About Tekla

Tekla Structures is a tool for structural

engineers, detailers, and fabricators. It is an
integrated model-based 3D solution for
managing multi-material databases (steel,
concrete, timber, etc.). Tekla Structures
features interactive modeling, structural
analysis and design, and automatic drawing
creation.
You can automatically produce
drawings and reports from the 3D
model, at any time. Drawings and
reports react to modifications in the
model, and are always up to date.
Tekla Structures supports multiple users working
on the same project. You and your partners can
work together on the same model, at the same
time, even in different locations. This increases
accuracy and quality, because you always use the
most up-to-date information.
Main features
Tekla Structures includes the following features:
• Easy modeling of basic objects, such as beams, columns, and slabs.
• Useful modeling aids, such as 3D grids and an adjustable work area.
• Catalogs of available material grades, profiles, bolts, and reinforcements.
• Modeling tools to create complex structures, such as staircases and
trusses.
• Intelligent connections, such as end plates and clip angles, to
automatically connect main members.
• A custom component editor that you can use to create your own
parametric connections, details, and parts.
• Links to transfer data between Tekla Structures and other software, such
as AutoCAD, STAAD, and MicroStation.
• Drawing tools to create several drawings with one click.
• Data output for CNC machines.
• Capability to undo and redo changes you have made, so that you can test
solutions, and revert to the original if needed.
• Tekla Structures is available in a wide range of languages, and adapted to
local standards and requirements.
Configurations
Tekla Structures is available in different configurations to suit the various
players in the construction industry. When you log in to Tekla Structures,
select the configuration you want to use.
Roles
In some environments, when you start Tekla Structures 21.0, you can select
a role you want to use. The user interface has been customized for each
role.
The list of roles may be different in each environment, but typically the
following roles are available:
• All
• Concrete Contractor
• Construction Management
• Engineer
• Precast Concrete Detailer
• Rebar Detailer
• Steel Detailer
All is a combination of all roles.
Languages
Tekla Structures 21.0 software is available in the following languages:
• Chinese – simplified (chs)
• Chinese – traditional (cht)
• Czech (csy)
• Dutch (nld)
• English (enu)
• French (fra)
• German (deu)
• Hungarian (hun)
• Italian (ita)
• Japanese (jpn)
• Polish (plk)
• Portuguese (ptg)
• Portuguese – Brazilian (ptb)
• Russian (rus)
• Spanish (esp)
Some language-dependent file and folder names include the abbreviations
listed above.
Changing the language of the user interface
You can change the language of the Tekla Structures user interface at any
time.
To change the language of the user interface:
1. Click Tools --> Change Language...
2. Select a language from the Language list.
3. Click OK.
4. Restart Tekla Structures for the change to take effect.
Environments
The environment means region-specific settings and information. It defines
which profiles, material grades, default values, connections, wizards,
variables, reports, and templates you use.
When you install Tekla Structures, you can choose the environments you
want to use. The environments available in Tekla Structures 21.0 are:
• Default environment
• Australasia
• Austria
• Brazil
• China
• Czech
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• India
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Middle-East
• Netherlands
• Netherlands (English)
• Norway
•Poland
• Portugal
• Russia
• South Africa
• South America
• South-East Asia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom
• United States (Imperial)
• United States (Metric)
Blank project
The blank project is a Tekla Structures environment that includes only
generic content, such as parametric profiles and undefined materials, and
that can be used for gathering region-, company-, or project-specific
settings, tools, and information. The blank project is included in the Tekla
Structures software installation.
You can use Tekla Warehouse to download or install content to the blank
project. For example, you can download or install profiles, material grades,
bolts, reinforcement, components, tools, and templates from Tekla
Warehouse across all Tekla Structures environment- and manufacturer-
specific collections, and make combinations that suit your needs.
Blank project
You can download or install content from Tekla Warehouse either before
starting the project to your project and firm folders, or during the project to
the model folder.
To start building or to use your own project settings, select blank project in
the Environment list when you start Tekla Structures:
Single-user mode vs multi-user mode
Tekla Structures can be used in either single-user or multi-user mode.
When one user at a time is to work with a model, Tekla Structures should be
run in single- user mode. In single-user mode, only one user can work with
each model at any time.
If several users will work with a model simultaneously, you can choose to
run Tekla Structures in multi-user mode. We recommend that you only run
Tekla Structures in multi- user mode if the users will make use of the
additional features of multi-user mode.
To run Tekla Structures in multi-user mode, one machine in the network has
to be set up as a server running the Tekla Structures server program.
Interface
overview
Toolbars
The toolbars contain buttons that give easy access to some of the most
frequently-used commands. You can either dock the toolbars at the edges of
the application window or leave them floating anywhere on your screen.
Showing and hiding a toolbar
To show or hide a toolbar:
• Click Tools --> Toolbars and click the toolbar name.
Visible toolbars have a check mark beside their name.
Resizing a toolbar
You can resize toolbars that are floating.
To resize a floating toolbar:
1. Hold the mouse pointer over an edge of the toolbar until the pointer
changes into a double-ended arrow.
2. Drag the edge of the toolbar to reach the desired size and shape.
Moving a toolbar
To move a toolbar, do one of the following:
Mini Toolbar
The Mini Toolbar appears next to the mouse pointer when you click an
object in a model or drawing.
The Mini Toolbar contains commands for modifying the most common
object properties. You can customize the toolbar by hiding commands, and
by adding macros and user-defined attributes.
If the properties cannot be modified using your current Tekla Structures
configuration, they appear dimmed in the Mini Toolbar.
Showing and hiding the Mini Toolbar
To show or hide the Mini Toolbar, do one of the following:
• Click Tools --> Options --> Mini Toolbar .
• Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K.
Changing the Mini Toolbar’s position and distance
You can change the position and distance the Mini Toolbar has in relation to
the parts. For example, you could have it appear on the left side of the part.
To change the Mini Toolbar’s position and distance:
1. Move the mouse pointer on the Mini Toolbar to display it.
2. Hold down the left mouse button. The mouse pointer changes into a cross
with four arrows.
3. Hold down the Ctrl key and drag the Mini Toolbar to a new location.
Locking the Mini Toolbar’s position
You can pin the Mini Toolbar to a specific location on the screen, so that the
position is locked. For example, you could have it appear at the upper left
corner of the screen. In the locked state, the position of the Mini Toolbar is
independent of the individual part’s location.
To lock the position of the Mini Toolbar:
1. Move the mouse pointer on the Mini Toolbar to display it.
2. Hold down the left mouse button.
The mouse pointer changes into a cross with four arrows .
3. Drag the Mini Toolbar to a new location.
4. Click to pin the Mini Toolbar to the new location.
The pin icon changes into when the position is locked.
Customizing the Mini Toolbar
You can customize the Mini Toolbar by selecting which commands are
visible, and by adding macros and user-defined attributes to the toolbar.
To customize the Mini Toolbar:
1. Move the mouse pointer on the Mini Toolbar to display it.
2. Click to open the Customize Mini Toolbar dialog box.
3. Select the elements you wish to show or hide.
The Preview area shows what the toolbar will look like.
4. Include macros and user-defined attributes in the Mini Toolbar.
a. Select a macro or user-defined attribute in the list of macros and user-
defined attributes.
b. Click Add to Mini Toolbar after each selected macro and user-defined
attribute.
The added macros and user-defined attributes are shown in the list of visible
elements.
c. To remove macros and user-defined attributes from the Mini Toolbar,
clear the check boxes next to them in the list of visible elements.
5. Click OK.
Common buttons
The common buttons located at the top and bottom of a dialog box affect all
the tabs in the dialog box. For example, when you click Save before closing
the dialog box, Tekla Structures saves all information on all tabs to the
designated file.
The following table lists some common buttons that can be found in most of
the Tekla Structures dialog boxes:
Saving dialog box properties
To save the properties of a dialog box:
1. In the dialog box, enter the properties you want to save.
2. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the set of
properties.
3. Click Save as.
Loading dialog box properties
To load a previously stored set of properties to the dialog box:
1. In the list next to the Load button, select the set of properties you want to
load.
2. Click Load.
Tooltips
When you rest the mouse pointer on a toolbar button, a tooltip appears.
Tekla Structures contains three types of tooltips:
1. Basic tooltips:
Basic tooltips only display the name of the command. If the enhanced
tooltips are switched on, the basic tooltips are not displayed.
2. Enhanced tooltips:
Enhanced tooltips give more information about the command and how it
can be executed. They also give examples, hints and tips.
On the basis of the information in the enhanced tooltip you are able to
decide whether the command is the one that you need for your current
task. You can also open the related online help topic by clicking the More...
button.
To show or hide the enhanced tooltips, click Tools --> Options --> Enhanced
Tooltips . The enhanced tooltips are switched on by default.
3. Menu tooltips:
Menu tooltips provide the same functionality as the enhanced tooltips, but
for menu commands. The menu tooltips are displayed in a separate window,
which you can drag and drop to any position on the screen. To display the
corresponding menu tooltip, move the mouse pointer over a menu
command.
Status bar
Tekla Structures displays instructions and messages on the status bar
located at the bottom of the Tekla Structures window.
Follow the instructions on the status bar when you use commands. For
example, when you are creating a part, always check the status bar as Tekla
Structures will prompt you on how to continue.