Create part chamfers

Tekla Structures
2021
Tekla Structures

Create part chamfers

Chamfers are modeling details that can be used to refine the shape of parts for aesthetic, practical, and manufacturing reasons. In Tekla Structures, you can chamfer part corners and part edges.

Limitations:

  • Only the following parts have corner chamfers: contour plates, concrete slabs, strip footings, steel and concrete polybeams, and concrete panels.

  • The end points of a part do not have corner chamfers. The handles that you select must be at corner points or between two segments of a part.

Chamfer part corners

When Tekla Structures creates a part, by default it has a rectangular chamfer at each corner, which does not change the geometry of the part. You can modify the default chamfers.

Tip:

To make it easier to select the handles of part corners, ensure that the Direct modification switch is not active.

  1. Select the part.
  2. Double-click the handle of a part corner.

    The Corner chamfer properties open.

  3. Modify the chamfer properties.
  4. Select the handles of the part corners you want to modify.
  5. Click Modify.

Chamfer part edges

  1. Double-click the view to open the View Properties dialog, click the Display... button, and ensure that the Cuts and added material option is not selected in the display settings.
  2. On the Edit tab, click Chamfer edge.

    Alternatively, you can start the command in the Object type list in the property pane.

  3. Select the part you want to chamfer.
  4. Pick a point where you want the chamfer to start on the part edge.
  5. Pick a second point where you want the chamfer to end on the part edge.

    Tekla Structures displays the chamfer in light blue.

  6. If needed, you can modify the chamfer.
    1. Double-click the chamfer to open the Edge chamfer properties.
    2. Change the chamfer properties.
    3. Click Modify.
      Tip:

      Alternatively, use the contextual toolbar to modify the edge chamfer.

  7. Right-click the view and select Redraw view.

    Tekla Structures removes the chamfered edge.

Corner chamfer properties

Use the Corner chamfer properties in the property pane to view and modify the properties of a corner chamfer. To open the properties, double-click the handle of chamfered corner.

The units depend on the settings in File menu > Settings > Options > Units and decimals.
Setting Description

Shape

Type

Shape of the chamfer. See Corner chamfer types and dimensions for more information.

X / Distance X / Radius

Dimensions of the chamfer. The dimension depends on the chamfer type.

Y / Distance Y / Radius

Dz1

Only used for contour plates and concrete slabs.

Moves the top or bottom surface of the part corner in the part’s local z direction.

Use these options, for example, to give plates varying thicknesses.

Dz2

Corner chamfer types and dimensions

The table below describes the available corner chamfer types and dimensions. The chamfer type numbers can be used in sketches and custom components. Straight chamfers can have different dimensions in two directions. Curved chamfers only use one dimension.

Number

Type

Symbol

Dimensions

0

None

x: not used

y: not used

1

Line

x:the distance in the x coordinate direction from the corner

y: the distance in the y coordinate direction from the corner

2

Rounding

x: the radius

y: not used

3

Arc

x: the radius

y: not used

4

Arc point

x: not used

y: not used

5

Square

The chamfer is perpendicular to the edges.

x: the distance in the x coordinate direction from the corner

y: the distance in the y coordinate direction from the corner

6

Square parallel

The chamfer is parallel to the opposite edge.

x: the distance in the x coordinate direction from the corner

y: the distance in the y coordinate direction from the corner

7

Line and arc

x (if smaller than y): the arc radius

x (if bigger than y): the distance in the x coordinate direction from the corner

y (if smaller than x): the arc radius

y (if bigger than x): the distance in the y coordinate direction from the corner

Status of corner chamfers in polybeams

To see the corner chamfer lines of polybeams, set the advanced option XS_​DRAW_​CHAMFERS_​HANDLES to CHAMFERS or to CHAMFERS_AND_HANDLES.

Tekla Structures shows the status of polybeam chamfers using the following colors:

Color

Description

Example

Magenta

Correct chamfer

Yellow

Correct chamfer that cannot be unfolded

Red

Incorrect chamfer

Edge chamfer properties

Use the Edge chamfer properties in the property pane to view and modify the properties of an edge chamfer. To open the properties, double-click the edge chamfer when the chamfer if visible in the model. The file name extension of an edge chamfer property file is *.cha.

The units depend on the settings in File menu > Settings > Options > Units and decimals.
Setting Description More information

Shape on edge

Type

Shape of the chamfer.

Distance X

Defines how far away from the chamfered edge the chamfer will end in the x direction.

Distance Y

Defines how far away from the chamfered edge the chamfer will end in the y direction.

Shape at end

First end type

The shape and position of the first end point.

The options are:

  • Full: The end point is positioned at the end of the part (moving along the nearest edge), and the shape is straight.

  • Straight: The end point is positioned at the point you pick, and the shape is straight.

  • Bevelled: The end point is positioned at the point you pick, and the shape is angled.

Second end type

The shape and position of the second end point.

Distance

The distance between the (picked) end point and the bevelled points.

General

Name

Name of the chamfer.

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