Before you start the first project, plan the project needs and collect the needed resources for the project.

• Set up the project and firm folders to store your customized settings.
  • Use the project folder to store all project-specific files, such as drawing title block content, or specific custom tools and settings that should not be used for the entire company. Define the location of the folder using the XS_​PROJECT advanced option in the settings for all users.
  • Use the firm folder and its sub-folders to store all general company-specific files. Define the location of the folder using the XS_​FIRM advanced option in the settings for all users.
• Plan your company's modeling guidelines.

  • Plan the numbering guidelines.

  • Set up and import a reference model.

• Define the project properties so that reports and drawings show the correct information.
• Set up templates.
• Plan how users will share models and data.
• Check the material, profile, shape, bolt, and rebar needs for your project. Plan how you will customize catalogs and databases to suit your project needs.

  If necessary, you can add new content to the catalogs from other environments, from Tekla Warehouse, or you can import content created in other software solutions.

  You can optionally also set up a component folder in the Applications & components catalog to ensure that everyone in the project uses the same components and finds the components faster.

When you start new projects, check the project settings that you have previously defined and update them if necessary.

• Set up a new project folder and update the location of the folder for users using the XS_​PROJECT advanced option.
• Reuse files and settings from previous projects.

  Settings stored in the project and firm folders are used automatically when you start a new project. You can optionally transfer other files and settings to the new project manually.

• Check and update the project properties.
• Update your company's modeling guidelines document if your company has started to use any new practices after the previous project.
• Check the material, profile, shape, bolt, and rebar needs for your project. Clean up the catalogs and databases so that they contain the relevant content for your project.

Project information is needed many times during a project. Define the project information at the beginning of a project so that reports and drawings show the correct information automatically.

1. On the File menu, click Project properties.
2. Edit the project properties.

   When you edit the properties, Tekla Structures highlights the modified properties in yellow.

3. Click Modify to apply the changes.