1. Hem
  2. Tekla Structures
  3. Manage Tekla Structures
  4. Create and distribute customized settings, user interface elements, and catalogs
  5. Customize the profile catalog
  6. Create your own profiles
  7. Create user-defined cross sections

Create user-defined cross sections

Tekla Structures
2022
Tekla Structures

Create user-defined cross sections

User-defined cross sections can be used for creating fixed profiles. Define the needed cross sections before creating the profile.

Use any of the following methods to define a cross section:

  • Define a cross section using polygon.

    Use this method to create a cross section with fixed dimensions.

  • Define a cross section using a plate.

    Use this method if you have a contour plate in the model.

  • Define a cross section using a DWG file.

    Use this method if you have a .dwg file of the profile you want to define.

Define a cross section using polygon

Define a cross section by picking the shape of the cross section.

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Define profiles > Define cross section using polygon.
  2. Define a cross section without or with inner contours.

    • To create a cross section with no inner contours:

      1. Pick the corner points of the cross section to define the shape. Start at the bottom-right corner and pick the points counter clockwise.

      2. Pick the start point and click the middle mouse button to close the shape.

      3. Pick the center point of the cross section.

        Tip:

        To make it easier to define the shape, insert a reference model of the cross section in the model, and use the reference model as a basis for picking the cross section shape.

        Alternatively, you can create a few construction lines or points in the model and use them to define the cross section shape.

        If you do not have any actual points to pick, picking the center point of the cross section becomes difficult. This is because the cross section shape disappears after you have clicked the middle mouse button to close the shape.

    • To create a cross section with inner contours:

      1. Pick the corner points of the cross section to define the shape.

      2. Pick the start point to close the shape.

      3. Pick the corner points of the cross section inner contour.

      4. Pick the start point to close the shape

      5. Repeat until you have picked all inner contours.

      6. Click the middle mouse button.

      7. Pick the center point of the cross section.

  3. When the User Profile Cross Section dialog box appears, enter a name for the cross section.
  4. Click OK to close the User Profile Cross Section dialog box.
  5. Click OK in the Save confirmation dialog box to save the changes.

You can then use this cross section when you add a new profile to the profile catalog. The Profile type will be User-defined, fixed.

Define a cross section using a plate

You can define a cross section using a contour plate.

  1. Create a contour plate that includes all the chamfers.
  2. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Define profiles > Define cross section using plate.

    The Profile Cross-Section from Plate (10) dialog box appears.

  3. On the Parameters tab, enter a name in the Section name and Profile name boxes.

    Other properties are optional.

  4. Click OK.
  5. Select the contour plate.

    Tekla Structures creates the cross section with the shape of the contour plate.

    You can then use this cross section when you add a new profile to the profile catalog. The Profile type will be User-defined, fixed.

Properties: Profile cross-section from plate (10)

Use the Parameters tab to define the profile properties in the Profile cross-section from plate (10) component.

Option

Description

Section name

Name of the cross section shown in the Modify Profile Catalog dialog box.

If you leave this box empty, no profile is created.

Profile name

Name of the profile shown in the Beam properties, and in the Modify Profile Catalog dialog box.

If you leave this box empty, no profile is created.

Save to

The location of the profile catalog.

Select one of the following options:

  • Model directory: The current model folder.

  • Global directory: ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\profil

  • Do not save: Does not save the profile. This is useful for testing.

Min distance between points

The minimum distance between the corner points of the cross section.

To create simpler drawings of complicated cross sections, increase this value.

Center point offset

The origin of the plate defines the location of the profile reference line.

Enter an offset value to move the reference line, relative to the cross section.

Coordinate system

Select one of the following options:

  • Use local

  • Use global xy-plane

Mirroring

Select one of the following options:

  • Do not mirror

  • Mirror to x-direction

  • Mirror to y-direction

  • Mirror to x- and y-direction

Define a cross section using a DWG file

If a cross section is available in DWG format, you can import the cross section and add it as a DWG profile to the profile catalog.

Tekla Structures supports DWG files that have been created using version ACAD2012 or earlier.

Before you start defining a cross section using a DWG file:

  • Save the outline of the cross section as a DWG file. Ensure that the DWG file only contains the outline of the profile.

  • Make sure that the cross section is created as a closed polyline.

  • Make sure that the outline consists of only one closed polyline. You cannot, for example, define holes to your cross section with this method. If you need holes or openings, use the polygon or the plate creation method.

  • Remove hatching and unnecessary lines from the DWG file. Tekla Structures imports all the lines it finds in the DWG file.

  • If there are blocks in the DWG file, they must be exploded.

  1. Open a model.
  2. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Define profiles > Define cross section using DWG file.

    The DWG Profile to Library (6) dialog box appears.

  3. On the Parameters tab, browse for the DWG file.
  4. Define the cross section properties.
  5. Click OK.
  6. In the model, pick the start and the end points of the cross section to be imported.

    Tekla Structures imports the cross section and places the profile reference line at the origin of the DWG file.

    You can then use this cross section when you add a new profile to the profile catalog. The Profile type will be User-defined, fixed.

Properties: DWG Profile to Library (6)

Use the Parameters tab to define the profile properties in the DWG profile to library (6) component.

Option

Description

Input file

Browse for the DWG file to be imported.

Section name

Name of the cross section shown in the Modify Profile Catalog dialog box.

Profile name

Name of the profile shown in the Modify Profile Catalog dialog box.

Save to

The location of the profile catalog.

Select one of the following options:

  • Model directory: The current model folder.

  • Global directory: ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\profil

  • Do not save: Does not save the profile. This is useful for testing.

Min distance between points

The minimum distance between the corner points of the cross section.

To create simpler drawings of complicated cross sections, increase this value.

Center point offset

The origin of the plate defines the location of the profile reference line.

Enter an offset value to move the reference line, relative to the cross section.

Modify a user-defined cross section

You can modify cross sections that have been defined using a polygon, a plate, or a DWG file.

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Define profiles > Edit Polygon Cross Section.

    The Modify Cross Section dialog box appears.

  2. Select the cross section you want to modify.
  3. Modify the cross section point properties.

    • Number refers to each point picked when the cross section was created, in numerical order. The first point picked is 1, the second 2, and so on.

    • Chamfer refers to the chamfer shape.

    • x: and y: apply to the chamfer type. For example, if you want the chamfer to be equal on both sides of the angle, only enter a value for x:.

      For an uneven chamfer, enter values for x: and y:.

  4. Click Update.
  5. Click OK to close the Modify Cross Section dialog box.
  6. Click OK in the Save confirmation dialog box to save the changes.
Tip:

If you want to delete a cross section, select the cross section and click Delete.

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