Roundness of objects displayed in Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures
Not version-specific
Tekla Structures
roundness
round bar
too many points in displaypolygon
cannot show all chamfers
Environment
Not environment-specific

This is a quick guide to controlling the roundness of objects in Tekla Structures. Most scenarios are more complex and involve a combination of several variables. For a more in-depth understanding of how each of these variables works, see Tekla Structures product guides.

Tekla Structures 2017 and older versions

Note: As a limitation of Tekla Structures until version 2017, each object can only support up to 99 points, so if your shapes are too complex or too round, they could exceed the maximum points and break the geometry.

Tekla Structures 2017i and newer versions

In Tekla Structures 2017i onwards, this limit is increased. The new maximum number of polygon points is 1000 for parts and bolt groups, and 999 for profile cross sections.

Note: You lose performance the smoother your curves are, so find a value that will provide the best balance.

Chamfers on contour plates

XS_CHAMFER_ACCURACY_FACTOR

XS_CHAMFER_ACCURACY_FACTOR=16

XS_CHAMFER_ACCURACY_FACTOR=1

 

Image
chamfer_accuracy_16.jpg

 

Image
chamfer_accuracy_1.jpg

Round sections

If the diameter of your round section is smaller than the value set in XS_CHORD_TOLERANCE_SMALL_TUBE_SIZE_LIMIT, then XS_CHORD_TOLERANCE_FOR_SMALL_TUBE_SEGMENTS will be used instead.

XS_CHORD_TOLERANCE_FOR_TUBE_SEGMENTS

XS_CHORD_TOLERANCE_FOR_
TUBE_SEGMENTS=20

XS_CHORD_TOLERANCE_FOR_
TUBE_SEGMENTS=1

 

Image
chord_tolerance_20.jpg

 

Image
chord_tolerance_1.jpg

Polygon cross section profiles

Polygon cross section profiles, such as hollow-core slabs, can be complex shapes and could easily reach the 99 point limit in Tekla Structures 2017 and earlier versions, so use caution.

In Tekla Structures 2017i and newer versions, the point limit is 999.

XS_CS_CHAMFER_DIVIDE_ANGLE

XS_CS_CHAMFER_
DIVIDE_ANGLE=30

XS_CS_CHAMFER_
DIVIDE_ANGLE=5

XS_CS_CHAMFER_
DIVIDE_ANGLE=1

 

Image
chamfer_divide_30.jpg

 

Image
chamfer_divide_5.jpg

 

Image
chamfer_divide_1.jpg

Polybeams

XS_POLYBEAM_CHORD_TOLERANCE

XS_POLYBEAM_CHORD_
TOLERANCE=24

XS_POLYBEAM_CHORD_
TOLERANCE=1

 

Image
polybeam_chord_tolerance_24.jpg

 

Image
polybeam_chord_tolerance_1.jpg

Variable profiles from sketch editor

Variable profiles can be created with fixed segments or with radiused curves. If your profile is created with fixed segments, there is no way to adjust the roundness. If created with radiused curves, then the following can be applied.

XS_ROUND_SEGMENTS (not documented).

XS_ROUND_SEGMENTS=8

XS_ROUND_SEGMENTS=24

 

Image
round_segments_8.jpg

 

Image
round_segments_24.jpg

Bolt holes

The only way to adjust the roundness of bolt holes is by using "View Properties > Display > Representation". For Holes, the options are "Fast", "Exact", and "Exact slotted holes".

Adjust the display settings > Display settings

Fast

Exact

Exact slotted holes

 

Image
bolt_hole_fast.jpg

 

Image
bolt_hole_exact.jpg

 

Image
bolt_hole_exact_slotted.jpg
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