Dimensioning properties in drawings (Integrated dimensioning)
Use the General tab in the Dimension Properties dialog box to view and modify the general settings of the dimensions. This dialog box is displayed if you use Integrated dimensions dimensioning type in dimensioning.
General tab
Option |
Description |
---|---|
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 |
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 dimensions tab
Option |
Description |
---|---|
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. |
Part dimensions tab
Option |
Description |
---|---|
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. |
Bolt dimensions tab
Option |
Description |
---|---|
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. |
Dimension grouping tab
Option |
Description |
---|---|
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. |
Sub-assemblies tab
Option |
Description |
---|---|
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. |
Reinforcement dimensions tab
Option |
Description |
---|---|
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: Clicking the ... button opens the dimension properties, and you can view the settings file and also change the settings, if needed. |