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Rotate objects in models or in drawings

Modified: 12 Jun 2026 Tekla Structures 2026
2026
Tekla Structures

In Tekla Structures, you can copy or move an object in a model by rotating it around any line you choose. In a drawing, you can copy or move an object by rotating it around a given line on the work plane.

Note:

Positive rotation is clockwise when viewed from the start point of the rotation axis.

Rotate objects around a line in a model

Use the line option in the Rotate dialog when you want to copy and rotate, or move and rotate objects around any given line in the model.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy or move.
  2. Activate the rotation command.

    • To copy and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Copy > Rotate.

      The Copy - Rotate dialog opens.

    • To move and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Move > Rotate.

      The Move - Rotate dialog opens.

  3. In the Around list, select line.
  4. Pick the start point of the rotation axis, or enter its coordinates.
  5. Pick the end point of the rotation axis, or enter its coordinates.

    If the dialog is open but the command is no longer active, click the Pick... button to re-activate the command.

  6. If you are copying, enter the number of copies.
  7. If needed, enter the dZ value, which is the difference in position between the original and copied object in the z direction.
  8. Enter the rotation angle.

    Alternatively, click the Pick angle... button to pick the angle points in the model.

  9. Click Copy or Move.

    The objects are rotated accordingly.

Rotate objects around the z axis in a model

Use the Z option in the Rotate dialog when you want to copy and rotate, or move and rotate objects around the z axis in the model.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy or move. For example:

  2. Activate the rotation command.

    • To copy and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Copy > Rotate.

      The Copy - Rotate dialog opens.

    • To move and rotate, go to the Edit tab and click Move > Rotate.

      The Move - Rotate dialog opens.

  3. In the Around list, select Z.
  4. Pick a point to define the rotation axis, or enter its coordinates.

    In the example below, the red cross indicates the picked point.

    If the dialog is open but the command is no longer active, click the Pick... button to re-activate the command.

  5. If you are copying, enter the number of copies.
  6. If needed, enter the dZ value, which is the difference in position between the original and copied object in the z direction.
  7. Enter the rotation angle. For example:

    Alternatively, to define the angle by picking points in the model, click the Pick angle... button.

  8. Click Copy or Move.

    The objects are rotated accordingly.

Rotate objects in a drawing

Use this option when you want to copy or move and rotate drawing objects on the work plane. You cannot rotate building objects.

  1. Select the objects you want to copy or move and rotate.
  2. Activate the rotation command.

    • To copy and rotate, go to the Drawing tab and click Copy > Rotate.

      The Copy - Rotate dialog opens.

    • To move and rotate, go to the Drawing tab and click Move > Rotate.

      The Move - Rotate dialog opens.

  3. Pick a point, or enter its coordinates.
  4. If you are copying, enter the number of copies.
  5. Enter the rotation angle.
  6. Click Copy or Move.

You can rotate a building object in a drawing view around its local axes. For more information, see Define part orientation in drawing views.

Rotation settings

Use the Copy - Rotate and Move - Rotate dialogs to view and modify the settings that are used when you rotate objects in Tekla Structures. The units depend on the settings in File > Settings > Options > Units and decimals.

Option

Description

Origin

X0

The coordinates of the start point of the rotation axis.

Enter the points or pick them in the model.

Y0

Z0

X1

The coordinates of the end point of the rotation axis when you rotate around a line.

Enter the points or pick them in the model.

Y1

Z1

Pick...

To pick the points again in the model, click the Pick... button.

Origin angle

The angle of the rotation axis when rotating around a line on the work plane.

Copy

Number of copies

Define the number of copies created.

dZ

The difference in position between the original and copied object in the z direction.

Rotation

Angle

The rotation angle between the original and new position.

Around

Define whether the rotation axis is a line on the work plane or in the z direction.

Pick angle...

To pick the angle points in the model, click the Pick angle... button.
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