Create model views
You can create model views in several ways in Tekla Structures.
For example, you can create views
Each view has properties which define its appearance. You can change the appearance of a view after you have created it. To view and modify the properties of each view, double-click anywhere on the model background to open the View Properties dialog box.
If you create views along grid lines, you can view and modify the properties using the Creation of Views Along Grid Lines dialog box.
If you need to reopen views for later use, you can name and save them. Tekla Structures only saves the named views when you exit the model.
Create a basic view of the model
You can create a basic view along two coordinate axes. Use this view for the overall viewing of the model.
Create a view using two points
You can create a view using two points you pick: the origin and a point in the direction of the x axis.
Create a view using three points
You can create a view using three points you pick: the origin, a point in the direction of the x axis, and the third point in the direction of the y axis.
- On the View tab, click .
- Pick a point to indicate the origin of the view plane.
- Pick a second point to indicate the direction of the x axis.
- Pick a third point to indicate the direction of the y axis.
Create a view of the work plane
You can create a view of the work plane using the current view properties.
Create grid views
You can create views along the grid lines you select.
Before you start, create a view that contains a grid, and check the grid properties. Note that with radial grid you can create the grid views only on the straight grid lines, not on the arched grid lines.
If the grid properties are incorrect in some way, Tekla Structures may cut the views at the wrong elevations or they may be named incorrectly. If you change the grid labels or the elevation or grids later on, the views will not be automatically renamed.
Example
This example shows how to create vertical views of the grid lines 1–7 on the following model:
In the Creation of views along grid lines dialog box, select All for the view plane XZ and None for the view planes XY and ZY. Use the default settings for the view name prefix and the view properties.
After creating the grid views, move the view named Grid 2 to the Visible views list:
The grid view is displayed as a plane view in a new window:
Rotate the view to see it in 3D:
Create a view on a plane
You can create a view on the work plane or almost any plane of an existing part.
Alternatively, to create a view on the front, top, back, or bottom plane of a part, you can also use the following commands available on the View tab:
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On part front plane
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On part top plane
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On part back plane
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On part bottom plane
To use these commands, first select a command and then the part.
Create a 3D view of a part
When you need to see a specific part clearly, create a 3D view of the part. The part is placed in the center of the view.
Create default part views
You can create four views of a part: front, top, end, and 3D view. Tekla Structures creates these views all at once with the same command. The front, top, and end views are plane views by default.
Create an undeformed part view
You can create a view that shows a deformed part in undeformed form. This works only for beams and columns.
Create a 3D view of a component
When you need to see a specific component clearly, create a 3D view of the component. The component is placed in the center of the view.
Create default component views
You can create four views of a component: front, top, end, and 3D view. Tekla Structures creates these views all at once with the same command. The front, top, and end views are plane views by default.
Create a surface view
Use the Create surface view macro to create an automatically aligned surface view. This can be useful when modeling bolt groups, stiffener plates, and hole penetrations on complex geometry.
To be able to select the surface of a part, ensure that you are using a model view that shows part faces. On the View tab, click Rendering, and select either the Parts grayscale or the Parts rendered option.
Create a surface view along selected edge
Use the Create surface view wEdge macro to create a surface view and align the work plane along the edge you select. This can be useful when modeling bolt groups, stiffener plates, and hole penetrations on complex geometry.
To be able to select the surface of a part, ensure that you are using a model view that shows part faces. On the View tab, click Rendering, and select either the Parts grayscale or the Parts rendered option.