Dimensioning type

Standard is used for almost all dimensioning.

Truss meets the specific requirements needed to dimension truss drawings. It dimensions the position and length of the diagonals. The dimensioning is done only if the diagonals are secondary parts that are welded to upper and lower chords, which are main parts and not welded to any parts. If the truss welding is done some other way, standard dimensioning is used.

Minimize

Yes minimizes the number of views that Tekla Structures creates.

Also check the settings in the drawing View Properties dialog box.

Combine dimensions

Combines several single dimensions into one dimension line.

In Options, select the combination level. The larger the number, the more Tekla Structures combines dimensions.

Option 4.5 uses a combination of option 5 for main part and option 4 for secondary parts.

The Distance means the distance within which Tekla Structures combines internal dimensions.

If the distance between two details is less than the defined Min distance, Tekla Structures combines the dimensions.

Close dimensions

Close dimensions completes dimension lines to include the entire part.

No does not close dimensions

In X only closes dimensions in the x direction and leaves others open

All closes all dimensions

This setting is not relevant to profile shape dimensions.

Close dimensions: Short dimensions

Yes closes short dimensions.

With No, the open dimension is the middle one rather than the short end dimension.

When you leave short dimensions open, Tekla Structures leaves out the longer dimension line in dimension lines that contain two dimensions. If dimension lines contain three dimensions, Tekla Structures leaves out the middle one. This option does not affect dimension lines with more than three dimensions.

Placing: Forward offset

Forward offset defines the distance Tekla Structures uses to search for the base point of a dimension. If Tekla Structures does not find a base point (corner) within the Forward offset search distance, it uses an edge point.

The Centered bolt setting affects on how the dimension is displayed.

Necessary internal dimensioning: Recognizable distance

Recognizable distance defines the limit for dimensioning asymmetry in secondary parts. In some cases, it is important to look at the asymmetrical relationship of parts, so that an asymmetric secondary part is correctly connected to a main part. You can use Recognizable distance to have asymmetry reflected in dimensioning. If the asymmetry is smaller than the distance you enter here, Tekla Structures represents it using a dimension.

Part mark on dimension line

None creates no part mark on the dimension line.

On assembly overall dimension creates a part mark on the assembly overall dimension line.

Between extreme bolts creates a part mark on the dimension line between the outermost bolts.

Main dimension position

Defines the side on which Tekla Structures places the Assembly overall dimensions, Main part work points, and Knock off dimensions.

Auto treats the main dimensions in the same way as other dimensions.

Above places the main dimensions above the part (or to the left for vertical parts).

Below places the main dimensions below the part.

Above places the skew position dimensions of the main part below the part and Below places them above.

Grid dimensions

Creates grid dimensions. The values are: None, Individual spans, Overall or Individual spans and overall.

Grid dimension position

Sets the grid dimension position. The values are:

Main view - above

Main view - below

Top view - above

Top view - below

Bottom view - above

Bottom view - below

Back view - above

Back view - below

All views - above

All views - below.

Dimension properties

Straight dimensions

Sets the dimension type for straight dimensions using the settings in the properties file you select.

In X direction

Otherwise same settings as in straight dimensions but overrides the straight setting for horizontal dimensions. If you use the blank option, Tekla Structures uses the Straight dimensions option settings. The x direction usually means dimensions parallel to the drawing x axis.

Arrow shape: US Absolute dimensions

Controls the type of mark used with the dimension line in US Absolute dimensions.

US Absolute dimensions are dimension types US Absolute and US Absolute 2 that can be defined in Dimension properties. If the advanced option XS_​USE_​USABSOLUTE_​ARROW_​TYPE_​FOR_​ABSOLUTE_​DIMENSIONS is set to TRUE, the arrow shape is overridden for other types of absolute dimensions as well.

Arrow shape: Level dimensions

Controls the type of mark used with the dimension line in level dimensions.

Angle and radius dimensions

Sets the dimension type for angle dimensions using the settings in the properties file you select.

Check dimensions

Sets the dimension type for check dimensions using the settings in the properties file you select.

Position bolts to

Position parts to

Controls from where Tekla Structures creates the part/bolt position dimensions.

None creates no position dimensions.

Main part creates the dimensions from the main part reference line.

Working points creates the dimensions between the work points, such as the intersections of main and neighbor part reference lines.

Embedded objects

Creates position dimensions for locating embedded objects in cast unit drawings. The embedded objects are custom components attached to the cast unit.

As secondary objects dimensions embedded objects in cast unit drawings the same way as secondary parts.

By reference point dimensions embedded objects to their reference point, which is the origin of the custom component.

Secondary part

Creates dimensions to bolt holes or edges of the secondary part.

None creates no position dimensions for secondary parts.

By bolt dimensions bolt hole locations in the secondary parts.

By part dimensions edges of secondary parts.

By both dimensions bolt hole locations and edges of the secondary part.

Secondary part dimension direction

Aligns dimensions with the main or neighboring part. Only for skewed clip angles or shear plates.

Position from

Sets the start point for running dimensions. Only for skewed clip angles or shear plates bolted to a neighboring part.

Reversed direction for running dimensions

Yes changes the direction of running dimensions. With this option, you can set the zero point to the end of a member rather than to the start.

Main part bolt position

On creates dimensions to the bolt hole locations in the main part.

Main part skew position

Yes creates horizontal and vertical check dimensions representing the skew position of a brace. Created between the work points of the main part.

Skew check dimensions are located in the front view. Their location depends on the Main dimension position setting selected on the General tab. When the main dimensions are above the part, the skew dimensions are below, and vice versa.

Skew position

Defines how Tekla Structures dimensions skewed secondary part positions.

None creates no dimensions for skewed secondary part positions.

angle creates an angle dimension for the secondary part.

Dimensions creates dimensions for the skewed position of the secondary part.

Both creates both the angle and the dimensions.

Centered part

Controls the dimensions of centrally-placed parts. These settings have an effect only if position dimensions are created.

Internal dimensions the centered parts overall size.

Position dimensions the part to the main part center lines.

None creates no centered part dimensions.

Centered bolt

Controls the dimensions of centrally-placed bolt groups.

Internal dimensions the centered bolts spread.

Position dimensions the bolts to the main part center-lines.

Centered bolt overrides the Secondary part bolt internal option for centered bolts. This only applies to bolts located centrally on the part.

Elevation dimensions

On creates elevation dimensions.

Combine equal dimensions

Combines equal dimensions. The choices are Off, 3*60 or 3*60=180.

The accuracy of combining equal dimensions is 0.1.

Minimum number to combine

Defines the minimum number of dimensions to combine.

Internal

Creates internal dimensions for secondary parts connected to the main part.

None creates dimensions for secondary parts.

Necessary creates only the dimensions that are necessary for assembling the parts.

All creates all dimensions for the secondary parts.

Main part overall dimensions

Once creates one overall dimension for the main part.

All creates overall dimensions for main parts in all views.

None creates no overall dimensions for the main part.

The Assembly part overall dimensions settings have some effect on these options.

Assembly part overall dimensions

Length only creates overall dimensions for an entire assembly or cast unit in the x direction only.

All dimensions creates overall dimensions for an assembly or cast unit in all directions.

Off creates no overall dimensions for an assembly or a cast unit.

Main part work points

On creates a check dimension between the outermost work points.

Main part shape (Shape dimensions)

On creates dimensions to show the shape of a main part.

By default, Tekla Structures automatically draws shape dimensions on both ends of a beam, even if the ends are symmetrical.

Main part radius dimensions (Radius dimensions)

On creates radius dimensions for curved chamfers and round holes in the main part.

This option is available only if you have set Main part shape dimensions to On.

Note that this option does not create radius dimensions for curved beams or polybeams with chamfers.

Bevel dimensions

On creates linear dimensions of a bevel.

Bevel angle

Creates an angle dimension and defines which side of the bevel to dimension. The choices are None, Angle of cut and Angle of beam.

Knock off dimensions

On creates check dimensions from the edge of the main part to the work point.

Preferred dim side

Sets the preferred view (front or side) for part dimensions.

From the nearest floor level to part

On creates dimensions indicating the distance from the closest floor level to the bottom and/or top of the parts.

From grid to part centerline

On creates dimensions showing the offset of a part from the grid to the part center line.

From grid to part ends

On creates dimensions showing the offset of a part from the grid to the near or far end of the part.

Main part bolt internal dimensions

Creates internal dimensions for bolt groups in the main part.

None creates none of the internal bolt dimensions.

Internal creates bolt group internal dimensions (distances between bolts).

All creates edge distance and bolt group internal dimensions. Edge distance is the dimension from the outermost bolt to the part edge.

Main part bolt internal dimensions: Skewed bolt group

Indicates whether the dimensions are parallel to the part or the bolt group.

The choices are No dimensions, In part direction, and In bolt group direction.

Secondary part bolt internal dimensions

Creates internal dimensions for bolt groups in the secondary part.

The choices are None, Necessary, Internal, and All.

Secondary part bolt internal dimensions: Skewed bolt group

Aligns the bolt dimensions with the secondary part or bolt group.

The choices are In part direction, No dimensions, and In bolt group direction

Distance between extreme bolts: Extreme bolts

Creates check dimension between the outermost bolts.

The choices are None, Main part, and Assembly.

Distance between extreme bolts: Extreme bolts to work points

Creates check dimensions from the outermost bolts to the work points.

Yes creates the check dimensions.

Preferred dim side

Sets the preferred view (front or side) for bolt dimensions.

Combine bolt dimensions

Sets the format of the combined bolt group internal dimensions.

You can combine bolt group internal dimensions and display them in the format 3*60 or 3*60=180, or have single dimensions.

Minimum number to combine

Defines the minimum number of dimensions to combine.

Activate dimension grouping

Selects the objects for grouping.

Parts

Groups according to parts.

Bolts

Groups according to bolts.

Components

Groups according to components.

Cuts/Shapes

Groups according to cuts or shapes.

Automatic tagging

Defines how to display information in a dimension line.

Display tags

Displays tags.

Include part count in the tag

Includes part count in the tag.

Do not display marks for the grouped items

Does not display part marks for grouped items.

Available elements

Elements available to define identical conditions.

Add >

Adds items to Selected elements list.

Remove

Removes items from Selected elements list.

Move up

Moves the element higher in the list.

Move down

Moves the element lower in the list.

Update grouping when model changes

Yes updates dimension grouping automatically when the model changes.

Dimension parts inside sub-assemblies

Defines whether to dimension parts inside sub-assemblies.

Yes creates internal dimensions for parts inside sub-assemblies.

No does not create internal dimensions for parts inside sub-assemblies.

Measure sub-assembly position from

Defines the position from which the sub-assembly is measured.

None does not measure the sub-assembly position.

Bolt measures the position of the sub-assembly from the bolts. If bolts are not included in the sub-assembly, or if it is not possible to measure the position from bolts, Tekla Structures measures the sub-assembly position from the reference point.

Extrema points measures the position of the sub-assembly from the bounding box of the sub-assembly.

Reference point measures the position of the sub-assembly from the reference point.

Dimensions for reinforcing bar groups

On creates dimensions for reinforcing bar groups. This also activates the other selections on this tab.

Dimension mark settings

Sets the mark type, which can be dimension line, dimension mark, tagged dimension mark, or variants of these typical styles.

The Default environment contains three predefined settings files: rebar_dimension_line, rebar_dimension_mark, and rebar_tagged_dimension_mark

Clicking the ... button opens the dimension properties, and you can view the settings file and also change the settings, if needed.