Copy and move objects

Tekla Structures
2021
Tekla Structures

Copy and move objects

The basic functionality of copying and moving objects is the same in models and drawings. You can copy and move objects linearly, with rotation, and with mirroring.

Tips for copying and moving objects

By copying objects the modeling work becomes faster, more efficient, and more consistent.

  • Copy carefully

    Always copy the objects carefully, and ensure that you are copying the intended objects.

  • Control over copying

    At first, when you familiarize yourself with snapping, we recommend to use the Copy Special - Linear - Pick method to have more control over the copying action.

  • Compare copied objects

    Any comparison between the copied objects should be done before running numbering. The numbering itself works as the final check.

  • Select a suitable command for copying

    • To ensure that the object is copied in the intended plane, use the Copy special > Linear command. The Copy - Linear dialog box can be used as an explicit check to confirm that copying distance is in the intended direction and round values.

    • To copy objects, such as reinforcement, between similar objects, use the Copy special > To another object command. Always ensure that the object you copy from and the object you copy to are of similar type and have similar shape. For example, a polygonal slab and a rectangular column have different types of part handles, and their front faces are of different shape and location.

    • To copy objects around a specified line on the work plane, use the Copy special > Rotate command. When you use this command, copy carefully and always check the outcome. If the results are not as expected, copy in smaller chunks, for example, one component at a time.

    • To copy objects from one model to another, use the Copy special > From another model command. The copying is based on the phase numbers in the original model. Successful copying requires that you have set the objects correctly, without any additional objects, in a specific phase in the source model. Otherwise all the objects included in the phase are copied.

      Note that if you copy objects from another model, only the model objects are copied. The drawings are not copied.

    • The source object for the copying determines the object orientation.

      When the objects are copied with the Copy command, the object orientation of the target object remains the same as the orientation of the source object.

      When the objects are copied with the Copy special > To another object command, the object orientation is defined in relation to the source object's internal coordinate system, and this orientation will be translated into the target object's internal coordinate system.

      Custom components have their own logic for object orientation. It may be more straightforward to add the component in the model than to use copying, especially if the target object's main geometry differs considerably from the source object's geometry.

  • Duplicate objects

    After copying and moving, check that the outcome is as expected and there are no accidentally created duplicates in the model.

    Two objects are considered duplicates if they have the same properties and location. Tekla Structures checks for duplicate, overlapping objects when you copy and move objects or create new objects in the same location as an existing object. If duplicates are found, you can choose whether to keep or delete them. If you choose to keep the duplicates, they are hard to detect later on.

    Use the advanced option XS_​DUPLICATE_​CHECK_​LIMIT_​FOR_​COPY_​AND_​MOVE to define the maximum number of objects that can be counted as duplicates while copying or moving objects.

    Note:

    Tekla Structures does not check for duplicates when you copy objects using a modeling tool, such as the Array of objects (29) component.

  • Assemblies and cast units

    If you copy or move objects from an assembly or cast unit, Tekla Structures copies the assembly structure if possible. For example, sub-assemblies are copied as sub-assemblies if a parent object is found.

    When selecting the correct content to be copied, first use model selection filters, and secondly assembly, part, or component selection switches.

    To easily select all objects within an assembly or a cast unit according to the selection filter, hold down the Alt key and click any object in the assembly or cast unit.

  • Drawing objects

    You can copy and move drawing objects between drawing views that have different scales.

  • Reinforcement and surface treatment

    If you copy or move reinforcement or surface treatments, and want them to adapt to the part they are copied or moved to:

    • The reinforcement handle or surface treatment handles must be in part corners.

    • The parts between which you copy or move must have the same number of cross section corners.

    • Circular parts must have the same cross section dimensions.

  • Copy and move efficiently

    You can keep the Move and Copy dialog boxes open if you are going to use them often.

    After you have run the Copy - Linear, Copy - Mirror, Copy - Rotate, or the Move - Linear, Move - Mirror or Move - Rotate command, interrupt the command and leave the dialog box open. When you want to continue copying or moving, click the dialog box to activate it and continue to copy or move objects.

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