You change the angle from which objects are viewed, how the object is rotated, and how the dimensions in the drawing view are oriented.

1. On the Drawings & reports tab, click Drawing properties and select the drawing type.
2. Load the drawing properties that you want to change.
3. Click View creation and go to the Attributes tab.

   The settings affect all views in a drawing.

4. In Coordinate system, select one of the available coordinate systems:

   • local

     Tekla Structures uses the local coordinate system of the main part. The x axis of the part is parallel to the x axis of the drawing, and the start point (the end point created first) of the part is on the left. The start point is marked with yellow, and the end point created second is marked with pink.

     

   • model

     Tekla Structures uses the global coordinate system. The part has the same position in the drawing as it has in the model. This is one option when you want to show columns vertically. You can also use this option to display sloping parts in position. Tekla Structures cannot display horizontally skewed parts.

     

   • oriented

     Tekla Structures uses the local coordinate system of the main part, but the coordinate system is oriented so that the x axis of the part points to the right even if the part was created from right to left.

     

   • horizontal brace

     Tekla Structures automatically rotates the drawing views so that the front view is from the top of the model. This is used for skewed braces. It automatically rotates the front view around the x axis.

   • vertical brace

     Tekla Structures automatically rotates the drawing views so that the front view is in the same plane as the brace in the model. This is used for skewed braces. It automatically rotates the front view around the x axis.

     

   • For concrete parts, the option Fixed rotates the front view so that it shows the casting direction (the face that is top in form) of the concrete part, if it is defined in the model.

5. To save the changes, click Save.
6. Click OK and create the drawing.

You can rotate a part, assembly, or cast unit in a drawing view around its local axes.

1. On the Drawings & reports tab, click Drawing properties and select the drawing type.
2. Load the drawing properties that you want to change.
3. Click View creation and go to the Attributes tab.

   The settings affect all views in a drawing.

4. In Rotate coordinate system, specify the angle:

   • With the Around X, you can rotate in steps of 90 degrees (0, 90, 180, 270).

   • With the Around Y, you can rotate in steps of 180 degrees (0, 180).

   • With the Around Z, you can specify any angle.

5. To save the changes, click Save.
6. Click OK and create the drawing.

You can select which face of a steel or timber part is shown in the drawing main (front) view by using the user-defined attribute Fixed drawing main view.

1. In the model, double-click a steel or timber part to open part properties, and click the User-defined attributes button.
2. On the Parameters tab, click Fixed drawing main view, and select one of the options:
   • Top
   • Back
   • Bottom
   • Start
   • End
   • Front
3. Click Drawings & reports > Drawing properties, and select assembly or single part drawing properties.
4. Click View creation in the options tree, go to the Attributes tab, and set Coordinate system to Fixed.
5. Click OK to activate the settings, and create the drawing using the current settings.

In assembly drawings, you can define the front view viewing direction separately for columns.

1. On the File menu, click Settings > Options and go to the Orientation marks settings.
2. Under Viewing direction, use the Columns in assembly drawing option to set the front view direction of columns:
   • The values are As beam and bracing, North, East, South and West. Select As beam and bracing to use the same viewing direction as you use for beams and bracings. This is the default value.

   • If you have set the coordinate system to local in View creation properties, Tekla Structures uses the coordinate system of the column when setting the viewing direction of the front view.

   • If you have set the coordinate system to oriented, the column is in a horizontal position, and the viewing direction of the front view is the option you select (North, East, South or West).

   • If you have set the coordinate system to model, the column is in a vertical position, and the viewing direction of the front view is the option you select (North,East, South or West).

3. Click OK.

In assembly drawings, you can define the front view viewing direction separately for beams and bracings.

1. On the File menu, click Settings > Options and go to the Orientation marks settings.
2. Under Viewing direction, use the Beams and bracings in assembly drawing option to set the front view direction:
   • The values are North or east, North or west, South or east, and South or west. The default value is North or east.

   • If the beam or bracing is parallel to the X axis of the model, it is also parallel to the X axis in the drawing.

   • If you have set the coordinate system to model, and the beam or bracing is sloped, it is also sloped in the drawing.

3. Click OK.

Plates created with the Plate command are automatically oriented in drawings. The longest side of the plate always faces downwards in the drawing. You can affect this orientation in single-part drawings and assembly drawings.

1. Create the contour plate.

   The first and second points you pick also define the plate’s main axis.

2. Double-click the plate to open the contour plate properties.
3. Click User-defined attributes, and click the Orientation tab.
4. Select From 1st to 2nd creation point in the Main axis direction list.
5. Click Modify, and close the dialog.
6. Click Drawings & reports > Perform numbering > Number modified objects to update numbering.
7. To view the orientation of the plate, create a single-part drawing of the plate.