Release Info Tekla Structures 2018

Tekla Structures
2018
Tekla Structures
Release Info
Environment
Netherlands
South America
Spain

Release Info Tekla Structures 2018 includes the following topics:

General

Tekla Structures 2018 videos

Tekla Structures provides many new options, improvements and fixes. These are all explained in this Release Info. Besides that, some videos are available in which these functionalities are explained.

 
Image
2018-03-13_09-20-29.png

You can check the following video's (per segment):

Steel Detailing

Precast Concrete

Contractors

Engineering
 

Updating settings

When you start using Tekla Structures 2018, you can keep using your personal settings made in an earlier Tekla Structures version. You can save your personal settings in the folder ts to make these settings available in all models.
 
When you copy personal settings from the folder ts from an earlier Tekla Structures version to the new folder ts, be sure to check what kind of settings you are copying, especially the settings which have been copied for several Tekla Structures versions.
You possibly need to update these settings for the new Tekla Structures version because settings can differ per version, for example as a result of new added functionalities or user-defined attributes. You can also sort the files by date to find out how old the settings are. Tekla Structures does not copy the files automatically, you need to copy them manually.

When you have created settings in earlier Tekla Structures versions, for example for system components

 
Image
2018-06-05_09-39-00.png


you need to check these settings and update (save) the settings to make them up-to-date for Tekla Structures 2018.
 

Updating model templates

In case you have created model templates in earlier Tekla Structures versions, you must update the templates to use them hassle-free in Tekla Structures 2018.

Click here for the general step plan.
 

Lis files deleted

In earlier Tekla Structures versions, several *.lis files were included (containing additional profiles). The lis files can be imported in the profile catalog.
 
These *.lis files are not available anymore because Construsoft cannot decide whether these files are up-to-date or not. However, some of these profiles are available in Tekla Warehouse.
 
In case you have installed earlier Tekla Structures versions on your computer, the lis files are available in the folder:
C:\TeklaStructures\<version>\Environments\netherlands_enu\profil\lis\NLD
 

Open view list

You can now open the view list also via menu Window in both Model- and Drawing Editor:
 
 
Image
2018-06-05_08-39-51.png


Ofcourse you can still use the command View list (tab View) and keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I.

Copy customized ribbon and shortcuts to Tekla Structures 2018

You can copy your customized ribbon and shortcuts (after installing Tekla Structures 2018) from an older Tekla Structures version to Tekla Structures 2018.
 
Copy the ribbon
 
Click here for more details about copying the ribbon.
 

Copy shortcuts

To copy shortcuts from an earlier Tekla Structures version to Tekla Structures 2018:

1. Go to the folder ..:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Trimble\TeklaStructures\<earlier_Tekla Structures_version>\Settings\
2. The file KeyboardShortcuts.xml contains the customized shortcuts.
3. Copy the concerned file to the folder ..:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Trimble\TeklaStructures\2017i\Settings\

To copy Tekla Structures 2018 shortcuts from one computer to another one:

1. In Tekla Structures 2018, go to File > Settings > Keyboard shortcuts.
2. Click on the button Export, save the *.xml file on the desired location with a desired name.
3. Copy the *.xml file to the concerned computer.
4. On the concerned computer, in Tekla Structures 2018, go to File > Settings > Keyboard shortcuts.
5. Click on the button Import, select the *.xml file and click on the button Open, the shortcuts are now imported.
 

New Undo history command

In Tekla Structures 2018, all the commands that you have run and the modifications you have done are now listed in the new Undo history dialog box:

 
Image
2018-06-05_10-19-45.png


Undo history is available both in the modeling and in the drawing mode.

By selecting a command or an action in the Undo history dialog box, you can undo or redo several commands at one go, and thus go back and forth in the model history.

For example, you can run the following commands in the Model Editor:

 
Image
2018-02-09_16-11-59.png


Now you want to return to the moment on which the steel beam was modeled without the connections. For this, click on the concerned command in the list:

 
Image
2018-02-12_09-43-59.png


The model will be adjusted and you can continue modeling from this point on. The list Undo history is cleared when you:

- Save the model,
- Open or close a drawing,
- Synchronize Organizer with the model,
- Read in or write out model changes using Tekla Model Sharing,
- Use CIS/2 or SDNF import commands.

The list Undo history is always available in the toolbar Quick access:

 
Image
2018-02-12_08-45-51.png


When you modify the toolbar Quick access (via File > Settings > Customize > Ribbon):

 
Image
2018-06-05_10-54-47.png


...you cannot delete the list from the toolbar Quick access:

 
Image
2018-06-05_11-07-25.png


This also applies to the Tekla Model Sharing commands:

 
Image
2018-06-05_11-07-25a.png


For more information about modifying the toolbar Quick access, click here.
For more information about the new list Undo history, click here.

New bolt report available

A new bolt report is included in Tekla Structures 2018:

 
Image
2018-06-18_16-49-52.png


The report also contains the nuts and the washers. Due to this, the nut report and the washer report have been deleted from the installation.
The report Pms1 is also deleted.

Improvements in numbering

In the Numbering Setup dialog box, you can now select whether the object's phase affects the numbering. If you select the Phase check box, Tekla Structures compares the phases when numbering objects, and gives otherwise identical objects different numbers if the objects belong to different phases. The option is switched off by default.

 
Image
2018-06-05_11-43-13.png



 
Image
2018-02-09_08-54-33.png

 

New pdf reports available

Several new pdf reports are now available:

 
Image
2018-06-07_13-25-35.png


To open these reports after creating them directly, select the following option:

 
Image
2018-06-07_13-26-41.png


 
Image
2018-06-07_13-29-05.png


Please mind that the file size of the new pdf reports can be quite big, this of course depends on the number of objects in the pdf file.

If required, you can choose to print the created reports (pdf files) again with your own pdf printer (Win2pdf for example). This decreases the file size significant.

(There was a huge request for these report types, so Construsoft decided to provide these report, despite to the file sizes).

Click here for more information about creating reports.

Filtering folded plates and spiral beams

Tekla Structures now includes the new advanced options IS_BENT_PLATE and IS_SPIRAL_BEAM. You can use these options for example to filter all folded plates or spiral beams from the model:

 
Image
2018-02-28_13-30-16.png


The advanced options IS_POLYBEAM (for polybeams) and IS_ITEM (for items) were already available.
 

Side pane extended

In Tekla Structures 2018, in both Model- and Drawing Editor, the side panel is extended with new functionalities to improve working in Tekla Structures:

 
Image
2018-06-05_13-30-38.png


                                   Model Editor

You can have several views open from the side pane at the same time. You can select the views and move them to any random location, to a second screen for example to have more workspace in your Tekla model views. After restarting Tekla Structures, the views remain on the same location.
 

Construsoft Online

This is the Construsoft Webportal where you can find a huge collection FAQ's, tips, news and the agenda:

 
Image
2018-03-14_13-09-07.png


The Webportal contains lots of links to articles in the Tekla User Assistance (TUA) where all information is available on one location; you can search in the portal for the required information. The Webportal is maintained and updated constantly by Construsoft. In case of new articles (added by Construsoft added), a notification appears automatically when you start Tekla Structures:

 
Image
2018-03-21_09-41-47.png


 

Assembly viewer

You can use this functionality to show the hierarchy of an assembly.
The following example shows a nested assembly (1). The nested assembly contains of 4 subassemblies (2 t/m 5) and a main assembly (6):

 
Image
2018-03-14_13-56-20.png


As you can see, this functionality is perfect for checking nested assemblies.
Make sure that the button Select assemblies
Image
2018-03-14_13-53-14.png
  is switched on when you use the Assembly viewer.
 

Phase viewer

When you have used the Phase manager to break a model up into sections, you can now use the Phase viewer to easily show one or more phases in model views in Tekla Structures:

 
Image
2018-03-14_14-24-38.png


Use the Ctrl key to select and deselect multiple phases in the dialog box.
 

Custom Inquiry

You can use the command Custom Inquiry to show information about the selected model object in the side pane. You can define the detailed information that needs to be displayed.

 
Image
2018-03-14_15-15-10.png


Click here for more detailed information.
 

Tekla Online

Tekla Online provides access to the Tekla Online services Tekla User Assistance, Tekla Discussion Forum, Tekla Campus and Tekla Warehouse:

 
Image
2018-06-05_14-40-46.png


You can search for help content from Tekla User Assistance, forum posts from Tekla Discussion Forum, and both online and local content from Tekla Warehouse. In addition, you can get the latest updates from Tekla User Assistance and see Tekla Model Sharing messages in the Notifications area.
If you have logged in to Tekla Structures, you are automatically logged in to the Tekla Online services. By logging in, you can access more content if your company has a valid maintenance agreement.
 

Point clouds

For more information, see chapter Interoperability > Point clouds.
 

Properties

For more information, see chapter Modeling > New property pane for model objects.
 

Reference models

Click here for more detailed information.
 

Applications & components

Click here for more detailed information.
 
Image
2018-06-05_15-07-16.png


                                   Drawing Editor


 

Drawing 2D Library

Click here for more detailed information.
 

Drawing content manager

For more information, see chapter Drawings > New tool Drawing content manager.
 

Tekla Online

For more information, see chapter General > Side pane extended.
 

Point clouds

For more information, see chapter Interoperability > Point clouds.
 

Applications & components

Click here for more detailed information.
 

Interoperability

Point clouds

You can now attach point clouds to Tekla Structures models by using the new button Point clouds
Image
2018-02-23_09-16-41.png
  in the side pane. The following file formats are compatible:
  • ASCII ( .asc , .xyz )
  • E57 ( .e57 )
  • LAS ( .las )
  • LAZ ( .laz )
  • PTS ( .pts )
  • PTX ( .ptx )
  • Potree ( .js )
  • Trimble scan format ( .tzf )
 
To attach a point cloud:

1. Click on the button Point clouds in the side pane, click Attach, and browse for the point cloud.
2. Change the Location by and the Scale if needed:

 
Image
2018-06-05_12-21-58.png


3. Select Model origin to place the point cloud in the Tekla Structures model origin or select a base point (File > Project properties > Base points) to place the point cloud in the real-world coordinates. Click here for more information about defining base points. If you do not know the coordinate system of the point cloud, select Auto-created base point to get the point cloud near the model origin. This will create an automatic base point with point cloud bounding box min x, min y, and min z coordinates in the Tekla Structures origin.

4. Click Attach point cloud, the point cloud is attached to the model. The point cloud is not shown by default, symbol
Image
2018-02-28_08-51-23.png
in the Tekla Structures model.

To show the point cloud in the model, select the model view where you want to show it, and click the eye button
Image
2018-02-28_08-52-50.png
next to the point cloud in the list. When the view is selected, it has a yellow frame.

You can use the advanced option XS_SET​​​​​_MAX​​​​​_POINT​​​​​_CLOUD​​​​​_POINT​​​​​_COUNT to set the default maximum value for the points in a view in point clouds. The default value is 10 000 000 (10 million) but possibly 1.000.000 is enough.

Depending on the size/accuracy of the point cloud, you can also set the projection in model views to Perspective relating to speed issues:
You can also set the option DirectX-rendering (File > Settings > DirectX-rendering).

                
        Perspective     Orthogonal  
DirectX-rendering On
Image
2018-02-26_13-11-53.png
Image
2018-02-26_13-14-06.png
DirectX-rendering Off
Image
2018-02-26_13-17-06.png
Image
2018-02-26_13-16-16.png

Clip planes for only point clouds and reference models

The advanced option XS_DO_NOT_CLIP_NATIVE_OBJECTS_WITH_CLIP_PLANE is set to FALSE by default to make the command Clip plane work for native Tekla Structures objects, point clouds and reference models. Set the advanced option to TRUE to only clip point clouds and reference models with the Clip plane command. Redraw the model views after changing the value.

Limitations
  • Some basic Tekla Structures model handling functionalities are not available, such as select, undo, move, rotate, copy, and pop-up menu on right-click.
  • Point clouds are not autosaved.
  • You cannot delete a point cloud from the point clouds list using the keyboard button Delete.
  • Point clouds do not recognize work area or view depth.
  • Point clouds are not visible in drawings.
  • For the file formats ASCII, PTS: On each text line, the first three fields must be: x y z. For colored point data, the last three fields must be: r g b.
 
Limitations in Tekla Model Sharing and in multi-user modus

Point clouds are normally so large in file size that it is not sensible to share the point cloud as a part of the model data. Point cloud is not structural domain data but project data that is not a part of the model, and therefore it is not dependent on the model save. However, there is need for multiple persons to use the same point cloud model efficiently. You can use the potree file for sharing the point cloud. The best practices in sharing the point cloud potree file among model users are explained below. You first need to create the potree file and copy the potree file to a shared location, and then other users can attach it to their Tekla Structures model.
 
Click here and here for more detailed information about point clouds.
Click here for an instruction video about point clouds on the Tekla Structures YouTube channel. This video also explains how to use the tool Point Cloud Manager which is available on Tekla Warehouse.
 

Modeling

New toolbar Work plane handler

Tekla Structures 2018 includes the new toolbar Work plane handler:

 
Image
2018-06-05_15-48-02.png


Here you can save your own work planes to easily switch to another work plane:

 
Image
2018-02-08_11-36-09.png

Image
2018-06-05_15-51-53.png


As you can see in the list box, also defined base points (via File > Project properties > Base points) are shown.

To add a work plane:

1. Set a work plane in the model.

2. Enter a name for the work plane in the toolbar Work plane handler.

3. Click the
Image
plus.png
button to add the work plane to the list.

If needed, you can rename your work plane by double-clicking it and entering a new name. To remove a work plane from the list, click the
Image
prullenbak.png
button.
 

Improvements in base points

The base point symbol has changed in Tekla Structures 2018.

When the currently used base point is located in the model origin or anywhere else, it looks like this:

 
Image
2018-03-05_09-24-39.png


If you have the Base point dialog box (File > Project properties > Base points) open, the base point that you are currently editing is shown in blue, and the north and east direction is indicated:

 
Image
2018-03-05_09-28-08.png


If the currently edited base point is the same as the currently used base point, the blue color is not shown, and the symbol is red, just like the one in the first image above.


 

New property pane for model objects

In Tekla Structures 2018 most model objects (parts, such as columns and beams, items, bolts, welds, components, reinforcement, pour objects, pour units and pour breaks, construction objects, assemblies and cast units) now have a property pane in the modeling mode:

 
Image
2018-06-06_10-13-36.png


The new property pane is also available in the side pane via the button
Image
2018-03-14_15-54-30.png
.

Main benefits

1. The property pane is always up-to-date. When you select an object in the model, the current properties are instantly shown in the property pane.

2. There is less clutter on the screen because there is no need to have separate dialog boxes open as previously.

3. You only need to click Modify to change the selected properties, there is no need to click Apply or OK as previously.

4. You can easily create objects that are similar to those objects that you already have in the model: when you select an object in the model, Tekla Structures creates the next similar object using the same properties.

5. When you select several objects in the model, you can check if the objects have common properties, what the values of the common properties are:

 
Image
2018-03-02_13-47-59.png

If needed, you can modify the properties, see the next chapter.

Copy object properties from one object to another

6. You can use the property pane to easily copy properties between any objects as long as both of the objects have the same property available. You can copy for example the Material from a steel column to a beam:

 
Image
2018-03-02_13-53-14.png


Step plan

- Select the object you want to copy properties from (for example the column).
- Click
Image
2018-03-13_14-17-47.png
Copy properties in the property pane. The mouse pointer changes into a paintbrush.
Image
2018-03-13_14-31-30.png

- Select the objects you want to copy properties to (for example a beam). You can use area select to the select the objects.
- Tekla Structures highlights the modified properties in yellow in the property pane. Select or clear the check marks to indicate which properties you want to copy.

 
Image
2018-03-13_14-45-09.png


You can clear the check marks one by one, or select a whole section and all its properties.
Use the Select All and Select None switches at the bottom of the property pane to select all the changes or to clear all the changes. If you use the Select None switch, all check marks will be cleared the next time you start the Copy properties command.
- Click Modify to apply the selected changes. The modified properties become the new current properties. Tekla Structures uses the current properties the next time you create an object of the same type. When the properties have been copied, the mouse pointer returns to normal.
To copy properties to multiple objects, double-click the
Image
2018-03-13_14-17-47.png
Copy properties button to keep the Copy properties command running. Click Modify after each selected object. The mouse pointer remains in the paintbrush mode until you press Esc or
Image
2018-03-13_14-17-47.png
click  again.

7. You can customize the property pane to suit your needs better: you can remove properties you don't use and add properties you often use, for example the UDAs Comment, IFC entity and IFC export type to make them always visible in the properties pane:

 
Image
2018-06-06_11-57-30.png


For more information, see chapter Customize the property pane layout.

How to open the property pane
If the property pane is closed: double-click a model object, or click the Properties icon
Image
2018-02-27_09-21-02.png
in the side pane.
If the property pane is open: select a model object.

Alternatively, hold down Shift and click a command on the ribbon to open the properties in the property pane.

You can float or dock the property pane in the same way as any other side pane window, or drag it around your screen or to your secondary screen, if you have multiple displays.

Customize the property pane layout

To customize the layout for the property panes, click File > Settings > Customize > Property pane:

 
Image
2018-06-06_12-09-44.png


Here you can customize the properties (2) per object type (1). Click Save (3) to save the modifications. The customized property pane layouts are saved to the folder:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Trimble\TeklaStructures\<version>\UI\PropertyTemplates\PropertyTemplates.xml.

Company administrators can distribute the customized property pane layouts to other users in the company by placing the file PropertyTemplates.xml on the concerned computers in the same folder. You can do this after Tekla Structures has been installed on these computers.

Keep using old properties dialog boxes to modify the properties of parts

If you still want to use the old property dialog boxes to edit your beams, columns, slabs, etc. you can open the dialog boxes with the following commands:

- Ctrl + double-click on the part. Select the part in the model, then use the command Ctrl + double-click to open the old property dialog box.

- Using Quick Launch command. By typing e.g. properties, concrete column properties, slab properties, steel beam properties, etc. you can quick launch the old property dialog boxes:

 
Image
2018-06-06_12-28-56.png


Select the command in the list to open the old properties dialog box.

- Defining shortcuts. Click File > Settings > Keyboard shortcuts, the dialog box Keyboard shortcuts opens. Select the group (1) and search for the particular command, for example steel beam properties. Select the command in the list (2). Click the field Shortcut. On the keyboard, enter the combination of keys you would like to use as the shortcut. If desired, you can also use two keys, for example B, P (Beam Properties). Next click Assign.

 
Image
2018-06-06_13-35-05.png


For more information about the new property pane for model objects, click here.
For an instruction video on the Tekla Structures YouTube-channel, click here.

Line type of construction lines and circles

The line type of construction lines and circles is extended in Tekla Structures 2018. You can now use the following advanced options to define how construction lines and circles are displayed in model views, as continuous or dotted lines:
 
 
Image
2018-01-11_09-52-40.png


 
Image
2018-01-11_09-47-14.png


                                      Advanced option set to 1                                                                        Advanced option set to 2


 

Improvements in DirectX rendering

In case the setting DirectX-rendering (via File > Settings > DirectX-rendering) is set in Tekla Structures 2018 for displaying objects in model views, nuts and locknuts are now displayed correctly:

 
Image
2018-02-14_09-38-16.png


                Tekla Structures 2018                                                                                                                                           Earlier Tekla Structures versions

Now also (if the DirectX-rendering setting is switched on) colliding parts (1) or parts which have been copied (2) with distance "0", are indicated in Tekla Structures 2018:

 
Image
2018-03-02_13-33-23.png


This is set by default in advanced option XS_HATCH_OVERLAPPING_FACES_IN_DX. Use this advanced option to control whether hatching is shown for overlapping surfaces in the DirectX rendering views. By default, this advanced option is set to TRUE. If you change the value, you need to reopen the view to activate the new value.

You can also use the following advanced options to fine-tune the DirectX rendering:

- XS_SHOW_SHADOW_FOR_PERSPECTIVE: Use this advanced option to control whether shadows are shown in the DirectX rendering views when the perspective mode is on.

- XS_SHOW_SHADOW_FOR_ORTHO: Use this advanced option to control whether shadows are shown in the DirectX rendering views when the orthogonal mode is on. Shadows are more noticeable in the perspective mode than in the orthogonal mode.

- XS_USE_ANTI_ALIASING_IN_DX: Use this advanced option to control whether antialiasing is used in the DirectX rendering views.

Antialiasing makes the edge lines smoother but with low resolution screens it can make the lines look thicker.

If model views are not shown in the DirectX rendering mode, you can set the advanced option XS_USE_SMOOTH_LINES to TRUE to use anti-aliasing in rendered views.
 

Multi-select from model

When you create or modify selection- or view filters in Tekla Structures 2018, you can now use the new option Multi-select from model:

 
Image
2018-06-06_16-15-24.png


This new option is available in both Model- and Drawing Editor.
If you want to create a selection filter for selecting beams and columns, select multiple objects in the model and click the middle mouse button to finish selecting. The current values of the selected objects appear, separated with spaces, in the Value cell in the filter row:

 
Image
2018-02-08_15-26-45.png


 

Modeling and checking gratings and tear plates

You can model gratings and tear plates in detail by using the new plug-in ROOSTER, available in Tekla Warehouse:

 
Image
2018-03-16_12-28-31.png

Image
2018-03-16_13-30-49.png


This plug-in includes several options to add recesses and chamfers, to rotate the bearing direction and to switch this direction on and off. You can use several types of surfaces which results in a top or a bottom side for the gratings or tear plates. It also results in correct numbers for gratings and tear plates. This is desirable for gratings and tear plates.

In some cases, gratings and tear plates are modeled manually as contour plates:

 
Image
2018-03-16_13-30-56.png


The plate on the left is modeled and next mirrored as you can see in the picture above. Numbering the model results in plates having the same number because the plates have equal geometry. Besides, the position of the plate on the right is "upside down" and this effects the output such as drawings and NC files.

To visually check whether these contour plates are positioned "upside down" or not in the model, the model view settings standard, 3D and floor_view are modified:

 
Image
2018-06-15_12-02-47.png


Please mind: it only concerns contour plates and the contour plates must have the name GRATING or TEARPLATE.

This is set in the file CPOrientationIncludeList.ini in the folder C:\TeklaStructures\2018\Environments\netherlands_enu\system:

 
Image
2018-06-15_11-58-02.png


You can modify this file if needed.

The text in the model view indicates that you can rotate the concerned plate/plates by using macro Flip (ML029):

 
Image
2018-03-16_14-55-42.png


Click the button Flip to rotate the contour plate(s):

 
Image
2018-03-16_14-43-35a.png


Our advice is to model gratings and checker plates by using plug-in ROOSTER.
 

New command Select previous objects

Sometimes you need to select the same objects again that you selected previously but have then deselected. For example, you have first selected some objects and moved them, then you have deselected the objects, and now you want to copy the same objects. You can now better control the object selection with a new command Select previous objects. The command is available in both Model and Drawing Editor.

To select previously selected objects, do one of the following:

1. On the ribbon, click on the command

 
Image
2018-06-07_15-35-53.png


2. Press Alt + P

3. Use Quick Launch to find the command

 
Image
2018-06-19_08-40-44.png


 

New command Point coordinates

You can now use the new command Point coordinates:

 
Image
2018-06-07_15-43-55.png


When you click the down arrow next to 
Image
2018-06-07_15-46-01.png
on the ribbon, and then select Point coordinates, the Inquire point coordinates dialog box is displayed. You can then click the Pick button in the dialog box and pick a point in the model to see the coordinates of the point in:

 
Image
2018-06-19_09-24-44.png

 

Displaying part cut faces changed

In earlier Tekla Structures versions, the advanced option XS_DRAW_CUT_FACES_WITH_RED_COLOR was used to define whether part cut faces were shown in model views in red or in the parts color:

 
Image
2018-01-11_11-06-41c.png


                                          TRUE                                                                                       FALSE

This advanced option has been replaced in Tekla Structures 2018 with XS_DRAW_CUT_FACES_OBJECT_COLOR (File > Settings > Advanced options category Model View) and is used as follows:

 
Image
2018-01-11_11-06-41d.png


                                          TRUE                                                                                       FALSE

The advanced option is set to TRUE by default.
 

Improvements in compound welds

In Tekla Structures 2018, compound welds can be shown as solid objects in model views. This means that the weld types

 
Image
2018-03-05_11-50-29.png
(Partial penet single bevel butt plus fillet) and
 
Image
2018-03-05_11-51-53.png
(Partial penet square groove plus fillet)

now look more realistic in the model.

Click here for more information about displaying welds in model views.
Click here for a list with weld types.

You can now define the size of both welds in compound welds. In weld properties in the property pane, two boxes for Size appear when you select a compound weld type. For example:

 
Image
2018-06-07_14-02-10.png


In reports of compound welds, you can show the size of the additional weld above line and below line using the new template attributes WELD_ADDITIONAL_SIZE1 and WELD_ADDITIONAL_SIZE2.
 

Clip planes changed in model views

The advanced option XS_DO_NOT_CLIP_NATIVE_OBJECTS_WITH_CLIP_PLANE is set to FALSE by default to make the command Clip plane work for native Tekla Structures objects, point clouds and reference models. Set the advanced option to TRUE to only clip point clouds and reference models with the Clip plane command. Redraw the model views after changing the value.
 

System components

Glass plate 5 profiles (6)

You can use system component Glass plate max 5 profiles (6) for modeling multiple layers (glass) plates in frames such as:

 
Image
2018-02-22_11-41-36.png


The system component is now improved so that glass plate 1 now is also welded in case the option Create assembly is set to Yes:

 
Image
2018-06-13_08-51-11.png

 

Column - 2 beams (14)

System component Column - 2 beams (14) now includes new options to define the bolts on the followings tabs:

 
Image
2018-06-07_16-31-13.png


You can use system component Column - 2 beams (14) in the following practical examples:

 
Image
2018-01-11_16-05-02.png

 

Wood wall (57)

System component Wood wall (57) includes a lot of improvements, for example for generating BTL files for woodworking machines and for the Robi One Brick Slip robot for gluing and assembling stone strips on prefab elements.

System component Wood wall (57) combined with system component Bricks on Wall (004) is used more often:

 
Image
2018-02-15_17-00-32.png


System component Bricks on Wall (004) also includes several improvements.

In all default settings in system component Wood wall (57) also the thickness of the foil is set to 0.3 mm for a better operation of the system component:

 
Image
2018-06-08_11-00-05.png


For the angle of the top beam you can now enter a negative value:

 
Image
2018-06-08_11-01-40.png


 
Image
2018-02-16_11-57-10.png


Modeling elements with one or more high openings is improved:

 
Image
2018-02-16_12-19-11.png

 

Wooden roof (63)

In system component Wooden roof (63) the material for the following parts is modified:

 
Image
2018-06-08_11-24-58.png


In some situations, profiles were crossing each other in earlier Tekla Structures versions, this is now fixed:

 
Image
2018-02-15_12-28-08.png

 

Roof along contour plate (65)

Tekla Structures 2018 now includes new system component Roof along contour plate (65):

 
Image
2018-06-08_11-38-20.png


This system component is developed, based on the existing system component Wooden roof (63) and includes the same functionalities as system component Wooden roof (63), however, the input that you enter as a user, is much easier.

 
Image
2018-06-08_11-42-56.png


To use system component Wooden roof (63), do the following:
1. Pick contour of the roof element (polygon points)
2. Origin
3. Point on the local x-axis
4. Point on the positive local y-axis
5. Two points for the position of the knee-boards.

Because of extra development, steps 4 and 5 were not needed anymore but you still had to pick these points.

To use the new system component Roof along contour plate (65), do the following:
1. Pick the roof element (contour plate)
2. Origin
3. Point on the positive local x-axis
 

Roof Generator (72)

You can use Roof Generator (m072) as a tool to set up roof shapes consisting of contour plates. Because of this, you can quickly define shapes and roof lines. You can now use the new options in the tab Overhang in system component Roof Generator (72) to define overhangs and the overhang types:

 
Image
2018-02-15_14-02-52.png


                                      Overhang                                                                                                                                                                 No overhang

 
Image
2018-06-08_11-56-14.png


If desired, you can define an overhang per side.

Stanchions (S76)

In system component Stanchions (S76) the existing default settings are modified:

 
Image
2018-06-08_13-32-51.png


so that for the Connection setting type on the tab Parameters now Custom settings (1) is used:

 
Image
2018-06-08_13-36-23.png


Because of this you can use more component settings (2) which results in baseplates on the stanchions who are positioned in the middle on the stringer:

 
Image
2018-02-13_16-46-22.png





In case you have created your own settings for the system component, please check these setting and modify them if needed!
 

Export Unitechnik (79)

System component Export Unitechnik (79) includes several new options:

 
Image
2018-06-08_13-43-43.png


Click here for more detailed information about these improvements.
 

Electric box in wall (84)

System component Electric box in wall (84) includes the new option Out of plane:

 
Image
2018-06-08_13-47-33.png


(This option is also available in Tekla Structures 2017i SP2).

By using this new option, you can position electric boxes in all element planes, for example:

 
Image
2018-02-12_10-50-18.png


In the example above, parametric profile GAL300-1500-125-125-280-260-300 is used.
 

Rebar in beam (90), Rebar in beam LT (91) and Border rebar for single edge (93)

System components Rebar in beam (90), Rebar in beam LT (91) and Border rebar for single edge (93) now include the new option Attach rebars to to attach rebars to neighbor parts also:

 
Image
2018-06-08_13-58-59.png


The rebars are attached to the neighbor part if the rebars fulfil the filter criteria:

 
Image
2018-06-08_14-05-00.png


 
Image
2018-03-07_12-07-07.png

 

Create hole around part (92)

System component Create hole around part (92) now includes a new option to model recesses:

 
Image
2018-06-08_14-23-03.png

 

Bolts in a part (1006)

System component Bolts in a part (1006) includes several improvements.

- The maximum number of bolts is increased to 1000. Bolt groups are divided in groups of 100 bolts.
- You can now add bolt groups/studs relative to the insertion point.

 
Image
2018-06-08_14-27-57.png

 

Footplate (1029)

Besides several improvements in Tekla Structures 2017i for system component Footplate (1029), also Tekla Structures 2018 includes several improvements:
 
You now have a new option on tab Parts for modeling finger shim plates:

 
Image
2018-06-08_14-42-32.png


Besides that you can select a specific weld on tab Anchor rods for welding the anchor rods to the cast plate and/or floorplate:

 
Image
2018-02-23_08-51-16.png


The tab Anchor rods now includes new options to add parts (created as a custom component Part) as an assembly.

 
Image
2018-06-08_15-33-37.png


In the following example, caps for the anchors are used to keep the anchor free from concrete while casting:

 
Image
2018-03-13_11-15-42.png

You can set the option Add as assembly as follows:
 
No To cast plate To foot plate
Image
2018-03-13_11-56-41c.png
Image
2018-03-13_11-56-41b.png
Image
2018-03-13_11-56-41a.png

On the tab Nailholes you have an option Cast plate reference point to define how the cast plate needs to move:

 
Image
2018-06-08_15-42-44.png
Center of column Center of bolt group
Image
image111.png
Image
image112.png

You can use the fields Cast plate offset in connection direction and Cast plate offset in y to define a value for the offset in both directions.

For more detailed information about system component Footplate (1029), see the Help:

 
Image
2018-03-14_16-52-44.png

 

Custom components

Split part, custom component remains intact

Custom components now remain intact if a profile, on which a custom component is applied, is split.
In earlier Tekla Structures versions, the custom components were exploded.

Drawings

Dimensioning parts modified

You can affect the way Tekla Structures dimensions different profiles in drawings. For example, you can have Tekla Structures always dimension round profiles to the middle or to the edge:

 
Image
2018-02-08_13-33-38.png


To define dimension settings for profiles, you need to edit the dimension planes table dim_planes_table.txt.
This file is stored in the folder ..:\TeklaStructures\<version>\Environments\netherlands_enu\profil.
(Use can use the advanced option XS_PART_DIMENSION_PLANES_TABLE, in File > Settings > Advanced options > category File Locations, to indicate the path to the user-defined part dimension planes table).

The file dim_planes_table.txt is modified in Tekla Structures 2018 so that I-profiles up to 1000 mm are now dimensioned to the edge of the profile, larger I-profiles are dimensioned to the middle:

 
Image
2018-06-08_16-46-57.png


Click here for more detailed information about how to affect dimensioning different profiles in drawings.
 

Dimension properties modified

Due to some changes in dimension properties, such as new dimension arrow types and a new arrow size, the default dimension settings are modified:

 
Image
2018-06-08_16-57-47.png


 
Image
2018-06-11_09-13-37.png


In case you have your own personal settings, please check these to make sure that correct dimensions are shown in drawings.
 

Phases in the Drawing Editor

In Tekla Structures you can use the Phase Manager (Ctrl + H) to break a model up into sections.
You can also use the Phase Manager in the Drawing Editor to check the phases. For this, you can use macro Open phasemanager

 
Image
2018-06-08_17-05-19.png

 

New tool Drawing content manager

Tekla Structures 2018 introduces in the new tool Drawing content manager
Image
2018-03-14_10-00-31.png
in the side pane in the Drawing Editor.
You can use the tool to quickly check the included model objects and related marks. You can also add associative notes and model weld marks to several model objects or welds at one go, and easily select all part marks and weld marks.

 
Image
2018-06-11_09-50-18.png


With this new tool you can avoid duplicate, missing, or false information, and efficiently check if all necessary content exists, without having to manually go through all drawing objects separately.

Click here for more detailed information about the new Drawing content manager.
 

Improved mark placement

In Tekla Structures 2018 mark placement is improved by trying to avoid crossing leader lines and by placing marks more clearly. Because of this, some new advanced options are available such as the new advanced option XS_MARK_INTELLIGENT_PLACING. The advanced option is set to TRUE by default and tries to avoid crossing leader lines and place marks more clearly.

If you set the new advanced option XS_MARK_PLACING_ANGLE_CLOSE_TO_45_DEGREES to TRUE (default), marks with leader lines are placed in a 45-degree angle if allowed by the protection settings:

 
Image
2018-06-11_10-05-48.png


Even though you set XS_MARK_INTELLIGENT_PLACING to FALSE, you can still arrange the marks and associative notes with the following two commands on the ribbon:

 
Image
2018-06-11_10-09-16.png


Arrange marks: Arrange the selected marks and associative notes so that you avoid crossing leader lines. The result also depends on the defined protection settings and search margins.

Align marks: Align the selected marks and associative notes that are close to each other by stacking the marks and placing them evenly.

You also have the new advanced option XS_MARK_INTELLIGENT_POST_FREEPLACE_NEARBY. This advanced option is set to TRUE by default and first places the marks avoiding crossing leader lines and after that runs the place nearby command, which ensures that the mark locations follow the protection settings.

The mark quarter placement has also been improved. If you select all four corner points in the Part Mark Placing dialog box, the improved automatic placement will be used, and Tekla Structures attempts to find the closest quarter with empty space:

 
Image
2018-06-11_10-17-41.png


Note that if you use high Search margin and Minimum distance values in the Part Mark Placing dialog box, the mark placement does not work efficiently.

Click here for more detailed information about the improved mark placement.
 

Improved way to select part marks

With the new Select part marks command on the drawing pop-up menu you can select the part marks of the parts you have selected, and modify all these marks at one go, for example, or delete them by pressing Delete on the keyboard. Select part marks selects the part marks from the current drawing view or from all drawing views according to your selection:

 
Image
2018-06-11_10-26-17.png


This method is easier than searching the whole drawing for the wanted part marks and then after that modifying them, especially with large models. This command replaces the old Delete part marks command.
 

Representing meshes

The representation of meshes is improved in Tekla Structures 2018 so that it is correct in recesses:

 
Image
2018-02-21_09-48-47.png


Earlier Tekla Structures versions:

 
Image
2018-02-21_09-48-19.png


(This improvement is also available in Tekla Structures 2017i SP2).
 

Template part_assembly changed

In Tekla Structures 2018, the template part_assembly is changed and now shows the net and gross length of the part:

 
Image
2018-03-15_14-03-01.png

 

Set the rotation of section views

You can use the advanced option XS_ROTATE_CUT_VIEWS in Tekla Structures to set the rotation of automatically created section views in drawings:

 
Image
2018-06-11_12-28-35.png


Click here for more detailed information about this advanced option.
 

Embed fonts when printing drawings to pdf files

You now have the new option Embed fonts when printing drawings to pdf files:

 
Image
2018-06-11_10-48-08.png


When you embed fonts, you can be sure that the pdf file always includes the same fonts as the original document, even if you open the pdf file on a computer where the fonts used in the document are not installed. Because of this, the lay-out remains identical. In case the fonts are not embedded, an alternative font is selected in case the used font is not installed on the concerned computer. This may result in a different pdf lay-out.

If for example a barcode is added to a template to show the project number in the pdf file, it looks like this if the font is embedded:

 
Image
2018-06-11_15-19-40.png


In case the font is not embedded:

 
Image
2018-06-11_15-22-05.png


To always embed fonts, you toggle on the option Embed fonts and you save this setting by using a random name:

 
Image
2018-06-11_15-29-34.png


Two files with file extension *.PdfPrintOptions.xml are now saved in the folder attributes in the model folder. Move the file <user>.PdfPrintOptions.xml the folder ts and restart Tekla Structures. The fonts are now always embedded.
 

Template Editor

Location Template Editor changed

Due to the structure of files and folders in Tekla Structures 2018, the location of the Template Editor is changed.
 
It is now located on C:\TeklaStructures\2018\nt\bin\TplEd
 
Click here for detailed information about improvements in the Template Editor.
 

Cut values with *** in templates and reports

When an output value field does not fit into a cell, three asterisks (***) will indicate that the value is cut:

 
Image
2018-06-11_11-40-57.png


For example, when a template has a value field length limited to 10 characters and the output value is 11 characters or more, *** will be displayed at the end of the value.
 

Tools

Pile Foundation (d001) improved

Tool Pile Foundation (d001) now includes two new tabs for modeling rectangular and circular foundation pile groups:

 
Image
2018-06-11_11-49-51.png


You can model for example a rectangular foundation pile group including 4 piles:

 
Image
2018-03-07_11-34-29.png


For more detailed information about this tool, click the Help button in the tool:

 
Image
2018-06-11_11-59-27.png

 

CS Write Numbering Results Into UDA (ML006)

You can use macro CS Write Numbering Results Into UDA (ML006) to affect part numbers for example per phase.
In case the model includes identical parts in different phases, theses identical parts get the same number when numbering the model whereby the option Phase in dialog box Numbering Setup is toggled off. If you want to number the model per phase, you can toggle this option on. You can also use macro CS Write Numbering Results Into UDA (ML006) to affect the part numbering.

If you use this macro, you can for example add the phase number to the part and assembly prefix by using setting phase prefix:

 
Image
2018-06-11_12-11-01.png


 
Image
2018-06-11_15-53-49.png


                                               Phase 1                                                                                             Phase 2

... or add the start number per phase by using setting phase startnumber:

 
Image
2018-06-14_11-52-24.png


 
Image
2018-06-19_10-09-18.png


You now have the option First synch phase numbers to divide the secondary parts in the same phases as the main parts:

 
Image
2018-06-11_16-12-53.png


For more detailed information about how to use this macro, click the button Help in the macro:

 
Image
2018-06-11_16-17-42.png

 

Rooster available in Tekla Warehouse

Custom component ROOSTER (grating) is replaced by plug-in ROOSTER and is from now on available in Tekla Warehouse.

 
Image
2018-03-16_12-28-31.png


This plug-in is enhanced and includes many improvements.

For more detailed information, see chapter Modeling and checking gratings and checker plates.
 

Organizer

Organizing models with the Organizer

Tekla Structures includes the Organizer for inquiring and managing model information and for inquiring object properties and object classification:

 
Image
2018-06-19_10-16-49.png


You can use the Organizer to group model objects and classify these for different purposes and to view object properties from the model. You can synchronize the Organizer with the model which means that the information in the Organizer is always up-to-date.
You can even use the Organizer to easily inquire information from an IFC file (added as a reference model) and to export this information to Microsoft Excel.

Object Browser

For inquiring and showing information such as material, profiles, weights or volumes) for one or more objects, phases, lots. You can define which information to be shown. For this, you have several default "templates":

 
Image
2018-06-12_08-46-17.png


You can again export the inquired information to Microsoft Excel.

Categories

You can categorize your model in location categories and other type of categories which you can create based on your needs using for example object properties or checklists (next chapter). By using location categories, you can create a location breakdown structure and divide the model into projects, sites, buildings, sections and floors.

Click here for more information about the Organizer.
 

Checklists

The Organizer now also includes several categories for checking the Tekla Structures model:

 
Image
2018-06-13_15-43-35.png

On length

This category sorts the objects on base of their length, objects with length "0 mm" are also showed so that you can easily find these objects in the Tekla Structures model:

 
Image
2018-06-13_15-49-48.png


To easily find the objects in the Tekla Structures model, you can set the representation of the objects in the Tekla Structures model view preferably in to transparent by using shortcut Ctrl + 5 for parts and Shift + 5 for component parts:

 
Image
2018-06-13_16-14-52.png


 
Image
2018-02-20_15-49-20.png

 

On IFC entity

Before exporting a Tekla Structures model or selected objects from a model to IFC, you must always check whether the objects to export have included the correct IFC entity and IFC export type. Quite often not all objects are exported to IFC (or published to Tekla BIMsight) due to an incorrect IFC entity option in the user-defined attributes of the objects, set to None or Auto instead of a valid entity (IfcBeam to IfcChimney):

 
Image
2018-06-13_16-20-33.png


To find the objects in the Tekla Structures model, you can use category On IFC entity (besides the list id_IFC_check):

 
Image
2018-06-13_16-06-41.png

 

On bolt length

This category sorts on the bolt length. Bolts with a length of 100 mm may be bolts which have been modeled incorrect (for example due to a small value for the Cut length) and result in bolts with a length of 100 mm:

 
Image
2018-02-20_14-31-05.png


Besides the list Id_bolt-list-100, you can easily find such bolt in the Tekla Structures model by using category On bolt length:

 
Image
2018-06-13_16-41-17.png



 

On no number (overlap)

When you plan numbering, ensure that you reserve enough numbers for each series. If a series overlaps another, Tekla Structures numbers only one of the objects that would have overlapping numbers and leaves the other object unnumbered. Tekla Structures warns you about series overlaps, for example:

 
Image
2018-06-14_08-43-39.png


You must adjust the numbering prefixes and start numbers so that the series will not overlap anymore.

Besides report id_no_number, you can use category On no number overlap to find the objects in the Tekla Structures model quick and easily.
 

On conceptual components

Depending on the Tekla Structures configuration you are using, you can create either detailed or conceptual components. It may occur that you receive a Tekla Structures model from a another project member and some parts in the (in configuration Steel Detailing) opened model cannot be numbered, because the model contains conceptual components. When you model, using the configurations Engineering or Cast In Place, you always have conceptual components. The detailer, working in the configuration Steel Detailing, converts these conceptual components to detailed components. Detailed components include all needed information for fabrication.
 
Type Symbol Configuration Description
Conceptual component
Image
connection_symbol_conceptual.png
Engineering
 
Cast In Place
Conceptual components look similar to detailed components but do not include the option to change part numbering or assembly numbering settings. Conceptual components are meant to be used as reference information for further fabrication detailing.
Detailed component
Image
connection_symbol.png
Steel Detailing
 
Precast
Concrete
 
Detailing
Full Detailing
Detailed components include all the information needed for fabrication, such as assemblies, cast units, and reinforcing bars. Detailed components include options to define part numbering or assembly numbering settings.

To find conceptual components in the Tekla Structures model, you can use category On conceptual components:

 
Image
2018-06-14_10-37-24.png


Next you can convert these conceptual components per component to detailed components:

1. Select the conceptual component symbol.
2. Click right mouse button and select the command Convert to Detailing Component.

NC files

Number of decimals in NC files changed

For the exchange with Construsteel, the number of decimals in NC files is now set to 2:

 
Image
2018-06-11_14-46-44.png


                                                                                                                 
 
Image
icon_tech.png
Please check your personal settings to make sure that correct NC files are generated!

KA-block for folded plates and polybeams

You can now define whether the information of fold lines of folded plates is included in NC files or not. It concerns the so-called KA-block (Kantungen):

 
Image
afbeelding.png


Because of this, two new options are available in dialog box NC File Settings on tab Advanced options:

 
Image
2018-06-11_14-55-54.png

 

Convert NC files to DXF files

You can convert NC files to DXF files in Tekla Structures to drive plasma cutters and other cutting devices. For converting these files, you can use the following tools:

1. The file dstv2dxf.bat, stored in the folder C:\TeklaStructures\<version>\nt\dstv2dxf
2. Macro CS DSTV to DXF:

 
Image
2018-06-11_15-01-54.png


These tools both use file construsoft.def.
(This file contains a lot of settings, these can be defined by the user, such as the colors and layers for plates and holes in the DXF file and the height and color of the text. The file is stored in the folder ..:\TeklaStructures\\nt\dstv2dxf and you can open it with a text editor such as Wordpad or Notepad++ to adjust it).

Click here for more information about modifying the file construsoft.def.

3. Extension DSTVtoDXFConverter, available in Tekla Warehouse:

 
Image
2018-03-15_14-35-45.png


The tool looks like this:

 
Image
2018-06-11_15-15-37.png


In Tekla Structures 2018, the setting DSTV2DXF is added to the NC files setting to have correct output in DXF files:

 
Image
2018-06-14_10-47-06.png


When you generate NC files, first load the setting DSTV2DXF; because of this, the position of the elements Phase identification and Drawing identification is correct. If you next convert the NC files to DXF files, the correct information is included:

 
Image
2018-06-14_11-22-39.png


 
Image
^609B0648999CA84C91DEB0CA7DBABFE9037245AA12E72FD9B1^pimgpsh_fullsize_distr.png


                       Partmark and Number are correct.                                                Parkmark and Number are not correct.



 
Was this helpful?