You can create new parametric profiles using .clb files.

Follow the example workflow below to create a parametric profile with .clb files.

When you create new parametric profiles using this method, you need the following three files:

• .clb

  This file contains the cross section definitions. Create a new .clb file in the ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\inp folder for each parametric profile you define.

• components.clb

  This file contains a list of all .clb files that contain cross section definitions. When you create a new .clb file, you need to add its file name to the components.clb file located in the ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\inp folder.

• profitab.inp

  This file is the link between the .clb files and the profile catalog. This file contains a list of all parametric profiles available in Tekla Structures. The file controls how the parametric profiles are displayed in the Modify Profile Catalog dialog box. When you want to take a new parametric profile into use, you must add the needed profile definitions, such as the profile type, prefix and the unit of measurement, to the profitab.inp file. The profitab.inp file is located under the environment folder in ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\. The exact file location may vary depending on the folder structure of your environment files .

  Tekla Structures searches for the profitab.inp file in the standard search order and then from the folder indicated by the advanced option XS_PROFDB.

Start by defining the shape and point coordinates of the new profile.

1. Design the profile on a paper.
   1. Draw the cross section outline.
   2. Add the needed corner points.
   3. Add the needed dimensions.
   4. Place the y-z coordinate axis center point to the middle of the cross section.

      

2. Define the y and z coordinate directions. For example:
   • positive y axis: up
   • negative y axis: down
   • positive z axis: on the right
   • negative z axis: on the left

     

3. Define the y and z vectors. For example:
   • y1, y2, y3
   • z1, z2, z3

     

4. Make coordinate pairs to the points.

   Assign y, z vector pairs to each point. Start from the lower right corner and define the points in the counter clockwise order. For example:

   • point 1: y1 z3
   • point 2: y2 z3
   • point 3: y3 z2
   • point 4: y3 z1
   • point 5: y1 z1

   

After defining the shape and point coordinates of the profile, you can continue by creating the actual .clb file.

1. Create a new .clb file using any standard text editor, for example Microsoft Notepad.
2. Define a library name that will be used in the profitab.inp file for this profile.

   For example:

   library_id "1Gen"

3. Define a cross section name that will be used in the profitab.inp file for this profile.

   For example:

   

4. Define the dimensions of the cross section.

   For example:

   

5. Define the coordinates of the profile.

   The coordinates must be the same as the y and z vectors that you defined earlier. Define the default values. For example:

   

6. Define the geometry of one or several faces of the profile.

   For example:

   

   Note:

   The index number refers to the point number: 0=start point of the beam, 1=end point of the beam.

7. Save the .clb file in the ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\inp folder.
8. Open the components.clb file.
9. Add your profile definition to the components.clb file by adding the following line:

   Include ”new_file_name.clb” // give comment

10. Save the components.clb file.

Before taking the new parametric profile into use, you must add the needed profile definitions to the profitab.inp file.

1. Find the profitab.inp file, located under the environment folder in ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\.
2. Copy the profitab.inp file to a model, project or firm folder.
3. Open the file in the new location using a standard text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.
4. Under a suitable category, add a new line for the profile definition.

   Use the following syntax:

   Prefix ! Type ! SO ! Z ! MI ! MA ! G3-NAME ! Z3-NAME !

5. Save the file.

   The profile is now available in the profile catalog. You may have to restart Tekla Structures for the change to take effect.

PNL_A ! USER ! 0 ! ! 2 ! 3 !1Gen.RectChamfer !h*b-[c]

Use the following properties when you define new parametric profiles using the profitab.inp file: