Model Sharing Numbering Advice

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2022
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2020
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Tekla Structures
model sharing
numbering
Environment
Not environment-specific

Introduction

When you have more than one person working on the same model at the same time, it is important to define a clear numbering plan that everybody on the project can follow.

In this article, we offer some possibilities on how numbering can be managed when using model sharing. 

One of the big advantages of model sharing is that it enables different people to work on the same model at the same time, regardless of their location and without the need of a network connection between the models. The model is synchronised when collaborators read in other people's changes and write out their own changes.

Conflicts in numbering can occur if two or more people have made changes to objects in the same numbering series, since the last read in and numbered the changed objects, before attempting to write out.
 

General Advice

Divide the model into different areas and allow only one person to work in one area of the model at a time. The areas do not have to be defined by phase (they could be defined by lot, for example), but for this example we will assume the model is being divided up by a phase.
  • Ensure that different people work in different parts of the model to avoid the risk of the same object being modified by two people.
 

Set principles for numbering:
 

  • Use different prefixes or suffixes to distinguish objects by phase.
  • The prefix should reveal the phase and object type (e.g. P1-B for a phase 1 beam).
  • Ensure that numbering series will not overlap by allowing plenty of numbers in each phase, e.g. phase 1 = 1000 to 1999, phase 2 = 2000 to 2999.
  • Ensure that everyone who will number the model is using the same numbering settings.
 

 

Number one phase at a time:
 

  • When objects within a phase have been created or modified, update only that phase by using "Number series of selected objects". This will ensure only the numbers of objects in the same number series will be updated, i.e. parts with the same prefix and start number.
  • If it is not possible to number one phase at a time, we recommend that one person takes responsibility for numbering the whole model.
 

 

Read in all changes that affect the phase being numbered, before numbering that phase. Immediately save and write out the changes when the numbering is complete.

If numbering has just been updated for the whole model, this could be a good time to create a baseline for the shared model.

 
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Advice for updating the numbering when more than one person is working on objects in the same numbering series

  • Everyone who is working in the phases and updating their numbering should save their model and stop modelling until the numbering has been updated. Ideally one person should do the numbering within each phase to avoid confusion.
  • Next, everyone who is working in the same phase should read in and write out made changes. You should identify and resolve any possible conflicts and inaccuracies.
  • Then, the person responsible for doing the numbering should use Number series of selected objects to update all objects in the phases that have been created or modified. Once the numbering has been checked the model should be saved and the changes written out.
  • After this, other users can read in the changes and continue working with the model.
 

Tips for checking phases and series

  • Use Object Group filters to view or select only objects in a specific series.
  • Define color settings in Object Representation to color objects by phase.
  • Use the Phase Numbering application to make numbering by phases easier. Click here to download from the warehouse.


See also Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing for further tips on using Model sharing.
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