Grid From Parts

1. Purpose and description

The Grid From Parts extension allows users to automatically create a grid from objects in the model. Users can create grids from selected objects or all objects in the model with the option to use profile filters to limit what the tools uses during creation.

2. System requirements

Environments: Default
Languages: English

3. Installation

To install the application:

1. Make sure Tekla Structures is closed.
2. Run the installation package downloaded from the Tekla Warehouse.
3. Reopen Tekla Structures once installation is complete and you will see:

(Up to v21.1) A new toolbar icon.

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(v2016) A new thumbnail under Ungrouped items in the Applications and components side pane.
 

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You can also launch the tool from the Tools > Macros menu.

4. Usage

1. Launch the tool by clicking the icon or by double-clicking the thumbnail in Applications & components.

    

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2. Define the Profile Type Inclusion Filters for Columns and Beams as needed.  (See section 5.  Additional Information for a detailed explanation of how these work.)
3. Define Line Extension values as needed
4. Get From Selected - Select objects in the model and click Get From Selected to have the tool populate X, Y, and Z values for those selected objects.  Note that the tool will only populate grid lines from the selected objects that match the Profile Type Inclusion Filters.  When creating grids from IFC files be sure to use this option. See section 5.  Additional Information for an explanation of how grids are created based off the objects it finds.  Values will now be populated in the Coordinates and Labels field.  The user can edit any of the data in those fields as required.
5. Get From All - Click this button to have the tool populate X, Y, and Z values for all objects in the model that match the Profile Type Inclusion Filters.  Note that this button only works for native members.  See section 5.  Additional Information for an explanation of how grids are created based off the objects it finds.  Values will now be populated in the Coordinates and Labels field.  The user can edit any of the data in those fields as required.
6. Clear - Click this button to clear the values in the Coordinates and Labels fields
7. Create Grid - Once the Coordinate and Label fields are set up click Create Grid to have the grid generated in the model.

5.  Additional Information

1. Profile Type Inclusion Filters - For the most up-to-date list of available Profile Types please click here.  These are the shapes the user defines that should be looked at when creating grids lines at column intersections and elevation views based of top of steel beam locations.

    

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2. The tool will create a grid intersection at every column that it finds.  It will create a Z elevation at the start and end of every column.  It will also create a Z elevation at the top of steel for every horizontal beam that it finds.  It will not create a grid line for sloping beam/braces.
3. The tool will start the grid (A/1) at the bottom most/left most column.
4. This tool also works with IFC files.  When IFC objects are selected it will find the vertical members and create a grid intersection at each as well as the top and bottom level of the vertical member.  If horizontal members are selected it will create an elevation at the top most part of that member.  Meaning that if a sloping member is selecting the elevation will be created at the highest point.
5. Grids created with this tool behave in the same manner as manually created grids -- i.e. Create views on grid lines tool does not work with manually created grid lines.