I have a Validation > Model > General > “Model coordinates too large” error. Why do I get this and how do I resolve it?

Not version-specific

Tekla Structural Designer

Environment

Not environment-specific

Question

I have a Validation > Model > General > “Model coordinates too large” error. Why do I get this and how do I resolve it?

Answer

A Model coordinates too large validation error occurs if the nearest model node to the 0,0 origin is located greater than a radius of 1 km away.

If we hover over the Model coordinates too large validation error a tooltip is displayed “Model further than 1.0 km from the origin”. Since this is a validation error you are unable to proceed to an analysis or design until it is rectified.

This validation error would typically occur following a building information modelling (BIM) import, where for example - world coordinates have been used.

The reason a limit of 1km is applied is to do with the way computers stores numbers - the bigger the number, the bigger the potential inaccuracy for calculations - length of member, angles etc. It should be noted that this is a problem with all analysis / design software and not limited to Tekla Structural Designer.

Solution 1 - Prevent issue arising in the first place during import

To prevent this issue from occurring in the first place, when you run the Structural BIM import command, the Relocate Import Model page indicates the range for imported coordinates. If you amend the Move import model by values such that values are input so that the nearest node is relocated within a radius of 1 km of the origin then the validation error does not appear. In the screenshot below the column intersection point A/1 has been relocated to the origin.

Note. A gridline extends past an intersection point by 0.5m.

Solution 2 - Moving the model at a later date

If we had not adjusted the Move import model by coordinates during the Structural BIM Import (screenshot below) then it is likely that you have progressed the modelling such that it is too late to start again. The issue can be resolved another way.

To resolve, you can use the Move Model command on the Edit ribbon.

For further details and an explanation of the Reference Point options contained within the Move Model command please refer to this page in the Tekla Structural Designer product guides.

Clicking Move, relocates the model to the specified Target X and Y coordinates. Provided the closest node is located within the 1 km radius of the origin then the issue is removed. The screenshot below shows the Target X and Y set at 707m as an example. (998.84m from origin).

After moving the model closer to the origin, no validation warnings of type Model coordinates too large are reported.