Introducing the Tedds Interface Designer

Tekla Tedds for Word
2021
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2020
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2019
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2018
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2022
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2023
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2024
Tekla Tedds Tekla Tedds for Word

This tool allows you to create user interfaces for your custom calculations so that the input for a specific design case can be changed quickly and easily. You can also create standard, easy to use, professional looking calculations which can be easily shared with other Tedds users. In effect you can turn your calculation documents into mini applications that can be re-used time and time again.

In previous versions of Tedds you had to use Tedds input fields to create a very basic, input by input user interface to your calculation. These inputs were very limited, you could only enter a value using a simple text box and you would be prompted with a separate window for every input required in your calculation. Tedds Input Fields are still supported however the interface designer allows you to create calculations that provide a much better experience. Creating a user interface for your calculations provides the following benefits:

  • All the input required is requested in one go at the start of the calculation
  • Related input can be grouped together in a logical way
  • Data can be entered using the input control most appropriate for the type of data (text box, drop list, check box, etc.)
  • The standard Tedds data applications can be used for selecting complex data (data lists, data tables, data graphs)
  • Notes, static sketches and Active Sketches can be used to illustrate the input required
  • Information such as a related design code clause can be included for each input to provide additional help
  • Input can be validated at the point of entry using simple minimum and maximum limits or using more complex expressions
  • You can move forwards and backwards through the user interface to revise the input before continuing the calculation

The Interface Designer is simple and intuitive to use, What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG), which makes it very quick to create and modify your user interface. To create a simple user interface you only need to enter the description, name and units for each of the inputs used in your calculation

Once you have created your user interface you can quickly return it to your document and then calculate it to see the user interface in action. Making changes to your user interface is also straightforward; Tedds will find all of the user interfaces in your document and allow you to edit them in the same way that you first created them.

Summary

The Tedds Interface Designer allows you to enhance your custom calculations so that they are easier to use and can be more easily shared and used by other Tedds users. You can find out more about how to create your own user interfaces by searching the Tedds Knowledge base for "Interface Designer".
 

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