Define AutoDefaults settings and rules

Use AutoDefaults to set up properties for existing connections. AutoDefaults chooses connection properties based on the framing condition. With AutoDefaults you can create rules that define the situations where the predefined properties are used.

To apply the configured AutoDefaults settings and rules to connections, see Modify a connection using AutoDefaults.

AutoDefaults settings

To open the AutoDefaults setup dialog box, click File > Catalogs > AutoDefaults settings.


Icon	Setup level	Description
	Rule group	You can use rule groups to organize settings according to different standards, projects, manufacturers, and models. You can create, modify and delete rule groups.
	Components	The component tree structure shows the connections that are available on component toolbars in Tekla Structures.
	Rule set	Rule sets control which properties to use in certain situations. You can create additional rule sets. Tekla Structures processes AutoDefaults rule sets in the order in which they are in the tree, so you can control the selection of properties.
	Properties file	The properties files are under the rule sets. By default, each connection has a standard properties file that defines the standard properties, for example, standard.j144 or standard.j1042. You can create additional properties files for the properties that you want to use again and give the files distinctive names.

Defaults.zxt file

When you use AutoDefaults, Tekla Structures saves the AutoDefaults rules in a zipped defaults.zxt text file in the \attributes folder under the current model folder.

You can copy the defaults.zxt file to the project or firm folder to make it available in other models. Each time you modify the AutoDefaults setup, you need to recopy this file to the firm or project folder. To use the modified setup in other models, restart Tekla Structures.

Note:

We do not recommend that you edit the defaults.zxt file using a text editor, but if you do, ensure that you are using the right syntax. The easiest way to unzip the .zxt file is to change the file extension .zxt to txt.gz and unzip the file. Change the extension back to .zxt when you have finished. You do not need to zip the file after editing it, Tekla Structures can also read the unzipped file.

Limitation

AutoDefaults only affects connection parts (clip angles, shear tabs, end plates, …), bolts, and welds. AutoDefaults cannot change beam profiles or the connection number.

Create a rule group for AutoDefaults

You can define rule groups for AutoDefaults to group the rules according to different standards, projects, or manufacturers, for example.

On the File menu, click Catalogs > AutoDefaults settings.
Right-click an existing rule group and select New Rule Group.
Click the New group to rename it.

Give the rule group a name that reflects the contents of the group. For example, use the fabricator's name, the project name, or any name that clearly identifies the rules that you want to use for a specific model.

When you create a new rule group, Tekla Structures automatically adds the existing components to the group.

Create a rule set for AutoDefaults

You can create rule sets to define which connection properties are used when specific conditions in the model are met.

On the File menu, click Catalogs > AutoDefaults settings.
Click the plus icon in front of the rule group to open the tree structure.
Click the plus icon in front of the relevant group of components and connection .
Right-click an existing rule set and select New Rule Set.
Right-click the new rule set and select Edit Rule Set....
Enter a name for the rule set.
Select a rule from the Available rules list.
Click the right arrow button to move the selected rule into the list of Rules in rule set.
Enter the values used in the rule: either an exact value, or minimum and maximum values.

Select from the Parameter files selection in rule set list how the properties are selected in the rule set.


Option	Description
Use combination of first parameters	Tekla Structures uses the properties files it finds in the first matching sub-rule set and does not check other rule sets.
Iterate until connection symbol is green	Tekla Structures checks sub-rule sets until it finds matching properties.
Iterate until connection symbol is yellow	Tekla Structures checks sub-rule sets until it finds matching properties.
Use combination of all parameters	Tekla Structures checks all rule sets and uses the properties files in all matching rule sets. The order of the properties files is important. When Tekla Structures combines the properties files, the most recent files (the lowest in the tree) override previous ones. If you do not enter any values for the properties, Tekla Structures does not override the previous property values.

Click OK.

Note:

The order of the rules in the tree structure is important. Tekla Structures uses the first rule that matches the conditions within the model so you should place the most limiting rule highest in the tree, and the most generic rule lowest.

You can change the priority of a rule set by right-clicking the rule set and selecting Move up or Move down.

Modify connection properties for AutoDefaults

Each connection has a default standard property file that defines the properties for the connection. You can modify the properties that the standard file uses. Save the connection properties that you want to use and set the standard file to use these properties in the AutoDefaults settings.

On the File menu, click Catalogs > AutoDefaults settings.
Click the plus icon in front of the rule group to open the tree structure.
Click the plus icon in front of the relevant group of components and connection .
Right-click the standard.j connection file that you want to modify, for example, standard.j144 and select Edit Connection Parameters....
In the connection dialog box, set the properties that you want to save.

Such properties could be, for example, bolt properties, profiles, and materials.
Enter a descriptive name for the properties in the box next to the Save as button.
Copy this name in the Connection code option on the General tab.

Using the same name allows you to check which properties Tekla Structures used in specific situations. Tekla Structures does not automatically show the AutoDefaults values in the connection dialog box.
Click Save as.

Tekla Structures saves the properties file in the \attributes folder under the current model folder. The filename consists of the name you entered in Save as and the file extension .jXXX, where XXX is the connection number, for example, sec_0-190.j144.
Click Cancel to close the connection dialog box and return to the AutoDefaults setup dialog box.

If you click OK to close the connection dialog box, you need to load the default properties the next time you use the connection. Using the default properties ensures that AutoDefaults can modify the properties.
Right-click the standard.j file again and select Select Connection Parameters....

The Attribute File List dialog box that opens contains the properties that have been set and saved in the connection dialog box.
Select a file in the Attribute File List dialog box.
Click OK.