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Should I use reference models or overlay models?

2021

Tekla Structures

In the following tables, see the pros and cons of reference models and overlay models, and the operations that you can perform in these model types.


Reference models	Overlay models
+ Parts of the Tekla Structures model, so more operations are available - Increase the size of the `.db1` files	+ Fast to load and display + Allow each user to view the model versions that they need + Do not affect the size of the `.db1` files - All operations are not available


Operation	Can you do it with reference models?	Can you do it with overlay models?
View the model on top of a Tekla Structures model	Yes	Yes
View the model in a drawing	Yes	No
Inquire objects in the model	Yes	Yes
Filter objects in the model	Yes	No
Manage changes between model versions	No	Yes
Detect clashes	Yes	No
Convert objects to native Tekla Structures objects	Yes	No
Add user-defined attributes	Yes	No
Use layers	Yes	No
Create tasks	Yes	No
Create views from objects	Yes	No
Fit work area	Yes	No
Hide objects	Yes	No
Hide all objects from the view with display settings	Yes	No
Manage categories in Organizer	Yes	No

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