Settings in the Options dialog box

Tekla Structures
2018
Tekla Structures

Settings in the Options dialog box

The Options dialog box ( File menu  >  Settings  >  Options ) contains the current values for a number of Tekla Structures settings.

Check the settings before you start modeling and change them, if necessary.

The model-specific settings in this dialog box are saved in the options_model.db and options_drawings.db databases in the model folder, and the user-specific settings in options.bin in your local <user> folder. Changing user- or model-specific options in the Options dialog box does not require Tekla Structures restart.

You can also save your own settings by using the Save button. Then the standard.opt file is saved in the \attributes folder under model folder. You may want to copy this file to your firm folder. When you create a model, the standard.opt is read from the firm folder.

The options in the Options dialog box are described below.

Clash check settings

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

Depending on how the objects selected for clash checking have been modeled, different clash check settings are used. For example, if you have modeled embeds as studs, steel parts, or reinforcing bars, respectively either bolt settings, part settings, or reinforcement settings are relevant.

For more information about clash check, see Detect clashes.

Option

Description

Allowed penetration volume

Defines the allowed clash check tolerance if small collisions are acceptable and can be ignored.

If the clashing volume is smaller than the given value, for example 1 mm 3 , then the clash is not reported.

Enter the value in the current volume units.

Clash check between bolt and bolted part

Defines whether the model is checked for clashes that occur between bolts and the related bolted parts.

If you select Yes , Tekla Structures will check the bolts against the real geometry of the bolted part profiles including roundings, and using the real bolt dimensions.

Define the clash check clearance area for bolts

Use to check if bolts collide with parts and if there is enough space to fix the bolts.

Enter the clearance dimensions in relation to the bolt head or nut diameter d (the larger value), and the nut thickness t. The clearance in front of the bolted parts is the same as the bolt length.

If you do not enter a value, Tekla Structures uses the default value.

If you clear the check boxes, the clearance will be zero.

If Tekla Structures cannot find the bolt head or nut diameter in the bolt catalog, it uses the shank diameter instead.

Reinforcing bar vs steel part clearance (negative value to allow overlap)

Defines the minimum clearance or the allowed overlap for reinforcing bars when they are checked against steel parts.

To allow reinforcing bars to overlap steel parts and to ignore the ribs of bars, enter a negative value. The maximum overlap is the actual bar radius.

Tekla Structures only checks the distance from bar side to part. Tekla Structures does not check the distance from bar end to part.

If you clear the check box, Tekla Structures will not check the clearance.

Reinforcing bar clearance (negative value to allow overlap)

Defines the minimum clearance or the allowed overlap for reinforcing bars when they are checked against other reinforcing bars.

To allow reinforcing bars to overlap, enter a negative value.

If you clear the check box, Tekla Structures will not check the clearance.

Reinforcing bar cover thickness

Defines the reinforcing bar cover thickness.

Tekla Structures checks the cover thickness against the part that the reinforcing bar belongs to. Tekla Structures only checks the distance from bar side to part surface. Tekla Structures does not check the distance from bar end to part surface. If the bar penetrates a part surface, a clash is reported, even if the bar is completely inside a cast unit or pour.

If you clear the check box, Tekla Structures will not check the cover thickness.

Components settings

Tekla Structures uses the information on the Components tab when it creates parts using components.

Component properties defined in component dialog boxes override these settings. Tekla Structures only uses these settings if the corresponding boxes in the component dialog boxes are empty.

If you change settings here, Tekla Structures only applies the new settings to components you subsequently create. Components you created prior to changing the preferences are not affected.

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

Option

Description

Profile names

Defines parametric profile prefixes for plates. It is important that profile names are set up correctly so that you can use filters and wizards effectively.

Profile names must exist in the profile catalog. If you want to use a parametric profile that does not have a name in the catalog, first add it to the Profile Catalog , then enter it here. Tekla Structures uses the Folded plate prefix when you use the folded plates in components.

Bolts

In components, Tekla Structures uses Factor of bolt edge distance and Compare edge distance to to check that the bolts it creates are not too close to the edge of a part, and warns you if they are. Check that Factor of bolt edge distance is set according to the standard you are using. The default edge distance setting depends on your environment.

Compare edge distance defines whether the edge distance checks are based on bolt or hole diameter.

To define the default bolt properties to use in connections, select a Bolt standard and Bolt size.

Parts

Part material defines the default part material grade.

Part start numbers defines start numbers for parts that are Welded to primary and Welded to secondary , Loose parts , and Assembly loose parts.

Cross-check these settings against the numbering series you define to make sure they do not overlap. If they overlap, Tekla Structures may create two non-identical parts with the same part number. This generates an error in the Numbering history log file.

Drawing dimensions settings

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

For more information about dimension settings, see Define dimensioning

Option

Description

Exaggeration

This setting defines the default values for Exaggeration limit and Exaggeration scaling.

When you enable the exaggeration of the dimensions, a drawing dimension that is narrower than the defined limit is expanded. Exaggeration limit defines the default value for this limit.

Exaggeration scaling defines whether you are using Paper or Model as the exaggeration scaling method:

  • If you select Paper , the exaggeration limit is multiplied by the view scale.

  • If you select Model , and the scale is 1:10, all the dimensions smaller than 10 mm are exaggerated regardless of the drawing scale.

For more information about exaggerated dimensions, see Create exaggerated dimensions.

Absolute dimensions

Show zero in absolute dimensions > Yes shows zero at the zero points in absolute dimensions.

Draw absolute dimension values parallel to dimension line > Yes shows dimensions parallel to dimension lines in absolute dimensions.

For more information, see Change the appearance of absolute dimensions

Dimensions in tags

Units , Format and Precision define the default unit, format and precision used in dimension tags.

Available units: mm, cm, m, foot - inch, cm / m, inch, feet.

Available formats: ###, ###[.#], ###.#, ###[.##], ###.##, ###[.###], ###.###, ### #/# and ## # /##.## #.

Available precision: 0.00, 0.50, 0.33, 0.25, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/10, 1/100, 1/1000

Show dimension in middle tag of automatic dimension defines whether you want to create dual dimension tags in assembly, single-part, cast unit, or general arrangement drawings.

For more information about automatic dual dimensions, see Automatic view-level dimensions.

For more information about manual dual dimensions, see Add dual dimensions manually

When Tekla Structures creates the drawing, it adds the lower dimension tag in the selected unit, format and precision.

Add mark to reinforcement

Dimension Marks settings and Tagged Dimension Mark settings define the predefined property files used for dimension marks and tagged dimension marks files.

Using the option Dimension line settings you can save the dimension properties file in the Dimension Properties dialog box and take it into use in rebar dimensioning.

For more information about adding dimensions and tags, see Add dimensions to reinforcement.

Dimension line

Dimension line extension length for line arrow defines the length of the line extension for dimensions that have line arrows.

Note that line extensions are not applied to dimensions that have different arrows from line arrows, and certain knock-off dimension types.

For the option Tapered skewed reinforcement group , you can select skewed or horizontal presentation.

Below is an example of tapered skewed reinforcement group dimensions that are shown skewed:

 

For the option Tapered curved reinforcement group you can select, curved or horizontal presentation.

Below is an example of tapered curved reinforcement group dimensions that are shown curved:

 

Drawing objects settings

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

Option

Description

Edge chamfer

Line color defines the default line color of the edge chamfers in drawings.

Line type defines the default line type of the edge chamfers in drawings.

These values are overridden by the values set in the Edge Chamfer Properties dialog box.

For more information about edge chamfers, see Edge chamfers in drawings

General settings

NOTE: On this page, Autosave settings are user specific. All other settings are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

Option

Description

Autosave

Autosave interval: Autosave after every xx modeling or editing commands defines how often Tekla Structures automatically saves a model and a drawing.

This number represents the number of commands you have given. For example, if you create many objects without interrupting ( Esc ), it counts as one command.

Autosave after creating every xx drawings defines the number of drawings after which Tekla Structures automatically saves your work.

For more information, see:

Save a model

Autosaving in multi-user mode

Default adaptivity

Off means that adaptivity is not defined.

Relative defines that handles retain their relative distances to the nearest part faces in relation to the part’s overall size.

Fixed defines that handles retain their absolute distances to the nearest part faces.

You can also modify the adaptivity settings for each part separately. These modifications override the default settings in the Options dialog box.

For more information about reinforcement and adaptivity, see Use adaptivity to modify a reinforcement

Load modeling settings

Use the settings on the Arrow size tab to scale loads in model views.

Use the settings on the other tabs of this page to define the building code and safety factors Tekla Structures uses in load combination.

NOTES:

  • Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.
  • You should not need to change the building code or safety factors during the project. If you change these settings, you will also need to change the load group types and check the load combinations.

Numbering settings

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

Option

Description

Position number separator

Defines the default position number separator. The options are dot (.), comma (,), slash (/), and hyphen (-).

Rebar position number separator

Defines the default reinforcing bar position number separator. The options are dot (.), comma (,), slash (/), and hyphen (-).

Part number type

Defines the default part number type. The options are Part number and Combined assembly / part number.

Orientation marks settings

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

For details of what affects the part orientation and how, see Indicate part orientation.

Option

Description

North direction

Project north (degrees counter clockwise from global x) defines which direction is north in the model. Enter the value in degrees counter-clockwise from the global x axis.

Part viewing direction

Defines which direction parts are viewed from in drawings.

Beam skew limit

Column skew limit

Tekla Structures uses limit angles to determine whether a part is a beam or a column when creating orientation marks. Tekla Structures treats parts outside these limits as braces.

Parts skewed more than 80° are columns.

Parts skewed less than 10° are beams.

Preferred location for mark

Defines the location of part marks in drawings, to the left or right end of the part.

Mark always to center of column

This setting only affects columns.

Yes places part marks in the center of columns in plan views. To indicate part orientation, include compass direction ( Face direction ) in the part mark instead.

No places part marks on the same flange in general arrangement and assembly drawings.

Reinforcement settings

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific and apply only to rebar sets, not to single reinforcing bars, reinforcing bar groups, or reinforcement meshes. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart, but you need to use the Rebar set > Regenerate rebar sets command on the Concrete tab to apply the changes to existing rebar sets in the model.

Option

Description

Concrete cover

Define the default concrete cover thickness between the bars in rebar sets and the following faces of concrete parts or pour objects:

  • Top
  • Bottom
  • Sides

Concrete cover on object sides follows the global coordinate system of the model, not the current work plane.

You can also define concrete cover settings for each part separately using user-defined attributes. These modifications override the default settings in the Options dialog box. For more information, see Define the reinforcement cover thickness.

Minimum lengths to be created

Define Minimum bar length to prevent Tekla Structures from creating reinforcing bars that are too short. This setting is primarily for straight bars. Enter the minimum bar length as Distance or as Coefficient of bar diameter.

Define Minimum straight start/end leg length for bent reinforcing bars. Enter the minimum leg length as Distance or as Coefficient of bar diameter.

Units and decimals settings

NOTE: Settings on this page are model specific. Changing the settings does not require Tekla Structures restart.

The number located to the right of each option indicates the number of decimals. The number of decimals affects the input and storage accuracy. Always use a sufficient number of decimals.

For more information on unit and decimal settings, see Change units and decimals.

Option

Description

Length

mm , cm , m , in (decimal) , ft (decimal) , ft-in

Angle

o , rad

Spring constant

Rot. spring constant

Factor

Enter a value using the arrow buttons.

Force

Distributed load

Surface load

Moment

Distributed moment

Temperature

oC , oF , K

Deformation

Section dimension

Angle

o , rad

Area

Section modulus

Moment of inertia

mm4 , cm4 , in4

Radius of inertia

Torsion constant

mm4 , cm4 , in4

Warping constant

mm6 , cm6 , in6

Cover area

Strength

Modulus

Density

Weight

Strain

o/oo , %

Thermal dilat. coeff.

1/oC , 1/ oF , 1/K

Ratio

o/oo , %

Volume

Length

mm , cm , m , in (decimal) , ft (decimal) , ft-in

Angle

o , rad

Reinforcement area

Transverse reinforc.

Weight

Mass/Length

Volume

Force

Distributed load

Surface load

Moment

Temperature

oC , oF , K

Stress

Deformation

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