Properties of the objects.inp file

Tekla Structures
2022
Tekla Structures

Properties of the objects.inp file

Here, we explain the structure of user-defined attribute definitions. For general information on modifying the definitions, such as file locations and reading order, see Define and update user-defined attributes (UDAs).

This example shows the main properties of objects.inp:

attribute("MY_INFO_1", "My Info 1", string, "%s", no, none, "0.0", "0.0")
{
	value ("", 0)
}
picture("image_name", 8, 2, 260, 25)
Property In the example Description

attribute, unique_attribute, or

attribute

attribute is a regular attribute, which is copied with other part properties.

unique_attribute is a non-copyable attribute. The value of the attribute is never copied to another part. For example part checking status attributes usually cannot be copied.

attribute_name

MY_INFO_1

Attribute name, used to find the attribute value.

Ensure that Tekla Structures does not already use the attribute name you use. Consider using a prefix that ensures the name is unique, for example, your initials, or an abbreviation of your company name.

The attribute name is case-sensitive. Do not use spaces or reserved characters in attribute names. The maximum length of the name can be 19 characters.

To include the attribute in a report or template, add the name of the attribute to your layout in the Template Editor. When you run a report or create a drawing, Tekla Structures displays the current value of the attribute.

label_text

My Info 1

Label that Tekla Structures displays in the dialog box.

Some default attributes have prompts like j_comment, meaning that the prompt comes from the joints.ail message file.

value_type

string

integer or float for numbers

string for text

string_not_modifiable for text whose modification is prevented. A field with the string_not_modifiable property is always displayed as dimmed and it cannot be switched on or off. The value in the field is not saved when clicking the Apply button or modified when clicking the Modify button.

option for lists

date for date with small calendar

date_time_min for date and time [12:00] with small calendar

date_time_sec for date and time [12:00:00] with small calendar

If you need to change the value_type, create a new user-defined attribute instead of modifying the current one in the objects.inp file. For example, if you change the value_type from string to option, the value cannot be changed for parts that have the property specified with the old value type, and the value is shown incorrectly in reports or when you inquire objects.

When the advanced option XS_DIAGNOZE_AND_REPAIR_WRONG_UDA_TYPE is set to TRUE, you can use Diagnose & repair > Diagnose and change attribute definitions to detect and repair the incorrect UDA value types by reverting the value types to the default values. The command checks that the UDA value types, such as string or option, defined in the objects.inp file match their values defined in environment.db. A mismatch can happen if you change the value types after the UDA values have been assigned.

field_format

%s

Definition of the field format in the dialog box

  • %s for strings

  • %d for numbers

special_flag

no

no or yes

For parts: consider in numbering

For drawings: display the attribute value in Document manager

For other elements: no effect

check_switch

none

none

This option is not used.

attribute_value_max

0.0

0.0

This option is not used.

attribute_value_min

0.0

0.0

This option is not used.

Property In the example Description
picture picture

picture is used for adding images in user-defined attributes dialog boxes.

image name image_name The name of the image
width 2 The width reserved for the image
height 8 The height reserved for the image
horizontal offset 260 The horizontal distance of the left edge of the image from the left edge of the dialog box
vertical offset 25 The vertical distance of the top edge of the image from the top edge of the dialog box counted from the lower edge of the tab section
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