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  8. Create parametric profiles by sketching
  9. Add dimensions to a sketched profile

Add dimensions to a sketched profile

Tekla Structures
Modified: 25 Jul 2025
2025
Tekla Structures

Add dimensions to a sketched profile

After you have sketched a profile, use dimensions to make different distances in the profile parametric. You can use these dimensions to define the size of the profile when you use it in a model.

Tekla Structures also adds the dimensions you create to the list of variables that you can use in calculations.

Note:

Do not create too many dimensions in a sketch. If there are too many dimensions, the dimensions cannot adjust when the values are changed.

In this example, if you create the dimension marked in red, the dimension b1 no longer works:

Add a radial dimension to a sketch

You can create a radial dimension for an arc or a circle in a sketched profile.

  1. Click the Sketch radial dimension button: .
  2. Select the arc or circle.

Add an angle dimension to a sketch

You can create an angle dimension between two lines in a sketched profile. The angle is calculated counter clockwise from the first line you select.

  1. Click the Sketch angle dimension button: .
  2. Select the first line (1).
  3. Select the second line (2).

    Tip:

    If you are unable to see the angle symbol, scroll with the mouse wheel to zoom in.

Add a dimension between two points in a sketch

You can add a dimension to a sketched profile, between two points you pick.

  1. Click the Sketch free dimension button:
  2. Pick a point to indicate the start point of the dimension (1).
  3. Pick a point to indicate the end point of the dimension (2).
  4. Pick a point to indicate the location of the dimension lines and text.

Add a horizontal dimension to a sketch

You can add a horizontal dimension to a sketched profile, between two points you pick.

  1. Click the Sketch horizontal dimension button: .
  2. Pick a point to indicate the start point of the dimension (1).
  3. Pick a point to indicate the end point of the dimension (2).
  4. Pick a point to indicate the location of the dimension lines and text.

Add a vertical dimension to a sketch

You can add a vertical dimension to a sketched profile, between two points you pick.

  1. Click the Sketch vertical dimension button: .
  2. Pick a point to indicate the start point of the dimension (1).
  3. Pick a point to indicate the end point of the dimension (2).
  4. Pick a point to indicate the location of the dimension lines and text.

Delete a dimension from a sketch

If a dimension is no longer needed in a sketch, you can delete it.

You can delete a dimension from a sketch in the sketch editor view, in the Variables dialog, or in the Sketch Browser.
  1. Select the dimension that you want to delete.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • In the sketch editor view or in the Sketch Browser, right-click and select Delete.
    • In the Variables dialog, click the Delete button.
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