View and modify object properties by using the contextual toolbar

When you click an object in a model or drawing, a contextual toolbar symbol appears next to the mouse pointer. Click the symbol to open the contextual toolbar. Use the contextual toolbar to quickly view and change some basic properties of an object, view, grid, and so on.

If multiple objects are being selected, the contextual toolbar displays the text Varies for any properties that differ.

How to change object properties using contextual toolbar

The changes that you make on the contextual toolbar are immediately applied to the model or drawing.

Click an object in a model or drawing.

A contextual toolbar appears next to the mouse pointer.
Change the object properties on the contextual toolbar.

The changes are applied immediately.

Tip:

Press the Tab key to move between the properties and command buttons on the contextual toolbar.

Drawing commands in contextual toolbar

In the model, the Open or create drawings command in the contextual toolbar opens a menu that lists the drawings created for the selected objects, and contains the Create fabrication drawing command for creating single-part, assembly and cast unit drawings, and a command for showing the drawings created for the selected objects in Document manager, where you can then open the drawings.

In drawings, you can use the contextual toolbar to quickly view and change some basic properties of a drawing object, view, grid, and so on.

Show or hide contextual toolbar

You can define whether the contextual toolbar is visible in Tekla Structures.

On the File menu, click Settings.
Under Toolbars, select or clear the Contextual toolbar check box.

Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K to show or hide the contextual toolbar.

Define contextual toolbar's position

You can define the position of the contextual toolbar, relative to an object's reference point.

Select an object.
Hold down the Ctrl key and click the contextual toolbar with the left mouse button.

A dashed line appears between the contextual toolbar and the object.
Drag the contextual toolbar to a new position.

For example, you can position the contextual toolbar on the left side of the selected object.
Release the left mouse button.

The contextual toolbar now appears in the position you defined, for example on the left side of any object you select.

Pin contextual toolbar in place

You can pin the contextual toolbar to a specific location on the screen, so that the position is locked. For example, you could have it appear at the upper left corner of the screen. In the locked state, the position of the contextual toolbar is independent of the individual part’s location.

Drag the contextual toolbar to a new location.
Click to pin the contextual toolbar to the new location.

The pin icon changes when the position is locked.
To unlock the position, click .

Minimize contextual toolbar

You can minimize the contextual toolbar so that it takes less space on your screen.

On the contextual toolbar, click .
The contextual toolbar now has the symbol .
To restore the contextual toolbar to its original size, click again.