Start by defining the shape and point coordinates of the new profile on paper.

1. Design the profile on paper.
   1. Draw the cross section outline.
   2. Add the corner points.
   3. Add the dimensions.
   4. Place the y-z coordinate axis center point in the middle of the cross section.

      

2. Define the y and z coordinate directions.

   For example:

   • positive y axis: up
   • negative y axis: down
   • positive z axis: on the right
   • negative z axis: on the left

     

3. Define the y and z vectors.

   For example:

   • y1, y2, y3
   • z1, z2, z3

     

4. Make coordinate pairs for the points.

   Assign y, z vector pairs to each point. Start from the lower right corner and define the points in counterclockwise order.

   For example:

   • point 1: y1 z3
   • point 2: y2 z3
   • point 3: y3 z2
   • point 4: y3 z1
   • point 5: y1 z1

   

After defining the shape and point coordinates of the profile, continue by creating the .clb file.

1. Create a new .clb file using any standard text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.
2. Define a library name to be used in the profitab.inp file for this profile.

   For example:

   library_id "1Gen"

3. Define a cross section name to be used in the profitab.inp file for this profile.

   For example:

   Section_type
   {
   name "RectChamfer"

4. Define the dimensions of the cross section.

   For example:

   base_attribute
   {
   name "h"
   description "albl_Height"
   type dimension
   default 1000
   }

5. Define the coordinates of the profile.

   The coordinates must be the same as the y and z vectors that you defined earlier. Define the default values.

   For example:

   expression
   {
     name "y1"
   type y
     default -400
   formula -h/2
   }

6. Define the geometry of one or several faces of the profile.

   For example:

   geometry
   {
   name "default"
   face
     {
     index 0
     point 0 y1 z3
     point 0 y2 z4
     point 0 y3 z4
     point 0 y4 z3
     point 0 y4 z2
     point 0 y3 z1
     point 0 y2 z1
     point 0 y1 z1
     }
   face
     {
     index 1
     point 1 y5 z7
     point 1 y6 z8
     point 1 y7 z8
     point 1 y8 z7
     point 1 y8 z6
     point 1 y7 z5
     point 1 y6 z6
     point 1 y5 z6
     }
   }

   Note:

   The index number refers to the point number: 0=start point of the beam, 1=end point of the beam.

7. Save the .clb file in the ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\profil folder.
8. In a text editor, open the components.clb file.
9. Add your profile definition to the components.clb file by adding the following line:

   Include ”new_file_name.clb” // give comment

10. Save the components.clb file.

Before you start to use the new parametric profile, add the profile definitions to the profitab.inp file.

1. In Windows, browse to the environment folder in ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\ and find the profitab.inp file.
2. Copy the profitab.inp file to a model, project, or firm folder.
3. In a standard text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad, open the profitab.inp file in the new location.
4. Under a suitable category, add a new line for the profile definition.

   Use the following syntax:

   Prefix
   ! Type ! SO ! Z ! MI ! MA ! G3-NAME ! Z3-NAME !

   An example of a profile definition:

   PNL_A
   ! USER ! 0 ! ! 2 ! 3 !1Gen.RectChamfer !h*b-[c]

5. Save the file.

   The profile is now available in the profile catalog. You might have to restart Tekla Structures for the change to take effect.