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Symbols in drawings
Symbols in drawings
You can use symbols in drawings, for example, as separate objects, and in marks, object representations, and line arrows. Symbols can be created and edited in Symbol Editor.
Symbol Editor
You can open Symbol Editor by clicking File menu > Editors > Symbol editor. In Symbol Editor, you can create new symbol files, and create and modify symbols.
The Symbol files dialog box in drawing mode allows you to change the symbol file in use. It also provides access to Symbol Editor.
We recommend that you have a look at the Symbol Editor User's Guide , so that you get familiar with creating new symbols and modifying the existing ones.
We strongly recommend that you do not modify the original symbol files delivered with your Tekla Structures application. If you need to modify any symbols, copy the original symbol file and work on the copy, keeping the original symbol file intact.
If your symbols are located in a protected folder, the symbols are read-only, because you cannot save a modified symbol in a protected folder if you are not an administrator. In this case, run Tekla Structures as administrator.
Symbol file search order
The symbol files ( .sym ) are searched from the following folders in the following order:
All DXK_SYMBOLPATH folders
The advanced option DXK_SYMBOLPATH is defined in the environment initialization file <your_environment> .ini and in the Tekla Structures initialization file teklastructures.ini.
Alternatively, you can add your own DXK_SYMBOLPATH in options.ini under the model folder and define your own symbol folder paths there. Note that also the path settings in the <your_environment> .ini file need to be added there.
The reading order of the .ini files containing the DXK_SYMBOLPATH definition:
1. teklastructures.ini
2. <your_environment> .ini
3. options.ini
Current model folder
Add here any additional symbol files that you might need.
All symbol files that are found are available to be used in Tekla Structures. If there are duplicate file names, the first one found is used and the rest are discarded. If the model folder contains a symbol file that has the same name as another symbol file in DXK_SYMBOLPATH , the one in the model folder is discarded.
Example of overriding a weld symbol temporarily
If there is no permanent need to add your own symbol paths in the options.ini file in the model folder, you can temporarily override symbols. In this example, you will temporarily override the weld symbol with a customized symbol located in your model folder:
- Customize the symbol in ts_welds.sym first.
- Copy the edited ts_welds.sym in your model folder C:\TeklaStructuresModels\ <mymodel>
- Open the options.ini file located in your model folder, and add the line DXK_SYMBOLPATH=C:\ TeklaStructuresModels\ <mymodel> ; C:\TeklaStructures\2017\Environments\common\symbols; + possible other symbol folders in your local environment.
To | Click below for more information |
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Change a symbol in a symbol file using Symbol Editor | |
Create new symbol files to be used in drawings | |
Change the currently used symbol file | |
Add symbols in your drawings manual | |
Customize the symbols that are used as leader line arrows | |
Modify the appearance of a symbol in an open drawing | |
Add symbols in marks, for example, part marks | |
Define a firm folder where Tekla Structures always searches for the images and symbols. When you store the images and symbols in this folder, you do not have to move them from folder to folder when you install a new version of Tekla Structures. Installing a new version does not replace the files in the firm folder. | |
Add surface treatment symbols in cast unit drawings using the AddSurfaceSymbols macro | |
Create, update and delete moment connection symbols, which indicate the beams that are connected to columns with rigid connections | Moment connection symbols in Tekla Structures drawings (Drawing tools) |