Custom components
You can define customized connections, parts, seams, and details for your project. These are called custom components. You can use custom components in the same way as any Tekla Structures system component. By editing the custom components you can create intelligent, parametric custom components that automatically adjust to changes in the model.
When to use
Define a custom component if you cannot find a predefined system component that meets all your needs. Custom components are useful especially if you need to create a large number of complex model objects and copy them across several projects.
Benefits
Once you define and store a custom component in the Applications & components catalog, you can easily access it from the catalog and use it in another location in the same model. If you must modify the custom component, you only need to make the changes once. When you save the changes, they will be automatically applied to all copies of that custom component in the model. You can also import and export custom components as .uel files between models and share the custom components with your colleagues, or store the custom components in a model template so that they are available with each new model that is based on the used template.
Custom component types
You can create four types of custom components:
|
Type |
Description |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Custom part |
Creates a group of objects that may contain connections and details. Note: Unlike other custom components, custom
parts are not marked with a component symbol |
|
|
Custom connection |
Creates connection objects and connects the secondary parts to the main part. The main part may be continuous at the connection point. |
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|
Custom detail |
Creates detail objects and connects them to a single part at the location you picked. |
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|
Custom seam |
Creates seam objects and connects the parts along a line that you create by picking with two points. The parts are usually parallel. |
|
in
the model. Custom parts have the same position properties as
beams have. 
Examples of custom parts
Custom parts may consists of a single part or a group of parts, and they often have a complex composition. The following images show some examples of custom parts:
|
Steel |
Company standard bracing plates |
|
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Castellated beam and cell beam |
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Built-up beams/columns |
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Built-up beams |
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Standard glazing fixings |
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Precast concrete |
Sandwich panel |
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Lifters |
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Standard embeds/inserts |
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Standard beams |
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Examples of custom connections
Custom connections can be used to connect a main part to up to 30 secondary parts. The connection is made between the main part and the ends of the secondary parts. The following images show some examples of custom connections:
|
Steel |
Built-up plate seat |
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|
Shear plate |
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Typical japanese post connections |
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Precast concrete |
Base detail |
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Double tee to L profile |
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Column cut-out |
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Wall panel connections |
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Examples of custom details
Custom details can be used to add more information to a single part, such as extra plates or cut-outs. The following images show some examples of custom details:
|
Steel |
Backing plates |
|
|
Cast base |
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|
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Timber base |
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Out rigger (stiffeners) and out rigger plate (stiffeners) |
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Precast concrete |
Door and window |
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Column patterns |
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Hollow core end details |
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Lifting details |
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Mock joint/reveal |
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Side pocket |
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Examples of custom seams
Custom seams can be used to connect a main part to up to 30 secondary parts. They can also be used on one main part only. The seam is made along the length of the part. The following images show some examples of custom seams:
|
Steel |
Steel stair step |
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Turnbuckles |
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Handrail |
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Precast concrete |
Double tee connection |
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Panel to panel grout tube connection |
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