Modeling Techniques Session

Real Quick
Did You Know This?
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\ma
cros\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 • View>Representation>
selected in model Object Representation
• Then Record Macro • Load OnHold Status
• Part Properties • Modify
• User Defined Attributes • Cancel Dialog box
• Uncheck Checkboxes • Stop Recording the
• Check On Hold Macro are you are all
• Set to Yes set!
• Modify
• Press Cancel Button
Macro To Select Parts, Run Reports
• Create Select Filter • Open Reports and
and Object Rep to Run
Find bad material Assembly_or_Part_Id
Grades _list
• Record Macro • Cancel Main Report
• Load Select Filter and Dialog Box
Object Rep • Change Selection
• Edit>Select All Filters back to
Objects (Will only standard
Grab Selection Fitler) • 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

NEW 14.0
Change
Management
on two
Reference
Model Files

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

Numeric Snap 3
1. Activate Beam
Command 4
2. Ctrl Left Click at Corner
3. Drag Mouse to other
snap to define direction
4. Just Start typing
distance you want to 2
travel like 4’ and
Numeric Location
Dialog will appear Type Snapping
automatically in help for more
5. Press OK and the Start instructions.
5
Point of your beam will
@X,Y,Z relative
be set.
Advantage No Points or Copying of Steel Required
 Shear Tab Connections
Notice Skews cut to K1

Skewed, Radius beams,

Beams into Pipe Columns.

Also Check out

64, 29, 30
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 Work Plane to Girder

• 0 out the Rotation

and Modify
• The beam is then
rotated
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 Select Girder, Create Part View to Make sure part is selected
Represent Deck FRONT Plane (Right Click Menu) first, then cut section view
with 2 points

Fit your work area to selected Change Work Plane to view

Use line line intersection point tool plane, model in deck support
part in new view
to move beam down under deck plate with polybeam