Tekla Structures Basic

Training

Tekla Structures 10.0

February 12, 2004

Copyright © 2004 Tekla Corporation

Contents

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 1 Collaboration

In this chapter This chapter introduces the principles of working with reference models
in Tekla Structures. Reference models are usually models from other
systems – e.g. pipes, equipments etc. made by process industry systems.
It is important to see those pipes and equipments to be able to model
steel or concrete structure around them avoiding collisions. Reference
models can be dxf, dwg or dgn format. Also Tekla Structures use in
multiuser mode is explained.
We will first import some HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning)
and Process Industry (pipes, equipments) dwg files. Reference models
can be created by using e.g. Autocad, Magicad, Cadmatic, PDS, PDMS
etc. programs. Then we train what kind of possibilities you have when
working with reference models.

1.1 Import of Reference Models

See Help: Reference models->using one model.
Create DWG 1. Double click the Create reference object icon.
reference object

2. Browse first reference file (HVAC_air_RefModel.dwg) under

ReferenceModels folder.

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 3. Click OK.
4. Pick position to global origin.

It is good to have a separate view where to pick origin point and in other
view you can see the appearing reference model.
Import also other reference models under folder ReferenceModels in the
same way.

It can take some CPU time when importing large reference

models. It can be optimized e.g. by defining number of
segments used in reference pipes.

See Help: Reference models->Handling large reference models.

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1.2 Defining Visibility and User Attributes
It is possible to define visibility and user defined attributes in reference
model dialog.
Edit the 1. Start command File->Reference objects… Reference object dialog
description of appears.
reference file

2. Double click to HVAC_air_RefModel.dwg reference file. Reference

object properties dialog appears.

3. Press User defined attributes… button. User attribute dialog appears.

4. Add info text Water pipes + equipments to description field of user
attributes dialog (Reference (1) dialog).

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 5. Press Modify button. Description field will be filled in Reference object
dialog.
Change the Visibility can be defined for many reference models even at same time.
visibility of
reference file 1. Select HVAC reference file rows in reference object dialog while pressing
Shift button.
2. Change visibility option to Invisible.
3. Change visibility option back to Visible.

User attribute fields in dialog can be defined in objects.inp

file.

See Help: Reference models->Using several reference models.

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1.3 Snapping and Picking to Reference
Models
Tekla Structures recognizes reference models in snapping. You can
notice this by creating e.g. construction line to reference model or
checking distances of reference model. Note that Snap to geometry lines
/ points has to be on.
Create a free Check the distance from edge of lavatory pipe to edge of I-beam.
measure to check
available space 1. Select hollow core slab near to toilet and choose from pop up menu Hide
command.
2. Start Create free measure command. Note: Select objects in
components has to be on. Switch also Snap to perpendicular points to
on.

3. Pick first point to edge of pipe of toilet. You can rotate view to make
picking correct point easier.
4. Pick second point to edge of I-beam. Use perpendicular point.

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 5. Result of distance can be seen on left bottom corner. Distance in x-
coordinate direction is 289 mm which is ok.

1.4 Handling Reference Models

Only reference models which are inside work area will be visible. For
example defining work area correct you can get only reference models
visible you need. DGN-format reference models are also clipped if
environment XS_REFERENCE_USE_RENDERED_CLIPPING is
defined. Switching Xsnap off increases picking speed.
See Help: Reference models->Handling large reference models.
Change the phase Phase numbers effect also to reference models and it is a good way in
number of HVAC filtering.
reference models
1. Select command Properties->Phase number… to get Phase manager
dialog visible.
2. Press Add button 2 times to get 2 more phase number rows.
3. Add comments HVAC water and HVAC air to new phase lines.
4. Select HVAC_water reference file and press Modify phase button.
5. Select HVAC_air reference file and press Modify phase button.

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6. Double click to view to get View properties dialog and press Filter…
button.
7. Add new phase numbers to Phase number field and put Not option on.

8. Press Modify button and HVAC* reference files will be filtered out from
view.

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 In View setup dialog box (Properties -> View… -> Display…) you can
define if you want to see reference models.

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1.5 Export Reference Model of Tekla
Structures Model
Tekla Structures model can be exported to other systems (e.g. PDS,
PDMS,Cadmatic) by using 3D dgn, 3D dxf or other formats. This is
needed to ensure structural model fits to e.g. process model of pipes,
equipments etc. In this example you will create a 3D dgn reference
model and still import it back to model.
Export model in 1. Select desired parts (e.g. whole model).
3D dgn format
2. Start command File->Export->3d DGN.
Output file (Model.dgn) will be created to model folder.

Create a DGN Work in the same way as earlier.

reference model
of existing 1. Double click the Create reference object icon.
structural model
for checking
purpose

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 2. Browse the reference file (Model.dgn).
3. Click OK.
4. Pick position to global origin.
You can check situation e.g. defining another view and displaying only
reference models.

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1.6 Publish Model as a Web Page
Tekla Structures model can be published as a web page. Then other
persons can watch the model using Internet Explorer (so Tekla
Structures is not needed). This is easy and effective way to show e.g.
current status of model.
Publish model as 1. Start command File->Publish as Web page…
a web page
2. Press Publish button.

Separate Tekla Web Viewer window appears.

See Help: Tekla WebViewer.

In the Tekla Web Viewer model you can pan, fly, rotate model etc.
See Help: Tekla WebViewer -> How to move and zoom ?

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1.7 Multiuser Mode
In multiuser mode several persons can work in a same model at same
time. In big models it is often necessary. Using multiuser mode is an
easy and efficient way to handle projects but it needs some settings and
it is recommendable to read Tekla Structures Online help pages.
See Help: Multiuser mode.
Example of multiuser modeling you can find in:
Help: 2.2. Modeling in multiuser mode-> working with a master model.
See also Help: Guidelines for multiuser drawings.

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