Quick start to Tekla Structures drawings
Read this article if Tekla Structures drawings are new to you!
You will learn:
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What is specific to Tekla Structures drawings, and what is included in the drawings
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What to do before creating any drawings
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How to create drawings in your first project using the predefined settings in your environment
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How to modify the created drawings manually in the drawing mode
Click the blue links to learn more. Here is an example link.
Basics of Tekla Structures drawings
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In Tekla Structures, a drawing is a window to the model presenting the 3D model structures in 2D, together with object dimensions and other markings derived from model data. Below is an example of a drawing view containing building objects, marks and dimensions:
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From Tekla Structures, you can get general arrangement drawings, single-part drawings, assembly drawings, cast unit drawings, and multidrawings.
Up-to-date drawings
Tekla Structures drawings are always up to date because:
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The building objects shown in the drawing are exactly the same as the model objects created in the model. You can change their representation in the drawing, but you cannot change the geometry or the location of the building object, or delete building objects; all changes to building objects are made in the model.
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Most objects in the drawing are associative and automatically updated when the corresponding model objects change. For example, if you resize a model object, the associated dimension points move with the corresponding object in the drawing, the dimensions are recalculated, and the related data is updated in markings. Still, you do not lose any manual changes that you have made in the drawing. Note that if the dimension points do not move, they are not associated with any building objects.
Drawing objects, views and drawing layout
Drawing objects are organized inside drawing views, which are placed in the selected drawing layout according to the selected settings:
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Drawing objects include building objects (parts, bolts, welds, chamfers, reinforcement, surface treatment, etc.), annotation objects (marks, notes, dimensions, texts, linked objects, reference objects, etc.) and sketch objects (lines, rectangles, clouds, circles, etc.).
All these objects are adjustable.
Some examples building objects, dimensions, marks, texts, and clouds:
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Drawing views act as containers for the building objects, or for areas in the model that you have selected to include in the drawing. The drawing view size adjusts automatically to fit in more content when necessary. Drawing views can show building objects from different directions (top, front, back, bottom), or as cross sections. View settings, for example the view depth and scale, are adjustable.
Example of a GA drawing with an erection elevation view and detail views:
Example of a combined form and reinforcing bar drawing of stairs with landings with two main views and a couple of detail views:
Example of a beam assembly drawing with one main view and a section view:
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A drawing layout defines:
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The drawing size, and spaces between the drawing frame and views, and between the drawing views
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The table set including a revision table, title block, material list, bill of materials, and general notes.
The data in the tables is derived directly from the model data. You can create tables in Template Editor, and add tables in the drawing layout and adjust the layout settings in Layout editor.
Below is an example of a typical fabrication drawing layout:
(1) Margins between the drawing frame and the outermost views
(2) Spaces between the views
(3) Top view
(4) Front view
(5) Section views A-A and B-B
(6) Drawing frame
(7) Key plan
(8) Material list
(9) Revision table
(10) Drawing title block
(11) Fold marks
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Predefined drawing settings
Your environment contains predefined drawing settings suited for various purposes, on multiple levels.
When you create a drawing for the first time, all you have to do is to pick the most suitable predefined drawing settings file from the list in the drawing properties dialog box.
Note that the drawing level settings also define which layout is used.
You can modify these settings and save your own settings files for your future drawings.
Below is an example of a list of drawing settings in a GA drawing:
Before creating drawings in Tekla Structures
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You can create drawings at any stage of the project, but to minimize re-work, take the detailing as far as possible, and finish numbering before drawing creation. Numbering is a prerequisite for creating single-part, assembly, and cast unit drawings.
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Ensure that the object classifications and naming in your model matches filtering. Follow the company conventions.
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In the model, create all necessary views for GA drawings. GA drawing views will have the same orientation and content as the model view. For example, create an erection elevation view or a floor plan view. A good idea is to fit the work area in the model view using two points to select the area that you want to show in the drawing.
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Decide the view depth to use in GA drawings. Set the desired view depth in the initial model view for efficient and transparent workflow. The drawings will use the depth defined for the view in the model.
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Decide which predefined settings and drawing layout you want to use. Select suitable default settings and a layout available in your environment.
Create a general arrangement drawing
In your first project, the idea is to create a general arrangement (GA) drawing using predefined settings from your environment, and then modify the drawing manually in the drawing mode as necessary.
For more information about GA drawings, see Create general arrangement drawings and General arrangement drawing properties.
Modify a GA drawing
In the drawing mode, modify the drawing manually to get the desired result.
When you are happy with the result, use this drawing as a template for creating drawings for other similar model content. You can also use drawings in the current project as templates in your future projects.
Below is an example of a foundation plan drawing.
To see the drawing in full size, right-click here and select the option that opens the PDF drawing in another browser window.
(1) Grid dimensions
(2) Part marks
(3) Section marks A-A, B-B, and C-C
(4) Manual dimensions
(5) Section views A-A, B-B, and C-C
(6) Rebar group mark
(7) Rebar mark with pull-out picture
(8) Level marks
(9) Revision table
(10) Drawing title block table
(11) Drawing frame and margin
Create a precast fabrication drawing
As this is your first project, we recommend that you create a precast fabrication drawing using predefined settings from your environment, and then modify the drawing manually in the drawing mode as necessary.
For more information about cast unit drawings, see Create fabrication drawings and Cast unit drawing properties.
Modify a precast fabrication drawing
In the drawing mode, modify the precast fabrication drawing manually to get the desired result.
When you are happy with the result, use this drawing as a template for creating drawings for similar cast units.
Below is an example of a cast unit formwork drawing.
To see the drawing in full size, right-click here and select the option that opens the PDF drawing in another browser window.
(1) Associative note
(2) 3D view created automatically
(3) Symbol (center of gravity)
(4) Line
(5) Text
(6) 2D detail from Drawing 2D Library or image
(7) Rebar bending schedule with graphical fields for pull-out pictures
(8) Material list table with table header row, table content rows, total reinforcement weight row and total cast unit weight sum row
(9) Recess with hidden lines
(10) Concrete part
(11) Embed part/rebar
(12) Overall dimensions created automatically
(13) Recess dimensions created automatically
(14) Filter dimensions created automatically
(15) Formwork front view
(16) Section mark A-A
(17) Part contour
(18) Dimension tag
(19) Section view A-A created automatically
(20) Rebar mark with pull-out picture
(21) Rebar group mark
(22) Rebar
(23) Reinforcement front view
(24) Rebar group dimension
(25) Detail mark
(26) Detail view
(27) Drawing title block table
(28) Attribute (Tekla Corporation) and fixed text (Product name) in table
(29) Revision table
(30) Image in table
(31) Drawing frame and margin
Create a steel fabrication drawing
As this is your first project, we recommend that you create a steel fabrication drawing using predefined settings from your environment, and then modify the drawing manually in the drawing mode as necessary. The instructions below apply to assembly drawings.
For more information about assembly drawings, see Create fabrication drawings and Assembly drawing properties.
Modify a steel fabrication drawing
In the drawing mode, modify the steel fabrication drawing manually to get the desired result.
When you are happy with the result, use this drawing as a template when you are creating drawings for similar assemblies.
Below is an example of a column assembly drawing.
To see the drawing in full size, right-click here and select the option that opens the PDF drawing in another browser window.
(1) Grid location table tells on which grid line the assembly is located in the model
(2) Section A-A created automatically, manual marks and dimensions
(3) Model weld marks
(4) Part marks
(5) Section marks A-A, B-B, and C-C
(6) Front view
(7) Bolt mark
(8) Bolts
(9) Column C/54
(10) Column contour
(11) Manual section mark C-C (without a section view). The identifier is C-C to indicate that this section is identical to the C-C section that has a section view
(12) Section C-C created automatically, manual marks and dimensions
(13) Top view
(14) Bolts, plates and marks hidden by other parts
(15) Drawing frame and margin
(16) Revision table
(17) Drawing title block
(18) Call off table indicating the total number of main parts in the drawing
(19) Material list table
(20) Dimensions: Most dimensions are automatic Integrated dimensions. The section view dimensions are manual.
(21): Section B-B created automatically, manual marks and dimensions