Tower Line Tool
Not version-specific
Tekla Structures
Environment
Not environment-specific
Use Tower Line Tool for creating rectangular transmission tower layout using construction lines. This make easy for inserting members in 3D by using snap points.
How to locate
The installers are available at Transmission Tower Collection. After installing, Tower Line Tool come under Transmission Tower Collection in the Applications & components. Or else Search for Tower Line Tool in Application &components. Icon for tower line as shown below.
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Usage
Input for this extension:
Pick two points. The first point determines the insertion point of the tower and the second point decide the orientation of tower.
Double click on Tower Line Tool icon or inserted component itself to open the Tower Line Tool dialog.
Picture
Picture tab shows the general geometry of tower body layout. Yellow dot is start pick point. Magenta is end pick point. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are sides of tower and which is helpful when creating views.
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Body
Major parameters are available here.
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| Field | Description |
| 1 | Tower body level 0 length and width |
| 2 | Tower level 0 to 1 height distance list |
| 3 | Tower body level 1 length and width |
| 4 | Tower level 1 to 2 height distance list |
| 5 | Tower body level 2 length and width |
| 6 | Tower level 2 to 3 height distance list |
| 7 | Tower body level 3 length and width |
| 8 | Define number of levels |
| 9 | Hair Line Types |
Lines & Text
Parameters related to lines and level texts are available here.
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| Field | Description |
| 1 | Body line color |
| 2 | Hair line color |
| 3 | Switch on/off level text at corner 1-2 |
| 4 | Switch on/off level text at corner 2-3 |
| 5 | Switch on/off level text at corner 3-4 |
| 6 | Switch on/off level text at corner 4-1 |
Sample Output
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Output with level text on:
The first part of the level text contains the length and width of the rectangle at that level, followed by the level from the bottom of the tower. A prefix 'Lvl:' is used before mentioning level. If the length and width of the rectangle is same, then it is not repeated in the text, it is combined and mentioned before level. 'Redraw' will delete the texts temporarily, a modify button click from the plugin dialog bring back the text again.
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Direct Modification Features
The Tower Line Tool is enabled with direct manipulation features. This get enabled by activating the following 'Direct Modification (D)' switch.
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Preview Graphics:
It shows you a preview of shape what your are going to insert. This get activate when user pick on the extension icon. Example:
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Contextual Toolbar:
Contextual toolbar is a mini toolbar which gets opened once click on component in 'Select Components' and click on cubic button as shown below. Please make sure that the Direct Modification (D) switch is active. This enable user to change frequently used attributes very ease with out opening extension dialog.
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Height Manipulators:
After selecting Tower Line Tool component in 'Select Components' height manipulators gets activated. By clicking and dragging the square blue grips, the height of of each level gets updated. Or else pick the handle and edit the height between two blue square dots directly. Additional Intermediate levels can be added by picking small blue grip between two square blue grip and trying to move towards left or right.
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Length and Width Manipulators:
Height and Length can be edited directly from the dimensions displayed in each level.