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Add custom components to a model

Tekla Structures
2019i
Tekla Structures

Add custom components to a model

Use the Applications & components catalog to add your custom component to a model.

Add a custom connection, detail, or seam to a model

  1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to open the Applications & components catalog.
  2. To search for a component, browse the catalog or enter a search term in the search box.

    Custom components have the following symbols in the catalog:

    Type

    Symbol

    Custom part

    Custom connection or seam

    Custom detail

  3. Select the custom component you want to add.
  4. Follow the instructions on the status bar to add the custom component in the model.
  5. To modify the properties, double-click the custom component in the model.

Example: Add a custom connection to a model

This example shows how to add a previously created custom end plate connection to a model. Because you have not modified the custom component to adapt to different situations in the model, you need to add it to a similar location where it was created. Otherwise the custom component may not work as required.

  1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to open the Applications & components catalog.

  2. In the catalog, select the custom end plate connection you want to add.

    Tekla Structures displays instructions on the status bar.

  3. Select the column as the main part.

  4. Select the beam as the secondary part.

    Tekla Structures adds the end plate connection to the model.

Add or move a custom part in the model

Use the direct modification handles and dimensions when you add or move custom parts. If you are unable to select custom parts in the model, ensure that the Select components selection switch is active.

Note:

This method cannot be used when adding custom parts to faces that have cuts or edge chamfers. You need to hide the cutting parts and edge chamfer objects from the view before you add custom parts on cut or chamfered faces using direct modification.

We do not recommend using this method with custom parts that are parametric, and in which the input points define the dimensions of the custom part. The preview is simplified, based on the default custom part dimensions, and snapping has a different focus than usually.

  1. Ensure that Direct modification is switched on.
  2. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to open the Applications & components catalog.
  3. In the catalog, select the custom part you want to add.
  4. Move the mouse pointer over part faces and edges in the model, and see how the custom part turns over and adjusts to the part faces.

    If you are adding the custom part to another object, Tekla Structures shows location dimensions to the nearest object edges.

    If you are adding a custom part that has only one input point, press Tab to rotate it in 90-degree steps around the work plane Y axis.

  5. Depending on the number of custom part input points, pick one or two points to place the custom part in the model.

    Tekla Structures shows the coordinate axes, rotation handles, and location dimensions that you can use to fine-tune the location and rotation of the custom part. The handles are red, green, and blue, according to the local coordinate system of the custom part.

  6. Click the middle mouse button to confirm the location and rotation.

    Tekla Structures adds the custom part to the model.

  7. To move the custom part along any of its coordinate axes, drag the relevant axis handle to a new location.

  8. To rotate the custom part around any of its coordinate axes, drag the relevant rotation handle to a new location.

    Press Tab to rotate the custom part in 90-degree steps in the direction of the selected rotation handle.

  9. To move or rotate the custom part by specifying a distance or angle:
    1. Select an axis handle, a rotation handle, or a dimension arrowhead.
    2. Type the value by which you want the dimension to change.

      When you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box.

    3. Click OK to confirm the new dimension.
  10. To stop modifying, press Esc.
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