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TE USG 400 en Template Editor User Guide

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0% found this document useful (1 vote)

64 views

TE USG 400 en Template Editor User Guide

TEKLA

Uploaded by

Tulsi Lakhani

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

You are on page 1/ 137

Template Editor

User’s Guide

Product version 4.00

March 2020

2020 © Trimble Solutions Corporation

©2020 Trimble Solutions Corporation and its licensors. All rights reserved.
This Software Manual has been developed for use with the referenced Software. Use of the Software,
and use of this Software Manual are governed by a License Agreement. Among other provisions, the
License Agreement sets certain warranties for the Software and this Manual, disclaims other
warranties, limits recoverable damages, defines permitted uses of the Software, and determines
whether you are an authorized user of the Software. All information set forth in this manual is
provided with the warranty set forth in the License Agreement. Please refer to the License Agreement
for important obligations and applicable limitations and restrictions on your rights. Trimble does not
guarantee that the text is free of technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Trimble reserves the
right to make changes and additions to this manual due to changes in the software or otherwise.
In addition, this Software Manual is protected by copyright law and by international treaties.
Unauthorized reproduction, display, modification, or distribution of this Manual, or any portion of it,
may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by
law.
Tekla Structures, Tekla Model Sharing, Tekla PowerFab, Tekla Structural Designer, Tekla Tedds, Tekla
Civil, Tekla Campus, Tekla Downloads, Tekla User Assistance, Tekla Discussion Forum, Tekla
Warehouse and Tekla Developer Center are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Trimble
Solutions Corporation in the European Union, the United States, and/or other countries. More about
Trimble Solutions trademarks: http://www.tekla.com/tekla-trademarks. Trimble is a registered
trademark or trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited in the European Union, in the United States
and/or other countries. More about Trimble trademarks: http://www.trimble.com/trademarks.aspx.
Other product and company names mentioned in this Manual are or may be trademarks of their
respective owners. By referring to a third-party product or brand, Trimble does not intend to suggest an
affiliation with or endorsement by such third party and disclaims any such affiliation or endorsement,
except where otherwise expressly stated.
Technology kits and tools are property of Trimble Solutions Corporation.
The elements of the software described in this Manual may be protected by several patents and
possibly pending patent applications in the United States and/or other countries. For more
information go to page http://www.tekla.com/tekla-patents.
Conventions used in this guide
Typographical The following typographical conventions are used in this guide:
conventions

Font Usage
Bold Any text that you see in the user interface appears in bold.
This font is used, for example, for window and dialog box
titles, box and button names, and list items.
Italic bold New terms are in italic bold when they appear in the
current context for the first time.
Monospace Extracts of program code, HTML, or other material that you
would normally edit in a text editor, appear in monospaced
font.
This font is also used for file names and folder paths, and
for any text that you should type yourself.

Noteboxes The following types of noteboxes are used in this guide:

A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways

of doing things.

A note draws attention to details that you might easily

overlook. It can also point you to other information in this
guide that you might find useful.

You should always read very important notes and warnings,

like this one. They will help you avoid making serious
mistakes, or wasting your time.

This symbol indicates advanced or highly technical

information that is usually of interest only to advanced or
technically-oriented readers.

3
Contents

Conventions used in this guide .................................................................................................................. 3

1 ABOUT TEMPLATE EDITOR 11

1.1 Main features of Template Editor..................................................................................... 11
1.2 What are Template Editor templates?............................................................................. 12
Graphical templates....................................................................................................... 12
Textual templates ........................................................................................................... 12
1.3 Template Editor components ............................................................................................ 13
1.4 Template Editor objects ..................................................................................................... 13
Template Editor shapes and text ................................................................................. 13
Template Editor field objects ........................................................................................ 14
Template Editor symbols and files............................................................................... 14
1.5 Template definition files .................................................................................................... 14

2 TEMPLATE EDITOR USER INTERFACE 15

2.1 Template Editor user interface components .................................................................. 15
Template Editor workarea............................................................................................. 15
Template Editor toolbars ............................................................................................... 15
The Content Browser in Template Editor .................................................................... 16
The preview pane in Template Editor .......................................................................... 16
Modifying Template Editor interface components .................................................... 16
2.2 Template Editor windows................................................................................................... 17
Panning in Template Editor windows .......................................................................... 17
Zooming in and out in Template Editor....................................................................... 17
Restoring the original view in Template Editor .......................................................... 18
2.3 Setting up the Template Editor interface ........................................................................ 18
Modifying general preferences in Template Editor ................................................... 18
Modifying workarea preferences in Template Editor ................................................ 19
File Location preferences in Template Editor............................................................. 20
Modifying File Location preferences in Template Editor .......................................... 21
The template grid in Template Editor .......................................................................... 21
Activating the grid in Template Editor ......................................................................... 21
Setting the grid density in Template Editor ................................................................ 22
Showing or hiding the grid in Template Editor ........................................................... 22
2.4 Tips for the Template Editor interface ............................................................................. 22
Starting Template Editor with the command line...................................................... 23

4
Keyboard shortcuts in Template Editor ....................................................................... 23
Pop-up menus in Template Editor................................................................................ 24
The status bar in Template Editor ................................................................................ 24
Setting presentation file and pen settings in Template Editor ................................ 25
Tooltips in Template Editor ........................................................................................... 25

3 INTRODUCTION TO TEMPLATES 27
3.1 Creating and saving a template in Template Editor ...................................................... 27
3.2 Creating and saving a pre-defined template in Template Editor................................. 28
3.3 Opening and closing templates in Template Editor....................................................... 29
3.4 Template properties ........................................................................................................... 29
Modifying template page properties in Template Editor .......................................... 30
Changing the template type in Template Editor ........................................................ 30

4 TEMPLATE EDITOR COMPONENTS AND OBJECTS 31

4.1 Inserting components and objects in Template Editor ................................................. 31
Drawing a polyline in Template Editor......................................................................... 32
Inserting a text object in Template Editor................................................................... 32
Inserting a graphical field in Template Editor ............................................................ 33
4.2 Inserting a template page header or page footer.......................................................... 33
4.3 Selecting components and objects in Template Editor................................................. 34
4.4 Cutting, copying and pasting template components and objects ............................... 35
Duplicating objects in Template Editor ....................................................................... 35
4.5 Modifying component and object properties in Template Editor ................................ 35
Modifying the name of a template component or object......................................... 36
Modifying the size of a template component or object ............................................ 36
Moving a template component .................................................................................... 37
Cropping template components................................................................................... 37
Changing the template component type .................................................................... 37
Grouping or ungrouping template objects .................................................................. 38
Moving a template object.............................................................................................. 38
Trimming template objects in Template Editor ......................................................... 39
Extending template objects in Template Editor......................................................... 39
Formatting template objects with format painter in Template Editor ................... 39
Template text properties ............................................................................................... 40
Setting default properties for new template objects ................................................ 40
Rotating template objects............................................................................................. 41
Aligning template objects.............................................................................................. 41
Aligning template objects to the grid .......................................................................... 41
Trimming template object locations............................................................................ 42
4.6 Tips for template component and object tasks.............................................................. 42
Output options for template headers and footers ..................................................... 42
Special drawing operations in Template Editor ......................................................... 43
Snapping line objects in Template Editor ................................................................... 43
Drawing with the numeric pad in Template Editor .................................................... 44
Drawing with the grid in Template Editor.................................................................... 44

5
Viewing or hiding template objects.............................................................................. 44
Using the Selection toolbar ........................................................................................... 45
Font properties for texts and value fields in Template Editor.................................. 45
Searching for text in Template Editor .......................................................................... 46

5 TEMPLATE ROWS 47
5.1 Creating rows in Template Editor ..................................................................................... 47
5.2 Content types in Template Editor ..................................................................................... 48
5.3 Template row output properties ....................................................................................... 48
5.4 Column settings in Template Editor ................................................................................. 49
5.5 Modifying the content type of a row in Template Editor ............................................... 50
5.6 Modifying the sort type of a row in Template Editor...................................................... 50
5.7 Modifying column settings in Template Editor ............................................................... 51
5.8 Hiding template rows from output in Template Editor.................................................. 51
5.9 Modifying template row hierarchy.................................................................................... 52
5.10 Controlling row output with rules in Template Editor .................................................... 52
Creating and saving a template row rule .................................................................... 53
Creating a template row rule with Rule Wizard ......................................................... 53
Row rule content properties in Template Editor ........................................................ 54
Modifying a template row rule...................................................................................... 55
Overriding template object colors with row rules in Template Editor..................... 56
Pre-defined row rules in Template Editor.................................................................... 56
Duplicate lines in Template Editor ............................................................................... 57

6 VALUE FIELDS IN TEMPLATE EDITOR 59

6.1 Creating a value field in Template Editor ........................................................................ 59
6.2 Value field output properties in Template Editor ........................................................... 60
Value field meanings in Template Editor .................................................................... 61
6.3 Setting the sort order of a value field in Template Editor............................................. 62
6.4 Setting the priority of a value field in Template Editor.................................................. 62
6.5 Setting the data type of a value field in Template Editor ............................................. 63
6.6 Assigning value field meanings in Template Editor....................................................... 63
6.7 Setting the layout of value fields in Template Editor..................................................... 64
6.8 Resizing value field fonts automatically in Template Editor ........................................ 64
6.9 Hiding value fields from output in Template Editor ....................................................... 65
6.10 Formatting value fields in Template Editor..................................................................... 65
6.11 Aligning value field texts in output in Template Editor ................................................. 65
6.12 Value field formulas in Template Editor .......................................................................... 66
Creating and saving a formula in Template Editor.................................................... 66
Formula content properties in Template Editor ......................................................... 67
Modifying a value field formula in Template Editor .................................................. 68
Get a single piece of data from the database in Template Editor .......................... 69
Creating a listing of template objects from the database ....................................... 70
Creating a summary field in Template Editor ............................................................ 70

6
Outputting blank value fields in Template Editor ...................................................... 71
6.13 Tips for value fields in Template Editor ........................................................................... 71
String translations of texts in Tekla Structures.......................................................... 71
Setting Tekla Structures advanced options for value fields..................................... 71

7 SYMBOLS AND PICTURES IN TEMPLATE EDITOR 73

7.1 Symbol and picture libraries in Template Editor ............................................................ 73
7.2 Adding symbols to a template in Template Editor......................................................... 74
7.3 Adding pictures to a template in Template Editor ......................................................... 74
7.4 Adding a logo to a template in Template Editor ............................................................ 74
7.5 Symbol properties in Template Editor ............................................................................. 75
7.6 Picture properties in Template Editor .............................................................................. 76
7.7 Viewing and modifying symbol file contents in Tekla Structures ................................ 76
7.8 Changing the symbol and the symbol file in Template Editor ..................................... 77
7.9 Assigning rules to symbols in Template Editor............................................................... 77
7.10 Assigning rules to pictures in Template Editor ............................................................... 78
7.11 Tips for symbols and pictures in Template Editor .......................................................... 79
Modifying a symbol in Template Editor....................................................................... 79
Setting paths for symbols and pictures in Template Editor ..................................... 79

8 AUTOCAD AND MICROSTATION FILES IN TEMPLATE EDITOR 81

8.1 Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with import method defined in Template
Editor 81
8.2 Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with no import method defined in Template
Editor 82
8.3 Setting fill type and font import settings in Template Editor ....................................... 83
8.4 Limitations in AutoCAD and MicroStation file imports in Template Editor ............... 84
8.5 AutoCAD and Microstation import errors in Template Editor....................................... 84
8.6 Modifying imported AutoCAD and MicroStation files in Template Editor .................. 85

9 TEMPLATE ATTRIBUTES AND TEMPLATE EDITOR 87

9.1 User-defined template attributes and Template Editor................................................. 88
Adding user-defined template attributes in Template Editor .................................. 90
Adding comments to user-defined template attributes in Template Editor.......... 91
Adding hierarchy to user-defined template attributes in Template Editor ............ 92
9.2 Free attributes in Template Editor.................................................................................... 92
Adding free attributes in Template Editor................................................................... 93
Deleting free attributes in Template Editor ................................................................ 93
Modifying free attributes in Template Editor.............................................................. 94
9.3 Global attributes and Template Editor............................................................................. 94

10 USING TEMPLATES IN TRIMBLE PRODUCTS 95

10.1 Outputting a template created with Template Editor.................................................... 95

7
10.2 Output options for templates created with Template Editor........................................ 96
10.3 Material listings created with Template Editor............................................................... 96
10.4 Hierarchical listings created with Template Editor ........................................................ 98
10.5 Labels created with Template Editor ............................................................................... 99
10.6 Creating an HTML report with Template Editor ........................................................... 100

11 TEMPLATE EDITOR FORMULA AND RULE REFERENCE 101

11.1 Tips for value field formulas and row rules in Template Editor ................................ 101
Adding comments to row rules and value field formulas in Template Editor .... 102
Offset for template objects ........................................................................................ 102
11.2 Conditional structure for row rules and formulas in Template Editor...................... 103
11.3 Comparison and logical operators ................................................................................ 103
11.4 Control functions in Template Editor ............................................................................ 105
IsFirst ............................................................................................................................. 106
IsLast ............................................................................................................................. 106
Output............................................................................................................................ 106
PageBreak .................................................................................................................... 107
StepIn ............................................................................................................................ 107
StepOut.......................................................................................................................... 107
StepOver........................................................................................................................ 108
11.5 Attribute functions in Template Editor.......................................................................... 108
GetValue........................................................................................................................ 108
NextValue ...................................................................................................................... 109
PreviousValue............................................................................................................... 109
IsSet ............................................................................................................................... 109
11.6 Value field functions in Template Editor....................................................................... 110
GetFieldFormula .......................................................................................................... 110
CopyField....................................................................................................................... 111
CopyField reference cases ................................................................................... 111
Sum................................................................................................................................ 112
Total ............................................................................................................................... 112
Count ............................................................................................................................. 113
All ................................................................................................................................... 113
11.7 String operations in Template Editor ............................................................................ 113
find ................................................................................................................................. 114
match............................................................................................................................. 114
mid ................................................................................................................................. 114
length............................................................................................................................. 114
reverse........................................................................................................................... 115
getat............................................................................................................................... 115
setat ............................................................................................................................... 115
replace........................................................................................................................... 115
fvf ................................................................................................................................... 116
newline .......................................................................................................................... 116
11.8 Data type conversion functions in Template Editor .................................................... 116
int ................................................................................................................................... 117

8
double............................................................................................................................ 117
string.............................................................................................................................. 117
vwu (Value with unit) ................................................................................................... 118
format............................................................................................................................ 118
11.9 Mathematical operations in Template Editor .............................................................. 119
Arithmetic operators in Template Editor.................................................................. 119
Trigonometric functions in Template Editor ............................................................ 120
Statistical functions in Template Editor ................................................................... 121
ceil ........................................................................................................................... 121
floor ......................................................................................................................... 121
min ........................................................................................................................... 121
max .......................................................................................................................... 122
sqsum ...................................................................................................................... 122
ave ........................................................................................................................... 122
sqave ....................................................................................................................... 122
Miscellaneous functions in Template Editor............................................................ 123
fabs .......................................................................................................................... 123
exp ........................................................................................................................... 123
ln .............................................................................................................................. 124
log ............................................................................................................................ 124
sqrt ........................................................................................................................... 124
mod ......................................................................................................................... 124
pow .......................................................................................................................... 124
hypot ........................................................................................................................ 125
n! .............................................................................................................................. 125
round ....................................................................................................................... 125
and ........................................................................................................................... 125
or .............................................................................................................................. 125

9
10
1 About Template Editor

Template Editor, also known as TplEd or TempEd is for creating, modifying and
managing template definitions in your products.
You can produce labels, reports and legends using Template Editor, allowing you
to gather and produce accurate and targeted information your product.
Tekla Structures features a number of ready-made templates and you can use
Template Editor to modify the existing template or create new ones to suit your
needs.
Find out more:
Main features of Template Editor (11)
What are Template Editor templates? (12)
Template Editor components (13)
Template Editor objects (13)
Template definition files (14)

1.1 Main features of Template Editor

With Template Editor you can do the following:
• Print data from your product, either textual or graphical.
• Modify the size and use of columns and customize template output.
• Print different page headers and footers by defining one of many different
output options.
• Customize the way the row component is output when creating listings of
product objects.
• Build a row hierarchy that reassembles the hierarchy of objects in the product
database, and also output a part list of a product object.
• Exclude value fields or rows from the output template.
• Use free attributes to customize the way the template is output. Free
attributes are product-specific.
• Use AutoCAD and MicroStation files in templates.
• Print company logos from picture files and use symbols from your product
symbol files.
• Create simple HTML reports.

11 About Template Editor

Output options for templates created with Template Editor (96)
Template Editor field objects (14)
Hiding template rows from output in Template Editor (51)
Hiding value fields from output in Template Editor (65)
Free attributes in Template Editor (92)
AutoCAD and Microstation files in Template Editor (81)
Symbols and pictures in Template Editor (73)
Creating an HTML report with Template Editor (100)

1.2 What are Template Editor templates?

Templates are descriptions of forms and tables that can be included in your
products. Templates are either graphical or textual. The contents of the template
fields are filled in by the product at run time.
Templates are used for a variety of different purposes, for example, to print a list
of parts used in a construction assembly, to denote the legend on an electrical
network map, or to provide statistics on the contents of the map such as city
area, scale or date.
Find out more:
Graphical templates (12)
Textual templates (12)

Graphical templates
Graphical templates are generally used to display map legends and labels, or
project and company information. In addition to text, they can contain graphics,
such as tables, pictures or symbols. Graphical templates can also employ
different font types and settings. Graphical template definitions have the
extension .tpl.

12 About Template Editor

1.3 Template Editor components
Template layout is designed with template components. Templates can be made
up of five different component types, but not all components have to be present
to build a template. There are many different options for specifying the output
policy.

Header A header appears once at the beginning of a template.

Page header A page header appears at the beginning of template
page.
Row A template can have multiple rows. A row defines the
things that are listed in the template, each row usually
representing an object from the product database.
Rows contain field objects that define the attributes to
get from the database.
Page footer A page footer is output at the end of a template page.
Footer A footer appears once at the end of a template.

1.4 Template Editor objects

Template objects are inserted into template components and they can include:

Drawing shapes Basic geometric shapes like lines, rectangles and

circles.
Text objects Static texts are headings or title line texts.
Symbols Symbols from product symbol libraries.
Pictures Raster format files.
Imported files AutoCAD and MicroStation files.
Field objects Textual or graphical data gathered from the product
database, known as value fields and graphical
fields.

Find out more:

Template Editor shapes and text (13)
Template Editor field objects (14)
Template Editor symbols and files (14)

Template Editor shapes and text

Template Editor shapes include lines, arcs, polylines or polygons. They only
appear in graphical templates.
Template Editor text objects are static text strings. Text objects can appear in both
graphical templates and textual templates.

13 About Template Editor

See also Inserting components and objects in Template Editor (31)
Modifying component and object properties in Template Editor (35)
Drawing with the numeric pad in Template Editor (44)

Template Editor field objects

Template field objects are graphical fields and value fields, which can be used to
get data from the product.
Value fields contain textual information that is referenced from the product
database during template output. Data is retrieved by using value field formulas.
A graphical field is a space that is left empty until the product draws what should
appear in the field: a symbol, picture or text. Graphical fields can appear only in
graphical templates. Template Editor displays the area that is reserved for
product graphics as a rectangle. The line color of the rectangle is copied from the
default settings for rectangle objects. This outline does not appear in the final
template.

Template Editor symbols and files

Symbols and files of different formats can be inserted into graphical templates in
Template Editor.

1.5 Template definition files

Template Editor definition files contain product-specific information that is used
in rows, value fields and graphical fields. Definition files are text files that can be
modified. There are three different types of definition files: row content types,
global attributes or value field meanings. The contents and syntax of the files are
described at the beginning of each file.

14 About Template Editor

2 Template Editor user interface

This is an overview of the Template Editor user interface and its basic features.
Find out more:
Template Editor user interface components (15)
Template Editor windows (17)
Setting up the Template Editor interface (18)
Tips for the Template Editor interface (22)

2.1 Template Editor user interface components

This is an overview of the Template Editor user interface components.
Find out more:
Template Editor workarea (15)
Template Editor toolbars (15)
The Content Browser in Template Editor (16)
The preview pane in Template Editor (16)
Modifying Template Editor interface components (16)

Template Editor workarea

The Workarea is the primary area where you modify templates. You can insert
components and objects and customize the appearance of the Workarea to your
liking, for example, the background and component outline colors.
If you right-click the mouse in the Workarea, a pop-up menu opens access to the
most common viewing and modifying operations.

Template Editor 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.

15 Template Editor user interface

To show or hide a toolbar, click View > Toolbars and click the toolbar name. Visible
toolbars have a check mark beside their name. Template Editor saves and
maintains toolbar visibility settings across sessions.

The Content Browser in Template Editor

In the Content Browser you can see a folder list that describes the contents of an
open template. Template components appear as sub folders, each of them
containing a list of included template objects. Template components and objects
are identified by their names which do not appear in the final template.
There are several things you can do to modify the Content Browser in its relation to
the Workarea:
• If you right-click in the Content Browser, a pop-up menu opens access to the
most common viewing and modifying operations.
• You can resize the Content Browser by clicking and dragging the divider
between it and the Preview Pane. Resize the Content Browser and the Preview
Pane by undocking them and dragging from the window borders.
• You can also undock the Content Browser and move it outside of the main
window.
• Collapse the Content Browser if you need more space in the Workarea to work
with templates. Click the arrow button to the right of the Sort and drawing order
toolbar.

The preview pane in Template Editor

The Preview Pane is a read-only table within the Content Browser. It shows the
properties of the selected template, component or object.
You can resize the Preview Pane vertically by clicking and dragging the divider
between it and the Content Browser. Resize the Preview Pane and the Content
Browser horizontally by undocking them and dragging from the window borders.
If you want to modify the properties, you must open the property dialog box for
the selected part. You can do that by clicking Edit > Properties.

Modifying Template Editor interface components

You can modify the visibility and location of Template Editor interface
components such as toolbars and the Content Browser

To... Do this...
Dock or undock the Content Double-click or drag the move handle at the top of
Browser the Content Browser.
Dock or undock toolbars Double-click or drag the move handle on the
toolbar.

16 Template Editor user interface

To... Do this...
View or hide the Content Click View > Content Browser > Visible.
Browser
Collapse or expand the Click the arrow button next to the Sort and drawing
Content Browser order toolbar at the top of the Content Browser.
View or hide toolbars Click View > Toolbars > and the toolbar to view or
hide.

See also Hiding value fields from output in Template Editor (65)
Viewing or hiding template objects (44)

2.2 Template Editor windows

Template window operations include focusing and zooming in a template
window.
Template Editor is a single document interface application, meaning you can
have several instances of it running at one time.
You can cut or copy template objects from one template and paste them into
another one when multiple instances are open.
Find out more:
Panning in Template Editor windows (17)
Zooming in and out in Template Editor (17)
Restoring the original view in Template Editor (18)

Panning in Template Editor windows

You can use panning to focus the view to a selected point or to move the template
around the Workarea. To pan in a template window:

1. Click the Pan button on the Zoom toolbar.

2. You can use panning in three ways:
• Click to center the view around the selected point.
• Drag to move the template around the Workarea.
• Drag with the middle mouse button (this is often the same as the scroll
bar button).
You can also use the middle mouse button to pan in the template.
3. Repeat step 2 to continue panning. Press Esc to stop panning.

Zooming in and out in Template Editor

Zooming allows you to focus in on a particular area, or pull out for a wider view. To
zoom on a template window:

1. If you want to magnify the template, click the Zoom In button on the Zoom
toolbar.
If you want to reduce the template to see more of it, use the Zoom Out button
instead.
2. Click to zoom to the next preset percentage. The display centers around the
point you click.

17 Template Editor user interface

You can also drag to center the display around the selected area.
You can also use the middle mouse button to zoom in and out.
3. Repeat step 2 to continue zooming. To stop zooming, press Esc.

Restoring the original view in Template Editor

To fit and display the whole template in its window, do one of the following:
• Click View > Restore.
• Click the Restore view button on the Zoom toolbar.
• Right-click and select Restore on the pop-up menu.

2.3 Setting up the Template Editor interface

Before you get started with Template Editor, you can customize the interface. Set
up the Workarea and the grid settings. It is also critical to set up file location
preferences in order for Template Editor value fields and row rules to gather
template and part-related information at run time.
Find out more:
Modifying general preferences in Template Editor (18)
Modifying workarea preferences in Template Editor (19)
File Location preferences in Template Editor (20)
Modifying File Location preferences in Template Editor (21)
The template grid in Template Editor (21)
Activating the grid in Template Editor (21)
Setting the grid density in Template Editor (22)
Showing or hiding the grid in Template Editor (22)

Modifying general preferences in Template Editor

General preferences allow you to select the measurement unit of graphical
templates, show different buttons, set message preferences and optionally use
TrueType fonts.
Click Options > Preferences. The General tab is active by default. You can modify the
settings in the boxes listed below. Click OK to save the changes.

18 Template Editor user interface

To set... Modify this...
Graphical units Sets the measurement unit for graphical
templates to millimeters or inches.
All size-related information (for example
height and width of components or objects) is
displayed using the selected unit. In textual
templates the unit is always character
(char(s)).
Always ask for import method Click this option if you want the Select Import
Method dialog box to appear whenever you
import AutoCAD or MicroStation files.
If you leave the option unchecked, you will
have to double-click for the Select Import
Method dialog box to appear.
Show TrueType fonts Select this if you want to use TrueType fonts in
Template Editor. If unselected, you can use
only Tekla fonts.
Reset messages to visible Resets the user messages setting so that all
messages are displayed again.

Modifying workarea preferences in Template Editor

Workarea preferences allow you to change the appearance of the Workarea to your
liking.
These settings do not affect the output template in any way.
To modify Workarea preferences, click Options > Preferences and click the Workarea
tab. You can modify the color, line width and grid color.
Click OK to save the changes.

Field Description
Background Sets the Workarea background color.
Grid Sets the grid color.
Header, Page header, Row, Page For each template component you can change
footer, Footer the color of the component frame (if you use
presentations, you select from pen names).
You can also change the line thickness.

19 Template Editor user interface

Setting presentation file and pen settings in Template Editor (25)

File Location preferences in Template Editor

File location preferences define the default work directory and locations where
Template Editor searches for images and product-specific definition files and
directories.

Definition file Description

Value field meanings Sets the definition file for value field
meanings.
Row contents Sets the definitions file for row contents.
Global attributes Sets the definition file for global attributes.
If this setting is missing, no attribute name
check is performed.
Work directory (*) Sets the initial working directory for
Template Editor. When opening or saving
template files it is automatically active in
the file selection dialog box.
Symbols, pictures (*) Sets the folders where you can insert
symbols and pictures from. You can define
several directories by separating them with
semicolons (;).
Fonts (*) Sets the folders containing font files. You
can define several directories by
separating them with semicolons (;).
Predefined Rules Sets the definition file for predefined rules
that are applied to row output.
Presentation Sets the presentation file from which the
pen and color settings are loaded.
Tekla Structures does not use
presentations.
Conversion fonts Sets the font map file to use in template
conversion.
Conversion colors Sets the color map file to use in template
conversion.
Conversion attributes Sets the attribute map file to use in
template conversion.
Fill import Sets the fill import map file to use in
template conversion and in AutoCAD and
MicroStation file importation.
Color Map Sets the color map file to use.
Advanced options Sets a file where you can find additional
attributes to apply to value field formulas
and row rules.

20 Template Editor user interface

Modifying File Location preferences in Template Editor
File location preferences define the default work directory and locations where
Template Editor searches for images and product-specific definition files. If you
leave these empty, Template Editor will not be able to find product-specific
symbols, pictures and fonts that you may want to use in your templates.
To add or modify the default file locations:

1. Click Options > Preferences and click the File Locations tab. The list of
modifiable file locations is in two columns.
The Type column contains the definition file type and cannot be modified. The
Location field contains the path for the definition file or directory and can be
modified.
2. To set a definition file, click on the line that you want to modify and click the
Select File button. This opens the standard file selection dialog box.
3. To set a directory (*), click in the Location field on the line that you want to
modify, and type in the directory path, for example C:\Program
Files\Company Product\symbols.
4. Click OK to accept or Cancel to discard the changes.

The template grid in Template Editor

The template grid helps you to draw regular shapes and position template
objects.
For textual templates the distance between the grid points in the Workarea is fixed
to one character unit and you cannot change it. For graphical templates you can
change the grid size to suit your needs.

Activating the grid in Template Editor

Activating the grid means that template objects will be aligned or "snapped" to
grid points when they are added to the template.
To activate the grid right-click in an empty area in the Workarea and click Grid >
Snap on the pop-up menu.

The check mark in front of the option indicates that the grid is activated.
You can also activate the grid by clicking the Snap check box in the Grid Settings
toolbar.
If you have drawn or added template objects before activating the grid, you can
align them to the active grid later on.

21 Template Editor user interface

Setting the grid density in Template Editor
If you want to align objects to the grid points automatically as you draw or modify
them, ensure that the grid is active.
You can set the distance between the grid points in graphical templates to aid
drawing operations. Do the following:

1. Click Options > Grid > Density. This opens the Grid Settings dialog box.
2. Type in the distance between the grid points by defining the Horizontal and
Vertical values.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
You can also set the grid density in the Grid Settings toolbar by entering values in
the Horizontal and Vertical fields.

Showing or hiding the grid in Template Editor

You can show or hide the grid while working on templates. The grid is useful for
aligning objects as they are drawn.
To show or hide the template grid, right-click in an empty area in the Workarea
and click Grid > Visible on the pop-up menu.

The check mark in front of the option indicates that the grid is visible.
You can also show or hide the grid by clicking the Visible check box in the Grid
Settings toolbar.
Activating the grid does not automatically make it visible. Note that the grid can
be visible without being active.

2.4 Tips for the Template Editor interface

Here are some useful hints and tips that help you use the Template Editor user
interface and its basic features more efficiently.
Find out more:
Starting Template Editor with the command line (23)
Keyboard shortcuts in Template Editor (23)
The status bar in Template Editor (24)
Pop-up menus in Template Editor (24)
Setting presentation file and pen settings in Template Editor (25)
Tooltips in Template Editor (25)

22 Template Editor user interface

Starting Template Editor with the command line
This is aimed at administrator level users, who can start Template Editor through
the command prompt. Use these command line options to start Template Editor.
All command line options are case insensitive, so uppercase letters are equal to
lowercase letters.

Command line option Description

-L <language id> Allows you to select the language for the
Template Editor user interface. <language id> is
a three-letter language identifier. Available
languages depend on your product. Please refer
to your product documentation for information
on available languages.
-i <file path> Allows you to set the Template Editor
initialization file that holds the information on
where Template Editor searches for certain
definition files. <file path> refers to an ASCII
format initialization file named with the
extension -ini. This is an example of such a
command line option:
-i C:\My
Documents\Product\Templates\mysettings
.ini
Click Options > Preferences to modify the default
file location preferences.
-w <work folder> Allows you to set the work folder for Template
Editor. This folder is, for example, is the base
folder for file open and save operations.

Keyboard shortcuts in Template Editor

Keyboard shortcuts in Template Editor:

Shortcut Action
Ctrl+N Creates a new template file.
Ctrl+O Opens a template file.
Ctrl+S Saves a template file.
Ctrl+Q Exits Template Editor.
Ctrl+Z Undoes the previous operation.
Ctrl+Y Redoes the previous operation.
Ctrl+X Cuts the selected component or object.
Ctrl+C Copies the selected component or object.
Ctrl+V Pastes the selected component or object.
Delete Deletes the selected component or object.
Ctrl+G Groups selected individual objects into one group so
that they are handled as one object.
Ctrl+U Turns the selected group of objects into individual
objects.

23 Template Editor user interface

Shortcut Action
Ctrl+Home Moves the selected row component higher on the
current hierarchy level.
Ctrl+End Moves the selected row component lower on the
current hierarchy level.
Ctrl+Page Up Moves the selected row to a higher level in the
hierarchy.
Ctrl+Page Down Moves the selected row to a lower level in the
hierarchy.
Ctrl+D Makes a copy of the selected object. Modify the
settings in the dialog box.
Ctrl+M Moves the selected object a specified distance in the
template. Modify the settings in the dialog box.
Esc Ends the current operation and enables selection of
objects.
Alt+Enter Opens the property dialog box for the selected item,
where you can modify the properties and settings.

Pop-up menus in Template Editor

You can open context sensitive pop-up menus in the main window by right-
clicking the mouse. The commands vary depending on which area in the
Template Editor main window you click.
The Content Browser pop-up menu commands contain the most common
modifying operations and allow you to change the location or hierarchy of row
components, customize the view in the browser or access properties of the
selected part. Some of the commands are also available on the Sort and Drawing
order toolbar.
The Workarea pop-up menu commands contain the most common modifying
operations, zooming, panning and setting Template Editor drawing options. You
can also open the properties dialog box of the selected template, component or
object.

See also Setting the sort order of a value field in Template Editor (62)
Template Editor windows (17)
Template properties (29)

The status bar in Template Editor

The status bar shows information on the length of drawing objects as they are
being inserted; and the selected tool or command. It is located on the bottom left
side of the main window.

See also Drawing with the numeric pad in Template Editor (44)

24 Template Editor user interface

Setting presentation file and pen settings in Template Editor
If your product does not use presentations, you can skip the following
instructions.
A presentation file defines a set of pens that you can use when drawing. The
presentation uses a color map file that defines a set of product-specific colors.
You can use a presentation in Template Editor only if your product uses them. The
pens and colors of the presentation file replace the Template Editor color, line
type and line width. This means you specify the color, line type and line width for
a Template Editor part that has these properties by selecting a pen.
Presentation files are created and modified with Presentation Editor (PresEd).
Do the following to define the default presentation file location in Template Editor

1. Click Options > Preferences and click the File Location preferences tab.
2. Click in the Presentation line and then click Select File.
3. Select the presentation file to use and click OK.
4. Click in the Color Map line and then Select File.
5. Select the color map file to use and click OK.
6. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Preferences dialog box.
The pens of the presentation appear in the template object property dialog boxes
and can customize the colors in the Template Editor Workarea.

Tooltips in Template Editor

When you rest the mouse pointer on a toolbar button, a tooltip appears.
Template Editor only has basic tooltips that display the name of a command.

25 Template Editor user interface

26 Template Editor user interface
3 Introduction to templates

This is an overview of templates. Here you will find out more about textual and
graphical templates, how to use data from your product in templates; and
template parts, which you need to be familiar with when you design templates.
Find out more:
Creating and saving a template in Template Editor (27)
Creating and saving a pre-defined template in Template Editor (28)
Opening and closing templates in Template Editor (29)
Template properties (29)
Modifying template page properties in Template Editor (30)
Changing the template type in Template Editor (30)

3.1 Creating and saving a template in Template Editor

Before you start, we recommend you define various Template Editor preferences
including the appearance of the Workarea, the graphical units (Metric or Imperial)
and the references to data files.

1. Click File > New

2. Select the template type: graphical or textual.
To create a new template based on a pre-defined template, select a file from
the pre-defined templates section in the Template types window.
3. Click OK.
An empty template opens in the Workarea and you are ready to begin working
with the template. Or in the case of a pre-defined template, one that is ready
to be populated.
4. Click File > Save As to save the template.
The standard file selection dialog box will appear for you to specify the name,
save location and file extension. Template Editor automatically adds the
selected extension to the file name.
5. Click OK.
You can begin working with the template and add components and objects.

27 Introduction to templates
Templates created with version 3.60 or later are not
compatible with previous versions because of expanded
attribute options.

3.2 Creating and saving a pre-defined template in

Template Editor
You can create a template that can be used as a pre-defined template for new
templates. You can also save an existing template as a pre-defined template.
Do this when you often use the same kinds of templates for reports and
summaries.

To... Do this...
Create a new template to 1. Create a new template, complete with all of
save as a pre-defined the required components and objects,
template. 2. To save it, click File > Template > Save.
3. Give the pre-defined template a name. This
is also the file name.
4. Click OK to finish saving the template.
Save an existing template as 1. Open the template you want to save as a
a pre-defined template. pre-defined template.
2. Modify the template as needed.
3. To save it, click File > Template > Save.
Give the pre-defined template a name. This
is also the file name.
4. Click OK to finishing saving the pre-defined
template.

Be sure to select where the pre-defined template is saved:

• Global - The pre-defined template is saved in the same folder as the tpled.exe
program, which is common to all environments.
• Local - The pre-defined template is saved in the same folder as the tpled.ini
file, which defines environment-specific settings.

Deleting pre- If you do not need the pre-defined template anymore, you can delete it. Do the
defined template following:

28 Introduction to templates
1. Click File > New.
2. In the Template type dialog box that opens, select the pre-defined template you
want to delete.
3. Click the red X on the right hand side of the dialog box and click OK.
4. Template Editor prompts you to accept or decline. Click Yes to delete the pre-
defined template.
You cannot undo this operation.

3.3 Opening and closing templates in Template Editor

When you open an existing textual template, Template Editor checks for
overlapping objects. If you receive a message about overlapping template
objects, you should reposition or resize the objects to eliminate overlapping.
If you receive a message regarding template conversion when you open a
template, contact your service representative for assistance if you do not know
how to proceed.
To open an existing template file:

1. Click File > Open.

2. When the file selection dialog box opens, click the location you want to open
the file from and click OK.
If you have recently worked on a template, you can open it by clicking File >
Recent Files, which lists the ten most recent template files you have worked
on.
3. To close a template file, click File > Close.
If there are unsaved changes in any of the template files that you close,
Template Editor asks if you want to save them. Select the option that best
suits your situation.

3.4 Template properties

Properties determine things such as the size, color, font and output options of a
template, component or object. You can modify properties through specific
property dialog boxes.
Find out more:
Modifying template page properties in Template Editor (30)
Changing the template type in Template Editor (30)

29 Introduction to templates
Modifying template page properties in Template Editor
Both graphical and textual templates require page and margin settings. The units
used in the dimensions of a template are based on the template type. Graphical
templates use graphical units (Metric or Imperial) and textual templates use
character units.
For a graphical template meant to be a map legend or label, these settings
specify the total width and height of it.
To set and modify the template page settings and margin settings:

1. Double-click the template to open the Template Page Properties dialog box.
2. In the Output, Workarea and Margins areas, modify the following:
• Width and Height: set in graphical units or characters.
• View height: sets the page height for template design, but does not affect
template output.
• Margins: sets the margins for the left, right and bottom of the template in
graphical units or characters.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
You can also add notes about the template and assign free attributes to it.

Changing the template type in Template Editor

Change the template type when you need to use certain types of content in the
template, for example, if you need to use Metric or Imperial measures in your
reports. Changing the template type is also useful if you need to transfer the
template output to Excel or some other editor.
To change the template type:

1. Click File > Template > Type. A dialog box opens.

Select the template type.
2. Click OK.
3. Be sure to use Save As to save the template with the new (and correct) file
extension (.rpt for textual templates and .tpl for graphical templates).
If you turn a graphical template into a textual template, only the text and value
fields remain. All graphical objects will be deleted.

Templates are made up of components and objects. Template layout is designed

with template components. Template objects are inserted into template
components.
Here you will find out more about common operations applied to template
components and objects.
Find out more:
Inserting components and objects in Template Editor (31)
Inserting a template page header or page footer (33)
Selecting components and objects in Template Editor (34)
Cutting, copying and pasting template components and objects (35)
Modifying component and object properties in Template Editor (35)
Tips for template component and object tasks (42)

4.1 Inserting components and objects in Template

Editor
Inserting template components and objects is accomplished through the
toolbars. Insert template components before inserting template objects. A
template can have only one header and one footer component. Other
components may be repeated.
To insert a template component:

1. Click the component you want to insert.

Template Editor inserts components in the following order: header, page
header, row, page footer, footer.
2. Modify the properties of the component by selecting and double-clicking it.
3. Click the object you want to insert and then click in the component to position
it.
If you are inserting a line, circle or rectangle, you can see the size of it on the
Status bar.
The object is added to the template with the current default properties, which
you can modify.

31 Template Editor components and objects

The output of the final template is determined by the output settings.

Rows and value fields are used widely and offer more functionality in terms of
gathering and outputting information.

If you double-click a button on the Object toolbar, you can draw

several objects without clicking the button again. Press Esc or
click another button to stop drawing.
Hold down the Shift key while moving an object to lock the
movement horizontally or vertically.

Find out more:

Drawing a polyline in Template Editor (32)
Inserting a text object in Template Editor (32)
Inserting a graphical field in Template Editor (33)

Drawing a polyline in Template Editor

To draw a polyline:

1. On the toolbar, click the Polyline button.

2. Click to define the starting point.
3. Move the mouse and click to define the next vertex point.
4. Repeat the previous step to add more points.
5. Double-click where you want to end drawing.
If you draw an unclosed object and later decide to fill it, Template Editor will
automatically insert a line to close the shape.

See also Modifying component and object properties in Template Editor (35)

Inserting a text object in Template Editor

You may want to adjust the font settings before you begin, but you can always
change them later. To insert text into a template:

1. On the toolbar, click the Text button.

A dialog box appears prompting you to type in the text. You can type text on
multiple lines. Press the Enter key to move to the next line.
2. Type the text and click OK.

32 Template Editor components and objects

You can also insert a text object with the default string, simply click OK. The
default string is defined with the check box Set as default for new texts in the
Text Properties dialog box.
3. Click to define the insertion point of the text.
Double-click the text to modify the text properties and font settings.

See also Setting default properties for new template objects (40)
Template text properties (40)
Font properties for texts and value fields in Template Editor (45)

Inserting a graphical field in Template Editor

Insert a graphical field to a template component when you want to reserve the
area to include a logo or a graphic.
If the field is placed inside a row component, note that the row content type may
block some attributes from use.
To insert a graphical field:

1. Click Insert > Graphical Field or click the Graphical field button.
2. Specify the insertion point:
• Click twice to define the opposing corners or
• Drag and release to end drawing.
3. Open the Graphical Field Properties dialog box.
4. In the Attribute list, select a global attribute to determine how the graphical
field is used when the template is output,
You can also click the Attribute button to select an attribute from the attribute
tree.
5. Click OK to accept the changes and close the property dialog box.

4.2 Inserting a template page header or page footer

Use page headers and page footers in a template if you want to print different
headers or footers on specified pages during output. Do the following:

1. On the toolbar, click the page header or page footer button.

The page header appears below the header, or if no header exists, at the top
of the template page.
The page footer appears above the footer, or if no footer exists, at the bottom
of the template page.
2. Set the name, height and output policy of the page header / footer in the
properties dialog.
The output policy options include:
• All - component prints on every page.
• Even - component prints on even pages.
• Odd - component prints on odd pages.

33 Template Editor components and objects

• Exactly on - component prints only on the page you specify.
• Not on - component does not print on the page you specify.
• Last - component prints on the last page.
• Not last - component does not print on the last page.
• From - component printing starts on the page you specify.
• Until - component prints only up to the page you specify.
• Between - component prints pages between the numbers you specify.
3. You can specify if a page header or page footer should use columns by
clicking the Use columns check box.
4. Insert template objects inside the component.
The output of the final template is determined by the output policy.

4.3 Selecting components and objects in Template

Editor
In Template Editor you can specify how area selection works. You can choose to
select all template components or objects that are either completely or partially
inside the drag frame, or just the ones that are completely inside.
To select components and objects:

1. Start with setting the selection properties. Click Options > Pick > Partially.
The check mark next to the option indicates that the option is on, and parts
that fall only partially inside the drag frame are selected.
2. You can select multiple template components or objects or only one. Drag to
make an area selection in the Workarea.
3. Hold down the Ctrl key to select multiple objects (you can do this in the
Content Browser too).
4. To deselect all components or objects, click in an empty space in the
Workarea. To deselect one component or object press the Ctrl key and click the
part to deselect.
Selected parts appear highlighted in the Workarea and also show on the status
bar. Only the most recently selected part appears in the Content Browser.

If the Pick Multiple setting is deactivated, you can select only

one part.

34 Template Editor components and objects

4.4 Cutting, copying and pasting template
components and objects
You can cut or copy template objects and components in Template Editor and
paste them to another position in the same template or in another open
template.
To cut, copy and paste template components and objects, do any of the following:

To... Do this...
Cut a component or object Select it and press Ctrl+X.
Copy a component or object Select it and press Ctrl+C.
Paste the contents of the cut Press Ctrl+V and click to give the insertion
buffer point in the Workarea.

Duplicating objects in Template Editor

You can make identical duplicates of template objects without having to create a
new object from scratch.
To make a duplicate of an existing object:

1. Select the template object and press Ctrl+D.

2. Give the offset for the duplicate object in the Duplicate Object dialog box:
The offset is the distance from the current coordinate point in graphical units.
Positive values given horizontally and vertically insert the object to the right
and up.
3. Click OK.

See also Cutting, copying and pasting template components and objects (35)

4.5 Modifying component and object properties in

Template Editor
The properties of template components and objects determine things such as the
size, color, font and the output options. You can modify these properties through
part-specific property dialog boxes.
To open the property dialog box for a template component or object, select and
double-click the template component or object in the Workarea or in the Content
Browser
Template Editor opens a component- or object-specific property dialog box. The
changes you make there update the component or object when you accept them
by clicking OK.
Find out more:
Modifying the name of a template component or object (36)
Modifying the size of a template component or object (36)
Moving a template component (37)
Cropping template components (37)

35 Template Editor components and objects

Changing the template component type (37)
Grouping or ungrouping template objects (38)
Moving a template object (38)
Trimming template objects in Template Editor (39)
Extending template objects in Template Editor (39)
Formatting template objects with format painter in Template Editor (39)
Template text properties (40)
Setting default properties for new template objects (40)
Rotating template objects (41)
Aligning template objects (41)
Aligning template objects to the grid (41)
Trimming template object locations (42)

Modifying the name of a template component or object

The name of a component or object is a critical identifier in Template Editor.
For example, the names of value fields are used when referencing them in
formulas or rules. So if you modify the name of a value field after you have used it
in formulas or rules, you must also change the name in those formulas and rules.
Template Editor does not update formulas or rules with the new name.
To modify the name of a template component or object:
1. Select and double-click the component or object to open the properties dialog
box.
2. In the Name field type in a new name for the component or object.
3. Click OK.
The name you give does not appear during output, but does appear in the Content
Browser.

Modifying the size of a template component or object

You can modify the size of a template component or object.
Do the following:
1. Select the component or object and double-click to open the properties dialog
box.
2. Depending on the template component or object modify the size, length or
radius.
For some template objects, such as imported pictures, you can retain the
aspect ratio by clicking Keep aspect ratio in the properties dialog box.

36 Template Editor components and objects

3. Click OK to save the changes.
Template components and objects can also be reshaped (and resized) by
dragging the resize handles. To do that select the component. If you hold down
the Shift key while you drag, it will retain the aspect ratio. Note that dragging the
handles of polylines, polygons and free form areas is the only way to resize them.
When you resize template objects, you can see the measures of the objects on
the Status bar.

Moving a template component

You can move a template component by changing its location in the Content
Browser.

1. Select the template component.

2. Click the appropriate button on the Sorting and Drawing toolbar.
You can also move a template component by selecting it and dragging with
the mouse.
3. Save the template.
Moving a template component also affects the sort and draw order during the
final output.

Cropping template components

You can crop unneeded space from around template components.
To crop a component:

1. Select the component you want to crop.

2. Depending on which part of the component you want to crop, click Edit > Crop
and the side of the component to crop.
Template Editor redraws the Workarea after you crop the template. Cropping
cannot be undone once you save the template, the effects of which appear in the
final output template.

Changing the template component type

You can change the template component type without losing any of the
information it contains.
Remember that you can only insert a header and a footer once in a template. In
addition, if you change the template component to a row, you must define the
content type for the row.

1. Select the component to crop.

37 Template Editor components and objects

2. Click Edit > Change Type. A dialog box opens prompting you to select a new
template component type.
3. Select the template component type and click OK.
Template Editor changes the component type in the Workarea and the Content
Browser.
4. Save the changes.

Grouping or ungrouping template objects

When you want to handle several objects as one object, you can create a group
from existing template objects. When you need to resize or modify an individual
object of the group you must ungroup the objects first.
To group and ungroup template objects:

1. Select the template objects you want to group or ungroup.

2. Right-click and select Group or Ungroup.
Double-click the group to open the Object Properties dialog box to modify the
group. If you want to modify a single ungrouped item, double-click on it to open
the properties dialog box.

Grouped objects have some limitations with regards to

modifying them.
• You cannot rotate a group.
• If the group contains different types of objects, for
example shapes and texts, you cannot modify its
properties.
• If you modify the color properties of the group, the new
color is applied to both lines and fills.

Moving a template object

You can move an object in a template component by selecting it and dragging it
to a new position. If you want to be more precise in moving an object do the
following:

1. Select the object.

2. Press Ctrl+M and a dialog box opens where you can specify the offset values.
• Horizontal is a distance relative to the original position. Positive values
insert the object to the right.
• Vertical is a distance relative to the original position. Positive values insert
the object up.
If you hold down the Shift key while moving an object, it locks the movement
in the horizontal or vertical depending on which direction you choose.

38 Template Editor components and objects

3. To see the results click Preview. If the settings are not to your liking, you can
readjust them and repeat the process.
4. Click OK.
To move an object to a different template component, cut and paste it.

Trimming template objects in Template Editor

Trim template objects such as lines when you want to modify them quickly and
accurately. Trimming a line object will align it with the selected line.
Trimming only applies to line objects.
Do the following:

1. Click the line you want to target.

2. Click the trim button on the Format toolbar.
3. Click the line to trim to the target line.
You can also make an area selection to select and trim many lines
simultaneously.

The line is trimmed by the difference between the target line and the line you
select to trim.

Extending template objects in Template Editor

Extend template objects such as lines when you want to modify them quickly and
accurately. Extending a line object will join the selected lines to join others.
This operation works on line objects only.
Do the following:

1. Click the line you want to target.

2. Click the extend button on the Format toolbar.
3. Click the line to extend the target.
You can also make an area selection and extend many lines simultaneously.

Formatting template objects with format painter in Template

Editor
Format template objects such as lines when you want to modify them quickly and
accurately.
The format painter does not work on template objects like groups, pictures,
symbols or graphical fields.
Do the following:

39 Template Editor components and objects

1. Click the line whose properties you want to use.
2. Click the paintbrush button on the Format toolbar.
3. Click the line(s) or other object(s) you want to format with the same
properties.
Make an area selection if you want to format several template objects
simultaneously.

Template text properties

Text properties can be modified based on what you want to show in a report.
Double-click a text object in the template in order to open the Text Properties
dialog box.

Heading Heading
Text The text inserted in the template
component.
Name A unique name for the text, it does not
have to be the same as the text
inserted into the template component.
Font The font applied to the text object.
Click ... to open the Font Properties
dialog box.
Angle The angle (in degrees) that is applied
to the text object.
Set as default for new texts Select the check box to save the
settings applied to all new texts.

Setting default properties for new template objects

You can set the default properties for new template objects without having to
define them every time a new, similar object is added to the template.
To set the default properties for new template objects:

1. Select an object that has the desired properties and object type.
2. Double-click to open the property dialog box for the object.
3. Click Set as default for new <template object>.
Note that if you modify other settings, the new ones are also applied to the
currently selected object.
4. Click OK to save the changes.
Template Editor saves the settings and all newly created objects of the same type
will have these properties.

40 Template Editor components and objects

Rotating template objects
You can rotate objects such as texts, symbols and value fields in graphical
templates. Note that grouped objects cannot be rotated.
Rotate objects, for example, when they need to appear rotated in the final output
template.
Do the following:

1. Select the object so you can see the resize handles.

2. Hold down the Ctrl key and start dragging on a handle.
The handle where you start dragging is the anchor point of the object as you
rotate it.
3. Move the mouse to rotate the object.
4. Release when the object is in its final position.
If you need to specify a specific value, you can also open the properties dialog box
and specify the slant of the object in the Slant or Angle field.

Aligning template objects

You can insert many objects into a template and align them to improve the
layout. This is useful in big templates with lots of objects and quicker than
selecting them and moving them one by one.
To align several objects so that they line up horizontally or vertically:

1. Select the objects that you want to align. Template Editor will align the
objects according to the left most, right most, bottom or top object in the
selection.
If you hold down the Shift key while dragging, the object is moved only
vertically or horizontally, whichever has bigger the offset at the time.
2. Click Edit > Align and select which sides of the objects you want to align.
You can also click the related button on the Align toolbar.

Aligning template objects to the grid

The objects that you create when the grid is not activated can be moved on to grid
points later on.
To align objects to the grid:

1. Activate the grid by clicking Options > Grid > Snap.

2. Select the object that you want to move.
3. Click Edit > Align to Grid.
This will change both the coordinates and size of the selected object(s) so they fit
to the nearest grid points.

41 Template Editor components and objects

Activating the grid in Template Editor (21)
Showing or hiding the grid in Template Editor (22)

Trimming template object locations

Trim the location of template objects such as imported DXF or DWG images when
you want to place them more accurately inside a template component.

1. Click the template object you want to target.

You can also trim the location of multiple objects by selecting them
simultaneously.
2. Click Edit > Trim location.
Template Editor places the object so that X and Y coordinates are rounded to the
closest millimeter (i.e 157.00) or 1/32 of an inch depending on what
environment you are using. Check the Preview pane to see the results.

4.6 Tips for template component and object tasks

Here are some useful hints and tips that are exceptions to the normal use of
components and objects.
Find out more:
Output options for template headers and footers (42)
Special drawing operations in Template Editor (43)
Snapping line objects in Template Editor (43)
Drawing with the numeric pad in Template Editor (44)
Drawing with the grid in Template Editor (44)
Viewing or hiding template objects (44)
Using the Selection toolbar (45)
Font properties for texts and value fields in Template Editor (45)
Searching for text in Template Editor (46)

Output options for template headers and footers

Template headers and footers have special output options. Select the header or
footer and double-click to open the properties dialog box.

Option Description
All Prints on every page.
Even Prints on even pages.
Odd Prints on odd pages.
Exactly on Prints only on page specified.
Not on Does not print on page specified.
Last Prints on the last page.

42 Template Editor components and objects

Option Description
Not last Does not print on the last page.
From Prints starting on the page specified.
Until Prints only to the page specified.
Between Prints pages between the range you specify.

Special drawing operations in Template Editor

There are several options you can set or turn on for customizing your drawing
operations in Template Editor. They are described below:

Drawing option Do this

To draw several objects running with 1. Click Options > Continuous Action to turn
the same tool the option on.
2. Click the toolbar button of the object
you want to draw and proceed. You
cannot use this option for symbols,
pictures or inserted AutoCAD or
MicroStation files.
Temporary continuous drawing Double-click the toolbar button of the
object.
End continuous action When continuous action is on, you have to
end it: press the Esc button

Snapping line objects in Template Editor

To simplify drawing operations in Template Editor, you can drag line objects to
snap to other drawing objects such as lines, rectangles and grouped objects (i.e.
lines), where they intersect or to a corner.
Do the following:

1. Click the line you want to drag and the handles appear.
2. Click the handle with your mouse and drag the line to the desired point.
To ensure the line has snapped to the right location, zoom in and make any
needed modifications.
If the grid snapping settings are active, you may notice that lines will snap to the
grid.

43 Template Editor components and objects

Drawing with the numeric pad in Template Editor
You can define the length and angle of a line object with the numeric pad on your
keyboard after you click to define the starting point. The NumLock must be on for
this feature to work.
If you do not have a numeric pad, you can draw a line object with the mouse and
modify the properties of the line with the Object Properties dialog box.
Do the following:

1. Turn the NumLock on by pressing the NumLock button.

2. On the toolbar, click the Line button and define the starting point.
3. Using the numeric pad on your keyboard, enter the first number and a dialog
box appears prompting you to enter the length of the line object.
At the same time the line angle appears on the Status Bar.
4. Click OK to finish drawing the line.
If the grid is activated, the line will snap to the nearest grid point if you enter a
length that places the end point in between grid points. For example, if your grid
points are 5 mm apart from each other and you enter a length of 24, Template
Editor will snap the line’s end point to the nearest grid point. In other words,
Template Editor rounds the line length up or down.

Drawing with the grid in Template Editor

Use the template grid for drawing and positioning template objects. When the
grid is active, all clicks during drawing operations align to the nearest grid point
as if the grid point had been clicked. The grid can be visible or hidden.
Note the following:
• The distance between grid points is template-specific.
• If you have drawn objects before activating the grid, you can align them to the
active grid later on.
• Activating the grid does not automatically make it visible. The grid may also
be visible without being active.

Viewing or hiding template objects

To speed up working with templates, you may want to view or hide template
objects in the Content Browser. In a graphical template, for example, hide all line
objects in order to discern value fields more easily.
To change the visibility of template objects click View > Content Browser and click
the objects to view or hide.
Template objects are still visible in the template and preferences are saved
across sessions.

44 Template Editor components and objects

Modifying Template Editor interface components (16)
Hiding template rows from output in Template Editor (51)
Hiding value fields from output in Template Editor (65)

Using the Selection toolbar

You can click the Selection toolbar buttons to toggle template objects to be
selectable or not. This is useful, for example, if you need to change all of the line
objects to a different color or width.
Do the following:

1. Click the toolbar buttons of the template objects you want to exclude.
If you make an area selection, for example, and have excluded value fields,
everything else will be selected.
2. Modify the selected objects as needed.
If you select objects of different types (i.e. lines and value fields), you cannot
modify the properties of both at the same time.
3. Save the changes.
Toggle the buttons on and off a needed in order to modify template objects.

Font properties for texts and value fields in Template Editor

You can modify the color, type and dimensions of text objects and value fields.
The font selection consists of TrueType fonts and Tekla fonts.
In textual templates the font settings are used only in Template Editor, not in the
output template.
Select and double-click a text or a value field to open the Text Properties or Value
Field Properties dialog box. Then open the Select Font dialog box by clicking the ...
button in the Font area of the dialog box.

Property Description
Font type Set the font type and select from Tekla fonts (set in
the File Location preferences) or TrueType fonts (only
on the Windows platform). Template Editor auto-
selects the font according to letters you type in the
Font field.
Font style Set the font style for TrueType fonts (regular, bold,
italic, bold italic).
Size Sets the height of the font in graphical units.
Ratio (w/h) Sets the width to height ratio of the font.
Slant Sets the slope of the font and applies only to Tekla
fonts.
Color Sets the font color. If you use presentations, the pen
sets the color.
Sample Preview of the font, the sample is updated as you
modify the font settings.

45 Template Editor components and objects

See also Modifying component and object properties in Template Editor (35)
File Location preferences in Template Editor (20)
Modifying general preferences in Template Editor (18)
Setting presentation file and pen settings in Template Editor (25)

Searching for text in Template Editor

You can search for text in the template, which also includes texts in row rules and
value field formulas.
Search for text in the template with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+F. The search is
not case sensitive.
Template Editor searches through all components and objects in the template for
the text you have specified. Click the Find button to continue.

46 Template Editor components and objects

5 Template rows

Template rows are versatile components that are used to create listings of
objects that are in the product database. You can insert multiple rows in a
template. With rows you can sort, prioritize, hide and filter the information you
want to show in a template.
Find out more:
Creating rows in Template Editor (47)
Content types in Template Editor (48)
Template row output properties (48)
Column settings in Template Editor (49)
Modifying the content type of a row in Template Editor (50)
Modifying the sort type of a row in Template Editor (50)
Modifying column settings in Template Editor (51)
Hiding template rows from output in Template Editor (51)
Modifying template row hierarchy (52)
Controlling row output with rules in Template Editor (52)

5.1 Creating rows in Template Editor

A template can contain several row components. The row component is most
useful in templates that produce listings of objects in the product database.
To create a row do the following:

1. On the toolbar, click the Row button.

2. The Select Content Type dialog box appears, prompting you to select a content
type for the row.
If you want to use object-specific attributes in the row, you must select a
content type from the list.
Depending on your product, you may be able to select several content types.
Check one or more content types from the list and click OK.
Being able to select more than one content type involves modifying the
Template Editor .ini file.
3. You can also insert the row without selecting a content type, by just clicking
OK. Note that if you do not select a content type, the value fields you insert in
the row component will not be able to gather the data from the product
database.

47 Template rows
4. Right-click to open the Row Properties dialog box and modify it, for example,
the row rule to apply to the row.

5.2 Content types in Template Editor

Content types are object types in the product database. Content types in
template row definitions automatically filter out unwanted object types from the
output template. The current version of Template Editor uses content type
listings. The list of content types as well as their effect is product-specific.
When you create a new row in the template, you should select a content type for
the row. The content type determines which template attributes can be used in
that row.

5.3 Template row output properties

Row properties determine the output preferences and appearance of row
components. Select and double-click a row component to open the Row Properties
dialog box, where you can modify the following properties of a row.

Property Description
Content type Set the content type of the row to determine the
object being output from the product database.
Free attributes Apply free attributes to the row when you want to
specify product-specific information to a row.
Name Modify the name of the row (to identify it easily).
Height Modify the height of the row (to fit template objects
more easily).
Sort type Set the sort type of the row in order to determine the
final output of rows.
Output Hide or show the row in the final output.
Use columns Use columns to make better use of the space in a
template.
Rule Set a rule on the row to define the information it
shows during output.

5.4 Column settings in Template Editor

Templates can be printed in several columns (just like newspaper columns).
Template Editor cannot visualize several columns, but the column settings
determine the width of row components. These column settings are common to
all rows in a template.

Field Description
Min. count Sets minimum number of columns in output
template. Value cannot exceed Max. count.
Max. count Sets maximum number of columns in output
template. Value cannot be smaller than Min. count.
Spacing Sets the gap between columns.
Start from Sets the starting point for column distribution.
Setting this helps eliminate white space and
influences the visual output of templates.
Click the list to choose the starting location:
• Top left
• Top right
• Bottom left
• Bottom right
Fill direction Fill direction determines in which direction the
columns are filled:
• Horizontal: fills the columns first to the right,
then down.
• Vertical: fills the columns first down, then to the
right.
Fill policy Fill policy determines how the columns are filled in
the template:
• Even: makes column heights equal.
• Continuous: fills a column before proceeding to
the next one, results in uneven column
heights.

If you want to fix the number of columns, give the same values
to Min. count and Max. count. Then the template is always
output with this number of columns.

49 Template rows
See also Modifying column settings in Template Editor (51)

5.5 Modifying the content type of a row in Template

Editor
Modify the content type of a row when you want to filter the information that
appears in a template. Before you start, ensure you have defined the row
contents file location in the File Location preferences dialog box.
To modify the content type of a row:

1. Select and double-click the row to open the Row Properties dialog box.
2. Select the Content type from the list.
3. Click OK to save the changes.

See also Modifying the sort type of a row in Template Editor (50)
Free attributes in Template Editor (92)
File Location preferences in Template Editor (20)

5.6 Modifying the sort type of a row in Template

Editor
Change the row sorting properties when you want to sort the output in a template
based on rows. Sorting properties are determined by the Sort type of the row and
how you set the sort order for value fields for the row in question.
The default sort type is to combine similar rows so that only the last one of them
is output.
To modify the sort type of the row:

1. Select and double-click a row to open the Row Properties dialog box.
2. Choose the Sort type from the list:
• None - output lines are not sorted.
• Combine - output lines are sorted and duplicate output lines are combined
so that only the last of them is output.
• Distinct - output lines are sorted and all lines are output.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
If you click Combine or Distinct, you must also select which value fields affect the
sorting and how.
If you click Combine, you can also automatically get calculated sums of the
information on combined lines.

5.8 Hiding template rows from output in Template

Editor
Hide rows when you want to filter out information when the template is output.
To hide rows from output:

1. Select and double-click a row to open the Row Properties dialog box.
2. Click the Hide in output check box.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
Only the following things can exclude the row from output when the template
output process is going on:
• The row content type does not match the object that is being processed. You
can select the product object type that you want to handle in a row when you
modify the content type of the row.
• Row rules are used to filter out the object that is being processed or prevent
output of the row for another reason. You can set the conditions for output
when you modify row rules.

1. Insert a new row, by clicking the row button.

2. Insert other rows.
On the Sorting and drawing order toolbar above the Content Browser, click the
button to shift the row down a level.
3. You can also drag the row to the new location in the Content Browser.
4. Click Save to retain the changes.
Note that you can see the changes in the hierarchy levels only in the Content
Browser. There is no limit to the number of hierarchy levels to use, but hierarchies
deeper than three levels affect the performance during output and may be
difficult to work with.

5.10 Controlling row output with rules in Template

Editor
Row rules are conditional expressions that determine exceptions in the output of
a row.
By default, all rows of a template are output for each processed database object.
The easiest way to control output is to use a row content type; in which case the
row is output only if the processed object type and content type match. If this is
not a sufficient condition, then you need row rules, for example, in the following
cases:
• You need to step over a row. For example, a summary row may be output only
when all objects of a type have been processed and before starting to process
different types of objects.
• You need to step out from processing a database object and continue with
the next object. This means that processing continues from the first row of
the template (or from the rows higher in the hierarchy).

Template Editor sorts all rows according to value field sort

settings before the rules are read. Remember to set sorting
order for all value fields that you use in row rules. This way
rows will be correctly sorted. You can hide unnecessary value
fields from the output. Do that in the Value Field Properties
dialog box.

You can create row rules with the Rule Wizard dialog box or the Rule Contents dialog
box.
Find out more:

52 Template rows
Creating and saving a template row rule (53)
Creating a template row rule with Rule Wizard (53)
Row rule content properties in Template Editor (54)
Modifying a template row rule (55)
Overriding template object colors with row rules in Template Editor (56)
Pre-defined row rules in Template Editor (56)
Duplicate lines in Template Editor (57)

Creating and saving a template row rule

You can create more complex rules with the Rule Contents dialog box. Rules can
act as filters, converters (change information to another format) or transporters
(show information from elsewhere).
Create the row before you create the row rule.
To create and save a rule, do the following:

1. Double-click to open the Row Properties dialog box.

You can define the content type of the row and modify other properties if you
have not done that previously.
2. Click the Advanced button.
The Rule Contents dialog box opens.
3. Inside the conditional statement you can use predefined attributes, already
created value fields or combination of these with various data and string
operations and formulas.
4. To save the rule for future use, click Store.
a Give the rule a name in the dialog box that appears.
b Click OK to save the changes.
5. Click OK to close the Rule Contents dialog box.
6. Save the template.
If you need to rewrite the rule or delete it completely, press Clear to delete the rule
in the Rule Contents dialog box.

See also Creating a template row rule with Rule Wizard (53)
Modifying a template row rule (55)
Controlling row output with rules in Template Editor (52)
Pre-defined row rules in Template Editor (56)

Creating a template row rule with Rule Wizard

You can create simple row rules with the Rule Wizard. You should have already
created a row.
To create a rule with the Rule Wizard, do the following:

1. Select a template row and double-click to open the Row Properties dialog box.
You can define the content type of the row and modify other properties if you
have not done that previously.
2. Click the Wizard button.
The Rule Wizard opens.

53 Template rows
3. The Rule Wizard is used for filtering content in rows. The conditional structure
is already a part of the rule in the Rule Wizard.
4. Select the Attribute to which the rule refers.
5. Add the conditions which apply to the rule by selecting from the list.
6. Type in the Value. If it is a string, enclose it in quotation marks "".
7. Click OK to save the changes.
8. Click OK to close the Row Properties dialog box.
If you want to save the rule for later use, click Advanced and then click Store in the
Rule Contents dialog box.

Row rule content properties in Template Editor

You can create, modify and check the content of row rules in the Rule Contents
dialog box. You can select functions and parameters from the lists or type them
in the Rule text field.

Property Description
Conditional structure The conditional structure applied to row
rules is like the if-else statement in any
programming language.
Control Lists the control functions you can apply.
Math Lists mathematical operations you can
apply.
String Lists string operations that you can apply.
Attribute Lists attribute functions for getting data
from the product database. Click Select to
open a more extensive attribute list and
click More to use advanced options.
Value field functions Lists value field functions that can calculate
sums or counts of value fields of this
template. Click Select to open a more
extensive attribute list.
Advanced options Click Select to open a list of advanced
options to apply to the formula. Type in the
option you are searching for and use the
arrows to scroll through the list.
The Description provides some information
about the advanced option, but click More to
open the Tekla User Assistance site and
learn more.

54 Template rows
Property Description
Pre-defined rule Apply a pre-defined rule to the row.
Rules are stored in a pre-defined file
(extension .pdr). The file is specified in the
File Location preferences. These rules can be
freely added (Store) and deleted (Remove).
Rule Functions and parameters appear in this
text field. The maximum length of this field
is 2000 characters. Modify the rule by
cutting, copying and pasting text in the field
itself.

Modifying a template row rule

You can create, modify and check the content of row rules in the Rule Contents
dialog box. If the row content type property is defined, it appears on the dialog
box title bar.
To modify a template row rule:

1. Select and double-click a template row to open the Row Properties dialog box.
2. To modify a simple rule click Wizard. To modify a more advanced rule click
Advanced.
In both cases a dialog box opens, allowing you to make changes.
3. In the Rule Contents dialog box, click the Check button to ensure the syntax of
the rule is correct.
4. Click OK to save the changes.
5. Save the template.

Pre-defined row rules in Template Editor

You can save row rules for later use. There are two types of pre-defined rules -
global rules and user rules.

56 Template rows
Global pre-defined rules are read-only so they cannot be deleted from the menus
in Template Editor. Global pre-defined rules are also stored in a different place
than the user rules.
User rules are stored in a pre-defined rules file (extension .pdr). The file is
specified in the File Location preferences. These rules can be freely added and
deleted in the Rule Contents dialog box.

Duplicate lines in Template Editor

Output lines are duplicates when they have identical values in all value fields that
are used in sorting. Duplicates appear in template output when there are several
similar objects in the product database. If you want to output only one line
instead of outputting a line for each duplicate object, set the row sort type to
COMBINE.

See also Modifying the sort type of a row in Template Editor (50)

57 Template rows
58 Template rows
6 Value fields in Template Editor

Value fields contain textual information. The field contents are references from
the product database when the template is output. The data to retrieve is
specified with value field formulas.
The size of the field is expressed in characters. In graphical templates the final
size of the value field depends on the font size and type settings.
Find out more:
Creating a value field in Template Editor (59)
Value field output properties in Template Editor (60)
Setting the sort order of a value field in Template Editor (62)
Setting the priority of a value field in Template Editor (62)
Setting the data type of a value field in Template Editor (63)
Assigning value field meanings in Template Editor (63)
Setting the layout of value fields in Template Editor (64)
Resizing value field fonts automatically in Template Editor (64)
Hiding value fields from output in Template Editor (65)
Formatting value fields in Template Editor (65)
Aligning value field texts in output in Template Editor (65)
Value field formulas in Template Editor (66)
Tips for value fields in Template Editor (71)

6.1 Creating a value field in Template Editor

You can insert value fields in graphical templates and textual templates in order
to gather and show data from the product database. For details on the attributes
available in your product, please refer to your product documentation.
To create a new value field:

1. On the toolbar, click the Value Field button.

2. Click to define the insertion point within a component.
3. The Select Attribute dialog box appears prompting you to select an attribute for
the value field. Select an attribute in the list. You can also search for
attributes if needed.
If you want to insert the value field without defining an attribute, just click OK.

59 Value fields in Template Editor

4. You can define a formula for the field by clicking the Formula button and
specifying which data to gather.
You can skip this step and leave the formula undefined, in which case
Template Editor inserts a default value.
5. Click OK.
The value field appears in the template component with a Template Editor-
generated name.
If a value field formula consists of a single attribute function, Template Editor
automatically sets the Data type, Justify (alignment), Length, Meaning and Unit
properties. Depending on the Unit property, Precision or Decimal properties are
also set. The values are read from the global attributes definition file.

6.2 Value field output properties in Template Editor

Value fields can be modified based on what you want to calculate and show in a
report. Open the Value Field Properties dialog box to modify the output properties.

Property Description
Formula The formula that has been applied to the value
field. Modify the field by selecting an attribute
and/or modifying the formula.
Name A unique name for the value field. If you
change the name of the value field, you must
change it in all formulas and rules in which it
appears.
Line count You can add multiple lines of text to a value
field, for example, if it has a long description.
Outputting multiple lines with a value field
requires that the Line count is larger than 1, and
that the output data for the value field is either
very long (resulting in automatic line breaks) or
contains substrings with \n (forcing a line
break).
Even if you do not use multiple lines, the space
will be reserved.
NOTE: The height of the row will limit the
number of lines you can use.
Align to top Check this option when you want to align the
content of multi-line value fields to the top. The
default value is to align the content to the
bottom.

60 Value fields in Template Editor

Property Description
Data type There are three options:
• Number (an integer)
• Number with decimals (set the number of
decimals in the Decimal list)
• Text (plain text)
Output 0 as an empty string Select the check box to output the value field
with a value of zero as an empty string.
Hide in output Select the check box this to exclude value field
from output.
Value field meaning Defines the format for the value field and is
product-specific. Format, for example, can be
Length, Weight, Force, etc.
Unit When the value field meaning is set, the
related units are available in a list.
Layout properties Modify the Font, Length of the field and the
justification settings for the value field.
Field order Value field order is determined by the sort type
applied to the row in the Row Properties dialog
box. Sort type must be defined in order to use
this option.
Set as default for new value Select the check box to save the settings
fields applied to all new value fields.

Value field meanings in Template Editor

Value field meanings define output formatting for value fields.
The product applies formatting when the template is output.
For example, a value field meaning Weight might add a unit postfix such as kg or
lbs to the value field value.
The value field meaning file is set in Template Editor File Location preferences.

61 Value fields in Template Editor

6.3 Setting the sort order of a value field in Template
Editor
You can use a value field in row sorting. Set the sorting order of a value field when
you want to output different values of the value field in different rows. Template
Editor always sorts all rows based on value field settings before row rules are
processed.
To set the sort order:

1. Select and double-click the value field to open the Value Field Properties dialog
box.
2. Select the Order in the list:
• None
• Ascending (A to Z)
• Descending (Z to A)
• Application (determined by the product)
3. Click OK to save the changes.
You can determine the sort order only if the surrounding row component has Sort
type defined. If you want to sort by multiple fields, you must set the sort order for
each one of them and the sort priority for each field.

See also Setting the priority of a value field in Template Editor (62)
Setting the layout of value fields in Template Editor (64)

6.4 Setting the priority of a value field in Template

Editor
Sort priority determines how several value fields affect the sorting of a row.
Do the following:

1. Open the Content Browser if it is not already visible.

2. Select the value field to set the priority for. Select from the fields that have
sort order defined.
3. To increase the sort priority of the selected field, click the Move up button.
To decrease the sort priority, click the Move down button.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the field positions are correct. The most important
field in sorting should appear in the upper-most position.
You can also drag the value fields in the Content Browser to arrange them in the
desired position. The move operations described here do not affect the physical
coordinates of the value field, only the sorting properties.

See also Setting the sort order of a value field in Template Editor (62)
Setting the data type of a value field in Template Editor (63)

62 Value fields in Template Editor

6.5 Setting the data type of a value field in Template
Editor
The data type of a value field determines what kind of data can be displayed in
the field. Many product attributes have the data type defined already, so you may
not even have modify the value field data type.
To set or modify it, however, do the following:

1. Select and double-click the value field to open the Value Field Properties dialog
box.
2. Select the Data type in the list:
• Number - an integer
• Number with decimals - a decimal number, set the number of decimals in
the Decimal field.
• Text - plain text
3. Select the Meaning to apply from the list and then select the Unit.
If the Unit applies the precision property, set it in the Precision list.
4. Click OK.
Be sure that the data type matches the outcome of the value field formula. For
string operations, for example, the Data type should be set to Text.

6.6 Assigning value field meanings in Template Editor

Before you start, ensure that you have set the path for value field meanings in the
File Location preferences dialog box.
Value field meanings are formatting for value fields applied at run time. The list
of available meanings and their effect is product-specific.
To assign a meaning to a value field:

1. Select the value field you want to modify and double-click it to open the Value
Field Properties dialog box.
2. Select an option from the Meaning list that best describes the meaning of the
output of the value field.
For example, a value field meaning for Weight might add a unit postfix such as
kg or lbs.
3. Click OK to save the changes.

63 Value fields in Template Editor

6.7 Setting the layout of value fields in Template
Editor
Setting the layout properties of a value field determines the appearance of the
field contents during output.
To set the value field layout:

1. Select and double-click a value field to open the Value Field Properties dialog
box.
2. In the Layout section, set the following
• Font (style, size, color)
• Justification (Left, Right or Center)
• Length of the field in characters
• The angle applied to the field
3. Click OK to save the changes.

6.8 Resizing value field fonts automatically in

Template Editor
Modify attribute settings for value fields so that font sizes will be resized
automatically if the value field content is longer than the length of the value field.
By automatically resizing fonts, value fields can contain more content.
Do the following:
1. Select the value field you want to modify and double-click to open the Value
Field Properties dialog box.
2. Click the Free attributes button to open the Free attributes dialog box.
3. In the Application tab, click the Name list and select from the following options:
• Min. font size - The font will not be resized under any value you have
specified. Be aware that all the content might not fit in the value field in
this case.
• Font size change - The font is resized by the value you have defined (i.e.
0,2), reducing it by that amount until it fits in the value field or the
minimum font size is reached.
• List of font sizes - The font is resized based on the list of values given until
the right size font is found or the minimum font size is reached. You can
decide what values to use. The separator in the list a semi-colon.
4. Click Add.
If you define both Font size change and List of font sizes, List of font sizes will
override the former.
5. Click OK to close the Free Attributes dialog box.
6. Click OK to close the Value Field Properties dialog box.
When the template is output the font will be resized to settings you specified.

64 Value fields in Template Editor

6.9 Hiding value fields from output in Template Editor
There may be cases where you want to hide the contents of a value field from
output.
To hide a value field from output:

1. Select and double-click the value field to open the Value Field Properties dialog
box.
2. Select Hide in output.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
Even though the field is hidden from output, it can still be used in formulas and
rules in the same way as visible fields.

See also Setting the sort order of a value field in Template Editor (62)
Setting the priority of a value field in Template Editor (62)

6.10 Formatting value fields in Template Editor

Before you start, ensure that you have set the path for value field meanings in the
File Location preferences dialog box.
Format a value field when you want to show units and meanings in output.
To format a value field, do the following:

1. Select the value field and double-click it to open the Value Field Properties
dialog box.
2. In the Format area of the dialog box, select a product-specific value field
meaning in the Meaning list. Select the unit for the value field value in the Unit
list.
If decimals are used, set the number of decimals in the Decimals field. If
precision is used, set it in the Precision list.
3. Click OK to save the changes.

6.11 Aligning value field texts in output in Template

Editor
Before you start, ensure that you have set the path for attributes in the File
Location preferences dialog box.
To align value field texts in a template:

1. Select the value field and double-click it to open the Value Field Properties
dialog box.
2. Select the alignment option you want from the Justify list (Left, Center or Right).

65 Value fields in Template Editor

3. Click OK to save the changes.
When you select the value field, you can see the justification settings in the
Preview Pane.

6.12 Value field formulas in Template Editor

Formulas are an essential part of a value field since they define what is gathered
and shown in a value field. A formula can:
• get data from the product database
• produce summaries of data that is gathered with other value fields
Create formulas by applying various functions and operators in the Formula
Contents dialog box.
Find out more:
Creating and saving a formula in Template Editor (66)
Formula content properties in Template Editor (67)
Modifying a value field formula in Template Editor (68)
Get a single piece of data from the database in Template Editor (69)
Creating a listing of template objects from the database (70)
Creating a summary field in Template Editor (70)
Outputting blank value fields in Template Editor (71)

Creating and saving a formula in Template Editor

Formulas determine what is data is gathered and shown in the value field. The
data source can be your product database or other value fields in the current
template, and the reference to the data source is made with Template Editor data
functions. This is where you use the global attributes listing of your product.
Create a value field before you create a formula.
To create a formula, do the following:

1. Select the value field to modify and double-click it to open the Value Field
Properties dialog box.
2. Click Formula to open the Formula Contents dialog box.
3. You can create, modify and check the content of value field formulas in this
dialog box. You can select functions and parameters from the lists or type
them in the Formula text field.
4. Click Check to ensure that the formula syntax is correct. Make corrections if
necessary.
5. Click OK to save the formula and close the Formula Contents dialog box.
6. Set the output properties of the value field to match the outcome of the
formula.

66 Value fields in Template Editor

7. Click OK to accept the changes in the Value Field Properties dialog box.

If a value field formula consists of a single attribute function,

Template Editor automatically sets the Data type, Justify
(alignment), Length, Meaning and Unit properties. Depending
on the Unit property, Precision or Decimal properties are also
set. The values are read from the global attributes definition
file.

Formula content properties in Template Editor

You can create, modify and check the content of value field formulas in the
Formula Contents dialog box. You can select functions and parameters from the
lists or type them in the Formula box.

Property Description
Conditional structure The conditional structure applied to value field formulas
is like the if-else statement in any programming
language.
Control Lists the control functions you can apply.
Math Lists mathematical operations that you can apply.
String Lists string operations that you can apply.
Attribute Lists attribute functions for getting data from the
product database. Click Select to open a more extensive
attribute list and click More to use advanced options.
Value field functions Lists value field functions that can calculate sums or
counts of value fields of this template. Click Select to
open a more extensive attribute list.
Advanced options Click Select to open a list of advanced options to apply to
the formula. Type in the option you are searching for and
use the arrows to scroll through the list.
The Description provides some information about the
advanced option, but click More to open the Tekla User
Assistance site and learn more.

67 Value fields in Template Editor

Property Description
Pre-defined formula Apply a pre-defined formula to the value field.
Formulas are stored in a pre-defined file (extension .pdr).
The file is specified in the File Location preferences.
These formulas can be freely added (Store) and deleted
(Remove).
Formula Functions and parameters appear in this box. The
maximum length of this field is 2000 characters. Modify
the formula by cutting, copying and pasting text in the
field itself.

Modifying a value field formula in Template Editor

The formula applied to a value field determines what data is gathered with the
field. The data source can be your product database or other fields of the current
template. The references to the data sources are created with data functions.
To modify a value field formula:

1. Select the value field and double-click it to open the Value Field Properties
dialog box.
2. There are several ways to modify a value field formula:
• Select a global attribute from the Formula list.
• Click the Attribute button and select the appropriate attribute from the
attribute tree.
• Click the Formula button. This opens the Formula Contents dialog box where
you can modify the formula.
Click Check to ensure that the formula syntax is correct. Make corrections if
necessary.
3. Click OK to accept the changes and close the Formula Contents dialog box.
4. Set the output properties of the value field to match the outcome of the
formula.

68 Value fields in Template Editor

5. Click OK to accept the changes in the Value Field Properties dialog box.

If a value field formula consists of a single attribute function,

Get a single piece of data from the database in Template Editor

Before you get started ensure you have defined the global attributes file path in
the File Location preferences dialog box.
Use value fields to get data from your product’s database. The available database
objects and properties are listed in the global attributes definition file. Apply
attribute functions in value fields.
Do the following:

1. Insert a value field inside any template component.

2. Select and double-click the value field to open the Value Field Properties dialog
box.
3. Create a formula using one of the following attribute functions:
• GetValue
• PreviousValue
• NextValue
4. Check the syntax of the formula and click OK.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box. The changes to the formula are saved.

69 Value fields in Template Editor

Creating a listing of template objects from the database
Before you get started ensure you have defined the global attributes file path in
the File Location preferences dialog box.
The listing of objects is created when you create a report based on this template
in your product. The rule of the row in question has an effect on the final output of
the listing.
To create a listing of objects from the product database:

1. Insert a value field inside a row component.

2. Select and double-click to open the Value Field Properties dialog box.
3. Create a value field formula using the GetValue attribute function.
4. Check the syntax of the formula and click OK.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box. The changes to the formula are saved.

Creating a summary field in Template Editor

When you to want sum value field values in a summary field rather than
outputting individual value fields on their own line, you can turn a value field into
a summary field.
Do the following:

1. Ensure the Sort type of the row containing the value field is set to Combine.
This ensures that you will be outputting only summary rows instead of
repeating lines with information on individual database objects
2. Select the value field to sum and double-click to open the Value Field Properties
dialog box.
3. You have these choices:
• Click Don’t sum values if you do not want any summaries made.
• Click Sum values across all rows to sum all of the similar values of all rows.
• Click Sum values within one row to add up all of the values of one row. All
other rows are ignored.
4. Click OK to save the changes.
5. Then click OK to close the dialog box.
If you want to print the number of combined output lines, add a value field with
the attribute "NUMBER". If you do not want to combine lines but rather output
each line and a summary row with an intermediate sum after them, we
recommend that you use the Sum value field function to calculate the sum.

See also Modifying the sort type of a row in Template Editor (50)
Get a single piece of data from the database in Template Editor (69)
Creating a listing of template objects from the database (70)
Value field functions in Template Editor (110)

70 Value fields in Template Editor

Outputting blank value fields in Template Editor
If a value field has a final value of zero, you can exclude it from output in a report.

1. Select and double-click the value field to open the Value Field Properties dialog
box
2. Select Output 0 as empty string.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
As a result, nothing will be output.

6.13 Tips for value fields in Template Editor

Plan carefully what you want to output, and develop value field formulas
accordingly. Here are some useful hints and tips that help you use value fields
more efficiently.
Find out more:
String translations of texts in Tekla Structures (71)
Setting Tekla Structures advanced options for value fields (71)

String translations of texts in Tekla Structures

You can use several languages in one template by using value fields to change
the string language according to the language selection you set in Tekla
Structures. This is useful, for example, if you work in a multi-language
environment. This means you can create two different reports out of one
template by switching the language in Tekla Structures.
The value field formula can be defined as follows:

Tekla Structures retrieves the selected language from the .ail file that contains
the language strings. The result always shows in the native language and native
units.

Setting Tekla Structures advanced options for value fields

You can use Tekla Structures advanced options in value field formulas.

1. Insert a value field into a template component.

2. Select the value field and double-click to open the Value Field Properties dialog
box.
3. Click the Formula button to open the Formula Contents dialog box.
4. In the Formula field enter:

71 Value fields in Template Editor

GetValue("ADVANCED_OPTION.XS_variablename")
5. In the Value Field Properties dialog box, ensure that you select the right Data
type for the value field in question: Number, Number with decimals or Text.
6. Click Check to see if the formula syntax is correct. If you see an error
message, you can click OK to continue.
7. Click OK to close the Formula Contents. If another error message appears, you
can ignore it.
The reason for the error indicating unknown attributes could be due to a spelling
error (if you have typed it in) or because the advanced options are not listed in the
contentattributes_global.lst or
contentattributes_userdefined.lst files.
That being said, errors related to unknown attributes are rare.

72 Value fields in Template Editor

7 Symbols and pictures in
Template Editor

Symbols are objects created with Symbol Editor and used in Template Editor and
your product. Pictures are raster files.
Both symbols and pictures are inserted with a reference to the original file. If you
modify the symbols and pictures outside of Template Editor, the changes also
affect the template that contains this symbol or picture, as the file contents are
reloaded each time the template is opened.

7.1 Symbol and picture libraries in Template Editor

Symbols and pictures used in Template Editor are gathered in symbol files and
directories.
Before you start inserting symbols or pictures into templates, you should ensure
that the path for symbol files has been set correctly in the File Location
preferences dialog box.

73 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor

7.2 Adding symbols to a template in Template Editor
Ensure you have set the File Location preferences before you begin.
To insert a symbol into a template component:

1. On the toolbar, click the symbol button.

2. Select the Symbol library where the symbol is located. Select the Directory and
then select the File.
3. Click OK.
The Select Symbol window opens.
4. Select the symbol and click OK.
5. Click the insertion point in the component and click the mouse to finish
inserting the symbol.
6. Select the symbol and double-click it to modify the properties or select a
different symbol.

See also Changing the symbol and the symbol file in Template Editor (77)
Viewing and modifying symbol file contents in Tekla Structures (76)
Modifying a symbol in Template Editor (79)
Setting paths for symbols and pictures in Template Editor (79)

7.3 Adding pictures to a template in Template Editor

Ensure you have set the File Location preferences before you begin.
To insert a picture:

1. On the toolbar, click the picture button.

2. Select the directory where the picture is located. Select the Directory and then
select the File.
3. Click OK.
4. Select the insertion point in the component.
5. Click and drag to define the area for the picture.
When you release the mouse button the picture is inserted.

Select the picture in order to position it properly or right-click it to modify the

properties or select a different picture file.

7.4 Adding a logo to a template in Template Editor

Templates can be customized by adding a logo to the final output. Before you
start, ensure that you have set the right directory for the logo in the File Location
preferences for symbols and pictures.
Logos (pictures) can be of the following file formats: BMP, GIF, GRD, JPG, PPM,
PGM, PNG, RLE, TIFF or XKRL.
To add a logo to a template:

74 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor

1. Click Insert > Picture.
2. The Select Picture File dialog box opens prompting you to select the picture
directory where the logo resides.
3. Select the file to insert and click OK.
4. Specify the insertion point by doing one of the following:
• Click twice to define the opposing corners.
• Drag and release to end drawing.
The logo appears in the template and in the Content Browser as a Picture.

7.5 Symbol properties in Template Editor

Symbol properties can be modified based on what you want to show in a report.
Open the Symbol Properties dialog box to modify the output properties.

Property Description
File The symbol in the template.
Rule The rule that has been applied to the picture.
Modify the rule applied to the symbol by
clicking the Rule button.
Name A unique name for the symbol. If you change
the name of the symbol, you must change it in
all the rules it appears in.
Keep aspect ratio Select the check box if you want to retain the
aspect ratio of the symbol.
Click Reset to restore the original aspect ratio
for the symbol.
Height, Width Set the height and width of the symbol.
Slant, Angle The slant value sets the slope of the symbol.
The angle (in degrees) that is applied to the
symbol.
Line Adjust symbol line properties like Color, Type
and Width.
Fill Adjust symbol fill properties like Color and
Type.
Set as default for new symbols Select the check box to save the settings
applied to all new symbols.

75 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor

7.6 Picture properties in Template Editor
Pictures can be modified based on what you want to calculate and show in a
report. Open the Picture Properties dialog box to modify the output properties.

Property Description
File The picture file in the template.
Rule The rule that has been applied to the
picture. Modify the rule applied to the
picture by clicking the Rule button.
Name A unique name for the picture. If you
change the name of the picture, you
must change it in all rules it appears
in.
Layout Set the height and width of the
picture.
Keep aspect ratio Select the check box if you want to
retain the aspect ratio of the picture.
Click Reset to restore the original
aspect ratio for the picture.
Fit inside Select the check box if you want the
picture to fit inside the template
component.
Set as default for new pictures Select the check box to save the
settings applied to all new pictures.

7.7 Viewing and modifying symbol file contents in

Tekla Structures
Symbols are used in Template Editor. You can view the symbol file contents and
modify the contents of a symbol file to suit your needs.
To view or modify the contents of a symbol file in Tekla Structures:

1. Open the Mark content - symbol dialog box by selecting Symbol from the
available mark elements list in the mark properties dialog box, or by opening
the Symbol properties dialog box by selecting Annotating > Properties > Symbol.
2. Click Select next to the File box.
3. Select a file from the Symbol Files list and click Edit.
This opens the selected symbol file in Symbol Editor.
4. If you modify the file in the Symbol Editor, save the file by clicking File > Save
or File > Save As and giving the symbol file a new name.

76 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor

5. Click OK.

In Symbol Editor, you can copy symbols between symbol files

(*.sym). Press Ctrl +C and select the symbol you would like to
copy, then open the symbol file you want to copy to (or a new
symbol file), select the location for the symbol and press
Ctrl+V.

7.8 Changing the symbol and the symbol file in

Template Editor
With Template Editor you can select a different symbol from the same symbol file
or change the symbol file.
Do the following:

1. Select a symbol and double-click to open the Symbol Properties dialog box.
2. Click the ... button on the right of the Identifier box.
The Select Symbol window opens.
To change the symbol file, click the... button on the right of the File box.
3. Select a new symbol.
Select a new symbol file and then select a new symbol.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

7.9 Assigning rules to symbols in Template Editor

You can assign rules to symbols to define when they are output.
Ensure you have set the File Location preferences before you begin.
Do the following to apply a rule to the symbol that has already been inserted into
the template component:

1. Select the symbol and double-click it to modify the properties.

The Symbol Properties dialog box opens.
2. Click Rule to open the Rule Contents dialog box.
3. Inside the conditional statement you can create a rule for the symbol with
various data and string operations.
Here is an example of a rule that includes a symbol. The symbol library and
the symbol id are separated by a @ character and they must appear in the
rule.

77 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor

4. Click the Check button to ensure the syntax of the rule is correct.
5. Click OK to save the changes.
6. Save the template.
The symbol will be output according to the rules you have applied to it.

7.10 Assigning rules to pictures in Template Editor

You can assign rules to pictures to define when they are output.
Ensure you have set the File Location preferences before you begin.
Do the following to apply a rule to the picture that has already been inserted into
the template component:

1. Select the picture and double-click it to modify the properties.

The Picture Properties dialog box opens
2. Click Rule to open the Rule Contents dialog box
3. Inside the conditional statement you can use predefined attributes, already
created value fields or combination of these with various data and string
operations and formulas.
Here is an example of a rule that includes a picture. The name of the picture
file must appear in the rule.

4. Click the Check button to ensure the syntax of the rule is correct.
5. Click OK to save the changes.
6. Save the template.
The picture will be output according to the rules you have applied to it.

78 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor

Template Editor formula and rule reference (101)

7.11 Tips for symbols and pictures in Template Editor

These tips will help you to use some basic symbol and picture functionalities
more efficiently.
Find out more:
Modifying a symbol in Template Editor (79)
Setting paths for symbols and pictures in Template Editor (79)

Modifying a symbol in Template Editor

The modifications you make to a symbol in Template Editor do not affect the
original symbol but allow you to use the same symbol in different colors, for
example. The changes in line and fill properties only affect the transparent parts
of the symbol.
If you want to modify the contents of symbol files, you must do it with Symbol
Editor.

Setting paths for symbols and pictures in Template Editor

In order to access symbol and picture files in Template Editor, you must set the
default directories first.

1. Click Options > Preferences and click the File Locations tab.
2. Click in the Symbols and pictures (*) line in the Location field and type in the
directory paths.
To give several paths, separate paths using a semi-colon. For example
"C:\pictures;C:\Product\symbols".
3. Click OK to save the changes.

79 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor

80 Symbols and pictures in Template Editor
8 AutoCAD and Microstation
files in Template Editor

You can use AutoCAD (DXF or DWG) files and MicroStation (DGN) files in
graphical templates. Template Editor imports the files and converts their
contents to a group of shapes, so you can modify the imported data in Template
Editor.
Find out more:
Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with import method defined in
Template Editor (81)
Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with no import method defined in
Template Editor (82)
Setting fill type and font import settings in Template Editor (83)
Limitations in AutoCAD and MicroStation file imports in Template Editor (84)
AutoCAD and Microstation import errors in Template Editor (84)
Modifying imported AutoCAD and MicroStation files in Template Editor (85)

8.1 Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with

import method defined in Template Editor
Before you start, ensure that you have defined the import preferences for the size
of AutoCAD and MicroStation files in the General preferences dialog box. If you
want Template Editor to ask for the size when the file is being imported click
Always ask for import method.
To import a file:

1. Click Insert > File.

The Import File dialog box opens.
2. Select the file you want to import and click OK.
3. You are prompted to click the insertion point for the file. When you do that the
Select Import Method dialog box opens.
4. Because you specified the import preferences, you can click in a template
component and define the insertion point. You have three options for
specifying the size:

81 AutoCAD and Microstation files in Template Editor

• Import by Scale - Template Editor multiplies the dimensions of the original
file and will resize the component if the scale results in an image size that
is larger than the component.
• Import by specifying Dimensions - Type the values in the Horizontal and
Vertical fields. Template Editor maintains the aspect ratio when the file is
inserted.
• Import in the Maximum Size - Template Editor inserts the file in the
maximum possible size without resizing the component.
5. You can also select whether the file is imported to the nearest rounded unit
(millimeters or inches). Click the check box for Round object locations to the
closest <unit of measure you have specified>.
6. Click OK to insert the file into the template component.
7. You can modify the file if needed, for example, by ungrouping it and
modifying individual file objects.

If you have designed a template with AutoCAD, you can use

free attributes in AutoCAD to mark value fields. Template
Editor converts them automatically to value field objects as
the file is imported. Template Editor uses the name and the
value of the AutoCAD free attribute as the default contents for
the value field. For example, a free attribute named REVNO
with the value xx is converted to a value field with the formula
GetValue("REVNO").

8.2 Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with no

import method defined in Template Editor
Before you start, ensure that you have defined the import preferences for the size
of AutoCAD and MicroStation files in the General preferences dialog box. If you do
not want Template Editor to ask for the size when the file is being imported leave
Always ask for import method unchecked.
To import a file:

1. Click Insert > File.

2. Select the file you want to import and click OK.

82 AutoCAD and Microstation files in Template Editor

3. Click in a template component and define the insertion point, then click
again to define the opposite corner point of the image.
The image is inserted in the template. You can ungroup it if you need to modify
parts of the image.

8.3 Setting fill type and font import settings in

Template Editor
You can set the way fill type and font settings map from AutoCAD and
MicroStation files to templates by modifying the fill type import and font map
files. The fill type and font map paths are set in the File Location preferences
dialog box.
The fill type import file is an ASCII file so it can be modified with any text editor.
Each text line in the example below has a Template Editor fill type id and a DWG/
DXF/DGN fill type name. This is a five-line example of a fill type mapping file.

The table below lists the available fill type ids and names that you can combine in
the way you want. Each row describes the default mapping the Template Editor
uses if the fill settings remained unchanged.

83 AutoCAD and Microstation files in Template Editor

8.4 Limitations in AutoCAD and MicroStation file
imports in Template Editor
Here are some of the limitations in AutoCAD and MicroStation file import
operations you may experience in Template Editor.

Limitation Description
Object type limitations Only the following object types are imported from
the original files: ARC, LINE, CIRCLE, CELL,
CURVE, SHAPE, SOLID, TEXT, TRACE, INSERT,
POLYLINE, LWPOLYLINE, LINESTRING, HATCH and
FREE ATTRIBUTE (AutoCAD).
See also Text limitations and Free attributes
below.
Text limitations The fonts used in text objects are mapped to
Tekla fonts. This may slightly distort the font
alignment within the text objects as the original
font geometry is not available in Template Editor.
Text objects that have with only white space
characters (i.e tabs or spaces) are not imported.
Free attributes If an AutoCAD free attribute has no name or value
or if it consists of white space characters only,
Template Editor does not import it. Free
attributes with a valid name and value are
converted to value fields.
Other limitations You may experience problems with imported
grouped objects and receive error messages
during the import operation.
User-defined line styles and world unit line widths
from AutoCAD files are not imported.

8.5 AutoCAD and Microstation import errors in

Template Editor
If you get an error or warning message during the import operation it could be
related to the grouped objects in the file:
• Unhandled object type: "Unhandled object(s) of type XXXXX."
• Elliptic arc approximated by circular arc: "Elliptic arc(s) approximated by
circular arc."
• Approximating spline: "Spline object(s) approximated with polyline through
controlpoints."

84 AutoCAD and Microstation files in Template Editor

It may help to ungroup the object in the original file with a suitable editor and
rearrange the objects.

Error messages are saved to the import.log file in the same

folder as the tpled.exe application. If you need assistance with
resolving file import errors, contact your service
representative.

See also Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with import method defined in
Template Editor (81)
Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files with no import method defined in
Template Editor (82)
Limitations in AutoCAD and MicroStation file imports in Template Editor (84)
Grouping or ungrouping template objects (38)

8.6 Modifying imported AutoCAD and MicroStation

files in Template Editor
An imported AutoCAD or MicroStation file is a group of shapes in Template Editor.
To modify an imported file do the following:

1. Select the imported image, right-click and select Properties to open the Object
Properties dialog box.
To modify an individual shape of the group, you must first ungroup it.
2. Modify the properties of the group, or of an individual shape in the group.
3. Click OK to save the changes.
Regroup the shapes when you are done modifying individual shapes.
4. Save the template.

85 AutoCAD and Microstation files in Template Editor

86 AutoCAD and Microstation files in Template Editor
9 Template attributes and
Template Editor

Template attributes represent object properties. You can use template attributes
in value field formulas and row rules to get the required data from the product
database. At run-time, the product replaces the attribute with the actual value of
the corresponding object property.
For example, if you include the attribute WEIGHT in a report template, Tekla
Structures displays the weight of the model object in the report.
By default, these attribute files are located in..\Program Files\Tekla
Structures\<version>\nt\TplEd\settings, but the location may be
different in your environment.
Template attributes are defined in the following files:

File name Description

contentattributes.lst This is a container file listing all
the files that contain the actual
attribute definitions. The files are
added with INCLUDE sentences.
The order of the files included in
contentattributes.lst
defines the reading order of the
files.
This file is overwritten in the
installation when you install a
newer version of your product.
Ensure that you make a copy of
this file before updating.
Generally, there is no need to
modify
contentattributes.lst. Do
not modify it if you are not an
administrator.

87 Template attributes and Template Editor

File name Description
contentattributes_global.lst This file contains attributes that
are hard-coded into the program.
Do not modify this file.
contentattributes_userdefined.lst This file contains user-defined
attributes, the same as in the
objects.inp file.
This file is overwritten in the
installation when you install a
newer version of your product. To
use your own attributes in
templates and reports, create a
copy of this file and add the
necessary attributes to that file.

Find out more:

User-defined template attributes and Template Editor (88)
Free attributes in Template Editor (92)
Global attributes and Template Editor (94)

See also See your product documentation for more information on product-specific
attributes.
Value field formulas in Template Editor (66)
Controlling row output with rules in Template Editor (52)

9.1 User-defined template attributes and Template

Editor
User-defined template attributes are defined in the
contentattributes_userdefined.lst file. By default, this file includes most
of the user-defined attributes that are visible in the part properties dialog boxes.
To use your own attributes in templates and reports, you should make a copy of
the file, rename it appropriately, and add the necessary attributes to that file.
The contentattributes_userdefined.lst file is divided into two sections:
• A list of attributes and the default settings:

88 Template attributes and Template Editor

• A list of attributes assigned to content types:

1. The content type of the row in Template Editor

2. The attribute hierarchy in Template Editor
3. Customizable comments, such as the tab name in the user-defined attributes
dialog box
4. The name of the user-defined attribute, the same as in the objects.inp file.

89 Template attributes and Template Editor

Adding user-defined template attributes in Template Editor
This example shows how to add your own user-defined attributes to the attribute
tree in Template Editor. Before you start, add the user-defined attribute to the
objects.inp file otherwise the attribute will not work. For example, you might
add an attribute named MY_ATTRIBUTE to the user-defined properties for
drawings.
To add user-defined attributes to the attribute tree:

1. Open the contentattributes_userdefined.lst file in a text editor.

2. Save the file with an appropriate name, for example
MY_contentattributes_userdefined.lst, in the same folder.
Do not modify the contentattributes_userdefined.lst file.
3. Add MY_ATTRIBUTE to the list of attribute names and, define the settings as
follows:

4. Add MY_ATTRIBUTE to the list of attributes assigned to content types.

5. Select the content type according to which object the attribute is associated
to in the objects.inp file. Add the attribute in the format
USERDEFINED.<ATTRIBUTE_NAME>.
In this example, the content type is DRAWING.

6. Save the changes.

7. Open the contentattributes.lst file.
8. Add the following line in the file: [INCLUDE
MY_contentattributes_userdefined.lst].

90 Template attributes and Template Editor

9. Save the changes.
The attribute is shown in the attribute tree in Template Editor, under DRAWING >
USERDEFINED:

Adding comments to user-defined template attributes in

Template Editor
You can add your own comments to the Template Editor attribute tree. Do the
following:

1. Open your copy of the contentattributes_userdefined.lst file. For

example, MY_contentattributes_userdefined.lst.
Do not modify the original contentattributes_userdefined.lst file.
2. Scroll down to the list of attributes assigned to content types.
3. Add your comment inside quotation marks, after the attribute name. For
example:

4. The comment you added is displayed in the attribute tree in Template Editor.

91 Template attributes and Template Editor

Adding hierarchy to user-defined template attributes in
Template Editor
You can modify the hierarchy of the attributes in the Template Editor attribute
tree.
Do the following:

1. Open your copy of the contentattributes_userdefined.lst file. For

example, MY_contentattributes_userdefined.lst.
Do not modify the original contentattributes_userdefined.lst file.
2. Scroll down to the list of attributes assigned to content types.
3. Define the hierarchy in square brackets, between USERDEFINED. and the
attribute name. For example:

Notice the full stops after the brackets, and between the hierarchies.
4. Save the changes. The new hierarchy is shown in the attribute tree.

User-defined attributes are case sensitive. Ensure that you enter the attribute
name using the correct case for all characters.

9.2 Free attributes in Template Editor

A free attribute provides additional product-specific information for a template, a
row, a value field or a graphical field. It can, for example, define whether to output
a scale with steel bar bending shapes or not. In Template Editor free attributes
can either be user-defined (not necessarily product-specific) or application-
defined (product-specific).

92 Template attributes and Template Editor

Adding free attributes in Template Editor
You can add free attributes to a template, a row, a value field or a graphical field.
Do the following:

1. Select and double-click the template, row, value field or graphical field to
open the properties dialog box.
2. Click the Free attributes button. The Free Attributes dialog box opens.
3. Add the attributes you want to apply to the selected element. You can add two
types of attributes:
• To add a free attribute defined by your product, work on the Application
tab, which is active by default. Select an attribute name from the Name
list.
• To create a new user-defined free attribute, select the User tab, and type a
name for the attribute in the Name field.
4. Depending on the attribute, you can select the value for the attribute from the
Value list, or you may have to type a value in the Value field.
5. Click Add to add a new attribute. The attribute appears in the Properties table
of the tab. You can add several attributes by repeating steps 3-5.
6. Click OK to save the changes, close the dialog box and return to the properties
dialog box.
Once you click OK in the properties dialog box, Template Editor applies the free
attributes you added to the selected template, row, value field or graphical field.

Deleting free attributes in Template Editor

To delete an existing attribute from a template, a row, a value field or a graphical
field:

1. Select the template, row, value field or graphical field and double-click to
open the properties dialog box.
2. Click the Free attributes button to open the Free Attributes dialog box.
3. Depending on the free attribute you want to delete, select the User tab or the
Application tab.
4. Select an attribute from the Properties table.
5. Click Delete.
6. Click OK.
Once you click OK in the properties dialog box, Template Editor removes the
deleted free attribute from the selected template, row, value field or graphical
field.

93 Template attributes and Template Editor

Modifying free attributes in Template Editor
To modify the free attribute of a template, a row, a value field or a graphical field:

1. Select and double-click to open the properties dialog for the template, row,
value field or graphical field.
2. Select the User tab or the Application tab.
3. Select an attribute from the Properties table.
4. Depending on the attribute type, either select a value from the Value list or
type it into the Value field.
5. Click Modify to modify the existing attribute value. You can repeat steps 4-6 to
make the needed changes.
6. Click OK.
Once you click OK in the properties dialog box, Template Editor updates the
modified free attribute value to the selected template, row, value field or
graphical field.

9.3 Global attributes and Template Editor

A global attribute is a property of an object in the product database. Global
attributes can be applied to rows, value fields and graphical fields. Database
objects can be things like weld assembly types in Tekla Structures or the name of
the engineer responsible for a project managed with Trimble products. It can also
refer to graphical data such as a symbol or a picture in the product.
The global attributes definition file contains the list of available properties.
Templates use field objects for getting the data. Value fields get textual data, and
graphical fields are area reservations for product-specific graphics or texts. Each
field refers to the product by using one or more global attributes.
Template Editor checks attribute names when formulas and rules are created
and displayed to you as they are checked. If no global attributes file is specified,
then this check is skipped.
The definition file for global attributes is set in Template Editor File Location
preferences.

94 Template attributes and Template Editor

10 Using templates in Trimble
products

Here you will find out more about the general process in outputting templates.
There are some simple examples of templates as they are output.
Find out more:
Outputting a template created with Template Editor (95)
Output options for templates created with Template Editor (96)
Material listings created with Template Editor (96)
Hierarchical listings created with Template Editor (98)
Labels created with Template Editor (99)
Creating an HTML report with Template Editor (100)

10.1 Outputting a template created with Template

Editor
Outputting a template means using it in your product, for example, printing a
report or adding project details to a plan. It consists of the following phases:

1. Based on the content types and the global attributes used in the template,
the product prepares a list of identifiers. The list contains an id for all the
objects that are to be processed. This phase does not appear to the user.
2. The header and the optional page header are output.
3. The first object in the identifier list is chosen for processing.
• All rows in the template are output, and value field references to global
attributes are resolved using the first object. Each row appears as a line in
the output template.
• If a row has a hierarchy the rows below it are processed before continuing
to the next row.
• If a new page is needed, page headers and page footers are printed
according to their output settings.
4. Step 3 is repeated for all objects in the identifier list.
5. The optional page footer and the footer are output.

See also Output options for template headers and footers (42)

95 Using templates in Trimble products

Template row output properties (48)

10.2 Output options for templates created with

Template Editor
You create templates with Template Editor and output them with your product.
The output options of templates may vary between different products. Basically
templates can be output on the screen, to a printer or to a file.
For more information on output options please refer to your product
documentation.

Option Output
Screen output The screen output of a graphical template, for
example, a map legend, is handled in the
product as an imported picture. It can be
placed on top of a background map or within a
drawing. Textual templates appear as lines of
text, usually in a separate window.
Printer output Screen output can also be directed straight to a
printer.
Your product documentation may have
different options for printer output as it is
possible to save templates in product-specific
formats.
File output Screen output can also be saved to a file, for
example an HTML or RTF file. The available file
formats depend on the product.

10.3 Material listings created with Template Editor

The following illustrates a textual template that creates a listing of selected parts
of a building structure.
The image below shows a steel structure. A set of steel beams on the roof and
along the wall are selected for processing. The selected parts appear in green.
The listing contains the type, count, length and weight of selected beams, and the
total weight of all the selected parts.

96 Using templates in Trimble products

The listing is based on the following template:

The template has the following components

Part Description
Header The header at the top of the template prints the contract
information and the title of the listing. It has the following
template objects: dashed lines (text objects), texts ("Mark",
"Profile", etc. (text objects) and data from the product: project
number and name (value field objects).
Row The row components define the listing of steel beams and has
value fields that get the type, count, length and weight of the
selected objects. Similar objects in the database are combined
in the output by default, but if you need to separate those
objects, they can be output as distinct rows.
Page footer The page footer contains a value field producing the total sum of
weights of all processed steel beams (value field) and the text
"Total for" and dashed lines (text objects).

The references to the product data are made by using global attributes in value
fields.

97 Using templates in Trimble products

See also Global attributes and Template Editor (94)
Hierarchical listings created with Template Editor (98)
Creating an HTML report with Template Editor (100)

10.4 Hierarchical listings created with Template Editor

Use row hierarchy to create listings and display information in a logical and
organized manner. The example below simulates objects in a product database.
The listing describes each cylinder and its parts hierarchically.

The listing is based on the following template:

Part Description
Cylinder_1 and Cylinder_2 Describes an object in the database. like an
assembly. After this row is output, processing
continues to the next parts in the hierarchy.
Part_rows Part rows describe parts of the total object. The
rows in the hierarchy are output so that all rows
of the main object are processed. Processing
continues to the next row.
Summary_row Outputs the number of parts

After outputting template rows for the first main object (Cylinder 1), the output
process continues to the next main object (Cylinder 2) and to the first row of the
template.

See also Creating a listing of template objects from the database (70)

98 Using templates in Trimble products

10.5 Labels created with Template Editor
In addition to textual data, graphical templates may also contain graphics. This
example template outputs a simple map legend. A label can be a template that
contains only a header component.
The output template is a map legend that can be inserted on a background map.
The legend, for example, contains the district name, scale and important dates.

The legend is based on the following template:

It is a header component that contains the following objects:

Object Description
Text objects Title texts "Energy Utility", "City",
"Area" and "District"

99 Using templates in Trimble products

Object Description
Line objects Table outlines
Value fields Data from the product: name of the
city and area, etc. References to the
product data are made by using global
attributes in value fields.

10.6 Creating an HTML report with Template Editor

Templates in HTML format give you more possibilities for different layout, fonts,
and images. Templates that generate output in HTML format are graphical and
have the file name extension .html.rpt.
To create a template in HTML format:

1. Click File > New.

2. Select Graphical template and click OK.
3. Add rows in the template.
a Click Insert > Component > Row to add a new row.
b Select a content type for the row and click OK.
c Repeat steps a–b for each new row.
4. Add value fields to get the required data from your product database.
a Click Insert > Value field.
b Click a point to define the location of the field within the row.
The Select Attribute dialog box appears prompting you to select an
attribute for the value field.
c Select an attribute and click OK.
d Repeat steps a–c for each value field.
5. Add a header for each value field.
a Click Insert > Component > Header.
b Click Insert > Text.
c Enter a heading for the template, and click OK.
d Click a point to define the location of the heading in the header row.
e Repeat steps a–d to create headings for all the value fields.
6. Save the template.
a Click File > Save as
b Browse to the template folder where you want to save it.
c In the File name box, enter a name for the template.
Include the extension .html.rpt in the file name. For example,
Part_list.html.rpt.
d Click OK.

100 Using templates in Trimble products

11 Template Editor formula and
rule reference

Value field formulas and row rules are expressions that get data from the
product. Formulas and rules use data functions to extract information and can
contain mathematical and string operations.
It helps if you are familiar with standard programming language features such as
data typing and conditional expressions. You can also use any ANSI C
programming language guide to check the basic concepts.
Find out more:
Tips for value field formulas and row rules in Template Editor (101)
Conditional structure for row rules and formulas in Template Editor (103)
Comparison and logical operators (103)
Control functions in Template Editor (105)
Attribute functions in Template Editor (108)
Value field formulas in Template Editor (66)
String operations in Template Editor (113)
Data type conversion functions in Template Editor (116)
Mathematical operations in Template Editor (119)

See also Controlling row output with rules in Template Editor (52)
Value field functions in Template Editor (110)
Arithmetic operators in Template Editor (119)
Statistical functions in Template Editor (121)
Trigonometric functions in Template Editor (120)
Miscellaneous functions in Template Editor (123)

11.1 Tips for value field formulas and row rules in

Template Editor
Plan carefully what you want to output and develop your row rules and value field
formulas accordingly. Here are some tips that may help you.

101 Template Editor formula and rule reference

The maximum number of characters, including spaces, that
can be in rules and value fields is 4000.

Find out more:

Adding comments to row rules and value field formulas in Template Editor (102)
Offset for template objects (102)

Adding comments to row rules and value field formulas in

Template Editor
You can add comments to row rules and value field formulas in order to add
information that may be useful or helpful to you.
To add comments to rules and formulas:

1. Select the value field or row and double-click to open the Value Field Properties
or the Row Properties dialog box.
2. Click the Formula button to open the Formula Contents dialog box or the
Advanced button to open the Rule Contents dialog box.
3. Modify the contents of the formula or rule and add the comments at the end
of each line with the following syntax: // <comment>
You can also insert comments in-line with the following syntax: /*
<comment> */

Offset for template objects

Offset for graphical objects is the distance from the current coordinate point in
graphical units, which are mm or inches in graphical templates and character
units in textual templates.
Offset for formula string functions is the position of a character within a string.
Positions are numbered from zero onwards. The first character in a string has an
offset of 0, the second character in a string has an offset of 1, etc.

102 Template Editor formula and rule reference

See also Duplicating objects in Template Editor (35)
Moving a template object (38)

11.2 Conditional structure for row rules and formulas

in Template Editor
The conditional structure in Template Editor row rules is like the if-else statement
in any programming language.
Conditional structure can also be applied to value field formulas.
You can create rules and formulas by modifying the structure and conditions of
the if-else statement. The example below is for a row rule.

See also Controlling row output with rules in Template Editor (52)
Creating and saving a template row rule (53)
Modifying a template row rule (55)

11.3 Comparison and logical operators

Comparison and logical operators appear in conditional structure to evaluate
operands and combine conditions. You can type them in after placing the cursor
in the desired position in the Rule or Formula text field.

103 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Operator Description Example
== Both sides The following condition checks if the profile type is B.
are equal

!= Sides are not This rule checks if the assembly position is not equal to the next
equal value of assembly position. If this is true, the row is output. If they
are equal, the condition is false, and printing the row is skipped.

< Left side is This rule finds all rows with the assembly position that is less than
smaller 10, anything equal to or greater than 10 is skipped.

<= Left side is This rule outputs values with a LENGTH less than or equal to 30. If
smaller or those values are not found, they are skipped.
equal

> Right side is This rule outputs values with a LENGTH greater than 50, anything
smaller equal to or less than 50 is skipped.

104 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Operator Description Example
>= Right side is This rule outputs values with a LENGTH equal to and greater than
smaller or 30, anything less than 30 is skipped.
equal

&& Logical AND, If D1 is 200 and D2 smaller than 40, the row is output, otherwise it
both is skipped.
conditions
must be true

|| Logical OR, If D1 is 200 or D2 is smaller than 40, the row is output, otherwise it
only one is skipped.
condition
must be true

See also Conditional structure for row rules and formulas in Template Editor (103)
Value field functions in Template Editor (110)
Control functions in Template Editor (105)

11.4 Control functions in Template Editor

Use control functions within a conditional structure to inquire or define the output
of a row and / or rows in the hierarchy. They have no parameters.
To understand how control functions work, you must be familiar with the
template output process.
Access control functions in the Rule Contents dialog box. Select functions from the
Control list.
Some control functions can be used in formulas as well (IsFirst, IsLast,
PageBreak). Access control functions in the Formula Contents dialog box from the
Control list.
Find out more:
IsFirst (106)
IsLast (106)
Output (106)
PageBreak (107)

105 Template Editor formula and rule reference

StepIn (107)
StepOut (107)
StepOver (108)

IsFirst
This function checks if the row is the first one, and returns TRUE if it is. This
function can be used in both row rules and value field formulas.
This rule outputs the first row only and skips the rest. For each row, it checks, if
the row is the first one. If it is, the row is output, otherwise the row is stepped
over.

106 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Output("#<key>=<color>;")
The following abbreviations are keys that refer to the template objects in
question:
• VFC (value field color)
• TXC (text color)
• DRC (drawing object color)
You can combine these values in one row rule using a semicolon as a separator.
This rule overrides the colors when the LENGTH attribute is longer than 1000, then
value fields are orange, text objects are yellow and the drawing color is blue (i.e.
lines are blue).

See also Overriding template object colors with row rules in Template Editor (56)

PageBreak
This function inserts a page break. This function can be used in both row rules
and value field formulas.
The following rule inserts a page break when the condition is true.

StepIn
Use this function when you want to process the rows that are located below the
current row in the hierarchy.
The following rule checks the value of a value field on the row. If the value is "B",
the row is output, otherwise the rows below in hierarchy are processed. If there
are no rows below, the processing continues with the next row on the same level.

StepOut
Use this function to stop processing the current row and rows below it in the
hierarchy, and continue to processing the row higher in the hierarchy. If no row
higher in the hierarchy exists or if this was the last row in the template, then the
function starts processing again from the first row of the template.

107 Template Editor formula and rule reference

The following rule checks if the row is the first one. If this is true, the row is
output, otherwise the processing continues to the row higher in the hierarchy.

StepOver
Use this function when you want to ignore the current row and continue to the
next row.
The rule outputs values less than or equal to 30. If those values are not found,
they are skipped.

11.5 Attribute functions in Template Editor

Attribute functions get the values of global attributes and summarize them
during the template output process. You can access attribute functions in the
Formula Contents dialog box and in the Rule Contents dialog box.
To select a parameter for an attribute function, click the Select button in the
Attribute area of the dialog box. It opens the hierarchical list of global attributes.
Parameters: The parameter must appear inside parentheses and double
quotation marks (" ").
In addition to this list you can use:
• free attributes from your product
• a constant parameter CONTENTTYPE that returns the content type of the
current row.
Find out more:
GetValue (108)
NextValue (109)
PreviousValue (109)
IsSet (109)

GetValue
Use this function when you want to return the value of the attribute on this output
row, i.e. for the currently processed object in the product database.

108 Template Editor formula and rule reference

In the following example, GetValue is used in a row rule condition to check if the
current row has a desired field value. The rule outputs the row only if the material
is S235JR.

NextValue
Use this function when you want to get the value of the attribute on the next
output row (not printed yet). You can use this, for example, to inquire material
types.
In the following example, NextValue is used in a row rule condition to inquire the
material on the next row. The rule outputs the current row only if the material on
the next row is different. This is a way to avoid outputting duplicate rows in a
report.

PreviousValue
Use this function when you want to get the value of the attribute on the previous
output row.
In the following example PreviousValue is used in a row rule condition to check
the content type of the previous row. The rule outputs the current row only if the
previous content type is not PART. This is a way to avoid outputting rows not
relevant for PART types.

IsSet
Use this function when you want to check whether a value has been set for a user-
defined free attribute.

109 Template Editor formula and rule reference

The following rule is an example of using IsSet in a row rule condition. The rule
outputs the row only if a user-defined "comment" attribute has been set.

All other rows are skipped.

11.6 Value field functions in Template Editor

Value field functions get and summarize data from other value fields in the
template. You can access them in the Formula Contents dialog box and in the Rule
Contents dialog box.
In order to access the parameters of the function click Select in the Value Field
area of the dialog box. This opens the hierarchical list of value field names. The
parameter must appear inside parentheses and double quotation marks (" ").

Value field functions get values from all processed fields -

from the duplicate lines that may have been excluded from
the output, and from invisible value fields.

Find out more:

GetFieldFormula (110)
CopyField (111)
Sum (112)
Total (112)
Count (113)
All (113)

GetFieldFormula
Use this function when you want to query the value of a given value field. You can
also combine several field formulas into one.
This rule outputs all rows that fulfill the statement:

110 Template Editor formula and rule reference

CopyField
This function is intended for copying summary fields from other locations in the
hierarchy. CopyField always copies the source value from other locations, even if
the row is hidden.
It is possible to copy a value from:
• a sub-row to an upper row
• an upper row to a sub-row
• a row to another row
• a row to a header
• a row to a footer
• a header to a row
• a footer to a row
• a Sum field
For a header, page headers, page footers or a footer, the function copies the
value of the given value field to itself.
If this function is used in row rules, it only copies the values from the row itself
and not from other rows at the same level in the hierarchy or rows lower in the
hierarchy.

A value field containing the CopyField function cannot be

sorted.

In this example, there is an ASSEMBLY row with two rows on a lower level. One of
the lower rows is a PART row and the other one is a SUMMARY row.
The SUMMARY row has a value field Summary_field containing the following
formula:

The calculated weight is shown on the ASSEMBLY row in a value field with the
following formula (and you can hide the SUMMARY row):

See also Hiding template rows from output in Template Editor (51)
CopyField reference cases (111)

CopyField reference cases

If CopyField is used in value fields in rows, it searches for the value field values in
different locations depending on where the source field is. Below are the cases
how CopyField works to find the relevant values in sequential order.

111 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Case Scenario
1 CopyField searches for the source field in the same row.
2 CopyField searches for the source field in the same row
hierarchy above where it has been placed (i.e. from child
row to parent row).
3 CopyField searches for the source field in the same row
hierarchy below where it has been placed (i.e. from parent
row to child row).
4 CopyField searches for the source field outside of the
hierarchy in the rows below where CopyField has been
placed.
5 CopyField searches for the source field outside of the row
hierarchy in the rows above where CopyField has been
placed.

112 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Count
Use this function when you want to calculate the number of value fields that have
been output before the current output row. The count is reset after output.
This function is not available for row rules.
To calculate the total number of value fields processed instead of this
intermediate count, use the All function instead.
This formula returns the intermediate count of value fields with the name
Drawing_Name.

11.7 String operations in Template Editor

String operations are used to convert a text string to something new and are
mostly used in value field rules. They cannot operate directly with attributes or
value fields; instead, they accept attribute functions and value field functions as
parameters.
You can access string functions in the Formula Contents dialog box and in the Rule
Contents dialog box. Select functions from the String list in the Operators area of
the dialog box.
Before you get started ensure that the Data type is set to Text in the Value Field
Properties dialog box.
Find out more:
find (114)
match (114)
mid (114)
length (114)
reverse (115)
getat (115)
setat (115)

113 Template Editor formula and rule reference

replace (115)
fvf (116)
newline (116)

find
This function returns the offset of a substring in a string.
Parameters: string, substring
For example:

The result equals 2.

match
This function checks if the given two strings are the same and returns TRUE if
they are, FALSE if they are not.
For example, match("abc", "abc")=TRUE and match("abc","b")=FALSE.
Parameters: string1, string2
The following rule uses the match function to check if the field value contains a "-
" character.

You can also use the wildcard characters ? and * in formulas, for example, match
("aabc", "*b*")=TRUE

mid
This function returns n characters from a string, starting from the position that is
given with the offset parameter. If n is omitted, all succeeding characters are
returned.
Parameters: string, offset, n
This example returns two characters from the string starting from the second
character. The result is "bc".

length
This function returns the number of characters in a string.
Parameter: string

114 Template Editor formula and rule reference

This example returns the number of characters in a string. The result is 4.

reverse
Use this operator to return the mirror image of the string.
Parameter: string
The following example prints "alket" in a report.

getat
This function returns the character in a given offset.
Parameters: string, offset
The following rule calculates the offset of the characters H, E and A, essentially
filtering and searching for PROFILEs that begin with HEA.

setat
Use this function to replace a character with another character at the given
offset.
Parameters: string, offset, character
The following formula replaces "a" with "b" at the specified offset of 0. The result
is "baa".

replace
This function replaces all specified substrings with another string.
Parameters: source string, old substring, new substring
For example:

115 Template Editor formula and rule reference

This returns a string in which all of the space characters from the value returned
by GetValue("PROFILE") have been removed.

fvf
Use this function to find a value in an external file.
Parameters: filename, key value of row, column number
Where the format for reading files is:
fvf("filename", "key_value_of_row", column_number)
The function gets the value 16 for the profile MET-202Z25 from the Overlap.dat
file.

newline
This function inserts a new line in a formula. You can either select it from the list
or add it manually by typing \n.
NOTE: This function is only available for value field formulas.
For example:

The result would be:

Width: 100
Height: 27

11.8 Data type conversion functions in Template Editor

Conversion functions perform conversions between the supported data types:
integer, double, string, and vwu (value-with-unit).
You can access conversion functions in the Formula Contents dialog box and in the
Rule Contents dialog box.
Select functions from the Math list in the Operators area of the dialog box.

116 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Note that string parameters must appear inside double
quotation marks (" ") in the parameter list.

Find out more:

int (117)
double (117)
string (117)
vwu (Value with unit) (118)
format (118)

int
This function is used to convert an attribute value to an integer.
Parameter: value
This converts a double to an integer. If the attribute value is 3.5, the result is 4.

double
This function is used to convert an attribute value to a double, a number with
decimals.
Parameter: value
This formula converts a number expressed in a text string to double format. The
result is 100.0000

string
This function is used to convert an attribute value to a string.
Parameters: value, MinDecimals, MaxDecimals
• MinDecimals - Minimum number of decimals (optional, effective only when
converting double values)
• MaxDecimals = Maximum number of decimals (optional, effective only when
converting double values), default = same as MinDecimals

117 Template Editor formula and rule reference

This formula multiplies the LENGTH attribute value by 16, divides that by 25.4
and converts the result to a string. The string contains a number with no
decimals.

A simpler example would be:

string(3.14, 1) = "3.1".

vwu (Value with unit)

This function is used to convert a specified unit to a product unit, which is a
number with decimals.
Parameters: value, unit string ("ft" = Feet, "in" = Inch, "m" = Meter, "cm" =
Centimeter, "mm" = Millimeter, "rad" = Radian, "deg" = Degree)
Below are some examples from value field formulas.
This formula converts 4.0 inches to a product unit. It returns 101.60 mm, if
length unit is set to mm and decimals are set to 2 in the Value Field Properties
dialog box.

This formula converts 2.0 radians to a product unit. It returns 114.59 degrees, if
angle is set to degrees and decimals are set to 2 in the Value Field Properties dialog
box.

format
This function converts an attribute value to a formatted information string that is
product-specific. The parameters available for the function are listed in the value
field meanings definition file. Please refer to your product documentation for
information on the available formats and how to use them.
The result depends on the product-specific definitions for meaning string, unit
string and precision.
Parameters: value, meaning string, unit string, precision string or number of
decimals
This value field formula creates a formatted string using the LENGTH attribute
value, the "Length" meaning string, the "inch-frac" unit string and "1/8" precision.

118 Template Editor formula and rule reference

The result depends on the product-specific definitions for meaning string, unit
string and precision.

11.9 Mathematical operations in Template Editor

Mathematical operations can appear in row rules and value field formulas. All
operations accept integer, double and string operands / parameters.
Operations cannot operate directly with attributes or value fields; instead, they
accept attribute functions and value field functions as parameters.
Find out more:
Arithmetic operators in Template Editor (119)
Trigonometric functions in Template Editor (120)
Statistical functions in Template Editor (121)
Miscellaneous functions in Template Editor (123)

Arithmetic operators in Template Editor

You can use arithmetic operators by inserting them in formulas or rules. The
standard evaluation order is applied when resolving the values.

Operator Description Example

+ Addition. With This formula calculates the perimeter by adding
string up the total area of all the faces, then
parameters subtracting the area of the top and bottom face,
the result is leaving the total area of the perimeter faces.
string Divide the area of the perimeter faces by the
concatenation. plate thickness, and it should give you the
perimeter length.

- Subtraction See the formula above.

119 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Operator Description Example
* Multiplication This formula uses the multiplication to calculate
areas and find the biggest value of similar fields.

/ Division This formula uses division to transform imperial

units to feet and the floor function to round down
the result.

Trigonometric functions in Template Editor

Trigonometric functions are used to calculate angles between members or inside
custom components and are used in angle attributes. The unit of angle for
trigonometric functions is given with the prefixes:
• d is degree (values 0-360).
• r is radians (this is the default, values 0-2 π).
• g is gradient (grad, values 0-400).
For example:
• sin (d180)
• sin (r3.14) or sin (3.14)
• sin (g200)
You can access trigonometric functions in the Formula Contents dialog box and in
the Rule Contents dialog box.
Select functions from the Math list in the Operators area of the dialog box.

Function Parameters Description

sin angle Calculates sine.
cos angle Calculates cosine.
tan angle Calculates tangent.
asin angle Calculates the inverse of sin,
return value in radians.
acos angle Calculates the inverse of cos,
return value in radians.
atan angle Calculates the inverse of tan,
return value in radians.
sinh angle Calculates the hyperbolic sine.
cosh angle Calculates the hyperbolic
cosine.

120 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Function Parameters Description
tanh angle Calculates the hyperbolic
tangent.
atan2 y, x Calculates the direction angle
of vector (x, y), return value in
radians.

Statistical functions in Template Editor

Statistical functions can be used to calculate key figures of the data that is
processed and output with the template.
You can access statistical functions in the Formula Contents dialog box and in the
Rule Contents dialog box. Select functions from the Math list in the Operators area
of the dialog box.
Find out more:
ceil (121)
floor (121)
min (121)
max (122)
sqsum (122)
ave (122)
sqave (122)

ceil
Use this function when you want to round up a value to the next bigger integer.
Parameter: parameter
This formula rounds up the sum of the NUMBER_field multiplied by 0.03.

121 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Parameters: x, y, z,...
The following formula calculates the lowest number in the series in a report.

122 Template Editor formula and rule reference

The following formula calculates the sum of squares. The report prints 2646.

Miscellaneous functions in Template Editor

Miscellaneous functions are a selection of additional mathematical functions.
You can access them in the Formula Contents dialog box and in the Rule Contents
dialog box. Select functions from the Math list in the Operators area of the dialog
box:
Find out more:
fabs (123)
exp (123)
ln (124)
log (124)
sqrt (124)
mod (124)
pow (124)
hypot (125)
n! (125)
round (125)
and (125)
or (125)

fabs
This function calculates the absolute value of a number.
Parameter: number
The following formula calculates the local center of gravity from the start point
with fabs giving the absolute number. For example, the absolute value of -3.54 is
3.54.

exp
This function calculates the involution of e, to a specified power. e is Euler’s
number.
Parameter: power
The following formula calculates the involution of e to the power of two, which
equals 7.389056 in a report.

123 Template Editor formula and rule reference

ln
This function returns the natural logarithm of the parameter (base number e).
Parameter: number
The following formula calculates the natural logarithm of 5, which prints 1,60944
in a report.

log
This function returns the logarithm of the parameter (base number 10)
Parameter: number
The following formula calculates the logarithm of the number in the brackets. The
report prints the final calculation of 0,698970. The length of the printed number
(with decimals) is determined in the Value Field Properties dialog box in the Length
field.

sqrt
This function calculates the square root of a number.
Parameter: number
The following formula acts as a filter to calculate the distance between the start
and end points, where sqrt calculates the square root and pow calculates the
involution.

mod
This function calculates modulo, the remainder after division.
Parameters: dividend, divider
The following formula calculates modulo and prints 3 in a report.

pow
This function calculates the involution of a value.
Parameters: base number, power

124 Template Editor formula and rule reference

This formula calculates the distance between the start and end points, where sqrt
calculates the square root and pow calculates the involution.

hypot
This function calculates the hypotenuse of a triangle.
Parameters: side, side
The following formula calculates the hypotenuse and prints 5 in a report.

n!
This function calculates the factorial of a number.
Parameter: number
The following formula calculates the factorial of 4. This translates to 4x3x2x1 and
a report would display the result, 24.

round
This function rounds off a number according to given accuracy.
Parameters: number, accuracy
This formula rounds the number to two decimals, which is specified in the
formula (0.01). The report prints 13.65.

and
This is a binary operation (and similar to & in the C language).
Parameters: parameter 1, parameter 2
The following example prints 1 in the report.

or
This is a binary operation (and similar to | in the C language).

125 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Parameters: parameter 1, parameter 2
The following example prints 7 in the report.

126 Template Editor formula and rule reference

Index

a Column settings
fill direction.......................................................................49
acos ........................................................................................ 120 fill policy............................................................................49
Adding modifying..........................................................................51
hierarchy to user-defined template attributes ........... 92 multiple columns.............................................................51
Adding a value field ............................................................... 59 number of columns .........................................................49
space between columns.................................................49
Adding comments to formulas .......................................... 102
starting point....................................................................49
Adding comments to rules.................................................. 102
Combining lines with the same information ......................57
Adding free attributes............................................................ 93
Commenting
Adding logos to template...................................................... 74 user-defined template attributes ..................................91
Adding pictures....................................................................... 74 Comparison operators......................................................... 103
Adding symbols to template................................................. 74 Components
Adding user-defined template attributes ........................... 90 changing the type............................................................37
Aligning template objects ..................................................... 41 cut, copy, paste................................................................35
Aligning value field texts ....................................................... 65 inserting a page footer ...................................................33
Arithmetic operators............................................................ 119 inserting a page header .................................................33
modifying properties.......................................................35
asin ......................................................................................... 120
Conditional structure........................................................... 103
Assigning value field meanings ........................................... 63
Content Browser......................................................................16
atan ........................................................................................ 120
hide template objects.....................................................44
atan2...................................................................................... 120
Content types...........................................................................48
Attribute functions ............................................................... 108 for rows .............................................................................50
GetValue......................................................................... 108
Continuous action ...................................................................43
IsSet ................................................................................ 109
NextValue ....................................................................... 109 Control functions.................................................................. 105
PreviousValue................................................................ 109 IsFirst.............................................................................. 106
IsLast .............................................................................. 106
Attributes
Output ............................................................................ 106
user-defined..................................................................... 88
PageBreak ..................................................................... 107
AutoCAD file imports StepIn ............................................................................. 107
error messages ............................................................... 84 StepOut .......................................................................... 107
limitations ........................................................................ 84 StepOver ........................................................................ 108
AutoCAD files .......................................................................... 81 Conversion attributes .............................................................20
fill type import settings .................................................. 83
Conversion colors....................................................................20
font import settings ........................................................ 83
importing....................................................................81, 82 Conversion fonts .....................................................................20
modifying ......................................................................... 85 CopyField............................................................................... 111
reference cases ............................................................ 111
Copying value field values .................................................. 111
c cos .......................................................................................... 120
cosh........................................................................................ 120
Calculating hypotenuse ....................................................... 125
Creating a formula..................................................................66
Changing symbol file ............................................................. 77
Creating a pre-defined template ..........................................28
Changing symbols .................................................................. 77
Creating a row rule .................................................................53
Changing template component type................................... 37
Creating a value field .............................................................59
Color map ................................................................................ 20
Creating HTML reports ........................................................ 100

127
Creating material listings...................................................... 70 Formulas ............................................................................... 101
Creating row rules adding comments ........................................................ 102
creating with Rule Wizard ............................................. 53 arithmetic operators .................................................... 119
Creating rows .......................................................................... 47 comparison operators.................................................. 103
conditional structure.................................................... 103
creating .............................................................................66

d data type conversion functions .................................. 116

logical operators........................................................... 103
Data type conversion functions.......................................... 116 mathematical operations............................................ 119
double............................................................................. 117 offset .............................................................................. 102
format............................................................................. 118 properties..........................................................................67
int .................................................................................... 117 saving ................................................................................66
string ............................................................................... 117 statistical functions...................................................... 121
vwu (value with unit)..................................................... 118 Formulas and rules
Data types for value fields .................................................... 63 attribute functions........................................................ 108
Defining template output binary operations.......................................................... 125
formulas ........................................................................... 66 misc. functions.............................................................. 123
Definition file for row contents............................................. 20 Free attributes .........................................................................92
adding ...............................................................................93
Definition files......................................................................... 14
deleting .............................................................................93
Deleting a pre-defined template.......................................... 28 modifying..........................................................................94
Deleting free attributes ......................................................... 93
Drawing a polyline.................................................................. 32
Drawing objects
snapping lines ................................................................. 43
g
use grid............................................................................. 44 Global attributes .....................................................................94
Drawing operations................................................................ 43 Global attributes definition file .............................................20
Drawing with numeric pad.................................................... 44 Graphical fields .......................................................................14
inserting ............................................................................33
Duplicate lines ........................................................................ 57
Graphical objects
Duplicate objects.................................................................... 35
offset .............................................................................. 102
Graphical templates ...............................................................12

e Grid
activating ..........................................................................21
Extending template objects .................................................. 39 aligning template objects ....................................... 21, 41
drawing template objects ..............................................44
showing or hiding ............................................................22
f Grid settings
density...............................................................................22
File Location preferences
Grouped objects
modifying ......................................................................... 21
errors during import ........................................................84
setting symbol directories ............................................. 79
Grouping template objects ....................................................38
Files
in templates..................................................................... 14
Fill import map ....................................................................... 20
Filtering object selection ....................................................... 45 h
Filtering rows from output .................................................... 51 Headers and footers
Find values in external file .................................................. 116 output options..................................................................42
Finding text.............................................................................. 46 Hiding the gird .........................................................................22
Fitting template in window ................................................... 18 Hiding value fields from output ............................................65
Font properties HTML reports ........................................................................ 100
for template objects ....................................................... 45
Fonts
resizing ............................................................................. 64 i
Formula Contents properties................................................ 67 Importing AutoCAD and MicroStation files .................. 81, 82
Inserting a graphical field......................................................33
Inserting a value field.............................................................59

128
Inserting template components........................................... 31 Moving template objects .......................................................38
Inserting template objects.................................................... 31
Inserting text object ............................................................... 32
Interface components o
workarea .......................................................................... 15 Object properties
attributes ..........................................................................87
Objects
k cut, copy, paste................................................................35
Keep aspect ratio ...............................................36, 75, 76, 81 duplicating........................................................................35
modifying properties.......................................................35
Keyboard shortcuts ................................................................ 23
Offset ..................................................................................... 102
Output options for templates................................................96

l Outputting a template............................................................95

Logical operators.................................................................. 103

Logo
adding to template ......................................................... 74
p
Panning ....................................................................................17
Partially pick objects ..............................................................34
m Pens and colors.......................................................................25
Picking multiple objects ........................................................34
Main features
customize output ............................................................ 11 Picture libraries .......................................................................73
Material listings ...................................................................... 96 Picture properties ...................................................................76
creating ............................................................................ 70 Pictures.....................................................................................73
MicroStation file imports adding to template..........................................................74
limitations ........................................................................ 84 assigning rules .................................................................78
setting paths ....................................................................79
MicroStation files ................................................................... 81
fill type import settings .................................................. 83 Polyline
font import settings ........................................................ 83 drawing .............................................................................32
import errors.................................................................... 84 Pop-up menus .........................................................................24
importing....................................................................81, 82 Pre-defined rules.....................................................................56
modifying ......................................................................... 85 Pre-defined templates............................................................28
Misc. mathematical functions............................................ 123 Presentation files....................................................................20
Miscellaneous functions Presentations
and .................................................................................. 125 in templates .....................................................................25
exp................................................................................... 123 Preview pane ...........................................................................16
fabs ................................................................................. 123
Program preferences
hypot ............................................................................... 125
file location.......................................................................20
ln, logarithm .................................................................. 124
general ..............................................................................18
log, logarithm ................................................................ 124
workarea...........................................................................19
mod, modulo ................................................................. 124
n!, factorial..................................................................... 125
or ..................................................................................... 125
pow.................................................................................. 124 r
round............................................................................... 125 Restoring original view...........................................................18
sqrt, square root............................................................ 124
Rotating symbols ....................................................................41
Modify template properties .................................................. 29
Rotating template objects.....................................................41
Modifying a formula............................................................... 68
Rotating text objects ..............................................................41
Modifying AutoCAD and MicroStation files ........................ 85
Rotating value fields...............................................................41
Modifying file location preferences ..................................... 21
Row hierarchy
Modifying free attributes....................................................... 94 modify ...............................................................................52
Modifying row rules................................................................ 55 Row output
Modifying value field properties........................................... 60 combine rows...................................................................50
Moving template components ............................................. 37 distinct rows .....................................................................50

129
Row rules Setting grid density.................................................................22
creating ............................................................................ 53 Setting pens and colors in Template Editor........................25
modifying ......................................................................... 55 Setting picture file paths .......................................................79
overriding template object colors................................. 56
Setting properties for objects................................................40
properties ......................................................................... 54
saving................................................................................ 56 Setting row output properties ...............................................48
storing rules ..................................................................... 53 Setting symbol file paths .......................................................79
Rows...................................................................................13, 47 Setting value field meanings ................................................20
content types ................................................................... 48 Setting work directory for Template Editor .........................20
controlling output with rules ....................................... 105 Showing the grid .....................................................................22
creating ............................................................................ 47 sin........................................................................................... 120
filtering ........................................................................... 108
sinh......................................................................................... 120
filtering output............................................................... 106
getting values of previous row .................................... 109 Snapping line objects .............................................................43
hide from output ............................................................. 51 Sorting order
ignoring rows in output ................................................ 107 value field output.............................................................62
inquiring next output .................................................... 109 Special drawing operations...................................................43
inquiring output............................................................. 106 Statistical functions............................................................. 121
modifying content type .................................................. 50 ave .................................................................................. 122
modifying hierarchy........................................................ 52 ceil .................................................................................. 121
modifying sort type......................................................... 50 floor ................................................................................ 121
output properties ............................................................ 48 max................................................................................. 122
outputting sub-rows...................................................... 107 min.................................................................................. 121
rules .................................................................................. 52 sqave .............................................................................. 122
user-defined free attributes......................................... 109 sqsum............................................................................. 122
Rule Contents properties ...................................................... 54 Status bar.................................................................................24
Rule wizard.............................................................................. 53 Storing a rule ...........................................................................53
Rules ...................................................................................... 101 String operations.................................................................. 113
adding comments......................................................... 102 find.................................................................................. 114
arithmetic operators..................................................... 119 fvf .................................................................................... 116
comparison operators .................................................. 103 getat ............................................................................... 115
conditional structure .................................................... 103 length ............................................................................. 114
data type conversion functions................................... 116 match ............................................................................. 114
for pictures....................................................................... 78 mid.................................................................................. 114
for symbols ...................................................................... 77 newline........................................................................... 116
logical operators ........................................................... 103 replace ........................................................................... 115
mathematical operations ............................................ 119 reverse............................................................................ 115
properties......................................................................... 54 setat................................................................................ 115
row output........................................................................ 52 Summing information in value fields ..................................70
statistical functions ...................................................... 121
Symbol Editor ..........................................................................79
Symbol files

s changing ...........................................................................77
Symbol libraries ......................................................................73
Saving a pre-defined template............................................. 28 Symbols....................................................................................73
Searching for text ................................................................... 46 adding to template..........................................................74
Selecting objects assigning rules .................................................................77
using toolbar.................................................................... 45 changing ...........................................................................77
with a filter....................................................................... 45 in templates .....................................................................14
Selecting template components.......................................... 34 modifying..........................................................................79
modifying symbol files....................................................76
Selecting template objects ................................................... 34
rotating..............................................................................41
Selection toolbar .................................................................... 45 setting paths ....................................................................79
Setting a directory symbol properties............................................................75
definition files.................................................................. 21 viewing symbol files ........................................................76
Setting file for pre-defined rules .......................................... 20
Setting folder(s) for fonts ...................................................... 20
Setting folder(s) for pictures ................................................. 20 t
Setting folder(s) for symbols ................................................ 20 tan .......................................................................................... 120

130
tanh ........................................................................................ 120 Template objects ............................................................. 13, 31
Tekla fonts............................................................................... 45 aligning .............................................................................41
Tekla Structures aligning to grid .................................................................41
advanced options for value fields ................................ 71 changing name ................................................................36
language string in Template Editor.............................. 71 extending ..........................................................................39
font properties .................................................................45
Template attributes ............................................................... 87
formatting with painter ..................................................39
adding............................................................................... 90
grouping ............................................................................38
Template components ....................................................13, 31 inserting into templates .................................................31
changing name ............................................................... 36 modifying size ..................................................................36
cropping............................................................................ 37 moving ..............................................................................38
inserting into template .................................................. 31 overriding colors with row rules ....................................56
modifying size ................................................................. 36 rotating..............................................................................41
moving.............................................................................. 37 selecting............................................................................34
selecting ........................................................................... 34 setting default properties...............................................40
Template definition files ....................................................... 14 text properties..................................................................40
Template definitions.............................................................. 27 trimming ...........................................................................39
Template Editor trimming location ............................................................42
about................................................................................. 11 ungrouping .......................................................................38
file location preferences ................................................ 20 view or hide ......................................................................44
general preferences ....................................................... 18 Template output
grid .................................................................................... 21 creating reports ............................................................ 100
interface overview........................................................... 15 customize .........................................................................11
keyboard shortcuts ......................................................... 23 duplicate lines..................................................................57
pop-up menus.................................................................. 24 forcing a page break.................................................... 107
preview pane ................................................................... 16 hierarchical listings .........................................................98
setting up interface ........................................................ 18 map labels........................................................................99
start with command line................................................ 23 material listings ...............................................................96
status bar ......................................................................... 24 Template page
toolbars ............................................................................ 15 modifying properties.......................................................30
user interface .................................................................. 15 Template page footers...........................................................13
workarea .......................................................................... 15
Template page headers .........................................................13
workarea preferences .................................................... 19
Template rows.................................................................. 13, 47
Template Editor components ............................................... 31
creating a rule ..................................................................53
Template Editor interface ..................................................... 15 creating a rule with Rule Wizard ...................................53
modify components........................................................ 16 pre-defined rules..............................................................56
Template Editor objects ........................................................ 31 rules for rows....................................................................52
Template field objects saving a rule .....................................................................53
graphical fields................................................................ 14 Template shapes ....................................................................13
value fields....................................................................... 14 Template type
Template footers .................................................................... 13 modifying..........................................................................30
Template grid.......................................................................... 21 Template windows..................................................................17
Template headers .................................................................. 13 Templates ......................................................................... 12, 27
changing type...................................................................30
closing ...............................................................................29
creating .............................................................................27
creating pre-defined........................................................28
deleting pre-defined ........................................................28
graphical ...........................................................................12
modify properties ............................................................29
opening .............................................................................29
output options..................................................................96
output process .................................................................95
outputting .........................................................................95
page properties................................................................30
reports and labels............................................................95
saving ................................................................................27
saving pre-defined ...........................................................28
textual ...............................................................................12

131
Text in templates.................................................................... 13
Text objects
v
inserting ........................................................................... 32 Value field attributes
rotating ............................................................................. 41 resizing fonts automatically...........................................64
Text properties ........................................................................ 40 Value field formulas ...............................................................66
Textual templates .................................................................. 12 conditional structure.................................................... 103
modifying..........................................................................68
Tips
pictures............................................................................. 79 Value field functions............................................................ 110
row rules......................................................................... 101 All .................................................................................... 113
symbols ............................................................................ 79 Count .............................................................................. 113
template components.................................................... 42 GetFieldFormula ........................................................... 110
Template Editor interface.............................................. 22 Sum ................................................................................ 112
template objects ............................................................. 42 Total................................................................................ 112
value field formulas...................................................... 101 Value field meanings................................................ 61, 63, 65
value fields....................................................................... 71 Value field properties .............................................................60
Toolbars .............................................................................15, 25 Value fields ....................................................................... 14, 59
Tooltips .................................................................................... 25 aligning texts in output...................................................65
Trigonometric functions ...................................................... 120 assigning meanings ........................................................63
creating .............................................................................59
Trimming template object location ..................................... 42
formatting during output................................................65
Trimming template objects .................................................. 39 formatting output ............................................................61
TrueType fonts ........................................................................ 45 gather data.......................................................................69
hiding from output ..........................................................65
language strings ..............................................................71
u modifying output properties ..........................................60
out a blank field...............................................................71
Ungrouping template objects ............................................... 38 resizing fonts ....................................................................64
User interface.......................................................................... 15 rotating..............................................................................41
User-defined attributes.......................................................... 88 setting data type..............................................................63
User-defined template attributes setting layout ...................................................................64
adding comments........................................................... 91 setting priority ..................................................................62
adding hierarchy ............................................................. 92 setting query on other fields ....................................... 110
Using format painter for objects .......................................... 39 setting sort order .............................................................62
sorting priority ..................................................................62
Using presentations
summary fields ................................................................70
in templates..................................................................... 25
TS advanced options.......................................................71
Using row rules to change template objects colors .......... 56 zero value in value field..................................................71

z
Zooming ...................................................................................17

132
133
134
135
136
137

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TE USG 400 en Template Editor User Guide

Uploaded by

TE USG 400 en Template Editor User Guide

Uploaded by

Template Editor

Product version 4.00

2020 © Trimble Solutions Corporation

Noteboxes The following types of noteboxes are used in this guide:

A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways

A note draws attention to details that you might easily

You should always read very important notes and warnings,

This symbol indicates advanced or highly technical

Conventions used in this guide .................................................................................................................. 3

1 ABOUT TEMPLATE EDITOR 11

2 TEMPLATE EDITOR USER INTERFACE 15

4 TEMPLATE EDITOR COMPONENTS AND OBJECTS 31

6 VALUE FIELDS IN TEMPLATE EDITOR 59

7 SYMBOLS AND PICTURES IN TEMPLATE EDITOR 73

8 AUTOCAD AND MICROSTATION FILES IN TEMPLATE EDITOR 81

9 TEMPLATE ATTRIBUTES AND TEMPLATE EDITOR 87

10 USING TEMPLATES IN TRIMBLE PRODUCTS 95

11 TEMPLATE EDITOR FORMULA AND RULE REFERENCE 101

1.1 Main features of Template Editor

See also Template Editor user interface (15)

11 About Template Editor

1.2 What are Template Editor templates?

See also Textual templates (12)

See also Graphical templates (12)

12 About Template Editor

Header A header appears once at the beginning of a template.

See also Template rows (47)

1.4 Template Editor objects

Drawing shapes Basic geometric shapes like lines, rectangles and

Find out more:

Template Editor shapes and text

13 About Template Editor

Template Editor field objects

See also Value fields in Template Editor (59)

Template Editor symbols and files

See also Adding symbols to a template in Template Editor (74)

1.5 Template definition files

See also Content types in Template Editor (48)

14 About Template Editor

2.1 Template Editor user interface components

Template Editor workarea

See also Template Editor windows (17)

Template Editor toolbars

15 Template Editor user interface

The Content Browser in Template Editor

See also The preview pane in Template Editor (16)

The preview pane in Template Editor

See also The Content Browser in Template Editor (16)

Modifying Template Editor interface components

16 Template Editor user interface

2.2 Template Editor windows

Panning in Template Editor windows

1. Click the Pan button on the Zoom toolbar.

Zooming in and out in Template Editor

17 Template Editor user interface

Restoring the original view in Template Editor

2.3 Setting up the Template Editor interface

Modifying general preferences in Template Editor

18 Template Editor user interface

Modifying workarea preferences in Template Editor

See also Template Editor workarea (15)

19 Template Editor user interface

File Location preferences in Template Editor

Definition file Description

See also Modifying File Location preferences in Template Editor (21)

20 Template Editor user interface

See also File Location preferences in Template Editor (20)

The template grid in Template Editor

See also Activating the grid in Template Editor (21)

Activating the grid in Template Editor

See also Aligning template objects to the grid (41)

21 Template Editor user interface

See also Activating the grid in Template Editor (21)

Showing or hiding the grid in Template Editor

See also Activating the grid in Template Editor (21)

2.4 Tips for the Template Editor interface