This section describes how Tekla Structures stores the files associated with a model and explains how to use folders to manage files, including those you customize to project and company specifications.
Topics Folder structure (p. 93) Folder search order (p. 94) Model folder (p. 95)
The Template Editor always searches for symbols in the folder indicated by the variable DXK_SYMBOLPATH.
Template folder (p. 97)
Folder structure
This is a quick reference to the default locations for folders and files discussed in this section. You will find more detailed information on files and folders throughout this chapter.
Catalog files System folder Firm folder Message files Bin folder Project folder Model folder
Folder search order
When you open a model, Tekla Structures searches for the associated files in specific folders in a set order.
It is important that you locate files in the correct folders. Once Tekla Structures finds the associated files, it stops searching. So files that have the same name but are located lower down the search order are ignored.
The folder search order is:
Tekla Structures does not search for certain files in exactly this order. The exceptions are listed below. The table also includes links to more information.
The exceptions are:
Folder Defined by
Current model The open model Project variable XS_PROJECT
Firm variable XS_FIRM
System variable XS_SYSTEM
File (type) More information objects.inp Adding properties (p. 98) *.dat files Data files (p. 86)
Templates Search order:
•
XS_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY•
Model folder•
XS_PROJECT•
XS_FIRM•
XS_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY_SYSTEM•
XS_SYSTEMFor more information, see Template folder (p. 97)
Catalogs Profile, bolt, material and reinforcement cata- logs.
Search order:
•
Model folder•
XS_PROJECT•
XS_FIRM•
Folder indicated by the variableXS_PROFDB
Model folder
Tekla Structures stores all files associated with a model in a folder it creates with the same name as the model database file (*.db1). In multi-user mode all users access the same model folder. To view the files in the model folder, click File > Open model folder.
Saved attributes
When you change object properties, templates, reports, connections, etc. and then click Save or
Save as in the dialog box, Tekla Structures saves the changed files in the current model folder in the attributes sub-folder. See also Project and firm folders (p. 96) and Folder search order (p. 94).
Tekla Structures creates the following files in the model folder:
Do not use the system folder to store customizes files. You will avoid having problems or doing a lot of unecessary work when you upgrade. See System folder (p. 96) and Project and firm folders (p. 96).
File/extension Description
db1 The model database. Tekla Structures uses the filename without the extension to name the model folder.
db2 Numbering database. The filename without the extension should be the same as the model folder.
xslib.db1 Contains user-defined connections and details. Can be copied from one model folder to another.
xslib.db2 Stores numbering information.
xs_user.user_name Contains interface settings for each user, such as drag and drop settings. See Mouse and pointer settings.
xsdb.xs When you open a project database, Tekla Structures displays the name in the Open
dialog box, if it finds this file in the current model folder.
bak Tekla Structures saves a backup copy of the model databases each time you save the model. To restore a previous version of the model, rename the *.bak file to *.db1.
System folder
The system folder contains templates for drawings and reports and object settings and properties. Files in the system folder are read-only. See Project and firm folders (p. 96) and Folder search order (p. 94).
The location of the system folder is defined by the variable XS_SYSTEM in the initialization file.
Project and firm folders
You can create project and firm folders for customized files. This is a useful technique if you want to store the files for future use, or want to retain them when you install a new release. Property files are always saved in the attributes folder under the current model folder, for example, ..\TeklaStructuresModels\my_building\attributes.
dg Located in the sub-folder ..\drawings
under the model folder. These are drawing files, which include information on how each drawing was created. Tekla Structures also stores information on current drawings in the model database. Opening or printing a drawing opens the corresponding *.dg file.
Do not manually delete *.dg files. Tekla Structures deletes *.dg files when you delete a drawing.
xsr Tekla Structures reports
nc1 Neutral files in DSTV format for NC tooling machines. The filename consists of the part mark and this extension.
You can change the file extension in the NC files dialog box Tekla Structures displays when you click File > Export > CNC > Create NC Files.... By default it is nc1.
Log files See Log files (p. 110) .This_is_multiuser_
model
Contains information about the PC running xs_server.exe.
Do not alter or delete this file in normal circumstances. If, you move a model to a different server, you should delete this file. Tekla Structures generates a new file with the same name.
File/extension Description
Do not store customized files in the system folder. Tekla Structures may replace these files when you install a new release. This is not the case with files in the project and firm folders. See Project and firm folders (p. 96).
Tekla Structures does not replace files in the project and firm folders when you install a new release, so you retain your customized files without having to cut and paste, or export and import from previous versions.
Create firm and project folders for example on the same level as the Tekla Structures folder and make them available in all versions using variables: XS_PROJECT and XS_FIRM.
Project folder
The project folder is where you should store files you customize for a particular project.The location of the project folder is defined by the variable XS_PROJECT in the initialization file. See also Folder search order (p. 94).
You need to create a project folder manually, then edit the variable XS_PROJECT to point to that folder.
Firm folder
Use the firm folder to store files customized for a particular organization or company. The location of the firm folder is defined by the variable XS_FIRM in the initialization file. See also Folder search order (p. 94).
You need to create a firm folder manually, then edit the variable XS_FIRM to point to it.
Example You regularly work for a company that has specific drawing layout standards it expects you to use. Customize the drawing templates once for the company and save them in a sub-folder located under the firm folder. You can then use the customized drawing templates for all future projects for that company. And all users can access the customized files.
Template folder
Tekla Structures searches for the Template Editor v. 3.3 templates and reports in the following order:
To modify the variables, click Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > File Locations. Tekla Structures searches for version 2.2 templates in two locations, in
XS_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY and in the first folder containing templates:
•
model•
project•
firm•
system templates•
systemFolder Defined by variable
Folder containing your templates XS_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY Model Project XS_PROJECT Firm XS_FIRM Environment-specific system templates XS_TEMPLATE_DIRECTORY_SYSTEM System XS_SYSTEM
When Tekla Structures finds a template in one of these folders, it stops searching.