Folder search order

When you open a model, Tekla Structures searches for the associated files in specific folders in a specific order.

Except for objects.inp files, Tekla Structures stops searching when it finds the first associated file. Any files with the same file name that are located later in the search order are ignored. The error log lists the names of the ignored files.

Warning:

Do not store your customized files in the system folder. Tekla Structures replaces files in the system folder when you install a new version.

Many settings files and attribute files must be located either at the root level of the folder or in specific subfolders inside the main folder. For example:

.tpl and .rpt files must be located at the root level of the model folder. .tpl files can also be located in the \templates folder under the model folder.
.OrgObjGrp files must be located at the root level of the firm folder.
Other attribute files can be located in the attributes subfolder inside the main folder.

The folder search order is:


Order	Folder	Defined by
1	Current model	The open model
2	Project	Advanced option XS_PROJECT. If property files are stored in user-defined subfolders under the project folder, Tekla Structures searches the subfolders for files in alphabetical order.
3	Firm	Advanced option XS_FIRM. If property files are stored in user-defined subfolders under the firm folder, Tekla Structures searches the subfolders in alphabetical order.
4	Environment	Tekla Structures searches in the \\Environments\common subfolder first, then in the subfolders for the environment and role that the user selects when they start Tekla Structures.
5	Role	The role that the user selects when they start Tekla Structures.
6	System	Advanced option XS_SYSTEM You can specify more than one system folder to define specific settings for each role. Use the role options defined in the env_<environment>.ini file to point to the roles when specifying the system folders in the XS_SYSTEM advanced option. Separate the options pointing to the roles with semicolons. For example: `set XS_SYSTEM=%XS_STEEL%;%XS_ENGINEERING%;%XS_CONTRACTOR%;``%XS_GENERAL%;%XSDATADIR%\environments\common\system\`

For some specific files and file types, Tekla Structures searches in a different order. The exceptions are:


File or file type	Search order
Catalogs	Profile, bolt, material, and rebar catalogs: Model folder Project folder (`XS_PROJECT`) Firm folder (`XS_FIRM`) Folder defined by the advanced option XS_PROFDB Shape catalog: Model folder Project folder (`XS_PROJECT`) Firm folder (`XS_FIRM`) System folder (`XS_SYSTEM`) Folder defined by the advanced option XS_DEFAULT_BREP_PATH Printer catalog: Model folder Project folder (`XS_PROJECT`) Firm folder (`XS_FIRM`) Folder defined by the advanced option XS_DRIVER
.dat files	System folder (`XS_SYSTEM`)
objects.inp	Model folder Project folder (`XS_PROJECT`) Firm folder (`XS_FIRM`) System folder (`XS_SYSTEM`) inp folder (XS_INP) The user-defined attributes in all objects.inp files are merged, and duplicate attributes are removed. If Tekla Structures encounters the same attribute name in different objects.inp files, the attribute from the first read objects.inp file is used. For more information, see Search order of objects.inp files.
privileges.inp	Model folder Project folder (`XS_PROJECT`) Firm folder (`XS_FIRM`) System folder (`XS_SYSTEM`) inp folder (XS_INP)
Reports (.rpt files)	Model folder System folder (`XS_SYSTEM`)
Templates (.tpl files)	Folder that contains your templates defined by the advanced option XS_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY Model folder or \templates folder under the model folder (graphical template files) Project folder (`XS_PROJECT`) Firm folder (`XS_FIRM`) Environment-specific system templates defined by the advanced option XS_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY_SYSTEM System folder (`XS_SYSTEM`)