Copy objects

Tekla Structures
2021
Tekla Structures

Copy objects

You can copy objects in a number of different ways. When you copy an object, Tekla Structures copies all objects connected to it, including the components.

Copy by picking two points

The basic way to copy objects in a model or drawing is by defining the origin and one or more destination points.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy.
  2. Run the Copy command:
    • In the model, on the Edit tab, click Copy.

    • In the drawing, on the Drawing tab, click Copy > Copy.

  3. Pick the origin for copying.

    In the model, Tekla Structures displays a rubber band line between the first picked point and the cursor position. This is a preview of the position where the objects will be copied. Move the cursor to see how the preview changes.

    Note that Tekla Structures always displays the preview in the position where the objects will be copied, not in the position where the cursor is when you pick the destination point.

  4. Pick one or more destination points.

    The objects are copied immediately. The Copy command remains active.

  5. If you want to undo the latest copy operation, click the Undo button on the top left corner of the Tekla Structures main window.

    The Copy command still remains active.

  6. To stop copying, press Esc.
Note:

If you want to limit the number of objects shown in the preview, use the advanced option XS_PREVIEW_LIMIT. The default value is 1000. When the value is 0, the preview is off.

Copy linearly

In the model, you can create multiple copies of an object in the same linear direction.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy.
  2. On the Edit tab, click Copy special > Linear.

    The Copy - Linear dialog box opens.

  3. Pick two points, or enter the coordinates in the dX, dY, and dZ boxes.

    You can also use a formula to calculate the x, y, and z displacements. For example:

  4. Enter the number of copies.
  5. Click Copy.
  6. To stop copying, press Esc
    Tip:

    If the dialog box is open but the command is no longer active, click the Pick... button to re-activate the command.

Copy by specifying a distance from origin

You can copy objects to a new position in the model or drawing by specifying a distance from the origin. Use the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box to specify the distance.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy.
  2. Run the Copy command:
    • In the model, on the Edit tab, click Copy.

    • In the drawing, on the Drawing tab, click Copy > Copy.

  3. Pick the origin for copying.
  4. Move the cursor in the direction you want to copy the objects, but do not pick the point.
  5. Type the distance.

    When you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box automatically.

  6. Click OK.

Copy using drag-and-drop

You can copy objects by using drag-and-drop.

  1. On the File menu, click Settings and select the Drag & drop check box to activate the command.
  2. Select the objects you want to copy.

  3. Hold down the Ctrl key and drag the objects to a new location.

    The point you start dragging from (center, corner, or middle point) affects the object's alignment in the new location.

    Tekla Structures copies the objects:

Note:

To copy grid labels in a drawing, first select the grid label and then either activate the Select grid line selection switch or select the grid label handle.

Copy objects to another object

In the model, you can copy reinforcement, surface treatments, and single part welds between similar objects and make them adaptive to the object they are copied to. This is useful, for example, when you detail previously modeled parts. The objects that you can copy between can have different dimensions, length, and rotation. If you copy objects from an assembly or cast unit, Tekla Structures copies the assembly structure as well, if possible. For example, sub-assemblies are copied as sub-assemblies if a parent object is found.

Tip:

Instead of copying objects from an assembly or cast unit to other identical assemblies or cast units, you can use the Batch editor tool. Batch editor detects matching objects in the target assemblies or cast units, and edits the matching objects by modifying their geometry and properties.

If you copy reinforcement or surface treatments and want them to adapt to the part they are copied to, note the limitations:

  • The reinforcement or surface treatment handles must be in part corners.

  • The parts between which you copy must have the same number of cross section corners.

  • Circular parts must have the same cross section dimensions.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy.
  2. On the Edit tab, click Copy special > To another object.
  3. Select the object to copy from (source object).
  4. Select the objects to copy to (target object).

Copy all content to another object

In the model, you can copy objects from an assembly or cast unit to other similar assemblies or cast units without individually selecting each object to copy. This is useful, for example, when you have detailed an assembly and want to copy all details to another similar assembly.

Tip:

Instead of copying objects from an assembly or cast unit to other identical assemblies or cast units, you can use the Batch editor tool. Batch editor detects matching objects in the target assemblies or cast units, and edits the matching objects by modifying their geometry and properties.

  1. Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.
  2. Select the assembly or cast unit to copy from (source object).
  3. On the Edit tab, click Copy special > All content to another object.
  4. Select the assemblies or cast units to copy to (target objects).

As a result, Tekla Structures copies the following objects:

  • Secondary parts

  • Reinforcement, bolts, and welds

  • Cuts, fittings, and edge chamfers

  • Sub-assemblies

  • Components

Note:

Tekla Structures does not copy pour breaks, or secondary parts created by a component that has also created the assembly main part. If some of the objects to be copied already exist in the assembly or cast unit to copy to, Tekla Structures may create duplicate objects. Tekla Structures warns you about duplicate secondary parts, reinforcement, and sub-assemblies, but not about duplicate bolts, welds, cuts, or components.

Copy to another plane

In the model, you can copy objects from the first plane you specify to the second, third, and so on, plane you specify. The position of the copied objects relative to the second, third, and so on, plane remains the same as the position of the original objects relative to the first plane.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy.
  2. On the Edit tab, click Copy special > To another plane.
  3. Pick the point of origin of the first plane.
  4. Pick a point on the first plane in the positive x direction.
  5. Pick a point on the first plane in the positive y direction.
  6. Repeat steps 3–5 for all destination planes.

Copy from another model

You can copy objects from another model based on phase numbers. Note that Tekla Structures copies secondary parts from the model only if they belong to the same phase as their main part. This also applies to component objects.

  1. On the Edit tab, click Copy special > From another model.

    The Copy from Model dialog box opens.

  2. In the Model directories list, select the model to copy from.

    This is the source model. Note that the target model must have been created using the same or newer version of Tekla Structures as the source model. You cannot copy from a newer version to an older version.

  3. In the Phase numbers box, enter the numbers of the phases from which to copy objects, separated by spaces.

    For example, 2 7.

  4. Click Copy.
  5. Close the dialog box.
Note:

If you copy pour breaks from another model, the copied pour breaks automatically adapt to the target model. Always check that the copied pour breaks have adapted correctly.

Was this helpful?
Previous
Next