the origin of the work place.

4. Enter the coordinates of the second point.The coordinates can be relative to the first point.

The coordinates can also be relative to the origin.

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13.3 Adding single or multiple lines of textYou can add a single line or multiple lines of text.

All the switches in the Snapping toolbar must be enabled so that the text string can be placed in any position.

To add text with a line which has an arrow:

1. Open a drawing.2. Click Annotating > Add Text > Along Line, Arrow at End Point.3. Pick the starting point in the drawing.4. Pick the end point.

This is where the arrow is created.

5. Pick the insertion point for the text.Tekla Structures creates the line and positions the text to the right of the insertion point.

6. Repeat steps 2-4 if you need to add the same text elsewhere in the drawing.

Modifying text properties

1. Open a drawing.2. Hold down the Shift key down while you click Annotating > Add Text > Along Line,

Arrow at End Point.The Text Properties dialog box opens.

3. Type your text in the Text box.4. Select the arrow type from the Arrow Type list.5. Modify the other properties as required.

You can, for example, modify the color.

6. Click OK.Now you can add text using the new properties.

13.4 Adding links to text filesYou can insert a text file inside a frame in a drawing.Tekla Structures creates a link to the text file. If you change the text in the file, it will change in all drawings containing a link to that particular text file.

Before you start, check that all the switches in the Snapping toolbar are enabled so that the text file can be placed in any position in the drawing.

1. Click Annotating > Add Text > From Text File....The Text File Properties dialog box opens.

2. Define the text file properties in Text Style, Frame, and Scaling areas.3. Click Browse to select the text file.4. Click OK.


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5. Pick one or two points in the drawing to indicate the corners of the text file frame. The scaling type you picked in step 2 determines how many points you have to pick.

6. Click OK to close the Text File Properties dialog box.

13.5 Using symbols in the text fieldWhen you add text in drawings, you can include symbols in the text. You can add, for example, weld symbols.

To add symbols in the text:

1. Add text to a drawing.

2. Double-click the symbol icon .The Symbol Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click Select next to the File box and select the symbol file you want to use.Several symbol files are available by default. These files are stored in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\symbols\ folder.

4. Click Select next to the Number box and click the symbol you want to add.When you click a symbol, its number is displayed in the Number box in the Symbol Properties dialog box.

5. Double-click the text you added.6. In the Text box in the Text Properties dialog box, enter the symbol file name, @ sign,

and the number of the symbol, for example [email protected]. Click Modify in the Text Properties dialog box.

13.6 Adding links to DWG or DXF filesYou can insert a DWG or DXF file inside a frame in a drawing. Tekla Structures adds the DWG or DXF file using the properties in the DWG/DXF Properties dialog box. Tekla Structures creates a link to the selected DWG or DXF file. When you modify the file, Tekla Structures also modifies all the links in the drawing.

To add a link to a DWG or DXF:

1. Open the drawing where you want to insert a link to a DWG/DXF file.2. Click View > Add DWG / DXF File..., and then locate the DWG/DXF file you want to

add.3. Click OK.4. Pick one or two points to place the frame.5. Click OK or Apply to add the link.

14 Dragging drawing objects

You can drag drawing objects such as associative annotation objects, independent annotation objects, additional drawing objects, and dimension lines to a new location in an open drawing.

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To drag the objects to another location:

1. Click the drawing object or object frame to activate it.2. Point the object or object frame, hold down the left mouse button and drag the object to

a new location. The object follows the cursor while you drag the object, and you can at all times see what the end result will be. There is a cross in the middle of the cursor indicating the object that you are dragging.The magenta lines in the cursor make it easier to place the object in line with other objects.

15 Trim, split, and divide drawing objects

You can trim, split and divide drawing objects added in the drawing.

15.1 TrimmingYou can shorten or extend a line relative to the boundary you select. The boundary can be:

• line

• part

• arc

• rectangle

To trim graphical objects:

1. Open a drawing.2. Click Edit > Trim.3. Select the boundary.4. Click the middle mouse button.5. Click end of the line if you want to extend it to the selected boundary, or click the line at

the end from which you want to shorten it.


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15.2 SplittingYou can split an object into two pieces at a selected point. You can split the following objects:

• lines

• polylines

• rectangles

• circles

• arcs

To split graphical objects:

1. Open a drawing.2. Select the object you want to split.3. Click Edit > Split.4. Pick a point to indicate the cutting location.

The object is split into two pieces.

15.3 DividingObjects can be divided into segments that you specify. You can divide both lines and arcs.

To divide objects:

1. Open a drawing.2. Select the line or arc.3. Click Edit > Divide.

The Segments dialog box opens.

4. Enter the number of segments in the Number box.5. Click OK.

The line or arc is divided to as many segments as you selected in the Number box.

16 Using cover-up tools

Use cover-up line and cover-up area tools for quickly hiding part outlines in drawings.

Cover-up line To use a cover-up line:

1. Click Shapes > Draw Cover-up Line.2. Draw a non-transparent line over the part outline that you want to hide.

You can drag the cover-up line to another location, and resize the line by dragging the handles.

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Cover-up area To use a cover-up area:

1. Click Shapes > Draw Cover-up Area.2. Draw a non-transparent area over the part outline that you want to hide.

You can drag the cover-up area to another location, and resize the area by dragging the handles.

Part outline visible

Part outline hidden with cover-up line


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17 Dimensioning a general arrangement drawing

You can create part, grid and overall dimensions, and control the way they are created. You can experiment with different combinations of options to achieve different kinds of dimensioning effects.

Additionally, you can use semi-automatic dimensioning, which is a special dimensioning type that you can only use when dimensioning GA drawings. It contains several options:

• which points and parts are dimensioned

• how to combine the dimensions

• whether to use the reference line of the part or the center line as a dimension point

17.1 Dimensioning grid lines1. Open a general arrangement (GA) drawing.2. Double-click the GA drawing to open the General Arrangement Drawing Properties

dialog box.3. Click the Dimensioning... button.

The General - Dimensioning Properties dialog box opens.

4. On the Grid tab, select whether to create grid line dimensions and overall dimensions.You can use the Dimension positioning options to control where Tekla Structures positions horizontal and vertical grid line dimensions in the horizontal and vertical directions.

17.2 Dimensioning anchor barsIf you use anchor bars while modeling, you have the option to create dimensions automatically on general arrangement (GA) drawings by using semi-automatic GA dimensioning. This is a special dimensioning type you can only use with GA drawings. This way of dimensioning can be used for anchor bars, because they are created as profiles.

To dimension anchor bars:

1. Open a GA drawing (a foundation plan).2. Click Edit > Properties or double-click the GA drawing.


3. Load the settings you want to use.4. Click OK.5. Click Edit > Selection Filter....

The Selection Filter dialog box opens.

6. Load the anchorbar_filter setting.7. Click OK.

8. Select the Select parts in drawings switch .9. Select the anchor bars in the drawing you want to dimension.10. Click Dimensioning > GA Dimensioning Settings....

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The Semi automatic GA dimensioning dialog box opens.

11. Set the dimensioning properties.12. Click OK.13. Create dimensions using the commands in the Dimensioning menu.14. The anchor bars will be dimensioned automatically.

17.3 Dimensioning profiles and holesYou can dimension profiles and holes with the buttons in the Drawing Objects toolbar.

Button Description Button Description

Add horizontal dimension Add vertical dimension

Add orthogonal dimension Add free dimension

Add parallel dimension Add perpendicular dimension

Add curved dimension with radial reference lines

Add radial dimension

Add angular dimension Add or remove dimension points


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17.4 Dimensioning curved beamsTo create a correct radius and/or radial dimensions, you need to use center lines and certain snap settings:

1. Double-click a curved beam in a drawing.The Drawing Part Properties dialog box opens.

2. Select the Center line > on/off.3. Click Modify and OK.4. Activate the Snap to points and grid intersections, Snap to end points, and Snap to

center points switches.

Adding a radial dimension

1. Click Dimensioning > Add Radial Dimension.2. Pick three points on the center line to define the arc.

The second picked point is the coordinate where both center lines of two segments intersect. It determines the exact radius.

3. Pick a point to place the dimension.

Remove a dimension point from the selected dimension set

Combine dimension lines

Unlink dimension lines Link dimension lines

Button Description Button Description

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18 Level marks

There are several options for level marks, for example, prefixes, postfixes, and units.

To create level marks:

1. Double click the Add Level Mark button .2. Type your text in the required boxes.3. Select the Prefix for the positive level check box.4. Modify the other Level mark properties as required.5. Click OK.6. In the drawing, pick the starting point for the leader line.

This is the point that will be dimensioned.

7. Pick a point to indicate the side on which Tekla Structures creates the mark.8. Repeat steps 6-7 to add level marks elsewhere in the drawing.


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• how to create single-part drawings

• how to display surface treatments in drawings


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19 Creating assembly drawings

Assembly drawings are typically workshop drawings showing fabrication information for one assembly. In most cases, an assembly consists of single parts that are either bolted or welded to a main part.

Assembly drawings use the current settings in the Assembly Drawing Properties dialog box. Before you can make an assembly drawing, make sure that the numbering is up-to-date.

To create assembly drawings of one type of part:

1. Use the selection filter to select the part type, for example, columns.

2. Select the model and click Edit > Select All Objects.Because the selection filter is used, only one type of part is selected.

3. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > Assembly Drawing... to open the Assembly Drawing Properties dialog box.

4. Select the predefined properties from the list and click the Load button.5. Click OK.6. Click Drawings & Reports > Create Assembly Drawing to create the assembly

drawing.

19.1 Including single-part views in assembly drawingsYou can include single-part views of the individual parts that make the assembly in assembly drawings. You can use existing single-part drawings on the Drawing List or create new views.

To include single-part views:

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > Assembly Drawing.2. Click Layout... and go to the Other tab.3. Set Include single-parts to Yes. This activates the Single-part attributes list.4. From the Single-part attributes list, select the desired drawing properties to be used in

the single-part view. Current is the default.5. Click OK.

It is recommended that you use Master Drawing Catalog when you create multiple assembly drawings. For more information, see Master Drawing Catalog (p. 23).

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With the advanced option XS_USE_EXISTING_SINGLE_PART_DRAWINGS_IN_ASSEMBLY_DRAWINGS you can specify whether to create new views or use views from existing single-part drawings in assembly drawings. If you have lots of similar parts in lots of different assembly drawings, you can create single-part drawings of these parts and edit them so that they include everything that you need. When a single-part view of the part is included in an assembly drawing, it is automatically copied from the original single-part drawing on the Drawing List, and all your editing comes in automatically. The included views are scaled according to the layout settings of the assembly drawing.

When you set the advanced option XS_USE_EXISTING_SINGLE_PART_DRAWINGS_IN_ASSEMBLY_DRAWINGS to TRUE through Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Single-Part View in Assembly Drawing, the existing single-part drawing views will be used in assembly drawings. When you set it to FALSE, or if there is no existing single part drawing for a given part, a new view will be created according to the Include single parts setting. The default value is FALSE.

20 Creating single-part drawings

Single-part drawings are workshop drawings which show the fabrication information for one part (usually without welds).

You can create all single-part drawings for a certain part type at the same time, instead of selecting the parts one by one. This is useful, if you want that the drawings for the same parts look similar and have the same properties.

To create a single-part drawing of one type of part:

1. Use the selection filter to select the part type and press Ctrl + A to select the parts.2. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > Single-Part Drawing....

The Single-part drawing properties dialog box opens.

3. Modify the properties, or select the predefined properties and click Load.4. Click OK.5. Click Drawings & Reports > Create Single-Part Drawing.

The drawings are created.

21 Displaying surface treatments in drawings

1. In the drawing properties dialog box, click Surface treatment....

It is recommended that you use Master Drawing Catalog when you create multiple single-part drawings. For more information, see Master Drawing Catalog (p. 23).


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The surface treatment properties dialog box opens.

2. Select Visible from the Visibility list to display surface treatment in drawings.3. Select appearance of the surface treatment from the Representation list.4. To display the surface pattern, select the Show pattern check box.5. To display hidden lines in secondary and neighboring parts, select the Hidden lines

check box.6. To display hidden lines in main parts, select the Own hidden lines check box.7. To define the line type and color of visible and hidden lines, use the Appearance tab.8. Click OK.

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• how to save drawings

• how to make drawing revisions

• how to use hatching

• how to use symbols in drawings


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22 Saving drawings

You can save drawings either manually or automatically.

22.1 Saving drawings manuallyYou can save drawings manually. Click Drawing File > Save.... Both the drawing *.dg and the model *.db1 and *db2 are saved.

22.2 Using autosaveYou can define an autosave interval for drawings. Tekla Structures saves your work automatically after you have created the specified number of drawings.

1. Click Tools > Options > Options....The Options dialog box opens.

2. Select General from the list.3. Set the autosave value to the Autosave after creating every x drawings.

4. Click OK.

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23 Drawing revisions

When you revise drawings, you can attach change information in them. Tekla Structures drawings display the revision number, the revision mark, and the description.

You can choose whether the revision number or the revision mark is displayed in the Drawing List dialog box. By default, the revision number is displayed.

The drawing_revision_list and drawing_last_revision_list reports show the drawings revision date.

23.1 Creating revisions1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List....

The Drawing List dialog box opens.

2. Click the Revision button in the Drawing List dialog box.The Revision Handling dialog box opens.

3. Enter a mark and a date for the revision.You can also add three lines of text about the revision.


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4. Click Create.

23.2 Changing revisions1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List....

The Drawing List dialog box opens.


3. Select the revision number in the Mark list.4. Change the revision information.5. Click Modify.

23.3 Deleting revisionsWhen you delete a revision, Tekla Structures automatically adjusts the remaining revision numbers for that drawing. The revision marks do not change.

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List....The Drawing List dialog box opens.


3. Select the revision number in the Mark list.4. Click Delete.

The revision you selected is deleted.

23.4 Creating revision marks on drawings1. Open a drawing.2. Click Annotating > Properties > Revision Mark....

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The Revision Mark Properties dialog box opens.

3. Select the number of the revision from the list next to the Mark box, or type the revision information in the box.

4. Modify the other revision mark properties as required.5. Click OK.6. Click Annotating > Add Revision Mark and select the style of mark.7. Pick the point where you want the mark to appear.

Tekla Structures creates the mark.

24 Hatching

You can use hatching to fill part faces, parts in section views and closed drawing objects such as rectangles, circles, and polygons with a pattern. It is also possible to color the fill.

Tekla Structures has several hatch types. You can modify the hatch types on the Fill tab of the part or object properties dialog box. It is possible to modify the current hatching, to switch it off, or to add one hatching per part.

The default hatch type is the one defined in the hatch schema file. The default schema files are located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\system folder. You can define the hatch patterns for material types and names in a hatch schema file (*.htc). Different drawing types (GA, assembly, single-part, and cast unit) have their own schema files.

24.1 Hatching automaticallyProfile sections can be hatched automatically with a specific hatch type. You can also determine the scale and hatch color. By default, this feature is disabled and profile sections will not be hatched.

S235JR TIMBER C20/25


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24.2 Hatching drawing objectsYou can use manual hatching to fill closed drawing objects, for example, rectangles, circles, and clouds.

1. Double-click a drawing object to open the object properties dialog box.2. Click Select... in the Fill area.

A list of hatch patterns opens.

3. Click a pattern to view its name in the Type box.4. Double-click the pattern you want to use.5. If you want to use a gray scale, select the option hardware_SOLID as the hatch pattern

and Special as the color in the object properties dialog box.The color will be printed in gray scale, depending on the selected printer settings. The hatch color is defined using RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values in a scale of 0 to 255.

6. Click Modify and OK.

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24.3 Hatching part faces and sectionsYou can use hatching on part faces and sections to show different materials. It is possible to define the hatching properties on drawing, view, and part levels.

To hatch part faces and sections:

1. Double-click an object in a drawing.The Drawing Part Properties dialog box opens.

2. Go to the Fill tab.

3. Select the hatch pattern type.4. Select the color for the hatch pattern.5. Select either Automatic or Custom from the Scale list.

• If you select Automatic, Tekla Structures automatically scales the hatch pattern to suit the profile size and you do not need to modify each drawing manually.

• If you select Custom, use the Scaling in direction x and Scaling in direction y options for defining the scales in x and y direction. To rotate a fill type, enter the angle of rotation in the Angle box. Angle 0.0 is for horizontal and 90.0 for vertical.

6. Click OK.

24.4 InsulationAutomatic scaling and rotation for hatches can be applied, for example, to material that is used as insulation. You can use the following fill types to represent insulation:


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To modify the thickness, use the option Scaling in direction x of the insulation. The scale 1.0 corresponds to 10 mm, 0.5 to 5 mm, etc.

24.5 Advanced hatchingCast unit shapes in cross-sections can be accentuated on drawings. In order to do this, the advanced option XS_SECTION_LINE_COLOR is set to PURPLE (value 7). If the purple color is set as a thicker line type in the printer catalog, the cross-section shapes on the drawings are automatically printed thicker. The purple color is visible on the drawing only when you hold down the middle mouse button and drag the cursor on the drawing.

In case you want to use another color, set the advanced option XS_SECTION_LINE_COLOR in Tools > Options > Advanced options > Hatching.

Hatch name Pattern

HARD_INS1

SOFT_INS

SOFT_INS2

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25 Symbols in drawings

You can add symbols in drawings, reports and templates.

To create and modify symbols in symbol files and create new symbol files, you need the Symbol Editor (SymEd). With Symbol Editor, you can introduce your own customized symbols without having to make changes in the Tekla Structures application.

You can add symbols inside all kinds of drawing marks as elements, in drawings as separate objects, and also inside text objects.

There are three types of symbols you can add in drawings: symbols without leader lines, symbols with leader lines and symbols along lines.Tekla Structures adds the symbol using the properties in the Symbol properties dialog box.

Using the Symbol Files browser you can easily change the symbol file in use.

25.1 Symbol Files browserThe Symbol Files browser allows you to change the symbol file in use. It also provides access to Symbol Editor where you can create and edit symbol files.

To open the Symbol Files browser to view or change the symbol file in use:

• If you want to view or change the symbol file in marks, double-click Symbol in the available Available elements list in the mark properties dialog box, and then click Select....

• If you want to view or change the symbol file in symbols added in drawings, select Annotating > Properties > Symbol, or double-click a symbol in a drawing, and then click Select....


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25.2 Symbol EditorYou can use the Symbol Editor (SymEd) for creating and modifying symbols that are used in drawings, reports, and templates. The Symbol Editor can be opened by clicking Tools > Symbol Editor....

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Tekla Structures has some symbol files by default. The symbol files have the extension *.sym. They are located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\symbols folder.

The left part of the dialog box contains the current symbols in the user symbol file. A symbol file can contain 16 x 16 = 256 symbols. A symbol can be opened by double-clicking it on the work area. The symbol will appear on the right side and can be modified. An existing symbol can be copied to an empty box, so that it can serve as a template for a new symbol.

25.3 Inserting a symbol1. Open a drawing.2. Click Annotating > Properties > Symbol....

The Symbol Properties dialog box opens.

3. Enter the name of the symbol file in the File box or click Select... to browse for the file.The name must match the file name in the ..\TeklaStructures\<version>\environments\common\symbols, but without entering the *sym extension.

4. Enter the number of the symbol in the Number box. You can also click Select... to open the Symbols dialog box and click the symbol you want to insert.


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5. Modify the symbol and frame properties on the Appearance tab if necessary.6. Click OK.7. Click Annotating > Add symbol > Symbol.8. Click the drawing where you want to insert the symbol.

The symbol properties can be changed by double-clicking the frame around the symbol or a line in the symbol. You can also drag and drop the symbol to a new location.

Click this to select another symbol file.

Click this to select the symbol.

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• how to apply object level settings on drawing and view level

• what is Template Editor

• how to create and print reports

• how to print drawings


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26 Multidrawings

Multidrawings are workshop drawings which gather together several single-part or assembly drawings on one sheet. Create multidrawings when you need to include more than one assembly on a sheet or place several single-part drawings on one sheet.

You can include several types of objects in multidrawings:

• existing drawings

• model and drawing views

• selected parts and assemblies

If you create multidrawings from existing drawings, you can choose to include their individual layouts. If you want to have separate lists, tables, and call-offs for each part or assembly, you should include the individual drawing layouts. You can also include lists and tables for all parts, cast units or assemblies in the multidrawing.

26.1 Modifying multidrawing propertiesTekla Structures creates multidrawings using the properties in the Multi-Drawing Properties dialog box. The single-part or assembly drawings you include retain their original properties.

To modify the multidrawing properties:

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > Multi-Drawing....The Multi-Drawing Properties dialog box opens.

2. Modify the properties or load the predefined properties settings.3. Click OK.

26.2 Copying and linking drawing views to a multi-drawing

You can create an empty multidrawing to which you can copy and link drawing views from other drawings. You can copy or link the views with or without their layouts.

To copy or link drawing views to a multidrawing:

1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Create Multi-Drawing > Empty Drawing.2. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List... to open the drawing list.3. Double-click the empty multidrawing in the drawing list to open the drawing.4. Select the drawings which you want to copy or link to the empty multidrawing.5. Click View > Add Views from Other Drawing and select an option.

The views are placed in the multidrawing.

Copied drawing views do not update when the original views change. Linked drawing views update.

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To arrange the views, click View > Arrange Drawing Views, or drag the views manually.

26.3 Creating multidrawings of selected partsYou can create single-part and assembly drawings of the selected parts and place the drawings in a multidrawing. Do the following:

1. Select the parts of which you want to create the multidrawing.2. Click Drawings & Reports > Create Multi-Drawing and select an option.

Tekla Structures creates the drawings.

27 Applying object level settings on drawing and view level

You can control the drawing object settings (saved properties of parts, reinforcing bars, neighbor parts, marks, bolts, welds, and dimensions) directly on the drawing and view level. This makes setting up special representation for objects in drawings or views very easy. You can simply set up a drawing filter or a view filter that selects the objects you want a special representation for, then create and save the object property settings to be used for the objects specified by the filter, and then combine these two into object level settings. For example, you may want to define that all columns and beams in a drawing or drawing view are shown in a specific color.You also have the option of turning the object level settings on or off for the drawings or views you choose.

The drawing object settings that you apply on the drawing or view level drawing properties dialog box override all the other drawing object settings defined in the drawing properties dialog boxes. Object level settings defined on the drawing level are inherited to the view level settings if there are no object level settings defined on view level. If you define view level object settings, they override the drawing level settings.

Before you can apply drawing object level settings, first create and save the necessary drawing or view filters and drawing object property files.

27.1 Creating a drawing filterDrawing filters select objects in the whole drawing by criteria that you define.

To create a drawing filter to be used in a general arrangement drawing:

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > General Arrangement Drawing....2. Click Filter....3. Modify the filter settings:

• Click Add row.

• Select options from the Category, Property, and Condition list boxes. For example, to create a drawing filter for parts, select Parts as the Category.

• In the Value box, enter a value or select from the model or drawing.


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• Add more rows, and use the And/Or options or parentheses to create more complex rules.

4. Select the check boxes next to all filter rows that you want to enable. The check boxes define which rows of the filter are enabled and effective.

5. Enter a unique name for the filter in the box next to the Save as button.6. Click Save as.7. Click Cancel to close the filter properties dialog box.

27.2 Creating drawing object property filesYou can modify the drawing properties on the object level. This means that you change the individual properties of the objects in the drawings (parts, dimensions, marks, bolts, and welds), and save the object property files for later use.

To modify and save object properties in a general arrangement drawing:

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > General Arrangement Drawing Properties.

2. Click the button for the object you want to change. For example, click Part.

3. Change the desired settings in the property dialog box.For example, go to the Appearance tab and change the part color.

4. In the box next to the Save as button, enter the name for the property file and click Save as.

5. Click Cancel to close the object properties dialog box. Now you have a new object property file. You can apply the settings in this file in an open drawing. You can also use the object property files with the drawing or view filters to apply the object level settings on the drawing or view level through the drawing properties or drawing view properties dialog box.

27.3 Creating detailed object level settings on drawing level

To be able to apply object level settings on drawing or view level, you need to create an object level settings file. You must create object level settings separately for the drawing level and view level.

To create an object level settings file to be used on drawing level:

1. Create the necessary drawing filter that selects the objects you want a special representation for.

2. Create and save the object properties to be used for the objects specified by the filter.3. In the drawing property dialog box, click Edit settings.

If you want to filter objects on view level, you need to open a drawing, double-click a drawing view frame and create a view filter using the View Filter Properties subdialog box of the View Properties dialog box.

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4. In the Object level settings for drawing dialog box, click Add row and select the filters to be used, the drawing object types and the drawing object settings to be used. You can add as many rows in the object level settings as you need.

5. Give the object level settings a name and save using Save as.6. Click Cancel.

27.4 Applying object level settings on drawing levelTo apply the saved model object settings in a drawing:

1. Open a general arrangement drawing. 2. Double-click the drawing to open the drawing properties dialog box.3. Click Edit settings.4. In the Object level settings for drawing dialog box, load the desired object level

settings or create new ones and click OK. 5. Click Modify.

27.5 ExampleIn this example, we will define different object level settings for various types of building objects, such as beams, columns and braces. Then we will make a drawing filter, save object level settings in a file, and apply the new object level settings on drawing level.

Setting up the drawing filter

Parts are classified using new drawing filters. This example is using part names defined in the model, similarly as modeling filters. Do the following to set up the filters:

1. Click Drawings & Reports > Drawing Settings > General Arrangement Drawing.2. Click Filter... in the drawing properties dialog box.3. Create filters by part name for column, beam, and brace and save the settings using Save

as with different names, such as ts_column, ts_beam and ts_brace.

4. Click Cancel. Now you have created the required filters needed for selecting the desired parts.

Setting part representation

Set up the required property settings for beam, column and brace:


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1. In the General Arrangement Drawing Properties dialog box, click Part:

• For columns, set Part representation to Exact on the Contents tab, set Visible lines to magenta on the Appearance tab, and save the settings with the name column using Save as.

• Save setting in the similar way for beams: Select Part representation > Outline on the Contents tab, set Visible lines to green on the Appearance tab and save the settings with the name beam using Save as.

• For braces, set Part representation to Symbol with partial profile on the Contents tab, set Visible lines to blue on the Appearance tab and save the settings with the name brace using Save as.

2. Click Cancel. Now you have the required object property settings to be used when applying object level setting.

Creating detailed object level settings on drawing level

Here we will set up the object level settings using the saved filters and saved object property settings.

1. In the General Arrangement Drawing Properties dialog box, click Edit settings.

2. In the Object level settings for drawing dialog box, select the filters to be used, the drawing object types and the drawing object settings to be used:a Click Add row and select ts_column as Model object (Drawing filter), Part as

Drawing object type and column as Settings used.b Click Add row and select ts_beam as Model object (Drawing filter), Part as

Drawing object type and beam as Settings used.c Click Add row and select ts_brace as Model object (Drawing filter), Part as

Drawing object type and brace as Settings used.3. Save the object level settings as gatype1 using Save as.

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Using the saved object level settings

By default when you create a general arrangement drawing of a 3D view using a default or preset drawing properties, object level setting are not applied, and Use detailed object level settings is set to No.

To apply the detailed object level settings on drawing level:

1. Create a general arrangement drawing.2. Open the created general arrangement drawing and double-click the drawing to open the

drawing properties.3. Click Edit settings. 4. Load object level settings, in this example gatype1, and click Load.5. Click OK.6. Click Modify to apply the changes in the drawing. 7. Confirm the object level changes by clicking Yes in the on Object level settings

changed! confirmation box.


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28 Template Editor

Template Editor (TplEd) is a tool for creating, modifying, and managing templates.

Tekla Structures includes a large number of standard report templates. With Template Editor you can modify existing report templates, or create new ones to suit your needs.

Templates are used for different purposes, for example, to print a list of parts used in an assembly. Templates are either textual or graphical, depending on their contents. Graphical template definitions have the file extension .tpl. Textual template definitions have the file extension .rpt. Both textual and graphical templates can get data from Tekla Structures.

To start Template Editor, click Drawings & Reports > Template Editor....

28.1 Opening templates1. In Template Editor, click File > Open....

The Load File dialog box opens.

2. Browse to the folder containing templates.The ..\environments\<your_environment>\template folder contains the default templates.

3. Select a template and click OK.The template opens in Template Editor.

29 Reports

You create reports of the information included in models. These can be, for example, lists of drawings, bolts, and parts. Reports can contain information from selected parts or the entire model.

Tekla Structures has a large number of standard report templates. Use the Template Editor to modify the existing report templates and to create new ones. For more information, see the Template Editor user documentation.

You can print reports to paper and to file.

29.1 Creating reports1. Open the model2. Optional: To create reports of selected parts only, select the parts you want to include in

the report.3. Click Drawings & Reports > Create Report....

The Report dialog box opens.

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4. Select a report template from the list.5. Enter the report title(s).

You can enter up to three user-defined titles. Every title is not used in every standard report. Title1, for example, is used to show phase information in the material_list report. Check the report you want to use in the Template Editor to see which title(s) it uses.

6. Enter a name for the report file.7. Click the Browse... button to locate the destination folder where the report will be

created. If you do not indicate a destination folder, the report is created in the current model directory.Reports have the file extension .xsr.

8. Set the report options in the Options tab.9. Click Create from all to create a report of all the parts, or click Create from selected to

create a report of the selected parts.10. Click Show to display the report, or Print... to print the report.

29.2 Printing reports1. Click Print... in the Report dialog box, or click File > Print > Print Reports... to open

the Print dialog box.


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2. Click Browse... to browse for the report file.3. Click Select... to select the font.4. Click Printer Setup... to select the printer and set printer-specific options such as paper

size and orientation.5. Click Print to print the report.

29.3 Saw cut anglesSaw cut angles are mentioned in some reports. The figure below displays which saw angle corresponds to which report parameter. The angles are always determined according to the local coordinate system.

Example The local direction between reference points (from point 1 to point 2) is to the positive x direction.

Angle 1Z=-30°

Angle 2Z=30°

Angle 1Y=30°

Angle 2Y=-30°

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30 Printing drawings

Tekla Structures prints drawings to selected printers, to print files, and to PDF. Printing can be started from the Drawing List or from an open drawing.

30.1 Adding a printerTekla Structures uses Windows drivers to write the print data directly to the Windows printer interface.

There are two stages to setting up a printer in Tekla Structures. Firstly you need to add printer instances to the printer catalog. By default several printer instances are already defined. Secondly, you need point these printer instances to a specific Windows printer, either attached directly to your system, or available via a network. You will define the majority of print settings when you set up the printer.

To add a printer:

1. Click File > Print > Printer Catalog....The Printer Catalog dialog box opens.

2. Click an existing printer instance that has similar settings to the one you want to create. We will use this as a template.

3. Type a new printer instance (name) for the printer.4. Click Add.


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5. Click Browse... to access the Select Printer dialog box, which shows a list of the Windows printer drivers currently configured on your PC.

6. Select a printer and click OK.7. Select a paper size.8. Enter the print area in Print area h*b. The area is used only if By print area is selected

in Paper size.9. Use the Offset for print origin boxes to move the drawing print origin, if required.10. Use the Color list to select a color or mono printer.11. Click Color table... to map pen size to the on screen line color.

For more information, see Defining line thicknesses (p. 124).

12. Click Update and then OK to exit the Printer Catalog dialog box13. Select Save changes to model folder in the Save Confirmation dialog box and click

OK.

Defining line thicknesses

You can define line thicknesses of colors for individual printers.

To define line thickness:

1. Click File > Print > Printer Catalog... to open the Printer Catalog dialog box.2. Select a printer from the Printer Instances list.3. Click Color table....

The Color Table dialog box opens. The color table maps different screen colors to different line thicknesses. Note that the color you use for the drawing background is not printed in drawings.

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4. Enter the values of line thickness for the colors.By default, the entered number corresponds to the line thickness in tenths of millimeters. For example, Pen number = 4 equals line thickness = 0.4 mm.

5. Click OK.

30.2 Printing single drawings1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List... to open the Drawing List

dialog box.2. Open the drawing you want to print.3. Click Drawing File > Print Drawings... to open the Print Drawings dialog box.4. Select the printer you want to use.5. Click Print to print the drawing.

30.3 Printing multiple drawings1. In the model, click Drawings & Reports > Drawing List... to open the Drawing List

dialog box.2. Select each drawing you want to print.3. Click File > Print > Print Drawings....

The Print Drawings dialog box opens.

4. Select the printer(s) you want to use.If you select several printers, Tekla Structures sends each drawing to the printer with the smallest paper size on which the drawing will fit. For example, if you have two printers selected, one A4 and one A3, Tekla Structures will send A4 drawings to the A4 printer and A3 to the A3 printer.

5. Click Print to print the drawings.

31 Problem in opening a drawing

If you cannot open a drawing, the problem may be one of the following:

• A *.dg file in the Drawings folder is deleted.

• Tekla Structures is opened twice with the same model.


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• how to use Tekla Structures Help

• how to save your favorite Help topics


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32 Using Tekla Structures Help

Tekla Structures Help is a detailed guide to Tekla Structures concepts, tools, commands, and features, with plenty of examples.

32.1 Opening Tekla Structures HelpTo open Help, do one of the following:

• Click Help > Tekla Structures Help.

• Press F1.

If you have a dialog box open, pressing F1 takes you straight to the related topic.

32.2 Browsing Help topics by subjectUse the Contents tab to browse through Help topics using a hierarchical list of topics.

To browse Help topics by subject:

1. Go to the Contents tab.2. Click a Help topic to open it, or double-click a closed book icon to display the subtopics.

3. Use the blue-and-white arrow buttons to move to the next or previous topic.

32.3 Finding Help topics using the indexUse the Index tab to search for Help topics using an alphabetical list of keywords.

To find a Help topic using the index:

1. Go to the Index tab.2. Enter a keyword, or scroll through the list of keywords.3. Double-click a title to display that topic, or click a topic title and then click Display.

If a keyword is associated with more than one topic, a list of topics appears and you are prompted to select one of them.

To open or close all books on the Contents tab, right-click one of the topics and select Open all or Close all from the pop-up menu.

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32.4 Searching for Help topicsUse the Search tab to find Help topics based on search terms. You can refine your search using wildcard characters, search operators, nested search terms, and search filters.

To search for a Help topic:

1. Go to the Search tab.2. Enter the words to search for.3. Click List Topics to start the search.

A list of results appears.

4. Double-click a title to display that topic, or click a topic title and then click Display.

Viewing the search results

To view and sort the search results, do any of the following:

Using search filters

Use any of the following search filters to narrow or broaden your search results:

If you want to find an exact phrase, or if the search term contains special characters, enclose the phrase in double quotation marks. For example, "bolt catalog" or "objects.inp".

To Do this

Display the search results in alphabetical order

Click the Title column heading.

Display the location of a topic in the hierarchical list of topics

Click Locate on the Help toolbar.

Find a specific word or phrase in the open topic

Click the topic and press Ctrl + F.

Move forward and backward through previously viewed topics

Click Forward or Back on the Help toolbar.

Show or hide the navigation pane Click Show or Hide on the Help toolbar.

Disable the highlighting of search terms in the search results

Click Options > Search Highlight Off.

Return to the Help cover page Click Home on the Help toolbar.

Search filter Description

Search previous results Narrows down the search results. The next search will be performed within the topics that were found in the previous search.


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To enable or disable a search filter, select or clear the corresponding check box on the Search tab.

32.5 Saving favorite Help topicsUse the Favorites tab to save Help topics that you might want to visit again.

To add a topic to your list of favorites:

1. Display the topic you want to save.2. Go to the Favorites tab.3. Optional: If you want to save the topic under a different name, enter a new name in the

Current topic box, and then press Enter.4. Click Add.

Match similar words Includes topics that contain words similar to your search term. For example, also the plural form of the word is included in the search.

Search titles only Searches for words only in topic titles. If the search term appears only in the body of a topic, it is not included in the search results.

Search filter Description

ts training std drawings 160 enu

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