Tekla Steel_Modeling Tips

Modeling Techniques Session

Did You Know This?

Real Quick

Save Defaults Stores Project Properties• “Setup>Save

Defaults” menu• Stanard.prf and

standard.prf.more are created in model\attribtes folder

• Copy those files to XS_FIRM folder

• Now no Longer have to type this in on new projects

Points Commands for Finding Intersection Points

Pick two points to form two lines (like for back face of Channels)

Pick each part, and point will be created at center intersections

Solid Web Model: Visual Status Reports

Understanding Bolts

Two Insertion Points form the X direction - In Cut Length forces Length

Understanding Bolts: Cut Length- In Cut Length forces Length

Distance / 2 to figure out what to bolt through on a part

Understanding Bolts: Thread In Material

• “X” Doesn’t Change Length of Bolts

• Thread Does, but isn’t really shear Plane

Understanding Bolts: Thread in Material

Understanding Bolts: Thread in Material

Using Scripting To Automate Everyday things!

Where Are Macros• Tools>Macros• Select, Then Run• Type New Name,Then Record

Then Stop• Stored in C:\TeklaStructures\14.0\environments\

usimp\macros\modeling or ..\drawings• XS_MACRO_DIRECTORY• Practice what macro does first, then record

Macro To Load Part Properties• Save Part Properties, with a name

“Plate_Vert”• Type New Macro name “Plate_Vert”• Press “Record”• Modeling>Properties>Steel Parts>Beam• Load up “Plate_Vert”• Press OK• Activate the “Create Beam” command• Press the Stop button and now your macro

is done!

Macro To Load Part Properties

Record a Macro to Set User Defined Attributes and Load Object Rep

Beam Properties because it works on all other parts types like column, contour plate, polybeam, etc.

Record a Macro to Set User Defined Attributes and Load Object Rep• Save Away Object Rep for On Hold

Parts. This will be loaded by script

Record a Macro to Set User Defined Attributes and Load Object Rep Steps:

• First have parts selected in model

• Then Record Macro• Part Properties• User Defined Attributes• Uncheck Checkboxes• Check On Hold• Set to Yes• Modify• Press Cancel Button

• View>Representation>Object Representation

• Load OnHold Status• Modify• Cancel Dialog box• Stop Recording the

Macro are you are all set!

Macro To Select Parts, Run Reports• Create Select Filter

and Object Rep to Find bad material Grades

• Record Macro• Load Select Filter and

Object Rep• Edit>Select All

Objects (Will only Grab Selection Fitler)

• Open Reports and Run Assembly_or_Part_Id_list

• Cancel Main Report Dialog Box

• Change Selection Filters back to standard

• Stop Macro recording

Macro To Select Parts, Run Reports

Macro: Add Pourstop to many parts• You can add custom components with Tekla API

through macros.

More Neat Tricks in the Model

2D and 3D Reference Models• Export your Esheets to DWG and bring into model

for checking• Bring XML Webviewer models as an overlay to

show revision histories• Bring in 2D Joist, Grating, Architectural, or

Engineering Layouts to overlay and trace Structural on top of or for coordination

Open E Dwg, File>Export Current, Change Scale to same as main view

NEW 14.0

Change Management

on two Reference Model Files

Numeric Snap1. Activate Beam

Command2. Ctrl Left Click at Corner3. Drag Mouse to other

snap to define direction4. Just Start typing

distance you want to travel like 4’ and Numeric Location Dialog will appear automatically

5. Press OK and the Start Point of your beam will be set.

Advantage No Points or Copying of Steel Required

2

3

4

5Type Snapping in help for more instructions. @X,Y,Z relative

Shear Tab Connections

Skewed, Radius beams, Beams into Pipe Columns.

Also Check out 64, 29, 30

Notice Skews cut to K1

Hip and Valley

Magnetic Construction Lines for Hip Roof or Slope Steel

• Model Steel Flat.

• Lay in 3 Construction Lines as shown.

• Set Construction Lines to Magnetic

• Stretch Vertex End Points of 3 Const. lines vertically, and then Steel will be sloped as shown

Sloping Beam Rotation Change• Set Work Plane to

Part Top on Girder• Go To beam

properties of secondary

• 0 out the Rotation and Modify

• The beam is then rotated

Work Plane to Girder

Note: Works on Column Skews as well

Multiple Stretch at the Same Time• Select the Parts• Hold Down the Alt Key

+ Window from left to right around the end points you want to stretch

• Use the Move Command to then move just those end points all at the same time

Dropping Hip Beam

Model in Contour Plates to Represent Deck

Select Girder, Create Part View to FRONT Plane (Right Click Menu)

Make sure part is selected first, then cut section view

with 2 points

Fit your work area to selected part in new view Use line line intersection point tool

to move beam down under deck

Change Work Plane to view plane, model in deck support

plate with polybeam