Refine the shape of a sketched profile by adding a constraint

After you have sketched the outline of a profile, use constraints to refine your sketch and lock the shape. For example, you can straighten lines, create 90 degree angles, force lines to meet, close the shape, and add chamfers in corners.

To straighten the entire profile, use horizontal and vertical constraints in conjunction with other constraints. Although the shape is locked, you can still rotate the profile in the model.

Add a parallel constraint

You can force two lines in a sketched profile to be parallel to each other.

Before you start, sketch the outline of the profile in the sketch editor.

Click the Parallel constraint button: .
Select a line in the sketch (1).
Select another line in the sketch (2).

Add a perpendicular constraint

You can force a line in a sketched profile to be at a 90 degree angle to another line you select. The lines do not have to intersect.

Before you start, sketch the outline of the profile in the sketch editor.

Click the Perpendicular constraint button: .
Select a line in the sketch (1).
Select another line in the sketch (2).

Add a coincident constraint

You can force two lines in a sketched profile to start or end at the same point, by extending or shortening one or both lines. The lines do not have to intersect.

Note:

Tekla Structures automatically creates coincident constraints

where two lines meet.
between line segments when you draw them with the Sketch polyline tool.
between the start of the first line segment and the end of the last line segment in a shape, if they are within a certain distance of each other.

Before you start, sketch the outline of the profile in the sketch editor.

Ensure that the Snap to end points snap switch is active.
Click the Coincident constraint button: .
Pick the end of the first line (1).
Pick the end of the second line (2).

Add a fixed constraint

You can lock the position and angle of a line in a sketched profile so that other constraints do not affect it.

Before you start, sketch the outline of the profile in the sketch editor.

Click the Fixed constraint button: .
Select a line in the sketch.

Add a horizontal constraint

Use horizontal constraints to force a line in a sketched profile to be parallel to the local x axis. Tekla Structures automatically creates horizontal constraints when you create lines that are nearly horizontal.

Before you start, sketch the outline of the profile in the sketch editor.

Click the Horizontal constraint button: .
Select the lines you want to straighten (1, 2).

Add a vertical constraint

Use vertical constraints to force a line in a sketched profile to be parallel to the local y axis. Tekla Structures automatically creates vertical constraints when you create lines that are nearly vertical.

Before you start, sketch the outline of the profile in the sketch editor.

Click the Vertical constraint button:
Select the lines you want to straighten (1, 2).

Delete a constraint

You can delete constraints from sketched profiles.

Click to open the Sketch Browser.
Select the constraint you want to delete.
Right-click and select Delete.
Click Refresh.