Modify the assembly structure

You can modify the assembly structure by adding more parts or assemblies, or by changing the main part of an assembly, for example.

Concrete cast units are technically considered as assemblies, and they have similar command available as steel assemblies. In some cases, the assembly commands need to be used for cast units as well.

Note:

The active selection switch controls whether you can select assemblies or parts when you use the different assembly commands.

Add parts to an existing assembly

You can add secondary parts to a basic assembly, or to any level of a nested assembly.

Ensure that the Select objects in assemblies or Select objects in components selection switch is active.
Select the parts you want to add.
Right-click and select Assembly > Add to assembly.
Select the assembly to which you want to add the parts.

Create nested assemblies

You can add parts and assemblies as sub-assemblies in another assembly on a lower level in the assembly hierarchy.

Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.
Select the parts or assemblies you want to add to another assembly.

They will become sub-assemblies in the nested assembly.
Right-click and select Assembly > Add as sub-assembly.
Select the assembly to which you want to add the parts or assemblies.

Alternatively, you can use the Assembly > Add as sub-assembly command on the ribbon.

Join existing assemblies

You can join existing assemblies as sub-assemblies without adding any loose parts. The joined sub-assemblies are on the same assembly level. For example, you can model two halves of a complex truss as assemblies, and then join the halves together to form a higher-level assembly that contains the halves as sub-assemblies. The assembly with the largest volume becomes the main assembly.

Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.
Select the assemblies you want to join.
Right-click and select Assembly > Join as sub-assemblies.

Alternatively, you can use the Assembly > Join as sub-assemblies command on the ribbon.

Note:

This command adds a new assembly hierarchy level on top, and the resulting new assembly contains only sub-assemblies.

If needed, you can change the main assembly. Use the Assembly > Set as main object command on the ribbon.

Create a sub-assembly of assembly parts

You can create a sub-assembly of parts that are already in an assembly.

Ensure that the Select objects in assemblies or Select objects in components selection switch is active.
Select the parts you want to include in the sub-assembly.

Note that you need to select several parts to create the sub-assembly.
Right-click and select Make into Sub-Assembly.

Check and highlight objects in an assembly

Use the Inquire tool to check which objects belong to a particular assembly, cast unit, or rebar assembly.

On the ribbon, click the down arrow next to , and then select Assembly objects to inquire the assembly objects.

Select an assembly, cast unit, or rebar assembly. Ensure that you are on the intended assembly hierarchy level.

Tekla Structures highlights the other objects that belong to the same assembly, cast unit, or rebar assembly. The following colors are used:


Object type	Highlight color
Steel part - main part Main reinforcement object in rebar assembly	orange
Steel part - secondary part Secondary reinforcement object in rebar assembly	yellow
Concrete - main part	magenta
Concrete - secondary part	cyan
Reinforcement in cast unit	blue

Alternatively, to quickly show the assembly, right-click an object in the assembly and select Assembly > Show assembly. Tekla Structures draws a blue highlighting box around the assembly.

Change the main part in an assembly

The main part in an assembly has other parts welded or bolted to it. By default, the main part is not welded or bolted to any other parts. You can change the main part in an assembly.

If needed, check what is currently the main part of the assembly.

Use the Inquire tool to check which objects belong to a particular assembly.

To easily check the structure and hierarchy of an assembly, use the Assembly tree viewer tool from Tekla Warehouse.
Ensure that the Select objects in assemblies or Select objects in components selection switch is active.
Select the new main part.
Right-click and select Assembly > Set as new main part of assembly.

Tekla Structures changes the main part.

Alternatively, you can use the Assembly > Set as main object command on the ribbon.

Use this command also to change the main part in a concrete cast unit.

Change the main assembly

If you have joined existing assemblies together, the assembly with the largest volume has become the main assembly. You can change the main assembly within the sub-assemblies.

Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.
Place the mouse pointer on any part in the assembly, press Shift and scroll with the middle mouse button in the assembly hierarchy to see the sub-assemblies.
Select the new main assembly.
Right-click and select Set as new main sub-assembly.

Tekla Structures changes the main sub-assembly. When the assembly is inquired, Tekla Structures highlights the main sub-assembly's main part in orange.

Alternatively, you can use the Assembly > Set as main object command on the ribbon.