Tekla Structures 2024 has a new snapping option: Snap to parallel points. You can now snap to points that are parallel to grid lines, part reference lines, and the edge lines of existing objects or reference objects. Snap to parallel points works both in modeling mode and in drawing mode.

Use the Snap to parallel points switch, for example, when you need to

• model new parts or structures that are parallel to an existing structure or parallel to a grid line, such as strip footings or walls

• model parts when you know the distance between the parallel reference part and the part to be created

• cut polygonal shapes that are parallel to edge lines of irregular shapes

To snap to parallel points:

1. Activate the Snap to parallel points snap switch on the Snapping toolbar.

   

2. Run a command that requires you to pick points.

   For example, start creating a beam.

3. Pick the start point in the model.

   Alternatively, you can pick a temporary reference point by holding down the Ctrl key and then pick a point that is used as a reference point.

   If you pick a point on a line, Tekla Structures gives an offset value of 500 mm in orthogonal direction. You can enter another numeric distance, or move the mouse to define the distance of the parallel point.

4. Place the mouse pointer on top of a line or an edge that you want to use as basis for the parallel snap, and using the mouse pointer follow the line or the edge to the desired direction. Keep the mouse pointer close to the line or the edge.

   Tekla Structures shows the parallel snap symbol and a green, dashed line that indicates the dependency between the picked point and the parallel point.

   

   If you move the mouse pointer further away in the direction of the line or the edge, the parallel snap follows the extension of the line or the edge.

   

5. Pick the rest of the points, or enter a distance by using the keyboard and press Enter.

   Alternatively, if you had previously picked a temporary reference point, pick the start point.

Note that the new Snap to parallel points snap switch has lower snap priority than Snap to end points, Snap to mid points, Snap to perpendicular points and Snap to intersection points snap switches.

You can also use the Snap to parallel points - override switch to temporarily override the other snap switch settings.

You can now snap to object faces in 3D model view when you have the Snap to perpendicular points or the Snap to intersection points snap switch active.

Note that you can only snap to object faces when the rendering of parts is set to Parts rendered/Components rendered/References rendered.

• When the Snap to perpendicular points snap switch is active, you can snap perpendicularly to a point on the object face. Previously you could snap perpendicularly only to a line.

  If the Snap to perpendicular points snap switch is the only active snap switch, Tekla Structures finds the snap point even when the mouse pointer is far away from the correct location. If other snap switches are on, then Tekla Structures finds the perpendicular snap point only when the mouse pointer is placed close to the correct location.

  

  

  When you start to pick points, and the first picked point is in front of the object face and within the object face boundaries, the perpendicular point will be at the object face. If the first picked point is outside the object face boundaries, the perpendicular point is created perpendicular to the object face plane and it is not at the object face.

• When the Snap to intersection points snap switch is active, you can snap to the intersection of an object face and a point on a part edge line, point on a construction line, or point on a grid line.