Component Variables tool

1. Purpose and description

Allows the user to more easily extract specific information from
connections/components in order to create design sheets in Excel.

2. System requirements
.NET Framework version: 4.0
Environments: US Imperial, US Metric
Languages: English

3. Installation
To install the application:
1. Close down Tekla Structures (if running)
2. Download MSI Installer from Tekla extranet
3. Install and run MSI Installer
4. Start up Tekla Structures
5. Start up tool from icon on desktop, or installed location

4. Usage
The example below is for using the Component Variables tool. To use the application:
1. Insert the deisred component in the model.
2. Launch the Component Variable tool.

3. Launch the Component Variables tool.

Copyright 2012 Tekla Corporation October 2, 2012

 4. Change the desired value fields that you want to consider in you design spreadsheet
and leave dialog open.

5. When the component, or component cone is selected, the Component Variable tool
will populate with a list of attributes from the component.

6. When changing a desired value, modify the component and with the Component
Variable tool open the tool will change these values.
7. You can use the search field to narrow the values to only those which you want to
use in your spreadsheet.

Copyright 2012 Tekla Corporation October 2, 2012

 8. Click in the Name field to assign an identifyer to use in the spreadsheet.

9. Highlight desired fields to copy to spreadsheet and use the Copy selected button.

10. Click Open in Excel to open the Excel documents folder.

Copyright 2012 Tekla Corporation October 2, 2012

 11. Use the file: component_template.xls to create design sheets. Note the previously
created examples for suggestions and examples.
12. Paste the desired fields into design sheet. Instructions of how to place are included
on the sheet in blue.

13. Continue until sheet is completed.

14. Any system component with the Design tab is availble for Excel design.

Make Custom Components design capable

1. Edit Custom Component
2. Add a Yes/No Parameter to list.

Copyright 2012 Tekla Corporation October 2, 2012

 3. Locate on dialog. Recommended: Use INPEditor available on the Extranet.

5. Limitations
1. Only attributes with the values filled in will appear. In order to include them, you must
input a value.
2. The name field will not save the data within the Component Variable tool, but will
remain until another component is selected.

FYI: The imperial values only show with the Type, double.

Copyright 2012 Tekla Corporation October 2, 2012