Tekla Structures System Manual Product version 10.0 January 2004 Copyright © 2004 Tekla Corporation "Copyright© 1992-2004 Tekla Corporation. All rights reserved. This Software Manual has been developed for use with the referenced Software. Use of the Software, and use of this Software Manual are governed by a License Agreement. Among other provisions, the License Agreement sets certain warranties for the Software and this Man- ual, disclaims other warranties, limits recoverable damages, defines permitted uses of the Soft- ware, and determines whether you are an authorized user of the Software. Please refer to the License Agreement for important obligations and applicable limitations and restrictions on your rights. In addition, this Software Manual is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. Unauthorized reproduction, display, modification, or distribution of this Manual, or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law. Tekla, Tekla Structures, Xcity, Xengineer, Xpipe, Xpower, Xsteel, and Xstreet are either regis- tered trademarks or trademarks of Tekla Corporation in the European Union, the United States, and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned in this Manual are or may be trademarks of their respective owners. By referring to a third-party product or brand, Tekla does not intend to suggest an affiliation with or endorsement by such third party and dis- claims any such affiliation or endorsement, except where otherwise expressly stated. Elements of the software described in this Manual may be the subject of pending patent applica- tions in the European Union and/or other countries. TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL v Contents Contents Preface 1 1 Using Tekla Structures effectively 7 1.1 General 7 1.2 Modeling 10 1.3 Drawings and plotters 13 1.4 Autosave 14 1.5 Customizing the interface 17 1.6 Optimizing system performance 20 2 Multiuser Mode 23 2.1 Multiuser mode 23 2.2 Modeling in multiuser mode 31 2.3 Drawings in multiuser mode 36 2.4 Maintenance procedures 37 2.5 Access rights 38 3 Files and Folders 43 3.1 Startup batch file 43 3.2 File types and function 48 3.3 Folders 56 3.4 Customizing Tekla Structures 61 3.5 Log files 74 vi TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Contents 4 Catalogs 81 4.1 Things you should know 81 4.2 The profile catalog 84 4.3 The material catalog 98 4.4 The bolt and bolt assembly catalogs 103 4.5 The reinforcing bar catalog 112 4.6 For the advanced user 112 5 AutoConnection 121 5.1 AutoConnection setup 121 5.2 AutoDefaults setup 126 5.3 AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules 131 6 CNC 141 6.1 NC files 141 6.2 DSTV 145 6.3 Peddimat 147 6.4 DXF 150 6.5 Pop-marks 151 6.6 Plate nesting 155 7 Import and export 161 7.1 Import and export basics 162 7.2 Conversion files 165 7.3 Importing models 168 7.4 Exporting files 190 7.5 Reference models 209 7.6 Tekla WebViewer 212 Appendix C : Environment variables 219 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL vii Contents Appendix D : File extensions 291 Appendix E : Reserved shortcuts 295 Appendix F : Template fields 299 Index 339 viii TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Contents TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL 1 Preface Preface Introduction This is the Tekla Structures System Manual. The following paragraphs explain how this guide is organized, suggest different paths for different types of user, describe the other guides provided in the package, and tell you how to report any problems you have with the software or guides. Audience This guide is aimed at structural engineers, detailers, and designers who model, analyze, and design concrete and steel structures. We assume that you are familiar with the processes of structural engineering, as well as the basic Windows tools. You will also find this guide useful if you collaborate with other companies, as it explains how to use the links between Tekla Structures and other systems, such as analysis, plant design, CNC systems, etc. How to use this guide If you are just starting a project using Tekla Structures, or are interested in get- ting the most out of Tekla Structures, you should read Chapter 1, Using Tekla Structures effectively and the Appendix E, Reserved shortcuts (p. 295). If you are the person who maintains the Tekla Structures environment, you will find useful information in Chapter 2, Multiuser Mode, Chapter 3, Files and Folders, and in the Appendix C, Environment variables (p. 219). If you are responsible for design standards, codes, standard detailing solutions etc., you should read Chapter 4, Catalogs and Chapter 5, AutoConnection. If you need to import or export information between Tekla Structures and other software, you should read Chapter 6, CNC and Chapter 7, Import and export. 2 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Preface Additional help resources The following resources also provide information about Tekla Structures: Web site http://www.tekla.com Email Contact your local helpdesk via email: Conventions used in this guide Typefaces We use different typefaces for different items in this guide. In most cases the meaning is obvious from the context. If you are not sure what a certain typeface represents, you can check it here. • Any text that you see in the user interface appears in bold . Items such as window and dialog box titles, field and button names, combo box options, and list box items are displayed in this typeface. • New terms are in italic bold when they appear in the current context for the first time. • All the text you enter yourself appears in "quotation marks". • We use italics for emphasis. • Extracts of Tekla Structures’s program code, HTML, or other mate- rial that you would normally edit in a text editor, appears in mono- spaced Courier font. Area office Email address China TeklaStructures.Support.CHI@Tekla.com Finland TeklaStructures.Support.FI@Tekla.com France TeklaStructures.Support.FR@Tekla.com Germany TeklaStructures.Support.GER@Tekla.com Japan TeklaStructures.Support.JPN@Tekla.com Malaysia TeklaStructures.Support.MY@Tekla.com Middle East TeklaStructures.Support.ME@Tekla.com Sweden TeklaStructures.Support.SWE@Tekla.com UK TeklaStructures.Support.UK@Tekla.com US TeklaStructures.Support.US@Tekla.com TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL 3 Preface • Program names, such as functions, environment variables, and parameters, appear in Courier bold . • Filenames and folder paths appear in Arial. Noteboxes We use several types of noteboxes, marked by different icons. Their functions are shown below: A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways of doing things. A tip never contains information that is absolutely necessary. A note draws attention to details that you might easily overlook. It can also point you to other information in this guide that you might find useful. You should always read very important notes and warnings, like this one. They will help you avoid making serious mistakes, or wasting your time. This symbol indicates advanced or highly technical informa- tion that is usually of interest only to advanced or technically- oriented readers. You are never required to understand this kind of information. 4 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Preface Related guides Tekla Structures includes a comprehensive help system in a series of online books. You will also receive a printed installation guide with your setup CD. • Modeling Manual How to create a physical model. • Analysis Manual How to create loads and run structural analysis. • Detailing Manual How to create reinforcement, connections, and details. • Drawing Manual How to create and edit drawings. • System Manual Covers advanced features and how to maintain the Tekla Structures environ- ment. • TplEd User’s Guide How to create and edit report and drawing templates. • SymEd User’s Guide How to use the SymEd graphical interface to manipulate symbols. • Installation Guide Printed booklet explaining how to install Tekla Structures. Organization This guide is divided into the following chapters and appendices: Chapter 1: Using Tekla Structures effectively A collection of practical suggestions from experienced Tekla Structures users and service personnel. It explains how to use Tekla Structures effectively and automate your work processes. You will find it useful to read this chapter before starting a project in Tekla Structures. Chapter 2: Multiuser Mode Explains how to set up a multiuser system and how to work in multiuser mode.Multiuser mode enables several people to use the same Tekla Structures model at the same time. [...]... Setup menu TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Preface 5 Appendix E: Reserved shortcuts Lists the reserved default shortcut keys you can use in Tekla Structures Appendix F: Template fields Lists the fields you can use in report and drawing templates 6 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Preface 1 Using Tekla Structures effectively Introduction With Tekla Structures you do not have to do everything manually... the solid buffer to a size that exceeds the available memory, Tekla Structures uses the hard drive This slows down the system significantly Trial and error is the best way to optimize the solid buffer size See also How Tekla Structures handles solids (p 22) TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Using Tekla Structures effectively 21 How Tekla Structures handles solids One of the factors that affect performance... Application error When you open a model, Tekla Structures automatically checks if the previous session exited normally If it did not, Tekla Structures prompts whether you want to continue using the Autosave model or the original model 16 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Using Tekla Structures effectively 1.5 Customizing the interface Once you are familiar with Tekla Structures, you can create your own toolbars,... how saving works in multiuser mode Overview of the multiuser system A Tekla Structures multiuser system runs on a TCP/IP network and consists of: • • A server computer running xs_server.exe Client computers running Tekla Structures We recommend that you only run one Tekla Structures server on a network The Tekla Structures server The Tekla Structures server program performs these main tasks: • • • 24... representation When you want an exact view of the parts, either minimize the work area first, or only the objects you want Tekla Structures to draw with exact lines See View setup TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Using Tekla Structures effectively 2 Introduction Multiuser Mode Tekla Structures runs in either single-user or multiuser mode Multiuser mode allows several users to access the same model at... rights (p 38) 2.1 Multiuser mode This section explains how multiuser mode works, and how to set up and use Tekla Structures in multiuser mode Tekla Structures multiuser mode only runs on TCP/IP-based networks TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Multiuser Mode 23 When to use multiuser mode You can use Tekla Structures in either single-user or multiuser mode In singleuser mode, only one user can work on a model... difficulty selecting objects 20 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Using Tekla Structures effectively 1 Open User.bat 2 Set the environment variable: set XS_USE_SOFTWARE_RENDERING=TRUE 3 Restart Tekla Structures Solid buffer size To improve performance in large models, try increasing the solid buffer size using the environment variable XS_SOLID_BUFFER_SIZE (p 278) This results in Tekla Structures keeping more... Modeling (p 10) Drawings and plotters (p 13) Autosave (p 14) Customizing the interface (p 17) Optimizing system performance (p 20) 1.1 General This section describes how to make the most of various Tekla Structures features when setting up a project TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Using Tekla Structures effectively 7 Firm and project folders Before you customize any object properties for specific... includes AutoConnection and AutoDefaults tools to automate the modeling process So you can customize Tekla Structures to suit a particular project and the way you work See AutoConnection and AutoDefaults in the Detailing manual and also AutoConnection (p 121) 10 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Using Tekla Structures effectively There are three levels of automation that you can help you work faster and... technique you are also building your own expertise into the Tekla Structures database, so the entire company benefits from it See AutoConnection and AutoDefaults in the Detailing manual, and also AutoConnection (p 121) AutoConnection Use the AutoConnection feature to automatically apply connections 12 TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Using Tekla Structures effectively You can use AutoConnection to quickly . TeklaStructures.Support.JPN @Tekla. com Malaysia TeklaStructures.Support.MY @Tekla. com Middle East TeklaStructures.Support.ME @Tekla. com Sweden TeklaStructures.Support.SWE @Tekla. com UK TeklaStructures.Support.UK @Tekla. com US TeklaStructures.Support.US @Tekla. com TEKLA. TeklaStructures.Support.CHI @Tekla. com Finland TeklaStructures.Support.FI @Tekla. com France TeklaStructures.Support.FR @Tekla. com Germany TeklaStructures.Support.GER @Tekla. com Japan TeklaStructures.Support.JPN @Tekla. com Malaysia. fields 299 Index 339 viii TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL Contents TEKLA STRUCTURES - SYSTEM MANUAL 1 Preface Preface Introduction This is the Tekla Structures System Manual. The following paragraphs