Category: Tekla training

  • Avoiding Errors In Updating Modified Drawings

    Avoiding Errors In Updating Modified Drawings

    When the model is amended after issuing the first set of drawings, the affected assembly drawings will appear as “Parts Modified” after numbering is completed. While updating such drawings, certain considerations are important to ensure effective and quick detailing.

    1. Freeze Option

    When Freeze is OFF, Tekla automatically updates dimensions according to the movement of parts. While this may seem convenient, the decision to turn Freeze ON or OFF depends on the nature of the amendment.

    • If no new members are added to the assembly and only existing parts are moved, it is recommended to keep Freeze OFF, as Tekla will correctly update the dimensions.
    • If new parts are added to the assembly and Freeze is turned OFF, Tekla will automatically generate additional dimensions for the new members and may also alter existing dimensions. This can result in extra work to restore the original dimensioning arrangement.

    Guideline:

    • When no new parts are added, turn Freeze OFF.
    • When new parts are added, turn Freeze ON.

    2. Snapshot Option

    Among the drawings marked as “Parts Modified,” not all drawings necessarily contain actual changes. Some assembly drawings may appear as modified because they share common connection components with other assemblies that were amended.

    In such cases, the drawing may not have any visible changes and may only require an open-and-close action. However, there is a risk that certain dimensions may be automatically deleted or altered by Tekla during the update.

    To avoid missing dimensions or unintended changes, the Snapshot option is highly useful. It allows detailers to compare the drawing before and after the update. By reviewing the differences, any unnecessary or unintended modifications can be identified and corrected, thereby minimizing the risk of errors.

  • Design Guide for Galvanizers for Design Guide for Hot Dip Galvanizing – best practice venting and draining.

    Design Guide for Hot Dip Galvanizing - best practice venting and draining
    Design Guide for Hot Dip Galvanizing – best practice venting and draining

    This document outlines the design guide for detailers to provide venting and draining holes for galvanizing.

  • QR Code on Drawings

    We are now placing smart QR codes on drawings. Why? What benefit is accrued by doing so?

    1. You can see a 3d view of an assembly.
    2. You can conduct spot measurements of the assembly.
    3. You can check whether your drawing is the latest revision.
    4. You can add markups directly to a document number – and see it’s revisions over time

    Instructions on how to make it work

    • Set up a project on prolox.io
    • Get the project’s public access token.
    • Log into the Prolox’s Tekla’s client application. Use your prolox login email and password and the project’s public access token.
    • Using Tekla 2023 and with the relevant model open (please open only 1 model) – run the client code.
    • All the values will be updated.

    Rules – To prevent obsolete data from being used or shown

    • If you update the model, you must re-upload the IFC file in prolox.
    • If you update the revision number, you must re-do the prolox Tekla client program. This will update the revision numbers in prolox.
    • If you delete a drawing you must update the revision number for the deleted drawing and re-run the TeklaQRCode program. (so that all revision numbers are updated on the cloud, and so that if anyone scans an old drawing, they will be immediately notified.)

    Updating the Drawings:

    • When you update the drawing PLEASE USE THE SAME REPOSITORY. This is so that we can have old revisions.

    Setting up the template

    • You must set up the drawing template to that the QR Code program works and puts the QR code in the right location. If you don’t set it up properly it will fail.
    • Assume each page has an origin point of (0,0) at the bottom left hand side of the page.
    • The drawing template’s borders start at (5,5).
    • There must be a good amount of white space between the QR code and borders, otherwise the QR code may fail to be read. Which means the entire thing fails.
    QR standards / documentation.

  • Section Profiles for SS and Aluminium

    If you are detailing Aluminium or SS sections always confirm the section profiles.

    If you model without that confirmation, there is good chance that you will be spending additional hours and it will be wasted time for all

  • pedestrian over pass

    Bendigo Pedestrian over pass

    Just revisiting some old projects. This project was fabricated by Third angle, Detailed by Tek1. One of the early pedestrian bridges detailed by Tek1.

    Many more followed after this.

    Bendigo pedestrian Bridge

  • Tekla Productivity Tool1

    CNTRL + RIGHT CLICK to set start point

    Press X, Y, or Z to Lock the co ordinate as the need may be

    Save time in modelling

  • Tekla Object Locks

    Tekla Structures’ object lock is a crucial feature, particularly in multi-user environments like Tekla Model Sharing, designed to prevent accidental modification and control access to specific model objects and drawings. It acts as a protective measure to maintain model integrity and streamline collaborative workflows.

    Here’s a breakdown of how it works and its key aspects:

    Purpose of Object Locks:

    • Prevent Accidental Modifications: The primary goal is to stop users from unintentionally changing or deleting parts, assemblies, cast units, or drawings that are considered complete or sensitive. This is especially important when multiple users or even different organizations are working on the same shared model.
    • Control Access: It allows you to regulate who can modify specific elements. For example, an organization can lock objects they’ve created to prevent other organizations working on the same project from altering them.
    • Maintain Numbering: Locking objects can prevent changes that would affect the numbering of parts, assemblies, or cast units, which is critical for fabrication and erection.
    • Protect Drawing Integrity: Drawings are linked to the model. Locking drawings helps prevent unintended edits or deletion, especially when they are “issued” or nearing completion.

    How Object Locks Work:

    1. User-Defined Attribute (UDA) “OBJECT_LOCKED”: At its core, Tekla Structures uses a user-defined attribute called “OBJECT_LOCKED.” This is a boolean value (Yes/No or 1/0) that can be applied to various model elements, including:
      • Parts (beams, columns, plates, etc.)
      • Assemblies
      • Cast units
      • Bolts
      • Welds
      • Specific drawing types
      • Reference models (prevents movement and detail updates)
    2. Setting Locks:
      • Manual Locking: You can manually select objects in the model and set their “Locked” UDA to “Yes” through the “Object locks” dialog (Manage > Locks) or the object’s properties.
      • Organization Lock: In Tekla Model Sharing, new assemblies and cast units created by a specific organization can be automatically locked “For others” by default (controlled by the XS_OBJECTLOCK_DEFAULT advanced option). This means only users from that organization can modify them.
      • Drawing Locks: Drawings can also be locked independently through the Document manager.
    3. Effect of Locking:
      • When an object is locked, any attempt to modify it (move, delete, change properties, etc.) will result in a “There are locked objects, see report. The operation could not be performed.” message.
      • Tekla Structures will write the IDs of the locked objects to the session history log, helping you identify what is preventing the operation.
      • Locked drawings can be opened but require manual unlocking to be edited.
    4. Unlocking Objects:
      • Objects can be unlocked by changing their “Locked” UDA back to “No.”
      • The “Object locks” dialog provides a central place to manage locks.
      • There are also methods and even macros to unlock multiple objects or all locked objects in a model, which can be useful if an object becomes “stuck” due to an invisible locked sub-object (e.g., a locked point preventing a part from being unlocked).

    Important Considerations:

    • Hierarchy: If a sub-object within an assembly or cast unit is locked, it can prevent modifications to the entire assembly/cast unit.
    • Tekla Model Sharing: Object locks are particularly vital in shared models to prevent conflicts and ensure smooth collaboration. When a lock is shared, other users will see the locked status.
    • Drawing vs. Freeze: It’s important to distinguish between “locking” and “freezing” drawings. Locking indicates that a drawing should not be edited, while freezing prevents associative objects (like dimensions and marks) from updating automatically due to model changes.
    • Visibility: You might encounter situations where an object seems locked, but you can’t find the lock. This could be due to small, invisible sub-objects being locked. Tekla’s log files provide valuable information in such cases.

    In essence, Tekla Structures’ object lock is a powerful tool for managing and protecting your model data, especially in complex, collaborative projects. It provides a layer of security and control that is essential for efficient and error-free structural modeling.

  • Plate Stringer Sprial Stair

    Expert detailiing of spiral stair with plate stringers.

    Clear drawings and set outs for easy fabrication.

    Here is and example.

    Tek1 has the experience detailing different types of spiral stairs.

    There are challenges for the fabricator. Good drawings help to reduce the issues the fabricator will be facing.

    If you want the Tekla Model for this email me.

    Spiral Stair

  • Missing Dimension

    Today I spent a fair bit of time answering calls about missing dimensions.

    Remember the client spent more time on this. Mulitple people wasted their time because of some in competent detailer.

    It is super critical that at Tek1 we snuff out this problem straight away.