This article explains how you can get/set user defined attributes using the tekla open api.

Step 1, Add Libraries:

Add reference to the Tekla.Structures.Model library located in the path “C:Program FilesTekla Structures20.0ntbinplugins” and manually open the tekla model. This has been covered in the article below:

• VB.Net Open Tekla Structure Model (Tekla Open API)

Step 2, Get Reference to Object:

You will need to get reference to the object you wish to get/set its user defined attributes. Below are some of the options for achieving this:

1- Get reference to an existing part in the tekla model: VB.Net Get Reference to Object, Tekla Open API

2- Ask the user to select parts from the model: Tekla Open API: Ask User to Select Objects.

Set User Defined Attributes:

The following code will set the “User Field 1” property of the input part object to “New Value”:

Imports TSM = Tekla.Structures.Model

    Private Sub SetUserDefinedField(ByRef objBeam As TSM.Beam)
        objBeam.SetUserProperty("USER_FIELD_1", "New Value")
        objBeam.Modify()
    End Sub

Line 4 sets the user defined attribute for the input part object. The first parameter to the function is the name of the user defined attribute to modify (User field 1 in this example). The second parameter is the value to set it to (“New Value”).
Result:

Get User Defined Attributes:

The following code will get the “User Field 1” property of the input part object:

Imports TSM = Tekla.Structures.Model

    Private Function GetserDefinedField(ByRef objBeam As TSM.Beam) As String
        Dim strOutput As String

        strOutput = ""
        objBeam.GetUserProperty("USER_FIELD_1", strOutput)
        Return strOutput

    End Function

User Defined Attributes:

You can find all the user defined attribute in the file “objects.inp” located in the path “C:ProgramDataTekla Structures20.0EnvironmentsCommoninp”. Where 20.0 is the version you are using.

Below I have compiled a list of user defined attribute from the file:

You can download the sample code and file for this article from the link below:

• Get/Set User Defined Attributes.Zip

If you need assistance with your Tekla model, or you are looking for a Tekla Open API programmer to hire feel free to contact me. Also please visit my home page  www.software-solutions-online.com