Tekla Structures includes complex tile and brick surface treatmentbuilding object that represents finishing of a part

The term surface treatment is used in concrete detailing. For concrete parts surface treatment includes surface mixes, tiles, and flat finishes, such as troweling and sandblasting.

The term surface finish is used in steel detailing. For steel parts surface finishes include fire-proofing and unpainted areas.

options, such as basketweave and herringbone patterns. Tiled surface treatment options are based on repeating tile patterns that are stored in XML format.

The tile pattern surface treatment are available in Surface treatment properties if you have set the Type to Tile surface.

1. Copy the TilePatternCatalog.xml file to your firm, project, or model folderfolder that is used for storing files associated with a model
   
   Tekla Structures stores all files associated with a model in a folder it creates with the same name as the model database (.db1).
   
   In multi-user mode all users access the same model folder.
   
   . The file is located under the \ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments folder. The exact file location may vary depending on the folder structure of your environment files.
2. Open the copied file using any text editor.
3. Add a new <TilePattern> element to the file.
   

   The <TilePattern> element must have <HOffset> and <VOffset> elements and at least one <Tile> element. Other elements are optional.

   Tip:
   

   You may find it easier to copy one of the existing elements, and then modify it to suit your needs.

4. Repeat adding <TilePattern> elements for all the patterns you want to define.
5. Save the TilePatternCatalog.xml file.

This example explains how the Basketweave tile pattern is defined in the TilePatternCatalog.xml file.

The Basketweave pattern block is made up of eight tiles:

(1) Tile width

(2) Mortar width

(3) VOffset

(4) HOffset

(5) Red marks indicate TileOrigin. Angle value for vertical tiles is 90.

(6) Tile height

(7) Mortar height

The pattern is repeated in the x and y direction of the surface treatment, starting from the origin of the surface treatment. You can run the pattern in different x directions:

In the TilePatternCatalog.xml file, the pattern is defined as follows:

(1) Name of the pattern

(2) Size of the pattern block in the x direction, after which the pattern repeats

(3) Size of the pattern block in the y direction, after which the pattern repeats

The definition file uses the same symbols as the Surface treatment properties: