System components

Tekla Structures contains a wide range of predefined system components by default. System components are tools that you can use to connect parts in the model. System components automate tasks and group objects so that Tekla Structures treats them as a single unit. You can save the properties of a component and use the properties in other projects.

There are three types of system components:

• Connection components connect two or more parts, and create all the required objects, such as cuts, fittings, parts, bolts, and welds. For example, end plates, clip angles, and bolted gussets are connections.

  In the Applications & components catalog, the connection symbol is .

• Detail components add a detail or a reinforcement to the main part. A detail is only connected to one part. For example, base plates and lifting hooks are steel details, and beam reinforcement and pad footing reinforcement are concrete details.

  In the Applications & components catalog, the detail symbol is .

• Detailing components automatically create and assemble the parts to build a structure, but do not connect the structure to existing parts. For example, stairs, frames, and towers are detailing components.

  In the Applications & components catalog, the detailing symbol is .

You can also create your own components, custom components, if you do not find a system component that suits your needs. You can use custom components in the same way as system components.

Macros

Macros are available as .cs files in the \drawings or \modeling folder under the folders that have been defined with the advanced option XS_MACRO_DIRECTORY. By default, this advanced option is set to ..\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\macros.

We recommend that you do not change the default folder in the advanced option. You can add one or more additional folder locations after the default folder, for example, when company or project-specific folders are needed to store macros.

You can also record macros of your own. When you create your own macros, the macros will be saved under the model folder, in the \macros\drawings or \macros\modeling folder depending on the mode (drawing or modeling) you are using while recording the macro. Tekla Structures creates the \macros\drawings and \macros\modeling folders automatically.

Macros are first read from the model folder, then from the folders defined in XS_MACRO_DIRECTORY. We recommend that you keep the default folder \common\macros as the first folder in the advanced option.

Example of the definition for XS_MACRO_DIRECTORY:

%XSDATADIR%environments\common\macros;%XSDATADIR%environments\uk\General\user-macros

Extensions (.tsep)

You can download Tekla Structures extensions that have the .tsep file extension from Tekla Warehouse and import these extensions to the Applications & components catalog. When you restart Tekla Structures, the imported extensions are installed and added to the Ungrouped items group in the catalog. You can move them to a suitable group.

Publish groups in the Applications & components catalog

You can collect content to a group that you create in the Applications & components catalog. You can then publish the group as a catalog definition file to make it available for other Tekla Structures users.