Tekla Structures 2018

Share models and files

March 2018

©2018 Trimble Solutions Corporation

Contents

1 Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures model....... 9

1.1 What is Tekla Model Sharing ......................................................................... 10
Prerequisites for Tekla Model Sharing................................................................................ 11
Tekla Model Sharing licenses ............................................................................................. 12
How Tekla Model Sharing uses the sharing service.......................................................... 12
Cache service for Tekla Model Sharing.............................................................................. 14
Install a cache service for Tekla Model Sharing............................................................ 15
Troubleshoot the cache service installation..................................................................16
User roles in Tekla Model Sharing....................................................................................... 16
1.2 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing............................................. 18
Join a shared model in Tekla Model Sharing...................................................................... 19
Share your model changes in Tekla Model Sharing.......................................................... 21
Write out............................................................................................................................ 21
Read in............................................................................................................................... 22
Reserve the next write out.............................................................................................. 23
Detect sharing changes and view sharing history in Tekla Model Sharing.....................24
Sharing change detection................................................................................................24
Sharing history..................................................................................................................26
Object locks, drawing locks, and privileges in Tekla Model Sharing............................... 26
Object locks....................................................................................................................... 27
Drawing locks....................................................................................................................29
Privileges........................................................................................................................... 29
Create a baseline for a model in Tekla Model Sharing......................................................30
Exclude a model from the sharing service in Tekla Model Sharing................................. 31
Convert a shared model to a multi-user model in Tekla Model Sharing........................ 32
Information on shared models in Tekla Model Sharing....................................................33
Information on users and sharing actions in Tekla Model Sharing.................................34
1.3 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing.........................................................35
Tekla Model Sharing settings................................................................................................40
Exclude files and folders from Tekla Model Sharing......................................................... 42
Collect model history in Tekla Model Sharing.................................................................... 44
1.4 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing.......................................................... 45
How different object types work in shared models.......................................................... 45
How object IDs work in shared models.............................................................................. 47
How to share catalog updates without creating new objects.......................................... 48
How to share Organizer data............................................................................................... 48
Backing up shared models................................................................................................... 49
Restoring shared models......................................................................................................49
Rejoin the model if the model is not saved after write out.............................................. 50
How to get support for sharing issues............................................................................... 51
1.5 Disclaimer........................................................................................................ 52
1.6 Multi-user mode ............................................................................................. 53
Multi-user system................................................................................................................. 54
Tekla Structures multi-user server as a service........................................................... 54

2
 Install Tekla Structures multi-user server as a service.................................................55
Change the server of a multi-user model......................................................................55
Convert a multi-user model to a single-user model.................................................... 56
Convert a single-user model to a multi-user model.................................................... 56
How multi-user works ......................................................................................................... 57
Locks for models in multi-user mode............................................................................ 58
Saving in multi-user mode ............................................................................................ 59
Autosaving in multi-user mode..................................................................................... 59
Model history in multi-user mode..................................................................................60
Shutting down the model in multi-user mode ............................................................61
Copy multi-user models................................................................................................. 62
Display active multi-users............................................................................................... 62
Error messages in multi-user mode ..............................................................................63
Recommendations for multi-user setup...................................................................... 64
Remove inconsistencies from a multi-user database................................................. 64
Modeling in multi-user mode .............................................................................................65
Numbering setup in multi-user mode ......................................................................... 69
Synchronize numbering with the master model......................................................... 70
Drawings in multi-user mode...............................................................................................71
Guidelines for multi-user drawings...............................................................................71
Locks for drawings in multi-user mode......................................................................... 72
Delete unnecessary drawing files in multi-user mode ............................................... 73
Access rights in multi-user mode .......................................................................................73
Change access rights in the privileges.inp file.............................................................. 74
Options in the privileges.inp file....................................................................................75
User-defined attribute Locked........................................................................................76
Control access to lock and unlock objects in a multi-user model.............................. 77
Control access to numbering in a multi-user model....................................................77
Control access to save standard files in a multi-user model...................................... 78
Control access to remove users from a multi-user model.......................................... 78
1.7 Trimble Connector...........................................................................................79
Download a reference model from and upload a reference model to Trimble
Connect................................................................................................................................... 79
Launch Trimble Connect and Trimble Connector from ribbon or Quick Launch.......... 79
Link a Tekla Structures model to a Trimble Connect project............................................81
Download a reference model from a Trimble Connect project to a Tekla
Structures model .................................................................................................................. 82
Download a reference model update from a Trimble Connect project to a
Tekla Structures model......................................................................................................... 82
Upload a Tekla Structures reference model to a Trimble Connect project ....................82
Upload a Tekla Structures reference model update to a Trimble Connect project ...... 83
Export Tekla Structures model objects as an .ifc reference model to a
Trimble Connect project .......................................................................................................83
Use base point instead of alignment offset....................................................................... 84
ToDos......................................................................................................................................84
Collaborate with Trimble Connect Desktop........................................................................90

2 Get started with import and export formats .......................... 91

2.1 Industry standards..........................................................................................91
2.2 Compatible formats........................................................................................ 92
2.3 Compatible software...................................................................................... 94

3 Import to and export from Tekla Structures..........................111

3
3.1 Conversion files............................................................................................. 113
Twin profile conversion files...............................................................................................114
Create conversion files........................................................................................................115
3.2 Reference models and compatible formats...............................................117
Import a reference model.................................................................................................. 118
View reference models........................................................................................................121
Modify reference model details......................................................................................... 124
Lock reference models........................................................................................................125
Detect changes between reference model versions.......................................................126
Define a comparison set for reference model change detection..................................131
Create a new comparison set....................................................................................... 132
Properties in comparison property set....................................................................... 133
Export change detection results to Excel..........................................................................135
Inquire reference model contents.....................................................................................138
Reference model objects.................................................................................................... 139
Examine reference model hierarchy and modify reference model objects................. 140
Reference model assemblies............................................................................................. 144
3.3 IFC....................................................................................................................145
IFC interoperability concepts............................................................................................. 145
IFC import............................................................................................................................. 148
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects................................................149
Check and change the IFC object conversion settings.............................................. 150
Convert selected IFC objects at one go....................................................................... 152
Convert IFC objects using conversion change management - first conversion .....153
Convert IFC objects using conversion change management - update conversion ....
156
Macro for selecting converted IFC objects.................................................................. 156
Class values.....................................................................................................................157
Profile conversion logic in IFC object conversion ..................................................... 158
Example: Convert IFC objects into Tekla Structures objects in one go....................159
Limitations in IFC object conversion............................................................................ 162
IFC export............................................................................................................................. 163
Define additional property sets for IFC export........................................................... 164
Export a Tekla Structures model or selected model objects to an IFC file.............. 167
Check the exported IFC model..................................................................................... 176
IFC base quantities in exported IFC model................................................................. 176
Property set configuration files used in IFC export....................................................177
3.4 DWG and DXF................................................................................................. 180
Import a 2D or 3D DWG or DXF file................................................................................... 181
Export a model to a 3D DWG or DXF file.......................................................................... 182
Export a drawing to a 2D DWG or DXF file .......................................................................184
Start DWG/DXF export .................................................................................................. 185
Define DWG/DXF export settings and export ............................................................ 185
Layer rule example.........................................................................................................192
Tips...................................................................................................................................193
To use old DWG/DXF export..........................................................................................193
Export a drawing to 2D DWG or DXF (old export)............................................................193
Layers in exported DWG/DXF drawings.......................................................................195
Create layers in DWG/DXF files for drawing export................................................... 196
Assign objects to layers in drawing export .................................................................197
Example: Create a rule for exporting beam marks to their own layer in drawing
export.............................................................................................................................................. 198
Copying export layer settings to another project ......................................................199
Define customized line type mappings in drawing export....................................... 199

4
 Default line types in drawings...................................................................................... 203
Example: Set up layers and export to DWG................................................................ 204
3.5 DGN................................................................................................................. 210
DGN import.......................................................................................................................... 211
DGN objects supported in reference models ................................................................ 211
Export to 3D DGN files........................................................................................................ 214
3.6 LandXML.........................................................................................................214
3.7 PDF.................................................................................................................. 216
Import a PDF to a model.....................................................................................................217
3.8 SketchUp........................................................................................................ 217
Export a model to SketchUp...............................................................................................217
3.9 Point clouds................................................................................................... 218
Attach a point cloud to the model .................................................................................... 219
Detach a point cloud from a model.................................................................................. 220
Set the default maximum point count in a view .............................................................221
Clip point clouds and reference models only.................................................................. 221
Point cloud example............................................................................................................221
Share point clouds with other users................................................................................. 225
3.10 Layout Manager............................................................................................ 228
Create a group in Layout Manager....................................................................................230
Define numbering settings for groups in Layout Manager.......................................230
Define a local coordinate system for a group in Layout Manager........................... 231
Create a layout point...........................................................................................................232
Create a layout line..............................................................................................................233
View groups, layout points and layout lines in Layout Manager................................... 234
Export layout data from Layout Manager........................................................................ 234
Define default export settings in Layout Manager.................................................... 236
Define the drawing scale in Layout Manager............................................................. 237
Import layout data to Layout Manager.............................................................................238
Define point file columns in Layout Manager.............................................................239
Measured points in Layout Manager...........................................................................240
3.11 Analysis and design systems....................................................................... 242
Analysis and design direct links......................................................................................... 242
Tekla Structural Designer....................................................................................................243
Example workflow of integration between Tekla Structures and Tekla Structural
Designer.......................................................................................................................................... 244
Import from Tekla Structural Designer........................................................................ 245
Re-import from Tekla Structural Designer.................................................................. 247
Export to Tekla Structural Designer............................................................................. 248
Robot.....................................................................................................................................249
SAP2000................................................................................................................................ 249
STAAD.Pro............................................................................................................................. 250
ISM.........................................................................................................................................250
S-Frame................................................................................................................................. 251
The process of importing to and exporting from S-Frame....................................... 251
FEM........................................................................................................................................ 252
FEM import and export file types................................................................................. 253
DSTV.................................................................................................................................253
Import a DSTV model.....................................................................................................253
Import a STAAD model.................................................................................................. 255
Import a Stan 3d model.................................................................................................257
Import a Bus model....................................................................................................... 258
Export to STAAD..............................................................................................................259

5
 Export to DSTV................................................................................................................260
3.12 Steel fabrication............................................................................................ 261
NC files.................................................................................................................................. 262
DSTV file description...................................................................................................... 264
Create NC files in DSTV format..................................................................................... 265
NC file settings................................................................................................................267
Customize NC file header information ....................................................................... 277
Create pop-marks in NC files........................................................................................ 278
Create contour marking in NC files..............................................................................282
Fittings and line cuts in NC files....................................................................................284
Create tube NC files ...................................................................................................... 285
Create NC files in DXF format....................................................................................... 286
MIS.........................................................................................................................................297
Export a MIS list.............................................................................................................. 298
Information on MIS file types....................................................................................... 299
CIS and CIMSteel..................................................................................................................299
Import a CIMSteel model.............................................................................................. 299
Export to a CIMSteel analysis model............................................................................301
Export to a CIMSteel design/manufacturing model...................................................302
FabTrol XML.......................................................................................................................... 305
Import a FabTrol XML file.............................................................................................. 305
PDMS/E3D ........................................................................................................................... 306
ASCII...................................................................................................................................... 306
Import a model in the ASCII format............................................................................. 306
Export a model to the ASCII format............................................................................. 307
ASCII file description...................................................................................................... 307
3.13 Concrete fabrication..................................................................................... 309
Unitechnik............................................................................................................................ 311
Export to Unitechnik format......................................................................................... 312
Unitechnik export: Main tab......................................................................................... 315
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab......................................................................319
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab.................................................................................... 330
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab........................................................................ 337
Unitechnik export: Validation tab.................................................................................344
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab........................................................ 347
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab..........................................349
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification ........................................... 351
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab......................................... 352
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab.........................................................................353
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab........................................................................................ 356
Unitechnik export: Log files tab....................................................................................357
BVBS...................................................................................................................................... 358
Export to the BVBS format............................................................................................ 359
Export settings................................................................................................................359
Reinforcing bar length calculation in BVBS export.....................................................366
ELiPLAN................................................................................................................................. 367
Export an EliPLAN data file............................................................................................367
Import an ELiPLAN status data file...............................................................................368
EliPLAN user-defined attributes................................................................................... 368
EliPLAN export settings................................................................................................. 370
HMS....................................................................................................................................... 377
Export to the HMS format............................................................................................. 377
HMS Export settings.......................................................................................................378
3.14 CAD import and export formats.................................................................. 382

6
 Import an SDNF model....................................................................................................... 383
Import a Plantview model.................................................................................................. 385
Import a SteelFab/SCIA model........................................................................................... 387
CAD model import settings................................................................................................ 388
Export to CAD.......................................................................................................................394
CAD model export settings.................................................................................................394
Re-import a CAD model...................................................................................................... 399
Create import reports......................................................................................................... 401
3.15 Other supported formats ............................................................................ 401
Tekla BIMsight...................................................................................................................... 401
Import reference models from Tekla BIMsight...........................................................402
Import additional reference models from a Tekla BIMsight project........................ 402
Publish a model to Tekla BIMsight............................................................................... 403
Tekla Web Viewer.................................................................................................................403
Publish a model as a web page.................................................................................... 404
Customize Web Viewer tooltips....................................................................................405
Web templates in Web Viewer...................................................................................... 405
Send Web Viewer models..............................................................................................406
Create a named view in Web Viewer............................................................................406
View a model in Web Viewer.........................................................................................407

4 Tekla Warehouse........................................................................409

7
8
 1 Working collaboratively within
a Tekla Structures model

To work collaboratively within a Tekla Structures model, you can select out of
the following different methods:

Tekla Model With Tekla Model Sharing a global team can work
Sharing efficiently within one model regardless of the team
(page 10) location and time zones. The team members can work
both simultaneously and at different times. Each user has
a local version of the model on their computer. The model
data is shared and synchronized over the Internet, and
stored to a cloud-based Tekla Model Sharing service.
It is possible to work also offline. The Internet connection
is needed only when you want to share your model
changes.
Tekla Model Sharing requires a license.
Multi-user mode Multi-user mode also allows several users to access the
(page 53) same model simultaneously. Multi-user mode is suitable
for local teams with projects where the team members do
not necessarily have an Internet connection.
In the multi-user mode a server computer runs the multi-
user server, a file server computer contains the multi-user
master model and client computers run Tekla Structures.
The multi-user model consists of a single master model on
the file server computer and local views to the master
model, called working models, on each users' computer.
The model synchronization is done by saving the working
model to the master model.
Trimble The Trimble Connector adds automatic file
Connector synchronization to the Trimble Connect cloud. You can use
it to exchange files and information such as reference
models and comments. Trimble Connect supports various

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 9

model
 different products and file formats, so it allows smooth
collaboration within the whole project.
If you do not need to work simultaneously with other
users on the same model, or you only need to give others
viewing access to the model, you can also synchronize the
Tekla Structures model (or parts of it) to Trimble Connect.
This method is not suitable for different people making
changes in the same Tekla Structures model
simultaneously, because users can easily overwrite each
others' changes.

NOTE Tekla Model Sharing and the multi-user mode do not work together. When
you want to work collaboratively, you need to select which one of the
methods to use.

1.1 What is Tekla Model Sharing

Tekla Model Sharing enables efficient global collaborative modeling within one
Tekla Structures model. Tekla Model Sharing gives users the freedom to work
with the same model at the same time in different locations and time zones.

With Tekla Model Sharing you can work locally and share the model changes
globally. For example, one Tekla Model Sharing team of users can work in New
York, one in London and one in Bangkok. They all contribute to the same
model, working around the globe during their office hours in different time
zones while the model keeps building up all the time.
In Tekla Model Sharing each user has a local version of the model on their
computer or on a network drive, and the model data is shared and

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 10 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 synchronized over the Internet using a Microsoft Azure cloud sharing service.
When a model is shared, it is connected to the cloud-based sharing service
(page 12). You can check the status of the service at any time.
To easily share your model changes, write out them to the sharing service.
When you want to update your model with the changes made by other users,
read in the changes from the sharing service.
Even though the changes are shared over the Internet, you do not need to be
connected to the sharing service all the time. You need to be online only when
you want to write out or read in the changes. This enables offline work if your
Internet connection is not always available.
With Tekla Model Sharing you can
• invite (page 18) other users to your shared models
• join (page 19) someone else's shared models
• share (page 21) model changes

NOTE Tekla Model Sharing requires a single-user model.

A model cannot be simultaneously shared and used in multi-user mode
(page 57). If you want to start using multi-user mode as a means to share
your model instead of Tekla Model Sharing, you need to first exclude your
local version of the model from the sharing service and then convert
(page 32) it to a multi-user model.
The excluded model has no connection to the original shared model in the
sharing service. This means that if you exclude your local version of the model
from the sharing service and start to use the model in multi-user mode, you
cannot later merge the original shared model and the multi-user model.

See also
Prerequisites for Tekla Model Sharing (page 11)
User roles in Tekla Model Sharing (page 16)

Prerequisites for Tekla Model Sharing

Before you can start using Tekla Model Sharing and share your models, the
following prerequisites need to be met:
• Internet connection
You need to establish a connection to the Tekla Model Sharing service
(page 12) to perform any model sharing actions.
• TCP port 443 (the default HTTPS) outbound must be open.
If an HTTP proxy is used, it must support HTTP 1.1.
• Trimble Identity

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 11 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 All sharing actions require authentication, and the authentication is done
with Trimble Identity username and password.
If you do not have a Trimble Identity, go to the Log in dialog box.
• License (page 12)
All sharing actions require a valid Tekla Model Sharing license. Tekla Model
Sharing licenses are tied to users' Trimble Identities. The organization's
administrator assigns and manages the licenses in the Tekla Online Admin
Tool.
• Tekla Structures
The users of the same shared model need to have the same Tekla
Structures version, and preferably use the same latest service pack.

Tekla Model Sharing licenses

Tekla Model Sharing requires a valid Tekla Model Sharing license.
Tekla Model Sharing licenses are assigned and managed in the Tekla Online
Admin Tool. To obtain a Tekla Model Sharing license, contact your
organization's administrator. For details about model sharing licenses, see
Managing Tekla accounts and Tekla Model Sharing licenses.
Tekla Model Sharing uses enterprise type licenses that are purchased as a
yearly subscription. The license use is limited to a maximum number of
concurrent users. A license is reserved when a user starts read in or write out
in a shared model. The license is released within three hours after the user
logs out of Tekla Structures by shutting down Tekla Structures.
Note that users can work on a shared model offline without reserving a
license. Licenses can be temporarily assigned outside of your organization to
any users.
The configuration, type and maintenance status of your Tekla Structures
license has no effect on your Tekla Model Sharing license. Keep track of the
number of licenses and users as well as your license expiration dates to
ensure continued service.

See also
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)

How Tekla Model Sharing uses the sharing service

When you start to share a model using Tekla Model Sharing, the model is
connected to the cloud-based sharing service.

• To send model changes to the sharing service, you need to write out
(page 21).

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 12 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 • To fetch other users' model changes from the sharing service, you need to
read in (page 21).
When you read in other users' changes, the updates to your local version of
the shared model are delivered to you as incremental packets. This means that
when you read in, the data that is fetched from the sharing service is merged
with the data on your computer. You need to read in all shared changes before
you can write out your own changes to the sharing service.
Note that there is no central model in the sharing service as such, only a
model instance that consists of a model baseline and incremental updates.
You cannot open the model in the sharing service or access any files.
The image below shows how the model data is stored to the sharing service.
Each user fetches the model data from the sharing service to their local
versions of the model when they read in. User authentication is based on
Trimble Identity.

NOTE If there are several Tekla Model Sharing users in the same office, we
recommend you to install a separate cache service. The cache service
is recommended especially in regions where the download speed may
be limited. The use of cache service reduces the download effort and
enables faster download times.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 13 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 See also
Prerequisites for Tekla Model Sharing (page 11)
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)

Cache service for Tekla Model Sharing

If there are several Tekla Model Sharing users in the same office, we
recommend you to install a separate Tekla Model Sharing Cache service. The
cache service is recommended especially in regions where the download
speed may be limited. The use of cache service reduces the download effort
and enables faster download times.
Tekla Model Sharing Cache service downloads model data from the Tekla
Model Sharing service (page 12) and stores it in the file system and then
caches it inside a LAN. The first user who reads in a packet from the sharing
service loads it to the cache, and the next user gets the data faster from the
cache inside the LAN than from the sharing service through the Internet.
Note that the cache is not used for packets that are written out.
The image below shows how the model data is stored to the sharing service
and used with the Tekla Model Sharing Cache service.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 14 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 Install a cache service for Tekla Model Sharing
Software and system requirements for a cache installation:
• Windows Server 2008 R2, or later
• .NET Framework 4.5.1
1. Ensure you have an active Windows computer or a server with enough
disk space to store the cached model data.
2. Download the Tekla Model Sharing Cache service installation file from
Tekla Downloads.
3. Run the installation file and follow the steps in the installation wizard to
complete the installation.
• The default cache folder is ..\TeklaModelSharingCache. If needed,
you can change the folder destination.
Ensure that the destination folder has enough disk space for the
estimated usage of the service. The required disk space can vary from
a few gigabytes to terabytes, depending on the amount of Tekla Model
Sharing users and the size of the models.
• The default TCP/IP port number for the cache service is 9998.
Use this port number when you configure Tekla Structures client
workstations to use the cache. This port is the main communication
and control channel to the cache service.
• The default TCP/IP port number for internal communication is 9001.
This port is automatically fetched from the cache service, and it is used
for the actual data transfer.
If the ports cause conflicts or other problems because of other services or
a firewall, you can change the ports to some other ports.
The TCP/IP ports for the cache service need to be open inside LAN/VPN.
The cache service is never accessed from the Internet but the cache
service downloads and caches the model changes on behalf of the Tekla
Structures client workstations.

NOTE If you later need to modify the installation, re-run the

TeklaModelSharingCacheService.exe installation file and
select Repair. You can then change the previously set cache
folder or port numbers.
Alternatively, if you are used to editing configuration files, you can
use the cache service configuration file TmsConfiguration.xml
in ..\ProgramData\Tekla\ModelSharingCache\ to modify
the cache installation. Modify the TmsConfiguration.xml file
using any standard text editor, for example, Microsoft Notepad or
an XML editor. Open the text editor as administrator by right-
clicking and selecting Run as administrator. This ensures that

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 15 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 the file can be saved in the same location from where it was
opened.

4. Check that the Tekla Model Sharing Cache service has started.
• Locate Tekla Model Sharing Cache from the Windows services by
using, for example, the Computer Management console
compmgmt.msc or the Services management console services.msc.
• Use Windows Event Viewer to verify that there are no errors from the
service and that there are Information messages showing that the
service has started.
5. Configure Tekla Structures client workstations to use the cache.
In Tekla Structures, on the File menu, click Sharing --> Sharing settings.
In the Sharing settings dialog box:
• Name is the name of the computer on which the cache is installed. To
check the computer name, click Windows Control Panel --> System
and Security --> System .
• Port is the cache service port number that you have set when you
installed the cache service. The default value is 9998.

Troubleshoot the cache service installation

If you cannot connect to the service from Tekla Structures:
• Ensure that the Tekla Model Sharing Windows Service is running.
• Ensure sure that the firewalls do not block TCP/IP ports configured to Tekla
Structures, for example 9001 or 9998 when you use the default ports.
If the service does not start:
• Check the Windows Event Viewer's Application Log for possible errors.

User roles in Tekla Model Sharing

User roles define a user's permission level to the model. When you start
sharing your model in Tekla Model Sharing, you become the Owner of the
model. The Owner can invite other users and give them one of the four
different roles.
Note that your permission to the shared model is removed when you detach
the model from the sharing using one the following methods:
• using the Exclude from sharing command
• upgrading to the next Tekla Structures version
• using the Save as command to save the model.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 16 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 The four different user roles in Tekla Model Sharing are Owner, Editor,
Project viewer and Viewer.

Role Access level

As an Owner you can • read in other users' changes and write out
your own changes to the sharing service
• invite new users
• list other users and change their roles
• remove users from the model
• remove the model instance and all the model
related data from the sharing service
• change the model code and description
properties
As an Owner you can select the roles when you
invite users to a shared model, or any time during
a project. If you change the role of a user in File --
> Sharing --> Users, you can send a notification e-
mail to the user. If you include a short message in
the e-mail, all the invited users and the users
whose role has been changed receive the same
message.
Several users can have the Owner role within one
model. The Owner who has started to share the
model can give the Owner role to any selected
user.
As an Editor you can • read in other users' changes and write out
your own changes to the sharing service
• edit the model
• list other users
As a Project viewer you • read in other users' changes and write out
can your own changes to the sharing service
• view the model but you cannot modify the
model objects
• list other users
With the Project viewer role you cannot
• modify user-defined attributes that affect
numbering
• insert and modify grids
• import and update models that would create,
for example, beams and other objects

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 17 What is Tekla Model Sharing

model
 Role Access level
Note that when you open the model in the
Project viewer role, Tekla Structures restart is
required.
The permission level of the Project viewer role in
a shared model corresponds with the set of
functionalities available in the Project Viewer
configuration.
As a Viewer you can • read in other users' changes but you cannot
write out any changes to the sharing service
• view the model but you cannot modify the
model objects
Note that when you open the model in the Viewer
role, Tekla Structures restart is required.

See also
Information on users and sharing actions in Tekla Model Sharing (page 34)
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)
What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing (page 35)

1.2 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing

Before you can start sharing your models in Tekla Model Sharing, you need to
be logged in with your Trimble Identity in Tekla Structures. If you are not
logged in, the Trimble Identity log in dialog box opens.
1. Open a single-user model you want to share.
2. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Share.
The Start sharing dialog box opens.
When you use Tekla Model Sharing for the first time and the on-premises
sharing service is enabled, you need to select the service from the Service
list. You can set up and use an on-premises service connection, or you can
use the Tekla service. Tekla Model Sharing on-premises server requires a
separate license and installation.
3. If needed, enter a Code and a Description for the model.
• Code can be, for example, a site number, a project number, or an
accounting number.
• Add Description according to your company conventions.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 18 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 4. Invite other users to share your model by entering their e-mail addresses
to the Invite users box and set their user role (page 16) either to Editor,
Owner, Project viewer, or Viewer.
You can add several users at one go. Separate the e-mail addresses with
semicolons. If you add several users at one go, they all get the same user
role. The role can be changed later.
5. Click the Add button to add the users to the model.
6. Select whether to send a notification e-mail to the invited users. Select the
Send e-mail notification to user. check box and write a message to the
invited users, if needed.
7. Click the Start button to start sharing your model.
The model is saved and written out to the sharing service (page 12).

Next time you open the model, you can open it

• on the Welcome page when you open Tekla Structures. Either click the
Shared models... button on the All models tab, or select the shared model

from the list of models. Shared models have the cloud icon .
• in File --> Open.

See also
Join a shared model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 19)
Share your model changes in Tekla Model Sharing (page 21)
Information on users and sharing actions in Tekla Model Sharing (page 34)

Join a shared model in Tekla Model Sharing

When someone using Tekla Model Sharing has invited you to join a shared
Tekla Structures model, you will receive an invitation e-mail.

The e-mail contains information about the model, the used environment and
your user role (page 16). The user role is your level of permission to the model.
You can join a model at any stage of sharing, and as many times you need.
1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Shared models.
The Shared models dialog box opens.
When you use Tekla Model Sharing for the first time and the on-premises
sharing service is enabled, you need to select the service from the Service
list. You can set up and use an on-premises service connection, or you can
use the Tekla service. Tekla Model Sharing on-premises server requires a
separate license and installation.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 19 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 2. In Save in, browse for the location where you want to save your local
version of the model.
If you later want to join the same model again, you need to save a new
local version of the model on your computer. If you use the same name
for the model, the local versions of the model need to be saved in
different locations on your computer, because you cannot have two or
more models of the same name in the same folder.
3. From the Shared models list, select the model you have been invited to.
You find the name of the model in the invitation e-mail.
4. Click the Join button.
When you join the model:
• Tekla Structures checks that the local version of the model does not
already exists in the selected folder. A warning message is displayed if
the selected folder already contains the model. In that case, you need
to browse for a different folder where to save the model.
• Tekla Structures checks the environment you are using and displays a
message if you are using a different environment than the shared
model. We recommend that all users within the same shared model
use the same environment.
The Available updates list opens.
5. From the list of available updates, select an update or a baseline
(page 29) that you want to join.
You can select any baseline, which is a snapshot of the model state on a
certain date, or update to join, not only the latest. Selecting a baseline is
beneficial if you join the model when there already are many changes
made. Joining a baseline instead of an update is also faster.
By joining an earlier baseline or update you can go back in the model
history, and, for example, check the model state on a certain date.
6. Start working with the model and share your model changes (page 21).
When you read in, only incremental update packets (page 35) are fetched
from the sharing service.

Next time you open the model, you can open it

• on the Welcome page when you open Tekla Structures. Either click the
Shared models... button on the All models tab, or select the shared model

from the list of models. Shared models have the cloud icon .
• in File --> Open.

See also
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)

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model
 Information on shared models in Tekla Model Sharing (page 33)
Information on users and sharing actions in Tekla Model Sharing (page 34)

Share your model changes in Tekla Model Sharing

After you have modified your local version of the Tekla Model Sharing model,
you can share your changes with other users who are working with the model.
To share your changes with other users, send your changes to the sharing
service by writing them out.
To update your model with the changes done by other users, fetch the
changes from the sharing service by reading them in. You always need to read
in the most current changes to a model before you can write out.
To ensure that other users will not write out while you are making changes in
the model, you can reserve the next write out.

Write out

1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Write out, or click on the Quick
Access Toolbar.

The Write out icon shows a green arrow when there are no packets
that need to be read in before you can write out. You can write out
changes immediately.

The Write out icon shows a gray arrow when there are packets that
need to be read in before you can write out changes.
When you write out, Tekla Structures saves the model, creates a packet of
the model changes, writes out the changes to the sharing service and
saves the model again.
Only new or changed data is written out. If you attempt to write out your
changes, but some other user has shared some changes earlier and you
have not yet read in all the available updates, you are asked to read in
first. If there is no new data to be read in, Tekla Structures writes out your
changes to the sharing service immediately.
If one of the users who shares the model has selected the Enable write
out revision comment option in the Sharing settings (page 40) dialog
box, you can enter a code or a comment for the update that you are
writing out.
If you delete objects and share the deletion to the sharing service, the
deletion is shared with other users, and the deleted objects cannot be
recovered.

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model
 2. Continue working with the model.
Note that if several users modify the same objects at the same time, the
model will contain the changes by the user who first wrote out the
changes.

If you want to automate the write out process, you can use Sharing
automation tool from the Applications & components catalog. The tool first
reads in and then tries to write out the changes until it succeeds.
If you are the Owner of the shared model, you can use Sharing automation
tool to create a baseline (page 29) when writing out. Select Create baseline
in the Sharing automation tool dialog box to do this.

Read in

1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Read in, or click on the Quick
Access Toolbar.

The Read in icon shows the number of packets that are available to be
read in.
If one of the users who shares the model has selected the Show available
updates when reading in the changes option in the Sharing settings
(page 40) dialog box, the Available updates list opens after you have
clicked the Read in icon.
The dialog box lists all the available packets. You can read in the changes
packet-by-packet, if you want to check the model changes in phases. If you
want to receive all the updates at once, you can select the latest packet
and all the previous packets are read in as well.
When you read in, the updates to the shared model are delivered as
incremental packets that only include the changed data. You need to read
in all shared changes before you can again write out your own changes to
the sharing service.
If you have selected the Show changes after read in option in the
Sharing settings (page 40) dialog box, a list of sharing changes opens at
the bottom pane after the selected packets are read in. The list shows the
changes according to how they affect the model.
2. Continue working with the model.

NOTE If you encounter problems with sharing, check the sharing related log files in
the current model folder and in ..\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Tekla
DataSharing for troubleshooting.

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model
 Reserve the next write out
1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Reserve next write out.
2. In the Reserve next write out dialog box, write a comment about why
you are reserving the next write out.
3. Click Reserve.
When you have reserved the next write out, the Write out icon on the

Quick Access Toolbar shows a yellow arrow for all users of the model.
Placing the mouse pointer on top of the icon shows who has reserved the
next write out and the comment written in the Reserve next write out
dialog box.
Other users cannot write out while you have the next write out reserved.
If another user has started writing out when you reserve the next write
out, the write out of the other user is canceled only if data transfer has
not started yet. The other user will get a notification if the write out is
canceled.
4. To write out the changes you have made, on the File menu, click Sharing
--> Write out.
Note that you may need to read in before you can write out.
5. In the Reserve next write out dialog box, enter a comment about the
changes that you have made and click Release.
When you have written out, the arrow in the Write out icon on the Quick

Access Toolbar changes to green again . Other users can now write
out normally.

You can also release your write out reservation without writing out. To do this,
on the File menu, click Sharing --> Release reservation without write out.
Note that if you do not write out or release the reservation within 24 hours,
Tekla Structures will automatically release the reservation. An administrator
can also release the write out reservation in Management Console for Tekla
Model Sharing at any time.

See also
What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing (page 35)
Detect sharing changes and view sharing history in Tekla Model Sharing
(page 23)
Exclude files and folders from Tekla Model Sharing (page 42)
Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing (page 44)
Collect model history in Tekla Model Sharing (page 44)

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 23 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Detect sharing changes and view sharing history in Tekla
Model Sharing
To see how the model has been changing and who has shared their model
changes, use the sharing change detection and sharing history to see what
kind of changes the model includes.

Sharing change detection

After you have read in (page 21) the model changes from the sharing service
(page 12), you can check the changes included in the packets in more detail. A
list of sharing changes is shown at the bottom of the screen. The changes are
visualized with colors both in the changes list and in the model.

To Do this
Open the changes Do one of the following:
list
• On the Quick Access Toolbar, click the Show read in

changes icon .
• Click File --> Sharing --> Show read in changes.
• To automatically show the list after each read in,
select the Show changes after read in option in File
--> Sharing --> Sharing settings.
View changes in Click the separate tabs to see the changes according to
the list how they affect the model. The changes are divided to
the following tabs: Physical objects, Other objects,
Drawings, Options, Attribute definitions, Model
folder files, and UDA changes.
The changes are visualized with colors in the list.
Deleted objects are listed in the changes list but they do
not have any information available in the Name column.
The UDA changes tab includes user-defined attributes
that have a definition included in the environment.db
file. Reference objects are detected as changed if there
are physical or material changes.
Tabs do not exist if there are no items on the tab. If the
tab content becomes empty because of filtering, the tab
is not shown.
View changes in Select the Select objects in the model check box and a
the model row in the list to highlight the changed objects in the
model. The changes are visualized with colors in the
model. Deleted objects are not visualized in the model.
• Added objects = green
• Modified objects = yellow

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model
 To Do this
• Conflicting objects = orange
• Existing objects that have not been modified by
another user = gray

Filter changes in On each tab, you can filter the changes in every column.
the list
Click the filter icon and select how to filter the
changes.
Edit the filter
Click the filter icon and select a filter from the filter list.
Name of the selected filter is visible on the bottom left
corner of the list.

If you right-click the filter icon , you can, for example,

sort the columns.
To edit the filter, right-click the filter icon and select
Filter editor. The Filter editor dialog box opens and
you can create or edit the filter as needed.
Zoom to changed Select the Zoom to selected check box and a row in the
objects in the list to zoom to the changed object in the model.
model
Search for specific Type a search word to the search box on the bottom
changes right corner of the list.

Move the changes You can

list somewhere
• move the list around the screen
else on the screen
• drag the list to a second screen

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 25 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 To Do this
• dock the list to the side pane or to the bottom of the
screen

The list has a button, , in the side pane. If you drag

the list to a second screen, click the button to return the
list to the main screen.

Sharing history
After you have read in and written out (page 21) model changes, you can check
the sharing history of the model. The Sharing history dialog box shows all
your read in and write out events, and the packets included in each event. You
can check the sharing history event-by-event, and see how the model has
evolved by the changes made by other users.

To Do this
Open the sharing On the File menu, click Sharing --> Sharing history.
history
Check the read in Click the Collapse all button to see all your read in or
and write out write out events and their date and time.
events
Check the packet Click the Expand all button to see all the packets in each
information read in or write out event.
The packet number, the person who wrote out the
packet and the packet upload date and time is shown.
View the model Select the event and click the Show changes button.
changes included
A list of model changes is displayed at the bottom pane
in a single event
of Tekla Structures.

The Undo history dialog box lists all the commands that you have run and
the modifications that you have done in your local version of the model. The
Undo history list is cleared when you read in or write out.

See also
What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing (page 35)
Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing (page 44)

Object locks, drawing locks, and privileges in Tekla Model

Sharing
You can use object locks, drawing locks, and privileges to control user access
and editing rights to the shared model objects and the shared drawings.

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model
 Object locks
You can lock assemblies and model objects to prevent accidental modification
and numbering of objects. This is useful when there are multiple organizations
working with the same shared model, and the organizations want to prevent
changes to their own organization objects and drawings.
Different organizations can lock model objects so that only the users within
the same organization can modify the objects. Users in one organization can
change the status of their own locks on the assembly and on the cast unit
level, or on the model object level.

NOTE The organization information is based on the Windows user account, not on
the Trimble Identity.

Set the default organization lock status

You can automatically set the default lock status for all new assemblies and
cast units when they are created. Additionally, when you start to share the
model, the default lock status is set for all assemblies and cast units that do
not yet have any lock status. Use the advanced option
XS_OBJECTLOCK_DEFAULT to set the default lock status. The default lock status
can be ORGANIZATION or NO.
To set the default organization lock status for all new assemblies and cast
units:
1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Advanced options --> Modeling
Properties.
2. Set the advanced option XS_OBJECTLOCK_DEFAULT to ORGANIZATION.
3. Click OK.
All new assemblies and cast units are locked for your organization, and
their lock status in the Object locks dialog box is For others. Only users
within the same organization can modify the objects in the assembly.

Change the assembly and object lock statuses

To change the assembly and object lock statuses:
1. On the Manage tab, click Locks.
The Object locks dialog box opens.
2. Select the objects in the model.
The object selection can be done on the assembly level or on the cast unit
level, or on the object level. Use the Assemblies and All object types
options and the Sub-objects check box to define the level of selection.

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model
 3. Click the Add objects button to add the assemblies, cast units, or
the objects to the list.
Once the objects are on the list, you can check their Object type, Name
and Locked status.
4. To change the status of the locks, select the assemblies or objects in the
list or in the model, and a new lock value from the list at the bottom of the
dialog box, and click Set.
The lock status is changed.

How the object locks are set What is locked

Assembly is set to Organization (the Assembly and the objects in the
Locked status is For others) and the assembly are locked for my
objects in the assembly are set to No. organization, and users in my
organization can modify the assembly
or the objects in the assembly.
Users in other organizations cannot
modify the assembly or the objects in
the assembly. Assembly and the
objects in the assembly are green in
the model.
Assembly is set to Yes and the objects Assembly and the objects in the
in the assembly are set to No. assembly are locked for all users, no
one can modify the object.
Assembly and the objects in the
assembly are red in the model. It is
not possible to delete, modify or
number the assembly or the object.
Assembly is set to No and the objects Assembly or the objects in the
in the assembly are set to No. assembly do not have any locks,
anyone can modify the objects.
Assembly and the objects in the
assembly are green in the model.

If you want to clear the list, click the Reset data button .
You can use the following template fields in report templates to report the lock
statuses: ASSEMBLY.OBJECT_LOCKED, ASSEMBLY.OWNER_ORGANIZATION and
ASSEMBLY.LOCK_PERMISSION.
In addition, you can use the object representation to visualize the locks. When
you share the object representations, other members in the project can
visually check the lock statuses.

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model
 Drawing locks
You can lock drawings to prevent accidental modifications and to reserve
drawings for editing. If a drawing is locked and the lock is shared, other users
cannot make any changes to the drawing.
To lock a drawing for editing:
1. Read in (page 21) all the model changes.
2. Open the Drawing list, select the drawing and click the LockOn button.
The Locked by column in the Drawing list shows the user who has locked
the drawing.
3. Write out (page 21) to share the drawing lock information.
4. To edit the drawing, open the drawing locks.
5. Edit the drawing as needed.
6. Write out to share the updated drawings.

Privileges
The person who has created the model, or anyone in the same organization,
can control certain access rights to the model using privileges (page 73). In
practice, the privileges of the model are controlled via the privileges.inp
file.
By modifying the privileges.inp file you can control the access to
• modify user-defined attributes (page 73)
• modify numbering settings (page 73)
• save standard files (page 73)
To change the access rights:
1. Close the model.
2. Open the privileges.inp file in any text editor.
3. Change the desired settings and save the privileges.inp file to your
model folder.
4. Re-open the model.
5. Write out (page 21) to share the privileges information.

See also
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)
User roles in Tekla Model Sharing (page 16)

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 29 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Create a baseline for a model in Tekla Model Sharing
If you are the Owner of a model in Tekla Model Sharing, and you want to keep
a record of the current progress of the model or to make the model faster to
join for a new user, you can create a new starting point for the model in the
sharing service. This new starting point is achieved by creating a baseline.
Baseline is a snapshot of the current state of the model. When you create a
baseline, a full model is always written out to the sharing service. We
recommend the Owner to create a new baseline when a new user has been
invited to the model.
1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Create baseline .
2. Enter a code or a comment, if entering revision comments has been
enabled in the Sharing settings (page 40) dialog box.
A full model is written out (page 21) to the sharing service. Files and
folders that have been excluded from the sharing are not included in the
baseline.
If you need to read in while you are creating the baseline, you need to
repeat the Create baseline command after you have read in other users'
changes.
3. If needed: Invite someone to join (page 19) the model.
When the new user joins the model, the Available updates list opens.
The user can then select a baseline or an update to join. The Available
updates list shows all the baselines and the updates after the latest
baseline. You can select any baseline or update to join, not only the latest.
By joining an earlier baseline or update you can go back in the model
history, and, for example, check the model state on a certain date.
Joining a baseline is beneficial for users who join the model when there
already are many changes made. Joining a baseline instead of an update
is also faster.
After joining a model, only incremental update packets are read in from
the sharing service (page 12).

TIP You can also create a baseline using (page 21) from the Applications
& components catalog.

See also
User roles in Tekla Model Sharing (page 16)
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 30 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Exclude a model from the sharing service in Tekla Model
Sharing
If needed, you can exclude yourself and your local version of the model from
the sharing service.
When you exclude a model, your local version of the model is no longer
connected to the sharing service and you cannot share your changes anymore.
However, the model instance still exists in the sharing service and other users
can continue working with the model normally.

NOTE After you have excluded your local version of the model from the
sharing service, you cannot merge the excluded model back to the
original shared model. The excluded model is completely new and it
has no connection to the model in the sharing service.

All users, regardless of their user role (page 16) (Owner, Editor, Project
viewer, Viewer), can exclude their local version of the model from the sharing
service.
1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Exclude from sharing .
A confirmation message is displayed.
2. Click Continue.
Your local version of the model is disconnected from the sharing service,
and you cannot write out or read in (page 21) changes anymore.
The model automatically becomes a single-user model.

After you have excluded your local version of the model from the sharing
service you can
• continue working with the model in single-user mode.
• start working with the model in multi-user mode (page 32).
• start working with the model again in Tekla Model Sharing.
If you would like to start working again with the excluded model in Tekla Model
Sharing, you can either
• start sharing (page 18) the model and invite other users to join the model.
If you start to share the model, the model is completely new and it has no
connection to the previous model in the sharing service, even though the
model retains its old name.
• join (page 19) the same model again in the Shared models dialog box in
File menu --> Sharing --> Browse shared models.
When you join the model, you can select a baseline or an update (page 29)
to join.
If you join the model again, you need to save a new local version of the
model on your computer. If you do not change the name of the model, you

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 31 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 may have several models that have the same name in the Shared models
dialog box. All these local versions of the model need to be saved in
different locations on your computer, because you cannot have two or
more models of the same name in the same folder.

Convert a shared model to a multi-user model in Tekla

Model Sharing
If needed, you can stop working with a shared model in Tekla Model Sharing
and convert your local version of the model to a multi-user model.

A model cannot be simultaneously shared and used in multi-user mode

(page 57). If you want to start using multi-user mode as a means to share
your model instead of Tekla Model Sharing, you need to first exclude your local
version of the model from the sharing service and then convert it to a multi-
user model.

NOTE The excluded model has no connection to the original shared model in
the sharing service. This means that if you exclude your local version
of the model from the sharing service and start to use the model in
multi-user mode, you cannot later merge the original shared model
and the multi-user model.

1. Exclude your local version of the shared model from the sharing service to
make it a single-user model:
a. Open the shared model that you want to convert to a multi-user
model.
b. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Exclude from sharing .
A confirmation message is displayed.
c. Click Continue.
The model automatically becomes a single-user model.
Your local version of the model is disconnected from the sharing
service, and you cannot write out or read in changes anymore.
However, the model instance still exists in the sharing service and
other users can continue working with the model normally.
2. Convert the current single-user model to a multi-user model:
a. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Convert to multi-user model.
b. Enter the multi-user server name or select the name from the list in
the Convert dialog box.
c. Click Convert to multi-user model.
The current model is converted to a multi-user model and you can
start using the model in multi-user mode.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 32 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 See also
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)

Information on shared models in Tekla Model Sharing

When you want to join a shared model in Tekla Model Sharing, you select the
model to join in the Shared models dialog box, in File menu --> Sharing -->
Shared models.

Option Description
Service Sharing service that is being used.
Save in Location where the local version of the model is saved on
your computer.
If you want to save to another location, click the Browse
button.
Shared models List of models that you have shared or have been shared
with you.
• Show also
hidden • If you have hidden some models from the Shared
models list, select the Show also hidden check box to
• Show shared
see the full list of models that have been shared with
models on
you, or you have shared.
this computer
• Select the Show shared models on this computer
check box to see the models that you have locally
saved on your computer.
Click to hide the model from the Shared models list.
If you have many models on the list, it can be useful to
hide the models you are not actively working with.
Code Code of the model.
The code can be, for example, a site number, a project
number, or an accounting number.
Name Name of the model.
Description Description of the model.
Environment Environment of the model.
From Person who has invited you to the shared model, or has
changed your role the last.
Date Date when the sharing of the model was started.
Your role Your role and your access level to the model.
The options are Owner, Editor, Project viewer, or
Viewer.
Only Owner can change the roles of the other users.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 33 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
If you are Owner, you can edit the Code and Description
of the model.
If you are Owner, you can invite new users to the model,
or remove existing users.
If you are Editor, you can see which users have been
invited or have joined the shared model.
If you are Owner, you can remove the model from the
sharing service.
This discontinues the sharing, and the users who have
been working with the shared model cannot share
changes anymore.
Local copies of When you select a model from the Shared models list,
selected model the model information is displayed here.
on this computer
• The date when the local version of the model has
• Edited been edited.
• Model • The location of the local version of the model on your
computer.
•
• Click to open the selected local version of the
•
model.
• Click to remove the selected local version of the
model from your computer.

See also
Join a shared model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 19)
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)
Information on users and sharing actions in Tekla Model Sharing (page 34)

Information on users and sharing actions in Tekla Model

Sharing
When you want to check the Tekla Model Sharing users and the basic sharing
actions on the model, or invite new users to the shared model, open the Users
dialog box in File menu --> Sharing --> Users.

Option Description
Name Name of the user.
E-mail E-mail address of the user.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 34 Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
Role Role of the user: Owner, Editor, Project viewer, or Viewer.
When you start to share a model, you become Owner of the
model and you can set other users' roles. The roles can be
changed later, if needed.
Use the different roles to control the permission levels to the
model.
Note that there can be several Owners within one model.
Joined Indicates whether the invited user has joined the model.
Date Date when the user has joined the model.
By Person who invited the user or changed the user role the
last.
Last read in Date when the user last read in.
↓ Number with the arrow down indicates the total number of
update packets available in the sharing service.
The number next to the arrow indicates how many of the
packets the user has read in.
Last write Date when the user last wrote out.
out
↑ Number with the arrow up indicates the total number of
update packets available in the sharing service.
The number next to the arrow indicates the number of the
last packet that the user has written out.
Remove the selected user's permission to the model.
Only Owner can remove other users from the sharing
service.

See also
User roles in Tekla Model Sharing (page 16)
Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing (page 44)

1.3 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing

By default, all the model data is shared when you share a model in Tekla
Model Sharing.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 35 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 How data is shared in Tekla Model Sharing depends on the type of the shared
data.
• Some data is shared incrementally.
This means that only the new and changed data is shared. When you read
in, the data that is fetched from the sharing service is merged to the data
on your computer.

NOTE You cannot remove or replace incrementally shared databases. The

compatibility of incrementally shared databases is checked when
the model is opened.

• Some data is shared, but it cannot be updated incrementally.

When you read in, the data that is fetched from the sharing service
overwrites the data on your computer.
• Some data is not shared.
Empty folders under the model folder are not shared.
By default, Organizer data is not shared.
However, you can use the Organizer import and export with Tekla Model
Sharing to share the Organizer changes.

NOTE Some of the catalog files that are located in the environment folders
(rebar_database.inp, assdb.db, screwdb.db, matdb.bin,
profdb.bin) are copied to the model folder when the sharing is
started.

Option Description
Model database Model database .db1 is shared incrementally.
Numbering Numbering database .db2 is shared, but it cannot be
database updated incrementally.
If you have modified the family numbering settings and
you read in, you lose the changes if another user has
changed the family numbering settings and has written
out.
We recommend that one user updates and shares the
numbering settings with other users by writing them
out. In case the user needs to read in before writing out
the numbering updates, it is important to check that
the settings are as they were before starting to share
them.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 36 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
We recommend you to use the Number series of
selected objects command on the Drawings &
reports tab when numbering.
Create your model output, such as drawings, reports,
NC files and IFC files, after a successful write out.
Model history Model history database history.db is shared
database incrementally.
Plan database Plan databases .db3 are shared, but they cannot be
updated incrementally.
If you have imported a CIS/2 or a SDNF model and you
read in, you lose the plan database changes if another
user has imported the same CIS/2 or SDNF model and
has written out.
Analysis model Analysis model database .db6 and analysis results
database model database .db5 are shared, but they cannot be
updated incrementally.
If you have modified an analysis model and you read in,
you lose the analysis model changes if another user has
changed the same analysis model and has written out.
Custom Custom components and sketched profiles database
components and xslib.db1 is shared incrementally.
sketched profiles
Profile catalog Shared model contains the profile catalog file
profdb.bin.
When you add and use a new profile definition in the
shared model, the definition is shared the next time you
write out. When another user reads in this new
definition, the profdb.bin file in the user's model
folder is updated to include the added definition.
You can also update the profile catalog with new profile
definitions without creating any new objects.
Reinforcing bar Shared model contains the reinforcing bar database
catalog rebar_database.inp.
When you add and use a new reinforcing bar definition
in the shared model, the definition is shared next time
you write out. When another user reads in this new
definition, the rebar_database.inp file in the user's
model folder is updated to include the added definition.
You can also update the reinforcing bar catalog with
new reinforcing bar definitions without creating any
new objects.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 37 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
Bolt catalog Shared model contains the bolt catalog file
screwdb.db and the bolt assembly catalog file
Bolt assembly
catalog assdb.db.
When you add and use a new bolt or bolt assembly
definition in the shared model, the definition is shared
the next time you write out. When another user reads
in this new definition, the profdb.bin and assdb.db
files in the user's model folder are updated to include
the added definition.
You can also update the bolt catalog and bolt assembly
catalog with new bolt or bolt assembly definitions
without creating any new objects.
Material catalog Shared model contains the material catalog file
matdb.bin.
When you add and use a new material definition in the
shared model, the definition is shared next time you
write out. When another user reads in this new
definition, the matdb.bin file in the user's model folder
is updated to include the added definition.
You can also update the material catalog with new
material definitions without creating any new objects.
User-defined When a model is created, the user-defined attribute
attribute (UDA) definitions are read from the objects.inp files and
definitions the definitions are stored to the environment.db
database. Modified and added new attribute definitions
are shared incrementally.
New attribute definitions are added to the database
automatically when the model is opened. If the current
objects.inp file has a different definition than the
environment.db, it is possible to take changes to use
by clicking File --> Diagnose & repair --> Diagnose and
change attribute definitions .
If the objects.inp file is in the model folder, it is
shared as a file and it overrides the local objects.inp
file when you read in.
Options When a model is created, the options are read from the
options.ini files and the model-specific options are
stored to options_model.db and
options_drawings.db databases.
Model-specific options can be modified using the
Options and Advanced Options dialog boxes. Model-
specific option modifications are shared incrementally.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 38 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
• Some of the options are of the type SYSTEM(ROLE).
These options are read from the .ini files and are
not shared. It is possible to change SYSTEM(ROLE)
model option to MODEL(ROLE) option and the
drawing option to DRAWINGS(ROLE) option. The
options are then stored to the options_model.db
or options_drawings.db databases in the model
folder, and the value is shared incrementally.
• Some of the options are of the type USER. These
options are user-specific and they are not shared.
• Some of the options are of the type SYSTEM. These
options are user-specific and they are not shared. It
is possible to change a SYSTEM option to a
MODEL(SYSTEM) option. If you change a SYSTEM
option to MODEL(SYSTEM), the changed value only
works for the current model. These options are not
shared.
Other important The database ID range mapper file db.idrm and the
files in the model library database ID range mapper file xslib.idrm are
folder related to the handling of IDs. These files are needed,
for example, to open drawings that have been created
in single-user or multi-user modes.
View sharing By default, views are not shared. Views are shared if
they have a name, and the Share option in the View
Properties dialog box is set to Shared.
Note that when you join a model, you get all the model
views but changes to the views are not shared if the
Share option is set to Not shared.
Standard-part Standard-part model .db1 is shared when you save the
model database standard-part model in a separate folder under the
model folder.
Ensure that XS_STD_PART_MODEL is set relative to the
model folder and that it points to the correct standard-
part model, for example, XS_STD_PART_MODEL=.
\StandardParts\.
Pour unit Automatic assignments of objects to pour units are not
information shared. The Calculate pour units command has to be
run in the local versions of the shared model to update
the pour units.
If XS_CALCULATE_POUR_UNITS_ON_SHARING is set to
TRUE (which is the default value), Tekla Structures
automatically calculates and updates the pour units
during writing out and reading in.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 39 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
If XS_CALCULATE_POUR_UNITS_ON_SHARING is set to
FALSE, each user has to run the Calculate pour units
command in their local version of the shared model to
update the pour units.
Manual assignments created by using the Add to pour
unit and Remove from pour unit commands are
shared.

If you want to check the files that have been overwritten when you read in,
click File --> Sharing --> Open file backup folder. You can then, for example,
copy the files back to your model or check the files for change detection.

See also
Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing (page 44)

Tekla Model Sharing settings

To modify the basic Tekla Model Sharing settings, use the options in the
Sharing settings dialog box in File menu --> Sharing --> Sharing settings.

Option Description
Model folder file Click the Exclude button to define files or folders
sharing in the model folder that you do not want to share
(page 42).
• Tekla Model Sharing You can set up a separate Tekla Model Sharing
cache Cache service (page 14) to be used with the Tekla
Model Sharing service. With the Tekla Model
• Name and Port
Sharing Cache service, the model data is stored to
the sharing service and then cached inside a LAN.
This set-up is useful especially if there are several
Tekla Model Sharing users in the same location, or
a narrow bandwidth to the Internet. Using a cache
reduces the download effort.
The first user who reads in a packet from the
sharing service loads it to the cache, and the next
user gets the data faster from the cache inside the
LAN than from the sharing service through the
Internet. The cache is not used for packets that
are written out.
• Name is the name of the computer on which
the cache is installed.
To check the computer name, click Windows
Control Panel --> System and Security -->
System .

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 40 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
• Port is the cache service port number that you
have set when you installed the cache service.
The default value is 9998.
• Click the Set button to connect to the cache.
• Alternatively, you can set the advanced option
XS_CLOUD_SHARING_PROXY to ”name of the
server”;”port” in a .ini file. This advanced
option is user-specific.
To reset the cache settings in the dialog box to
the ones defined in the .ini file, click the
Reset button. If any .ini file has the
advanced option defined, the settings appear
in the dialog box.
Show available updates Select the check box to enable a list that shows all
when joining the model the available baselines and updates (page 29)
when you join the model.
The Available updates list shows all the baselines
and the updates after the latest baseline. You can
select any of the available baselines or updates to
join, not only the latest. By joining an earlier
baseline or update you can go back in the model
history, and, for example, check the model state
on a certain date.
Alternatively, you can set the advanced option
XS_SHARING_JOIN_SHOW_AVAILABLE_UPDATES to
TRUE in a .ini file to enable the showing of
updates. This advanced option is user-specific.
Show available updates Select the check box to enable a list that shows all
when reading in the the available updates (page 21) when you read in
changes the model changes.
The Available updates list shows all the available
updates. You can select any of the available
updates to be read in, not only the latest. By
reading in an earlier update you can go back in
the model history, and, for example, check the
model state on a certain date.
Alternatively, you can set the advanced option
XS_SHARING_READIN_SHOW_AVAILABLE_VERSION
S to TRUE in a .ini file to enable the showing of
updates. This advanced option is user-specific.
• Show changes after Select the check box to enable a list that shows
read in the model changes (page 21) after you have read
in. If you select the Only when conflicts exist

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 41 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Option Description
• Only when conflicts option, the list is shown only when there are
exist conflicts in the model after read in.
Alternatively, you can set the advanced options
XS_SHARING_READIN_SHOW_CHANGEMANAGER
and
XS_SHARING_READIN_SHOW_CHANGEMANAGER_
CONFLICTSONLY to TRUE in a .ini file to enable
the showing of model changes. These advanced
options are user-specific.
Enable write out Select the check box to enable the entering of
revision comment revision comments.
When you write out, you can enter a revision
comment and code in the comment dialog box. If
you enable the revision comments, the comment
dialog box is displayed for all the model users.
Alternatively, you can set the advanced option
XS_SAVE_WITH_COMMENT to TRUE in .ini files to
enable the revision comment. This advanced
option is model-specific.
• Copy project folder Select whether the project or the firm folder files
files to model folder are copied to the model folder that you are going
to share. Select the check boxes and click the
• Copy firm folder files
Copy files button.
to model folder
We recommend you to copy the project and firm
• Overwrite model
folder files.
folder files
You can also select whether the copied project or
firm folder files replace the existing files of the
same name in the model folder.
Individual files can be copied to a model folder at
any time. The next time you write out, they are
shared to all model users.

See also
Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing (page 44)

Exclude files and folders from Tekla Model Sharing

By default, files and folders in the model folder are shared when you share a
model in Tekla Model Sharing. If you do not want to share all of the model
folder files or folders, you can select to exclude some of them from sharing.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 42 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 NOTE Tekla Model Sharing works only if the model is the same for all users.
Tekla Structures takes care of model-specific data sharing. You can
only exclude files that do not have an effect on the model. You cannot
exclude any of the databases that are in the model folder, xslib.db1,
for example.
Empty folders under the model folder and some files are excluded
automatically.

1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Sharing settings .

The Sharing settings dialog box opens.
2. Click the Exclude button to see which files and folders in the model folder
are excluded from sharing, and to exclude more files or folders.
Some of the files and folders are excluded automatically from sharing.
These files and folders appear on the Excluded model folder files and
directories list, and they cannot be removed from the list.
a. If you want to exclude more folders or files, click the Directory or the
File button.
b. Select the folder or the file to be excluded.
The excluded folders and files are added to the Excluded model
folder files and directories list.
If you exclude a folder, all its sub-folders and sub-files are also
excluded from Tekla Model Sharing.
You can exclude files in several ways. For example, if you have a file
called TeklaStructures.bbb, and you use the following settings to
exclude the files:

Option Description
(x.x) TeklaStructures.bbb is excluded from sharing.
(x.*) All the files with TeklaStructures. are excluded from sharing.
(*.x) All the files with .bbb are excluded from sharing.
(*.*) All the files from that folder, but not from its sub-folders, are
excluded from sharing.
c. If you want to remove the added folders or files from the list of
excluded files, click Remove.
You cannot remove a folder or a file that has been excluded
automatically.
3. Click OK when you have finished selecting the excluded files.

See also
Tekla Model Sharing settings (page 40)

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 43 What is shared in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 Collect model history in Tekla Model Sharing
Tekla Model Sharing collects model history on the actions in the shared model.
Model history shows when the model has been changed, how the model has
changed, and who has made the changes.
1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Advanced Options --> Speed and
Accuracy.
2. Ensure that XS_COLLECT_MODEL_HISTORY is set to TRUE.
Tekla Structures automatically sets XS_COLLECT_MODEL_HISTORY to TRUE
when a model is shared.
3. Set XS_CLEAR_MODEL_HISTORY to FALSE.
4. Click OK.
5. To view model history, do one of the following:

• On the ribbon, click and select an object in the model.

The model history is shown in the Inquire Object dialog box.
If the Enable write out revision comments option has ben selected
in the Sharing settings dialog box, the revision comments are
displayed as well.
• Create a model history report.
a. On the Drawings & reports tab, click Reports.
b. Select a report template that shows the model history.
The name of the report template may vary in different
environments. In the Default environment, the report template is
called Q_Model_History_Report.
c. Click Create from all to create a report on all the objects in a
model, or select one or more objects in the model and click
Create from selected to create a report from the selected
objects.

See also
Start sharing a model in Tekla Model Sharing (page 18)
Tekla Model Sharing settings (page 40)

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 44 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 1.4 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
To keep your shared models in good shape and to share your changes
successfully, follow the Tekla Model Sharing best practices.
For general Tekla Model Sharing troubleshooting instructions, see
Troubleshooting Tekla Model Sharing.

How different object types work in shared models

When several users modify the model at the same time in Tekla Model
Sharing, conflicts may occur.
In general, all object types work similarly in Tekla Model Sharing. When you
read in, the changes in the incoming packet override your local changes to the
same object. In other words, if several users modify the same object, the user
who first writes out the changes to the sharing service wins in conflicts.
Before you start to share models, agree on common ways of working.
For example,
• have users work on different areas of the model.
• check catalogs (page 35) so that they include all the needed definitions.
• check family numbering settings.
Family numbering settings are shared but cannot be incrementally
updated. We recommend that one user first reads in all the packets, makes
the updates and then shares the settings by writing them out. If the user
needs to read in before writing out, it is important to check that the
settings are as they were before starting to share them.
Give start numbers in wide ranges so that you do not run out of numbers
within a numbering series, and that any numbering series does not overlap
with another.
We recommend you to use the Number series of selected objects
command on the Drawings & reports tab when numbering.
• agree whether pours will be used in the model and set
XS_ENABLE_POUR_MANAGEMENT accordingly.
If the pours are enabled in the model, do not disable the pours using
XS_ENABLE_POUR_MANAGEMENT, especially in the middle of the project.
The pours and pour breaks in the model and in the drawings may get
invalid, and you may lose all pour-related modeling work.
If users modify different properties of the same object, the end result is a
combination of modifications.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 45 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 • Model objects
A shared modification to an object property overrides any other object
property modification.
For example, one user modifies a beam profile and writes out. Another
user has modified the material of the same beam and reads in. The user
who modified the beam material loses the changes, because the shared
changes override the local changes to the same object.
• Grids
If there is a conflict in sharing grids, grids are recreated using the original
values that have been set in the grid properties. Any manually added grid
lines are lost.
For example, when two users modify a grid by adding extra grid lines and
write out, the added grid lines disappear from the model when they read
in.
• User-defined attributes (UDAs)
A shared change to a user-defined attribute (UDA) overrides changes to the
same UDA only.
For example, a change in the Comment UDA overrides a change to the
Comment UDA but not to the Shorten UDA.
A shared change to a part does not override UDA changes and vice versa.
• Part and the related component
A shared change to a part does not override component changes and vice
versa.
• Drawings
There can be duplicate drawings from the same part.
For example, two users create drawings from the same part when they are
working on their local versions of the shared model. When both users write
out their changes, two drawings appear on the drawing list. Tekla
Structures does not delete either of the drawings, and it does not merge
the changes from the drawings. You need to visually check the drawings
and decide which drawing to delete, or to use drawing locks (page 26) to
prevent other users modifying the drawings.
• Pours
Automatic assignments of objects to pour units are not shared. The
Calculate pour units command has to be run to update the pour units.
• If XS_CALCULATE_POUR_UNITS_ON_SHARING is set to TRUE (which is the
default value), Tekla Structures automatically calculates and updates the
pour units during writing out and reading in.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 46 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 • If XS_CALCULATE_POUR_UNITS_ON_SHARING is set to FALSE, each user
has to run the Calculate pour units command in their local version of
the shared model when they need up-to-date pour unit information.
For example, user 1 moves a reinforcing bar so that it touches a pour
object, runs the Calculate pour units command to add the bar to the
pour unit, and writes out. When user 2 reads in, he sees that the
reinforcing bar has been moved, but the bar has not been added to the
pour unit.
Manual assignments, and other modifications to pour objects and to the
objects attached to the pour objects (such as changes to geometry or
location), are shared. A shared manual change in pour unit assignment
overrides a local change.
For example, user 1 adds an embed to a pour unit by using the Add to
pour unit command, and writes out. User 2 has added the same embed to
another pour unit by using the Add to pour unit command. When user 2
reads in, he sees that the embed has been added to the pour unit user 1
added it to.
• Standard files for numbering setup
Standard files for numbering setup are not loaded automatically when you
read in. If you want to take them in to use, you need to reload them after
reading in.

WARNING If an object deletion has been written out to the sharing service, the
object will be deleted in your model when you read in. This happens
regardless of whether you have modified the object before reading in.
Deleted objects remain deleted if the deletion has been shared.
Deleted objects are not visualized when you read in.

How object IDs work in shared models

Tekla Structures objects have an identifier that is shown as an object GUID,
Globally Unique Identifier, that is also used in Tekla Model Sharing.
This means that features that do not use GUIDs need to be changed to use
GUIDs:
• Interoperability import/export actions:
• FabTrol XML
• ASCII
• All other applications, macros and report processes that rely on static IDs.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 47 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
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 How to share catalog updates without creating new objects
Sometimes you may need to update catalogs with new definitions, such as
new profiles, and share the changes without creating any objects with the new
definitions.
1. Ensure that all users on the shared model write out (page 21) their
changes.
2. Read in (page 21) all the model changes.
3. Update the needed catalogs (page 35).
4. Create a new baseline (page 29).
5. Ensure that all users join (page 19) the created baseline.
After users have joined the baseline:
a. Ensure that users check that their settings for excluded files and
folders (page 42) are up-to-date in File --> Sharing --> Sharing
settings --> Exclude, or that they copy the FileSharing.ini file
from the previous local version of the model in ..
\TeklaStructuresModels\<model>\ModelSharing\Settings.
b. Ensure that users remove their previous local versions of the model.

How to share Organizer data

By default, Organizer data is not shared. However, you can use the Organizer
import and export with Tekla Model Sharing to share the Organizer changes.
1. Select a user who is responsible for the Organizer data. This is User A.
2. User A creates the Organizer data and exports the data to a model
subfolder.
Note that the selected folder cannot be the default ProjectOrganizer
folder.
3. User A writes out (page 21).
4. User B reads in (page 21) and notices that there is new data available.
5. User B opens Organizer and imports the data that User A has exported.

The data appears as new in Organizer.

6. User B removes the old Organizer data and saves the model.
7. User A updates the Organizer data, exports the update and writes out.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 48 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
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 8. User B reads in and imports the updated data to Organizer.
The data appears as new in Organizer. User B removes the old data.

Backing up shared models

We recommend you to back up the models used in Tekla Model Sharing. In
case there are problems with a shared model, it is possible to select any user's
local version of the model, or a model that has been backed up, and continue
working using that model. Make sure that you have the complete backed up
model in use and that the model folder includes, for example, drawings and
different databases. This ensures that the model functions properly and you
do not lose any data. If the backed up version of the model is old, reading in all
the changes may take some time.
Back up your models according to your company conventions, for example, by
using Windows Backup. You can also use the File --> Save as --> Save and
create backup copy command to create a backup copy of the model. The
backup copy will have the same GUIDs as the original model.
Note that the Save as command cannot be used for backing up the model. If
you use Save as, the model gets new IDs and it has no relation to the original
model.
If you use the Save as command, the model history is not copied with the
saved model.

Restoring shared models

If a shared model has problems that may cause loss of working time, a
company administrator can delete the model versions that have problems
using Management Console for Tekla Model Sharing. It is also possible that a
user of a shared model restores a previous version of the model in Tekla
Structures, and that model is used in Tekla Model Sharing.
Management Console for Tekla Model Sharing provides a web-based access
for administrators to manage all shared models of an organization. An
administrator can lock a model and name one user as the lock owner who can
investigate the model in Tekla Structures. Once the lock owner finds the
problem, the administrator can delete the model versions that are causing the
problem, and then unlock the model so that it can be used normally again.
While the model is locked, the sharing commands in Tekla Structures are
available as follows:

• The Read in and Write out icons have yellow arrows . Only
the lock owner can use these commands.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 49 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
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 • On the File menu, the Read in, Write out, Create baseline and Users
commands are available for the lock owner.
• In the Shared models dialog box, the Edit model, Manage users, and

Remove model from cloud commands , and joining a particular

model are available for the lock owner.
For other users the sharing commands are not available.
If a user of the shared model has already read in or written out any of the
model versions that the administrator has deleted, Tekla Structures shows the

Write out and Read in icons with red arrows for this user. The
sharing commands on the File menu are not available. The user needs to
rejoin the model.
If a user is not using any of the deleted versions, the user does not need to
rejoin.
Note that it is also possible to revert to an earlier version of the model without
further investigating it. The administrator can lock the model in Management
Console for Tekla Model Sharing, delete the versions that are not needed or
that contain errors, and then unlock the model. After this, the users need to
rejoin the valid version of the model.
Note that when model versions are deleted, the changes that have been made
in those versions are lost from the model. The changes that should be
included in the model need to be made again and read in.
Another option to take a previous version of the model into use is that a user
of the shared model performs the following steps:
1. Join (page 19) the model again.
2. Read in (page 21) the packets until you have reached the preferred level in
the model history.
3. Exclude (page 30) the model from sharing.
4. Start sharing (page 18) and invite other users again to the model.
Ensure that all the users within the model start to use the restored version
of the model.

Rejoin the model if the model is not saved after write out
If there are errors in writing out changes to the sharing service, you may need
to rejoin the model. Tekla Structures will show you an error message if the
errors in the write out could cause database inconsistencies and corrupt
model data.
When you write out, Tekla Model Sharing does the following:
1. Saves the model.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 50 Best practices in Tekla Model Sharing
model
 2. Prepares the incremental packet. The data in the model folder is not
changed yet.
3. Uploads the incremental packet to the sharing service.
4. Saves the model again if the incremental packet is uploaded successfully.
Local model data is updated with the needed information.
Tekla Structures will not show you an error message if there are errors at any
step before step 4. The sharing service has not received the model update yet.
You can try to write out again as the model folder does not contain any data
that would prevent the write out. If there are new updates available for the
model, first read in the updates and then try to write out again.
If there are errors at step 4, Tekla Structures shows you an error message
advising you to rejoin the model. After joining, you can check from the sharing
history (page 23) that your write out was uploaded to the sharing service.
Errors at step 4 mean that the model may not have been saved correctly, and
model data may be corrupted or lost. The model has several different Tekla
Structures databases each of them with their own baseline. If there are errors,
the Tekla Structures model does not have all the needed information of what
has been shared.

How to get support for sharing issues

You can contact Tekla Structures support to solve Tekla Model Sharing issues.
When you deliver your model to your local support for investigation, ensure
that you include the following:
• The model. Zip the model but do not save it anymore before delivering it.
• Give Viewer permissions to Tekla Structures support by inviting tms-
[email protected] to the model.
Remember to remove Tekla Structures support from the users after the
model has been investigated.
• Detailed description of the problem.
Include steps to reproduce the problem if possible.
• Images and screenshots.
• Which Tekla Structures version you are using.
• Which environment and role you are using.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 51 Disclaimer

model
 1.5 Disclaimer
© 2018 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, Tekla Structures, Tekla BIMsight, BIMsight, Tekla Civil, Tedds, Solve,
Fastrak and Orion 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
Inc. 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.
Portions of this software:
D-Cubed 2D DCM © 2010 Siemens Industry Software Limited. All rights
reserved.
EPM toolkit © 1995-2006 Jotne EPM Technology a.s., Oslo, Norway. All rights
reserved.
Open Cascade Express Mesh © 2015 OPEN CASCADE S.A.S. All rights reserved.
PolyBoolean C++ Library © 2001-2012 Complex A5 Co. Ltd. All rights reserved.
FLY SDK - CAD SDK © 2012 VisualIntegrity™. All rights reserved.
Teigha © 2002-2016 Open Design Alliance. All rights reserved.
CADhatch.com © 2017. All rights reserved.
FlexNet Publisher © 2014 Flexera Software LLC. All rights reserved.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 52 Disclaimer

model
 This product contains proprietary and confidential technology, information
and creative works owned by Flexera Software LLC and its licensors, if any. Any
use, copying, publication, distribution, display, modification, or transmission of
such technology in whole or in part in any form or by any means without the
prior express written permission of Flexera Software LLC is strictly prohibited.
Except where expressly provided by Flexera Software LLC in writing,
possession of this technology shall not be construed to confer any license or
rights under any Flexera Software LLC intellectual property rights, whether by
estoppel, implication, or otherwise.
To see the third party open source software licenses, go to Tekla Structures,
click File menu --> Help --> About Tekla Structures and then click the 3rd
party licenses option.
The elements of the software described in this Manual are 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.

1.6 Multi-user mode

You can work on Tekla Structures models in either single-user or multi-user
mode. Multi-user mode allows several users to access the same model at the
same time. Several users can work on the same project and be aware of the
others’ progress. This eliminates the need for copying and merging models.

Advantages
• No duplicate models to control, track or store
• Using only one model reduces on site errors
• Erection plans based on a single master model
• Bolt and material lists generated from a single master model
• Ability to share the workload of large projects among many users
• Ability to collect model history (see XS_COLLECT_MODEL_HISTORY)

Other issues to consider

As with all projects, you need to plan your multi-user project carefully. Some
issues to consider are:
• Only one user can save to the master model at a time
• Use a numbering plan. When working with multi-user models, always use
the option Synchronize with master model (save-numbering-save) in
the Numbering setup dialog box to prevent saving conflicts.
• Schedule numbering sessions appropriately (it can take some time to
number larger models)

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 53 Multi-user mode

model
 • If possible, assign distinct areas of the model to each user to avoid conflicts
that may happen when several users are working in the same area.
• You should never use a mix of single-user and multi-user setups on one
project. Saving a multi-user model in single-user mode deletes changes by
other users working on the model, and can also corrupt the model. See
Saving in multi-user mode (page 59) to find out how saving works in multi-
user mode.

NOTE Tekla Structures multi-user mode only runs on TCP/IP-based networks.

See also
Multi-user system (page 54)
How multi-user works (page 57)
Saving in multi-user mode (page 59)
Autosaving in multi-user mode (page 59)
Shutting down the model in multi-user mode (page 61)
Copy multi-user models (page 62)
Error messages in multi-user mode (page 63)
Recommendations for multi-user setup (page 64)

Multi-user system
A Tekla Structures multi-user system runs on a TCP/IP network and consists of:
• A server computer running the multi-user server
• A file server computer containing the master model
• Client computers running Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures multi-user server as a service

Tekla Structures multi-user server runs as a service that is started
automatically when you start the computer. You do not need to log in to the
service.
Tekla Structures multi-user server performs the following main tasks:
• Locks the model when somebody saves or numbers the model
• Identifies client computers
• Keeps track of active multi-users
• Gives numbers for general arrangement drawings and multidrawings

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 54 Multi-user mode

model
 • Displays warnings if an another user has already edited or is currently
editing drawings or the same model object
To optimize the performance of a multi-user system, run as few other
programs as possible on the Tekla Structures multi-user server.

Server shutdown
Users should save their working models to the master model before the Tekla
Structures multi-user server is stopped. If the service is stopped before saving
the working models, for example because the server computer needs a
restart, simply restart the service and have users save their working models to
the master model.

Install Tekla Structures multi-user server as a service

The Tekla Structures multi-user server installer installs the multi-user server as
a service. When you have installed the server, the service is always available
and it is automatically started when the server computer is started. There is no
need to log in and no need to start the server manually every time you start
your computer. Tekla Structures multi-user server allows many users to work
on the same model simultaneously.
We recommend that you use the latest multi-user server version available
regardless of the Tekla Structures version that you use.
1. Download the multi-user server software installation file from Tekla
Downloads.
2. Double-click the installation file to run the installation.
3. Follow the steps in the installation wizard to complete the installation.
The server is by default installed to:
c:\Program Files (x86)\Tekla Structures Multiuser Server
You cannot change the installation path during the installation.
The multi-user server uses TCP/IP port 1238.

The installation log is written to the xs_server.log file that is available in c:

\ProgramData\TeklaStructuresServer.

Change the server of a multi-user model

You can change the Tekla Structures server of a multi-user model.
1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Change server.
2. Enter the new server name or select it from the list.
3. Click OK.
If the connection to the new server cannot be established, the old
connection is restored.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 55 Multi-user mode

model
 NOTE The file .This_is_multiuser_model located in the model folder defines
whether the model is a multi-user or a single-user model. The file includes
also the name of the server. You can open the file using any standard text
editor.

See also
Convert a multi-user model to a single-user model (page 56)
Convert a single-user model to a multi-user model (page 56)

Convert a multi-user model to a single-user model

You can convert a multi-user model to a single-user model and open it in the
single-user mode.

To Do this
Convert a current, open model On the File menu, click Sharing -->
Convert to single-user model.
The current model is converted to a
single-user model.
Convert some other than the current 1. On the File menu, click Open.
model
2. Select the multi-user model to be
converted from the list of
models, and in the Convert to
single-user model box click
Convert and open.

See also
Convert a single-user model to a multi-user model (page 56)

Convert a single-user model to a multi-user model

You can convert a single-user model to a multi-user model and open it in the
multi-user mode.

To Do this
Convert a current, open model 1. On the File menu, click Sharing --
> Convert to multi-user model.
2. Enter the multi-user server name
or select the name from the list in
the Convert dialog box.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 56 Multi-user mode

model
 To Do this
3. Click Convert to multi-user
model.
The current model is converted
to a multi-user model.
Convert some other than the current 1. On the File menu, click Open.
model
2. Select the single-user model to
be converted from the list of
models, and in the Convert to
multi-user model box enter the
server name.
3. Click Convert and open.

See also
Convert a multi-user model to a single-user model (page 56)

How multi-user works

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 57 Multi-user mode

model
 The multi-user model consists of a single master model. Each user can access
this model and open their own local view of the model. This local view is called
a working model. The above image shows one possible configuration of the
multi-user system.
Any changes a user makes to his working model are local and are not visible to
other users until he saves the working model to the master model.
The multi-user system can contain several client computers, where users work
on their working models. The master model can be located anywhere on the
network, including any of the client computers.
When you open a multi-user model on a client computer, Tekla Structures
makes a copy of the master model and saves it locally on the client computer
(a working model).
When you click Save to save your working model back to the master model,
Tekla Structures:
1. Takes a new copy of the master model and compares your working model
with it.
2. Saves the changes in your working model to the copy of the master model
(locally).
3. Saves this copy back to the master model. (When other users save their
working models, they can now see your changes.)
4. Takes a new copy of the master model and saves it locally as your working
model. (You can see your own changes and those uploaded by other
users.)
The multi-user model is locked during opening, saving and numbering. When
one of the users performs any of these operations, other users cannot
perform them during that time.

Locks for models in multi-user mode

To preserve the integrity of the multi-user model, Tekla Structures locks the
master model when a user:
• Opens the multi-user model
• Saves a working model to the master model
• Runs numbering
When you try to save the model that is locked, Tekla Structures gives you an
option to queue for saving until the model is unlocked. Tekla Structures keeps
on retrying saving every 15 seconds until the operation is completed or until
you cancel the operation.

See also
Saving in multi-user mode (page 59)

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 58 Multi-user mode

model
 Saving in multi-user mode
Tekla Structures preserves the integrity of the model, even if more than one
user modifies the same model objects. If two users modify the same object,
then save to the master model, the master model will only contain the
changes of the user who most recently saved their working model to the
master model.

TIP To avoid potential save conflicts, have users work on different areas of the
model.

Tekla Structures creates connections to the right parts, even if the part is
moved by another user.
Note that if you use the Save as command to save the model, the model
history is not copied with the saved model.

Speeding up the saving process

The following advice may help in speeding up the saving process:
• Check your network connection speed, because it can slow down the
saving process significantly.
• Close down all the views of the model before saving.
• Set the advanced options XS_PROJECT and XS_FIRM so that they point to a
local drive and move most of the system files there. If there are many
system files in the network drive, saving may become slower than when
using system files located on your own hard drive. Each user should use
the same files to ensure similar outcome.
• Delete any hidden reference models which you do not need anymore.

See also
How multi-user works (page 57)

Autosaving in multi-user mode

Autosave only saves the working model, not the master model. Other users do
not see the modifications you make after an Autosave. In multi-user mode,
this makes Autosave much faster than the Save command. Save updates the
master model.
By default, Tekla Structures saves the Autosave files in the master model
folder with the filename <model>.db1_<user>. If several people are using
the same username, conflicts will occur.
To avoid conflicts and problems caused by the network traffic, store the
Autosave files locally, not in the model folder that is located on a network
drive. Set the advanced option XS_AUTOSAVE_DIRECTORY, for example, to
XS_AUTOSAVE_DIRECTORY=C:\TeklaStructuresModels\autosave. By

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 59 Multi-user mode

model
 saving autosave files locally you make sure that if there are problems in the
network traffic, you are still able to save your own work.
1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Options, and in the General settings
define the Autosave intervals for operations performed in the drawing
and the model.
2. Periodically autosave the model manually.
To do so, create a shortcut for the Autosave command. Click File menu --
> Settings and in the Customize area select Keyboard shortcuts.

NOTE Remember to save regularly to the master model by clicking Save.

See also
Error messages in multi-user mode (page 63)
Copy multi-user models (page 62)
How multi-user works (page 57)

Model history in multi-user mode

Tekla Structures collects model history on the actions that have taken place in
the multi-user model by different users.
Model history shows when the model has been changed, how the model has
changed, who has made the changes, and the model revision comments.
Model history is collected only in multi-user models.

Collect model history in multi-user mode

1. On the File menu, click Settings --> Advanced options.
2. Go to the Speed and Accuracy tab.
3. Set XS_COLLECT_MODEL_HISTORY to TRUE.
4. Set XS_CLEAR_MODEL_HISTORY to FALSE.
5. Optional: Go to the Multi-user tab.
Set XS_SAVE_WITH_COMMENT to TRUE.
This enables the saving of model revision comments.

View model history in multi-user mode

To view model history, do one of the following:

• On the ribbon, click and select an object in the model.

The model history is shown in the Inquire Object dialog box.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 60 Multi-user mode

model
 • Create a model history report.
1. On the Drawings & reports tab, click Reports.
2. Select a report template that shows model history from the list. The
name of the report template may vary in different environments.
In the Default environment, the report template is called
Q_Model_History_Report.
3. Click Create from all to create a report on all the objects in a model,
or select one or more objects in the model and click Create from
selected to create a report from the selected objects.

Save model revision comments in multi-user mode

You can save model revision comments when working with multi-user models.
This means that all objects which have been changed during the last save
interval include the revision information in them. You can use this information
in filtering and reports. You can also use it to examine which users have
modified the objects.
• The Owner is the user, who has added the object into the model.
• History shows when the model has been changed, how the model has
changed, who has made the changes, and the model revision comments.
Before you can save model revision comments, check the following:
• Set the advanced option XS_SAVE_WITH_COMMENT to TRUE in File menu --
> Settings --> Advanced options --> Multi-user.
• Set the advanced option XS_COLLECT_MODEL_HISTORY to TRUE in File
menu --> Settings --> Advanced options --> Speed and Accuracy.
1. When you have set the advanced options mentioned above to TRUE, Tekla
Structures displays the Model revision comments dialog box when you
are saving the model. Enter the desired revision comment and code in the
Model revision comment and Model revision code boxes.
2. Click OK.

Tekla Structures applies the values of this dialog box to parts that were
changed after the last save. When you inquire objects, you can see the model
revision information in the Inquire Object dialog box. You can use this
information also for selection and view filtering.

Shutting down the model in multi-user mode

Do not shut down the computer containing the master model while other
users are working on their working models. They will not be able to save their
changes to the master model.
If this does happen, to avoid losing any changes, follow the steps below:

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 61 Multi-user mode

model
 1. Keep the working model(s) open on the client computer(s).
2. Restart the computer containing the master model.
3. Open the master model on the computer containing it and autosave the
model.
4. Click Save on the client computers to save the working models to the
master model.

See also
Saving in multi-user mode (page 59)
Autosaving in multi-user mode (page 59)

Copy multi-user models

1. Have all users save and close their working models.
2. On the File menu, click Open.
3. From the list of models, select the multi-user model and go to the
Convert to single-user model box and click Convert and open.
4. Use Save as to make a copy of the model.
5. Exit Tekla Structures and re-open the model in multi-user mode to
continue working on it.

Display active multi-users

You can display information on users working on the same server.

To display active multi-users, click File menu --> Sharing --> Active multi-
users.

The Active Multi-Users dialog box displays the following information:

Option Description
Locked The time when the model was locked.
Model name The name of the model.
User Users that are currently working on
models on the server.
Latest login The time when the users have logged
in.
Latest access to server The time when the users have last
accessed the server.
Editing drawings The drawings that are currently being
edited.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 62 Multi-user mode

model
 Option Description
Edited drawings The drawings that have been edited
and saved to the server.

TIP The Active Multi-Users dialog box is refreshed every 30 seconds. You can
refresh it immediately by clicking Refresh.

Error messages in multi-user mode

Error message Problem Solution

Database write More than one user has Check the
conflicts detected changed an object. conflict.log. It lists
the GUID numbers of
the objects that more
than one user has
changed. This is not
usually a critical
problem. No need to use
the Check database
tool. See also Saving in
multi-user mode
(page 59)
Could not save model. You tried to save a multi- • Check that you have
Possible reasons are: user model to a permission to write
computer or folder that to the model folder.
- disk is full or write
you could not access.
protected • Check that there is
enough disk space to
- locked .tmp -file(s)
save the model.
exists in the model
directory • Restart the computer
where you want to
save the model. Try
to save the model
again.
• Delete the .tmp files
from the model
directory.
Database locked Computer stopped To unlock the model, the
cannot open model responding while saving user whose operating
the model, which locks system stopped
the model. responding should open
the model in multi-user
mode and save it.
Cannot read autosaved The opening of a multi- Do not rename or move
model as a normal user Autosave file has Autosave files. Do not

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 63 Multi-user mode

model
 Error message Problem Solution
model in the multi-use been prevented in open the Autosave file of
mode single-user mode to a single-user model in
prevent the reading of multi-user mode or vice
wrong file types. versa.

Recommendations for multi-user setup

Here are some recommendations on how to optimize your multi-user setup.
For more information, see Hardware recommendations.

Server computer
The Tekla Structures server does not have a high workload and can be run on
a relatively low specification computer. You do not need a commercial network
file server. Its main task is to process network requests for object ID numbers.
See Multi-user system (page 54) for more information.

Client computer
Have as much RAM as possible (4 Gb or more). This speeds up saving in multi-
user mode. See Saving in multi-user mode (page 59) to find out more about
the multi-user save process.
We also recommend using a fast multi-core processor, particularly for
computers where you run numbering.
LVD (Low Voltage Differential) drives speed up the saving and opening of
models).

Network
Ensure that the TCP/IP protocols are set correctly:
• Each PC on the same network has a unique ID number
• Each PC on the same network has an identical Subnet mask

TIP To find the IP address of a computer, enter ipconfig at the DOS

prompt.

NOTE Some network operating systems may block user history data, which
means that for example the Inquire object dialog box does not show
user names.

Remove inconsistencies from a multi-user database

To preserve the integrity of your multi-user model, you need to remove any
inconsistencies from the multi-user database at regular intervals, for example

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 64 Multi-user mode

model
 once a day. This may also fix assemblies with no main part and drawings of
unknown (U) type.
We recommend you to check the multi-user database in single-user mode.
1. Have all other users exit the multi-user model.
2. Save your model to receive the modifications of other users.
3. Exit the model.
4. Open the model in single-user mode.
5. On the File menu, click Diagnose & Repair and in the Model area, click
Repair model.
6. Save the model.
7. Exit the model.

Modeling in multi-user mode

Before you start a project, assign each user an area of the model. To prevent
potential save conflicts, you need to avoid having more than one user working
on the same, or adjacent model objects. See also Saving in multi-user mode
(page 59).

Example
If three users are to model a project, User #1 could model columns, User #2
the 1st floor beams, and User #3 the 2nd floor beams.
In the following example, three users are working on the same model. You can
see how modeling and saving works in practice.
The master model contains columns and grids, as you can see here.
Each user opens the model in multi-user mode. All users are now working on
working models, locally.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 65 Multi-user mode

model
 On the working models:
User #1 adds base plates to the columns:

User #2 adds and connects the 1st floor steel beams:

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 66 Multi-user mode

model
 User #3 adds and connects the 2nd floor steel beams:

User #1 clicks Save to save to the master model. His working model now
shows the base plates he added and looks like this:

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 67 Multi-user mode

model
 User #2 clicks Save to save to the master model. His working model now
shows his 1st floor framing and User #1’s base plates:

User #3 clicks Save to save to the master model. His working model now
shows all three users’s work:

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 68 Multi-user mode

model
 To see the updated master model, Users #1 and #2 need to save to the master
model again to update their working models.

See also
Numbering setup in multi-user mode (page 69)
Synchronize numbering with the master model (page 70)

Numbering setup in multi-user mode

Define the numbering settings as follows:
1. On the Drawings & reports tab, click Numbering settings -->
Numbering settings.
2. In the Numbering setup dialog box, select the Synchronize with master
model (save-numbering-save) check box.
When you select this check box, you can cancel the numbering before the
last save is made. This is useful, for example, if you want to check the
numbering results and you find something that you still want to change.

NOTE When working with multi-user models, use this option always to
prevent saving conflicts.

3. Modify the other properties as required.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 69 Multi-user mode

model
 4. Click OK.
Tekla Structures will now save the model before and after you number all
parts or modified parts.
When you click Perform numbering --> Number modified objects on the
Drawings & reports tab to run numbering, Tekla Structures displays a list that
shows the numbering progress. When the numbering is finished, the changed
numbering results are highlighted in the list. When you select an item on the
list, Tekla Structures highlights the corresponding object(s) in the model. If you
keep the F key pressed when you select the item, Tekla Structures fits the work
area of the current view around the objects.
If the numbering results are correct, click Save numbers to make the second
save. To cancel the numbering before the second save, click Cancel. If you
cancel the numbering, the model is returned to the state before numbering
and standard files are read to all dialogs.
To review the numbering results further, click Stop timer.
To change the time frame in which Tekla Structures makes the second save,
use the advanced option XS_NUMBERING_RESULTS_DIALOG_DISPLAY_TIME.

NOTE We recommend that you run the Diagnose & Repair Numbering: All
command in File menu --> Diagnose & Repair to remove any numbering
inconsistencies from the multi-user database at regular intervals, for example
once a day.

See also
Access rights in multi-user mode (page 73)

Synchronize numbering with the master model

If you need to include numbering information from areas in the model that
have been modeled by other users:
1. Ask all users to save their working models. This updates the master
model.
2. Number the model. Make sure that the Synchronize with master model
(save-numbering-save) check box is selected in the Numbering setup
dialog box (see Numbering setup in multi-user mode (page 69)). This
updates your working model to the master model, numbers the master
model, and then saves the numbered master model for all users to
access.

NOTE If you create drawings and/or reports after numbering, you need to save the
master model again to make them visible to other users.

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model
 Drawings in multi-user mode
The multi-user environment is very useful when several users are
simultaneously editing drawings.
Tekla Structures saves each drawing in a unique file. These drawing files are
located in the drawing folder in the master model folder.

The file is in the format D0000123456.dg. The dg files are part of the model,
so you can only open them using Tekla Structures.
dg files contain the locations of views, details of any editing done to the
drawing, and the positions of dimensions, part marks, and text. The dg
filename does not contain any reference to assembly, part, or multidrawing
numbers.
If two users open and save the same drawing in their working models, then
save their changes to the master model, one set of changes will be lost. The
master model will only contain the changes of the user who most recently
saved their working model to the master model. See Saving in multi-user
mode (page 59).
The Tekla Structures multi-user server assigns the general arrangement
drawing numbers automatically. This means that each drawing gets the first
free number available. If users A and B both create a general arrangement
drawing at the same time, they are automatically assigned different numbers.
The same applies to multidrawing numbers.

See also
Guidelines for multi-user drawings (page 71)
Locks for drawings in multi-user mode (page 72)

Guidelines for multi-user drawings

You may find the following guidelines useful when you edit or check drawings:

Action Recommendation
Saving drawings Periodically save your working model
to the master model (every 5–10
drawings).
Editing drawings • Assign each user a different range
of drawings to edit.
• Lock finalized drawings.

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model
 Action Recommendation
• If Tekla Structures displays the
message Database write
conflicts detected and a drawing
ID number, two or more users
have opened and saved the same
drawing. See Drawings in multi-
user mode (page 70).
Checking drawings Only check locked drawings.
Printing drawings Make sure that no-one else is working
with the same drawing. If you print a
drawing while someone else is editing
it and then save the model, the other
user’s changes will be lost, even
though you have not opened,
modified, or saved the drawing.
You can disable the print date by
using the advanced option
XS_DISABLE_DRAWING_PLOT_DATE.
Creating general arrangement Create a set of empty general
drawings arrangement drawings in the
beginning of the project, and assign a
a certain range of these ready-created
empty drawings to each user (for
example, GA1 to GA10 to User A,
GA11-GA20 to User B and so on). This
prevents overlapping general
arrangement drawing numbers in the
project.

See also
Delete unnecessary drawing files in multi-user mode (page 73)

Locks for drawings in multi-user mode

When you are about to open a drawing, Tekla Structures displays a notification
on the status of the drawing. The options are:
• Someone is already editing it.
• Someone has already edited it (drawing has been saved to their computer,
but not yet to the server).
• The drawing has already been saved and there is a newer version available
on the server.

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model
 NOTE Locks for drawings are only used when a drawing is edited manually,
not for example when drawings are automatically edited through
cloning.
Note that to lock edited drawings, the XS_COLLECT_MODEL_HISTORY
advanced option must be set to TRUE.

Delete unnecessary drawing files in multi-user mode

Every time you update a drawing, Tekla Structures creates a new drawing (.dg)
file in the drawings sub-folder of the model. After that, the previous drawing
file is not used.
You can delete the unnecessary drawing files in multi-user mode. Use the
advanced option XS_DELETE_UNNECESSARY_DG_FILES to have the
unnecessary drawing files deleted automatically when the last user exits the
model and saves the model.
By default all unnecessary drawing files are deleted automatically after seven
days. Use the advanced option
XS_DELETE_UNNECESSARY_DG_FILES_SAFETY_PERIOD to define the time frame
after which unnecessary drawing files are deleted.

Access rights in multi-user mode

You can use privileges to control access rights. The person who has created
the model, or anyone from the same organization, can control access rights to
the model using privileges. In practice the privileges of the model are
controlled via the privileges.inp file.
By modifying the privileges.inp file you can control
• access to modify user-defined attributes.
• access to modify object properties. This is done by locking and unlocking
objects.
• access to modify numbering settings.
• access to remove users on multi-user server.
• access to save standard files.
You can prevent your model and drawings being accidentally modified by
using the Locked user-defined attribute (UDA) or drawing locks, or locks in
Phase manager. Using the Locked UDA and privileges together you can even
restrict some users or organizations from modifying your model.
For example, you can limit access to the model so that a checker can only
change status attributes. Or you could prevent certain users from changing

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model
 the user-defined attributes used for approval or manufacturing and erection
status.

Change access rights in the privileges.inp file

How the privileges work:
• The privileges.inp file serves as a user interface for updating the
privileges in a model.
• The privileges are loaded from the privileges.inp file and stored in the
model.
• The privileges are loaded from the privileges.inp file only if the current
user is allowed to do so.
• If there is no privileges.inp file or if it cannot be loaded, then the
privileges that are already stored in the model (if any) are used.
• If you do not set any privileges, all users have full rights.
• Tekla Structures checks the privilege defaults in the privileges.inp file
when you create a model, and each time you open a model.
• Tekla Structures searches for the file first in the current model folder, then
in the folder defined for the advanced option XS_INP.

NOTE Only the person who created the model, or anyone from the same
organization, can modify the privileges of the model via the privileges.inp
file.

To change the access rights:

1. Close the model.
2. Open the privileges.inp file, located in ..\ProgramData\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\common\inp folder, in any
text editor.
3. Change the desired settings and save the file.
4. Re-open the model.

Example
Below is an example of the privileges.inp file. The slash (/) or backslash (\)
separates the user name from the organization (<organization>/<user>). If
no user name is entered, it means anyone in the company. Each row contains
three columns, separated by tabs.
If you want to give the privileges only to one user or only to some users, you
first have to exclude everyone and then include the users who you want to
give the privileges.
Note that the organization and the user names are case sensitive. For
example, COMPANYA is not the same as companyA.

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model
 Options in the privileges.inp file
The following commands are available in the privileges.inp file:
• access to modify any user-defined attribute (UDA) - attribute:UDA_NAME
• access to modify object properties - attribute:OBJECT_LOCKED
• access to modify numbering settings - action:PartnumbersOptions
• access to perform numbering - action:PerformNumbering
• access to remove users in multi-user model -
action:AllowMultiuserKick
• access to save standard files - action:SaveStandard
• access to add watermarks to printed drawings -
action:DrawingWatermark
When you want to give the right only to one user or some users, you have to
first exclude everyone and then include the users.

Column Option Description

protected user- attribute: name Affects the protected user-defined
defined attribute attribute "name". Check the exact
spelling of the name in the
objects.inp.
OR
action action: name Affects the action "name". The
available actions:
• PartnumbersOptions: Controls
access to numbering settings.
Limitation: only full/none
• PerformNumbering: Controls
access to performing numbering.
• AllowMultiuserKick: Controls
access to removing users from a
multi-user model.
Limitation: only full/none

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 Column Option Description
• SaveStandard: Controls access to
saving standard files.
Limitations: only standard
• DrawingWatermark: Controls
access to adding watermarks for
printed drawings.
user everyone All users
domain/ Affects all users within the network
domain "domain".
domain/nn Affects the user "nn" in the network
domain "domain".
nn Affects the user "nn".
rights full User can change the user-defined
attribute.
view User can view the user-defined
attribute, but not change it. This
option appears dimmed to the user.
none The user-defined attribute is hidden
from the user.

User-defined attribute Locked

To protect objects from being accidentally modified, you can use the Locked
user-defined attribute (UDA).
You can use it for
• parts (separately for beams, columns, etc.)
• bolts
• welds
• specific drawing types
• project properties
• phase properties

The Locked user-defined attribute (UDA) has three values, Yes, No and
Organization. When set to Yes, the object is locked and you cannot modify its
properties. You can only change the object’s user-defined attributes that do
not affect numbering. If you try to modify a locked object, Tekla Structures
displays the following warning message:
"There are locked objects, see report. The operation could not be performed."

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model
 The OBJECT_LOCKED attribute in the objects.inp file defines whether the
Locked user-defined attribute (UDA) is visible in the Tekla Structures user
interface.

NOTE Make sure that numbering is up-to-date before you lock objects.

Control access to lock and unlock objects in a multi-user model

Use the OBJECT_LOCKED attribute in the privileges.inp file to set users'
access to the user-defined attribute (UDA) Locked and thus prevent users
from locking and unlocking objects.

Example
Only users man and man2 have full rights to lock and unlock objects. The
attribute is hidden from everybody else:

NOTE To protect other user-defined attributes, you need to list them in the
privileges.inp file.

Control access to numbering in a multi-user model

Use the PartnumbersOptions in the privileges.inp file to restrict users'
access to the numbering properties and thus prevent unauthorized users from
modifying the numbering settings.

NOTE Users can still run numbering even if they have no privilege to modify the
numbering settings.

If a user who has no privilege to modify properties in the Numbering Setup

dialog box tries to access the dialog box, Tekla Structures displays a warning
message which states that the user does not have the required privilege.

Example
Only admin can modify the properties in the Numbering Setup dialog box:

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model
 Control access to save standard files in a multi-user model
Use the SaveStandard action in the privileges.inp file to control users'
access to save standard files.

Example
Only admin has rights to save standard files in network domain
ORGANIZATION:

Control access to remove users from a multi-user model

Use the AllowMultiuserKick action in the privileges.inp to restrict
permissions to remove users from a multi-user model.

You can define that undesired active multi-users can be removed from the
user list in the Active multi-users dialog box. This is useful, for example, if an
application error has occurred on the user’s computer, and the locks on locked
objects need to be cleared by removing the user.
Define the AllowMultiuserKick action in the privileges.inp file and give
full permissions to the user who you want to be able to remove other users
from the model.

Example
Only user jsmith has full permissions to remove users:

To remove a user:
1. On the File menu, click Sharing --> Active multi-users.
2. Right-click a user who you want to remove and select Clear locks.
3. Click Refresh to remove the user.
All the locks that the user has on objects and the user are removed.

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model
 1.7 Trimble Connector
Trimble Connector enables the connection between Tekla Structures and
Trimble Connect Desktop or Trimble Connect Web for sharing reference
models.

With Trimble Connector, you can

• attach a Tekla Structures model to a Trimble Connect project and project
folders
• download a reference model from a Trimble Connect project to a Tekla
Structures model
• upload a Tekla Structures reference model to a Trimble Connect project
• export Tekla Structures model objects as an .ifc reference model to a
Trimble Connect project

NOTE You need to have a Trimble Identity before you can start using Trimble
Connector.

NOTE Trimble Connect related metadata and all reference models are
located in the ..\TeklaStructuresModels\<model>\TConnect
folder. Exported reference model settings are stored to the ..
\TeklaStructuresModels\<model>\Links folder. Trimble
Connector does not work correctly if you manually modify the files in
these folders.

Download a reference model from and upload a reference

model to Trimble Connect
• To download a reference model from a Trimble Connect project to a Tekla
Structures model, click File --> Import --> Trimble Connect.
• To upload a Tekla Structures reference model to a Trimble Connect project,
click File --> Export --> Trimble Connect.
The Trimble Connect dialog box opens. Log in using your Trimble Identity,
and you can start working with Trimble Connector.

Launch Trimble Connect and Trimble Connector from

ribbon or Quick Launch
Instead of opening Trimble Connector through the File menu, you can start it
from the ribbon or Quick Launch. You can also start Trimble Connect
Desktop and Trimble Connect Web from these two locations.

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model
 • You can use Trimble Connect ribbon tab commands to launch Trimble
Connect Desktop, Trimble Connect Web and Trimble Connector:

• You can also launch these applications using Quick Launch:

• You need to log in to Trimble Connector using your Trimble Identity.

• When you launch Trimble Connect Web:
• Trimble Connect Web opens the Trimble Connect project attached to
the Tekla Structures model.
• If you have attached a project, the project activity page will be opened:
https://app.connect.trimble.com/tc/app#/project/"ProjectId"/activity.
• If you have not attached a project, http://connect.trimble.com/ is
displayed.
• When you launch Trimble Connect Desktop:
• Trimble Connect Desktop opens the desktop project attached to the
current Tekla Structures model.
• If you have not attached a project, Trimble Connect projects page is
opened.
• If you have not installed Trimble Connect Desktop, web page to
download Trimble Connect Desktop https://
app.connect.trimble.com/tc/app#/store will be opened.
• When you launch Trimble Connector:
• Trimble Connector opens, and you can attach a project if you have not
done that earlier.

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 Link a Tekla Structures model to a Trimble Connect project

1. In Trimble Connector, click .

The Select project dialog box opens.
2. Select the project geographical location in the Trimble Connect service.
A list of available projects is shown.
3. Select a project and click OK.
The name of the selected project is shown on top of the dialog box.
Now you can attach folders to the project.

4. Click .
The Select folders dialog box opens. The previously selected project is
shown.
5. Double-click the project to see the folders inside the project.
6. Double-click the root folder to see the subfolders.
A list of available folders is shown. You can select multiple folders, create
new folders and delete existing folders from the list.
If you create a new folder, enter the folder name in the box and click
Create.
7. Select a folder where you want to link the model and click OK.
The selected folders are shown in the Trimble Connect dialog box.
8. Double-click the folder to open it.

9. Click Export new model to Trimble Connect and specify the export
details:
• Enter a name for the model.
The model name is unique for a project.
• Select what you want to link: Filter, All, or Selected.
• If you selected Filter, select an appropriate filter.
• If you selected Selected, select the objects in the Tekla Structures
model.
• Specify an IFC export settings file if necessary.
Note that if you do not define a settings file that specifies which object
types you want to export, such as reinforcement, surface geometry is
only exported.
• Click OK.

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 Download a reference model from a Trimble Connect
project to a Tekla Structures model
1. Double-click a selected folder.
A list of reference models in that folder is shown.
2. A reference model that has not yet been downloaded to a Tekla Structures

model has the icon. Select a reference model and click .

The reference model is downloaded to a Tekla Structures model subfolder
and inserted to the Tekla Structures model.
If you want to see a list of reference model versions, click the arrow in front of
the reference model name. You can select any of the previous versions of the

model and insert it to the Tekla Structures model by clicking .

When a reference model version has been inserted to the Tekla Structures

model, the version gets the icon.

If there is a reference model version that exists in the Tekla Structures model
subfolder but has not been inserted to the Tekla Structures model, the version

gets the icon.

When the reference model version is the same in Tekla Structures and in

Trimble Connect, the model gets the icon.

Download a reference model update from a Trimble

Connect project to a Tekla Structures model
If a Trimble Connect project folder contains an update to a reference model
that already has been downloaded to Tekla Structures, the reference model

gets the icon. Click the icon to download the latest version of the model.

Upload a Tekla Structures reference model to a Trimble

Connect project
If a Tekla Structures model has a reference model inserted that has not been
uploaded to a Trimble Connect project, the model gets the icon.
The models are listed at the bottom of the Trimble Connect dialog box. You
can upload the reference model to a Trimble Connect project by clicking .

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 Upload a Tekla Structures reference model update to a
Trimble Connect project
If a Tekla Structures model has an update to an inserted reference model, and
the model has been published to a Trimble Connect project, the reference
model gets the New version label.
You can upload the reference model update to a Trimble Connect project by
clicking .

Export Tekla Structures model objects as an .ifc reference

model to a Trimble Connect project
You can create an .ifc coordination view 2.0 file from Tekla Structures model
objects and export it to a Trimble Connect project. You can create the file from
selected model objects, or from all model objects.

1. Click to start the export.

The Configure IFC export dialog box opens.
2. Enter a name for the exported model.
The model name is unique for a project.
3. Select to export All or Selected, or select Filter.
• If you selected Selected, select the objects.
• If you selected Filter, select the filter from the list below.
4. Select the IFC export settings file.
You can create and save IFC export settings in the Export to IFC dialog box.
The settings file needs to be located in the model \attributes folder. If
you do not select a settings file, the IFC model is created of parts only, not
assemblies.
Note that if you do not define a settings file that specifies which object
types you want to export, such as reinforcement, surface geometry is only
exported.
5. Click OK.
You can download the reference model to the Tekla Structures model. Select

the reference model in Trimble Connector, and click .

After a successful export, the model is marked with .

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 If the Tekla Structures model has an updated version of the exported

reference model, click to export the updated version of the reference

model.
If you do not specify a settings file, the .ifc file only includes parts and grids.
The .ifc file does not include assembly information, which means that you
can export only main parts. You can add additional property sets by saving a
property set through File --> Export --> IFC, use the file name ifc.xml.

Use base point instead of alignment offset

If the Trimble Connect project folder name is equal than an existing base point
name, or if the project folder name ends with (existing base point name),
then the base point is used instead of the alignment offset. If a base point is
used, offsets are ignored. An example of a project folder name ending with
(existing base point name) would be the folder name Architectural (EK840)
where base point with the name EK840 representing the coordinate system
name exists.

ToDos
The ToDo list in Trimble Connector displays the ToDo notes added to the
project. You can add ToDo notes and reply to notes of other project members.
The ToDo notes are shared to all project members by default, but you can
select a user or a user group who to assign the ToDo with a due date when it
needs to be resolved.

Open and view the ToDo list

1. In Trimble Connector, open a project.
You cannot view or create ToDo notes if you do not have a project open.

2. Click the ToDo button.

3. You can:
• Sort the list according to Author, Assignee, Due date, Status, and
Priority.
• You can use Search to search for specific ToDos.
• You can group by Author, Status, Priority, Type, Tag, Creation date,
and Last modified date.

4. To close the ToDo list, click the Close button.

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 Create ToDo notes

1. In Trimble Connector, click the ToDo button.

2. To create a ToDo with a view and a snapshot, select the native Tekla
Structures objects.
Select only one view. When you create a view, an IFC file of the selected
native objects is created and uploaded to the project root
\TeklaStructures-ToDos folder.
The coordinate system follows what has been set in workplane handler.
Do not create views of a lot of objects at a time, because then creating a
ToDo may take a long time.
To create a ToDo without a view and a snapshot, do not select any objects.

3. Click the Create ToDo button, and a new pane opens where you can
fill in the ToDo details.
• Fill in the Title and the Description.
The Description information is obligatory. You cannot save a ToDo
without a description.
• To define an assignee, click Select next to Assignee and select a
project member or user group from the list, or start typing the name of
the user or user group to filter the user list.
ToDos can be assigned to other users once the project has been
shared.
• Select the due date from the calendar, and set the priority, type, status
and completion percentage, if needed.

• To add an attachment, click Add attachment, and do one or both

of the following:

• Click and to browse for a file on your computer and add

the file to the selected Trimble Connect folder, and click OK.

• Click to browse for a file on your computer, click Add from my

computer and attach the file to the current ToDo note and click
OK.
• Double-clicking the attachment opens the file if Windows has
association to the file name extension. Model files are not opened.
4. Click the Save button to save the ToDo.

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 The saved ToDo is immediately synchronized to Trimble Connect. After
the ToDo has been pushed to Trimble Connect, it receives a unique name
consisting of the abbreviated project name plus a running number.
The created ToDo can be seen in Trimble Connect on the ToDo and
Activity tabs.

View ToDo notes

1. In Trimble Connector, click the ToDo button.

The ToDo list opens.
2. Double-click the ToDo you want to view.
The ToDo property pane opens.

You can close the ToDo property pane by clicking the Close button.

Add comments to ToDo notes

Any user in the project can comment any ToDo.

1. In Trimble Connector, click the ToDo button.

The ToDo list opens.
2. Double-click the ToDo note you want to comment.
3. In the opened property pane, add your comments to the Comments box.
4. Save your comments by clicking Add comment.
Project administrators and ToDo creators can also delete comments by clicking

the Delete button next to the comment box.

Create markups in ToDo notes

You can create ToDo markups in Trimble Connector and show the markups in
Tekla Structures and in Trimble Connect.

1. In Trimble Connector, select an existing project or create a new project.

2. Use the markup tools to add markups in the current model:

• removes all clip planes from all model views.

• removes all markups from the model.

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 • creates a measurement markup. In the model, pick two points
and then a point to place the measurement. You can pick points, edges
or faces.

• creates a cloud markup. In the model, pick the cloud center and
a position on the cloud edge. Tekla Structures creates the cloud
perpendicular to the view plane defined by the center location you
picked.

• creates a line markup. In the model, pick the start point and the
end point. The arrow is created at the start point.

• creates a text markup consisting of text or UDA/Report

attribute and a leader line. Type the text or a prefix in the markup text
box, select a UDA or Report attribute from the list, pick the leader line
start point, and then pick a location for the text.
In the example below, Approved by has been entered as text and
UDA: Approved by has been selected from the list of available
attributes.

To add more UDA or Report attributes in the list of available

attributes, or add new attributes to the Text markup attribute
options list so that they would be available for selection, click the
Maintain text markup attribute options button in the bottom-right
corner. The Text markup attribute options dialog box is displayed:

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model
 Here you can:
• select the UDA or Report attributes that you want to add in the list
of available attributes
• add new attributes using the options at the top. You need to select
if the attribute is UDA or Report, select the attribute type (Integer,
Double or String, and enter the name of the attribute. To add an
assembly attribute, remember to select the Assembly check box.
The plus (+) button adds the defined attribute in the list.

• creates a pencil or freehand markup. In the model, pick a start

point, move the mouse pointer to create the shape that you want (do
not hold down the left mouse button), and pick the end point. Tekla
Structures creates the markup perpendicular to the view plane defined
by the start point you picked.

3. In Trimble Connector, click the ToDo button.

4. Select the needed model objects from the Tekla Structures model.

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 5. Click the Create ToDo button, and a new pane opens where you can
fill in the ToDo information. Fill in at least the title and the description, see
Create ToDo notes above.
6. Ensure that the ToDo is synchronized with Trimble Connect.

Assign existing ToDo notes

Once a project has been shared, ToDos can be assigned to other users. You
can assign the ToDo only if you are the administrator of the project, or if you
have created the ToDo. You can only assign ToDos created in Trimble
Connector.

1. In Trimble Connector, click the ToDo button.

The ToDo list opens.
2. Double-click the ToDo note you want to assign.
3. Click the Edit button.
4. In the Assignee box, click Select and select a project member or user
group from the list, or start typing the name of the user or user group to
filter the user list.
5. Select the due date from the calendar.
6. Set the priority, type and the status of the ToDo, if needed.
7. Click the Save button to save changes.

Synchronize ToDo notes

If another project member has created or commented ToDo notes in Trimble
Connector, the ToDos are automatically synchronized immediately.

Alternatively, you can click the synchronize button to synchronize the

ToDos to Trimble Connect.

Adjust ToDo settings

1. In Trimble Connector, click the Settings button.

2. Select the Double-click the ToDo view settings to use:
• These settings affect the snapshot view in ToDo notes.
• Adjusts camera and view projection: This option is needed if you do
not want the snapshot view to change because of coordinate system
difference, for example, to keep the current view untouched. If you
select this option, the view projection will also change if the Tekla
Structures view projection differs from the ToDo note snapshot view
projection.

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 • Removes and adds clip planes: Clip planes in the Tekla Structures
view are removed, and clip planes in the ToDo view are added to the
Tekla Structures view. This option can only be used available if the
Adjusts camera and view projection option is selected.
• Selects objects: This option selects the Tekla Structures native object if
the corresponding object has been selected in the ToDo view. If the
coordinate systems differ, it is possible to select objects and zoom to
the selected objects.

3. To close the settings pane, click the Close button.

Collaborate with Trimble Connect Desktop

The Tekla Structures - Trimble Connect Desktop interoperability tool allows the
collaboration between Trimble Connect Desktop and Tekla Structures in
Trimble Connector. The tool allows collaboration with Trimble Connect
Desktop by sharing object selection and camera location. Prerequisite is to
have Trimble Connect Desktop installed, a valid license and Trimble Identity.
For more information, see Tekla Structures - Trimble Connect Desktop
interoperability.

Working collaboratively within a Tekla Structures 90 Trimble Connector

model
2 Get started with import and
export formats

Tekla Structures is highly interoperable. If you need to exchange model

information with users of other software or systems, you can import and
export information in many standard file formats or even establish a direct link
with several other products.
• In most cases, the format used for the exchange is a general industry
standard format (page 91) supported by many different tools.
• Formats may be supported for import, export or both. See Compatible
formats (page 92) for a listing.
• The table of supported software (page 94) lists options you have for
sharing data with many commonly used tools.
• When you are ready to exchange data, see Import to and export from Tekla
Structures (page 111)
• You can install new capabilities such as new import and export formats or
direct links to other software from the (page 409).
• If your organization has a capable programmer, you can even add your
own customized import and export formats or direct links to other
software and systems using Tekla Open API.

2.1 Industry standards

There are many industry standard file transfer formats. The principle ones
supported by Tekla Structures are IFC, CIS/2, DSTV, SDNF, DGN, DXF, DWG,
IGES, and STEP. Older formats are also included. For a tighter integration, you
can link to Tekla Structures using the Tekla Open API technology.
The file name extension normally informs the user which format it is based
upon. If you do not know what format it is, or the file does not import, then

Get started with import and export formats 91 Industry standards

 you will need to open the file in a text editor to look at the header information,
where the file type and the authoring application is usually noted. With CIS/2
files the authoring application and version number is sometimes written at the
end of the file.

See also
Compatible formats (page 92)

2.2 Compatible formats

You can import and export several formats in Tekla Structures.

The following table lists many of the different formats you can use in Tekla
Structures to import and export data (page 111).
For information about software connected to the formats, see Compatible
software (page 94).
To find out more about the various import and export tools, see Import to and
export from Tekla Structures (page 111).

Format Import Export

aSa (.TEK) X
Autodesk (.dwg) X X
Autodesk (.dxf) X X
Bentley ISM X X
BIM Collaboration format (.bcf) X X
BVBS (.abs) X
Cadmatic models (.3dd) X
CIS/2 LPM5/LPM6 analytical (.stp,.p21,.step) X X
CIS/2 LPM5/LPM6 design (.stp,.p21,.step) X X
CIS/2 LPM6 manufacturing (.stp,.p21,.step) X
CPIxml X
DSTV (.nc,.stp,.mis) X X
EJE X
Elematic ELiPLAN, ELiPOS (.eli) X X
EPC X
Fabsuite (.xml) X X
FabTrol Kiss File (.kss) X
FabTrol MIS Xml (.xml) X X
High Level Interface File (.hli) X X

Get started with import and export formats 92 Compatible formats

 Format Import Export
HMS (.sot) X
IBB Betsy (.fa, .f, .ev) X
IFC2x2 (.ifc) ** X
IFC2x3 (.ifc) ** X X
IFC4 (.ifc) ** X
IFCXML 2X3 (.ifcXML) ** X X
IFCZIP 2x3 (.ifcZIP) ** X X
Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) X X
(.iges,.igs)
LandXML (.xml) X
Microsoft Project (.xml) X X
Microstation (.dgn) X X
Oracle Primavera P6 (.xml) X X
Plant Design Management System (.pdms) X
SAP, Oracle, ODBC, etc. X* X*
SketchUp (.skp) X X
Staad ASCII file (.std) X X
Steel Detailing Neutral Format (.sdf,.sdnf, .dat) X X
Steel12000 X
STEP AP203 (.stp,.step) X
STEP AP214 (.stp,.step) X X
StruM.I.S X X
Tekla BIMsight project file (.tbp) X X
Tekla Collaboration file (.tczip) X X
Tekla-FabTrol Report (.xsr) X
Tekla Structural Designer neutral file (.cxl) X X
Tekla Structures shape (.tsc) X X
Trimble Field Link .tfl X X
Trimble LM80 (.txt,.cnx) X X
TubeNC (.xml) X
Unitechnik (.uni, .cam) X

* Tekla OpenAPI used

**For a list of IFC applications certified by buildingSMART international, see
Certified Software.

Get started with import and export formats 93 Compatible formats

 2.3 Compatible software
The following table lists Tekla Structures compatible software and the formats
that you can import to and export from (page 111)Tekla Structures.
Many of the compatible interoperability applications, application links, or
direct links are available on Tekla Warehouse.
For information about formats connected to the software, see Compatible
formats (page 92).
For a list of IFC applications certified by buildingSMART international, see
Certified Software.
To find out more about the various import and export tools, see Import to and
export from Tekla Structures (page 111).

Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla

Structures Structures
3D+ Trimble Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
3ds Max Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
3ds Max Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Design/VIZ
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
A+ Software ArmaPlus BVBS (.abs), Soulé
(.xml), aSa (.TEK)
Adapt Adapt Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Corporatio
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
n
ADConX ADConX Direct Link
Advanced Autodesk CIS/2 LPM5 analytical CIS/2 LPM5 analytical
Steel, (.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
Advanced
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Design/
Engineering Steel Detailing Neutral Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf) Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
Allplan/ Nemetsch Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Planbar ek
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)

Get started with import and export formats 94 Compatible software

 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
ANSYS ANSYS IGES (.iges, .igs) IGES (.iges, .igs)
ArchiCAD Graphisoft Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
/
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Nemetsch
ek IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
IFCXML 2X3 (.xml) IFCXML 2X3 (.xml)
IFCZIP (.ifczip) IFCZIP (.ifczip)
Coordinated view v1 Coordinated view v1
ArchonCAD ArchonCA Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
D Ltd.
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
Armaor Ariadis BVBS (.abs)
Artube Adige STEP (.stp, .step)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
IFC (.ifc)
aSa Rebar Applied aSa Rebar file (.TEK)
Systems
Associates
Inc
ASI Applied Staad ASCII file (.std)
Science
Internation
al LLC
AutoCAD Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
AutoCAD Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Architecture
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
IGES (.iges, .igs) Microstation (.dgn)
AutoCAD Civil Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
3D
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Microstation (.dgn)
LandXML files (.xml)

Get started with import and export formats 95 Compatible software

 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
AutoCAD MEP Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Microstation (.dgn)
AutoPLANT Bentley Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
AutoVue Oracle Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
Aveva E3D AVEVA Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
Steel Detailing Neutral Steel Detailing Neutral
Format Format
(.sdf, .sdnf, .dat) (.sdf, .sdnf, .dat)
.ifc based Tekla .ifc based Tekla
Collaboration files Collaboration files
(.tczip) (.tczip)
AviCAD Progress/ Unitechnik (.cam),
EBAWE BVBS (.abs)
AxisVM Inter-CAD Direct Link Direct Link
Kft.
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
BeamMaster AGT Direct Link
Bentley Bentley Direct Link (ISM) Direct Link (ISM)
Architecture
Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
STEP AP203/AP214 STEP AP214
(.stp, .step) (.stp, .step)
Bentley Bentley Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Building
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Electrical
Systems IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)

Get started with import and export formats 96 Compatible software

 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
STEP AP203/AP214 STEP AP214
(.stp, .step) (.stp, .step)
Bentley Bentley Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Building
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Mechanical
Systems IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
STEP AP203/AP214 STEP AP214
(.stp, .step) (.stp, .step)
Bentley Bentley LandXML files (.xml)
Inroads
Bentley Bentley Direct Link (ISM) Direct Link (ISM)
Structural
Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 design IFC2X3 (.ifc)
(.stp, .p21, .step)
Microstation (.dgn)
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
STEP AP214
Microstation (.dgn) (.stp, .step)
Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
Betsy IBB – Betsy .fa, Betsy .f,
Consultant Betsy .ev
s&
Engineers
BIM BuildingS BCF 1.0 (.bcf) BCF 1.0 (.bcf)
Collaboration MART
BCF 2.0 (.bcf) BCF 2.0 (.bcf)
Format
Cadmatic Cadmatic Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Cadmatic models (. IFC2X3 (.ifc)
3dd)
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
CADmep+ MAP Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Software /
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Autodesk

Get started with import and export formats 97 Compatible software

 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
IFCXML 2X3 (.xml) IFCXML 2X3 (.xml)
IFCZip (.ifczip) IFCZip (.ifczip)
CADPipe AEC Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Design
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Group
CADWorx Plant Intergraph Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
/ Hexagon
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp,.p21,.step) (.stp,.p21,.step)
CIS/2 LPM6 design CIS/2 LPM6 design
(.stp,.p21,.step) (.stp,.p21,.step)
CAESAR II Intergraph Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
/ Hexagon
CATIA Dassault Autodesk (.dwg) Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
Autodesk (.dxf)
STEP AP214
IGES (.iges, .igs)
(.stp, .step)
Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
Concrete Pro LAP Laser Autodesk (.dwg)
GmbH
Autodesk (.dxf)
Unitechnik (.cam)
ConSteel ConSteel ASCII
Solutions
Limited
Corobs Müller TubeNC (.xml)
Opladen
CYPECAD Cype Direct Link
Daystar Daystar Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Software Software
Steel Detailing Neutral Steel Detailing Neutral
Inc.
Format (.sdf, .sdnf) Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
DDS-CAD DDS IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Diamonds Buildsoft Direct Link Direct Link

Get started with import and export formats 98 Compatible software

 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
Digital Project Gehry Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Technologi
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
es
IGES (.iges, .igs) Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
DuctDesigner QuickPen / Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
3D Trimble
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
ebos Progress/ Unitechnik (.cam)
EBAWE
elcoCAD Hannappel Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
SOFTWAR
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
E GmbH
ELiPLAN Elematic ELiPLAN (.eli) ELiPLAN (.eli)
ELiPOS Elematic ELiPLAN (.eli)
EliteCAD Messerli IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Informatik
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
ETABS Computers Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
&Structure
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
s, Inc.
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
Steel Detailing Neutral Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf) Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
FabPro Pipe UHP Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Process
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Piping Inc.
Fabsuite Fabsuite Direct Link Direct Link
KISS (.kss) KISS (.kss)
FabTrol MRP FabTrol FabTrol MIS XML (.xml) FabTrol MIS XML (.xml)
FabTrol KISS File (.kss)
Tekla-FabTrol Report
(.xsr)

Get started with import and export formats 99 Compatible software

 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
FactoryCAD Siemens Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
FelixCAD SofTec Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
FEM Design StruSoft Direct Link Direct Link
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Floor Pro Adapt Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Corporatio
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
n
FormZ AutoDesSy Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
s, Inc.
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
FXTube Mazak STEP (.stp, .step)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
IFC (.ifc)
GSA Oasys CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
GT Strudl GT Strudl Direct Link Direct Link
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step)
HMS HMS HMS (.sot)
HOOPS Tech Soft Autodesk (.dwg)
3D
Autodesk (.dxf)
Inventor Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
IronCAD IronCAD Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)

Get started with import and export formats 100 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
IGES (.iges, .igs)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
iTWO RIB CPIxml (.xml)
Software
AG
Joints For Tekla Progetto Direct Link
Archimede
KeyCreator Kubotek Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
Lantek Lantek Direct Link Direct Link
LEIT2000 SAA Unitechnik (.cam)
LP-System Lennerts & BVBS (.abs)
Partner
MagiCAD Progman Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
MasterFrame MasterSeri DSTV96 DSTV96
es (.nc, .stp, .mis) (.nc, .stp, .mis)
Maxon Cinema Nemetsch Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
4D ek
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Maya Autodesk Autodesk (.dxf) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk (.dxf)
Meridian Trimble Direct Link
Prolog
Mesh Welding EVG Unitechnik (.cam),
(Filzmoser) BVBS (.abs)
Mesh Welding A.W.M. Unitechnik (.cam)
Mesh Welding Progress / Unitechnik (.cam)
EBAWE
Microsoft Microsoft Project (.xml) Project (.xml)
Office Project

Get started with import and export formats 101 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
Microstran Engineerin Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
g Systems
Pty Limited
Microstation Bentley Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs) IGES (.iges, .igs)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
STEP AP203/AP214 STEP AP214
(.stp, .step) (.stp, .step)
Midas Gen MIDAS Direct Link Direct Link
ModeSt Tecnisoft Direct Link Direct Link
Multiframe Daystar Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Software
Steel Detailing Neutral Steel Detailing Neutral
Inc.
Format (.sdf, .sdnf) Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
Nastran MSC Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Software
IGES (.iges, .igs) IGES (.iges, .igs)
Corporatio
n
NavisWorks Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step)
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Microstation (.dgn)
NISA Cranes Direct Link Direct Link
Software
Internation
al Ltd. /
CSC
NX (Unigraph) Siemens Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)

Get started with import and export formats 102 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
PDMS AVEVA Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
Steel Detailing Neutral Steel Detailing Neutral
Format Format
(.sdf, .sdnf, .dat) (.sdf, .sdnf, .dat)
Tekla Collaboration Tekla Collaboration
files (.tczip) files (.tczip)
PDS Intergraph Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
/ Hexagon
Steel Detailing Neutral Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.dat) Format (.dat)
PEMA Pemamek Direct Link
WeldControl
PipeCAD Mc4 Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Software
PipeDesigner QuickPen / Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
3D Trimble
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Pipelabo Maruhide Direct Link
Plancal Plancal Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Ag /
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Trimble
Plant-4D CEA Autodesk (.dwg)
Technolog
Autodesk (.dxf)
y
Microstation (.dgn)
PowerConnect Buildsoft Work in progress Work in progress
PowerFrame Buildsoft Direct Link Direct Link
PRIAMOS GTSdata CPIxml (.xml),
Unitechnik (.cam)
Primavera Oracle P6 (.xml) P6 (.xml)
ProCAM HGG Direct Link Direct Link
ProStructures Bentley Steel Detailing Neutral Autodesk (.dwg)
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
Autodesk (.dxf)
ISM
Microstation (.dgn)
Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
ISM

Get started with import and export formats 103 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
Pro/Engineer PTC IGES (.iges, .igs) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
ProFit Progress/ BVBS (.abs)
EBAWE
Pro-Fit Zeman Direct Link
Prokon Prokon CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
PythonX Lincoln DSTV
Electric
Qnect Qnect Direct Link
RAM (CAD Bentley Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Studio)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
CIS/2 LPM6 design CIS/2 LPM6 design
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
ISM ISM
Raptor Peddingha Direct Link
us
Revit Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Architecture/M
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
EP
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
Tekla Collaboration
files (.tczip)
Revit Structure Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 design CIS/2 LPM6 design
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
Tekla Collaboration
files (.tczip)

Get started with import and export formats 104 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
RFEM Dlubal Direct Link Direct Link
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Rhinoceros McNeel Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
North
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
America
IGES (.iges, .igs) Microstation (.dgn)
Microstation (.dgn) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step) Geometry Gym link
Geometry Gym link
RinasWeld Kranendon IFC
k
RISA 3D (Suite) Risa Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Technolog
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
y
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
CIS/2 LPM6 design CIS/2 LPM6 design
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
Steel Detailing Neutral
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
RisaConnectio Risa Direct Link (US Direct Link (US
n Technolog market) market)
y
Robot Autodesk Direct Link Direct Link
Millenium
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
CIS/2 LPM6 design CIS/2 LPM6 design
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
RSTAB Dlubal Direct Link Direct Link
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
SACS Engineerin Autodesk (.dxf)
g
Steel Detailing Neutral
Dynamics
Format (.sdnf)
Inc.

Get started with import and export formats 105 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
SAFE Computers Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
&
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Structures,
Inc. CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
SAM Bestech Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Limited
SAP2000 Computers Direct Link Direct Link
&
Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Structures,
Inc. Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
Schnell Schnell BVBS (.abs),
Software Software Unitechnik (rebar/
mesh)
SCIA Nemetsch Direct Link Autodesk (.dwg)
ek
Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dxf)
Autodesk (.dxf) .ifc
.ifc
SDS/2 Design Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Data
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
CIS/2 LPM6 design CIS/2 LPM6 design
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
Microstation (.dgn) CIS/2 LPM6
manufacturing
(.stp, .p21, .step)
Microstation (.dgn)
S-FRAME S-FRAME Direct Link Direct Link
Software
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Inc.
Sicam Controlled Direct Link
Automatio
n
SketchUp Trimble SketchUp (.skp) SketchUp (.skp)
Make

Get started with import and export formats 106 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
SketchUp Pro Trimble SketchUp (.skp) SketchUp (.skp)
Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Smart 3D Intergraph CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(SmartPlant / / Hexagon (.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
SmartMarine)
CIS/2 LPM6 design CIS/2 LPM6 design
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
IFC2X3 (.ifc), with
SmartPlant 3D
Solibri Model Solibri IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Checker/Model
Viewer
SolidEdge Siemens Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
IGES (.iges, .igs) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
SolidWorks Dassault Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs) IFC2X3 (.ifc)
IFC2X3 (.ifc) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
Soulé Soulé .xml, BVBS (.abs)
Software
Inc.
SPACE GASS SPACE CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
GASS (.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
SpaceClaim SpaceClai Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
m Co.
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs) STEP AP214
(.stp, .step)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
STAAD.Pro Bentley Direct Link Direct Link
Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)

Get started with import and export formats 107 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
CIS/2 LPM6 analytical CIS/2 LPM6 analytical
(.stp, .p21, .step) (.stp, .p21, .step)
Steel Detailing Neutral Staad ASCII file (.std)
Format (.sdf, .sdnf)
ISM
ISM
Steel Projects Steel Direct Link Direct Link
PLM Projects
Steel Smart Applied Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
System Science
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Internation
al, LLC
StructureWork Structure Autodesk (.dwg) STEP AP214
s Works LLC. (.stp, .step)
Autodesk (.dxf)
IGES (.iges, .igs)
STEP AP203/AP214
(.stp, .step)
STRUDS SoftTech Direct Link Direct Link
StruM.I.S StruM.I.S Direct Link .bswx
Tekla BIMsight Trimble Tekla BIMsight Project Tekla BIMsight Project
(.tbp) (.tbp) *
Autodesk (.dwg)
Microstation (.dgn)
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
IFCXML 2x3 (.ifcXML)
IFCzip (.ifcZIP)
Tekla Field3D Trimble .ifc
Tekla Civil Trimble Direct Link Direct Link
LandXML files (.xml) .ifc
Tekla Trimble Tekla Collaboration Tekla Collaboration
Collaboration files ( .tczip) files ( .tczip)
Tekla Trimble Neutral XML file .cxl Neutral XML file.cxl
Structural
Designer
Trimble Trimble LandXML files (.xml)
Business
Centre

Get started with import and export formats 108 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
Trimble Trimble Direct Link Direct Link
Connect .ifc .ifc
Trimble Field Trimble .tfl .tfl
Link
Trimble LM80 Trimble Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
LM80 (.cnx, .txt) LM80 (.cnx, .txt)
Trimble LM80 Trimble Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Desktop
LM80 (.cnx, .txt) LM80 (.cnx, .txt)
TurboCAD IMSI Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Design
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)
Microstation (.dgn) Microstation (.dgn)
STEP AP203/AP214 STEP AP214
(.stp, .step) (.stp, .step)
UniCAM Unitechnik Unitechnik
(.cam, .uni)
Unigraphics Siemens IGES (.iges, .igs)
PLM
Software
Vacam Voortman Direct Link
Vernon Lincoln TubeNC (.xml)
Electric
VectorWorks Nemetsch IFC2X3 (.ifc) Autodesk (.dwg)
ek
IGES (.iges, .igs) Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
Vico Office Trimble Direct Link
Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf)
IFC2X3 (.ifc)
IfcXML 2X3 (.xml) IfcXML 2X3 (.xml)
Microstation (.dgn)
.xls .xls
Vico Schedule Trimble Direct Link
Planner
Direct Link .xml
.xml

Get started with import and export formats 109 Compatible software
 Product Company Import to Tekla Export from Tekla
Structures Structures
Volo View Autodesk Autodesk (.dwg) Autodesk (.dwg)
Autodesk (.dxf) Autodesk (.dxf)

Get started with import and export formats 110 Compatible software
3 Import to and export from
Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures has several tools you can use to import and export physical
and reference models and the information they contain.
For details about compatible software in import and export, see Compatible
software (page 94).

NOTE The import and export functionality is not available in all Tekla Structures
configurations. For more information, see Tekla Structures configurations.

You can use import and export in Tekla Structures for several purposes:
• You can import reference models to Tekla Structures. For example, you can
import an architectural model, a plant design model, or a heating,
ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) model as a reference model.
Reference models can also be simple 2D drawings that are imported and
then used as a layout to directly build the model on.
• You can import 2D or 3D models created by other software, then detail or
manipulate the structural objects using Tekla Structures. Once the model is
complete, you can export it, and return it to the architect or engineer for
review.
• You can create reports from the imported models from most of the
formats.
• You can export Tekla Structures models for use in Analysis & Design
(several formats). Then you can import the Analysis & Design results back
to the Tekla Structures model.
• Various model transfers can be completed for the engineering and
contractor phase of the project.
• You can import shapes from many formats. Shapes are used in defining
items.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 111 Compatible software

 • You can export data for use in manufacturing information systems and in
the fabrication phase:
• You can export CNC data (Computer Numerical Control) for use by
automated cutting, drilling and welding CNC machinery.
• You can export to MIS (Manufacturing Information Systems) so that
fabricators can track project progress, for example.
Click the links below to find out more about the various types of import and
export:
Reference models and compatible formats (page 117)
IFC (page 145)
DWG and DXF (page 180)
DGN (page 210)
LandXML (page 214)
PDF (page 216)
SketchUp (page 217)
Point clouds (page 218)
HMS (page 377)
ELiPLAN (page 366)
BVBS (page 358)
Unitechnik (page 310)
NC files (page 262)
FEM (page 252)
ASCII (page 306)
Attribute import
CIS and CIMSteel (page 299)
MIS (page 297)
FabTrol XML (page 305)
Trimble Connector (page 78)
Analysis and design systems (page 242)
CAD import and export formats (page 382)
Layout Manager (page 228)
Tekla Web Viewer (page 403)
Tekla BIMsight (page 401)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 112 Compatible software

 Attribute import
In addition to these built-in import and export tools you have a variety of links
to other applications available in Tekla Warehouse that you can download.

3.1 Conversion files

Conversion files map Tekla Structures profile, twin profile, and material names
with names used in other software. Conversion files are simple text files,
containing the Tekla Structures name in the first column, and the name used
in the other software package in the second column. Columns are separated
by a space. All parametric profiles must be entered in the profile conversion
file.
You can use the same conversion file both when importing and exporting
models, and you can specify the location of conversion files in most of the
import and export tools.

If you enter a conversion file name without a path, Tekla Structures searches
for the file in the current model folder. If you leave the box empty, Tekla
Structures searches for the file indicated by the advanced option XS_PROFDB
in File menu --> Settings --> Advanced options --> File Locations . This is
also the case, if the tool does not allow you to define the path and conversion
file.
Tekla Structures has several conversion files in the standard installation, and
you can also create your own. Standard conversion files are located in the ...
\ProgramData\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments
\<environment>\profil folder. All conversion files have the .cnv
extension.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 113 Conversion files

 See also
Twin profile conversion files (page 114)
Create conversion files (page 114)

Twin profile conversion files

Tekla Structures contains separate conversion files for twin profiles, and it
reads the twin profile conversion file before the profile conversion file, so you
must include the profiles from the original model in the import.
The twin profile conversion file is a text file containing the profile prefix
(characters only) and the distance between the profiles in mm, separated by a
space. Tekla Structures converts all profiles with the specified prefix to twin
profiles.
The twin profile conversion file could be named twin_profiles.cnv and it
could contain lines such as the one below:
DL 20
The distance between the profiles is the same for all profiles with the same
profile prefix. For example, profiles with the prefix DL will always have the
same spacing. If you want different spacing values, then you need to use a
different profile prefix.
You also need to add the twin profile to the profile conversion file to get the DL
profile converted to L-profile:
L200*20 DL200/20-20

Limitations
• Twin profile conversion cannot be used for profiles that start with a
number. This means that you cannot define double angles as 2L. Instead,
you need to use DL as the prefix for a twin profile, for example:
DL200/20-20.
• Twin profile conversion does not work for FEM import. We recommend that
each angle is modeled separately rather than as twin profiles, as SP3D does
not control the gaps between members in the same way as Tekla
Structures and there are, for example, various conversion and mapping
difficulties. Ii is easier to convert members that are modeled as two
members.

See also
Conversion files (page 113)
Create conversion files (page 114)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 114 Conversion files

 Create conversion files
You can create your own conversion files if the ones that come with Tekla
Structures installation do not suit your needs.
1. Open an existing conversion file using any standard text editor.
By default, conversion files are located in ...\ProgramData\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\profil.
2. Save the file with another name.
If the export/import tool allows you to define the path to the conversion
file, you can save the file where you like. If this is not the case, save the file
in a location defined by the advanced option XS_PROFDB in File menu -->
Settings --> Advanced options --> File Locations .
3. Modify the file: enter profile names recognized by Tekla Structures in the
first column, and the corresponding name recognized by the other
software in the second column.
While modifying, ensure that:
• You do not have blank material definitions (" ", empty quotation
marks).
• You do not have spaces in the profile position strings. For example,
enter "Hand_ Rail" not Hand Rail".
4. Save your changes.

NOTE • All the three files (profile, twin profile and material) are not needed if the
differences in the profile name is just concerning * X or x formats, because
these are normally handled automatically. For example, if you wanted to
import UC254x254x73 to be UC254*254*73, the lower case "x" is
automatically changed to "X" so the format of the conversion file would be
UC254*254*73 254X254X73.
• If you have problems importing the model, check any error messages in
the Tekla Structures log file, and check the conversion files.

Example
Below are some examples of conversion files:
! Profile name conversion Tekla Structures -> SDNF
!
! If Converted-name does not exist, it will be the same
! as Tekla Structures-name.

! Tekla Structures-name Converted-name

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 115 Conversion files

 C10X15.3 C10X15.3
C10X20 C10X20
C10X25 C10X25
C10X30 C10X30
C12X20.7 C12X20.7
C12X25 C12X25
C12X30 C12X30
C15X33.9 C15X33.9
C15X40 C15X40
C15X50 C15X50
C3X4.1 3X4.1
! Profile name conversion Tekla Structures -> DSTV
!
! If Converted-name does not exist, it will be the same
! as Tekla Structures-name.

! Tekla Structures-name Converted-name

C10X15.3 C10X15.3
C10X20 C10X20
C10X25 C10X25
C10X30 C10X30
C12X20.7 C12X20.7
C12X25 C12X25
Below there is first an example of an incorrect conversion file and then of a
correct one, errors are highlighted:
00100782 4 0 2 "brace" "Tread 4" 1 "TREAD4.5" "" 0.000000 0 0
0.000000 1.000000 0.000000 16.250000 13.154267 3.857143
15.500000 13.154267 3.857143 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
00100782 4 0 2 "brace" "Tread_4" 1 "TREAD4.5" "A36" 0.000000
0 0 0.000000 1.000000 0.000000 16.250000 13.154267 3.857143
15.500000 13.154267 3.857143 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 116 Conversion files

 3.2 Reference models and compatible formats
A reference model is a file that helps you to build a Tekla Structures model. A
reference model is created in Tekla Structures or another software or
modeling tool and imported to Tekla Structures.

For example, an architectural model, a plant design model, or a heating,

ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) model can be used as a reference
model. Reference models can also be simple 2D drawings that are imported
and then used as a layout to directly build the model on. You can snap to
reference model geometry.
Tekla Structures loads reference models only when they are needed, not every
time you open a model. Tekla Structures does not save the reference model
when you save the current model, but it saves the link to the reference model.
The filename extension of a saved reference model properties file
is .rmip.json. The values of Code, Title, Phase and Description cannot be
saved in the standard properties file.
The following file types are supported:
• AutoCAD files.dxf
• AutoCAD files .dwg (supported version ACAD2018 and earlier)
• Cadmatic files .3dd
• IFC files .ifc, .ifczip, .ifcxml
• IGES files .igs, .iges
• LandXML files .xml
• MicroStation files.dgn, .prp
• PDF files .pdf
• Tekla Collaboration files .tczip
• SketchUp files .skp (supported version SketchUp 2018 and earlier)
• STEP files .stp, .STEP
Some reference models are automatically subdivided or split into reference
model objects.

TIP You can disable the roll-over highlight, which should speed up zooming.

Reference model plug-ins in Tekla Warehouse

Reference model plug-ins are available as .tsep plug-ins in Tekla Warehouse.
Tekla Structures installation contains the plug-ins, but you can get newer ones

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 117 Reference models and compatible formats
 from Tekla Warehouse. First download the needed package from Tekla
Warehouse, and then import it to the Applications & components catalog.
For more information about .tsep packages, see Import a .tsep extension to
the Applications & components catalog.

Reference models in drawings

You can show reference models in drawings and adjust their visibility settings:
Show reference models in drawings.

See also
Import a reference model (page 118)
Modify reference model details (page 124)
Lock reference models (page 125)
View reference models (page 120)
Detect changes between reference model versions (page 126)
Define a comparison set for reference model change detection (page 131)
Export change detection results to Excel (page 135)
Reference model objects (page 139)
Inquire reference model contents (page 138)
Examine reference model hierarchy and modify reference model objects
(page 140)

Import a reference model

You can import reference models in a Tekla Structures model. You can use the
reference models to overlay different discipline models with your own model.
These disciplines can be architect, plant engineer, services engineer or other
structural disciplines.
1. Open a Tekla Structures model where you want to insert the reference
model.
2. Open the Reference Models list by clicking the Reference Models button

in the side pane .

3. In the Reference Models list, click the Add model button.
4. In the Add model dialog box, if you have any previously created reference
model properties files, load the desired file by selecting the file from the
properties file list at the top.
5. In the Add model dialog box, browse for the reference model file by
clicking Browse....

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 118 Reference models and compatible formats
 You can also drag reference models from Windows Explorer, and import
several models at a time.
For a list of compatible formats, see Reference models and compatible
formats (page 117).
6. Select a group for the model or enter the name of a new group.
If you do not enter a name for the group, the reference model is inserted
in the Default group.
You can also drag models to an existing group or create a new group later
on.
7. In Location by, select one of the following options:
Model origin inserts the model relative to 0,0,0.
Work plane inserts the model relative to the current work plane
coordinate system.
Base point:<name of base point> inserts the model relative to the
base point by using coordinate system values East coordinate, North
coordinate, Elevation, and Angle to North from the base point
definition in Project properties.
8. Select where you want to place the reference model. You can enter
coordinates in the Offset boxes or pick a position for the reference model
origin.
The maximum number of decimals for coordinates is 13.
9. Set the Scale of the reference model if it is different from the one in the
Tekla Structures model.
Note that you need to set the scale for a DWG or a DXF file already in
AutoCAD. When you define the measurement unit for a DWG or a DXF file
and save the file in AutoCAD, the unit is recognized in Tekla Structures,
and the reference model is scaled correctly.
The maximum number of decimals for scale is 13.
10. You can rotate the model around model Z axis by picking a location in the
model or entering the desired value in the Rotation box.
The maximum number of decimals for the rotation value is 7.
11. Click More to show more details and add the Code, Title, Phase and
Description of the reference model.
By default, the title is the same as the name of the imported reference
model. You may want to use the name of the discipline or the company
instead, for example. The code could be a site number, project number, or
accounting number. Write the description according to the company

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 119 Reference models and compatible formats
 conventions. The phase is the design phase of the reference model (not
the phase in the Tekla Structures model).
Below is an example of these details when you inquire the reference
model.

You can also modify all the details after you have inserted the model.
12. Click Add model.
13. If the inserted reference model lies outside the work area and is not fully
or at all visible in the model view, Tekla Structures displays the "Objects
outside the work area" warning message. Click Expand to extend the work
area to see the reference model in the model view.
The reference model is inserted in the current phase of the Tekla
Structures model.
Note that for IFC reference models the elevation offset value is not read
from the imported reference model.
When a reference model is imported or updated, reference model data is
copied to Tekla Structures model internal data storage located in the
<current model>\datastorage\ref folder. The reference model is
visible even if the original file is removed from its original location. The
reference model data in this folder should not be touched.

NOTE Do not import the same reference model to the Tekla Structures model
several times. If there are duplicate reference models, there are also duplicate
GUIDs.
When you want to update the reference model, do not delete the old
reference model from an open Tekla Structures model and replace it with a
new one, because then you would lose the work done on reference objects in
the old model. Use the change detection functionality instead.

TIP To only clip reference models and point clouds with the clip plane tool, set the
advanced option XS_DO_NOT_CLIP_NATIVE_OBJECTS_WITH_CLIP_PLANE to TRUE.
If you do this, the native objects are not clipped.

See also
Modify reference model details (page 124)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 120 Reference models and compatible formats
 View reference models
There are many ways you can select what you want to show about the
reference models and how.

To: Do this:
Open theReference Models •
list Click the Reference Models button
in the side pane on the right side of the
Tekla Structures main window.
Hide and show reference •
models Click the eye button next to the
model you want to hide.

The button changes to and the

reference model is hidden in the 3D view.
• Click the eye button again to show the
model.
Hide and show a group of •
reference models Click the eye button next to the
group you want to hide. The group eye
button and the reference model eye

buttons all change to , and all the

reference models included in the group
are hidden in the Tekla Structures model.
• Click the eye button again to show all the
models in the group.
• If a group contains both hidden and
visible models, the eye button for the

group looks like this .

• If there are no reference models in a
group, the eye button looks like this .
Highlight the reference model • Click the reference model in the
in the 3D view Reference Models list.
Show reference model details • Double-click the reference model in the
Reference Models list.
Show reference model object 1. Double-click the reference model in the
details Reference Models list.
2.
Ensure that the Select assemblies

selection switch (for assemblies) or

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 121 Reference models and compatible formats
 To: Do this:
Select objects in assemblies selection
switch (for parts) is active.
3. Point the reference model in the model
view, hold down Shift and scroll to the
hierarchy level where the desired
reference model object is located.
4. Point the object and double-click it to
open the reference model object details.
Rotate the reference model • In the reference model details, enter the
around model Z axis. desired value in the Rotation box. You
can also pick the rotation.
Hide and show reference 1. Double-click the reference model in the
model layers Reference Models list to open the
details.
2. Click the small arrow on the Layers row
to show the list of layers.
3. You can show and hide individual layers
or all layers:
• To hide all layers, click the eye button

on the Layers row.

• To hide individual layers, click the eye

buttons of the individual layers.

• To hide several layers, holding down
Ctrl, click the desired layers and then
click the eye button of one of the
selected layers.
• If the Layers list contains both
hidden and visible layers, the eye
button for the Layers row looks like

this .
• If you hide all layers, the eye button

for the Layers row changes to .

• If you hide individual layers, the eye
button for the hidden layers changes

to .

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 122 Reference models and compatible formats
 To: Do this:
Detect changes between For details about change detection, see
different versions of reference Detect changes between reference model
models versions (page 126).
For details about comparison sets, see
Define a comparison set for reference model
change detection (page 131).
Refresh all reference models • If the file name or path has not changed,
open the Reference Models list and click

the Refresh button.

All models that are not up to date are
reloaded. If a reference model is not
found, a warning sign is displayed.
• If the file name or path has not changed,
open reference model details, browse for
the new file and click Modify.
You can also refresh locked reference
models, if you have set the advanced option
XS_REFRESH_ALSO_LOCKED_REFERENCE_MO
DELS to TRUE in File --> Settings -->
Advanced options --> Import.
Refresh a single reference 1. Double-click the reference model in the
model Reference Models list to open the
details.
2.
Click the Refresh button.
The model is reloaded. If the reference
model is not found, a warning sign is
displayed.
View user-defined attributes 1. Double-click the reference model in the
Reference Models list to open the
details.
2. Click the small arrow on the User-
defined attributes row to show the list
of user-defined attributes.
3. The user-defined attributes that are
specified for reference models in the
objects.inp file are listed in the User-
defined attributes list. Enter or select a
value from the list. By default, the
objects.inp is located in ..
\ProgramData\Tekla Structures

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 123 Reference models and compatible formats
 To: Do this:
\<version>\environments\common
\inp. You may also have some
objects.inp files that you modify and
keep in firm or project folders. These
files are read in certain order.
Clip reference models only Set the advanced option
with clip plane tool XS_DO_NOT_CLIP_NATIVE_OBJECTS_WITH_CLI
P_PLANE to TRUE to only clip reference
models and point clouds with the clip plane
tool. If you do this, the native objects are not
clipped.
Redraw the model views after changing the
value.
This advanced option is located in the Model
View category in the Advanced Options
dialog box.

See also
Modify reference model details (page 124)
Reference model objects (page 139)
Examine reference model hierarchy and modify reference model objects
(page 140)
Lock reference models (page 125)

Modify reference model details

After you have inserted a reference model, you can modify its details.

Limitation: Coordinates given in the Details section are always relative to

model coordinates. You can modify the coordinate system only if model
coordinate system is used in the reference model.

1. Click the Reference Models button in the side pane on the right of
the Tekla Structures main window.
2. In the Reference Models list, double-click the reference model that you
want to modify.
3. Click the arrow on the Details row, and change the desired details:
• Change Code, Title, Phase and Description of the reference model.
The code could be a site number, project number, or accounting
number. By default, the title is the same as the name of the imported

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 124 Reference models and compatible formats
 reference model. You may want to use the name of the discipline or
the company instead, for example. Write the description according to
the company conventions. The phase is the design phase of the
reference model (not the phase in the Tekla Structures model).
• You can import another version of the reference model using the File
box. For more information about version handling, see Detect changes
between reference model versions (page 126).
• In the Group box, you can select a new group for the reference model.
• You can also change the Location by selection.
If the reference model is inserted by using a base point, and you
change the Location by, the offset values are relative to the base
point. When you click Modify, the model position changes according to
East coordinate, North coordinate and Elevation setting differences.
• You can change the Offset by entering new coordinates or by picking a
new offset.
• You can change the Rotation by entering a new value or picking a new
location.
• Click the arrow on the User-defined attributes row, and enter values
for the user-defined attributes.
You may enter strings (texts), select dates or enter numeric
information depending on the type of the user-defined attribute. The
reference model user-defined attributes are defined in their own
section in the objects.inp file. If you have several objects.inp
files, they are read in a specific reading order, for more information,
see Customizing user-defined attributes.
4. Click Modify. The changes that you made are implemented in the
reference model.

See also
Import a reference model (page 118)

Lock reference models

You can prevent reference models from moving and from detail updates by
locking the reference models.

1. Click the Reference Models button in the side pane on the right of
the Tekla Structures main window.
2. Move your mouse over the desired reference model in the Reference
Models list.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 125 Reference models and compatible formats
 The Lock button is displayed.

3. Click the Lock button.

Now the reference model is locked. You can only add values for user-
defined attributes and work with layers, but you cannot modify the details
in any other way or move the model.

To lock multiple reference models, select the models from the list and click

the Lock button of one of the reference models.

To unlock the reference model, click the Lock button again.

See also
Reference models and compatible formats (page 117)
Modify reference model details (page 124)

Detect changes between reference model versions

You can check the changes between different IFC reference model versions in
Tekla Structures using change detection. You can use change detection to
detect changes between reference models from different disciplines, such as
engineer or detailer. Changes are detected on object level. You can also
compare Tekla Structures models if you have exported a Tekla Structures
model into IFC format at least twice.

Tekla Structures stores versions of the reference models for change detection.
Versioning is also needed for visualizing sharing changes and object
conversion change management.
Limitations
• Property comparison works only for IFC or IFC-based reference models.
The following formats are supported:
• .ifc
• .ifcxml

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 126 Reference models and compatible formats
 • .ifczip
• .tczip
• Deleted objects are not highlighted and cannot be selected.

Change detection
You can show changes between two stored reference model versions or
between stored version and browsed reference model file version. In both of
these cases you need to activate change detection:

1. Open the Reference Models list by clicking the Reference Models

button in the side pane.
2. Open a reference model by double-clicking the model in the Reference
Models list.
3. Open the Change detection list by clicking the arrow on the Change
detection row.

Change detection between stored version and browsed model file version
The file path box has automatically the full file path to the current reference
model original file. If a reference model file with the same name has changed,
you can run the change detection and skip steps 1 and 3 below .
1. Click ... and browse for an earlier version of the reference model.
2. Select the This model is newer check box next to the file path if you want
to define that the file shown in the box is newer.
3. Ensure that you have both the original reference model and the browsed

reference model version visible by setting the eye buttons active in

the Change detection section.
4. To change the comparison set if needed, click the ... button and define the
set you want to use. Then click Update view. The comparison set contains
the properties that you want to use in version comparison.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 127 Reference models and compatible formats
 You can do any of the following in the changes list and in the property details
list:

• Export change detection results to Excel by clicking Export to Excel.

The exported Excel file contains all or changed properties that are visible in
the changes list. The information is exported in the current language.
• Click a row in the changes list to open the related property details list in the
side pane. The content of the property details list depends on the
comparison rules that you are using. The details list also indicates how the
individual properties have changed in the Old value and New value
columns.

• To show the object in the model, select the Select objects in the model
check box, and then click a row in the changes list. Note that you cannot
select deleted objects.
• The older state of an object is drawn to the model view when you select the
corresponding object in the changes list.
• To highlight the object in the changes list, select the Get selected objects
from model check box, and then click an object in the model.
• To zoom to the selected object in the model, select the Zoom to selected
check box, and then click a row in the changes list. You can also zoom to
deleted objects.
• The older state of a reference model object is drawn to the 3D view in
orange color when you select the corresponding object.
• To show only changes in the property details list, select the Show only
changes check box, and then click a row in the changes list.
• You can search for specific items using the search box at the bottom.

• If the changes list disappears, you can bring it back by clicking the
Changes list button in the side pane. If the details list disappears, you can

bring it back by clicking the Property details button in the side pane.
These two buttons are only visible when Change detection is active.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 128 Reference models and compatible formats
 Update reference model and detect changes between versions
You can update a reference model with another version of the model, and
detect the changes between these two reference model versions.
1. Open another version of the reference model by browsing to it in the File
box in reference model details and clicking Modify.
This updates the original reference model with the changed information
in the other reference model version.
You can open several versions, but you can only compare two versions at
a time.
You do not need to copy the reference models to the model folder.
2. On the Change detection row, click the arrow on the row to open the
Change detection list.
In the Change detection list, the current version is bolded. The newest
version is at the top and the oldest at the bottom.

3. Ensure that both models are visible by setting the eye buttons active
in the Change detection list.

Comparison is active only when two eye buttons are active . You
cannot have more than two eye buttons active at the same time. If you
activate a third reference model in the list, the older version from

previously visible model is automatically set inactive , and the

comparison is done between the two models that have the active eye.
4. Set another version as the current version in the Change detection list by
right-clicking the version in the list and selecting Set as current.
5. To change the comparison set, click the ... button and define the set you
want to use. Then click Update view. The comparison set contains the
properties that you want to use in version comparison.
6. To delete a version, right-click the version in the Change detection list,
and select Remove.
The current model version is modified, and this modification is shared in
multiuser mode or Tekla Model Sharing.
You need to pay special attention to versioning and updating in a project.
For example, if you remove a version, the current model is updated and
you may end up with conflicts.
7. Select any or all of the check boxes for the following options: Changed,
Unchanged, Inserted and/or Deleted, and then click the Update view
button, which is displayed when you select an option.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 129 Reference models and compatible formats
 For example, select Inserted to show with green color the objects that
were inserted between the two versions.
The changes list and the property details list are displayed. The changes
list content is based on the IFC content and has all physical object types.
The colors are the same as the ones in Change detection.
8. You can do any of the following in the changes list and in the details list:

• Click a row in the changes list to open the related property details list
in the side pane. The property details list contains at least the name,
location as origin and property set properties, basically the content is
the same as in the reference object inquiry report. The details list also
indicates how the individual properties have changed in the Old value
and New value columns.
• To highlight the object in the model, select the Select objects in the
model check box, and then click a row in the changes list. Note that
you cannot select deleted objects.
• To highlight the model object in the changes list, select the Get
selected objects from model check box, and then click an object in
the model.
• To zoom to the selected object in the model, select the Zoom to
selected check box, and then click a row in the changes list. You can
also zoom to deleted objects.
• To show only changes in the property details list, select the Show only
changes check box, and then click a row in the changes list.
• The older state of a reference model object is drawn to the 3D view in
orange color when you select the corresponding object.
• You can search for specific items using the search box at the bottom.

• If the changes list disappears, you can bring it back by clicking the
Changes list button in the side pane. If the details list disappears, you

can bring it back by clicking the Property details button in the

side pane. These two buttons are only visible when Change detection
is active.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 130 Reference models and compatible formats
 Change comparison order
• Select the This model is newer check box to define that the file shown in
the file path box is newer than the other compared file. If the file has been
updated, it appears in the box automatically and the check box is selected.

• It is possible to compare as newer (default) or older.

Select the This model is newer check box next to the file path box if you want
to define that the file shown in the box is newer.

Macro for selecting Tekla Structures native objects

The SelectCorrespondingObjectsBasedOnIfcObjectsSelection macro is
useful for cases where you exported native objects to IFC, inserted the IFC
model back to the same native model, and then you want to select the
corresponding Tekla Structures objects. You may need to select the
corresponding objects when you want to add your own UDAs to all updated
and selected native objects, for example.

Remove old reference model versions automatically

You can remove old reference model versions automatically with the advanced
option XS_REFERENCE_MODEL_KEEP_VERSIONS_COUNT.

See also
Import a reference model (page 118)
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects (page 149)

Define a comparison set for reference model change

detection
Change detection in Tekla Structures compares different versions of the
reference model based on a comparison set, which tells you whether Tekla
Structures considers a change in a property a change or not. You can use the
standard property comparison set, or define a comparison set of your own.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 131 Reference models and compatible formats
 In the reference model, when change detection is active, the changes list
shows all deleted, changed, new and not changed objects. The property details
list only contains those properties that are defined by the current comparison
set rules to be compared.
When you save a comparison file, both the standard file and a customized
comparison set file are saved to the \attributes folder under model folder.
The standard file can only be removed from model folder if it exists in
another other location. If saving or removing the standard file is not
successful, you will get an error message.

Create a new comparison set

1. In Change detection, click the Comparison sets button ... to open the
Comparison sets dialog box.
2. Enter a name for the comparison set.

3. Add a new comparison rule by clicking the Add row button and
typing or copying and pasting the property name.
• You can copy and paste property names directly from the property
details list in change detection.
• To include more properties within one rule, use asterisk (*), for
example:
X* (all that starts with X)
*X (all that ends with X)
• If you want to compare only one property set property, clear the
Property sets check box and create a separate rule for that property.
If you want to compare all property sets but not one property, select
the Property sets check box and create rule for that property and
leave its check box empty.
• Note that comparison rules are case insensitive.
• All rules in comparison set affect the comparison if the reference
model version has a corresponding property.
4. Add more rules in the same way as in step 2 and 3.

5. To delete a rule, select the rule and click the Delete rule button . You
cannot delete fixed comparison rules, like Geometry, Location, Rotation,
Materials, Profiles, Products, Common attributes or Property sets, but
you can exclude those from comparison by leaving the check boxes next
to them empty.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 132 Reference models and compatible formats
 6. Ensure that you have the check box selected next to all the comparison
rules you want to include in the comparison set. If you do not want to
include a rule, clear the check box.

TIP You can also exclude attributes already included in a property set by
adding a separate row for that specific attribute and then ensuring
that you do not add a check mark in the check box next to that
specific attribute.

7. Click the Save button .

8. Close the comparison set dialog box by clicking the Close button . If you
have not saved your changes, you will be asked if you want to keep the
changes when you close the dialog box.
9. Click the Update view button.

Properties in comparison property set

A comparison set may contain the following types of properties:
• Free property set properties, such as BaseQuantities.NetVolume
• Fixed properties that always exist in the comparison set file, but can be
excluded from the comparison
The fixed properties are listed below:

Property type Description

Geometry Object dimensions
Location The coordinates of the object in the
model
Rotation The rotation coordinates of the object

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 133 Reference models and compatible formats
 Property type Description
Material Material name and grade
Profile Profile name
Product IfcProduct parameters that vary
object type by type. Some properties
are optional.
Below examples of product properties
for IfcColumn:
Application full name
Application identifier
Change action
Creation date
Description
Family name
Given name
Is set last modified date
Last modified date
Middle names
Name
Object type
Organization description
Organization names
Organization roles
Roles
State
Version
Common attributes Below examples of common
attributes for IfcColumn:
External Use
Fire Rating
Load bearing
Reference
COLUMNTYPE->GUID
GUID

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 134 Reference models and compatible formats
 Property type Description
Property sets Whatever has been added to IFC
properties.
Below examples of property set
properties for IfcColumn:
BaseQuantities.Length [mm]
BaseQuantities.NetWeight [kg]
BaseQuantities.NetVolume [mm³]
BaseQuantities.OuterSurfaceArea
[m²]
Tekla Common.Bottom elevation
Tekla Common.Class
Tekla Common.Phase
Tekla Common.Preliminary mark
Tekla Common.Top elevation
Tekla Quantity.Area per tons [m²]
Tekla Quantity.Gross footprint area
[m²]
Tekla Quantity.Height [mm]
Tekla Quantity.Length [mm]
Tekla Quantity.Net surface area [m²]
Tekla Quantity.Weight [kg]
Tekla Quantity.Width [mm]
Tekla Quantity.Volume [mm³]

Export change detection results to Excel

The exported Excel file contains all or changed properties that are visible in the
changes list. The information is exported in the current language.
Objects that are filtered out using comparison set (page 131) filtering are not
exported.
Columns in export:
• Status
• Name
• Profile
• Material

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 135 Reference models and compatible formats
 • Type
• GUID
1. When the reference model change management (page 126) is active and

the changes list is displayed, click Export to Excel.

2. Filter which properties are shown in the property changes list and
exported to the Excel file by using the comparison set (page 131) filtering.
3. In the Export to Excel dialog box, define the needed settings:

• Template: Select a new Excel template for the export.

• Export without column headers: If you do not want to show the
column headers in the Excel sheet, select this option.
• Export details: Exports all property details. Property details are shown
collapsed by default. When you open the collapsed details by clicking
the plus (+) button, all details are listed under titles Name, Old value
and New value.
• Changed details only : Only exports those property details that have
changed between reference model versions.
4. If you want to save the settings in a properties file to be loaded and used
in other exports, enter a name and click Save.
5. When you are ready, click Export.
The changes list is exported to an Excel spreadsheet.
If you want, you can save the Excel where ever you want.
Example of the exported Excel when the Export details option has not been
selected.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 136 Reference models and compatible formats
 Example of the exported Excel when the Export details option has been
selected. If you include details in the export, all property details are listed, and
the detail rows are by default collapsed. You can open the details by clicking
the plus (+) button.

Example of the exported Excel when the Export details and Changed details
only options have been selected.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 137 Reference models and compatible formats
 Inquire reference model contents
You can inquire the contents of a reference model. This is something you
might want to do after importing a reference model into Tekla Structures.
1. On the ribbon, click Inquire object.
2. In your Tekla Structures model, click the reference model you want to
examine.
The contents of the reference model are listed in the Inquire Object
dialog box.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 138 Reference models and compatible formats
 See also
Import a reference model (page 118)

Reference model objects

Some types of reference models are automatically subdivided into reference
model objects, which is an individual part of an imported reference model. You
can define user-defined attributes separately for each reference model object
and use them for reports and the view and selection filters. They can also be
moved to a Tekla Structures model that is currently being worked on.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 139 Reference models and compatible formats
 Information included in a reference model object can be saved in the model
database.
The reference model objects are read-only.
Whether the reference model supports splitting depends on the file format
and file structure. .ifc models are always automatically subdivided,
and. .dwg files that include any of the following objects, are also automatically
subdivided:
• block table
• polyface mesh
• polygon mesh
• proxy object (for example, ADT)
• ACIS objects (3DSolid, Body, Region)
The file formats .dgn, .prp, .skp, .step, and .iges are not subdivided.

TIP To report a needed reference object attribute you can inquire a reference object
in the model to see the property name and then in Template Editor, add that
property name to be reported in a Reference* row.

See also
Reference models and compatible formats (page 117)

Examine reference model hierarchy and modify reference

model objects
You can view the reference model hierarchy and check the hierarchy level of
different objects. You can also add user-defined attributes to the reference
model objects. The added attributes can be used for filtering, for example.
Additionally, you can view the native reference object attributes and
properties.

1. Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch (for assemblies)

or Select objects in assemblies selection switch (for parts) is active.

2. Point the reference model, hold down Shift and scroll using the middle
mouse button to the hierarchy level were the reference object is. Notice
that if the cursor is too close to a grid, the hierarchy is not scrolled.
3. Do any of the following:
• To inquire the native reference object properties and attributes, right-
click the object and select Inquire.
• To view or modify the user-defined attributes of a reference object,
double-click the object to open the reference model object details.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 140 Reference models and compatible formats
 TIP There are many more commands available for the selected reference
model objects. Check rest of the commands on the pop-up menu.

Below is an example of a reference model representing a sanitary system.

When you want to scroll the hierarchy, the selection switch Select assemblies
or Select objects in assemblies must be on. The 0 level IfcProject in the
example is the upmost level.

Below you can see one of the reference objects on the 3 level,
IfcBuildingStorey, of the same reference model.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 141 Reference models and compatible formats
 The last level, level 4, shows the individual parts.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 142 Reference models and compatible formats
 In the example below, one of the reference objects on the lowest level has
been inquired.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 143 Reference models and compatible formats
 Reference model assemblies
Imported IFC reference models can contain assemblies. You can select
reference model assemblies in the model view and view assembly level
information in Tekla Structures.
• You can add user-defined attributes to reference model assemblies.
• You can use the Inquire command to view information on reference model
assemblies. For example, you can view GUIDs of child objects.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 144 Reference models and compatible formats
 • You can create reports to view information on reference model assemblies.

See also
Select reference models, reference model objects and assemblies
Inquire object properties
Create a report
REFERENCE_ASSEMBLY

3.3 IFC
IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes, the set of internationally
standardized object definitions for use in the construction industry. IFC is
developed as an open standard by buildingSMART.
IFC offers a high-level common language for the sharing of intelligent objects,
such as building elements, between disciplines across the building life cycle.
The principal benefit of IFC is the object description – not only does the IFC
protocol preserve the full geometric description in 3D, but it also knows its
location and relationships, as well as all the properties (or parameters) of each
object.

For a list of IFC applications certified by buildingSMART international, see

Certified software.

See also
IFC interoperability concepts (page 145)
IFC import (page 148)
Import a reference model (page 118)
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects (page 149)
IFC export (page 163)

IFC interoperability concepts

Some common terms and concepts used in IFC import, export, and conversion
are explained below.

B-rep
B-rep or boundary representation is a method for representing shapes using the
limits. A solid is represented as a collection of connected surface elements,
showing the boundary between solid and non-solid.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 145 IFC

 CSG
CSG or Constructive Solid Geometry is a technique used in solid modeling. CSG
allows a modeler to create a complex surface or object by
using Boolean operations to combine simpler objects.

Boolean operations on sets

Union:

Intersection:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 146 IFC

 Difference:

Extrusion
Sweeping is allowing a two-dimensional planar cross section to sweep through
space.

Revolved extrusion
A revolved extrusion or a solid of revolution is a solid object that is obtained by
rotating a plane cross section around a straight line (the axis) that lies on the
same plane.

Arbitrary profiles
In addition to parameterized profiles, there is a free profile shape type called
arbitrary profiles. These profiles are defined by an ifcCurve, which may have
linear and curved segments. Thin wall profiles can be defined by a centerline
and a thickness. Other profiles are defined by a closed shape. Closed profile
shape may or may not have inner voids.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 147 IFC

 Parameterized profiles
There are several parameterized profiles available in the IFC specification.
Those include standard hot-rolled steel I, L, T, U, and Z profiles, cold formed C
profiles, and generic rectangle and circle profiles with or without a hollow.
These profiles are defined with their parameters, such as width, height, web
thickness and flange thickness.

IFC import
You can import IFC models as reference models to Tekla Structures, and
optionally convert the imported IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects
directly by using the direct conversion, or selected IFC reference objects using
conversion change management. You can use imported IFC reference models,
for example, in clash checking, reporting and scheduling.
Supported IFC schemas and IFC applications
• Tekla Structures supports the following IFC schemas:
• IFC2X3 (recommended)
• IFC4
• For a list of applications/utilities that are purported, by their developers, to
provide IFC import and/or export functionality, see List of all IFC
applications.

Certification
• The IFC import IFC2X3 functionality has the IFC certification granted by
buildingSMART international. For a list of IFC-certified applications, see
Certified Software.

Supported entities
The IFC reference model import in Tekla Structures supports all the sub-
objects of the IfcBuildingElement class and sub-objects of the IfcProduct class
including:
• Architectural entities
• Structural entities
• Building services entities

Supported formats
• IFC (.ifc) and ifcXML (.ifcXML) formats are supported.
• You can use compressed (.ifcZIP) or uncompressed import files.
• IFC4 does not support ifcXML.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 148 IFC

 To import IFC reference models
1. Open a Tekla Structures model where you want to insert the IFC reference
model.
2. Open the Reference Models list by clicking the Reference Models button

in the side pane .

3. Click the following link and follow the instructions for importing the
reference model: Import a reference model (page 118).

See also
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects (page 149)

Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects

You can convert most linear IFC reference objects such as beams, columns,
braces, plates, slabs, footings and walls into native Tekla Structures objects.
Conversion also supports polybeams that have curved sections, and have
originally been exported from Tekla Structures, and string, int and double type
UDAs. The purpose of converting IFC objects in Tekla Structures is to help in
the creation of the structural model and to avoid rework in an early modeling
phase.
In IFC object conversion, IFC objects are converted either as items or as
extrusions. Conversion as item means that an IFC object is converted as a Tekla
Structures item, where the 3D shape defines the geometry of the item.
Conversion as extrusion (page 145) means that an IFC object is converted as a
part (column, beam, plate, etc.) that has a profile extruded to create the length
of the part.
In IFC object conversion you need to do the following:
1. Before converting, check that the profiles and units in the IFC reference
model are compatible with your environment.
2. Check the object conversion settings in the IFC object conversion
settings dialog box and change them, if needed.
3. Convert the IFC objects to native Tekla Structures objects. There are two
alternative ways available in object conversion:
• Converting all selected reference model objects at one go using the
Convert IFC objects command on the Manage tab.
• Converting using the IFC object conversion change management. You
can also perform an update conversion with a new reference model
revision using the change management.
Is object conversion always necessary?

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 149 IFC

 In Tekla Structures, reference model objects can be used in a way similar to the
native objects, for example, in clash detection, reporting and scheduling. There
is no need to have everything as native, because the reference model objects
can also be used in many ways. For example, reference model objects can be
shown in drawings and they can be listed in reports.
The reference files have the benefit compared to the copied files that the
content of the files is automatically updated by the designer of that design
discipline.

Check and change the IFC object conversion settings

Before you start converting, check the conversion settings and change them if
necessary.
1. On the File menu, click Settings --> IFC object conversion settings .
2. In the IFC object conversion settings dialog box, check and change the
conversion settings:

Create report after Not used any longer. The changes list replaces the
conversion report.
Set handles to top Set the reference lines of beams to top flange.
flange
If Set handles to top flange is not selected, the
reference lines of beams are located in the middle
of the beams.
This setting is not used for polybeams for better
conversion results.
Convert Brep object Convert B-rep objects into Tekla Structures objects.
You can select conversion to item and conversion
to extrusion separately for concrete material and
other material, for example, steel. The selected
options are applied to direct conversion and in
conversion change management.
B-rep objects are converted to items, and the items
are added to the shape catalog. The items belong
to class 996.
Primary profile Profile name Map profiles primarily by comparing
mapping the profile names between the IFC model and Tekla
Structures profile catalog.
Dimensions: Map profiles primarily by comparing
the object dimensions.
If the IFC object converter cannot map profiles with
the method you select as primary, it applies the
secondary (unselected) method.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 150 IFC

 Tolerance Enter values for dimension comparison. The unit of
measurement is based on the environment.
The r value in Tolerance affects only rectangular
hollow profiles. It is used to distinguish hot rolled
profiles from cold rolled profiles.
3. Copy properties from the IFC object property sets to be used as user-
defined attributes of converted Tekla Structures objects:
a. Click Add to add a row and enter the name of the IFC property in the
Property box.
b. Enter the name of the user-defined attribute in the UDA box.
The maximum length of the user-defined attribute name is 20
characters. The user-defined attribute that you add here must also be
included in the objects.inp file. Ensure that the attribute name is
unique. Enter the original name of the user-defined attribute, not the
translation.
c. Click Type to select the format of the attribute.
The possible formats are string, integer or double.
4. Before you convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects, check
the profiles and materials to ensure that the conversion will be successful,
and map the profiles or material manually in the following way:
a. Click the Check button.
Tekla Structures displays any missing profiles or materials on the
Missing Profiles and Missing Materials tabs in the Missing
Mapping dialog box.
b. Select an appropriate option in the Tekla Structures profile and Tekla
Structures material lists to define a mapping for the missing profiles
or materials.
The mapping of profiles works for IFC data that has a profile name
but does not include enough information for conversion. You can
change your mappings later if needed. The maps are used in
conversion only if the profiles are not found from Tekla Structures
catalogs. Profile conversion follows a certain logic (page 158).
c. Click Update Mapping Catalogs and Close.
You can also open and modify the catalog files in a text editor. To do this,
click the Catalog button. When you are done, reopen the IFC object
conversion settings to take the new settings in use. The files are located in
the \attributes folder under the model folder:
TeklaStructuresCatalogMaterials.txt contains all materials
TeklaStructuresCatalogProfiles.txt contains all profiles

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 151 IFC

 MappedMaterials-default.txt maps the materials
MappedProfiles-default.txt maps the profiles
5. Click OK in the IFC object conversion settings dialog box. Now you can
convert the IFC objects using one of the two available ways.

Convert selected IFC objects at one go

You can convert all imported IFC objects at one go using the current object
conversion settings. You need to have at least two or more revisions of the
same model.
1. Open the Reference Models list by clicking the Reference Models button

in the side pane.

2. Click the Add model button, browse for the model in the Add model
dialog box, and click Add model again.
3. In the model, select the objects that you want to convert.
4. Go to the ribbon, and on the Manage tab, click Convert IFC objects. The
selected objects are converted on the basis of IFC conversion settings.
Conversion is done automatically for objects that have not been
converted earlier. Converted IFC object are listed in the changes list at the
bottom. Each object is on a row of its own, and cuts are listed
hierarchically under the related object.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 152 IFC

 • To select objects in model, activate the Select objects in model check
box, and then click an object row. This also selects the related native
object.
• To highlight the object in the changes list and show its details, select
the Get selected objects from model check boxes, and then click an
object in the model.
• To zoom to the selected object in the model, select the Zoom to
selected check box, and then click a row in the changes list. The Zoom
to selected check box is disabled if the Select objects in the model is
not selected.
• To show only changes in the property details list, select the Show only
changes check box, and then click a row in the changes list.
• The status of an object may be New (green) Changed (yellow),
Deleted (red), or Up-to-date (blue or gray, when the conversion
change management is reopened), or Error (lila).
• The Conversion status column shows the resulting conversion status.
• The properties of a converted object are listed in the property details
list that appears in the side pane when you click an object in the
changes list.
5. You can update an object in the list by changing its conversion status to
Conversion and clicking Apply changes.
6. If the lists disappear, click the following buttons that are only visible when
the conversion changes list is active:

• The Changes list button brings back the changes list.

• The Property details button brings back the property details list.

Convert IFC objects using conversion change management - first

conversion
Object conversion change management provides change detection and
change management on object level. Conversion change management is
needed in the initial data change management to reduce the challenges in
construction projects. Objects are not converted automatically but you need to
convert the objects using the conversion changes list.
1. Open the Reference Models list by clicking the Reference Models button

.
2. Click Add model, browse for the model in the Add model dialog box, and
click Add model again.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 153 IFC

 3. Double-click the model in the Reference Models list to open it, and then

click the Start IFC conversion change management button .

The current conversion status is displayed in the changes list and
conversion management is activated. The status is based on reference
model object physical changes and IFC conversion settings. The properties
of a reference object are listed in the property details list that appears
separately for each object when you click an object in the changes list.
Use the Select objects in model view, Get selected objects from
model, and Zoom to selected check boxes to review the model and the
changes and details lists.

The reference object status and conversion status logic and colors:

Reference object Conversion status Color

status
New No conversion Green
Changed Conversion as item or Yellow
Conversion as
extrusion

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 154 IFC

 Deleted Conversion as item or Red
Conversion as
extrusion
Up-to-date Conversion as item or Blue (gray when the
Conversion as conversion change
extrusion management is
reopened)
Error No conversion Lila
4. Convert objects by selecting the desired object rows, selecting Conversion
in the Conversion status column and clicking Apply changes. The
conversion is based on conversion settings. You can select multiple
objects.
• After conversion, the conversion status is either Conversion as item
or Conversion as extrusion depending on the result of the
conversion.
• B-reps (page 145) are shown as Surface geometry, parametric
(page 145) profiles as Parametric and arbitrary (page 145) shapes as
Arbitrary. Assembly is also Arbitrary, and so are the reference objects
that are selected with the Select objects in assemblies or Select
objects in components selection switches.
• If B-rep (Surface geometry in the Type column) conversion is
selected, conversion is done as item, if not error.
• If object is extrusion (page 145) (Arbitrary or Parametric in the Type
column), it is converted as extrusion.
• You can force conversion to be item by selecting Conversion as item.
In this case, and extrusion object is also converted as item. The
conversion does not check if same shape is already available, meaning
new shape will always be created.
• You can force conversion to be extrusion by selecting Conversion as
extrusion. In this case, B-rep is also converted as extrusion, profile is
by mapping, or by bounding box if there is no mapping. This
conversion result is not always as preferred.
• If the conversion fails, the result is written to the Conversion status
column, and the row color is purple.
5. If the lists disappear, click the following buttons that are only visible when
the conversion management is active:

• The Changes list button brings back the changes list.

• The Property details button brings back the property details list.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 155 IFC

 Convert IFC objects using conversion change management - update
conversion
If a previously converted reference object has changed in a newer reference
model revision, you can compare the older and newer revisions of the
reference model and update the conversion.
1. Open the Reference Models list by clicking the Reference Models button

in the side pane .

2. Open the older reference model revision by double-clicking it in the
Reference Models list.
3. Update the reference model with a new revision of the reference model by
selecting a new revision file in the File list in the Details section and
clicking Modify.

4. Click the Start IFC conversion change management button .

5. Go through the changes:
• Select the Select objects in model view and Zoom to selection check
boxes to see the changed objects clearly in the model.
• Click the changed row to see detailed changes in property details in
the side pane.
6. You can update previously converted objects partially by selecting the
Update check box next to a certain property in the property details pane.
For example, if you only want to update the profile information, only
select the Update check box next to the Profile row in the property
details pane.
7. To convert all objects with changed conversion status, select all rows,
change the Conversion status to Conversion and click Apply changes.
• The objects that have a changed conversion status are converted on
the basis of the current IFC object conversion settings.
• You can update previously converted native model objects based on
previous conversion type and settings by selecting Conversion in the
Conversion status column. You cannot change the type from
extrusion to item, in this case you need to delete the native objects
and force conversion.
• If the reference object status is Deleted, select Conversion and click
Apply changes. This removes the native object and the link to the
removed reference objects.

Macro for selecting converted IFC objects

The SelectConvertedObjectsBasedOnIfcObjectsSelection macro selects the
objects that have been converted to native Tekla Structures objects. You may
need to select the converted objects to check the properties of the native Tekla

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 156 IFC

 Structures objects, for example. This macro is located in the Applications
section of the Applications & components catalog.

Class values
The status of the converted object is reported in the changes list in the Class
column. Sometimes the input data in the IFC model is not adequate to
successfully create the converted object. The following table explains what the
class values mean.

Class value IFC object data Converted object

description
990 Parametric profile with a There is enough information
name in the IFC model to convert
the object successfully.
991 Parametric profile without a Tekla Structures determines
name the name of the object based
on the objects profile.
992 Arbitrary profile with a name The profile of the converted
object may be incorrectly
rotated because there is no
parametrized profile data in
the IFC model.
993 Arbitrary profile without a The profile of the converted
name object may be incorrectly
rotated because there is no
parametrized profile data in
the IFC model.
The profile name is set to
UNKNOWN.
994 B-rep piece with a name The profile may be an
extrema box due to the lack
of profile data in the IFC
model.
995 B-rep piece without a name The profile may be an
extrema box due to the lack
of profile data in the IFC
model.
The profile name is set to
UNKNOWN.
996 B-rep piece The object is converted using
the Convert B-rep object
option in converter settings.
The converted B-rep object is
either an item or a concrete

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 157 IFC

 Class value IFC object data Converted object
description
item and is added to the
shape catalog.

Profile conversion logic in IFC object conversion

Tekla Structures uses a certain logic in converting profiles in IFC object
conversion.
Parametric profile used in IFC model, I-, L-, U-, C-, T-, Z-, Rectangle- and Circular
type profiles can be defined parametrically:

1. If IFC file has been created with Tekla Structures, original profile name is
used.
2. If profile with same name is found from Tekla Structures Profile Catalog,
it will be used.
3. Otherwise, Tekla Structures checks parameter values to find a
corresponding profile. If found, that will be used.
4. Otherwise, a default parametric profile is used.
Arbitrary profile used in IFC model, profile shape is defined with polygon:
1. If IFC file has been created with Tekla Structures, original profile name is
used.
2. If the shape is detected and found from Tekla Structures catalog, that
profile will be used. The shape detection supports the standard types of
hot rolled profiles.
3. Otherwise, a new profile is created based on the description of the
arbitrary profile.
B-rep geometry used in IFC model, object is defined with surfaces and profile
geometry information is not available:
1. If corresponding item exists in Tekla Structures model, it is used.
2. Otherwise, a new item will be created and used.
If Conversion as item is used for extrusion type of part, new item is always
created.

See also
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects (page 149)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 158 IFC

 Example: Convert IFC objects into Tekla Structures objects in one go
In this example, you use an IFC model as a basis for your structural model. You
will convert the beams and columns into native Tekla Structures objects.

1. Hide irrelevant IFC layers:

a. Click the Reference Models button .

b. In the Reference Models list, double-click the reference model to
open the details.
c. Open the Layers list by clicking the down arrow on the right.
d. Hide the unnecessary layers by clicking the eye button next to the
layer.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 159 IFC

 2. Select all visible IFC objects.
3. On the Manage tab, click Convert IFC objects.
Tekla Structures converts the reference objects.
4. Check the profiles and materials of the IFC objects and map missing
material:
a. On the File menu, click Settings --> IFC object conversion settings.
b. Click Check.
Tekla Structures lists the missing profiles and materials.
c. View the Missing Profiles and Missing Materials tabs.
Tekla Structures lists a missing reference part material Concrete
Block.
d. Select CONCRETE_UNDEFINED from the list.

e. Click Update Mapping Catalogs and Close.

f. Select the Create report after conversion check box.
g. Click OK in the IFC object conversion dialog box.
5. On the Manage tab, click Convert IFC objects again.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 160 IFC

 Tekla Structures converts the objects.

The Class for all the converted objects is 992. That means that the profile
of the converted object may be incorrectly rotated because there is no
parametrized profile data in the IFC model.
6. Check the conversion changes list:
• Select objects in the changes list to highlight them in the model: Use
the buttons Select objects in model view and Zoom to selected.
• Compare the converted objects with the IFC objects.
• Use the Inquire objects button on the ribbon to view detailed
information on objects.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 161 IFC

 Below is an image of converted beams and columns.

See also
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects (page 149)

Limitations in IFC object conversion

Tekla Structures is dependent on the quality of the IFC model, because it uses
information available in the model when converting objects.
Tekla Structures converts most linear IFC objects to native Tekla Structures
objects.
The following limitations exist in IFC object conversion:
• If the IFC model does not comply with standard, it might not be converted
as expected.
• Bolts, reinforcement and welds cannot be converted to native Tekla
Structures objects.
• The currently supported physical elements: IfcBeam, ifcColumn,
ifcMember, ifcPile, ifcFooting, ifcPlate, ifcDiscreteAccessory, ifcSlab, ifcWall,
ifcWallStandardCase, ifcRailing and ifcBuildingElementPart.
• Only SweptSolid, Brep, CSG and Clipping representations are supported.
• Multiple representations for one object are not supported.
• Profile offset is not supported.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 162 IFC

 • Sometimes, chamfers may be converted incorrectly.

See also
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects (page 149)

IFC export
You can export Tekla Structures models as IFC models.
You can export all basic parts in the Tekla Structures model such as beams,
columns, braces, slabs, panels, plates, reinforcing bars, and bolts with nuts and
washers.
Tekla Structures exports the model objects on the basis of the export settings
you define, including the property sets.
The IFC export functionality in Tekla Structures supports the IFC2X3 schema.
The IFC export functionality has the IFC certification granted by buildingSMART
international Certified Software.

IFC (.ifc) and ifcXML (.ifcXML) formats are supported. You can use
compressed (.ifcZIP) or uncompressed import files.

To Click the links below to find out more

Define the resulting IFC Export a Tekla Structures model or selected model
entities for the exported objects to an IFC file (page 167)
model Tekla Structures
model objects and the
IFC export settings, and
then export Tekla
Structures model or a
part of it into a IFC file
Test the reference model Check the exported IFC model (page 176)
after creating it

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 163 IFC

 To Click the links below to find out more
Check what kind of base IFC base quantities in exported IFC model
quantity information is (page 176)
included in the Quantity
takeoff add-on view
Take a look at the Property set configuration files used in IFC export
property set (page 177)
configuration files
Create additional Define additional property sets for IFC export
property sets out of (page 164)
template attributes and
user-defined attributes,
define property
definitions for the
attributes, and bind the
property sets to IFC
entities to be used in IFC
export

Define additional property sets for IFC export

You can create additional property sets out of template attributes and user-
defined attributes, define properties for the attributes, and bind the Tekla
Structures property sets to IFC entities for IFC export. Tekla Structures saves
additional property sets in configuration files. You can keep several
configuration files in several locations. When Tekla Structures exports an IFC
file, it reads the predefined property sets and the additional property sets.

Add a new IFC property set configuration file

1. On the File menu, click Export --> IFC .
2. Select <new> in the Additional property sets list and click Edit. If you
have copied one of the predefined configuration files in the model folder,
open that one.
3. For a new configuration file, in the Property Set Definitions dialog box,
enter a name for the configuration file in the Name box.
4. Enter a name for the property set next to the New button and click New.
You can also select one of the property sets in the Property sets list.
You can create several property sets in one configuration file. For
example, you can add COGs, and start and end points on the part level,
and scheduling information on the assembly level.
5. For a new property set, enter a description for the property set in the
empty box.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 164 IFC

 6. Select an entity type from the Select entity types list by selecting its
check box.
When you do this, the Select attributes list shows the attributes that are
available for the selected entity type.
7. Add the desired attributes from the Select attributes list by selecting the
check boxes next to the attribute names.
The attribute is added to the List of all selected properties list on the
right. This list shows which attributes are exported and in which format:
• You can add new attributes by entering an attribute name in the
Attribute box in the Create/Modify property area and clicking the
Add button.
• You can modify and remove attributes on the list by selecting the
attributes on the list and clicking Modify or Remove.
8. Under Create/Modify property, define the attribute properties:
• Select Property type for the selected attribute.
Here, always select Template attribute for those user-defined
attributes whose name contains more than 19 characters. For
example, select Template attribute for
ASSEMBLY.USERDEFINED.PLANS_STATUS.
• Enter or modify the name of the selected attribute in the name box
Name.
• Select the Type of the attribute. The Type can be one of the following:
String (sequence of characters), Boolean(false or true), Integer
(number without a fractional part), Measurement, Real (numbers that
have decimal representations), or Time stamp.
• If the type of the user-defined attribute is Measurement:
• You can select the Measurement type: Length, Area, Volume,
Mass, Positive length or Count.
• You can select the Conversion factor and Accuracy.
User-definable accuracy allows better IFC file size optimization.
9. Click Save to save your modifications.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 165 IFC

 1) The entity groups where Tekla Structures attributes are written in the
exported IFC file
2) The template attributes or user-defined attributes that you want to export
for the selected entity
3) List showing the selected attributes
4) The properties that you can define for the attributes

Tekla Structures model objects and corresponding IFC entities

Tekla Structures object IFC entity

Beam IfcBeam (IfcMember)
Column IfcColumn, (IfcPile), (IfcMember)
Polybeam IfcBeam, (IfcMember)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 166 IFC

 Tekla Structures object IFC entity
Curved beam IfcBeam, (IfcMember)
Pad footing, Strip footing IfcFooting
Slab IfcSlab
Panel IfcWall or IfcWallStandardCase
Contour plate IfcPlate or IfcDiscreteAccessory
Bolts, nuts and washers IfcMechanicalFastener
Bolt hole IfcOpeningElement
Vertical braces IfcMember
Railing: Beam, Column IfcBeam, IfcColumn, (IfcRailing)
Assembly, cast unit IfcElementAssembly, (IfcRailing),
(IfcRamp), (IfcRoof), (IfcStair), (IfcWall)
Tekla Structures project IfcProject
Assembly sub-part IfcDiscreteAccessory
Bar, wire, strand, mesh, tendon, and (IfcReinforcingElement)
other component embedded in
concrete
Reinforcement IfcReinforcingBar
Pour object, pour break IfcBuildingElementProxy
Surface treatment IfcCovering
Weld IfcFastener

NOTE • If the entity is not in parenthesis in the table above, the object is
automatically exported to this entity type. If an entity is in parenthesis, the
object is not exported to this entity type automatically, but you can select
the entity for the object on theIFC export tab.
• The IfcBuildingElementPart and IfcBuildingElement entities can also be
used. IfcBuildingElement matches beams, columns, etc, but not
assemblies.
• Polybeams are always exported as B-rep (page 145).

Export a Tekla Structures model or selected model objects to an IFC

file
You can export Tekla Structures model or a part of the model into an IFC file.
Before you start the export:
• Define the IFC entities for Tekla Structures model objects.
• Define the needed property sets (page 164).
• If you export the IFC file using the base point, define the base point.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 167 IFC

 • Note that to successfully export concrete parts, ensure that the advanced
option XS_ENABLE_POUR_MANAGEMENT is set to FALSE. To export pour
objects instead of the concrete parts, set the advanced option
XS_ENABLE_POUR_MANAGEMENT to TRUE and select the Pour objects check
box on the Advanced tab of the Export to IFC dialog box (IFC2x3) or the
Pours check box (IFC4).

Define IFC entities for Tekla Structures model objects

Before you export Tekla Structures model objects to IFC, you can define the
resulting IFC entities for the exported model objects in the user-defined
attributes of the objects.
1. Double-click an object, for example a column, to open part properties, and
click the button.
2. On the Parameters tab, set Load bearing to Yes, if you want to define
the user-defined attribute LOAD_BEARING for the exported object.
Set this option to No for all non-load bearing objects. Yes is the default
value.
3. On the IFC export tab, select an option in the IFC entity list to define the
IFC entity for the exported model object.
Below is a list of entities available for a different types of Tekla Structures
objects:

Tekla Structures object IFC entity

Beam IfcBeam (IfcMember)
Column IfcColumn, (IfcPile), (IfcMember)
Polybeam IfcBeam, (IfcMember)
Curved beam IfcBeam, (IfcMember)
Pad footing, Strip footing IfcFooting
Slab IfcSlab
Panel IfcWall or IfcWallStandardCase
Contour plate IfcPlate or IfcDiscreteAccessory
Bolts, nuts and washers IfcMechanicalFastener
Bolt hole IfcOpeningElement
Vertical braces IfcMember
Railing: Beam, Column IfcBeam, IfcColumn, (IfcRailing)
Assembly, cast unit IfcElementAssembly, (IfcRailing),
(IfcRamp), (IfcRoof), (IfcStair), (IfcWall)
Tekla Structures project IfcProject
Assembly sub-part IfcDiscreteAccessory

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 168 IFC

 Tekla Structures object IFC entity
Bar, wire, strand, mesh, tendon, and (IfcReinforcingElement)
other component embedded in
concrete
Reinforcement IfcReinforcingBar
Pour object, pour break IfcBuildingElementProxy
Surface treatment IfcCovering
Weld IfcFastener

NOTE • If the entity is not in parenthesis in the table above, the object
is automatically exported to this entity type. If an entity is in
parenthesis, the object is not exported to this entity type
automatically, but you can select the entity for the object on
theIFC export tab.
• The IfcBuildingElementPart and IfcBuildingElement entities can
also be used. IfcBuildingElement matches beams, columns,
etc, but not assemblies.
• Polybeams are always exported as B-rep (page 145).

4. In the IFC export type list, select Auto or Brep:

• The Auto option will automatically select what kind of Swept Solid IFC
object a Tekla object becomes in the IFC.
• If Auto fails for some reason (such as with a deformation) , the export
reverts to Brep automatically, and creates a mesh-based IFC object
with less intelligence. These objects are data heavy but still
geometrically correct.
• Brep will force the IFC object to be always mesh based.
5. Click Modify in the user-defined attributes dialog box.

Export to IFC2x3
1. Select the model objects to export.
If you want to export all model objects, you do not have to select anything.
2. On the File menu, click Export --> IFC.
3. Browse for the Output file location and replace the name out with the
desired file name.
IFC files are by default exported to the \IFC folder under the model
folder. The length of the file path is limited to 80 characters. You do not
need to enter the file name extension, it will be automatically added
according to the selected File format.
4. Define the export settings:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 169 IFC

 Option Description
Parameters tab
File format The options are IFC, IFC XML, zipped IFC, and
zipped IFC XML.
Export type Which export type to select?
• The certified Coordination view 2.0 should be
your default.
• If the model is used only for viewing purposes,
or as a reference model, Surface geometry is
your choice.
• Coordination view 1.0 is for those who need to
export openings as separate objects.
• Steel fabrication view is for the fabrication
workflow, and to be provided for
manufacturing.
Surface geometry is ideal when the need is to
view the model without any need for re-using or
editing:
• Reinforcing bars are exported as B-rep
(page 145).
• Export does not support CSG (page 145)
(Constructive Solid Geometry).
• Curved elements are exported as B-rep.
• Bolts are exported as B-rep.
The certified Coordination view 2.0 is
recommended to be used when the geometry
needs to be edited and modified in the receiving
application:
• Reinforcing bars are exported as extrusions
(page 145).
• Export uses CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry)
for presenting cuts and voids.
• Curved elements are exported as extrusions.
• Bolts are exported as B-rep.
Steel fabrication view is recommended for
exporting detailed information on steel objects for
steel fabrication:
• Exports assembly presentation and dedicated
property sets.
• Bolt holes are exported as voids.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 170 IFC

 Option Description
• Steel fabrication model view configuration file
for property sets and properties
(IfcPropertySetConfigurations_AISC.xm
l) is included in the installation by default.
Coordination view 1.0 is recommended to be
used instead of Coordination view 2.0 when you
need to have voids and openings presented by
using opening elements:
• Reinforcing bars are exported as extrusions.
• Voids and openings are exported as opening
elements (ifcOpeningElements).
• Curved elements are exported as extrusions.
• Bolts are exported as B-rep.
Additional property • To define a new property set (page 164), select
sets <new> and click Edit.
• To use an additional property set created
earlier, select the property set from the
Additional property sets list.
Location by Model origin exports the model relative to 0,0,0.
Work plane exports the model Elevation relative
to the current work plane coordinate system.
Base point: <name of base point> exports the
model relative to the base point using coordinate
system values East coordinate, North
coordinate, Elevation, Angle to North, Latitude
and Longitude from the base point definition.
Advanced tab
Object types Select the object types to export.
If you select Pour objects, cast in place concrete
parts are exported as pour objects.
If you select Assemblies, you can exclude single
part assemblies by selecting Exclude single part
assemblies in the Other area.
Property sets Selecting the option Base quantities adds in the
exported IFC file a Quantity takeoff add-on view
containing additional information on the entities in
the exported IFC model.
For more information about the base quantities,
see IFC base quantities in exported IFC model
(page 176).

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 171 IFC

 Option Description
Default exports the default set of properties.
Minimum exports the minimum set of properties
required by the buildingSMART IFC standard. To
view the property sets, click View.
Other Layer names as part names uses part names,
such as COLUMN and BEAM, as layer names for
exported objects.
Export flat wide beams as plates exports flat and
wide beams as plates. Select this option if you have
modeled plates as beams or columns with flat
profiles. For example, some system components
use beams or columns instead of plates.
Use current view colors exports the objects using
the colors defined in object representation, not the
class colors. Note that exporting object
transparency settings is not supported.
Select Exclude single part assemblies when you
export assemblies.
Spatial hierarchy from Organizer uses the spatial
hierarchy created in Organizer in export.
Do the following:
a. Select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer.
b. Create a project hierarchy in Organizer.
c. In Organizer, right-click the project, and select
Use for reporting.
d. Before the IFC export, synchronize or write the
Organizer data in the Tekla Structures model
by right-clicking the project in Organizer, and
selecting Write to the model for reporting.
5. Select either Selected objects or All objects to define the object selection
for the export.
6. Click Export.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 172 IFC

 Export to IFC4
You can export a Tekla Structures model or a part of the model into an IFC4
file.
Before you can start the IFC4 export in Tekla Structures, you need to set the
advanced option XS_IFC4_EXPORT_PLEASE to TRUE in
teklastructures.ini.
1. Select the model objects to export.
If you want to export all model objects, you do not have to select any
objects.
2. On the File menu, click Export --> IFC4.

3. In the File name box, enter the file name without a file name extension.
The extension will be automatically added according to the selected
Format. The length is not limited.
4. Browse for the Folder location.
IFC files are by default exported to the \IFC folder under the current
model folder.
Both absolute and relative paths can be defined.
5. In Selection, select whether you want to export All objects or Selected
objects.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 173 IFC

 6. Define other export settings:

Setting Description
Location by Model origin exports the model relative to 0,0,0.
Work plane exports the model relative to the
current work plane coordinate system.
Base point: <name of base point> exports the
model relative to the base point using coordinate
system values East coordinate, North
coordinate, Elevation, Angle to North, Latitude
and Longitude from the base point definition.
Format The options are IFC and zipped IFC.
Export type The options are Reference view and Design
transfer view.
The Reference view is intended to support the
referencing workflow, and exported files can be
used as reference files, and viewed in a viewer. The
Reference view is not meant to be used for
conversion to native objects.
Reference view also exports cuts and openings.
They are considered reference information, and
that is why they are not shown in IFC file viewers.
The overall goal of the Reference view is to
provide workflows for various software
applications that do not require modifying
geometry. Such applications enable viewing,
estimating, building, operating, and other
downstream analysis.
Design transfer view is intended for the handover
workflow, meaning import for further editing. This
requires the conversion of the IFC entities into
native objects. One example is the takeover of the
structural engineering model (or part of it) into the
basis of the structural detail modeling . The IFC
object conversion will be used to convert the IFC
entities to Tekla Structures native objects. Typically
import and conversion are only needed a couple of
times, or even once only. The result may require
some rework to accomplish a proper model.
Additional property • To define a new property set (page 164), select
sets <new> and click Edit.
• To use an additional property set created
earlier, select the property set from the
Additional property sets list.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 174 IFC

 Setting Description
• The additional property sets are stored in the
\AdditionalPSet folder under the model
folder.
Layer names as You can use phases, part names, or template
attributes as layer names for exported objects.
Select Name or Phase from the list, or type the
attribute name in the box.
Note that you cannot use user-defined attributes
as the layer name.
Object color Select whether you want to export objects using
object class colors or object group colors. If you
select object group colors, the defined
transparency settings are also exported.
Export flat wide beams Select this option if you want to export flat and
as plates wide beams as plates. Select this option if you have
modeled plates as beams or columns with flat
profiles. For example, some system components
use beams or columns instead of plates.
Spatial hierarchy from Spatial hierarchy from Organizer uses the spatial
Organizer hierarchy created in Organizer in export.
Do the following:
a. Select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer.
b. Create a project hierarchy in Organizer.
c. In Organizer, right-click the project, and select
Use for reporting.
d. Before the IFC export, synchronize or write the
Organizer data in the Tekla Structures model
by right-clicking the project in Organizer, and
selecting Write to the model for reporting.
Pours When you select the option Pours, concrete parts
are exported as pours. If you do not select this
option, concrete parts are exported without pours.
7. Click Export.
After the export a message box is displayed. In this message box you can open
the folder where the exported IFC model is stored, or view the log file in a

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 175 IFC

 browser. The log file gives detailed information of the export process,
exported entities and the errors occurred during the export.

Limitations in IFC4 export

• The export is not certified by buildingSMART and may therefore have
syntax and content issues.
• The user interface does not provide all the features included in the IFC2x3
export user interface.
• The Reference view is intended to be used for design coordination and for
referencing workflow. Due to the API change, all the needed pieces of data
may not be available and therefore the resulting IFC model may be
incomplete.
• We do not recommend using IFC4 in production projects yet.

Check the exported IFC model

We recommend that you test the reference model after creating it.

To check the exported IFC model (page 167), insert the model as reference
model to the original Tekla Structures model.
Check the following things:
• Check the IFC model visually. Use different colors for the IFC model and the
original model. Use clip planes to check the model thoroughly.
• Compare the number of objects. If there are differences, check the export
log.
• Check the modeling of unsuccessfully exported objects. For example,
unnecessary cuts may result in unsuccessful export. Consider remodeling
the incorrect objects or set IFC export type to Brep for the objects.

TIP You can also use Trimble Connector (page 78) for viewing and checking
the IFC model.

IFC base quantities in exported IFC model

Base quantities are quantity definitions that are independent of a particular
method of measurement and therefore internationally applicable. Base
quantities are defined as gross and net values and provided by measurement

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 176 IFC

 of the correct geometric shape representation of the element. Additional
Quantity takeoff add-on view is included to the exported IFC model if you
set Base quantities to Yes in the Tekla Structures IFC Export dialog box.

The Quantity takeoff add-on view contains the following base quantity
information on the entities in the exported IFC model:

Beam Column Slab Wall

Width X X
Height X
Length X X X
Net area X
Outer surface area X X
Gross footprint area X
Net volume X X X X
Net weight X X X X

NOTE To include the base quantities in a published Tekla BIMsight model, in

Publish to TeklaBIMsight dialog box, select the Base quantities
check box.

Property set configuration files used in IFC export

Tekla Structures uses configuration files for defining which user-defined
attributes and template attributes are exported as property sets into IFC
models.

Predefined property set configuration files

The predefined configuration files are read-only and they are read from ..
\ProgramData\Tekla Structures\<version>\Environments\Common
\inp, or in the US environments from ..\ProgramData\Tekla Structures
\<version>\Environments\usimp\inp or ..\ProgramData\Tekla
Structures\<version>\Environments\usmetric\inp.
IFC2x3:
• IfcPropertySetConfigurations_CV2.xml (Default property sets)/
IfcPropertySetConfigurations_CV2_1.xml (Minimum property
sets) contains the property sets for Export type Coordination view 2.0.
• IfcPropertySetConfigurations_SG.xml (Default property sets)/
IfcPropertySetConfigurations_CV2_1.xml (Minimum property sets)
contains the property sets for Export type Surface geometry.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 177 IFC

 • IfcPropertySetConfigurations_AISC.xml (Default property sets)/
IfcPropertySetConfigurations_AISC_1.xml (Minimum property
sets) contains the property sets for Export type Steel fabrication view.
The IfcPropertySetConfigurations_CV1.xsd file in the same folder is a
schema file that describes the structure of the XML file and is used for
validation of the XML file. This file is read when the software is started.

Additional property set configuration files

When you configure property sets for IFC export in XML format, you need two
files:
• IfcPropertySetConfigurations.xsd is a schema file that describes
the structure of the XML file and is used for validation of the XML file. This
file is read when the software is started.
• IfcPropertySetConfigurations.xml is the actual property set
configuration file.
We recommend you define the additional property sets (page 164) in the
Property Set Definition dialog to ensure that the XML configuration files are
valid. The additional property sets you create are saved to the
\AdditionalPSets folder under the model folder by default. You can also
read additional property sets from the following folders:
• XS_SYSTEM
• XS_PROJECT
• XS_FIRM
If you use the above mentioned folders, save the files in a folder called
\AdditionalPSets under the system, project or firm folder.

Property set configuration file contents

• A configuration file includes the structure of property sets, and the data
definitions for the properties inside the property sets:
• Template attribute or UDA name. Template attributes are read from
content_attributes_global.lst and the user-defined attributes
from the environment database.
• Data type, such as String, Integer, Float, Timestamp, Boolean, Logical, or
planeanglemeasure.
• Unit type, such as length, area, volume, or mass.
• Unit value scaling of unitless UDA values. Conversion factor is added so
that unitless values can be converted to correspond to the global units
used in the IFC files. Area and volume units need these factors.
• Possibility to use default values.
• Possibility to ignore the set to export if template attribute or UDA does
not have a value.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 178 IFC

 • A configuration file includes property set binding rules to IFC entities:
• Binding to IFC entity type hierarchy including support for not only
building elements but also for bolts, reinforcing bars, and assemblies.
• Possibility to use limiting rules, such as Equal, NotEqual, LessThan,
GreaterThan, LessThanOrEqual, and GreaterThanOrEqual for numbers,
and Equal and NotEqual for texts.
You need to modify your additional property set configuration file using
a suitable editor, if you want to add these limiting rules.
• There can be any number of binding rules for any property set, but only
one property set definition for each ReferenceId.
• You can bind different property sets to different IFC entity types. For
example, a plate may have a different property set than a beam.
• If no value is found for a property in export, the export does not write the
property set at all. To avoid this, add optional=true for that property in
the property set.
Below is an example of the contents of the
IfcPropertySetConfigurations_CV2.xml file.

Below is an example of the contents of the

IfcPropertySetConfigurations.xml file.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 179 IFC

 3.4 DWG and DXF
DWG is the native file format of AutoCAD and the standard file format for
Autodesk products. DWG is used for 2D and 3D CAD data that is supported by
Tekla Structures.
DXF (Drawing eXchange Format) was developed by Autodesk for enabling data
interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs. As the file format does
not contain any form of part ID it is not possible to track changes between
different physical objects contained within different versions of a file. Clash
checking is not possible with a DXF file in Tekla Structures.
The DWG/DXF files imported with the DWG/DXF tool do not show the surfaces
of the imported objects, only the construction lines or lines converted to part

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 180 DWG and DXF
 profiles that can be used to create a model. If you want to show surfaces of
the objects, import DWG and DXF files as reference models (page 118).
In DWG/DXF import, Tekla Structures supports ACAD2012 or earlier.
To determine the AutoCAD version of the DWG file, open the file in a text
editor. You will find the version code in the first six bytes:
AC1027 = 2013
AC1024 = 2010, 2011, 2012
AC1021 = 2007, 2008, 2009
AC1018 = 2004, 2005, 2006
AC1015 = 2002, 2000i, 2000
AC1014 = 14
AC1012 = 13
AC1009 = 12, 11
AC1006 = 10
AC1004 = 9
AC1002 = 2

Click the links below to find out more:

Import a 2D or 3D DWG or DXF file (page 181)
Export a model to a 3D DWG or DXF file (page 182)
Export a drawing to a 2D DWG or DXF file (page 184)
Export a drawing to 2D DWG or DXF (old export) (page 193)

Link DWG or DXF files in drawings

You can also add links to DWG or DXF files in drawings through the 2D Library
or by using the drawing ribbon command DWG/DXF:
• 2D Library in drawings
• Add links to DWG and DXF files in drawings

Import a 2D or 3D DWG or DXF file

In DWG/DXF import, you can convert 2D and 3D objects as parts or reference
lines (construction lines).
1. On the File menu, click Import --> DWG/DXF .
2. Enter the name of the import file.
Click Browse... to browse for the file.
3. Enter the offset from X, Y and Z.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 181 DWG and DXF
 4. Enter the scale.
5. Select how to show the imported parts:
• Reference lines displays parts in the model as construction lines.
• Parts displays the full profile of parts in the original model, based on
the profile sizes defined in the Plate profile and Beam profile boxes.
You can only use metric profiles with this option.
6. Select Use 2D import to import a two-dimensional representation of the
original object.
This is useful when have selected the Reference lines option. Do not
select Use 2D import if you want to import the model in 3D.
7. Click Import.

Tekla Structures imports the file you specified. If you need to delete the
imported parts or reference lines, select the parts or lines and press Delete.

Limitations
When importing DWG profiles, note the following:
• The profile must be the only object in the DWG file. The file should not
include any titles, blocks or any other graphics.
• The profile must be a closed polyline.
• Generating the polylines from an ADSK 3D model requires a number of
steps to clean the profile.
• The profile needs to be scaled up.
• The DWG/DXF files imported with the DWG/DXF tool do not show the
surfaces of the imported objects, only the construction lines or lines
converted to part profiles that can be used to create a model. If you want
to show surfaces of the objects, import DWG and DXF files as reference
models (page 118).
• The import functionality is not available in all Tekla Structures
configurations. For more information, see Tekla Structures configurations.

Export a model to a 3D DWG or DXF file

You can export the whole model or model parts to 3D DWG or 3D DXF file
types. By default, Tekla Structures creates a model.dwg file in the current
model folder. You can export parts, items and bolts to 3D DWG/DXF.

Limitations
The 3D DWG/DXF export has the following limitations:
• Bolt holes are not exported.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 182 DWG and DXF
 • Curved beams and polybeams are exported as single, continuous beams.
• The number of segments in the curved beams is as defined for the
particular curved beam.
• Reinforcing bars are not exported.
• Grids are not exported.

TIP You can define color settings for parts and other model objects. This way
you can affect the color that the objects have in the exported DWG/DXF
files.

1. Open a Tekla Structures model.

2. On the File menu, click Export --> 3D DWG/DXF .
3. In the Export 3D DWG/DXF dialog box, accept the default export file
name, or enter another one.
To replace an already existing export file, click the ... button and browse
for the file.
4. Select whether to export as DWG or DXF.
5. In Export as, select the representation for the exported objects:
• Faces exports parts as faces.
Exporting 3D DWG or DXF files as Faces uses more memory and may
take longer, but the end result is better.
• Lines exports parts as lines located in the center of the profile cross
sections. This option suits well for exporting to analysis software.
• Center lines exports parts as part center lines.
• Reference lines exports parts as reference lines, drawn between the
creation points. This option suits well for exporting to analysis
software.
If the model is large, or you have less memory to use, the Reference
lines option is faster, and the resulting file size is smaller.
6. Select Part accuracy:
• The options are High and Normal. High also exports chamfers in
profile cross-sections.
7. Select Bolt accuracy:
• High exports entire bolt assemblies, including washers.
• Normal only exports the bolt and nut.
• No bolts exports no bolts.
8. Select whether to include Cuts in the export.
Yes exports cuts.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 183 DWG and DXF
 9. Select whether to include Inner contours
Yes includes the inner contours.
10. In the Export list, select what to export:
• All objects exports the whole model.
• Selected objects exports the parts selected from the model.
To only select parts that you want to include in the export, activate the
Select parts and Select objects in components selection switches. You
can also create a selection filter that exports all the parts and objects that
you want. Components cannot be imported as such, but you need to
select the objects in components to export the included parts.
11. Click Create.

Tekla Structures creates the export file in the current model folder. The ID of
each part is exported as an attribute and written into the export file for each
part.

See also
Export a drawing to a 2D DWG or DXF file (page 184)

Export a drawing to a 2D DWG or DXF file

You can export Tekla Structures drawings to 2D DWG and DXF format. You can
export several drawings at a time.
The DWG/DXF export is object based. For example, if you export a part that is
drawn using hidden line types, the result is a rectangular object drawn with a
dashed line. In the old line-based DWG export, the result would be many
separate short straight lines. Hatches are also exported as hatch objects in
CAD and not separate lines.
In the DWG/DXF drawing export you can:
• easily set layers for different objects, and separate mark frames from mark
text and leader lines, for example
• separate different parts from another by using filters
• use layers that have been predefined by standard CAD layer settings
• use base points and model coordinates
• embed images in the export file so that the images are no longer exported
as links

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 184 DWG and DXF
 Start DWG/DXF export
You can start the export from the model File menu, from the Drawing list or
from the drawing File menu when a drawing is open. You can export several
drawings at a time.
Start the export in any of the following ways:
• On the File menu, click Export --> Drawings, and select the drawings from
the displayed Drawing list.
• Click Drawings & reports --> Drawing list, select the drawings that you
want to export, and then on the File menu, click Export --> Drawings.
• Click Drawings & reports --> Drawing list, select the drawings that you
want to export, right-click and select Export. Note that this command is not
available when you open the Drawing list in the drawing mode.
• In an open a drawing, on the File menu, click Export drawings.

Define DWG/DXF export settings and export

1. If you have selected several drawings, you can select another drawing
from the list at the top.
2. To get the preview visible for the first time, click Refresh preview. You can
refresh the preview again by clicking Refresh preview. The preview does
not get refreshed automatically, because this could take a long time.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 185 DWG and DXF
 3. In the Save list, load previously saved or predefined export settings. If you
want to save modified settings for future use with another name, enter a
name for a new settings file and click Save.
4. In File location, define the location for the exported DWG files. By default,
the files are exported to the \PlotFiles folder under the current model
folder. Open folder when finished opens the export folder after the
export.
5. In the File type list, select DWG or DXF.
6. In Output file version, select the DWG version to be used in export.
There are several versions of AutoCAD or DXF formats available. 2010 is
the default.
7. Define other settings on the Options tab as necessary:

File prefix Enter a specific prefix or suffix to be used in the file

name. The preview of the file name will change
File suffix
accordingly.
The DWG export supports the following drawing-
specific advanced options, which you can use to
modify the name of the exported file:
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_A
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_C
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_G
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_M
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_W
For more information about the values that you
can give to these options, see Customize print
output file names.
Embed images inside Embed all images inside the export file. No extra
the file image files are created in the export.
Drawing as snapshot Export all included objects to the model space and
to CAD model space paper space of a CAD file. Model and global
coordinates and paper space switch in the layer
settings will be ignored.

NOTE If the drawing has linked or copied views,

and you have not selected Drawing as
snapshot to CAD model space, the
drawing views may be placed on top of
each other, and the view limits may not be
accurate in the resulting DWG file. This is
because drawing views are not

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 186 DWG and DXF
 conceptually the same as paper space
viewports in the DWG format.

Scale Define the scale for the exported DWG. This option
is only available if you have selected the Drawing
as snapshot to CAD model space check box.
For example, if you have a drawing between the
coordinates 0,0 and 800, and you define a scale
value 5, the resulting DWG is 5 times bigger, and
the DWG is located between the coordinates 0,0
and 4000.
In another example, if you have set the drawing
view scale in Tekla Structures to 1:50 and wish to
export the drawing in 1:1 scale, using export option
scale value 50 will produce the desired result.
If you set the advanced option
XS_EXPORT_DRAWING_TRY_TO_KEEP_LOCATION
to TRUE, Tekla Structures tries to keep the DWG
origin in the same position as the drawing view
origin. This can only be done in plan views and
elevation views. If the drawing has more than one
plan view or elevation view, Tekla Structures places
the DWG origin in the bottom-left corner of the
drawing frame.
Model space Select one of the following options:
coordinates
• Local: Exports the drawing to the 0 point in the
CAD coordinate system. This option uses the
left bottom corner of the 1st view frame to set
the local coordinates. If frame is expanded, the
local will move.
• Model: Matches Tekla Structures 0 point with
CAD 0 point and rotates the CAD coordinate
system accordingly in X and Y coordinates. Note
that Z coordinates are not supported.
• Base point: <name_of_base_point>: Matches
the selected base point with CAD 0 point, and
rotates the CAD coordinate system accordingly.
The base points are defined in the Tekla
Structures model through File --> Project
properties --> Base points.
Note that Z coordinates are not supported.
Ungroup objects in Exports graphical objects as individual objects,
blocks does not add the objects to blocks. For example, a
line, hatch and rectangle will be a DWG object line,

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 187 DWG and DXF
 hatch and rectangle, rather than blocks. When this
option is selected, the option Update Tekla
Structures linework only is disabled.
Update Tekla Updates the Tekla Structures drawing content and
Structures linework keeps other content that is created in a CAD
only software intact in the same file. Blocks (groups),
created by Tekla Structures will be updated.
This setting is only shown if you have set the
advanced option
XS_DWG_EXPORT_UPDATE_TS_LINEWORK_OPTION
to TRUE in the Export category in the Advanced
Options dialog box.
Note that you need to have the same drawing
exported already, and the layer setup and the layer
template must be the same as during the previous
export. All CAD lines that were added previously
will stay in the file and only Tekla Structures
content will get updated, unless editing was done
in CAD blocks editor.
Also note that if you edit the content of a block
(CAD object), and then select the Update Tekla
Structures linework only option, the whole block
will be re-written, and the changes made in CAD
will not be kept. To keep the changes in CAD, you
need to explode a block before editing it.
For example, you may want to use this setting if
you have added drawing title blocks in the CAD file
after the first export of the drawing from Tekla
Structures, and want to keep these title blocks as
they are, and update only the objects that exported
from Tekla Structures.
8. On the Layer rules tab, you can define explicitly the layers where
different model and drawing objects, or parts of objects are exported to.
For example, you can separate outline from fills and hatches.
You can also define here whether the line color, style and weight will be
used from Tekla Structures settings or from the specified DWG template
layer settings. Note that Tekla Structures line weight, style and colors stay

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 188 DWG and DXF
 as you see them in the Tekla Structures drawing, and there is no
functionality to modify them just for the DWG export.

9. To use a DWG template, browse for the template file. If specified, the
template is used for layer definition. The DWG template should not
contain any CAD objects, just layer settings, unless it contains objects that
are intended to appear on drawings exported using this template. For
example, here you could use your standard DWG file with all the
predefined layers.
You can enter .\ and then the file name, in which case Tekla Structures
searches for the file first in the model, project and firm folders, then in the
folder indicated by the advanced option XS_DRIVER, then in the system
folder, and finally in the user settings folder.
10. Add the rules:
• You can create a new rule by clicking the Add new rule button on the
right, or by copying the selected rule by clicking the Copy selected
rule button. You can select multiple rules.
• You can move the rules upwards or downwards in the set by clicking
the Move selected rule down and Move selected rule up buttons.
You can select multiple rules.
• If you wish to delete a rule, select it and click Delete selected rule.
You can delete multiple rules at a time.
11. Define the rule contents:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 189 DWG and DXF
 Objects Select the objects that you want to
export.
Note that some objects, like neighbor
part marks, are currently under marks
and not listed separately. To have
them separated in the export, you
need to use Object filtering, and
create several mark rules for parts
and neighbor parts.
To include everything else that is
missing from the Objects list, add an
All object rule at the end of the rules
list, because rules are read in the
order they are listed.
To export pours, you need to have the
pours enabled in the model, see XS_
ENABLE_POUR_MANAGEMENT.
Presentation filtering Define which part of the objects
should follow the rule. You can also
select All .
The Presentation filtering options
are different for different object
types.
You cannot add more than one filter
per rule. For example, to have mark
frames separated from mark text, you
need to create two rules for marks,
and in the first one, set the
Presentation filtering to Text, and in
the other one to Frames. See the
section Layer rule example below for
an example.
Object filtering Reads the selection filter attribute
files that have been defined in the
current model.
Note that these files are only read
from the current model folder, not
from firm or project folders.
Target layer If you have no DWG templates, or
want to create layers of your own,
type a new layer name in the Target

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 190 DWG and DXF
 layer box, or select a previously used
layer from the list.
Note that after you have added a
DWG template, its layers will appear
in the Target layer list.
Color Define whether the linework is taken
from Tekla Structures settings or from
Line style
the DWG template.
Line weight

Paper space To draw drawing objects correctly in

the paper space in a DWG file (and
not through the view portal), select
the Paper space check box.
If the check box is not selected, there
will only be a portal from the model
space in the paper space.
Note that it is recommended to put
drawing annotations, such as marks,
dimensions, and texts to the paper
space only. That way they will appear
correctly, for example, when a part is
cut in a Tekla Structures drawing view.
Include To include a rule in the final DWG,
select the Include check box next to
the rule. If you do not want to export
some objects, just clear the Include
check box.
12. Click Refresh preview to preview the result before exporting.
13. Click Export.
The drawings are exported on the basis of the defined settings and rules.
The rules are read in the order that they are listed. If you have selected
Open folder when finished, the export folder will open.
The error message "Drawing cannot be read" is displayed if the exported
drawing is missing, not up to date or has similar problems.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 191 DWG and DXF
 Layer rule example
In the example below, three separate mark rules have been created that will
be exported on layers 1, 2, and 3. Lines are exported on the layer 1, texts on
the layer 2, and frames on the layer 3.

After exporting, you can show the marks in the CAD model in the following
three ways depending on the layers displayed in the CAD viewer:
All layers are shown:

Layer 1 containing the lines is hidden:

Layer 2 containing the texts is hidden:

Layer 3 containing the frames is hidden:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 192 DWG and DXF
 Tips
• If you export a DWG file to the Output file version 2013, a wipeout frame
will be visible on the layout side in the CAD model due to the limitations in
CAD, see below:

To avoid this, either use a DWG file layer template created in AutoCAD, or
export to version 2010 (default) or earlier.
• Another reason for the visible wipeout frame is that you are using a DWG
template where wipeout frames have been set to visible. Hide the wipeout
frames in the CAD template.

To use old DWG/DXF export

If you want to use the old DWG/DXF export, set the advanced option
XS_USE_OLD_DRAWING_EXPORT to TRUE in an .ini file. This advanced option
is by default set to FALSE. For instructions on using the old export, see Export
a drawing to 2D DWG or DXF (old export) (page 193).

Export a drawing to 2D DWG or DXF (old export)

You can export drawings to the 2D DWG or DXF format using the old DWG/DXF
drawing export.

If you want to use the old DWG/DXF drawing export, set the advanced option
XS_USE_OLD_DRAWING_EXPORT to TRUE in an .ini file. This advanced option
is by default set to FALSE. For instructions on using the newer DWG/DXF
drawing export, see Export a drawing to a 2D DWG or DXF file (page 184).
1. On the Drawings & reports tab, click Drawing list.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 193 DWG and DXF
 2. Select from the list the drawings that you want to export.
3. Right-click and select Export.
4. In the Export Drawings dialog box, on the Export file tab, enter the
export file name.
If you are exporting several drawings, leave the file name box empty.
The drawings are exported by default to the \PlotFiles folder under the
current model folder. If you want to use another folder, enter the full
path.
Tekla Structures uses one of the following advanced options to define the
names for the export files. The advanced option that is used depends on
the drawing type:
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_A
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_C
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_G
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_W
XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_M.
5. Select the file type: DXF or DWG.
6. If you want to include a revision mark in the file name, select Include
revision mark to file name.
7. Set the layer options on the Layer options tab:
• Select the layer rules file.
To add or modify layers, and to assign object groups to different layers,
click Setup.
• If you want to use advanced conversion to convert the type, color and
weight of lines and layers, select Use advanced line type and layer
conversion.
• In the Conversion file box, enter the name of the file to be used in the
conversion.
By default, Tekla Structures uses the LineTypeMapping.xml file in
the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common
\inp folder.
If you need to define your own line type mappings, you can use the file
LineTypeMapping.xml as a template when you create a conversion
file of your own.
• Select Include empty layers if you want to include empty layers in the
export.
• Select Object color by layer to have different colors on different
layers.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 194 DWG and DXF
 8. Set the other drawing export options on the Options tab:
• Set Drawing scale and Line type scale.
• If you want to export the drawings so that the DWG/DXF content is
grouped by object, select Export objects as groups. When you do this,
Tekla Structures makes a new group for each object (part, mark,
dimension line, etc.).
• Select Cut lines with text if you do not want to display continuous
lines in exported drawings, for example, to run the line through text or
drawing marks.
• Select Export custom lines as split lines to ensure that custom line
types have the same appearance in the software you are exporting to
and when printed. If Export custom lines as split lines is selected,
custom line types are exported as solid lines that are split to several
short lines. If Export custom lines as split lines is not selected,
custom line types are exported as defined in TeklaStructures.lin.
• Select Use paper space to export to both model space and paper
space. The unscaled contents of the drawing views are exported into
model space. The drawing layout is exported into paper space. The
layout contains scaled viewports showing appropriate areas of the
model space.
When exporting to paper space, ensure that all objects in the view are
inside the view frame. Objects that are partially outside the drawing
view frame are not exported
9. Click Export.

See also
Default line types in drawings (page 203)
Define customized line type mappings in drawing export (page 199)
Example: Set up layers and export to DWG (page 204)
Layers in exported DWG/DXF drawings (page 195)
Create layers in DWG/DXF files for drawing export (page 196)
Assign objects to layers in drawing export (page 197)
Copying export layer settings to another project (page 199)

Layers in exported DWG/DXF drawings

In drawing DWG/DXF export, you can define the layers to which different
drawing objects belong. The benefit of using layers in export is that if you do
not want to show a certain layer in the drawing, you can turn it off.
You can define the different layers using Tekla Structures selection filters.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 195 DWG and DXF
 You can use the LineTypeMapping.xml file to define the line type, line weight
and line color for objects on different layers. You can also add custom line
types in the TeklaStructures.lin file and use these when mapping Tekla
Structures line types to the line types in the exported DWG and DXF files.
You can export into layers of their own all object types that are listed in the
Drawing Export Layers dialog box.
The following objects cannot have layers in export because they cannot be
identified as separate objects that can have selection filters: clouds, hatches,
neighbor parts, symbols in drawings, section view titles, grid label texts,
dimension labels, weld labels, bolt mark leader lines, and part mark leader
lines. For example, hatches are exported to the same layer with the part that
the hatch belongs to.

See also
Example: Set up layers and export to DWG (page 204)

Create layers in DWG/DXF files for drawing export

You need to define the layers that are included in the exported DWG and DXF
files.

NOTE To keep track on the layers that you have, create all the layers that you
need for the final DWG/DXF drawings at the same time.

1. On the File menu, click Export --> Drawings .

2. In the Export Drawings dialog box, go to the Layer options tab and click
Setup next to the Layer rules box.
3. In the Drawing Export Layers dialog box, click Modify layers.
4. To add a layer, click Add.
You can add as many layers as you need.
5. Click the row of the new layer in the Name column and enter a name for
the layer.
6. Click the row of the new layer in the Color column and select a color for
the new layer.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 196 DWG and DXF
 7. Click OK.

Next you can assign objects to the new layer.

See also
Assign objects to layers in drawing export (page 197)
Example: Set up layers and export to DWG (page 204)

Assign objects to layers in drawing export

You need to define which objects to export to certain layers in the exported
DWG/DXF file. You can do this by using a selection filter for identifying the
desired objects among all objects, and by creating a rule to export these
objects to a certain layer.

Before creating the rule, first create the selection filter.

1. Create a selection filter.
2. On the File menu, click Export --> Drawings .
3. In the Export Drawings dialog box, go to the Layer options tab, and click
Setup.
4. Open an object group by clicking the plus sign next to the group name.
For example, click the plus sign next to Model Object.
5. Right-click a rule in the list and select Add Next Level Rule.
For example, right-click Part.

6. Enter a name for the rule and select the selection filter that you created.

7. Click OK.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 197 DWG and DXF
 8. Double-click the row under the rule you just created and select the
desired layer for it in the Select Layer dialog box.
9. Click OK.
Tekla Structures maps the selected layer to the rule.

10. Save the created layer rule settings for later use by entering a name next
to the Save as button and clicking Save as.

NOTE The order of rules is important. Organize the rules by right-clicking the rule,
and selecting Move up or Move down. The objects are exported to the first
matching layer. If there is no matching layer, the objects are exported as
Other object type.

Example: Create a rule for exporting beam marks to their own layer in
drawing export
You can export all kinds of drawing objects to layers of their own.

This example shows how you can do that for beam marks. All kinds of marks
can be exported separately to their own layers: bolt marks, part marks,
connection marks, neighbor part marks, reinforcement marks and component
marks.
First you need to create a selection filter selecting the beams and then you can
define the layer rule. Name the beam selection filter Beams.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> Drawings .
2. Go to the Layer options tab of the Export Drawings dialog box and click
Setup next to the Layer rules box.
3. Under Mark in the Drawing Export Layers dialog box, select the layer
rule of the mark you want to define to its own layer (part, bolt, connection,
neighbor part, or reinforcement mark).
Select Part mark.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 198 DWG and DXF
 4. Right-click Part mark and select Add Next Level Rule from the pop-up
menu.
This opens the Layer manager rules dialog box.
5. Enter a rule name (for example, BeamMark) and select a filter that you
have created (Beam).

6. Click OK.
Tekla Structures creates a new rule BeamMark. Now you can connect the
new rule to a layer you have created for beam marks and use when
exporting drawings.

See also
Assign objects to layers in drawing export (page 197)

Copying export layer settings to another project

If you want your layer settings to also be available in other projects, you can
copy them to a firm or project folder.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> Drawings.
2. Go to the Layer options tab and click Setup.
3. Define the required rule and layer settings.
4. Enter a name for the layer rule settings file next to the Save as button and
click Save as.
5. Copy the file <your_layer_rule>.ldb from the \attributes folder
under the current model folder to the firm or project folder.

See also
Assign objects to layers in drawing export (page 197)
Create layers in DWG/DXF files for drawing export (page 196)

Define customized line type mappings in drawing export

You can use advanced conversion to convert the type, color and weight of lines
and layers. This way you will get the line types that you want to use in the
target software, for example, AutoCAD.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 199 DWG and DXF
 By default, Tekla Structures uses the file LineTypeMapping.xml in the
folder ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\inp for
the conversion.
If you need to define your own line type mappings, you can use the file
LineTypeMapping.xml as a template.

NOTE When modifying the line type mappings file, use an editor that is
capable of validating XML in order to maintain a valid document
structure.

To define your own line type mappings, do one of the following:

To Do this
Map according to line types only 1. Open the mapping file in an XML
editor.
2. Enter only the line type
information.
For example, all lines in all layers
with line type XKITLINE01 will
be exported to DASHED.
3. Save the mapping file to the
model folder.
Map according to line types and 1. Open the mapping file in an XML
layers editor.
2. Enter the line type and layer
name.
Define the layers that the
mapping will apply to in the
LayerName attribute.
If you leave out the attribute
LayerName, Tekla Structures
uses the line type mapping for
any layer. If you include the
attribute LayerName, Tekla
Structures uses the line type
mapping for that layer only.
For example, all lines on the layer
BEAM with line type XKITLINE01
will be exported to DASHED. Tekla
Structures first searches for these
kinds of mappings by default.
3. Define the color of the line in the
Color attribute. Enter the color
values in AutoCAD Color Index

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 200 DWG and DXF
 To Do this
(ACI) codes (numbers from 0 to
255).
4. Define the thickness of the line in
the Weight attribute. Enter the
values in hundredths of
millimeters.
5. Save the mapping file to the
model folder.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 201 DWG and DXF
 This is how the file LineTypeMapping.xml is composed:

1. The first section consists of XML and document type definition. Do not
change or remove this section.
2. The mappings that are available are defined here. You can use these
mappings as a template for your own mappings.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 202 DWG and DXF
 Examples
In the first example, a new Mapping element is added, where XKITLINE00
lines in the Beam layer are converted to BORDER line type, color is converted to
10 and weight to 1.00 mm:

In the second example, a new Mapping element is added, where XKITLINE02

lines in the Part layer are converted to HIDDEN2 line type, the layer name is
converted to Part_Hidden, the color is converted to 8 and weight to 1.00
mm.
You can use the LineTypeMapping.xml file for exporting hidden lines to
separate layers. The hidden lines must then be defined to their own layers
(here Part_Hidden).

NOTE For the export to succeed, ensure that the layer (here Part_Hidden)
exists on the list of available layers in the Modify Layers dialog box.

See also
Default line types in drawings (page 203)

Default line types in drawings

Default line types are available in Tekla Structures drawings. You can map
default line types to customized line types, which are defined in
TeklaStructures.lin and further exported to DWG/DXF files.
The table below lists the default line types and shows what they look like.

Line type name Line type appearance

XKITLINE00
XKITLINE01
XKITLINE02
XKITLINE03
XKITLINE04
XKITLINE05
XKITLINE06

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 203 DWG and DXF
 See also
Define customized line type mappings in drawing export (page 199)

Example: Set up layers and export to DWG

This example shows how to define layers and export line types on a certain
layer to their own sublayers in DWG export. The workflow consists of six tasks:
1. Example: Create a selection filter for DWG export (page 204)
2. Example: Create layers for DWG export (page 205)
3. Example: Create a rule for drawing DWG export and assign a layer to the
rule (page 205)
4. Example: Define a custom line type for DWG export (page 206)
5. Example: Define line types and weights for layers in DWG export
(page 207)
6. Example: Export the drawing to DWG (page 208)

Example: Create a selection filter for DWG export

Start by creating a selection filter. This task is phase 1 in the workflow

Example: Set up layers and export to DWG (page 204).
To create a selection filter:

1. In the model, click the Selection filter switch .

2. In the Object Group - Selection Filter dialog box, click New filter.
3. Add new filter rules.
a. Create a filter rule that select parts according to the name BEAM.
b. Create a filter rule that selects parts according to the material S* (as
in steel).
4. Save the filter as steel-beam.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 204 DWG and DXF
 Example: Create layers for DWG export

After creating a selection filter, you can continue by creating layers that you
want to have in the exported DWG. This task is phase 2 in the workflow
Example: Set up layers and export to DWG (page 204).
To create the layers you want to have in the exported DWG:
1. On the File menu, click Export --> Drawings.
2. Go to the Layer options tab.
3. Click Setup and then click Modify layers.
4. Click Add to add a new layer.
Create separate layers for solid lines (steel-beam-layer) and hidden
lines (steel-beam-layer-H) within steel beams.
5. Set the color for the layers.
Set the solid lines to red and hidden lines to blue.

6. Click OK to accept the changes.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 205 DWG and DXF
 Example: Create a rule for drawing DWG export and assign a layer to the rule

After creating layers, you can continue by creating a rule to export an object
group into a layer, and assign the layer to the created rule. This task is phase 3
in the workflow Example: Set up layers and export to DWG (page 204).
To create a rule to export an object group into a layer, and assign the layer to
the created rule:
1. Right-click a model object part rule and select Add Next Level Rule.
2. Enter a name for the rule (steel-beam-rule) and select the selection
filter you created for steel beams (steel-beam).

3. Click OK.
4. To assign a layer to a rule, double-click the row under the steel-beam-
rule and select a layer, in this case steel-beam-layer.
5. Click OK.

6. Save the layer rule settings with the name example1 using Save as.

7. Close the dialog box by clicking OK.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 206 DWG and DXF
 Example: Define a custom line type for DWG export

After creating a rule, you can continue by defining a custom line type for
continuous lines in the exported DWG. In this example, you will add some line
type definitions. This is phase 4 in the workflow Example: Set up layers and
export to DWG (page 204).
To define a custom line type:
1. Open the TeklaStructures.lin file in a text editor ( ..\ProgramData
\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\inp ).
2. Add the following line type definition in the file:

3. Save the file. Ensure that the file name extension does not change.

Example: Define line types and weights for layers in DWG export

After defining a custom line type, you can continue by modifying the
LineTypeMapping.xml file and defining the line types and weights. This task
is phase 5 in the workflow Example: Set up layers and export to DWG
(page 204).
To define the line types and weights:
1. Open the LineTypeMapping.xml file ( ..\ProgramData\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\common\inp ) in a text editor.
2. Add the line type mappings for the layers as shown inside the lower blue
frame in the image below. Do not touch the lines inside the upper red
frame.
3. Save the file. Ensure that the file name extension does not change.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 207 DWG and DXF
 1. The lines are on the steel-beam-layer layer.
2. The lines are drawn with XKITLINE00 (solid lines).
3. The lines are exported to CONTINUOUS lines in DWG. The line color in DWG
was already defined in the layer properties (red). The line weight in DWG is
35.
4. The lines are on the steel-beam-layer layer.
5. The lines are drawn with XKITLINE02 (hidden lines).
6. The lines are exported to DASHED lines into a separate layer called steel-
beam-layer-H in DWG. The line color in DWG was already defined in the
layer properties (blue). The line weight in DWG is 35.

Example: Export the drawing to DWG

After you have defined all the layer settings, you can continue by exporting the
drawing. Before exporting the drawing to DWG, ensure that all the drawing

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 208 DWG and DXF
 properties are as you wish. This task is phase 6 in the workflow Example: Set
up layers and export to DWG (page 204).
To export the drawing:
1. Open the drawing that you want to export.
2. On the File menu, click Export drawings.
3. Enter a name for the export file.
4. Set the Type to DWG.
5. Go to the Layer options tab page and load the layer rule settings that you
saved earlier with the name example1.
6. Select the following check boxes: Use advanced line type and layer
conversion, Include empty layers and Object color by layer.
7. Browse for the LineTypeMapping.xml file.
8. Go to the Options tab, set the scale for the export and select the Export
objects as groups check box and, if you want to, Cut lines with text and
Export custom lines as split lines.
9. Click Export.
Open the exported DWG with an applicable DWG viewer software. You can see
that the solid lines of the steel beam are on one layer and the hidden lines are
on another layer. You can also see that columns do not match with the layer
rules you defined, so they are handled according to other rules.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 209 DWG and DXF
 See below for examples on how the selecting and not selecting Cut lines with
text affects the result.
In the following example, Cut lines with text is selected.

In the following example, Cut lines with text is not selected.

3.5 DGN
The DGN format has been used especially for data transfer between plant
design programs. It was developed by MicroStation. It is similar to DWG in that
it is only a graphical data format. It contains unique part IDs in the given
model. It is possible to check for clashes between the Tekla Structures model
and a DGN reference model.
This format has the following limitations:
• GUID is not supported.
• DGN reference model import does not support change management or
UDAs.
• 3D DGN export supports parts only.

See also
Reference models and compatible formats (page 117)
Import a reference model (page 118)
Export to 3D DGN files (page 213)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 210 DGN

 DGN import
You can import DGN models as reference models to Tekla Structures. You can
view DGN model objects on different reference model layers according to the
level settings in the DGN file. You can use DGN models for clash checking.
Tekla Structures reference model import supports V7 and V8 DGN formats.
A DGN file may contain one or more DGN models. A DGN model can be one of
the following three types: a design model, an extrusion model or a sheet
model. Design models are most useful in Tekla Structures as they contain
appropriate structural data.
If there are many model types available in a DGN file, Tekla Structures selects
the imported model type in the following order:
1. Active model is imported if it is a design model.
2. Default model is imported if it is a design model.
3. If DGN file contains design models, the first one is imported.
4. If there are no design models in the DGN file, the first model regardless of
the model type is imported.
You can view a DGN import log about DGN import on the Log file tab in
Message Panel. To open the Message Panel, go to Quick Launch and
typeMessage Panel and select the Message Panel command from the
displayed list.
DGN reference model import does not support UDAs or change management.

See also
Import a reference model (page 118)
DGN objects supported in reference models (page 211)

DGN objects supported in reference models

Tekla Structures can display the following DGN objects in reference models:

Object Type no. Description

Cell 2 A collection of grouped entities
with a common insertion point/
origin, scale and orientation in
2D/3D space.
Line 3
Line string 4 A series of interconnected lines.
Shape 6 Like a line string, but closed (first
point = last point).

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 211 DGN

 Object Type no. Description
Text node 7 A multi-line paragraph/block of
text.
Curve 11 A parametric spline curve.
Complex chain 12 A chained collection of other
entities (lines, line strings, arcs,
curves or b-spline curves).
Complex shape 14 Like a complex chain, but closed
(first point = last point).
Ellipse 15
Arc 16
Text 17 Supports TrueType fonts and text
styles (bold, underline, italic, etc).
3D surface 18 Like a 3D solid, but not capped on
the ends.
3D solid 19 The solid created by projecting or
rotating from a boundary entity
(line, line string, curve, arc or
ellipse).
Cone 23 Actually a truncated cone
described by two parallel circles;
if the radius of both circles is the
same, a cylinder is produced.
B-spline surface 24 See description of b-spline
curves, which also applies here;
additional data is provided by
surface boundary entities (type
25).
B-spline curve 27 Can be rational/non-rational,
uniform/non-uniform, open/
closed; entity type 27 supplies
header data and additional data
is provided by pole entities (type
21), knot entities (type 26) and
weight factor entities (type 28).
Shared cell definition 34 Similar to a DWG block definition;
basically defines a set of grouped
entities.
Shared cell instance 35 Similar to a DWG block instance;
given a particular cell 'definition',
numerous cell 'instances' can be
created at differing locations,
scales and orientations.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 212 DGN

 Object Type no. Description
Multiline 36 A set of parallel lines, which can
be jointed (with or without visible
seams at the joints), and have
various types of end caps
(rounded, square, etc).
Mesh 105 Supports indexed face loops,
quad list, quad grid, triangle grid
and triangle list meshes.
Smart solid - Smart solids (solids created from
embedded Parasolid/ACIS data)
can be imported into Tekla
Structures as wireframe outlines.

Limitations
The following objects have specific limitations:

Object Type no. Description

Point string 22 Not supported. (A point
string is a series of
points with associated
orientations; point
strings are typically used
for defining walkthrough
paths).
Dimension 33 Not supported.
Mesh 105 The point cloud mesh
type is not currently
supported.
Smart solid - Smart solids (solids
created from embedded
Parasolid/ACIS data) are
currently supported as
wireframe outlines only;
for this reason, smart
solids do not currently
participate in clash
checking operations.

See also
Import a reference model (page 118)
DGN import (page 211)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 213 DGN

 Export to 3D DGN files
You can export selected parts or the whole model to 3D DGN.
Note that 3D DGN export supports parts only.
1. Open a Tekla Structures model.
2. On the File menu, click Export --> 3D DGN .
The Export 3D DGN dialog box opens.
3. In the Output file box, enter the name of the export file.
If you want to replace an already existing file, click the ... button and
browse for the file.
4. In the Export list, select All objects, or Selected objects and select the
parts to export.
It might be a good idea to filter out minor secondary parts, for example,
curved parts from railings, if you do not need them in the exported DGN
model. This decreases the export file size.
5. Click Create.
Tekla Structures creates the <name>.dgn file in the current model folder.
In 3D DGN export, you can only export to the model origin. Changing the
work plane has no effect to export.
If you have tubular parts in your model and you want to reduce the size of
the DGN files or the complex display in the rendered views, you can use
the following advanced options to control this:
XS_CHORD_TOLERANCE_FOR_SMALL_TUBE_SEGMENTS
XS_CHORD_TOLERANCE_FOR_TUBE_SEGMENTS
You can also use the following advanced options to control DGN exports:
XS_EXPORT_DGN_COORDINATE_SCALE
XS_EXPORT_DGN_FILENAME
XS_EXPORT_DGN_INCLUDE_CUTS
XS_EXPORT_DGN_INCLUDE_INNER_CONTOUR
XS_EXPORT_DGN_USE_CLASS_AS_COLOR

3.6 LandXML
You can import LandXML reference models to Tekla Structures. The supported
contents of LandXML files are terrain models, line alignments of roads and
railways, and rain water systems.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 214 LandXML

 You can export files in .xml format from applications like Bentley InRoads,
Autodesk Civil, and Trimble Business Center, and import the .xml files in Tekla
Structures as reference models. The LandXML format extends the capabilities
of Tekla Structures to show merged models, including the infra models. Tekla
Structures supports LandXML 1.2 schema and single-precision floating-point
format.
A typical example of a building structure where LandXML can be used is the
surface of the bedrock to be utilized when pile lengths are to be considered.
LandXML can also be used when estimating the need of excavation. The
LandXML format is important also for bridge and for civil structures design
tasks.
An example of an imported LandXML reference model:

An example of layers in a LandXML reference model:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 215 LandXML

 Limitations
The LandXML feature does not support all the possible data in the format. It
supports the subset of the primitives defined in LandXML 1.2 schema, such as
alignments, terrain models and pipe networks.
• Surfaces are not shown correctly in drawings.
• Triangle type of surfaces are only supported.
• There is no warning if the LandXML file contains unsupported data.

See also
Import a reference model (page 118)

3.7 PDF
You can import a PDF as a reference model to your model. During import,
Tekla Structures converts the PDF into the DXF format. Only vector graphics
are converted.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 216 PDF

 See also
Import a PDF to a model (page 217)

Import a PDF to a model

1. On the File menu, click Import --> Insert PDF document .
The Insert PDF Reference Model dialog box opens.
2. Click Browse.
3. Browse for the PDF and click Open.
4. Set the scale for the reference model.
5. Enter the page number that you want to import.
6. Click OK.
7. Pick a point to place the reference model.
Tekla Structures converts the PDF into the DXF format. The conversion
creates a DXF file for every imported page. Tekla Structures saves the DXF
files to the same folder where the PDF is.

Limitations
Only vector graphics are converted, not raster graphics.

3.8 SketchUp
Trimble SketchUp is a modeling software used in, for example, architecture,
construction, engineering and landscape architecture. 3D Warehouse contains
lots of SketchUp models that you can import as reference models to Tekla
Structures.
You can import Sketchup files as reference models to Tekla Structures. Tekla
Structures supports Sketchup version 2017 and earlier in import.
You can export Tekla Structures models as .skp files to be used in SketchUp.

See also
Import a reference model (page 118)
Export a model to SketchUp (page 217)

Export a model to SketchUp

You can export a Tekla Structures model to SketchUp in the .skp format.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 217 SketchUp

 1. Select the model objects to export.
If you want to export all, you do not have to select anything. We
recommend exporting large models in portions.
2. On the File menu, click Export --> SketchUp .
3. Browse for the Output file location and enter the file name.
4. On the Advanced tab, select the objects that you want to export.
5. Click Create selected.
If you want to export everything, click Create all.

3.9 Point clouds

Point clouds are groups of measured points on the surfaces of objects created
with 3D laser scanners, for example, Trimble 3D laser scanners. In
construction, the point clouds are mainly used in renovation projects to define
the building or structure that is to be renovated. They can also be used to get
the exact position of existing machinery, pipework or landscape that need to
be taken into consideration on the site. You can also use them to check
execution by importing them as build points into a model to be compared to
the design.
When you attach a point cloud to a Tekla Structures model, you can place it
either by the model origin or a defined base point.
The original point cloud file is processed and cache files are created in the
Potree format. The point cloud conversion occurs as a background process,
and you can continue working with Tekla Structures meanwhile. Point cloud
data is stored in the folder defined by the advanced option
XS_POINT_CLOUD_CACHE_FOLDER. By default, the folder is %LocalAppData%
\Trimble\TeklaStructures\PointClouds, for example, C:\Users
\<user>\AppData\Local\Trimble\Tekla Structures\PointClouds. It
may be useful to use a network drive for the potree file in a project. The file
will not be copied to the local computer. This advanced option is user-specific,
and it is located in the File Locations category in the Advanced Options
dialog box.
If the same point cloud is used in several models, it will not be converted again
or duplicated when you attach it. If point clouds are identical, the existing
converted file is used, otherwise the file is converted.
In Tekla Structures, point clouds have colors if the original file format supports
colors.
Point clouds can be seen in both the OpenGL model view and in the DX model
view. The DX model view with perspective projection may give better visual
result. Performance with bigger amount of data and/or larger number of views
may make DX usage impossible.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 218 Point clouds

 Compatible file formats
ASCII (.asc, .xyz)
E57 (.e57)
LAS (.las)
LAZ (.laz)
PTS (.pts)
PTX (.ptx)
Potree (.js)
Trimble scan format (.tzf)
Limitations
• Some basic Tekla Structures model handling functionalities are not
available, such as select, undo, move, rotate, copy, and pop-up menu on
right-click.
• Point clouds are not autosaved.
• You cannot delete a point cloud from the point clouds list using the
keyboard button Delete.
• Point clouds do not recognize work area or view depth.
• Point clouds are not visible in drawings.
• Point clouds are not shared in Tekla Model Sharing or in multi-user mode.
• For the file formats ASCII, PTS: On each text line, the first three fields must
be: x y z. For colored point data, the last three fields must be: r g b

Attach a point cloud to the model

1. Click the Point clouds button in the side pane, and then click Attach.

2. Browse for the point cloud file.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 219 Point clouds

 3. Change the point cloud scale, if needed.
4. In Location by, select Model origin to place the point cloud in the model
origin, or select a base point to place the point cloud in the real world
coordinates. If you do not know the coordinate system of the point cloud,
select Auto-created base point to get the point cloud near the model
origin. Automatic base point with point cloud bounding box min x, min y,
and min z coordinates will be created in Tekla Structures origin.
5. Click Attach point cloud.
6. To show the point cloud in the model, select the model view where you

want to show it, and click the eye button next to the point cloud in
the list.
Note that when you select a model view, it has a yellow frame.
When the point cloud is set visible in the model view, you can see the min
x, min y, and min z coordinates of the point cloud bounding box on the
status bar.

To hide the point cloud, click .

When you are modeling, you can snap to points for modeling and measuring
distances. You can use clip planes in point clouds to exactly show what you
want, for example, clip off the roof and some of the floors so that you can see
the bottom floor of the building, and everything there that needs your
attention in the planning phase. You can also use the Clipper tool in Tekla
Warehouse for handling several clip planes at a time, and split the model to
smaller pieces for visualization and modeling.

Detach a point cloud from a model

• To detach a point cloud, click Detach next to the point cloud name in
the Point clouds list. Then reopen the model or save the model.
Note that you cannot detach the point cloud by pressing Delete on the
keyboard.
The point clouds are cached to the default location or to the location
specified by the user. When a point cloud is no longer used in any Tekla
Structures model, it is cleaned from cache.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 220 Point clouds

 Set the default maximum point count in a view
You can use the advanced option XS_SET_MAX_POINT_CLOUD_POINT_COUNT
to set the default maximum value for the points in a view. The default value is
10 000 000 (10 million).
This advanced option is system specific, and it is located in the Model View
category of the Advanced Options dialog box. Restart Tekla Structures if you
change the value.

Clip point clouds and reference models only

Set the user-specific advanced option
XS_DO_NOT_CLIP_NATIVE_OBJECTS_WITH_CLIP_PLANE to TRUE to only clip
point clouds and reference models with the Clip plane command. Native Tekla
Structures objects are not clipped. FALSE is the default value. This advanced
option is located in the Model View category in the Advanced Options dialog
box.
Redraw the model views after changing the value.

Point cloud example

In the first image below, a point cloud has been attached to a model in a plan

view. Remember to select a model view and click the eye button ,
otherwise the point cloud will not be shown.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 221 Point clouds

 In the next image, the clip plane tool has been used to cut off floors and other
structures:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 222 Point clouds

 In the next image, a section has been cut to be used in a section view:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 223 Point clouds

 The last image shows the section view:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 224 Point clouds

 Share point clouds with other users
Point clouds are normally so large in file size that it is not sensible to share the
point cloud as a part of the model data. Point cloud is not structural domain
data but project data that is not a part of the model, and therefore it is not
dependent on the model save. However, there is need for multiple persons to
use the same point cloud model efficiently. You can use the potree file for
sharing the point cloud. The best practices in sharing the point cloud potree
file among model users are explained below. You first need to create the
potree file and copy the potree file to a shared location, and then other users
can attach it to their Tekla Structures model.

Create a potree file

Option 1: With Tekla Structures
1. Create a potree file by attaching a point cloud model to a Tekla Structures
model.
The potree file is created to the folder defined by the advanced option
XS_POINT_CLOUD_CACHE_FOLDER. The potree file is named as
<potree_name>.db, and it has a folder with the same name. For
example:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 225 Point clouds

 2. Copy both the <potree_name>.db file and the related folder to a shared
location. You can rename the model if you want, in which case you also
need to rename the folder.

NOTE Do not replace existing potree data, especially if it is used by other

users.

Option 2: With Point cloud manager

You can download Point cloud manager from Tekla Warehouse.
For detailed instructions about using Point cloud manager, see the Point

cloud manager help. You can open the help by clicking the help button .
To use the Point cloud manager:
1. Install the application, and start it from the start menu or start screen,
depending on your Windows version.
2. Set the root folder for the project, for example C:\Trimble\PTRS.
3. Click the Add new project button to create a project with a given name.
This name will be the name of the potree database and potree folder.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 226 Point clouds

 4. Import one or more point cloud models by clicking Add file, and
browsing for the point cloud file.
5. When the point cloud has been imported, create the potree by clicking

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 227 Point clouds

 6. Copy the <potree_name>.db and the <potree_name> folder to a shared
location. Attaching a potree requires both the <potree_name>.db and
the <potree_name> folder.

NOTE Do not replace existing potree data, especially if it is used by other

users.

Attach a potree from a shared location

1. Open Tekla Structures and the Point clouds pane from the side pane.
2. Browse to the point cloud folder (mypotree in the example above) and
select the point cloud .js file. Then follow the instructions above for
attaching the point cloud.

3.10 Layout Manager

Use Layout Manager to import and export layout data between Tekla
Structures and a field layout device. Layout Manager enables you to use
accurate model data on the construction site.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 228 Layout Manager

 The image below illustrates the phases in the field layout workflow.

First define layout points and layout lines in your

model, and organize them in suitable groups in
Layout Manager. We recommend that you first set
up the groups in Layout Manager, then model the
points and lines and organize them in the groups.
The points and lines are used in a layout device on
the construction site to position parts correctly.
Once you have defined the layout data, you can
export the data from Layout Manager to a field
layout device in three different export formats: point
file (.txt), job file (.cnx), and field link file (.tfl).
You can check and measure the positions of the
exported layout points (design points) on the site
using a field layout device. The layout device helps
you to position the parts correctly on the site, as the
points along the part boundaries can be placed to
the correct locations.
To place the part boundaries correctly, measure the
as-built positions of the parts on the site and create
measured points along the part boundaries.
When you have measured the as-built positions and
created measured points, you can import the points
to Tekla Structures. You can first preview the points in
Layout Manager.
Finally, you can view the measured points in the
model.

To import and export directly with a handheld mobile device such as Trimble®
LM80, you need to connect your computer to the device. Your computer needs
to have software that enables it to communicate with a mobile device. For

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 229 Layout Manager

 information on how to connect your computer to Trimble layout devices, see
the Trimble website.

See also
Create a group in Layout Manager (page 230)
Create a layout point (page 232)
Create a layout line (page 233)
View groups, layout points and layout lines in Layout Manager (page 234)
Export layout data from Layout Manager (page 234)
Import layout data to Layout Manager (page 237)

Create a group in Layout Manager

You can create groups in Layout Manager to organize layout points and
layout lines suitably.
1. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.
2. Right-click Layout Manager Object Group and select Add Group.
You may want to set up several groups so that you can organize the points
and lines into groups as they are modeled.
3. If needed, click the group to rename it.
A group name can have 18 characters.

NOTE Layout Manager may show an Unassigned group in the tree structure. The
Unassigned group shows layout points and layout lines that have inadequate
group information. Such points and lines have usually been created in an
earlier Layout Manager version.

See also
Define numbering settings for groups in Layout Manager (page 230)
Define a local coordinate system for a group in Layout Manager (page 231)

Define numbering settings for groups in Layout Manager

You can define that all groups in Layout Manager have the same numbering
settings. When you change the settings, the changed settings are used in all
the groups you create after the change. The settings in the existing groups are
not changed.
1. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.

2. Click Settings > Group.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 230 Layout Manager

 3. Define the numbering settings.
a. Enter the prefix in the Prefix box.
b. Enter the starting number in the Starting number box.
c. Enter the maximum length of the number in the Number max
length box.
d. Enter a delimiter to separate the prefix and the number in the
Delimiter box: a hyphen or an empty space.
e. Select from the Fill leading space list whether the leading space in
front of the number is filled with zeroes or not, for example, PFX
00001 or PFX 1.
4. Click OK.
5. To apply the numbering settings to the points and lines in a group, right-
click the group and select Auto Naming.

NOTE You can modify the numbering settings of an individual group if you do not
want to use the default settings. Select the group and change the settings. To
restore the default settings, click Reset.

See also
Create a group in Layout Manager (page 230)

Define a local coordinate system for a group in Layout Manager

You can define a local coordinate system for each group in Layout Manager.
Local coordinate systems may be relative to a municipal monument or to the
local project site datum. In many cases, models may already be properly
placed so that no local coordinate system needs to be defined.
1. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.
2. Select a group.
3. Define the coordinates using the Group local coordinate system
options:
a. Click the Pick button next to the Location box and pick the origin in
the model.
b. Click the Pick button next to the Axis X box and set the x direction in
the model.
c. Click the Pick button next to the Axis Y box and set the y direction in
the model.
4. Click Set.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 231 Layout Manager

 NOTE You can set the work plane using a suitable Workplane command on the
View tab. When you have set the work plane, select a group in Layout
Manager. Click the Pick button next to the Use current work plane option
under Group local coordinate system and click Set.

See also
Create a group in Layout Manager (page 230)

Create a layout point

Use the Layout Point tool in the Applications & components catalog to
create layout points. The layout points that you create in the model are design
points that you can export to a layout device.

Before you start, ensure that the Select components selection switch is
activated.
1. Double-click the Layout Point tool in the list of components in the
Applications & components catalog.
2. Define the layout point properties on the Parameters tab:
a. Enter a name and a description for the layout point.
You can use the following special characters in layout point names:_
~ % ! @ # & . = + - and space.
Note that the maximum length of the name is 16 characters if you
export layout data to .cnx and .tfl formats. When exporting to a
text file, there is no limitation to the number of characters in the
name. The maximum length of the description is 24 characters.
b. Enter the diameter of the layout point in the Size box.
Layout Manager uses the XS_IMPERIAL advanced option to
determine the units. Set XS_IMPERIAL to TRUE to show imperial
units.
c. Select whether the layout point is a reference point or not.
A reference point is a mapping point to another coordinate system
such as a geo-spatial coordinate system or a municipal monument.
d. Select a color for the layout point.
e. Select a shape for the layout point.
f. Select a group from the list or create a new group by entering a name.
3. Select a location for the layout point in the model.
The layout point is created when you select the location.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 232 Layout Manager

 4. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.

5. Click Refresh to show the added point.

NOTE You can also add a layout point to a group in Layout Manager. First select a
group, then select the point in the model. Right-click the group and select Add

Selected from the pop-up menu. Click Refresh to show the point.

See also
Create a group in Layout Manager (page 230)
Measured points in Layout Manager (page 240)

Create a layout line

Use the Layout Line tool in the Applications & components catalog to create
layout lines. Layout lines are created between layout points.

Before you start, ensure that the Select components selection switch is
activated. Create layout points in your model.
1. Double-click the Layout Line tool in the list of components in the
Applications & components catalog.
2. Define the properties of the layout line:
a. Enter a name and a description for the layout line.
b. Enter the diameter of the layout line in the Size box.
Layout Manager uses the XS_IMPERIAL advanced option to
determine the units. Set XS_IMPERIAL to TRUE to show imperial
units.
c. Select a color for the layout line.
d. Select a group from the list or create a new group by entering a name.
3. Pick the first layout point.
4. Pick the second layout point.
The start point and the end point cannot be in the same location.
The layout line is created.
5. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.

6. Click Refresh to show the added line.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 233 Layout Manager

 NOTE You can also add a layout line to a group in Layout Manager. First select a
group, then select the line in the model. Right-click the group and select Add

Selected from the pop-up menu. Click Refresh to show the line.

See also
Create a group in Layout Manager (page 230)
Create a layout point (page 232)

View groups, layout points and layout lines in Layout

Manager
You can view the properties of groups, layout points and layout lines in Layout
Manager. You can zoom to and highlight selected layout points and layout
lines in the model and in Layout Manager.

On the Manage tab, click Layout manager and do any of the following:

To Do this
Show or hide the Click Show property pane in Layout
properties of groups, Manager. The property pane is visible by default.
layout points and layout
lines in Layout Manager
Zoom in to a point or a line 1. Right-click a point or a line in Layout
in the model Manager.
2. Select Zoom Selected from the pop-up menu.
Highlight a point or a line 1. Select a point or a line in the model.
in Layout Manager
2. Click in Layout Manager.
3. Select Highlight selected model point.
To remove the highlighting, select Redraw.

See also
Layout Manager (page 228)

Export layout data from Layout Manager

You can use Layout Manager to export layout data from your model to a
layout device.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 234 Layout Manager

 You have two options when exporting:
• Export the layout data from Layout Manager to a file and move the file
later to a layout device.
• Export a file directly to a layout device. You can do this if you connect the
layout device to your computer using a USB or a Bluetooth connection.
Before you export, you can define the default export settings in Layout
Manager Settings , see Define default export settings in Layout Manager
(page 236).
1. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.

2. Click Settings to check that you have defined the needed export
settings.
3. Close the Settings.
4. Select the group that you want to export.
If you have defined a local coordinate system for a group, the points in
such a group are exported according to the local coordinate system. The
local coordinates of the points are shown in the export dialog box. The
temporary work plane location will not affect the coordinates of the
exported points.
If you select more than one group, ensure that the groups have the same
local coordinate system. If the groups have different local coordinate
systems, a warning message is displayed and you cannot proceed to
export.

5. Click Export .
6. Select an export option:
• Export point file (.txt) to export layout points.
• Export job file (.cnx) to export all layout data in the model to
Trimble® LM80.
• Export Field Link File (.tlf) to export all layout data in the model to a
field link device.
Note that in addition to Trimble devices, other layout devices can also
read in the .txt and .cnx file types.

NOTE The layout points that you create in the model are design points
that you can export to a layout device.
The maximum length of the layout point name is 16 characters if
you export layout data to .cnx and .tfl formats. When
exporting to a text file, there is no limitation to the number of
characters in the name. The maximum length of the description is
24 characters.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 235 Layout Manager

 7. Click Select to enter a name for the export file.
8. Select the destination folder.
9. Click Save.
10. If needed, select a drawing in Map file.
You can attach a layout drawing when exporting a job file (.cnx) and a
field link file (.tfl). You can use the layout drawing with the layout point
data in the layout device.
11. Click OK.

See also
Layout Manager (page 228)
Define the drawing scale in Layout Manager (page 237)

Define default export settings in Layout Manager

You can define the default export settings for each export file type: point file
(.txt), Trimble LM80 job file (.cnx), and Trimble Field Link (.tfl). The units
depend on the settings in File menu --> Settings --> Options --> Units and
decimals.
1. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.

2. Click Settings .
3. Click Point File to define the export settings for point files (.txt):
a. Select the unit.
b. Select the delimiter.
c. Define the order of column headers in point files. Right-click a header
in the list and select Move Up or Move Down.
4. Click Trimble LM80 to define the export settings for Trimble® LM80 job
files (.cnx):
a. Select the Default directory.
b. Select the default Length unit.
You can select to export as meters, feet-inches, or survey feet.
c. Select the plane Angle unit.
The default angle unit is Degree.
d. Select the Version of the Trimble® LM80 device.
The default version is V4. Ensure that the setting matches the version
of your layout device.
5. Click Trimble Field Link to define the Trimble Field Link file default
directory for field link files (.tfl).

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 236 Layout Manager

 6. Click OK.

See also
Export layout data from Layout Manager (page 234)

Define the drawing scale in Layout Manager

You can include a drawing when exporting all layout data in a job file or a field
link file from Layout Manager. The drawing is exported in the .dxf or .dwg
format. To ensure that the drawing is exported correctly, you need to define
the drawing scale.
1. Create a general arrangement (GA) drawing of your model.
We recommend that you make the drawing as simple as possible, include
only parts and grids, to show the drawing correctly in a layout device. You
can, for example, create a drawing template to be used in Layout
Manager export.
2. Open the drawing.
3. Double-click the drawing view frame to open View Properties.
4. Copy the drawing scale.
5. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.

6. Click Drawing Scale Calculator .

7. Paste the drawing scale in the Scale Denominator box.
8. Click Calculate.
The drawing scale is shown in the Scale box.
9. Copy the drawing scale from the Scale box and close the Drawing Scale
Calculator dialog box.
10. On the File menu, click Export drawings.
11. Define the export file name on the Export file tab.
12. Go to the Options tab.
13. Paste the copied drawing scale in the Drawing scale box.
14. Click Export.

You can now export the job file or the field link file and the drawing from
Layout Manager.

See also
Export layout data from Layout Manager (page 234)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 237 Layout Manager

 Import layout data to Layout Manager
You can use Layout Manager to import layout data to your model from a
layout device to verify the as-built conditions.

You have two options when importing:

• Copy the file that contains the layout data from the layout device to your
computer and import the file later to Layout Manager.
• Import the file directly to Layout Manager. You can do this if you connect
the layout device to your computer using a USB or a Bluetooth connection.
1. On the Manage tab, click Layout manager.
2. On the View tab, click Workplane to set the work plane to the model
origin or to the location you want to use as the origin when importing
points and lines.

3. In Layout Manager, click Import

4. Select an import option:
• Import point file (.txt) to import layout points.
Point files (.txt) are always imported to the Design Points tab,
regardless of whether they have been measured on the site or not.
• Import job file (.cnx) to import all layout data in a Trimble® LM80 job
file.
Job files (.cnx) are imported to the Measured Points tab.
• Import Field Link file (.tfl) to import all layout data in a field link file.
Field link files (.tfl) import both design points that have been
exported from Tekla Structures originally and measured points that
have been measured on the site. In the import dialog box, a design
point is flagged if the point name and, therefore, the point already
exists. We recommend that you do not import an existing design point.
Clear the check box next to the flag to exclude an existing point from
the import .
5. Click Select to select the file to import.
6. Click Load to show the file contents.
7. If needed, define the point file columns in the Text File Import - Column
Headers Mapping dialog box.
8. Define the import location in your model using the Insert coordinate
system options.
You can either select the Insert to default coordinate system option or
define the location. To define the location:
• Click the Pick button next to the Location box and pick the origin in
the model.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 238 Layout Manager

 • Click the Pick button next to the Axis X box and set the x direction in
the model.
• Click the Pick button next to the Axis Y box and set the y direction in
the model.
• Click Set.
9. Select the group to which the layout data is imported.
If you do not select any existing group or create a new group, the layout
points are imported using their existing Trimble layer categories.
10. Click OK.

NOTE Design points are layout points that have been created in the Tekla Structures
model. Measured points are layout points that have been measured on the
construction site.

See also
Define point file columns in Layout Manager (page 239)
Measured points in Layout Manager (page 240)

Define point file columns in Layout Manager

You can import layout points to your model in a point file that lists the layout
point names and the point coordinates. If the point file does not have a header
or if Layout Manager does not recognize the header, the Text File Import -
Column Headers Mapping dialog box is displayed when you click Load to
show the file contents in the import dialog box.

Example of a point file without a header:

In the Text File Import - Column Headers Mapping dialog box, the content of
the point file is shown at the bottom and the column headings are shown at
the top.
1. Check that the point file content is shown under the correct column
headings:
• Name Column shows the layout point name.
• X Column shows the x coordinates.
• Y Column shows the y coordinates.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 239 Layout Manager

 • Z Column shows the z coordinates.

2. If needed, change the columns at the top of the dialog box by selecting
the correct column from the list.
3. Select a measuring unit.
4. Select in the Process first line option whether the first line in the point
file is a header row or not.
• Yes means that the first line has layout point data and that it is not a
header line.
• No means that the first line is a header line.
5. Click OK.

See also
Import layout data to Layout Manager (page 237)

Measured points in Layout Manager

Measured points are points that are measured on the construction site using a
layout device and imported to Tekla Structures. You can view the properties of
measured points in Layout Manager or in the Layout Point tool dialog box.
In addition to the general point properties, such as name, diameter, and
shape, measured points have measured point properties that cannot be
modified in Tekla Structures.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 240 Layout Manager

 To view the properties, select the point in Layout Manager or double-click the
point in the model.
The measured point properties are as follows:

Property Description
Is Stakeout You can label a measured point as
Point staked in the Trimble® LM80 device
if it deviates from the
corresponding layout point created
in the model.
The property is shown in the
Layout Point tool dialog box.
Is Field Point A field point has been measured on
the construction site and imported
to Tekla Structures.
Is Field Line is the corresponding
property for layout lines.
The property is shown in the
Layout Point tool dialog box.
HR Height of rod is the height of the
prism on the pole. It is used to
determine instrument height, and
therefore the actual elevation of the
measured point.
HA Horizontal angle is the angle that
was measured from the back sight
or 0 angle.
VA Vertical angle is the difference in
angle measurement from the
horizontal position of the
instrument scope.
SD Slope distance is the actual
distance regardless of elevation
change. Horizontal angle is the
distance along a horizontal plane.
PPM Parts per million is a factor used to
determine measurements that take
into account the air conditions and
how they affect the ability of light to
travel through the air. This property
is important in the measurement
calculation and accuracy.
Benchmark Benchmark offset is a
offset measurement that is taken to

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 241 Layout Manager

 Property Description
define a benchmark that elevation
measurements are calculated from.

See also
Import layout data to Layout Manager (page 237)
Create a layout point (page 232)

3.11 Analysis and design systems

Analysis and design systems are used to design and analyze the frame or
components within a structure. These applications calculate the loading,
stresses and strains on the elements. They also calculate the moments, shears
and deflections on objects under various loading conditions.
These types of applications make use of various forms of analysis from the
traditional first order static, second order p-delta, geometric non-linear or
buckling analysis. They can also make use of various forms of dynamic analysis
from modal extraction to time history and response spectrum analysis along
with the sizing of steel, concrete and timber elements to the relevant national
and international design codes.
Some examples of these systems are Tekla Structural Designer, ETABS,
STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, Robot, ISM, S-Frame, MIDAS, Dlubal, SCIA, Powerframe,
GTStrudl, Strusoft, and AxisVM.

See also
Analysis and design direct links (page 242)
Tekla Structural Designer (page 243)
STAAD.Pro (page 250)
SAP2000 (page 249)
Robot (page 249)
ISM (page 250)
S-Frame (page 251)
FEM (page 252)

Analysis and design direct links

When you have a direct link to an analysis and design application, and you
export the analysis model from Tekla Structures using that particular analysis

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 242 Analysis and design systems
 application, the model is opened in the application. Tekla Structures and the
analysis and design application need to be installed on the same computer.
The analysis and design direct links are created either using the Tekla Open
API or the older COM link (Common Object Model transfer technology). A
number of direct links are available including AxisVM, Diamonds, Dlubal,
ETABS, GTStrudl, ModeSt, MIDAS, NISA, Powerframe, ISM, Robot, SAP2000,
SCIA, S-Frame, STAAD.Pro, STRUDS, and Strusoft.
Many of the direct links are available for downloading in Tekla Warehouse. For
the applications that are not available in Tekla Warehouse, the links can be
downloaded from the vendor web sites or by contacting the vendor.

Tekla Structural Designer

Tekla Structural Designer is a software that allows you to design reinforced
concrete buildings and steel buildings. It works with real physical objects such
as beams, columns and slabs. The information transferred is the physical
information such as geometry, section sizes and grade as well as attributed
data. In Tekla Structures, you can import from and export to Tekla Structural
Designer.
Tekla Structural Designer is a code-based modeling tool, which enables
structural engineers to establish a code compliance design of the structure,
and perform calculations and schema design, for example. All the design/code
data is held within Tekla Structural Designer at all times.
Tekla Structural Designer will analyze and design structures to a range of
International codes of practice.
The initial model can be started in either Tekla Structures or Tekla Structural
Designer, depending on the project needs. You can import and export many
times, and make use of the effective change management functionality.
The integration process allows you to pass models between Tekla Structural
Designer and Tekla Structures, allowing the updates in the model at both ends.
As the model is integrated between software applications, the changes are
updated, and modifications performed since the last integration operation are
maintained within the model.
Tekla Structural Designer and Tekla Structures accept and produce files in
the .cxl neutral file format. The .cxl file format is an XML based neutral file
format that allows applications to link Tekla Structural Designer.
Tekla Structures supports files created in Tekla Structural Designer 2016 or
later.
This section only contains instructions regarding import (page 245) and re-
import (page 247) from Tekla Structural Designer, and export (page 248) to
Tekla Structural Designer. For more information about Tekla Structural
Designer and the integration between Tekla Structural Designer and Tekla
Structures, see Guidance notes for Integration between Tekla Structural

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 243 Analysis and design systems
 Designer and Tekla Structures. This page contains a link to "Integration with
Tekla Structures" guide in .pdf format.
Also take a look at other related information in Tekla User Assistance for Tekla
Structural Designer:
Getting started guides
Product guides
Knowledge base articles
Videos

Example workflow of integration between Tekla Structures and Tekla

Structural Designer
Integration between Tekla Structures and Tekla Structural Designer has been
developed to ensure that the initial model can be started in either tool without
any detriment to the design process. This added flexibility enables companies
to align their software solutions closely to their own workflows. (i.e. The initial
model can be created in Tekla Structural Designer by the engineer or in Tekla
Structures by the technician.)
It is recommended that Tekla Structures model is used as the "master model"
for geometrical changes as this model also is linked to the BIM documentation.
Alterations made to the model geometry are best handled by altering the Tekla
Structures model and transferring the changes through to Tekla Structural
Designer for redesign.
A typical workflow and the decision making process through the different
stages of a project could be as follows:
Initial scheme stage
• The initial model may be started in Tekla Structures or Tekla Structural
Designer without any detriment to the process.
• A number of factors may determine which software is used for starting the
modeling process, such as availability of staff, or deliverable requirements.
• Unless there are external drivers, Tekla Structures may prove to be the best
starting point for the model as it can provide most of the deliverable items
at the initial stage.
• The model does not need to cover the complete building, it might be a
typical bay or floor, for example.
• The generated structure can be designed in Tekla Structural Designer for
initial section sizing at the initial stage and synchronized back to Tekla
Structures for initial drawings or material list creation.
• Simple drawings can be created at this stage, this can be done in Tekla
Structures or Tekla Structural Designer.
• Initial material lists for cost estimates can be generated at this stage.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 244 Analysis and design systems
 Detailed design stage
• It is not always appropriate to carry models forward from the Initial
scheme stage to the Detailed design stage as changes to the overall
scheme may have been made, which will not be reflected in the initial
scheme model. It is sometimes better to begin the model again.
• Models can be started in Tekla Structures or Tekla Structural Designer to
suit the user. The models can then be transferred to the other modeling
system.
• Importantly, the two models can be worked on at the same time, with
synchronization of the two models taking place to suit the workflow.
• Tekla Structural Designer can be used for a full gravity and lateral design of
the structure.
• Within Tekla Structures, drawings can be generated to a tender stage level
and general arrangements submitted to building control for approval.
Construction stage
• Using the model from the Detailed design stage, much of the
Construction stage process will take place in Tekla Structures so that the
integration with other disciplines can be accounted for.
• The design is not revisited unless the client drives the requirement for
change.
• If a re-design of the structure is required, the same synchronization of Tekla
Structures or Tekla Structural Designer models can be carried out to suit
the user.
• The model will be completed within Tekla Structures and fully detailed
drawings for parts can be created along with construction level
arrangement drawings of the structure.
• Detail integration checks with other disciplines (e.g. mechanical and
electrical engineers) can be carried out at this stage.

Import from Tekla Structural Designer

Import from Tekla Structural Designer creates Tekla Structures parts, such as
beams, columns, slabs, and shear walls based on the contents of the
imported .cxl neutral file.

Before importing, open Tekla Structures and the model where you want to
import.
1. On the File menu, click Import --> Tekla Structural Designer .
2. In the import dialog box, enter the path of the import .cxl file in the
Import file box or click the ... button next to the box to browse for the file.
3. Once you have selected a valid file, the import buttons and the Preview
Conversion button will be enabled. To read the import file and display all

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 245 Analysis and design systems
 the proposed profile and material grade conversions to be used, click the
Preview Conversion button.
The import uses an internal conversion list containing the standard
profiles and grades. Any member with profile or material that cannot be
converted using the internal conversion will be flagged in red and the
Tekla Structures name will be replaced with the text *** NO MATCH ***.
4. If the text *** NO MATCH *** is displayed, you can convert the profiles
and materials manually in the following way:
a. Create a profile and/or material conversion file in a text editor using
the file name extension .cnv.
The conversion files can also be used to override the standard
conversion.
b. In the text file, enter the .cxl profile or material name, the equal sign
(=) and then the corresponding Tekla Structures name, for example:
STB 229x305x70=TEE229*305*70 for profile
S275JR=S275 for material
If the conversion files are not used, the members with profiles or
materials that cannot be converted will still be created but they will use
the import file profile or material, which may be invalid in Tekla Structures,
and the members may be drawn as lines in the model, but can then be
edited manually in Tekla Structures
5. Select the grid options:
• Delete Tekla Structures' grids: Import will remove all grid lines/
planes from the current Tekla Structures model.
• Import grids from import file: The grid lines from the import file will
be imported into the Tekla Structures model. A grid line pattern will be
created, and all the imported grid lines will be attached as individual
grid planes to this pattern.
6. Import by pressing one of the following buttons:
• Import at Origin: Import the model using the global X, Y and Z
coordinates with the global origin as the 0,0,0 point for the import
model’s coordinate system.
• Import at Location: Select a point in the model to use as 0,0,0 and
select a second point to define the X axis to use.
When a Tekla Structural Designer .cxl file is imported into Tekla Structures,
the model is checked for existing items. If none of the items in the import file
have previously been imported into the current model, Tekla Structures
imports the contents of the selected import file and creates all the required
objects in the Tekla Structures model. If the Tekla Structures model is empty,
the project properties from the .cxl file will be written into the model's

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 246 Analysis and design systems
 project properties. If the model contains members, the .cxl model data will
be ignored leaving existing project properties intact.

See also
Re-import from Tekla Structural Designer (page 247)

Re-import from Tekla Structural Designer

When you import from Tekla Structural Designer, you can control which
changes will be made in the Tekla Structures model. If none of the objects in
the import file have been previously imported in Tekla Structures, the import
will complete after Tekla Structures has created the required objects. If objects
already exist, then the new members will be listed as new, but if no objects
exist, then the import will just take place.
1. Follow the steps in Import from Tekla Structural Designer (page 245).
2. To display the properties of an object, select the object from the list on the
left in the import verification dialog box.
If you select more than one object, only the properties for the first object
on the list are displayed, but all the objects that you selected are
highlighted in the model.
3. If any object in the import file has previously been imported into the Tekla
Structures model, the Model Comparison Tool dialog box is displayed
showing the changes and allowing you to control which changes will be
made in the Tekla Structures model. You can do one of the following:
• Ignore deleted list: The .cxl file may contain a list of objects deleted
in Tekla Structural Designer. If objects in this list still exist in the Tekla
Structures model, they will be deleted unless this check box is selected.
• Ignore new items: Objects that did not previously exist in the Tekla
Structures model that are in the import file are excluded from the
import if you select this check box.
4. To append the Tekla Structures object ID to the object type string in the
comparison tool list, select Display part IDs.
5. If updating the positions of objects is not required, selecting Profile and
material updates only will only update the object profiles and materials,
and ignore other changes.
6. To reduce the amount of information displayed about the objects that
have been updated, select Only display changed fields.
Only the values that have been changed are displayed instead of all the
object properties.
7. Click Accept to use the current settings and complete the import.
Once the import is complete you can view the changes in the model using
Tekla Structural Designer_Integration Status object group color and

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 247 Analysis and design systems
 transparency settings ( View tab --> Representation --> Object
Representation ).

Export to Tekla Structural Designer

Export to Tekla Structural Designer allows you to export the entire Tekla
Structures model or a selected subset of the model. The exported .cxl file
can be uploaded to Tekla Structural Designer to update the model, or to create
a new Tekla Structural Designer model based on the Tekla Structures model.

NOTE To export to Tekla Structural Designer using a Tekla Structures analysis

model, see Export an analysis model to Tekla Structural Designer.

Before exporting, open Tekla Structures and the model from which you want
to export.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> Tekla Structural Designer .
2. In the export dialog box, either enter the path of the export file in the
Export file box or click the ... button at the end to browse to a folder and
enter a name for the file.

3. Once you have selected a valid file, the export buttons and the Preview
Conversion button will be enabled. To process the model and display all
the proposed profile and material grade conversions to be used, click the
Preview Conversion button.
The export uses an internal conversion list containing the standard
profiles and grades. Any member with profile or material that cannot be
converted using the internal conversion will be flagged in red and the
export name will be replaced with the text *** NO MATCH ***.
4. If the text *** NO MATCH *** is displayed, you can convert the profiles
and materials in the following way:
a. Create a profile and/or material conversion file in a text editor using
the file name extension .cnv.
The conversion files can also be used to override the standard
conversion.
b. In the text file, enter the .cxl profile or material name, the equal sign
(=) and then the corresponding Tekla Structures name, for example:
STB 229x305x70=TEE229*305*70 for profile
S275JR=S275 for material
If the conversion files are not used, the objects with profiles or
materials that cannot be converted will still be created but they will
use the export file profile or material that may be invalid.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 248 Analysis and design systems
 5. You can export the whole Tekla Structures model or only the objects that
you select. Do one of the following to create the neutral file:
• To export the whole model, click Export Model.
• To export only the selected parts, select the parts from the model and
click Export Selected.
The use of select and view filters is recommended to ensure that only
structural part of the model or elements requiring design are
exported.
The Quick report window will show you the result of the export.

Robot
The Robot Millennium A&D application is owned by Autodesk Inc. Full product
details can be found on the Robot Millennium web site.
• This application is suitable for basic interoperability, and it can export and
import cis/2 files.
• If you install Tekla Structures and Robot Millennium on the same computer,
then a direct link can be used.
• Currently only the EC3, LRFD, CM66, E32 and ANS design codes are
available in Robot when using the direct link.
• If you are upgrading to Robot 2012, you will need to uninstall Robot 2011
along with the Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis link. Then install Robot
2012 and the link again. This way you make Tekla Structures point to the
Robot 2012 application.
To get more information and to download, go to Tekla Warehouse

See also
Linking Tekla Structures with Robot
Analysis and design direct links (page 242)

SAP2000
The SAP2000 analysis & design application is written by Computers &
Structures, Inc. Full product details can be found on their website.
• The SAP2000 analysis & design application can export and import cis/2 and
ifc files, and export SDNF files.
• If Tekla Structures and SAP2000 are installed on the same computer, then a
direct link can be used.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 249 Analysis and design systems
 • It is important that you run SAP2000 for the first time as a standalone
application before your load the link. Just start SAP2000 and create a new
model, save it and close SAP2000. This will then update your registry which
is needed by the link.
To get more information and to download, go to Tekla Warehouse.

See also
Linking Tekla Structures with SAP2000
Analysis and design direct links (page 242)

STAAD.Pro
The STAAD.Pro analysis and design application is owned by Bentley Systems,
Incorporated. Full product details can be found on their website.
• STAAD.Pro can export and import CIS/2 files, along with their std format. It
has become a semi-industrial standard especially in the plant and heavy
engineering segments.
• If Tekla Structures and STAAD.Pro are installed on the same computer, then
a direct link can be used.
• Profile mapping for different installation environments is achieved by
mapping the profiles used by Tekla Structures and Bentley in files called
ProfileExportMapping.cnv and ProfileImportMapping.cnv located
in the TeklaStructures\TS_STAAD folder. Currently these files are only
used in import.
To get more information and to download, go to Tekla Warehouse.

See also
Linking Tekla Structures with STAAD.Pro
Analysis and design direct links (page 242)

ISM
Bentley’s Integrated Structural Modeling (ISM) is a technology for sharing
structural engineering project information among structural modeling,
analysis, design, drafting and detailing applications.
ISM is similar to Building Information Modeling (BIM), but focuses on the
information that is important in the design, construction and modification of
the load bearing components of buildings, bridges and other structures. Full
product details can be found on their website.
The ISM link is different form the other analysis and design links in that the
physical model is also transferred at the same time as the analysis and design

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 250 Analysis and design systems
 model and the ISM model can be imported into an empty Tekla Structures
model. The round-trip of model information is also controlled by a
synchronizer.
If Tekla Structures and an ISM enabled Analysis & Design application or
Bentley Viewer v8i are installed on the same computer then a direct link can be
used.
In order to use the link, the ISM Structural Synchronizer version 3.0 needs to
be loaded before the link.
For more information and to download, go to Tekla Warehouse.

See also
Linking Tekla Structures with an ISM enabled Analysis & Design application
Analysis and design direct links (page 242)

S-Frame
S-Frame Analysis is owned and developed by S-FRAME Software Inc. It is a
complete 4D structural modeling, analysis and design solution for steel,
concrete, linear and non-linear structural models. Full product details can be
found on their website https://s-frame.com.
• S-Frame can export and import .dxf files. If Tekla Structures and S-Frame
are installed on the same computer, then a direct link can be used. A copy
of the link can be requested from S-FRAME Software Inc. Descriptions
regarding the link can be found here: Building information modeling (BIM)
links.
• In some areas S-Frame used to be distributed by CSC, in which case the
installation points to different folders. The model name must not include
spaces as this currently is an issue as the analysis and design frame is not
created if spaces are included.

The process of importing to and exporting from S-Frame

The Tekla API link allows you to write code to connect to an open model in
Tekla and query or manipulate the model. The link was established by using
both the S-Frame and Tekla APIs. It uses a library database to manage items
between Tekla Structures and S-Frame.
A copy of the link and instructions on using the link can be requested from S-
Frame Software Inc.
The whole process involves the following steps: importing to S-Frame,
displaying imported items, and exporting from S-Frame. This process is
described below.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 251 Analysis and design systems
 Importing objects to S-Frame and displaying the objects
1. The S-Frame software checks to see if there is an open model in Tekla
Structures using the Tekla API.
2. If a connection can be established, the Tekla Structures model is queried
for a list of model objects, such as modeled members or panels.
3. The returned objects are iterated through, recognized types are
processed, and equivalent S-Frame objects are added or updated to a
library database.
4. The IDs from Tekla Structures are stored so that items can be mapped
back and forth between Tekla Structures and S-Frame.
5. Once the objects have been iterated through, the library database is
queried, and the updated or created objects referenced in the library are
displayed in S-Frame display window.

Exporting from S-Frame

1. The S-Frame is queried for objects that are displayed in the S-Frame
display window.
2. The library is iterated through for types of known objects (members and
panels) that can be mapped back and forth between Tekla Structures and
S-Frame.
3. Using the unique IDs stored in the import, the Tekla Structures model is
queried to see if items exist. If they do not, they will need to be created,
and the library will be updated.
4. Items can then be added or updated to Tekla Structures to match what is
in S-Frame.

FEM
FEM (Finite Element Method) is an analysis and calculation method used in
structural engineering. In this element method, the target is divided into
appropriate finite elements interconnected at points called nodes.
Tekla Structures FEM import and export tool support several formats and
provide several options for importing and exporting models.

See also
FEM import and export file types (page 252)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 252 Analysis and design systems
 FEM import and export file types
You can import the following file types into Tekla Structures using the FEM
import tool.

Option Software
DSTV DSTV format data (Deutsche Stahlbau-Verband).
Several different systems, for example, RSTAB static
software and Masterseries Analysis & Design system.
SACS SACS modeling and analysis software
S-Frame Analysis software, for example, FASTSOLVE.
Monorail Monorail system
STAAD STAAD format data (Structural Analysis And Design).
STAAD modeling and analysis system.
Stan 3d Stan 3d analysis software
Bus BUS 2.5 analysis software

You can export to the following formats: DSTV, MicroSAS, and STAAD.

See also

DSTV
DSTV (Deutscher STahlbau-Verband) manufacturing format is the standard
format used for manufacturing steel components on numerically controlled
(NC) machines. It also has an Analysis & Design format that is used for
transferring Analysis & Design models to the physical 3D model.
Different programs produce different DSTV files. For example, the DSTV file
produced by RSTAB static software only contains a static model. Tekla
Structures exports either the static model (CROSS_SECTION), or the CAD model
(MEMBER_LOCATION).

See also
Import a DSTV model (page 253)

Import a DSTV model

1. On the File menu, click Import --> FEM .
The New Import Model dialog box opens.
2. Select Import FEM.
3. Select import model (default) from the list or enter a new name.
4. Click OK.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 253 Analysis and design systems
 5. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file:
• On the Conversion tab, enter the conversion file names or browse for
the files.
• On the Parts tab, enter a prefix and a start position number for the
imported parts in the Part Pos_No and Assembly Pos_No boxes.
• On the Parameters tab, enter the name of the DSTV file you want to
import in the Input file box, or use the default name.
• On the Parameters tab, set the file type to DSTV in the Type box, and
set the origin coordinates in the Origin boxes if you want the file in a
specific location.
• If you wish to create a report of the import, enter the required
information on the Report tab.
• Select the DSTV version on the DSTV tab.
For Masterseries, the DSTV99 format must be selected.
• Still on the DSTV tab, set Import static elements to Yes to import a
static model. If you set Import other elements to Yes, a CAD model is
imported.
6. Click OK to go to the Import Model dialog box.
7. Select the model to import.
8. Click Import.
Tekla Structures displays the Import model info dialog box.
9. Select which version of parts to import.
10. Click Accept all.
If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you can also
reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject individual
changes by clicking Select individual.
11. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the import model in a model view.
12. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
13. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 254 Analysis and design systems
 Import a STAAD model
This FEM import tool imports steel structures from the STAAD modeling and
analysis system.

NOTE FEM import is an old way to import STAAD data. We recommend that
you use a direct link to ISM or STAAD.Pro, which are available in Tekla
Warehouse. If Tekla Structures and STAAD.Pro or ISM are loaded onto
the same machine then direct links can be used.

NOTE To make a STAAD input file compatible with the Tekla Structures
STAAD import, use the option Joint coordinate format (Single) to
save the input file in STAAD. This creates a line for each coordinate in
the input file.

1. On the File menu, click Import --> FEM .

The New Import Model dialog box opens.
2. Select Import FEM.
3. Use the default name import model or enter a name for the import
model.
4. Click OK.
5. Select the model.
6. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file type you selected:
• On the Conversion tab, enter the conversion file names or browse for
the conversion files.
• On the Parameters tab, enter the name of the STAAD file you want to
import in the Input file box.
• Set the file type to STAAD in the Type box, and set the origin
coordinates in the Origin boxes if you want the file in a specific
location.
• Set the material grade in the Material box on the Staad tab.
You can also click ... next to the box, and browse for the material grade
in the Select Material dialog box.
• If you wish to create a report of the import, enter the required
information on the Report tab.
• If you are importing the model for the first time, you do not need to
change the default values on the Advanced tab.
7. Click OK to go to the Import Model dialog box.
8. Click Import.
Tekla Structures displays the Import model info dialog box.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 255 Analysis and design systems
 9. Select which version of parts to import.
10. Click Accept all.
If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you can also
reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject individual
changes by clicking Select individual.
11. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the import model in a model view.
12. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
13. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

See also
STAAD table type specifications (page 256)
CAD model import settings (page 387)

STAAD table type specifications

Tekla Structures supports the following STAAD table type specifications:
• ST (single section from the standard built-in tables)
• ST PIPE (parametric)
• ST TUBE (parametric)
• RA (single angle with reverse Y_Z axes)
• D (double channel)
• LD (long leg, double angle)
• SD (short leg, double angle)
• TC (beams with top cover plates)
• BC (beams with bottom cover plates)
• TB (beams with top and bottom cover plates)
You can import the types CM and T, user-provided steel table types (UPT), and
other non-standard profiles, if you have defined them in the profile conversion
file. You must use the underscore character in the STAAD name, for example,
UPT_1_W10X49. Tekla Structures automatically converts twin profiles in this
import routine.

See also
Import a STAAD model (page 254)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 256 Analysis and design systems
 Import a Stan 3d model
1. On the File menu, click Import --> FEM .
The New Import Model dialog box opens.
2. Select Import FEM.
3. Use the default import file name import model or enter another name.
4. Click OK.
5. Select the model to import.
6. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file type you selected:
• On the Conversion tab, enter the conversion file names or browse for
the conversion files.
• On the Parameters tab, enter the name of the file you want to import
in the Input file box.
• Set the file type to Stan 3d in the Type box, and set the origin
coordinates in the Origin boxes if you want the file in a specific
location.
• If you wish to create a report of the import, enter the required
information on the Report tab.
• If you are importing the model for the first time, you do not need to
change the default values on the Advanced tab.
7. Click OK to go to the Import Model dialog box.
8. Click Import.
Tekla Structures displays the Import model info dialog box.
9. Select which version of parts to import.
10. Click Accept all.
If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you can also
reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject individual
changes by clicking Select individual.
11. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the import model in a model view.
12. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
13. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 257 Analysis and design systems
 See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Import a Bus model

The Bus import tool imports basic steel structures from the BUS 2.5 analysis
software input file.
1. On the File menu, click Import --> FEM .
The New Import Model dialog box opens.
2. Select Import FEM.
3. Use the default name import model or enter another name.
4. Click OK.
5. Select the model.
6. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file type you selected:
• On the Conversion tab, enter the conversion file names or browse for
the conversion files.
• On the Parameters tab, enter the name of the Bus file you want to
import in the Input file box.
• Set the file type to Bus in the Type box, and set the origin coordinates
in the Origin boxes if you want the file in a specific location.
• On the Bus tab, enter the position number, material, name, and class
of the parts to import. Use Beams behind plane to indicate the
position of girders and cantilevers. The option Yes aligns the tops of all
beams at the floor level.
• If you wish to create a report of the import, enter the required
information on the Report tab.
• If you are importing the model for the first time, you do not need to
change the default values on the Advanced tab.
7. Click OK to go to the Import Model dialog box.
8. Click Import.
Tekla Structures displays the Import model info dialog box.
9. Select which version of parts to import.
10. Click Accept all.
If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you can also
reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject individual
changes by clicking Select individual.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 258 Analysis and design systems
 11. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the import model in a model view.
12. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
13. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Export to STAAD
1. Open a Tekla Structures model.
2. On the File menu, click Export --> FEM .
The FEM export dialog box opens.
3. Go to the Conversion tab and enter the names of the conversion files, or
browse for the files.
4. Go to the Parameters tab, and enter the name of the output file, or
browse for the file.
5. Select Staad in the Type list.
6. Set Split members to Yes to split a part in the Tekla Structures model into
several elements in the STAAD model.
7. Go to the Staad tab and select an option from Profile type list.
8. Use the setting Parametric shapes when possible to define how Tekla
Structures exports the profiles PL, P, D, PD, SPD to Staad.
• Yes exports the profiles as parametric shapes so that STAAD can
identify them correctly.
• No exports all profiles as standard STAAD shapes.

Tekla Structures creates the export file in the current model folder.

Example
Example of a plate PL10*200 when exported as parametric shape (Yes):
13 PRI YD 200.000000 ZD 10.000000.
Example of the same plate exported as a standard shape (No):
13 TABLE ST PL10*200

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 259 Analysis and design systems
 NOTE FEM export is one way to export STAAD data. Direct link to STAAD.Pro analysis
and design application is another, more versatile way to export.

See also
STAAD.Pro (page 250)

Export to DSTV

NOTE The FEM DSTV export is not the same as DSTV export ( File menu -->
Export --> NC files ), which produces DSTV files to be used as
instruction files for NC machines. The FEM DSTV export is intended to
be used for transferring the model in the DSTV format. The DSTV file
(*.stp) saves the data elements (end points, material, cross sections,
references) as a standard DSTV file for importing and exporting
models. For more information about creating NC files in DSTV format,
see Create NC files in DSTV format (page 265).

1. Open a Tekla Structures model.

2. On the File menu, click Export --> FEM .
The FEM export dialog box opens.
3. Go to the Conversion tab and enter the names of the conversion files, or
browse for the files.
4. Go to the Parameters tab, and enter the name of the output file, or
browse for the file.
5. Select DSTV in the Type list.
6. Set Split members to Yes to split a part in the Tekla Structures model into
several elements in the DSTV model.
7. Go to the DSTV tab and select the DSTV version from the Version list.
8. In Element reference with, select whether you want to export into a
static model CROSS_SECTION, or into a CAD model MEMBER_LOCATION.

See also
Supported DSTV entities (page 260)

Supported DSTV entities

The DSTV entities are listed below. Tekla Structures supports those marked
with an asterisk (*). See the DSTV standard "Stahlbau - Teil 1. März 2000" for
more information.
Static data:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 260 Analysis and design systems
 vertex (*)
polyline
substructure (*)
node (*)
element (*)
element_eccentricity (*)
raster
boundary_condition
elastic_support
nodal_reaction
element_reaction
General data:
material (*)
cross_section (*)
CAD data:
member (*)
member_location (*)
construction-data
cutout
hole

See also
Export to DSTV (page 260)

3.12 Steel fabrication

Fabrication applies to the building of structures by cutting, shaping and
assembling components made from steel. Steel fabrication shops generally
concentrate on the preparation, welding and assembly aspect with a much
greater use of the multi functioning machines.
Fabrication (cutting and drilling features) of structural steel elements has
always been performed using manually operated techniques, and these
remain today as fabrication methods. The emergence of CNC (computer
numerical control) technology brought automation and greater accuracy to
these techniques, resulting in families of special purpose machines dedicated
to performing individual fabrication tasks.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 261 Steel fabrication

 The following tools are included for steel fabrication purposes in Tekla
Structures installation:
NC/DSTV (page 262)
CIS and CIMSteel (page 299)
MIS (page 297)
Fabtroll XML (page 305)
ASCII (page 306)
There are also some steel tools that you can download from Tekla Warehouse.

NC files
NC (Numerical Control) refers to a method where machine tool operations are
controlled with a computer. The NC data controls the motion of CNC
(computer numerical control) machine tools. During the manufacturing
process a machine tool or machining center drills, cuts, punches or shapes the
piece of material.
After you have finished detailing a Tekla Structures model, you can export the
NC data as NC files from Tekla Structures to be used by CNC machine tools.
Tekla Structures transforms the part length, hole positions, bevels, notches,
and cuts into sets of coordinates that the machine tools can use to create the
part in a shop. In addition to the CNC machine tools, the NC files can also be
used by MIS and ERP software solutions.
The data for the NC files comes from the Tekla Structures model. We
recommend that you complete detailing and create drawings before
producing the NC files.
Tekla Structures produces NC files in DSTV format (Deutscher Stahlbau-
Verband). Tekla Structures can also produce NC files in DXF format by
converting DSTV files to DXF files.
DSTV is a standard interface for geometrical description of steel structure
pieces for the post-processors with numerical control. The essential aim of this
interface is to be neutral, which means that with only one standard description
you can manage several different NC machines. The interface standardizes the
link between a CAD-program or a graphical system via a CAM file for the NC
machines. The geometry of the piece is introduced completely neutrally, and
after knowing the parameters of the NC machine, the post-processor is able to
translate this neutral language to the NC machine language. For more
information, visit http://www.deutscherstahlbau.de/dstv/der-verband.

To Click the links below to find out more

Produce NC files in DSTV Create NC files in DSTV format (page 265)
format. You can select
the information to be

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 262 Steel fabrication

 To Click the links below to find out more
included in NC files and
NC file headers, and
define the desired pop-
mark and contour mark
settings.
Check the DSTV file DSTV file description (page 264)
description. DSTV file is a
text file in ASCII format.
In most cases each part
has its own DSTV file.
Define settings for NC NC file settings (page 267)
files, folder locations,
part selection, hard
stamps, holes and cuts,
AK and IK block curve
radius signs, and curve
detection
Customize the order in Customize NC file header information (page 277)
which information is
displayed in an NC file,
and add additional
information on
individual parts in the
NC file header
Define and generate Create pop-marks in NC files (page 278)
pop-marks in NC files.
Pop-marks are small
holes that help the shop
assemble individual
parts to form an
assembly.
Define and generate Create contour marking in NC files (page 282)
contour marking in NC
files. Information on the
layout and the parts that
are welded together can
be added to the NC files
and passed on to the
machine tool.
Create NC files in DXF Create NC files in DXF format (page 286)
format by converting
DSTV files to DXF files
Select a correct method Fittings and line cuts in NC files (page 284)
for cutting the end of the
beams

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 263 Steel fabrication

 To Click the links below to find out more
Create NC files for Create tube NC files (page 285)
tubular hollow sections.
You first need to use
specific tube
components to create
the connections.

DSTV file description

Tekla Structures produces NC files in DSTV format. DSTV format is an industrial
standard defined by the German Steel Construction Association (Deutsche
Stahlbau-Verband). A DSTV file is a text file in ASCII format. In most cases each
part has its own DSTV file.
To learn more about the DTSV syntax, see Standard Description for Steel
Structure Pieces for the Numerical Controls.

Blocks
The DSTV file is divided into blocks that describe the content of the file.

DSTV block Description

ST Start of the file
EN End of the file
BO Hole
SI Hardstamp
AK External contour
IK Internal contour
PU Powder
KO Mark
KA Bending

Profile types
Profile types are named according to the DSTV standard.

DSTV profile type Description

I I profiles
U U and C profiles
L L profiles
M Rectangular tubes
RO Round bars
RU Round tubes

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 264 Steel fabrication

 DSTV profile type Description
B Plate profiles
CC CC profiles
T T profiles
SO Z profiles and all the other types of
profile

Part faces
Single letters in the DSTV file describe the part faces.

Letter Part face

v front
o top
u bottom
h behind

See also
Create NC files in DSTV format (page 265)

Create NC files in DSTV format

Tekla Structures produces NC files in DSTV format. You can select the
information to be included in NC files and NC file headers, and define the
desired pop-mark and contour mark settings. You can also produce MIS
(Manufacturing Information System) list files according to the DSTV standard.

By default, Tekla Structures creates the NC files in the current model folder. In
most cases each part has its own NC file.
Limitations:
• The DSTV standard does not support curved beams, and therefore Tekla
Structures does not create NC files for curved beams. Use polybeams
instead of curved beams.
• DSTV for bent plates does not support KA block.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> NC files .
2. If you have some predefined settings that you want to use, select the
settings from the settings file list at the top and click Load.
3. In the NC Files dialog box, select the check box in the Create column next
to DSTV for plates and/or DSTV for profiles.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 265 Steel fabrication

 4. To modify the NC file settings (page 267), select an NC file settings row,
and click Edit.
If you want to add new NC file settings, click Add. This will add a new row
in the NC file settings list, and the NC File Settings dialog box is displayed,
where you can give the settings a new name.
5. In the NC File Settings dialog box, modify the settings on the Files and
part selection, Holes and cuts, Hard stamp and Advanced Options
tabs.
You can select to create only DSTV files, MIS files, both, or DSTV files
embedded in MIS files.
Hard stamps can be created for both the main part and the secondary
parts. By default, Tekla Structures creates hard stamps only for the main
part. Set the advanced option XS_SECONDARY_PART_HARDSTAMP to TRUE
to also create hard stamps for secondary parts.
6. You can enter a unique name for the settings using Save as. Tekla
Structures saves the settings in the ..\attributes folder under the
current model folder.
7. Click OK to save your NC file settings and to close the NC File Settings
dialog box.
8. To select the information to be included in the NC file header (page 277),
click Header, modify the information, and click OK.
9. To modify the pop-mark settings (page 278), click Pop-marks, modify the
settings and click OK.
10. To modify the contour marking settings (page 282), click Contour
marking, modify the settings and click OK.
11. To save the settings that you have modified with another name for later
use, click enter a new name next to Save as and click Save as.
12. In the NC Files dialog box, use the All parts or Selected parts options to
select whether to create the NC files for all parts or only for the selected
parts.
If you use the Selected parts option, you need to select the parts in the
model.
13. Click Create.
Tekla Structures creates .nc1 files for the parts using the defined NC file
settings. By default, the NC files are created in the current model folder.
The filename consists of a position number and the extension .nc1.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 266 Steel fabrication

 14. Click Show NC log to create and show the log file dstv_nc.log that lists
the exported parts and the parts that were not exported.
If all expected parts are not exported, check that the parts which were not
exported pass all the profile type, size, hole and other limits set in the NC
file settings.

For more information on contour marking, see the support article How to
create contour marking for steel beams.

NC file settings
You can open the NC File Settings dialog box by clicking Add or Edit in the NC
Files dialog box. Here you can define settings for NC files, folder locations, part
selection, hard stamps, holes and cuts, AK and IK block curve radius signs, and
curve detection.

Files and part selection tab

Setting Description
File format DSTV is the only available value.
File location The default folder is \DSTV_Profiles or
DSTV_Plates under the current model folder.
You can define another destination folder for NC
files in one of the following ways:
• You can enter the folder path in the File
location box. You can also browse for the path.
For example, enter C:\NC.
• If you leave the field empty, the NC files will be
created in the current model folder.
• To create the NC file in a specific folder under
the current model folder, enter .
\<folder_name>.
For example, enter .\MyNCFiles.
• You can use the model-specific advanced
option XS_MIS_FILE_DIRECTORY to define the
destination folder for NC and MIS files. Go to
the CNC category in the Advanced Options
dialog box, and enter the desired folder path
for the advanced option
XS_MIS_FILE_DIRECTORY. The NC files will be

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 267 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
created in the specified folder under a folder
that has the name of the current model.
For example, if you define C:\NC, and the name
of the current model is MyModel, the NC files
will be created in the folder C:\NC\MyModel.
File extension .nc1 is the default value.
Include revision mark Add a revision mark to the NC file name.
to file name
The file name then includes a number indicating
the revision of the file,P176.nc1 becomes
P176_1.nc1, for example.
Create what Select the type of files to create:
NC files creates only DSTV files.
Part list creates only a MIS list file ( .xsr ).
If you create an MIS list file, enter a name for the
list in the Part list file name box. Also, you need
to click the Browse button next to the Part list file
location box and browse for the location where
you want to save the list .
NC files and part list creates both the DSTV files
and an MIS list file.
Combined NC files and part list embedds DSTV
files in an MIS list file ( .xsr ).
Maximum size The options define the maximum length, width,
and height of the parts the machine tool can
handle. Larger parts are sent to other machines.
Profile type All profiles that are set to Yes in the Profile type
list can be handled by the machine tool. Profile
types are named according to the DSTV standard.
I: I profiles
U: U and C profiles
L: L profiles
M: Rectangular tubes
R: Round bars and tubes
B: Plate profiles
CC: CC profiles
T: T profiles

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 268 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
SO: Z profiles and all the other types of profiles
By default, Tekla Structures unwraps round tubes
as plate profiles and uses the plate profile type B in
the NC file header data. To change this, use the
advanced option XS_TUBE_UNWRAP_USE_PLATE_
PROFILE_TYPE_IN_NC.
Maximum size of holes The Maximum size of holes options define how
large holes the machine tool is able to drill. The NC
file is not created if a part contains larger holes or
its material is thicker than the specified values. The
hole size is connected to material thickness or
plate thickness.
Each row contains the maximum hole diameter
and the material thickness. Both conditions have to
be met for the NC file to be created. For example, a
row with the values 60 45 means that when the
material thickness is 45 mm or smaller, and the
hole diameter is 60 mm or smaller, the NC file is
created. You can add as many rows as needed.
The following example shows how the Maximum
size of holes can be defined. In this example, we
have the following situation:
• Three plates of different thickness.
• Two bolt groups with equal sizes, and one bolt
group with a larger size.

Maximum size of holes are defined as follows:

Test1 creates a folder under the model folder for
the plates that meet the following criteria:
• Hole diameter: 22
• Plate thickness: 10
Test2 creates a folder under the model folder for
the plates that meet the following criteria:
• Hole diameter: 22

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 269 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
• Plate thickness: 20
When you create NC files for the plates, the folder
Test1 includes the plate PL350*10 and the folder
Test2 includes the plate PL350*20. The plate
PL350*15 is not included in any folder, because
the hole size criterion is not met.
The order in which you enter the criteria is
important: enter the most exclusive criteria first. If
you define the criteria in a different order, the
results will also be different.

Holes and cuts tab

Setting Description
Inner corners shape The Inner corners shape option defines the shape
of, for example, web notches or flange cuts at the
beam end.

The Inner corner shape option also affects cuts

on the flange:

The Inner corner shape option does not apply to

rectangular openings that are located in the middle
of a part:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 270 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description

The Inner corner shape option does not apply to

those inner contours that are already rounded in
the model. The model values remain intact.
The examples in the below show how the different
inner corner shape options affect the part in the
NC file. The original part in the model has flanges
cut entirely and the web is notched.
Option 0: Radius

The inner corners are shaped like holes with a

given radius. A separate BO block is not written to
the NC file.
Option 1: Tangential

The inner corner is rounded according to the value

in the Radius box.
Option 2: Square

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 271 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description

The corner is as it is in the model.

Option 3: Drilled hole

A drilled hole is added to the inner corner. The

hole radius is the same as the value in the Radius
box. Holes are written as a separate BO block to the
NC file.
Option 4: Tangential drilled hole

A drilled hole is added tangentially to the inner

corner. The hole radius is the same as the value in
the Radius box. Holes are written as a separate BO
block to the NC file.
Distance from flange The Distance from flange within which web is
within which web is not cut option defines the height of the flange
not cut clearance area. The clearance check only affects
the I, U, C, and L DSTV profile types.
If a cut in a part is located closer to the flange than
the clearance in the model, the cut points inside
that clearance are moved to the border of the
clearance area when the NC file is written.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 272 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
The part how it is modeled. The cut goes closer to
the top flange than the defined flange clearance in
the NC file settings:

The part how it is written in the NC files. The

dimension shows the clearance. The top of the
original cut is moved so that the clearance area is
left free. The bottom of the cut is not moved.

Machine slots as The Machine slot as option defines how slotted

holes are created:
Ignore slots: Slotted holes are not created in the
NC file.
A single hole in the center of the slot: Drills a
single hole in the center of the slotted hole.
Four small holes, one at each corner: Drills four
smaller holes, one at each corner.
Internal contours: Flame-cuts the slots as internal
contours.
Slots: Leaves slots as they are.
Maximum diameter for The Maximum diameter for holes to be drilled
holes to be drilled option defines the maximum hole diameter. Holes
and slotted holes that are larger than the
maximum hole diameter are manufactured as
internal contours.
Maximum diameter for Maximum diameter for circular cuts to be
circular cuts to be drilled defines the maximum circular part cuts.
drilled They are written as holes if the diameter of the cut

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 273 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
is less than the value defined for the setting.
Smaller internal circular cuts are converted to
holes.

Hard stamp tab

Setting Description
Create hard stamp When selected, creates hard stamps.
Hard stamp content The Elements list defines which
elements are included in hard stamps
and the order in which the elements
appear in the hard stamp. You can
also define the Text height and Case.
Project number: Adds the project
number to the hard stamp.
Lot number: Adds the lot number to
the hard stamp.
Phase: Adds the phase number to the
hard stamp.
Part position: Prefix and position
number of the part.
Assembly position: Prefix and
position number of the assembly.
Material: The material of the part.
Finish: The type of finish.
User-defined attribute: Adds a user-
defined attribute (user fields 1-4) to
the mark.
Text: Opens a dialog box where you
can add user-defined text to the hard
stamp.
Including part position and/or
assembly position in the hard stamp
affects the NC filename:
• Part position: P1.nc1, P2.nc1
• Assembly position: A1.nc1,
A2.nc1
• Assembly and part position: A1-
P1.nc1, A2-P2.nc1

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 274 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
The following example shows a hard
stamp that contains the elements
Phase, Part position, Material, and
Text.

Hard stamp placing If you set the option By orientation

mark to Yes, the default face is
changed from bottom (u) to top (o)
for L profiles, rectangular tubes and
round bars.
The Side option defines the side of
the part on which the hard stamp is
placed.
The Position along the part and
Position in depth of part options
define the position of hard stamps on
parts.
These options move the hard stamp
on the same face it is created, but
they cannot move the stamp to a
different face. If the face is, for
example, the bottom flange, you can
move the stamp to a different place
on bottom flange, but not to the top
flange.
Default faces for different profiles:
I profile: Bottom flange (u)
U and C profiles: Back side of web (h)
L profiles: Back (h) or Bottom (u)
Rectangular tubes: Bottom flange (u)
Round bars: Bottom flange (u)
Circular tubes: Front (v)
T profiles: Back side of web (h)
Plate profiles: Front (v)

Advanced Options tab

Setting Description
Number of decimals Define the number of decimals shown
in NC files.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 275 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
Change external contour (AK block) Change the AK block curve radius
radius sign signs on top (o) and back (h) faces.
This change only affects on top (o)
and back (h) faces.
Below is an example, where the Change external contour (AK block) radius
sign on top (o) and back (h) faces is not selected.

Below is an example, where the Change external contour (AK block) radius
sign on top (o) and back (h) faces is selected.

Change internal contour (IK block) Change the IK block curve radius
radius sign signs for top (o) and back (h) faces.
This change only affects top (o) and
back (h) faces.
Curve detection Curve detection controls whether
three points should be read as a
Chord tolerance
curve instead of two straight lines.
When Curve detection is set to Yes,
Tekla Structures checks the edges of a
solid against a virtual curve described
by the edges to see if the edges are
curved or straight based on the
Chord tolerance value. Enter the

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 276 Steel fabrication

 Setting Description
Chord tolerance value in millimeters.
Curve detection is on by default.
The image below describes the chord
tolerance.

Convert I profile to T profile when Select whether to convert I profiles to

flange is missing T profiles when a flange is missing.
You can select either Yes or No.
Skip unnecessary points Select whether to keep or skip the
points that are almost collinear.
Create KA block for Select the following options to show
bent line information for bent plates
and polybeam plates in the NC file KA
block: Unfolded bent plates and
Unfolded polybeam plates.

See also
Create NC files in DSTV format (page 265)

Customize NC file header information

You can customize the order in which information is displayed in an NC file,
and add additional information on individual parts in the NC file header.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> NC Files .
2. Click the Header button in the NC Files dialog box.
3. In the NC File Header Information dialog box, include in the Selected
elements list the header information options that you want, and arrange
the options in the desired order by selecting the option and using the
Move up and Move down buttons.
4. If needed, add additional information on individual parts.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 277 Steel fabrication

 You can enter text in the Text info on piece 1 - 4 boxes, and enter desired
template attributes in double angle brackets, for example <<WEIGHT>> to
display the weight of the part

5. Click OK.
6. If you want to restore the default file header information, click the Default
button in the NC File Header Information dialog box.
7. Create the NC files (page 265).

Create pop-marks in NC files

Pop-marks are small holes that help the shop assemble individual parts to
form an assembly. Tekla Structures is able to write the pop-mark information
in NC files to help position parts that will be manually welded to the assembly
main part. Pop-marks are usually made using a drilling machine that drills a
small hole in the surface of the material.

Limitation: Tekla Structures pop-marking does not work with polybeams.

Tekla Structures only creates pop-marks for parts for which you have defined
pop-mark settings. You can save the pop-mark settings in a .ncp file, which
Tekla Structures saves by default in the ..\attributes folder under the
current model folder.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 278 Steel fabrication

 NOTE Pop-marking affects numbering. For example, if two parts have
different pop-marks, or one part has pop-marks and the other one
does not, Tekla Structures gives the parts different numbers.

1. On the File menu, click Export --> NC files .

2. In the NC Files dialog box, select the parts for which you want to create
the pop-marks by selecting the corresponding check boxes in the Pop-
marks column.
3. Click the Pop-marks button.
4. In the Pop-Mark Settings, click Add to add a new row.
5. To define which parts are pop-marked and where the pop-marks are
created, enter or select information for each item on a row.
The order of the rows in the Pop-Mark Settings dialog box is important.
Enter the most limiting definition first, and the most generic one last.
First define the pop-mark settings on the Parts to pop-mark tab:

Option Description
Main part profile type Select the main part profile type that
is pop-marked. The list contains
profiles according to the DSTV
standard.
Main part name Enter the names of the main part
profiles. You can enter several part
names separated by commas, for
example, COLUMN, BEAM.
You can use wildcards (* ? [ ] ). For
example, HE* matches all parts with a
profile name that begins with the
characters "HE".
Part name can contain more names
separated by comma.
Sec part profile type Select the secondary part profile type.
Secondary part name Enter the names of the secondary
part profiles. You can enter several
part names separated by commas.
You can use wildcards (* ? [ ] ).
Part name can contain more names
separated by comma
Pop-mark location Select how the secondary part is
projected onto the main part.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 279 Steel fabrication

 Option Description
• Left side: The left side of the
secondary part is marked on the
main part. The left side is the side
of the secondary part that is
closest to the start point of the
main part.
• Right side: The right side of the
secondary part is marked on the
main part.
• Both sides: Combines Left side
and Right side.
• Center: Center of the secondary
part.
• Left side holes: Marks the main
part with the position of holes in
the secondary part, on the left
side of the secondary part.
• Right side holes: Marks the main
part with the position of holes in
the secondary part, on the right
side of the secondary part.
• Both side holes: Combines Left
side holes and Right side holes.
• Middle line: Marks two points on
the middle line of the secondary
part x axis.
Move to flange Select to which part of the main part
flange the pop-marks are moved. The
options are None, Both flanges, Top
flange, and Bottom flange.
Edge distance Enter the minimum distance from a
pop-mark to the edge of the main
part. Tekla Structures does not create
pop-marks inside this distance.
If a pop-mark is inside the defined
edge distance, Tekla Structures moves
it, unless you have set Pop-mark
location to Center.
Secondary pop-marks Select whether pop-marks are created
to the secondary parts.
Add pop marks to parts welded on Select whether pop-marks are created
site for parts that are welded on site.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 280 Steel fabrication

 Then define the pop-mark settings on the Pop-marking options tab:

Option Description
Rotate part if pop-marks or other First select the Pop-marks on the
items only on the back back check box and then one of the
Rotate part and drill through pop- options.
marks on the back if items or more Also set the Hole diameter.
pop-marks only on the back
Drill through pop-marks on the
back if no other items on the back
No pop-marks on overlapping holes Select if you do not want to have pop-
marks on overlapping holes.
Add pop-marks to centers of studs Select to have pop-marks in the stud
centers.
Show pop-marks in the model Select to show pop-marks in the
model.
Consider zero diameter holes as Write zero diameter bolt holes as a
pop-marks pop-marks.
6. Click OK.
7. Select the parts in the model.
8. Create NC files (page 265).

Pop-marks are written in the BO block in the DSTV file as 0 mm diameter holes.
If needed, pop-marks can also be displayed in drawings. In drawings, select the
on/off check box in the part properties to display the pop-marks.
Tekla Structures displays thick red lines for each pop-mark pair in the model
view which was last updated.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 281 Steel fabrication

 Examples
Tekla Structures marks the center point of all round secondary profiles on a
main part, and does not create pop-marks closer than 10 mm to the main part
edge.

Tekla Structures projects the hole location in the secondary plates onto a main
part.

Create contour marking in NC files

Tekla Structures is able to generate contour marking in NC files. This means
that information on the layout and the parts that are welded or bolted
together can be added to the NC files and passed on to the machine tool.

Limitation:Tekla Structures contour marking on polybeams does not work in

all cases. The visual placement of contour marking on polybeams has been
improved.
Tekla Structures only creates contour markings for parts for which you have
defined contour marking settings. You can save the contour marking settings
in a .ncs file, which Tekla Structures saves by default in the ..\attributes
folder under the current model folder.
You can add contour marking to both the main and the secondary parts.

NOTE Contour marking affects numbering. For example, if two parts have
different contour markings, or one part has contour markings and the
other one does not, Tekla Structures gives the parts different
numbers.

1. On the File menu, click Export --> NC files .

2. In the NC Files dialog box, select the parts for which you want to create
the contour marks by selecting the corresponding check boxes in the
Contour marking column.
3. Click the Contour marking button in the NC Files dialog box.
4. In the Contour marking settings dialog box, click Add to add a new row.
5. To define which parts are contour marked and how they are contour
marked, enter or select information for each item on a row:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 282 Steel fabrication

 Option Description
Main part profile type Select the main part profile type that
is contour marked. The list contains
profiles according to the DSTV
standard.
Main part name Enter the name for the main part
profiles. You can enter several part
names separated by commas, for
example, COLUMN, BEAM.
You can use wildcards (* ? [ ] ). For
example, HE* matches all parts with a
profile name that begins with the
characters "HE".
Part name can contain more names
separated by comma.
Sec part profile type Select the secondary part profile type.
The list contains profiles according to
the DSTV standard.
Sec part name Enter the name for the secondary
part profiles. You can enter several
part names separated by commas.
You can use wildcards (* ? [ ] ).
Part name can contain more names
separated by comma.
Secondary contour marking Select whether the secondary parts
are contour marked.
Punch or powder In the list, select how the part is
contour marked:
• Punch: The part is punched.
• Powder: The part is marked with
powder.
• Both: Both techniques are used.
Hard stamp Select whether hard stamps are
created.
Mark parts welded on site Select whether you want to mark
parts that are welded on site.
Edge distance Define the minimum distance from a
contour mark to the edge of the main
part. Tekla Structures not create
contour marks inside this distance.
6. Click OK.
7. Create NC files (page 265).

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 283 Steel fabrication

 Contour marking is written in the PU and KO blocks in the DSTV file.
Tekla Structures displays contour marking as thick magenta lines in the model
view.

Fittings and line cuts in NC files

When creating NC files in DSTV format, the method you use to cut the end of
the beam affects the beam length in the NC file.

• Fittings affect the length of the beam in the NC file.

• Line cuts do not affect the length of the beam in the NC file.
When you cut the beam end, use the fitting method to make sure that the
beam length is correct in the NC file.
The overall length of a beam will be the fitted net length of the beam. This
means that Tekla Structures always takes the fitting into account when
calculating the beam length.
For lines, polygons, or part cuts, the cut does not affect beam length, but the
overall length in the NC file will be the gross (initially modeled) length of the
beam.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 284 Steel fabrication

 1. Fitting
2. Line cut
3. Polygon or line cut
4. Fitting

Shortest length
If you want to use the shortest possible length in an NC file, use the advanced
option XS_DSTV_NET_LENGTH.

Net and gross length

If you want to include both net and gross length into NC file header data, use
the advanced option XS_DSTV_PRINT_NET_AND_GROSS_LENGTH.

See also
Create NC files in DSTV format (page 265)

Create tube NC files

You can create NC files for tubular hollow sections. You first need to use
specific tube components to create the connections.

Create the following tube-to-tube and tube-to-plate connections:

• Tube-Chamfer
• Tube-CrossingSaddle
• Tube-MitreSaddle+Hole
• Tube-Saddle+Hole
• Tube-SlottedHole
After using the components, you can create an NC file for data export. The
tube NC file creation results into an XML file which includes the model data.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 285 Steel fabrication

 Limitations:
To get the correct tube NC export results, note the following limitations:
• Line cuts and fittings created manually or by other components will be
exported as simple chamfers.
• Holes created by bolts are not supported, and they will not be exported.
• Curved beams are not supported.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> Tube NC files.
2. In the Tube NC Files dialog box, enter a name for the export file, and
browse for the location where you want to save the file. By default, the file
is saved in the model folder.
3. Select whether you want to create the file for selected parts or for all
parts.
4. Click Create.
Tekla Structures creates an XML file and a log file in the location you
defined.

Create NC files in DXF format

You can create NC files in DXF format by converting DSTV files to DXF files.
Before running a DXF conversion, you must first create the NC files in DSTV
format.

Create NC files in DXF format using Convert DSTV files to DXF macro
You can convert the created NC files in DXF format by using the Convert DSTV
files to DXF macro
Limitation: The macro has been designed for simple plates. Therefore it may
not give correct conversion results for beams, columns and bent polybeams.
1. Create the NC files in the DSTV format.

2. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to

open the Applications & components catalog.
3. Click the arrow next to Applications to open the applications list.
4. If Convert DSTV files to DXF is not visible in the Applications list, select
the Show hidden items check box at the bottom of the Applications &
components catalog.
5. Double-click Convert DSTV files to DXF to open the Convert DSTV files
to DXF dialog box.
6. Browse for the folder that contains the NC files you want to convert to
DXF files.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 286 Steel fabrication

 7. Select the NC files and click Open.
Tekla Structures automatically creates an NC_dxf folder in the model
folder and the DXF files are created there.

Create NC files in DXF format using tekla_dstv2dxf.exe

You can use a separate Tekla Structures program tekla_dstv2dxf.exe to
convert the DSTV files to DXF format. Only one side of a part (front, top, back
or bottom) is written to the file, and therefore this export format is most suited
to plates.
The program is located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\nt
\dstv2dxf folder.
1. Create a folder for the NC files, for example c:\dstv2dxf.
Do not use spaces is the folder path. You should not save the files, for
example, in the Tekla Structures folder under the \Program Files
folder, because the folder path contains spaces.
2. Copy all files from C:\Program Files\Tekla Structures\<version>
\nt\dstv2dxf to the folder you created (C:\dstv2dxf).
3. Create DSTV files and save the files in the in the folder you created (C:
\dstv2dxf).
4. Double-click a suitable dstv2dxf_conversion.bat file.
The program converts the files to DXF format in the same folder.
If you need to adjust the conversion settings (page 287), modify the
settings in an appropriate tekla_dstv2dxf_<env>.def file and restart
the conversion.
The conversion file description pdf files can be found in the same folder
as the tekla_dstv2dxf.exe program.

tekla_dstv2dxf_<env>.def file description

The tekla_dstv2dxf_<env>.def file is used when converting from the DSTV
to the DXF format using the tekla_dstv2dxf.exe. It contains all the
necessary conversion settings. The .def file is located in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\nt\dstv2dxf folder.

The DSTV to DXF conversion (page 286) settings are described below.

Environment settings [ENVIRONMENT]

INCLUDE_SHOP_DATA_SECTION=FALSE
Specify whether to include a special data section in the DXF file to allow the
DXF file to be better imported into CNC software written by Shop Data
Systems. Including this special data section in the DXF file makes the DXF file
unreadable by AutoCAD.
Options: TRUE, FALSE

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 287 Steel fabrication

 NO_INFILE_EXT_IN_OUTFILE=TRUE
Use to add the input file extension to the output file.
Options:
TRUE: p1001.dxf
FALSE: p1001.nc1.dxf
DRAW_CROSSHAIRS=HOLES
Draw crosshair for holes and slotted holes.
Options: HOLES, LONG_HOLES, BOTH, NONE
HOLES:

LONG_HOLES:

BOTH:

NONE:

SIDE_TO_CONVERT=FRONT
Define which side of the member to convert.
Options: FRONT, TOP, BACK, BELOW

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 288 Steel fabrication

 Defines which part face is shown in the DXF file. This setting is originally
designed for plates.
FRONT is the most typical option. Sometimes you may need another rotation
for a plate, and then you can try if changing this setting to BACK would help. In
addition to the SIDE_TO_CONVERT setting, it requires that the NC files are
created with the advanced option
XS_DSTV_WRITE_BEHIND_FACE_FOR_PLATE set to TRUE, which will include
the back side data of a plate in the NC file.
OUTPUT_CONTOURS_AS=POLYLINES
Convert contours as polylines or lines and arcs.
Options: POLYLINES, LINES_ARCS

NOTE If you set OUTPUT_CONTOURS_AS=LINES_ARCS:

• Slotted holes may sometimes have a gap/offset between a straight
line and an arc.
• Sometimes a 3D DXF is produced instead of a 2D DXF.
If you set OUTPUT_CONTOURS_AS=POLYLINES, the DXF file may not be
correct if the NC is created with the Inner corner=0 setting.

CONTOUR_DIRECTION=REVERSE
Define the contour direction. This option changes the coordinates of the
vertices, and the order they are written. You can see the difference if you open
the DXF file in a text editor: "reverse" is clockwise and "forward" is counter-
clockwise.
Options: REVERSE, FORWARD
CONTOUR_DIRECTION only works if you have set
OUTPUT_CONTOURS_AS=POLYLINES. If you have set it to use LINES_ARCS, the
output is always FORWARD (counter-clockwise).
CONVERT_HOLES_TO_POLYLINES=TRUE
Convert holes to polylines.
Options: TRUE, FALSE
MAX_HOLE_DIAMETER_TO_POINTS=10.0
Convert small holes to points in the DXF file.
When you set MAX_HOLE_DIAMETER_TO_POINTS to a value, the holes with a
diameter smaller than this value will follow the HOLE_POINT_SIZE and
HOLE_POINT_STYLE settings. With this kind of point visualization, the hole
symbols will no longer show if a hole is bigger or smaller than the other one,
but they will all have the same size.
HOLE_POINT_STYLE=33 and HOLE_POINT_SIZE=5
Point style and size for holes.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 289 Steel fabrication

 1 is a circle, but this setting is not in use
2 is +
3 is X
4 is short line
33 is circle
34 is a circle with +
35 is a circle with X
36 is a circle with short line
SCALE_DSTV_BY=0.03937
Use 0.03937 to scale to imperial units.
Use 1.0 to scale to metric units.
ADD_OUTER_CONTOUR_ROUNDINGS=FALSE
Add holes to roundings. This only affects the roundings that are created using
the Inner corner shape = 1 setting in the NC File Settings dialog box on the
Holes and Cuts tab. The hole size information is coming to the DSTV file from
the Radius value in the NC File Settings dialog box, and you cannot adjust the
hole size in the dstv2dxf converter.
Options: TRUE, FALSE

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 290 Steel fabrication

 ADD_OUTER_CONTOUR_ROUNDINGS=FALSE:

ADD_OUTER_CONTOUR_ROUNDINGS=TRUE:

MIN_MATL_BETWEEN_HOLES=2.0
Define how close the holes can be to each other in slotted hole conversion.
INPUT_FILE_DIR= and OUTPUT_FILE_DIR=
Folders for input and output files.
DEBUG=FALSE
Show data processing in the DOS window.
Options: TRUE or FALSE

Text specifications [TEXT_SPECS]

TEXT_OPTIONS=PQDG
Define the text options that you want to use in the DXF file:
S adds a side mark (Side: v)
P adds a part mark (Part: P/1)
B adds a part mark and side mark (Part: P/1 Side: v)
Q adds the quantity (Quantity: 5)
G adds the steel grade (Material: A36)
T adds the thickness (Thickness: 3)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 291 Steel fabrication

 D adds the profile description (Desc: FL5/8X7)
TEXT_POSITION_X=30.0 and TEXT_POSITION_Y=30.0
The X/Y location of lower-left corner of first line of text from the origin point
<0,0> of the DXF file.
TEXT_HEIGHT=0.0
TEXT_HEIGHT is not used, the text height is always 10.0, also in text layers.
Text item prefixes
You can define several different prefixes for text items. The prefix is only
written in the file if the option CONCATENATE_TEXT is set to 0.
You can use the following prefix definitions:
PART_MARK_PREFIX=Part:
SIDE_MARK_PREFIX=Side:
STEEL_QUALITY_PREFIX=Material:
QUANTITY_PREFIX=Quantity:
THICKNESS_PREFIX=Thickness:
DESCRIPTION_PREFIX=Desc:
CONCATENATE_TEXT=1
Combine text items (part mark, quantity, profile, grade) into one or two lines.
Options:
0: Text lines are not combined. Prefixes work only with this option.
1: Part mark text on one line, other texts combined on another line.
2: All text on one line.
CONCATENATE_CHAR=+
Define a separator of max 19 characters for the text items.
Examples of different text specifications
The following settings are used the example below:
TEXT_OPTIONS=PQDG
TEXT_POSITION_X=30.0
TEXT_POSITION_Y=30.0
TEXT_HEIGHT=0.0
PART_MARK_PREFIX=Part:
SIDE_MARK_PREFIX=Side:
STEEL_QUALITY_PREFIX=Material:
QUANTITY_PREFIX=Quantity:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 292 Steel fabrication

 THICKNESS_PREFIX=Thickness:
DESCRIPTION_PREFIX=Desc:
CONCATENATE_TEXT=1
CONCATENATE_CHAR=+

The following settings are used for the example below: TEXT_OPTIONS=B,
CONCATENATE_TEXT=0:

Miscellaneous layers [MISC_LAYERS]

Entity Layer Name Col Text Height Output as

or
TEXT TEXT 7 Not used,
always the
same as the
general text
height
definition 10.0.
OUTER_CONTOUR CUT 7
INNER_CONTOUR CUTOUT 4
PART_MARK SCRIBE 3 Do not set a
value for this
option. If you
set one, the
DXF file will not
be created.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 293 Steel fabrication

 Entity Layer Name Col Text Height Output as
or
PHANTOM LAYOUT 4
NS_POP_PMARK NS_POP_MAR 5 POP_CIRCLE
K 2.0
(POP_CIRCLE
or POP_POINT
followed by
size)
FS_POP_PMARK FS_POP_MAR 6 1.0 POP_CIRCLE
K 2.0
This ‘1.0’ is the
(POP_CIRCLE
diameter of the
hole used for or POP_POINT
far side pop followed by
marks. It must size)
match the
value in the
“drill thru”
option in the
machinex.ini
file

Color table
1 = red
2 = yellow
3 = green
4 = cyan
5 = blue
6 = magenta
7 = white
8 = dark grey
9 = light grey

Hole layers [HOLE_LAYERS]

Layer Name Min Diam Max Diam Color

P1 8.0 10.31 7
P2 10.32 11.90 7
P3 11.91 14.0 7

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 294 Steel fabrication

 Slot layers [SLOT_LAYERS]
The type and color affect the symbol, but the color of the slot outline or arrow
(phantom) is defined by the PHANTOM layer definition in the MISC_LAYERS
definition.

Layer Min Max Min Max Min Max Typ Colo Phantom
Name Dia Dia ‘b’ ‘b’ ‘h’ ‘h’ e r
m m
13_16x1 20.6 20.6 4.75 4.78 0.0 0.02 3 3 PHANTOM_O
2 5 UTLINE
13_16x1-7_ 20.6 20.6 26.9 26.9 0.0 0.02 3 3 PHANTOM_O
8 2 5 7 9 UTLINE

Below there are three examples with different phantom types. The other
settings used are Slot type=1, HOLE_POINT_STYLE=33 and
HOLE_POINT_SIZE=1
PHANTOM_ARROW:

PHANTOM_BOTH:

PHANTOM_OUTLINE:

PHANTOM_NONE:

For an explanation of the “b” and “h” dimensions, see the image below:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 295 Steel fabrication

 Examples of slot types
These example use different slot types, but the other setting are the same:
• Slot layer color is 3 (green).
• Hole layer color is 6 (magenta).
• Phantom layer color is 1 (red).
• Slot layer phantom type: PHANTOM_OUTLINE
• Hole point settings: HOLE_POINT_STYLE=35, HOLE_POINT_SIZE=10

Slot type Description

SLOT_TYPE_1 One hole symbol to the center of slot. The hole symbol
follows the HOLE_POINT_STYLE and HOLE_POINT_SIZE
settings. The slot symbol is created according to the
selected phantom setting (PHANTOM_OUTLINE in this
example). The circle color follows the slot layer color, and
the slot color follows the phantom layer color.
SLOT_TYPE_2 Two hole symbols to the slot. The hole symbol follows the
HOLE_POINT_STYLE and HOLE_POINT_SIZE settings.
The slot symbol is created according to the selected
phantom setting (PHANTOM_OUTLINE in this example).
The hole symbol color follows the hole layer color, and
the slot color follows the phantom layer color.
SLOT_TYPE_3 One circle to the center of slot. The size of the circle
corresponds to the real hole size. The circle color follows
the slot layer color, and the slot color follows the
phantom layer color. The slot symbol is created according

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 296 Steel fabrication

 Slot type Description
to the selected phantom setting (PHANTOM_OUTLINE in
this example).

SLOT_TYPE_4 Two circles to the slot. The size of the circle corresponds
to the real hole size. If the circles would be touching each
other, only one circle in the middle of slot is created. The
slot symbol is created according to the selected phantom
setting (PHANTOM_OUTLINE in this example). The circle
color follows the hole layer color, and the slot color
follows the phantom layer color.
SLOT_TYPE_5 Hole symbol to the first slot center point. The hole
symbol follows the HOLE_POINT_STYLE and
HOLE_POINT_SIZE settings. The slot symbol is created
according to the selected phantom setting
(PHANTOM_OUTLINE in this example). The hole symbol
color follows the hole layer color, and the slot symbol
color follows the phantom layer.
SLOT_TYPE_6 One circle to the first slot center point. The slot symbol is
created according to the selected phantom setting
(PHANTOM_OUTLINE in this example). The circle color
follows the hole layer color, and the slot symbol color
follows the phantom layer color.

SLOT_TYPE_7 No hole symbol is created. The slot symbol is created

according to the selected phantom setting
(PHANTOM_OUTLINE in this example). The slot color
follows the slot layer color.

MIS
You can export model data to Manufacturing Information Systems (MIS). The
MIS export supports the following formats:
• DSTV
• FabTrol / KISS
• EJE
• EPC
• Steel 2000

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 297 Steel fabrication

 NOTE We recommend using the FabTrol reports instead of the MIS export for
exporting FabTrol data. The FabTrol reports are available for the Steel
Detailing role in the US imperial and US metric environments. If you do not
use a suitable environment you may also contact your local support for the
FabTrol files.

See also
Export a MIS list (page 298)
Information on MIS file types (page 298)

Export a MIS list

You can export an MIS list to a file.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> MIS .
The Export MIS dialog box opens.
2. Select the file type from the MIS type list.
3. If you selected Fabtrol/KISS or Steel 2000, define the additional options:
• Fabtrol/KISS
Enter the customer name in the Customer name box.
Select the Full material list check box to add labor-related
information to the list (for example, holes, welds, cambers, preliminary
marks).
• Steel 2000
Select the Export only shop bolts check box to include only workshop
bolts in the list file.
4. Enter a name for the list file in the MIS list file box.
By default, the list file is saved in the model folder.
You can select the folder where you want to save the list file by clicking
Browse.
5. Ensure that you have the selection switch Select objects in components
selected. If you have the switch Select assemblies selected, Tekla
Structures will create empty files.
6. Click Create all or Create selected to export the MIS list file.

See also
Information on MIS file types (page 298)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 298 Steel fabrication

 Information on MIS file types
See below for information on MIS file types.
• DSTV
The exported file contains the MIS information written in the DSTV format.
• EJE
US Imperial version only.
Structural Material Manager internally stores all dimensions in sixteenths.
Its External Data Interface writes all dimensions, such as widths and
lengths, except for Beam and Channel descriptions, in sixteenths of an
inch.
As an example the length 12'-8 7/8 is equivalent to 2446 sixteenths, which
is calculated as (feet * 192) + (inches * 16) + (eighths * 2) = (12 * 192 + 8 *
16 + 7 *2).
• EPC
The EPC (Estimating and Production Control) module of SDS/2 requires
multinumbering to be active.

CIS and CIMSteel

The CIS (CIMsteel Integration Standards) is one of the results of the Eureka
CIMsteel project. The current version CIS/2 is an extended and enhanced
second-generation release of the CIS. It was developed to facilitate a more
integrated method of working through the sharing and management of
information within, and between, companies involved in the planning, design,
analysis and construction of steel framed buildings and structures.
There is one limitation: multi-material objects cannot be defined, because the
standard concentrates on steel objects.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Import a CIMSteel model

1. On the File menu, click Import --> CIMSteel.
The Import Model dialog box opens.
2. Select Import CIS model from the Type list.
3. Use the default name import model or enter a new name.
4. Click OK.
5. Select the model from the list.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 299 Steel fabrication

 6. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file type you selected.
7. On the Parameters tab, enter the following information:
• Select the Model type, which can be Analysis, Design or SP3D.
• Select CIS/1 or CIS/2 from the CIS version list.
• Enter the name of the model file in the Input file box.
You can also browse for the file.
• Set the origin coordinates to place the file in a specific location.
• To combine several elements in the CIS model into one part in Tekla
Structures, set Combine members to Yes.
• Use Max length for combining to define the maximum length for
combining parts (the maximum length of the combined parts
together).
• Set Ignore offsets Yes if you want Tekla Structures to use member
offsets to locate the physical members.
• In Ignore forces, indicate how forces are imported.
• To also import part GUIDS, set Import GUID (design model) to Yes.
8. On the Conversion tab, enter the conversion file names or browse for the
conversion files.
9. Click OK to go to the Import Model dialog box.
10. Click Import.
Tekla Structures displays the Import model info dialog box.
11. Select which version of parts to import.
12. Click Accept all.
If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you can also
reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject individual
changes by clicking Select individual.
13. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the import model in a model view.
14. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
15. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 300 Steel fabrication

 Export to a CIMSteel analysis model
1. Open a Tekla Structures model that you want to export.
2. Select the objects to export using the appropriate selection switches or
filters.
3. On the File menu, click Export --> CIMSteel: Analysis model .
4. Select the CIS version from the CIS version list.
• CIS/1 generates a file that is compatible with the CIMsteel LPM4DEP1
schema declaration.
• CIS/2 generates a file compatible with the CIMSteel CIS/2
(STRUCTURAL_FRAME_SCHEMA) schema declaration.
5. Enter a name for the export file in the Step file box or accept the default.
You can enter the path or browse for it. If you do not enter a path, Tekla
Structures creates the export file in the current model folder.
6. If required, enter the a name and organization to identify who created the
export file.
7. From the Flavor list, select one of the following standards to apply to the
export: UK, EUROPEAN, or US.
8. Set units to metric or imperial in the Linear units (CIS/2 only) box.
Imperial is only available for CIS/2. CIS/1 is always exported in metric
units.
9. Enter coordinate values in Origin X, Y, and Z boxes if you want to export
the model to a specific location.
The origin comes from the origin in Tekla Structures.
10. To split a part in the Tekla Structures model into several elements in the
CIMsteel model, set Split members to Yes.
For example, three columns may be connected to a beam in a model, so
that one column is in the middle and the others are at each end of the
beam. With the Yes option the beam is split into two equal elements in
the CIMsteel model. With the No option there will be one beam, a single
linear element, and two nodes (a node at each end) in the CIMsteel model.
11. Click Apply and Create.
Tekla Structures exports the CIMSteel analysis model to the current model
folder, or to another folder you specified, using the name you specified.

See also
CIS and CIMSteel (page 299)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 301 Steel fabrication

 Export to a CIMSteel design/manufacturing model
1. Open a Tekla Structures model that you want to export.
2. Select the parts that you want to export.
3. On the File menu, click Export --> CIMSteel: Design/Manufacturing
Model .
4. Go to the Parameters tab and specify the required information:
• Select the LPM version: LPM4 or LPM5.
• Enter name for the export file in the Output file box or accept the
default.
You can enter the path or browse for it. If you do not enter a path,
Tekla Structures creates the export file in the current model folder.
• Select the model type from the CIS/2 model type list. The options are
manufacturing, design, and SP3D.
• Set units to metric or imperial in the Linear units (CIS/2 only) box.
With Imperial units Tekla Structures writes all of the designations for
nuts, bolts, and washers in fractional inches.
• Enter a name for the structure in the Structure name field.
• Enter the path to the profile and material conversion files or browse
for them.
If you leave the profile and material conversion file paths empty, Tekla
Structures uses the conversion files in the current profile folder for the
conversion.
• To export globally unique IDs instead of internal ID numbers, set
Export Globally unique ID to Yes.
• If you want to export concrete parts, set Export concrete to Yes.
5. Go to the Standards tab, and enter the appropriate profile, material, and
bolt standard organization, name and year.
Tekla Structures populates the export file with the information you enter
here. If you do not enter the standard organization or the name, Tekla
Structures places an empty entry ("") in the export file. If you do not give
the year, Tekla Structures uses 1999 as the default value.
6. If you are exporting to a manufacturing model, go to the Manufacturing
tab, and specify the required information:
• Set Include NC files to Yes to include information on NC files in the
export.
• In NC file directory, specify the path (relative to the current model
folder) to the folder where the NC files are located.
7. If you are exporting to a design model, go to the Design model tab, and
set Export design connections to Yes to export design connections.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 302 Steel fabrication

 8. Click Apply and Create.
Tekla Structures exports the CIMSteel design or manufacturing model to
the current model folder, or to another folder you specified, using the
name you specified.

See also
CIMSteel conversion files (page 303)

CIMSteel conversion files

Here are examples of the contents of the conversion files used in CIMSteel
conversion.

Example 1
This example shows part of the profile conversion file prfexp_cis.cnv:
! US Imperial Flavor
! Profile name conversion Tekla Structures -> CIS
!
! If Converted-name does not exist, it will be
! the same as Tekla Structures-name.
! Tekla Structures-name Converted-name
!
!American Sections - Imperial
!W - Wide Flange Beams
W44X335 S\SECT\US\W44X335\ASTM_A6\1994
W44X290 S\SECT\US\W44X290\ASTM_A6\1994
W44X262 S\SECT\US\W44X262\ASTM_A6\1994
Converted-name contains the following information, and items are separated
by a backslash (\):
• S (fixed value)
• SECT (fixed value)
• Name of the standardization organization
• Standard name of the profile shape
• Name of the standard
• Year of the standard
If the conversion file does not contain the relevant profile type, the Tekla
Structures name of the profile is used. Tekla Structures also uses the

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 303 Steel fabrication

 standardization organization, standard name and year of standard defaults
given on the Standards tab.

Example 2
This example shows part of the material conversion file matexp_cis.cnv:
! US Imperial Flavor
! Material name conversion Tekla Structures -> CIS
!
! If Converted-name does not exist, it will be
! the same as Tekla Structures-name.
! Tekla Structures-name Converted-name

# Carbon Structural Steel (ASTM_A36\1994)

GRADE32 S\MAT\US\GRADE32\ASTM_A36-94\1994
GRADE36 S\MAT\US\GRADE36\ASTM_A36-94\1994
#High Strength Carbon Manganese Steel (ASTM_A529\1994
GRADE42 S\MAT\US\GRADE42\ASTM_A529-94A\1994)
Converted-name contains the following information, and items are separated
by a backslash (\):
• S (fixed value)
• MAT (fixed value)
• Name of the standardization organization
• Standard name of the material
• Name of the standard
• Year of the standard
Converted-name contains the following information about bolts, nuts, and
washers, separated by two colon characters (::):
• Name of the standards organization
• Name of the standard
• Year of the standard
• Standard name of the bolt, washer, or nut
Tekla Structures names for bolts, washers, and nuts are constructed from their
fastener standard, fastener type and size.
If the conversion file does not contain an equivalent profile name, Tekla
Structures uses the name of the material.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 304 Steel fabrication

 See also
Export to a CIMSteel design/manufacturing model (page 301)
Conversion files (page 113)

FabTrol XML
You can import fabrication status information for parts to a Tekla Structures
model from an XML file written by FabTrol.
FabTrol is a Material Resource and Planning (MRP) system commonly used by
steel fabricators to manage estimating, inventory and production. Data can be
written to FabTrol via a KISS format export or directly via the text based
reports from Tekla Structures for tracking of the assembly status through the
project lifecycle. The tracking information entered in FabTrol can then be re-
imported back to Tekla Structures via the FabTrol XML import for colorization
of the model. This is performed by storing the data in a preset collection of
user-defined attributes (UDAs). Import of the FabTrol XML is possible in all
configurations of Tekla Structures (including Project Viewer) but data can only
be saved into the UDAs in modeling or management configurations.
You need to have the XMLTrans.trn file in the ..\ProgramData\Tekla
Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system folder.
This file maps the FabTrol XML names to Tekla Structures UDA names.

See also
Import a FabTrol XML file (page 305)

Import a FabTrol XML file

1. On the File menu, click Import --> FabTrol XML .
2. Click the ... button next to the Input file box to browse for the XML file.
3. Select an appropriate option from the Create log file list:
• Select Create to write a new log file and delete the previous log file
each time you import the XML file.
• Select Append to add the log file information at the end of the existing
log file.
• If you do not need a log file, select No.
4. Select an appropriate option from the Display log file list:
• If you do not want to display the log file, select No.
• To display the log file, select On dialog.
5. Click Create to import the status information.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 305 Steel fabrication

 See also
FabTrol XML (page 305)

PDMS/E3D
You have the following tools available for download in Tekla Warehouse:
PDMS/E3D and Tekla Structures Interoperability: Export to PDMS/E3D
PDMS/E3D and Tekla Structures Interoperability: PDMS/E3D extension
BIM Publisher
Tekla User Assistance contains the following articles about PDMS/E3D:
PDMS/E3D and Tekla Structures Interoperability: Q&A, collected 7 th March
2017
AVEVA PDMS/E3D and Tekla Structures Interoperability: PDMS/E3D extension
PDMS

ASCII
ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Some
plant design systems export ASCII files, for example, ModelDraft, PDS and
PDMS.
You can import and export profiles and plates created as beams using the
ASCII format. Contour plates cannot be imported.

See also
Import a model in the ASCII format (page 306)
Export a model to the ASCII format (page 307)
ASCII file description (page 307)

Import a model in the ASCII format

1. Create a new model in Tekla Structures.
2. Create a new 3D view.
3. Copy the ASCII file to the model folder.
4. Name the file import.asc.
5. On the File menu, click Import --> ASCII .
Tekla Structures displays the main parts created from the ASCII file in the
model.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 306 Steel fabrication

 See also
ASCII (page 306)
Export a model to the ASCII format (page 307)
ASCII file description (page 307)

Export a model to the ASCII format

1. Open the Tekla Structures model you want to export.
2. Select the parts in the model you want to export.
3. On the File menu, click Export --> ASCII .
Tekla Structures creates a model.asc file in the current model folder.

See also
ASCII (page 306)
Import a model in the ASCII format (page 306)
ASCII file description (page 307)

ASCII file description

In an import.asc file each part is described by 8 lines. These lines are
repeated for each part to be transferred. Units are always in millimeters,
blanks are used as separators.
Below is an example of a beam part description:

Line Description
Line 1 4169 HEA300 1 = ID profile type
• ID 4169: Unique ID (integer).
• PROFILE HEA300: Profile name (string).
• TYPE 1: Profile type (integer)
The available profile types are:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 307 Steel fabrication

 Line Description
0 = free cross section (can be used for special profiles which are not in
the database)
1 = I profiles
2 = Welded hollow core profiles (HK, HQ)
3 = U profiles
4 = L profiles
5 = Round bars
6 = Round tubes
7 = Rectangular hollow core sections (RHS, P)
8 = T profiles
9 = Rectangular bars (FL, PL)
10 = Z profiles
11 = C profiles
12 = Omega profiles
13 = Sigma profiles
14 = Rail profile
16 = Reinforcement bars (DH)
Line 2 The contents of line 2 depend on the part profile.
• Polygon plates:
N_POINTS COORDINATES
N_POINTS: For profiles of type 0.
COORDINATES: Number of the corner points (integer).
The X and Y coordinates of the plate corners (floating). Rotation
direction is clockwise. Coordinates follow the global coordinate
system. Z coordinates are taken from the center line in the plate
thickness direction.
Note that the line 2 can be divided into several rows in the file.
• Profiles:
For profile types 1-16, the line includes the physical dimensions of
the cross section.
HEIGHT S W1 T1 W2 T2: 290.000000 8.500000 300.000000
14.000000 300.000000 14.000000
• HEIGHT 290.000000: Height of the cross section
• S 8.500000: Web thickness.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 308 Steel fabrication

 Line Description
• W1 300.000000: Width of the upper flange.
• T1 14.000000: Thickness of the upper flange.
• W2 300.000000: Width of the lower flange.
• T2 14.000000: Thickness of the lower flange.
Line 3 A/6 BEAM = mark name
• MARK A/6: Position mark of the part (string).
• NAME BEAM: Part name (string).
Line 4 S235JR S235JR = material
Material of the part (string).
Line 5 0.000000 = rotation
Rotation angle (in degrees) around the local x-axis of the beam.
Line 6 16.500000 24000.000000 4855.000000 = X1 Y1 Z1
Coordinates of the beam start point. Z coordinates are center-line
coordinates.
Line 7 6000.000000 24000.000000 4855.000000 = X2 Y2 Z2
Coordinates of the beam end point. Z-coordinates are center-line
coordinates.
Line 8 16.500000 24000.000000 5855.000000 = X3 Y3 Z3
Direction vector showing the direction of the local z-axis.

See also
ASCII (page 306)
Import a model in the ASCII format (page 306)
Export a model to the ASCII format (page 307)

3.13 Concrete fabrication

With Tekla Structures you can efficiently deliver all types of precast concrete
elements at the right time to the right place by integrating design and detailing
with manufacturing, project management and efficient information sharing.
For the precast fabricators, the target is to offer functionalities to help to
optimize the whole precast construction process from modeling to fabrication
to site operations, minimize errors and waste in all stages and improve
collaboration between project parties in design, production and site.
The offering consist of several product listed below.
Unitechnik

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 309 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik (from the company Unitechnik) is the most common format for
exporting precast and mesh geometry as well as production data. Unitechnik
is for precast panels and slabs and other products that are manufactured in a
pallet circulation as well as for reinforcement meshes.
The Unitechnik format is not used only by UniCAM but also by other industry
solutions such as Leit2000.
Export to Unitechnik (page 310) versions 5.0 - 6.0 are available in Tekla
Structures core installation in the most extensive precast-related
configurations.
EliPLAN
EliPLAN is an ERP software from machinery provider Elematic. The file
format .eli also contains production data and geometry for CAM-operated
hollow-core slab production.
Both export from and import to (page 366) Tekla Structures are available in the
Tekla Structures installation in the most extensive precast-related
configurations.
HMS
HMS is a CAM software for hollow-core production.
Tekla Structures has export to HMS (page 377) software included in the Tekla
Structures installation in the most extensive precast-related configurations.
BVBS
Reinforcement geometry can be exported to German BVBS
(Bundesvereinigung Bausoftware) format. The result is a text file in ASCII
format.
You can export cut and bent reinforcing bars, reinforcing bar groups and
reinforcement meshes, which can be rectangular, polygonal, non-bent or bent,
and may include cuts. The export of hooks is also supported.
The supported version of the BVBS format is 2.0 from year 2000.
BVBS export (page 358)is available in Tekla Structures installation in the most
extensive configurations.
UXML
UXML (from the company Unitechnik) is for precast panels and slabs and other
products that are manufactured in a pallet circulation as well as for
reinforcement meshes.
Tekla Structures supports exporting both to Unitechnik and UXML formats.
Precast Production Export for UXML can be found as an extension in Tekla
Warehouse.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 310 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik
You can export the 3D geometry of the cast units to the Unitechnik format. The
result is a text file in ASCII format.
Supported versions of the Unitechnik format are:
• 6.1.0 17.9.2009
• 6.0.0 14.6.2005
• 5.2b 11.9.2000
• 5.0c 30.10.1997
You can export cast units consisting of concrete, steel and surface materials.
Exporting of reinforcing bars (bent and not-bent), reinforcing bar groups and
meshes with hooks is also supported. You can also export braced girders,
solid, sandwich and double walls.

Example
Exported cast unit:

1. Hole
2. Steel embed
3. Reinforcing bars
4. Insulation plate (green)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 311 Concrete fabrication

 For details about exporting to Unitechnik, see Export to Unitechnik format
(page 312).
For details about Unitechnik export settings, click the following links:
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Export to Unitechnik format

You can export the 3D geometry of the cast units to the Unitechnik format. The
result is a text file in ASCII format with a file name extension .uni.

Limitation: Cast units with cast unit type cast-in-place are not exported.
1. Go to the part properties of the parts that you plan to export, and edit the
user-defined attributes on the Unitechnik tab (or Unitechnik Mountpart
tab for steel parts) as required. The user-defined attributes are
environment specific, so you may not have all the settings below available:

Product type Product type is important for

identifying the object type in CAM
software. Undefined product type will
result in error notification while
importing the production data file.
You can define the product type by
selecting one of the options, or by
defining a user-defined text.
User-defined product type Optional field for product type.
Product group Optional field for product group. The
product group is used in the
SLABDATE block.
Product addition This attribute is exported with
Unitechnik export (79) to object's
SLABDATE block as a representative

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 312 Concrete fabrication

 number 00-03. The available options
are Standard element, Balcony,
Roof, and Plastered element.
Storey Optional field used for planning the
transport and erection processes.
Transport unit number Optional fields used for planning the
transport and erection
Transport sequence number
processes.These can be defined in the
export settings to be included as part
of SLABDATE block.
Transport pile level Optional field that specifies the
transport pile level number. If there
are elements in the stack that need to
be layered on the same level, then the
pile level is used. This can be defined
in the export settings to be included
as part of SLABDATE block.
For example, you may have a pile of 6
slabs, and they each have sequential
pile level numbers 1, 2, 3.. 6.
Concreting identification (LOT You can select No special treatment
block) or Shovel concrete, or leave the field
empty.
Layer split thickness Manually define the layers with
names and thicknesses.
Layer not to export Specify the layer that you do not want
to export.
Mountpart data from UDA Select whether you want to export
mountpart data from the user-
defined attributes.
Exlude from export Select whether you want to exclude
mountparts from export.
Identification of installation Select one of the following options:
Installed (0)
Only plotted (1)
Only installed (2)
Not installed, not plotted (3)
Installed in reinforcement (4)
Installed automatically (5)
Type of mounting part Define the type of mounting part by
entering a user-defined attribute.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 313 Concrete fabrication

 Reference number Define the reference number of a
mounting part by entering a user-
defined attribute.
Mountpart name Enter the mountpart name.
Info 1 text (UT 6.0) Specify more information, if
necessary.
Info 2 text (UT 6.0) Specify more information, if
necessary.
2. Update numbering.
Export Unitechnik reads and exports data from the numbering series of
parts. It is important that all exported parts are numbered correctly.
Incorrectly numbered parts are not exported.
3. On the File menu, click Export --> Unitechnik .
The Export Unitechnik dialog box is displayed.
4. Define the Unitechnik export properties on the tabs:
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)
5. Click Create.
By default, .uni output files are created in the \UT_Files folder under
the current model folder. The number of output files depends on the
options selected in the Create from list on the Main tab, and on the total
number of selected parts, cast units, or assemblies.
The maximum number of exported elements or layers is limited to 99. If
the limitation is exceeded, you will be notified by a console and log file
message.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 314 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik export: Main tab
Use the Main tab to control the Unitechnik export properties.

Option Description
Unitechnik version Select the Unitechnik version.
Create from Select which parts or cast units are exported.
• Selected cast units
Only cast units that have one or more parts
selected in the model are exported. Each cast
unit has one output file. Select By cast unit Id
or By cast unit position.
• All parts
All cast units are exported. Each cast unit has
one output file. Select By cast unit Id or By
cast unit position.
• Selected parts (separately)
Only the selected concrete parts (also embeds
and insulation parts belonging to the selected
part) are exported. Each part has one output
file.
• Selected parts (cast united)
Selected parts belonging to one cast unit are
grouped and exported together in one output
file. Select By cast unit Id or By cast unit
position.
• Selected assemblies
All selected assemblies are exported. One
assembly equals one cast unit and has one
output file. Selection of subassemblies is also
allowed.
• Cast units in list
Select the cast units for export from the Cast
unit position list you enter.
• By cast unit Id
Each cast unit has its own output file.
• By cast unit position
Identical cast units share an output file.
Parts excluded from If you do not want to export some parts, enter the
export (classes) classes of the parts. Parts with classes in this list
will not be exported.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 315 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Directory path Define where the export files are saved. The
default folder is .\UT_Files under the current
model folder.
File name Select the name of the output file from the lists
and file name extension.
• Proj. nr is the number of the project.
• Proj. name is the name of the project.
• CU nr is the assembly position number of the
main part of the cast unit.
• Phase is the current phase.
• CU pos is the assembly position of the main
part of the cast unit.
• ACN is the assembly control number. To
generate the assembly control numbers, go to
the Drawings & reports tab and click
Numbering --> Assign control numbers .
• Part ID is the ID number, which is 10 characters
long. If the ID number is not 10 characters long,
zeros are added in front of the ID number to
make it 10 characters long. For example, id
number 456999 will be 0000456999.
• Counter is the amount of characters that the
property can contain. For example, (5) means
that the property can contain only 5 characters.
If there are less than 5 characters, zeros are
added in front of the property. If there are more
than 5 characters, characters at the beginning
of the number series are deleted.
• Other options are Date, Time, Date-Time,
UDA, Text, Template, and Project UDA.
Extension The file name extension. By default it is Text and
uni. You can select another option from the list.
File name mask The format (length) of the output file name and file
name extension. Numbers represent the length of
the output string. If the name is longer than the
selected option, it is cut.
Open folder after Select whether the folder where the output file is
export saved is opened after the export.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 316 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Output file structure Structure of the exported file (slab date and layer
part).
• Multiple layers
One SLABDATE block with N layers. Each cast
unit has its own LAYER block. Embeds,
reinforcement and insulations belong to one
concrete part, and they are exported to the
related LAYER block.

• Single layer, 1 slabdate, 1 part

Each cast unit has its own SLABDATE block, no
LAYER blocks.

• Single layer, n slabdate, n parts

Cast units with equal geometry are collected in
one SLABDATE block. No LAYER or LOT blocks
are defined. Embeds, reinforcement and
insulation belonging to a cast unit with the
same geometry are collected and exported in
one SLABDATE block.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 317 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description

• Single layer, 1 slabdate, n parts

All similar wall shells are defined within one
SLABDATE block instead of being defined in a
separate SLABDATE block per wall shell. The
option is useful when exporting special
embeds.
• Combined, n slabdate, 1 part
Combined export that can contain more than
one cast unit.
1st exported layer Select which part is exported in the first LAYER.
This option allows to define which wall shell is
positioned on the pallet first.
The options are:
• Main part (of cast unit)
• Biggest part
• Heaviest part
Consider layer split Select how the layers of the cast unit are exported.
thicknesses These options are available when you have set
Output file structure to Multiple layers.
• No
The cast unit is exported as one volume.
• Yes
The manual layers set on the Unitechnik tab in
the user-defined attributes of a part are used,
and the cast unit is exported in two or three
layers.
Blank symbol in Select the blank symbol to be used in the export
exported file file.
An example with "_" symbol:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 318 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description

An example with " " symbol:

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab

Use the TS configuration tab to control the Unitechnik export properties.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 319 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Rotation Select the scanning direction. Unitechnik export
uses scanning layers to obtain the geometry of all
parts in a cast unit.
The scanning direction depends on the plane of
the cast unit main part. A floor panel is scanned
from bottom to top side. A wall panel and a
column are scanned from one side to the other
side. The position and direction of a basic shape of
the exported cast unit depends on the rotation.
No
Floor: Bottom to top
Wall: Front to rear side
Column: Side to side

180
Floor: Top to bottom
Wall: Rear to front side
Column: From one side to the opposite side

+90 around X
Floor: Left to right side
Wall: Top to bottom
Column: Side to side

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 Option Description

-90 around X
Floor: Right to left side
Wall: Bottom to top
Column: From one side to the opposite side

-90 around Y
Floor: Rear to front side
Wall: Right to left side
Column: Top to bottom

With the Top in form face option, the scanning

direction depends on the defined top-in-form-face,
so that the opposite face will be towards the pallet.

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 Option Description
Examples of rotation:
• Wrong scanning plane (from the right side to
the left side):

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 Option Description
• Correct scanning plane (from back to front
side):

Extra rotation Select the rotation around the z coordinate. The z

coordinate has the same direction, but the x and y
directions are changed.
To show the actual coordinate system, set Draw
pallet axis to Yes on the Pallet tab.
• No
No extra rotation.
• Swap X/Y
Swap x and y axis.
• X=max(X_dim,Y_dim) main part
X axis goes through the longer side of the main
part.
• X=min(X_dim,Y_dim) main part
X axis goes through the shorter side of the main
part.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 323 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
• X=max(X_dim,Y_dim) cast unit
X axis goes through the longer side of the cast
unit.
• X=min(X_dim,Y_dim) cast unit
X axis goes through the shorter side of the cast
unit.
• +90 around Z
Rotates x and y axis around the z axis by 90
degrees.
• - 90 around Z
Rotates x and y axis around the z axis by -90
degrees.
• 180 around Z
Rotates x and y axis around the z axis by 180
degrees.
The following example shows the coordinate
system with no rotation and no extra rotation
settings. Panel 1 has the z axis set parallel to the
shorter side. It is incorrect in the Unitechnik
format, so the coordinate system has to be
rotated. Panel 2 shows a rotation by 90 degrees
around the z axis.

Rotate 90o In double walls, select whether to rotate also the

second shell when the pallet width is exceeded.
if pallet width
exceeded

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 Option Description
Scan position The number of the scanning layers depends on the
selected scan position. Each object of the cast unit
is scanned in one direction.
Select the position in which all parts are scanned.
Each part is scanned separately. Scanning plane is
parallel to the basic shape plane.
• Bottom and top

Two scanning planes at the start and at the end

of the bounding box of the scanning part.
• Bottom only

One scanning plane at the start of the bounding

box of the scanning part.
• Top only

One scanning plane at the end of the bounding

box of the scanning part.

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 Option Description
• Middle only

One scanning plane at the middle of bounding

box of the scanning part.
To move the position of the exact scanning plane,
use the Scan position offset boxes below to
define start offset and end offset.
Merge CONTOUR You can export one scanned layer only. With two
layers scanned layers, they have to be merged into one
layer.
• Intersection
Creates polygon intersection of two contour
geometries.

1. First scanned layer

2. Second scanned layer
3. Layer
• Union
Creates polygon union of two contour
geometries.

Export CUTOUTs To prevent exporting cutouts, select No.

Merge CUTOUT layers The same as Contour export, but for holes only.

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 Option Description
Merge CUTOUTs Select how to merge cutouts. You can select to
export a big cutout which is created by smaller cuts
as separate cutouts. The options are:
1. Merged as one cutout

2. Unmerged, overlapping cutouts

3. Unmerged cutouts with no overlapping

Extend contour and Select whether to extend the contour by embeds

add formwork which are outside the element.
Name for additional Define a name for the embed.
formwork (embed)
Geometry export Select whether the geometry of the exported part
is represented as polygons or lines.
Polygons exported:

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 Option Description

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 328 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Lines exported:

Export rounded holes Select whether you want to export rounded holes
as circle (K) as circles (K) or polygons/lines.
Double wall turned Select whether the first shell of a double wall on
the pallet is turned. The options are:
No: Exported as in model, shell1 is in front, shell2
in background.
Yes, turn shell1: Exported according UT standard.
Yes, turn shell1 - fixed edge up: This is meant for
special machines.

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 329 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Unitechnik export: Embeds tab

Use the Embeds tab to control the Export Unitechnik (79) export properties.

Option Description
Normal embeds Select which parts are considered as embeds.
Embedded parts are exported in the MOUNPART
block.
If the embed block consists of several parts, it is
useful to weld all embeds into one block and then
connect the created block with a concrete part to a
cast unit. Subassemblies are also supported.
• Selected + steel
All classes listed in the Embeds classes box are
considered as embeds. All steel parts are also
considered as embeds.
• Selected
Classes listed in the Embeds classes box are
only considered as embeds.
• No export
Ignores the Embeds classes box and exports all
steel parts as standard parts.
• Selected (also reinforcement) + steel
All reinforcing bars listed in the Embeds
classes box are considered as embeds and
plotted as lines. Also bounding box can be
used. All steel parts are also considered as
embeds.
Embeds classes Enter the classes for embeds.
Export assemblies Select how embeds and steel blocks are exported.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 330 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description

Embeds are exported as parts. All embedded welds

and assembly relations are ignored.

Welded embeds and the assembly block are

exported as one part.

Only the main part of the embedded block or

embedded assembly is exported.

The main part of the embedded block extended in

the x direction to cover all the parts of the
embedded block is exported.

Only the bounding box around the main part of the

embedded block or embedded assembly is
exported.
Def export code Define how the insertion point and the direction
for embeds is calculated. Possible values are 1, 2,
3, 11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 31 and 32.
1 = The insertion point is the middle point of
embed and the direction is parallel to the longest
side of the exported mountpart geometry.

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 Option Description
2 = The insertion point is the middle point of
embed and the direction is parallel to the shortest
side of the exported mountpart geometry.
3 = The insertion point is the middle point of
embed, and if the mainpart is symmetrical,
calculate the direction of the mountpart along the
line from mainpart COG to sub-assembly COG.
11 = The insertion point is the point of embed in
the middle of shorted side and the direction is
along the longest side.
12 = The insertion point is the point of embed in
the middle of longest side and the direction is
along the shortest side.
21 = The insertion point is in the contour's top
edge point closest to the embed and the direction
is parallel to the longest side of the exported
mountpart geometry.
22 = The insertion point is in the contour's top
edge point closest to the embed and the direction
is parallel to the shortest side of the exported
mountpart geometry.
23 = The insertion point is in the contour's top
edge point closest to the embed and if the
mainpart is symmetrical, calculate the direction of
the mountpart along the line from mainpart COG
to sub-assembly COG.
31 = The insertion point is the point of the closest
vertex on concrete part, between embeds and
concrete part side and the direction is along the
longest side.
32 = The insertion point is the point of the closest
vertex on concrete part, between embeds and
concrete part side and the direction is along the
shortest side.
Cut outer assemblies Select how the embedded parts that are outside
the concrete element are exported.

All parts in the embed are exported.

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 Option Description

Only the embedded parts that are inside of the

concrete element are exported. Embedded parts
that are outside the concrete element are ignored.
If an embedded part is partly inside a concrete
element, the exported geometry of the embedded
part is changed to cut.

Same as the previous option, but only embedded

parts with class defined in Cut outer only classes
are taken into account.
Cut outer only classes Enter the classes of parts whose geometry is
changed to cut when you have selected the last
option in the Cut outer assemblies list.
Special assemblies The options affect the exported geometry of the
export / Special export embeds. The real geometry is replaced by the
assembly file name geometry defined in text files. The default name of
the text file is spec_assemblies_def.txt and is
searched for in the model folder. Use Special
export assembly file name to define the name
and the location of the text file.
Required structure of the text file is:
• Name(text)
Number_of_lines_defined(number)
• S(representing single line)
Start_coors(number number)
End_coors(number number)
• S(representing single line)
Start_coors(number number)
End_coors(number number)
Example of the file:

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 Option Description

The geometry of all embeds (from example with

names Quicky, QuickyS, E-Doze) are replaced by
geometry defined in the text file. In the following
example, the part number 1 (the name is Beam)
was not found in the text file so the geometry is
exact. On the opposite side the part number 2 (the
name is Quicky) was found, so the geometry is
replaced.

To specify the position of embeds in using the

spec_assemblies_def.txt file:
1 = Subassembly center of gravity
2 = Subassembly bounding box center of gravity
3 = Main part center of gravity
4 = Extended main part center of gravity
5 = Main part bounding box center of gravity
Embed Z position Select the embed z position. The options are
Minimum to pallet, Start point and Z=0. When

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 Option Description
you select Z=0, all exported mountparts will be
plotted on the level of the pallet.
You can use the spec_assemblies_def.txt file
to set the position of the embeds, see above.
If unassigned, the setting chosen in the dialog box
is used by default.
For example:

On the first line of the example above you have

additional options for positioning the embed
symbol:
Quicky is the name of the embed.
4 is the number of lines following.
1 is the embed installation type: 1 2 3 11 12 21 22
23 31 32 (see above).
1 defines the geometry for which the center-of-
gravity is calculated, choices being 1 - 5, see above.
1 means that the symbol location is defined by the
entire mountpart sub-assembly bounding box
center of gravity.
The special assembly symbol plotting for Z=0 is
pallet, for Minimum to pallet bottom and for
Start point middle.
Insulation Define the insulation classes. Parts with classes in
this list will be exported as insulation parts. All
parts considered insulation are exported in the
MOUNPART block.
Electric tubes Define the electric tubes classes. Parts with classes
in this list will be exported as MOUNPART with lines
geometry.
Opening embed Define the opening embed classes. Parts with
classes in this list will be exported as normal
embeds in the MOUNPART block. The geometry will
not be considered in the CONTOUR and CUTOUT
blocks of the concrete part.
Opening cutout Define the opening cutout classes. Parts with
classes in this list will be exported only in regard to
their geometry in the CUTOUT block of the concrete

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 335 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
part. They will not be exported in the MOUNPART
block.
Cutpart former Export cuts that have been specified with a class in
the MOUNPART block.
Opening with corner Specify classes of embeds for openings that will be
symbols exported with corner symbols instead of
mountpart symbols.
All cutouts as corner Export rectangular cutouts as 4 corner symbol
symbols mount parts. You can define the size of the symbol
in the dialog box.
Export insulation Select whether insulation parts are exported in the
MOUNPART block as embeds or in the SLABDATE
block as concrete panels.
Export surface Select whether surfaces are exported in the
MOUNPART block as embeds or in the SLABDATE
block as concrete panels.
Install identification Select the installation identification for the
MOUNPART block.
The options are Installed (0), Only plotted (1),
Only installed (2), Not installed, not plotted (3),
Installed in reinforcement (4), Installed
automatically (5)

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 336 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab
Use the Reinforcement tab to control the Unitechnik export properties.

You can export single reinforcing bars, groups of straight and bent reinforcing
bars, and rectangular or polygonal or bent meshes. The reinforcing bar group,
or rectangular or polygonal mesh is divided into several single reinforcing bars.
All reinforcing bars are exported in the RODSTOCK block.

Option Description
Rebars export When set to Yes, straight reinforcing bars are
exported. Hooks are supported. You can define the
setting separately for straight or bent rebars.
Meshes export When set to Yes, polygonal or rectangular meshes
are exported. Hooks are supported. You can define
the setting separately for straight or bent meshes.
You can also select whether to unfold along
longest line or parallely to pallet.
Bent reinf. as unfolded When set to Yes, bent reinforcement is exported as
unfolded. Hooks are also supported for unfolded
reinforcement, and you can select Yes, with end
hooks. Hooks form 0, 2 and 5 are detected.
You can select between two reinforcement starting
points: Origin in unfolded rebar or Origin in
start rebar point. The option also affects the z
level of the reinforcement in the resulting
Unitechnik file.
Export meshes as Set the rotation of the mesh plane in the export
file. The options are:
Standard
Embeds: Exported as mountparts.
Turned to pallet: All meshes will be individually
rotated in line with the pallet axes.
Braced girder classes Enter the class of reinforcing bars, steel rods or
profiles representing braced girders. For example,
15 17 5 means that parts with class 15, 17, or 5
are considered braced girders. If the Braced girder
export and Braced girder classes boxes are not
used, the braced girders will be exported
incorrectly as reinforcement or embeds.
Reinforcement export Define the structure of the exported file for
type reinforcement.
Plant with lying robot only
All embeds without modifications are exported.

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 Option Description

Fabrication of welded rebars

If Export type is set to Fabrication of welded
rebars, a single reinforcing bar is exported in one
STEELMAT block, all reinforcing bars of one group
are exported together in one STEELMAT block, and
all reinforcing bars of one mesh are also exported
together in one STEELMAT block.
The structure of the output file (one SLABDATE is
shown only):

Collect reinforcement
The structure of the output file is the same as for
Fabrication of welded rebars. This option allows
you to collect mesh, single reinforcing bars and
reinforcing bar groups into groups exported in one
STEELMAT block. The groups are collected based
on the Collect based on field. You can also collect
meshes which belong to different cast units.

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 Option Description

1 (orange color): The mesh belongs to the bottom

panel of the cast unit, mesh name is MESH1.
2 (blue color): Two single bars, the name is MESH1.
3 (green color): One reinforcing bar group belongs
to the top panel, the name is MESH1.
If Reinforcement export type is set to Collect
reinforcement and Collect based on is set to
Name, all three different reinforcement types are
collected into one mesh, which is exported in one
STEELMAT block.
Collect based on Select how meshes are collected. Meshes with one
bar are exported as a single reinforcing bar.
• Name
Meshes, single reinforcing bars and reinforcing
bar groups with the same name are collected
into meshes. Meshes, single reinforcing bars
and reinforcing bar groups with the same name
equals one mesh in the exported file.
• Class
Meshes, single reinforcing bars and reinforcing
bar groups with the same class number are
collected into meshes. Meshes, single

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 Option Description
reinforcing bars and reinforcing bar groups with
one class number equal one mesh in the
exported file.
• Grade
Meshes, single reinforcing bars and reinforcing
bar groups with the same grade are collected
into meshes.
• UDA
Meshes, single reinforcing bars and reinforcing
bar groups with the same user-defined
attribute are collected into meshes.
The value you enter in the box next to this
option is the UDA value.
Collect if distance is Define the maximum distance between the
lower then meshes to be collected.
Reinforcing bars length Select how the reinforcing bar length is calculated.
• Lines in the middle

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 Option Description
• Lines at the edge

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 Option Description
• GetValue(Length)

Reinforcing bars Select how the reinforcing bar diameter is

diameter exported. The options are:
• Actual or nominal
(XS_USE_ONLY_NOMINAL_REBAR_DIAMETER)
For more information, see XS_USE_ONLY_
NOMINAL_REBAR_DIAMETER.
• Size
• Actual
• Nominal
This selection affects the results of the Rebar
length option.
Rebar direction angle Select whether the reinforcing bars are sorted
limit according to their angle direction.
• No
The reinforcing bars are not sorted.

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 Option Description
• From 0 to 180
The reinforcing bars are exported as they are
read from Tekla Structures and sorted
according to their x and y position.
• From 0 to 180 ordered
The reinforcing bars are sorted according to the
direction angle of the reinforcing bar: the
reinforcing bars with lower angles are first.
• From 180 to 0 ordered
The reinforcing bars are sorted according to the
direction angle of the reinforcing bar: the
reinforcing bars with higher angles are first.
First bending angle Allows setting the first bending angle of free-
flection rodstock to be positive or negative (as
required by certain interfaces). The options are:
• Always positive
• Allow positive or negative

Reinforcement types Select the reinforcing bar type in a mesh to be

exported.
1 and 2 are for the rods in the bottom layer.
5 and 6 are for the rods in the top layer.
4 is for other or inclined rods.
8 is for loose bars.
Classes for loose Enter the classes of loose reinforcing bars to be
rebars type 8 collected. The bars are a part of a mesh and are
exported as reinforcing bar type 8.
Classes for non- Enter the classes of non-automatic reinforcing bars
automated rebars to be collected.
Spacer type You can add spacer type information to the first
layer of the reinforcement (Unitechnik
reinforcement type 1). The spacer type is added to
the respective spacer type block in the rodstock
within the Unitechnik file. The options are:
Automatic: Calculates the spacer type
automatically according to the cover thickness. The
cover thickness is divided by 5 and rounded up to
the nearest integer. For example, if the cover
thickness is 21 - 25 mm, the spacer type is 5, and if
it is 26 - 30 mm, the spacer type is 6.

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 Option Description
User defined spacer type: Enter the spacer type
to be input in all first layer rebars.
No: Leaves 0 as spacer type.
Spacer start position Enter the spacer start position, for example, 500
(mm).
Spacer pitch Enter the spacer pitch information, for example,
1000 (mm).
Add mesh stabilizing Select whether to add wires to the reinforcement
wires mesh to stabilize the mesh. Use for meshes with
large openings.
Stabilization wire max Enter a value to define the maximum spacing of
spacing the wires that stabilize the reinforcement mesh.
Meshes sort Select whether meshes are sorted.
Meshes offset Select whether the mesh has an offset defined in
the STEELMAT block. If the option is set to Yes, the
value for X and Y direction is set to zero. If the
option is set to No, the X and Y values are exported
according to modeled situation.

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Unitechnik export: Validation tab

Use the Validation tab to control the Unitechnik export properties.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 344 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Draw scanned The exported geometry can be shown with Draw
geometry scanned geometry. This property shows the
inside lines of the exported reinforcing bars.
Select whether you want to check if the geometry
of the exported parts is correct. It shows the lines
representing the exported rectangle of the basic
shape, the exported geometry of parts, cuts,
embeds, and reinforcement. Embeds are projected
to the plane of the basic shape. The reinforcement
lines are positioned inside each reinforcing bar.

1. Basic shape
2. Geometry of the main element
3. Cut geometry
4. Embed geometry
Draw pallet axis Select whether to show the coordinate system. The
axes are displayed with dotted lines.
Wall to pallet checking Select whether the export checks the wall size
against the pallet size. If you select the Yes, if
exceeded, do not export option, the Pallet width
Pallet length, and Max. cast unit thickness
options cannot be empty.
Pallet width Define the pallet width.
On the basis of the pallet width and length, the
Wall to pallet checking option is able to check if a
wall element is too big to fit to a pallet. If the wall

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 Option Description
element does not fit to a pallet, the wall element is
turned.
Pallet length Define the pallet length.
Max cast unit Define the maximum cast unit thickness.
thickness
To avoid collision with the drying chamber, the
maximum thickness of a cast unit should be
smaller than the maximum opening of the drying
chamber.
Rebar diameter Minimum and maximum diameter for the
limitation reinforcing bars to be exported.
Rebar length limitation Minimum and maximum length for the reinforcing
bars to be exported.
Rebar length limitation Minimum and maximum diameter for longitudinal
(Longitudinal) reinforcing bars to be exported.
Rebar length limitation Minimum and maximum length for cross
(Cross) reinforcing bars to be exported.
Export others Select whether the reinforcing bars that do not
meet the above limitations are exported at all (No),
as loose reinforcing bars of type 4 or 8, or whether
the diameter and length limitations are ignored.

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 346 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab
Use the Reinf. data specification tab to control the Export Unitechnik (79)
export properties. In the column on the right, enter the custom or UDA string
when applicable.

Option Description
Rebars: Article number Select which property you want to export as a
rebar reinforcing bar article number for rebars. The
available options are Empty, Name, Class, Rebar
ID, UDA, Phase, User-defined text, User-defined
text + class, and Template.
Rebars: Article number Select which property you want to export as a
mesh mesh article number for rebars. The available
options are Empty, Name, Class, Rebar ID, UDA,
Phase, User-defined text, User-defined text +
class, and Template.
Meshes: Article Select which property you want to export as a
number rebar reinforcing bar article number for meshes. The
available options are Empty, Name, Class, Rebar
ID, UDA, Phase, User-defined text, User-defined
text + class, and Template.
Meshes: Article Select which property you want to export as a
number mesh mesh article number for meshes. The available
options are Empty, Name, Class, Rebar ID, UDA,
Phase, User-defined text, User-defined text +
class, and Template.
Meshes: Meshes Select the information that you want to export
designation about the meshes. The available options are
Empty, Name, Class, Grade, Mesh ID, Mesh
position, UDA, Phase, User-defined text, User-
defined text [TplEd]#Counter, Part UDA, Main
part UDA, and Template.
Meshes: Info 1 text (UT Information field is filled with the selected data.
6.0)
Meshes: Info 2 text (UT Information field is filled with the selected data.
6.0)
Welded leg designation Designate the welded leg in bent mesh bars if
there is only one leg that is welded to cross-wires..
When you select Yes, information about welded leg
designation is exported.

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 Option Description
Strands (UT 6.0): Pull You can now use main part UDA (UDA (main part))
force (KN) or rebar UDA (UDA (rebar)) to include strand pull
force information in the Unitechnik export.
Selecting Empty does not export the strand pull
force information.
This setting only works for rebars that are set to
type 9 in the Unitechnik reinforcement type box
on the Unitechnik tab in the user-defined
properties of the rebars.
BRGIRDER block: Select the string value of girder type field in the
Braced girder type BRGIRDER block in the exported file.
• Empty
No string is exported.
• Name
The name of the braced girder type is exported.
If the name of the top part of a braced girder is
empty, the names of the rods are checked.
• UDA
You can export the user-defined attribute
values for a braced girder type (type), braced
girder article number (art_number), or braced
girder fabricator name (fabricator).
The UDAs can be added to the braced girder if
the parts have been created using the system
component Braced girder (88) or Braced
girder (89) and you have entered the needed
values on the dialog boxes of the components.
• User defined text
The value you enter in the box next to this
option is exported.
CAGE BLOCK: Cage Select the information that you want to export
designation about the the cage in the CAGE block (UT 6.1).
CAGE BLOCK: Base cage Select the information that you want to show as
shape base cage shape. The available options are Empty,
Name, Class, Grade, Mesh ID, Mesh position,
UDA, Phase, User-defined text, User-defined
text [TplEd]#Counter, Part UDA, Main part UDA,
and Template.
CAGE BLOCK: Info 1 Information field is filled with the selected data.
text

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 348 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
CAGE BLOCK: Info 2 Information field is filled with the selected data.
text

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab

Use the HEADER block data specification tab to control the Unitechnik
export HEADER block data. In the column on the right, enter the custom or
UDA string, when applicable.

Option Description
Name of order Order fields in the HEADER block are filled with the
selected data.
Name of component Component fields in the HEADER block are filled
with the selected data.
Drawing number Drawing number fields in the HEADER block are
filled with the selected data.
Drawing revision Drawing revision fields in the HEADER block are
filled with the selected data and drawing revision
mark is exported.
Product code Product code fields in the HEADER block are filled
with the selected data.
Project line3 text - Project information fields (3rd line) in the HEADER
Project line4 text block are filled with the selected data.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 349 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
File creator (UT 6.0) You can select to export the Tekla Structures
version information, use name or user-defined text
in the HEADER block.
Free field (UT 5.2) Only for Unitechnik 5.2. You can select to export
the following information to theHEADER block: user
name, user-defined text, file name with extension,
file name without extension, or model name.
Building site - name Name of the building site.
Building site - street Street address of the building site.
Building site - post Postal code of the building site.
code
Building site - place City or town where the building site is located.
Building owner - name Name of the building owner.
Building owner - street Street address of the building ownerowner.
Building owner - post Postal code of the building owner.
code
Building owner - place City or town where the building owner street
address is located.
Data field template Specify the number of decimals after the decimal
units: No. of units after separator in data field template units.
the decimal point

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 350 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification

Option Description
Slab number Slab number field in the SLABDATE blocks is filled
with the selected data.
Transport unit Define a value for the transport unit and sequence
number, Transport numbers in the SLABDATE blocks.
sequence number
This can be defined in the part UDAs.
Transport pile level Specify the transport pile level number in the
number SLABDATE blocks. If there are elements in the stack
that need to be layered on the same level, then the
pile level is used.
For example, you may have a pile of 6 slabs, and
they each have sequential pile level numbers 1, 2,
3.. 6.
This can be defined in the part UDAs.
Production thickness Calculates the production thickness in SLABDATE
block based on cast unit width or concrete part
width.
Production weight Set the type of the SLABDATE weight. The options
are Part weight and Unit weight.
Quality of layer Set the quality of the slabdate. The options are
Material and UDA.
Info 1 text (60) - Info 4 Information fields (1-4) in the SLABDATE and
text (60) MOUNPART blocks are filled with the selected data.
Export project Select whether you want to swap X and Y axis of
coordinates the exported project coordinates.

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 351 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)

Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab

Use the Mounting part data specification tab to control the Unitechnik
export properties.

Note that steel parts have a tab Unitechnik Mountpart, where you can
specify data which then overwrites the settings defined on the Mounting part
data specification tab in the Export Unitechnik (79) dialog box.

Option Description
Type of mounting part You can define the type of mounting
part in the MOUNTPART block using a
user-defined attribute.
Reference number You can define the reference number
of a mounting part in the MOUNTPART
block using a user-defined attribute.
Mountpart name Enter the MOUNTPART name.
Info 1 text (UT 6.0) Information field is filled with the
selected data.
Info 2 text (UT 6.0) Information field is filled with the
selected data.

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 352 Concrete fabrication

 Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab
Use the Line attributes tab to control the Unitechnik export properties.
Sometimes line attribute values that are exported in the Unitechnik files are
not suitable for the particular situation. For example, to preserve lightness in
the model, you might have fewer chamfers in the model than there will be in
the actual structure. For this reason, you might want to override some line
attributes in the export so that the model remains light, but the exported
Unitechnik files are correct. You can do this by using the options on the Line
attributes tab.

Option Description
Export line attributes Select whether the line attribute values are used
for contour for contours (Export line attributes for contour)
or for holes (Export line attributes for cutouts) in
the export.
• None
Line attribute values are not used.
• All lines
Line attribute values are used for all lines.
• Outmost lines only
Line attribute values are used only for the
outermost lines in the part:

This option is available only for contours.

Border line overriding You can enter up to six border line modifications in
the line attribute export.

No border lines are overridden.

Vertical outermost border lines at the start are

overridden.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 353 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description

Horizontal outermost border lines at the bottom

are overridden.

Vertical outermost border lines at the end are

overridden.

Horizontal outermost border lines at the top are

overridden.

Vertical outermost border lines are overridden.

Horizontal outermost border lines are overridden.

Horizontal and vertical outermost border lines are

overridden.

All inclined outermost border lines are overridden.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 354 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description

All outermost border lines are overridden.

All vertical border lines, except the outermost

border lines are overridden.

All horizontal border lines, except the outermost

border lines are overridden.

All vertical and horizontal border lines except the

outermost border lines are overridden.

All border lines except outermost border lines are

overridden.

All border lines except the horizontal and vertical

outermost border lines are overridden.

All border lines are overridden.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 355 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Orig. attr, New attr. Define the original attribute (Orig. attr) and the
attribute that will be used in the export (New
attr.).
In the example below the horizontal outermost
border line at the top would get a line attribute
value 0033 originally, but the value will be
overridden, and the line attribute value in the
Unitechnik file will be 0040.

Export line attributes Select whether all line attributes are exported for
for cutouts holes.
Export angle of 1st and Select whether you want to export the angle of cut
last vertical border at the first and last vertical border.

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Unitechnik export: Pallet tab

Use the Pallet tab to control the Unitechnik export properties.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 356 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Placing on pallet Define if the placing is checked from the start or
end of the pallet.
Offset at start or end Define if the offset at start or end of the pallet is
checked.
Clearance between Define if the clearance between the cast units is
cast units checked.
Same cast unit Define if the cast unit thickness is checked.
thickness needed

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Log files tab (page 357)

Unitechnik export: Log files tab

Use the Log files tab to control the Unitechnik export properties.

Option Description
Log file directory path Define the path for a log file. If the path is empty,
then the log file is saved in the same location as
the export files.
Create main Log file Select whether to create a one main log file.
Create Log file for each Select whether a log file is created separately for
file each export file.
Write history to log file Create a log file containing the history of the
and UDA exported parts. You can also select to write the
information to the UDA UT_export_history of
the main part. The following data is gathered:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 357 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
export time, part information, export path and file,
and who has performed the export.
Show error dialog Select whether an error message is shown when
boxes exported parts are not numbered correctly or
when the embedded parts have no parent part.

See also
Unitechnik (page 310)
Export to Unitechnik format (page 312)
Unitechnik export: Main tab (page 314)
Unitechnik export: TS configuration tab (page 319)
Unitechnik export: Embeds tab (page 330)
Unitechnik export: Reinforcement tab (page 337)
Unitechnik export: Validation tab (page 344)
Unitechnik export: Reinf. data specification tab (page 346)
Unitechnik export: HEADER block data specification tab (page 349)
Unitechnik export: SLABDATE block data specification (page 350)
Unitechnik export: Mounting part data specification tab (page 352)
Unitechnik export: Line attributes tab (page 353)
Unitechnik export: Pallet tab (page 356)

BVBS
You can export reinforcement geometry to BVBS (Bundesvereinigung
Bausoftware) format. The result is a text file in ASCII format. The supported
version of the BVBS format is 2.0 year 2000.
You can export bent reinforcing bars, reinforcing bar groups and
reinforcement meshes, which can be rectangular, polygonal, non-bent or bent,
and may include cuts. The export of hooks is also supported.
Reinforcing bars that have bendings with two or more variable radius values
are exported fully conforming with the BVBS specification so that radius
element and leg elements are written separately. If this causes compatibility
issues within your own environment and other tools using the BVBS files, you
can still go back to the older way of exporting by setting the advanced option
XS_BVBS_EXPORT_ARC_COMPATIBLE_TO_OLDER_METHOD to TRUE in an .ini
file, for example, in user.ini.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 358 Concrete fabrication

 Click the links below to find out more:
Export to the BVBS format (page 359)
Reinforcing bar length calculation in BVBS export (page 365)

Export to the BVBS format

You can export reinforcement geometry to the BVBS format. The result is an
ASCII file with a file name extension .abs.
1. Ensure that numbering is up to date.
2. Select the cast units with the desired reinforcement content, or select the
reinforcement.
3. On the File menu, click Export --> BVBS .
The BVBS export dialog box is displayed.
4. Define the BVBS export settings:
a. On the Parameters tab, select which reinforcement to export, how to
export drawing data, how and where to export the BVBS file or files,
and which BVBS elements to export.
You can use saved selection filters to exclude reinforcement bars or
meshes matching with the selected filter.
b. On the Advanced tab, select whether you want to make meshes out
of rebars, select whether the detailed data of mesh bars is included in
the exported data of the mesh, define the order of the items in the
output file, and select whether the private data block is exported and
select the data items for this additional block.
c. On the Checking tab, select whether you want to enter the required
minimum and maximum cutting length of the reinforcing bars.
5. Click Export.
The BVBS file or files in .abs format are exported to the folder specified in the
Output file area. You can check the export report by clicking the report link
that appears at the bottom of the dialog box.

Export settings
Use the BVBS Export dialog box to control the BVBS export settings.
For instructions on how to export to BVBS format, see Export to the BVBS
format (page 359).

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 359 Concrete fabrication

 Parameters tab

Option Description
Model objects to be Select which reinforcing bars or meshes are
exported exported.
• Reinforcement of all cast units in the model
Exports reinforcing bars or meshes in all cast
units in the model. If there are cast units that
do not have reinforcing bars or meshes, no
empty files are created.
• Reinforcement of selected cast units
Exports reinforcing bars or meshes in the cast
units you have selected in the model.
• Selected reinforcement only
Exports the reinforcing bars or meshes you
have selected in the model. When you select
this option, you can export only to a single file.
• Reinforcement of all cast units in the model
(totals by all positions)
Exports reinforcing bars or meshes in all the
cast units that have the same cast unit position
as any of the selected cast unit positions.
For example, if a cast unit with the cast unit
position W-120 is selected, the reinforcing bars
or meshes in all the cast units that have
position W-120 are exported even though not
all of them were selected.
Excluding Exclude reinforcing bars or meshes by selecting
reinforcement by filter any of the selection filters. Reinforcing bars or
meshes that match the filter are excluded.
Drawing name source In BVBS file each row/rebar has a data field for
Drawing number of the respective
drawing (drawing name) and Index of the
respective drawing (drawing revision). With the
option Drawing name source you can control how
the values for these data fields will be set.
Cast_unit_position
Drawing Name
Drawing Mark
Drawing Title1
Drawing Title2

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 360 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Drawing Title3
Fixed text: If you select this, enter the text in Fixed
drawing name.
By selecting the option Fixed text you can enter
the values in the dialog box and same ("fixed")
values will be written for every exported rebar.
If any of the other options is selected, the drawing
name and revision will be taken from the cast unit
or cast unit drawing of the rebar.
Note that it depends on the receiving system of the
BVBS file how important and for what purpose this
data will be used. From Tekla Structures
perspective, using this data field is not obligatory.
Fixed drawing name Enter a text string to be used for the drawing in the
export.
This option is available only when you have
selected the option Fixed text in Drawing name
source.
Rev Drawing revision (index).
This option is available only when you have
selected the option Fixed text in Drawing name
source.
Single file Export all BVBS information into one .abs file.
Enter the file name in the box or click the ... button
to browse for the file. If you do not enter a path,
the file is saved in the model folder.
One file per each cast Export each cast unit reinforcement content to its
unit own file.
The files are created under the folder that you
define in the Folder name box, or you can browse
for the folder using the ... button.
Use the File naming template list to select how
the created files are automatically named.
You can include revision into file name by selecting
the Include revision into file name check box.
BVBS elements to be Select which item types are exported. The options
exported are:
2D reinforcement bars (BF2D)
3D reinforcement bars (BF3D)
Sprial reinforcement coils (BFWE)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 361 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Reinforcement meshes (BFMA)
Lattice girders (BFGT)
If you select Lattice girders (BFGT), enter the class
numbers used in the model for the lattice girder
bars in the Class numbers for girder box. The
lattice girder may contain two or three chord bars
and one or two diagonal zig-zag bars. The lattice
girder length and other attributes are taken from
the main chord (usually top chord).

Advanced tab

Option Description
Try to make meshes of rebars Select whether the export tries to
automatically form meshes of a single
reinforcing bar or of a group
reinforcing bars and export them as a
mesh instead of separate 2D bars.
The options are:
Yes, group rebars by class
Yes, group rebars by name
Yes, group rebars by grade
Yes, group rebars by UDA
In order to form a mesh the
reinforcing bars need to belong to the
same part, be straight, be on the
same plane, and have equal filtering
attribute values.
UDA name for grouping If you selected the value Yes, group
rebars by UDA for Try to make
meshes of rebars, enter the UDA
name for grouping.
Exporting of mesh bar data Use this option to control whether the
(@X..@Y..) detailed data on mesh bars is
included in the exported data of the
mesh. The appropriate option
depends on the needs and
capabilities of the receiving system.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 362 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
The data is needed if it will be used,
for example, for mesh fabrication.
• Custom and cut catalog meshes
only
Detailed bar data is included only
for custom meshes and catalog
meshes that have additional cuts,
openings or skewed edges.
• All meshes
Detailed bar data is written for all
meshes.
• None meshes
Detailed bar data is not written to
any of the meshes.
Export stepped bars as separate By default a stepped group is
items exported as a single string with the
stepping length defined in a certain
data block.
If you select the value Yes for
Exporting of mesh bar data
(@X..@Y..), all tapered reinforcing bar
groups are exported as multiple
separate reinforcing bar items even if
they have regular spacing and could
be exported as one single stepped
reinforcing bar item.
If all the tapered bars within the
group have the same geometry and
length, they will be exported within a
single BVBS string as a regular group
would, regardless of this setting.
Sort items Use this option to define the order of
the items in the output files. The
options are:
No sorting
By diameter, smaller size first
By diameter, bigger size first
By position number
Private data block With Private data block you can
control whether the private data
block is exported (Export private

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 363 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
data block) and select the data items
for this additional block. Data fields
can be any report properties, user-
defined attributes, or object
properties.
Click the New button to add new
predefined private data fields to the
list. Enter information about the data
item.
• Name in list
The text shown in the Private
data block list.
• Field identifier
The field code which separates the
individual data fields in the private
data block. It can be any lower
case letter. Typically, it is a good
practice to use a different value
for each data item but this is not
required. The receiving system
may also be able to read only
certain data fields.
• Property or UDA name
The value defines which data will
be inquired from the
reinforcement object. Note that a
non-existing property will be not
exported.
• Property data type
The value has to match the actual
selected property. The options are:
Report property - Integer/Float/
Text
User-defined attribute - Integer/
Float/Text
Open APi object property

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 364 Concrete fabrication

 Checking tab

Option Description
Check cutting length Select whether you want to run an
additional check for the Minimum
cutting length and Maximum
cutting length of the reinforcing
bars.
When you select the Check cutting
length check box, and the cutting
length of the exported reinforcing bar
is less than the minimum cutting
length or greater than the maximum
cutting length, a warning is written to
the export log file.
The log file entry contains the ID of
the reinforcing bar. You can locate the
reinforcing bar in the model by
selecting the appropriate row in the
log file. Note that the reinforcing bar
is still exported normally and only the
additional warning is given.
Note that when the minimum/
maximum cut length check is
activated, the length of lattice girders
is also checked. A warning is added in
the log when the check fails. The
length of the main chord defines the
exported length of the lattice girder.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 365 Concrete fabrication

 Reinforcing bar length calculation in BVBS export
The length of the reinforcing bar is calculated according to the BVBS
specification. The length also depends on the bending angle. Lengths L1 and
L2 are exported.

If you set the advanced option

XS_USE_USER_DEFINED_REBAR_LENGTH_AND_WEIGHT to TRUE, the user-
defined length value is exported as the overall length for the reinforcing bar.
Note that the BVBS format specifications define that the overall length of the
bar is ignored if the data contains actual geometry data. Some other software
applications may still use the overall length values in the BVBS file for
calculating quantities. The exported overall length in Tekla Structures is the
same length as shown in reports.

See also
BVBS (page 358)
Export to the BVBS format (page 359)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 366 Concrete fabrication

 ELiPLAN
Elematic ELiPLAN is a software for resource planning, scheduling, and
management for precast concrete fabricators.
ELiPLAN import and export automates the data transfer between Tekla
Structures and ELiPLAN. The data transfer consists of four parts:
1. Exporting ELiPLAN data file from Tekla Structures.
2. Importing ELiPLAN data file into ELiPLAN.
3. Exporting ELiPLAN status data file from ELiPLAN.
4. Importing ELiPLAN status data file into Tekla Structures.
The import of an ELiPLAN data file into ELiPLAN supports the incremental
approach, which means that ELiPLAN is able to create, update, and delete
parts in its database. This means that precast detailers can export the most
up-to-date data files whenever the Tekla Structures model has been changed.
Similar incremental support is included in the import of an ELiPLAN status
data file to Tekla Structures. To keep the status and schedule data up to date in
a Tekla Structures model, we recommend you update the status data regularly.

NOTE The format and contents of the ELiPLAN status data file imported to Tekla
Structures differs from the data file that is exported from Tekla Structures to
ELiPLAN.

See also
Import an ELiPLAN status data file (page 368)
Export an EliPLAN data file (page 367)

Export an EliPLAN data file

Before starting the export, you need to know what has been exported before.
If you are using a shared model, first check the situation by checking the
drawings, for example.
1. If needed, add EliPLAN information to EliPLAN user-defined attributes of
the parts.
For more information about the UDAs, see EliPLAN user-defined attributes
(page 368).
2. On the File menu, click Export --> EliPlan .
The Export EliPlan file dialog box is displayed.
3. Define the ELiPLAN export properties on the Parameters, Plotter data
and Data content tabs, see EliPLAN export settings.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 367 Concrete fabrication

 4. Set Scope of export to All or Selected.
You should always bring every element that is ready to EliPLAN with every
round to ensure that any design changes are taken into the system as
well. The model might have some non-relevant or not-ready cast units,
which is why it is recommended to use Selected to control which ones are
being exported. Conceptual cast units can be taken, but then you need to
keep track of these elements, for example, by using a UDA.
5. Click Create.
By default, a file called eliplan.eli is created in the current model
folder, in a .\EP_files subfolder. Export checks the Set Top in Form
Face setting for all parts, if it is set, see set top-in-form-face. The opposite
face will be towards the pallet.

Import an ELiPLAN status data file

If you have a status data file that has been created in ELiPLAN, you can import
the status and scheduling information to your Tekla Structures model.
1. On the File menu, click Import --> EliPlan .
The Import Eliplan status data dialog box opens.
2. Click the ... button next to the Import file name box to browse for the file
to be imported.
3. Click Create.
Tekla Structures updates the status and schedule data for parts in the
Tekla Structures model. When the data is read, a log file is displayed.
The log file shows the parts whose data is updated correctly. It also
provides information on possible problems that may have occurred. When
you select a row in the log file, Tekla Structures automatically selects the
corresponding part in the model. The overall status information is shown
at the end of the log file.

Tekla Structures stores the actual status data in the user-defined attributes of
the parts. To view the data, open the part properties dialog box, click the User-
defined attributes button and go to the EliPlan tab.

See also
ELiPLAN (page 366)
Export an EliPLAN data file (page 367)

EliPLAN user-defined attributes

In addition to normal model data, you can add additional information in the
user-defined attributes of the parts. The additional information can be
transferred from Tekla Structures and used in ELiPLAN.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 368 Concrete fabrication

 Product type
The product type affects how ELiPLAN considers the part dimensions length,
length2, deltaL, width, height, and thickness.
To set the product type, select a suitable product type option from the list.
Normally you should be able to use the default Auto, but in some cases you
may need to override the default.
If needed, you can override the product type value set in the dialog box in the
following way:
• You can enter a value for the user-defined attribute EP_TYPE in the
objects.inp file.
• You can enter a value for the user attribute EP_TYPE in the Profile
Catalog.
In the Profile Catalog the attribute value is given as a number. The values
are as follows:
• Slab = 1
• Beam = 2
• Column = 3
• Wall = 4
• Sandwich wall = 5
• Stair = 6

Product code
You have alternative ways to give the product code. The ELiPLAN export tries
to define the product code in the following order:

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 369 Concrete fabrication

 1. You can enter a value for the product code in the ELiPLAN user-defined
attributes dialog box.
2. You can enter a value for the user-defined attribute EP_CODE of the cast
unit main part in the objects.inp file.
3. You can enter a value for user attribute EP_CODE in the Profile Catalog.
4. You can use the data conversion file to convert parametric profile names
to a product code.
5. The main part name is exported as the main part name if none of the
previous methods succeeded.

Erection sequence
Precast parts are erected in a certain sequence. Use the sequence to help the
scheduling of the production in ELiPLAN. You can give the estimated erection
sequence by giving the sequence number for parts.

Ready for production

Set this option to Yes when the designer or detailer has finished the part and
the part is ready for production. The default is No, which means that the data
is transferred to ELiPLAN for preliminary planning only, and the part is not sent
for production until the attribute is set to Yes and a new file is transferred to
ELiPLAN.

Eliplan status data

The Eliplan status data is meant to be read-only information and used to

visualize the data in a Tekla Structures model.

Set up your UDAs in the model or profile catalog for mapping object
types, profiles and materials
For more information on how to set up your UDAs in the model or profile
catalog for mapping object types, profiles and materials to suit the EliPLAN
export, see EliPLAN/ELiPOS export guide.

See also
Export an EliPLAN data file (page 367)
EliPLAN export settings (page 370)

EliPLAN export settings

Use the Export EliPlan file dialog box to control the ELiPLAN export
properties.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 370 Concrete fabrication

 For instructions on how to export the EliPLAN data file, see Export an EliPLAN
data file (page 367).
In addition to normal model data, you can add additional information in the
user-defined attributes of the parts. The additional information can be
transferred from Tekla Structures and used in ELiPLAN. For more information,
see EliPLAN user-defined attributes (page 368).

Parameters tab

Setting Description
Scope of export Select whether all parts or only
selected parts are exported. Because
of the incremental import of EliPLAN,
you need to select the same parts,
and some additional parts again, if
needed, when exporting the next
time, to make sure that any design
changes are taken in to the system as
well. Otherwise EliPLAN assumes that
the parts missing from the
subsequent file have been deleted in
the Tekla Structures model.
We recommend you to always use the
All option. Use the Selected option
only in special cases or when you are
exporting parts for the first time.
Numbering must be up to date to Set this setting to Yes to prevent
export export when the numbering is not up
to date. This prevents the export of
unfinished cast units.
Export version number Select whether IDs or GUIDs are used
in the export.
Use 2.0 GUID, because IDs will
change when reopening the model,
resulting in duplicates in export.
The default is ID, but it should only be
used when the export is done only
once, because of the changing IDs.
Output file name The name and location of the export
file created. The default name is
eliplan.eli. You can import this
file into EliPLAN.
The eliplan.eli file includes,
among other things, material
information. The accessory code,

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 371 Concrete fabrication

 Setting Description
which is the material description, is in
the #Materials section.
The accessory code is based on the
material type as follows:
• For concrete material the default
accessory code is same as the
material name.
• For mesh, reinforcing bars, or
strands the default accessory code
is grade|size.
• For embedded material the
default accessory code is name|
size|material.
Data conversion file With this file you can convert the
parametric profile names into the
EliPLAN product codes, and the
material descriptions into the EliPLAN
accessory codes. You need to create
the file yourself when necessary.
The default file name is
eliplan_export.dat, and this file
can be located in any folder.
The data conversion file
eliplan_export.dat contains
string pairs separated with one or
more tabs. The string on the left side
is the profile name or Tekla Structures
material description and the string on
the right side is the corresponding
EliPLAN data.
Note that the EliPLAN codes depend
on the fabricator, and the codes that
are valid for one fabricator are likely
to be not valid for other fabricators.
For an example of data conversion file
contents, see eliplan_export.dat
example.
List of classes to be ignored A list of classes to be excluded from
the export. This contains the class
numbers used for concrete parts.
Separate the classes with a space.
List of classes to be ignored A list of classes to be excluded from
(Material) the export. This contains the class

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 372 Concrete fabrication

 Setting Description
numbers used for materials. Separate
the classes with a space.
List of classes to be ignored A list of classes to be excluded from
(Concrete) the export. This contains the class
numbers used for secondary concrete
parts. Separate the classes with a
space.
Create log file Select whether a log file is created.
Creating a log file is recommended to
ensure that the exported file is
correct.
The log will notify you about the
number of exported cast units and,
for example, if:
• Export failed because numbering
not done.
• Some cast units could not be
exported.
• Some cast units were ignored by
filters, or they are CIP.
• Embeds or cuts to be plotted are
completely outside the parts.
• Some of the material or product
type data conversion mapping is
not recognized.
Log file name The name and location of the created
log file.

Plotter data tab

Option Description
Export of cutout data Select how to export cutout data. The
options are:
• All: Exports all data.
• Full depth cuts only: Exports data
only on the cuts that go through
the whole part. Does not export
recess data.
• None: Does not export any cutout
data.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 373 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
It is recommended to use Full depth
cuts only, because otherwise small
recesses are included in the plotting
on both faces.
Overlapping cutouts are combined in
the export file.
This setting exists for hollowcore and
slab products, and for wall and
sandwich wall products.
Export of embed data Select how to export data of embeds.
The options are:
• Yes: Exports data on embeds.
• No: Does not export any data on
embeds.
This setting exists for hollowcore and
slab products, and for wall and
sandwich wall products.
Exclude cut parts by Use to exclude cut parts from export
based on the cut part properties.
The options are:
• None
• Class
• Name
• Material
This setting is a handy filter for
reducing amount of extra cuts in
plotting.
Exclude embeds by Use to exclude embeds from
exported plotting data embeds by:
• None
• Class
• Name
• Material
You can define one or more values for
the selected property.
Exclude above z position Select whether to exclude from
exported plotting data embeds or
cuts that are above the specified Z
position. The Z position is the depth

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 374 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
of the element on the pallet, that is
how many millimeters the lowest
point of the embed is above the pallet
surface.
You can define one or more values for
the selected property.
The options are:
• None
• Embeds
• Cuts
• Embeds and cuts

Data content tab

Option Description
Export material data Select whether to include or exclude
the detailed material data (receipt) of
parts.
If you have no use for material data in
EliPLAN (you have no material
handling module in EliPLAN), select
No to exclude the data from the file
and to reduce the file size.
Note that once you have transferred
the file with the material data (Yes)
you should never switch off (No) the
export of material data in subsequent
exports. If you do this, the receipt is
also cleared in the EliPLAN database
and all modifications are lost.
Export rebar bending data Select whether to include or exclude
the detailed rebar bending
information.
If you do not need this data in
EliPLAN, select No to exclude the data
from the file and to reduce the file
size.
Note that once you have transferred
the file with the rebar bending data
(Yes) you should never switch off (No)
the export of rebar bending data in
subsequent exports.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 375 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Export embed Z position Select whether to include or exclude
the Z level of embeds.
Unit for rebar length Select the unit for the length of
reinforcing bars.
No. of digits after decimal point Select the number of digits after the
decimal separator (0 - 3).
The default is 1 digit after the decimal
separator.
Tag for lifters Use to identify lifting loops by their
name. Enter the name of the lifting
loop.
When lifting loops are identified, the
plotter instruction type is changed
from WPL to LL.
Prefix for ID Enter a prefix (letter) to use with the
ID number.
Notes Use UDA or template attribute to add
extra information to be viewed at the
factory, such as design status, change
status or general comment.
Select what type of notes you want to
export: UDA, a template attribute or
your own text. Then enter the UDA,
template attribute, or text.
Position number type Select whether to export the cast unit
position number, assigned control
number (ACN), or cast unit position
number and ACN.
Remove numbering separator Select whether a position number
separator is used in numbering. The
default is No.
Tag special elements Set this option to Yes to set a special
tag for elements that have notch cuts.
This option marks hollow-cores with
notches with SK denominator (N for
uncut slabs).
Net area calculation Select Exclude all cuts to exclude all
cuts or Exclude full depth cuts only
to exclude full depth cuts only from
the net area calculation, or Gross
area to export gross area as net area.
The whole assembly is checked.
Weight calculation Select which weight will be exported.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 376 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Decimal mark Set period (.) or comma (.) as the
decimal mark depending on EliPLAN
settings.

HMS
HMS stands for Hollowcore Manufacturing System and it is developed in the
Netherlands. You can export data of hollow core slabs from Tekla Structures to
HMS. HMS uses the data in manufacturing processes.

Click the links below to find out more:

Export to the HMS format (page 377)
HMS Export settings (page 378)

Export to the HMS format

You can export model data of hollow core slabs to a HMS format. The result is
a .sot file.
1. Select the model objects that you want to include in the export.
2. On the File menu, click Export --> HMS .
The HMS Export dialog box opens.
3. Define the export properties (page 378) as required.
4. Click the ... button to browse for the folder where you want to save the
file.
The \HMS folder under the model folder is the default.
5. Enter a name for the file.
The file name extension is .sot.
6. Click Save.
7. Select the Add revision to file name check box and select the revision
number if required.
The revision number is added to the HMS export file as follows:
hms_export_file<revision>.sot
8. Select the Open log file after export check box if you want to see the log
after export.
HMS Export creates the log file in the file export folder.
9. Click Export to create the HMS export file.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 377 Concrete fabrication

 See also
HMS Export settings (page 378)

HMS Export settings

You can include project data, slab data, and steel part information in the HMS
export.

Project data tab

Option Description
Customer Name You can include project data, such as
customer name and site address, in
Customer Number
the HMS export file.
Contractor Name
The boxes have the following values
Site Address available:
Site City • Empty
Section Name The item is not included in the
Project Status HMS export file.

Remark 1 • Text

Remark 2 Enter the text in the box next to

the item.
Remark 3
• Project UDA
The data comes from the project’s
user-defined attributes.
• Project Object, Project Address,
Project Info 1 - 2
The data comes from the project
information.
Export file Define a name and location for the
export file. The file name extension
is .sot. By default, the export file
goes to the \HMS folder under model
folder.
Add revision to file name Add the revision number to the HMS
export file:
hms_export_file<revision>.sot.
Open log file after export Open the log file after export. HMS
Export creates the log file in the file
export folder.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 378 Concrete fabrication

 Slab data tab

Option Description
Position Number Assigned Control Number (ACN) is
the only option.
Slab Remarks The options are:
Element Type • Empty
End Label The item is not included in the
HMS export file.
• Text
Enter the text in the box next to
the item.
• UDA
The data comes from the project’s
user-defined attributes
Slab Name The options are:
• Profile
Select to export the whole profile
name.
• Thickness
Select to export only the profile
height.
Slab Mark The options are:
• Assembly position
Select to export the complete cast
unit position.
• Assembly serial number
Select to export the cast unit serial
number only.
Bay number Select the default UDA or UDA of your
choice. The value type of the default
UDA is integer, and it must be type
integer for any other chosen UDA as
well.
Slab Weight Units Select the weight unit.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 379 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Live/dead load Enter the default live/dead load to be
exported.
For hollow core slab calculation, you
can define a default live load/ dead
load (KN/m2) for slabs.
If you do not define this data here,
you must enter the default values for
each slab in HMS software later.

Slab scope tab

Option Description
Exclude parts Enter the class or the name of the
model object, text, UDA or a template
attribute to exclude the data.
Hook Points Select the data that is exported.
Electric boxes • Empty
Weld plate The item is not included in the
HMS export file.
Solid fill
• Name
Filled area
Select to include the name.
• Text
Enter the text in the box next to
the item to include the text.
• Class
Enter the class of the model object
in the box to include the class.
• UDA
The data comes from the user-
defined attributes.
• Template
The data comes from a template
attribute.
Hook point name Select to include hook point name in
export.
• Name
Select to include the name.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 380 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
• Text
Enter the text in the box next to
the item to include the text.
• UDA
The data comes from the user-
defined attributes.
• Template
The data comes from a template
attribute.
Weld plate name Select to include weld plate name in
export.
• Name
Select to include the name.
• Text
Enter the text in the box next to
the item to include the text.
• UDA
The data comes from the user-
defined attributes.
• Template
The data comes from a template
attribute.

Reinforcement tab

Option Description
Export strand code Select to include strand code in
export.
Export strand pull force Select to export pull force data.

Options tab

Option Description
Boundary line Export the boundary line Along cut
side of the slab or Along uncut side
of the slab.
Export Hook Box Select to include hook data.
Export HP name Select to export hook point names. If
you do not select this option, only the
XY coordinates are exported.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 381 Concrete fabrication

 Option Description
Export inner cores Select to include detailed information
on hollow cores in export.
Select to include in export full cut in
Include full cut to contour
the contour block (CO). If not selected,
the full cut is written as an individual
cut (SP).

See also
Export to the HMS format (page 377)

3.14 CAD import and export formats

The CAD import tool supports several different formats to import models, and
is able to import a maximum of 10,000 parts. If the number of parts exceeds
this, Tekla Structures displays a warning message, and does not import the
model.
The table below lists the supported import and export file types.

Option Import Export Imports from/Exports to

SDNF ✔ ✔ SDNF (Steel Detailing Neutral File)
is used in importing to and
exporting from several different
CAD systems.
HLI ✔ ✔ HLI (High Level Interface). IEZ AG
Speedikon software
Plantview ✔ Plantview design system
SDNF (PDMS) ✔ ✔ Plant Design Management
System. Aveva 3D plant design
software.
Data is exported to PDMS via
SDNF link. Tekla Structures writes
the information of finish field in
the member class attribute,
whereas in SDNF export it omits
the class information.
XML ✔ ✔ ArchiCAD modeling system.
There are some limitations in the
export:
• Conversion files are not used.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 382 CAD import and export formats
 Option Import Export Imports from/Exports to
• Holes, bolts and welds are not
exported.
PDMS ✔ Outdated format. We do not
recommend using this option.
SCIA ✔ SCIA is used for SteelFab
interface.

Import an SDNF model

1. On the File menu, click Import --> CAD .
The Import Models dialog box opens.
2. Select Import CAD from the Type list.
3. Use the default name import model or enter a new name.
4. Click OK.
5. Select the model from the list.
6. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file:
• You can load the standard parameters for PDS and PDMS SDNF files
with the Load option.
• On the Conversion tab, enter the conversion file names or browse for
the conversion files.
• On the Parameters tab, enter the name of the SDNF file you want to
import in the Input file box, or use the default name.
SDNF files normally have a *.dat extension. The version number for
SDNF 3.0 files can be found in the header if you open the file with a
text editor.
• On the Parameters tab, set the file Type to SDNF, and set the origin
coordinates in the Origin boxes if you want the file in a specific
location.
• Set the SDNF options on the SDNF page:
• In the Part Pos_No area enter a prefix and a start position number.
This relates to the Position number type setting.
• In SDNF version number, select the SDNF format type (2.0 or 3.0).
SDNF 3.0 is generally the format to select. However, with StruCAD it
is better to share SDNF 2.0 files.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 383 CAD import and export formats
 • Set Apply cuts and fittings to Yes (default) to apply cuts and
fittings in the import. These will only be included if contained within
the SDNF file.
• Set Consider offsets to Yes to create offsets. In most cases you
should select Yes. No (default) positions part creation points at part
end points.
• You can create a log file. If the import fails, examine the log file to
find out why. Check the log file even if the import seems to have
succeeded. In the Create log file, you can select Create to write a
new log file, and delete the previous log file, each time you import
the model. If you select Append (default), the log file information is
added at the end of the existing log file.
• You can also select how the log file is displayed, the options being
With an external viewer (like Microsoft Notepad), Not viewed,
and In a dialog box, which creates a separate list dialog box in
which the file can only be viewed.
• Enter the log file name or browse for an existing log file.
• The SDNF file contains identifiers that can be included in a part’s
user-defined attributes, or used as position numbers. In Position
number type, select Part position if you want the identifier to
become the part’s position number. Do not use the Part Pos_No
fields with this option. Select Universal ID if you want the identifier
to become a user-defined attribute for the part. In most cases, you
would select Universal ID. To make user-defined attributes visible,
you need to add them to the objects.inp file. For file imports
from PDS or PDMS then the Universal ID option is the normal case
• If you wish to create a report of the import, enter the required
information on the Report tab.
• On the Advanced tab, you can set some advanced options. Usually
there is no need to change the defaults.
7. Click OK to go to the Import Model dialog box.
8. Select the import model name from the list and click Import.
You can also click the New or Properties buttons if you require to make
some changes.
Tekla Structures displays the Import model info dialog box.
9. Select which version of parts to import.
10. Click Accept all.
The Accept all option is generally used if importing a new model over an
existing one. If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you
can also reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject
individual changes by clicking Select individual....

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 384 CAD import and export formats
 11. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the import model in a model view.

12. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
13. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

NOTE If you want to import information, which Tekla Structures parts do not have,
you can use the SDNF extension line in the SDNF file to be imported, and the
REVISION_NUMBER user-defined attribute in Tekla Structures.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Import a Plantview model

1. On the File menu, click Import --> CAD .
The New Import Model dialog box opens.
2. Select Import CAD.
3. Use the default name import model or enter a new name.
4. Click OK.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 385 CAD import and export formats
 5. Select the model from the list.
6. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file type you selected:
• On the Conversion tab, enter the conversion file names or browse for
the conversion files.
• On the Parameters tab, enter the name of the Plantview file you want
to import in the Input file box, or use Browse to locate the file.
• Set the file type to Plantview in the Type box, and set the origin
coordinates in the Origin boxes if you want the file in a specific
location.
• Set the material grade in the Material box on the SDNF tab.
You can also click ... next to the box, and browse for the material grade
in the Select Material dialog box.
• If you wish to create a report of the import, enter the required
information on the Report tab.
• If you are importing the model for the first time, you do not need to
change the default values on the Advanced tab.
7. Click OK to go to the Import Model dialog box.
8. Click Import.
Tekla Structures displays the Import model info dialog box.
9. Select which version of parts to import.
10. Click Accept all.
If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you can also
reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject individual
changes by clicking Select individual.
11. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the imported model in a model view.
12. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
13. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 386 CAD import and export formats
 Import a SteelFab/SCIA model
1. On the File menu, click Import --> CAD .
The Import Models dialog box opens.
2. Select Import Steelfab/SCIA from the Type list.
3. Use the default name import model or enter a new name.
4. Click OK.
5. Select the model from the list.
6. Click Properties to open a dialog box where you can define the settings
for the import file:
• Enter the input file name.
• Enter the conversion file names.
• Set the origin coordinates in the Origin boxes if you want the file in a
specific location
• Set Import weldings to Yes to include welds in the model.
• Set Import holes to Yes to include holes in the model.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Import.
9. Select which version of parts to import.
10. Click Accept all.
11. If you have changed the model and want to re-import it, you can also
reject all changes by clicking Reject all, or accept or reject individual
changes by clicking Select individual.
12. Tekla Structures displays the message Do you want to save the import
model for subsequent imports? Click Yes.
Tekla Structures displays the import model in a model view.
13. Right-click the model view and select Fit work area to entire model to
ensure that the imported model is completely visible.
14. If parts are missing, check the View depth Up and Down values in the
View Properties dialog box and change them if necessary.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 387 CAD import and export formats
 CAD model import settings
The settings related to importing various types of models through the Import
Model dialog box are listed below. All of the tabs and settings are not available
for all import types. The import types are listed next to the settings, so that
you can see which import type the settings belong to. The Import Model
dialog box is displayed when you click Properties in the Import Models or
New Import Model dialog box.

Conversion tab

Option Description Import type

Profile conversion Set the conversion files you want to use. CAD
file
Conversion files map Tekla Structures FEM
Material profile and material names with names
CIS Model/
conversion file used in other software.
CIMSteel
Twin profile For SteelFab/SCIA, these options are
Eureka LMP
conversion file located on the Parameters tab.
MicasPlus
SteelFab/SCIA
Advanced tab
Action when object Previous plan lists the objects in your CAD
status is model, compared with the objects in the
FEM
(compared to) file to be imported. They can be New,
Modified, Deleted, or Same. MicasPlus
Tekla Structures compares the state of Eureka LMP
imported objects with those in your CIS Model/
model. They can be Not in model, CIMSteel
Different, or Same.
Use the options under Not in model,
Different, and Same to specify the
actions when importing changed objects.
The options are No action, Copy, Modify,
or Delete.

Parts tab

Option Description Import type

Part Pos_No Enter a prefix and a start position FEM
number.
Assembly Pos_No
For SDNF, this option is located on the
SDNF tab.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 388 CAD import and export formats
 Parameters tab

Option Description Import type

Input file or ASCII The file you want to import. You can also All
file name browse for the file.
Type or Set the input file or model type: CAD
Model type CAD: SDNF, Calma, HLI, Plantview, SDNF FEM
(PDMS), XML
CIS Model/
FEM: DSTV, SACS, Monorail, Staad, Stan CIMSteel
3d, Bus
CIS Model/CIMSteel: Design, Analysis,
SP3D.
CIS version Select CIS/1 or CIS/2: CIS Model/
CIMSteel
• CIS/1 imports files compatible with the
CIMsteel LPM4DEP1 schema
declaration.
• CIS/2 imports files compatible with the
CIMsteel CIS/2
(STRUCTURAL_FRAME_SCHEMA)
schema declaration.
Input scope Import the Entire model or Selection CIS2 status
only.
Part rotation Select Front or Top. MicasPlus
Origin X, Y, Z Set the origin coordinates to place the file CAD
in a specific location.
FEM
CIS Model
Eureka LPM
MicasPlus
SteelFab/SCIA
Default yield stress The Default material when yield stress FEM
limit < limit setting is used for SACS import file.
Define the material to use if yield stress is
Default material
less than the limit.
when yield stress >
= limit The setting Default material when yield
stress >= limit is used for SACS or DSTV
Default material
import files. For SACS, this field defines
when yield stress <
the material to use if yield stress is greater
limit
than or equal to the limit. For DSTV you
can enter the material grade here, if it is
not included in the import file.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 389 CAD import and export formats
 Option Description Import type
Combine members To combine several elements in the FEM FEM
or CIS model into one part in Tekla
Max length for CIS Model/
Structures, set Combine members to Yes.
combining CIMSteel
For example, if a beam in a file consist of
more than one element, and you select
Yes, the elements are combined to form
one beam in the Tekla Structures model.
If you use the value No, Tekla Structures
creates a beam for each element in the
FEM or CIS model.
Max length for combining is only applied
if you set Combine members to Yes. Use
this setting to define the maximum length
for combining parts. Tekla Structures
combines elements into one part only if
their combined length is less than the
value you enter here.
Ignore offsets CIS/1 and CIS/2 analysis models can CIS/CIMSteel
include member offsets, which means
that nodes are not exactly at the beam’s
end points. With the default Yes, Tekla
Structures uses these offsets to locate the
physical members. With No, Tekla
Structures determines the location using
the node locations.
Ignore forces Use to define how forces are imported. CIS/CIMSteel
With No, Tekla Structures imports
absolute values of maximum forces to
parts’ user-defined attributes Shear,
Tension and Moment. With Yes, Tekla
Structures does not import forces.
Import GUID The part GUID is included in the import. CIS/CIMSteel
(design model)
Create log file Select Create to write a new log file and CAD (SDNF)
delete the previous log file each time you
CIS2 status
import the model.
Select Append (default) to add the log file
information is at the end of the existing
log file.
If you do not need a log file, select No.
In SDNF, this option is on the SDNF tab.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 390 CAD import and export formats
 Option Description Import type
Display log file Select With an external viewer to display CAD (SDNF)
the log file in an external viewer, like
CIS2 status
Microsoft Notepad.
If you do not want to display the file,
select Not viewed.
Select In a dialog box to create a separate
list dialog box in which the file can only be
viewed.
In SDNF, this option is on the SDNF tab.
Import weldings Include weldings in the imported model. SteelFab/SCIA
Import bolt holes Include bolt holes in the imported model. SteelFab/SCIA

Report tab

Option Description Import type

Create report Set to Yes to create a report. CAD
FEM
Display report Set to Yes to display the report. CAD
FEM
Report template Select the report template. CAD
FEM
Report file name Enter the report file name or browse for a CAD
report file.
FEM

SDNF tab

Option Description Import type

Part Pos_No Enter a prefix and a start position CAD (SDNF)
number.
This settings relates to the Position
number type setting.
SDNF version Set the SDNF format type to 2.0 or 3.0. CAD (SDNF)
number
Apply cuts and Set to Yes (default) to apply cuts and CAD (SDNF)
fittings fittings in the import.
Consider offsets Set to Yes to create offsets. In most cases CAD (SDNF)
you should select Yes. No (default)
positions part creation points at part end
points.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 391 CAD import and export formats
 Option Description Import type
Log file name Enter the log file name or browse for an CAD (SDNF)
existing log file.
Position number The SDNF file contains identifiers that can CAD (SDNF)
type be included in a part’s user-defined
attributes, or used as part position
numbers.
Select Part position if you want the
identifier to become the part’s position
number. Do not use the Pos_No option
with this option.
Select Universal ID if you want the
identifier to become a user-defined
attribute for the part.
For file imports from PDS or PDMS then
the Universal ID option is the normal case.
To make user-defined attributes visible in
the dialog boxes, you need to add them to
the objects.inp file.

Plantview tab

Option Description Import type

Material Select the material grade. CAD
(Plantview)
FEM (Staad)

DSTV tab

Option Description Import type

Version Select the DSTV version. FEM (DSTV)
Import static If the DSTV file to be imported contains a FEM (DSTV)
elements static and a CAD model, you can choose
which one to import.
Import other
elements Answering Yes to Import static elements
imports the static model.
Answering Yes to Import other elements
imports the CAD model.

Stan 3d

Option Description Import type

Scale Specify the scale of the import model. You FEM (Stan 3d)
can import Stan 3d without specifying the

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 392 CAD import and export formats
 Option Description Import type
scale as long as both the Tekla Structures
model and the import model are in
millimeters. If the Stan 3d file is in
millimeters, use the scale 1. If the Stan 3d
file is in meters, use the scale 1000.
Material Enter the material for the parts to import. FEM (Stan 3d)

Bus tab

Option Description Import type

Pos_No Indicate the Pos_No of the girders, FEM (Bus)
columns, braces and cantilevers you
import.
Material Enter the material for the parts to import. FEM (Bus)
Name Enter the name of the parts to import. FEM (Bus)
Class Enter the class of the parts to import. FEM (Bus)
Beams behind The value Yes aligns the tops of all beams FEM (Bus)
plane at the floor level.

Advanced tab

Option Description Import type

Action when object Previous plan lists the objects in your CAD
status is model, compared with the objects in the
FEM
(compared to) file to be imported. They can be New,
Modified, Deleted, or Same. MicasPlus
Tekla Structures compares the state of Eureka LMP
imported objects with those in your CIS Model/
model. They can be Not in model, CIMSteel
Different, or Same.
Use the options under Not in model,
Different, and Same to specify the actions
when importing changed objects. The
options are No action, Copy, Modify, or
Delete.

See also
Import an SDNF model (page 383)
Import a Plantview model (page 385)
Import a SteelFab/SCIA model (page 386)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 393 CAD import and export formats
 Export to CAD
You can export a CAD model in several formats.

NOTE Before you start an SDNF export, check that the advanced option
XS_SDNF_CONVERT_PL_PROFILE_TO_PLATE has not been set on the
Export page of the Advanced Options dialog box.

1. Open a Tekla Structures model.

2. On the File menu, click Export --> CAD .
The CAD export dialog box opens.
3. Enter the paths to the required conversion files on the Conversion tab.
4. Go to the Parameters tab, and give a name to the export file in the
Output file box.
You can also browse for the file.
5. Select the export format from the Type list.
6. Use the Origin X, Y, Z boxes to specify the origin of the exported model.
7. In PML export, define PML-specific information on the PML tab.
8. In SDNF, SDNF (PDMS) and PDMS export, go to the SDNF tab, and define
the necessary information.
9. Select the parts in the model to export.
10. Click Apply and Create.
Tekla Structures creates the export file in your current model folder.

See also
CAD model export settings (page 394)
CAD import and export formats (page 382)

CAD model export settings

Settings related to exporting various types of models through the Export CAD
dialog box are listed below. FEM export settings are also described. All of the
tabs and settings are not available for all export types. The export types are
listed next to the settings, so that you can see which export type the setting

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 394 CAD import and export formats
 belongs to. The Export CAD dialog box opens when you click File menu -->
Export --> CAD .

Conversion tab

Option Description Export type

Profile conversion file Set the conversion files All
you want to use.
Material conversion
file Conversion files map
Tekla Structures profile
Twin profile conversion
and material names with
file
names used in other
software.

Parameters tab

Option Description Export type

Output file The file name of the All
exported file. You can
also browse for the file.
Type Select the export format. All
Origin X, Y, Z Set the origin PML, SDNF, XML
coordinates to place the
exported model in a
specific location.
Split members Splits a part in the Tekla FEM
Structures model into
several elements in the
STAAD or DSTV model.
Combine segmented Gives you the option to FEM (MicroSAS)
members (MicroSAS) combine multiple parts
to form one part in the
exported model.
For example, if you have
divided a beam into
several elements and
select the Yes option,
Tekla Structures
combines the elements
so that they form one
beam in the exported
model. With the option
No every element of the
beam in the model
forms individual beams.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 395 CAD import and export formats
 PML tab

Option Description Export type

Units (for PML only) Select the units for the PML
export model.
Export cut parts Controls whether cuts PML
are included in the
export. Yes exports part
cuts.
When you use PML,
enter the Tekla
Structures profile names
in the conversion file.
This makes the other
software consider parts
as beams and columns,
not as plates, and
reduces the export file
size.

SDNF tab

Option Description Export type

SDNF version number Select the SDNF version SDNF
to be used in the export.
SDNF(PDMS)
With StruCAD, use SDNF
PDMS
version 2.0.
Apply cuts and fittings Select Yes (default) SDNF
applies cuts and fittings
SDNF(PDMS)
in the export.
PDMS
Position number type The SDNF file contains SDNF
identifiers, which can be
SDNF(PDMS)
included in a part’s user-
defined attributes, or as PDMS
position numbers. You
have the following
options:
• Part position
The identifier
becomes the part’s
position number. Do
not use the Part
Pos_No fields with
this option.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 396 CAD import and export formats
 Option Description Export type
• Assembly position
The identifier
becomes the
assembly’s position
number.
• Universal ID
The identifier
becomes a user-
defined attribute for
the part.
To make user-defined
attributes visible, you
need to add them to the
objects.inp file.
Consider offsets To ignore the offset SDNF
records during export,
SDNF(PDMS)
select No, and to take
them into account, PDMS
select Yes.
This setting does not
affect the actual start
and end point
information, only the
offset. Tekla Structures
writes the start and end
points based on the
actual solid object, not
on the reference line.
PDMS phase offset PDMS phase offset SDNF
defines phase offset for
SDNF(PDMS)
exported parts. For
example, if the first PDMS
phase in Tekla Structures
model is 1 and you enter
10 for phase offset, Tekla
Structures parts in
another software get the
phase from 11 and up.
Engineering firm Enter the name of the SDNF
engineering company.
SDNF(PDMS)
PDMS

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 397 CAD import and export formats
 Option Description Export type
Client Enter the name of the SDNF
client.
SDNF(PDMS)
PDMS
Structure ID Enter a unique SDNF
identification number
SDNF(PDMS)
for the exported model.
PDMS
Project ID Enter a unique SDNF
identification number
SDNF(PDMS)
for the exported project.
PDMS
Revision number Enter an optional SDNF
revision number. Tekla
SDNF(PDMS)
Structures takes the
revision number from PDMS
the user-defined
attributes
(REVISION_NUMBER) of
the model. If this field is
blank, Tekla Structures
uses a revision number
from the CAD export
dialog box (Revision
Number).
Issue code Tekla Structures writes SDNF
an issue code in the
SDNF(PDMS)
header section of the
output file. For PDMS, PDMS
this value should always
be "Tekla Structures".
Design code Define the design code SDNF
to be used in structural
SDNF(PDMS)
design.
PDMS

XML tab

Option Description Export type

Units Specify unit conversions XML
(MM, M, IN, FT). For
example, for a Tekla
Structures model
created using
millimeters, select IN to
convert all part

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 398 CAD import and export formats
 Option Description Export type
dimensions to inches in
the output file.
XML structure ID Unique identification XML
number for the exported
model. You must always
enter the identification
ID. Tekla Structures uses
this value to identify the
model if you re-export it.
XML structure name Unique name of the XML
exported model.

Staad tab

Option Description Export type

Profile table Select the profile type. FEM (STAAD)
Parametric shapes Use to define how Tekla FEM (STAAD)
when possible Structures exports the
profiles PL, P, D, PD, SPD
to Staad.
Yes exports the profiles
as parametric shapes so
that STAAD can identify
them correctly.
No exports all profiles as
standard STAAD shapes.

DSTV tab

Option Description Export type

Version Select the DSTV version FEM (DSTV)
to export.
Element reference Select CROSS-SECTION FEM (DSTV)
with to export a static model
or MEMBER_LOCATION
to export a CAD model.

Re-import a CAD model

Sometimes you have already imported a model, but because of some changes,
you need to re-import it.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 399 CAD import and export formats
 The profile and material conversion files need to be the same as adopted in
the original model import.
The following instructions also apply to CIMsteel (cis/2) models.
1. Open Tekla Structures and a model where you have already imported an
existing CAD model.
2. On the File menu, click Import --> CAD .
3. Select the import type in the Type list.
For CAD models, this will generally be for SDNF format files only.
4. Enter a new name for the imported model in the Name box.
The total path and filename cannot be longer than 80 characters. If the
total path is too long, a message is displayed saying "File name and path is
too long. Please, place the file into another directory." Also, if you use the
same name as in the original import, Tekla Structures gives the warning
message "Illegal name for import model."
5. Click the Properties button and ensure that the Profile material
conversion files on the Conversion tab are the same as adopted in the
original model import.
6. Go to the Advanced tab and define the actions Tekla Structures takes
when importing changed objects:
• The left-hand column, Previous plan, lists the state of the objects in
your model, compared with the state of objects in the file to be
imported. They can be New, Modified, Deleted, or Same.
• The objects can be Not in model, Different, or Same.
• Use the list boxes in the rows under Not in model, Different, or Same
to specify the actions to take when importing changed objects. The
options are No action, Copy, Modify, or Delete.
You can select Delete only for Deleted objects. You can only use
Delete to delete objects that have been deleted from your model, not
from the imported model.
• Normally, default settings would be used by most users.
7. Click OK or Apply.
8. Click OK in the Import Model dialog box to import the updated model.
9. Create reports on the Report tab to compare the various imports.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)
Create import reports (page 400)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 400 CAD import and export formats
 Create import reports
Some of the import tools give you the option to create a report of the import.
By default, Tekla Structures does not create reports when you import files.

With this import report you can compare different revisions from previous
imports. You can list the differences in profiles, material, part rotation, part
position, paint, start connection codes, end connection codes, phase, for
example.
1. Open the import tool, for example, CAD ( File menu --> Import --> CAD ).
2. Go to the Report tab of the import dialog box.
3. In Create report, select Yes.
4. In Display report, select Yes to display the report file.
5. In Report template, enter the path of the report template, or use the
browse button to locate it.
You can also leave the template name out, in which case the default
import template is used.
6. In Report file name, enter the path for the report file, or use the browse
button to locate it.
You can also leave the report file name out, in which case the default
import report file is used.
7. Import the model.
The model is imported and the report is displayed on the screen.
If you have not given the report any other name, the report is saved with
the name import_revision_report.rpt in the model folder.

See also
CAD model import settings (page 387)

3.15 Other supported formats

Tekla Structures installation also contains the following tools:
Tekla BIMsight (page 401)
Tekla Web Viewer (page 403)
You can find more tools, applications and extension in Tekla Warehouse.

Tekla BIMsight
Tekla BIMsight is a free project collaboration software.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 401 Other supported formats
 With Tekla BIMsight you can combine models from different project
participants and check for hard and soft conflicts visually and with conflict
checking tools. You can communicate with other parties involved in the project
by adding notes, markups and project documentation to the models.
You can download Tekla BIMsight at www.teklabimsight.com.

See also
Import reference models from Tekla BIMsight (page 402)
Import additional reference models from a Tekla BIMsight project (page 402)
Publish a model to Tekla BIMsight (page 402)

Import reference models from Tekla BIMsight

You can import models from a Tekla BIMsight project to Tekla Structures as
reference models.
1. On the File menu, click Import --> Tekla BIMsight .
The Import From Tekla BIMsight dialog box opens.
2. Browse for the Tekla BIMsight project (.tbp file).
3. Click Import to import the models from the Tekla BIMsight project.
You may need to subdivide the reference models, fit the work area in the
model, and change the main 3D view depth to see the reference models
entirely after importing.

See also
Import additional reference models from a Tekla BIMsight project (page 402)

Import additional reference models from a Tekla BIMsight project

Additional models may have been added to a Tekla BIMsight project after you
have imported reference models from the project to Tekla Structures. You can
import the additional reference models to Tekla Structures.
1. Save the Tekla BIMsight project with the same name as previously.
2. In Tekla Structures, on File menu click Import --> Tekla BIMsight .
3. Browse for the Tekla BIMsight project (.tbp file).
4. Click Import to import the models from the Tekla BIMsight project.
New reference models are added to the Tekla Structures model. The existing
reference models are not modified in any way. Tekla Structures keeps track of
the reference models by checking the TeklaBIMsightGUID attributes.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 402 Other supported formats
 Publish a model to Tekla BIMsight
You can publish your Tekla Structures model and the reference models
included in the model as a Tekla BIMsight project file (.tbp).
1. On the File menu, click Export --> Tekla BIMsight .
The Publish to Tekla BIMsight dialog box opens.
2. Enter a name for the project file.
3. Select the folder where you want to save the project file.
4. Select other options as required.
• You can include assemblies, base quantities, bolts, grids and
reinforcements in the published project.
• You can split models according to phases.
• Select the Open After Publish check box to open the project in Tekla
BIMsight after publishing.
5. Do one of the following:
• Click Publish All to publish the whole model. If the model contains
reference models they are also included.
• Click Publish Selected to publish the selected objects.

NOTE If you select the Reinforcements option in the Publish to Tekla BIMsight
dialog box, export creates an IFC2x3 coordination view 2.0 model, otherwise
an IFC2x3 surface geometry model is created.
The BIMsight coordination view 2.0 export uses the
IfcPropertySetConfigurations_ CV2.xml property set definitions file
and the surface geometry export uses the
IfcPropertySetConfigurations_ SG.xml property set definitions file.

See also
IFC base quantities in exported IFC model (page 176)

Tekla Web Viewer

You can publish your Tekla Structures models as web pages that can be viewed
via the Internet using Internet Explorer.

See also
Publish a model as a web page (page 404)
Customize Web Viewer tooltips (page 405)
Web templates in Web Viewer (page 405)
Send Web Viewer models (page 406)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 403 Other supported formats
 Create a named view in Web Viewer (page 406)
View a model in Web Viewer (page 407)

Publish a model as a web page

You can publish a model as a web page with Tekla Web Viewer and include
tooltips in the model.
1. On the File menu, click Export --> Publish as web page.
2. Select Publish as Web Page.
3. Select whether to publish the entire model or selected objects.
If you are publishing selected objects, use the appropriate selection switch
to control whether parts, or parts in assemblies or cast units are
published.
4. Select the file type.
5. Define a title for the published web page.
6. Select a Web Viewer template.
7. Define the destination folder and the file name.
You can define the location and the name of the published model folder.
You can also rename the published file but do not change the file name
extension (*.xml). By default, Tekla Structures creates a \PublicWeb
folder with sub-folders in the current model folder and places the
published model there as an index.html file.
8. Select the tooltip template.
You can create your own tooltip templates in Template Editor. The preview
shows how the tooltip is shown in Web Viewer.
9. Click Publish.

The web browser includes several commands for examining the model. You
can right-click the model in the browser to access a pop-up menu containing
these commands.

TIP To use a large model faster in Web Viewer:

1. Right-click and select Disable full content rendering from the pop-up
menu.
2. To enable full content rendering again, select Enable full content
rendering from the pop-up menu.

See also
Customize Web Viewer tooltips (page 405)
Web templates in Web Viewer (page 405)

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 404 Other supported formats
 Customize Web Viewer tooltips
You can define what kind of tooltips are shown in a published Web Viewer
model. Use Template Editor to create a tooltip template.
1. On the File menu, click Editors --> Template Editor.
2. Create a new template.
3. Save the template in the *.rpt format in the ..\Tekla Structures
\<version>\Environments\<environment>\template\tooltips
folder.
4. On the File menu, click Export --> Publish as web page.
5. Select a customized tooltip template in the Tooltip in Web Viewer list.
The preview shows how the tooltip is shown in Web Viewer.
6. Click Publish.

NOTE If you do not want to show the template name as a file name in the tooltip
template list, add the template in the WebViewerTooltips.ini file. The file
is located in the same folder as the tooltip templates. For example, to show
MyPartInformation.rpt as My Part Information add: My Part
Information=MyPartInformation.rpt.

See also
Publish a model as a web page (page 404)

Web templates in Web Viewer

All Web Viewer specific materials, for example, a tool (*.dll) for viewing the
model and templates for HTML files are stored in the subfolders under ..
\Tekla Structures\<version>\nt\WebTemplates\TeklaWebViewer.
When you publish a model as a web page, Tekla Structures copies the tool and
the files to the folder you have given in the File name box in the Publish as
Web Page dialog box. You cannot modify the tool, but you can modify the
HTML files to include information that is relevant to your company and the
project.
Project-specific fields must be inside % signs in the HTML files. Tekla Structures
uses information from the model you are publishing in these fields. For
example, when you want the project name to show in the Web Viewer model,
add %NAME% in the HTML file. When you publish your model, Tekla Structures
takes the project name from the project properties.

NOTE Do not remove the string %PUBLISHED_MODEL% from the index.html file.
Tekla Structures replaces the string with the file name information from the
Publish as Web Page dialog box.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 405 Other supported formats
 See also
Publish a model as a web page (page 404)

Send Web Viewer models

When you have published a model as a web page in Web Viewer, you can send
Web Viewer models to others as zipped files. You can also send a link to Web
Viewer views or to the whole model.

See Publish a model as a web page (page 404) on how to publish a model in
Web Viewer.

To Do this
Send a Web 1. Create a .zip file of the entire \PublicWeb folder
Viewer model as that is under the model folder.
a zipped file
Remember to use the folder structure.
2. Attach the .zip file to an e-mail message and send it
to the recipient.
When you receive a zipped Web Viewer model, ensure that
you keep the folder names when extracting the files. To
open the model, double-click the index.html file.
Send a link to a Use the Send Web Viewer Link tool in Web Viewer.
Web Viewer view
See Create a named view in Web Viewer (page 406) for
instructions on how to create named views.
To see the view name in the Named views list, the
recipient must copy the text string and paste it into the
Web Viewer model.
You can also send links to several views. Copy the text
strings pointing to the views into a text file and send the
text file. The recipient then copies the contents of the text
file and pastes it into the Web Viewer model.
Send a link to a Use the Send ULR Link tool in Web Viewer.
Web Viewer
The recipient must have access to the folder that contains
model
the published model.

Create a named view in Web Viewer

You can zoom in the Web Viewer model and create named views.
1. In the \PublicWeb folder under the model folder, open the index.html
of the published model.
2. Zoom in to the part of the model from which you want to create the view.
3. Right-click and select Copy location.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 406 Other supported formats
 4. Create a new file in any text editor (for example, Microsoft Notepad) and
paste the location information into it.
The file should look, for example, as follows:

5. Replace the default name xyz with a name you want the view to have.
6. Select all text in the file, right-click and select Copy to copy the updated
location information to the published model.
7. In Web Viewer, right-click on the model and select Paste location.
The view name appears in the Named views list.

Web Viewer does not save named views with the published model. You can
save the text file that contains the location information, then copy the text to
the published model in Web Viewer the next time you want to use the view.
To allow others to see your named views, send the views using the Send Web
Viewer link tool.

See also
Send Web Viewer models (page 406)

View a model in Web Viewer

You can show and hide objects, and move and zoom in a model in Web Viewer.

See Publish a model as a web page (page 404) on how to publish a model in
Web Viewer.

Show and hide objects in Web Viewer

To Do this
Hide an object 1. Move the mouse pointer over the
object.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key and scroll
up using the mouse wheel (or
press the Page Up key).
Show a hidden 1. Move the mouse pointer over the
object hidden object.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key and scroll
down using the mouse wheel (or
press the Page Down key).
Show all objects Press the Esc key.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 407 Other supported formats
 To Do this
Show and hide 1. Press the P key.
objects by using a
2. Select an object face to align the
clip plane
clip plane with.
3. Move the clip plane by dragging the

scissor symbol .
You can jump from a clip plane to
another by pressing the space bar.

Move and zoom in Web Viewer

To Do this
Zoom in or out Do one of the following:
• Press the Page Up or Page Down key.
• Scroll the mouse wheel up and down.
Move the model Do one of the following:
• Click Pan and drag.
• Drag with the mouse middle button.
Rotate the model Do one of the following:
• Click Rotate and drag.
• Hold down the Ctrl key and drag with the
middle mouse button.
Fly through the 1. Click Fly and move the mouse forward
model to fly forward.
2. To change flying direction, move the
mouse to the desired direction.
3. To stop, click Esc.
Center the model Click Center.
on the screen
Return the model Click Home.
to the original view
Relocate the 1. Press the V key.
center of rotation
2. Click to select a new center of rotation.

You can also right-click the model and select the move and zoom commands
from the pop-up menu.

Import to and export from Tekla Structures 408 Other supported formats
4 Tekla Warehouse

Tekla Warehouse is a service for collaboration, and for storing and sharing
Tekla Structures content.
Tekla Warehouse provides centralized access to a wide range of content that
you can use in your Tekla Structures models.
With Tekla Warehouse you can:
• Publish your content online.
• Use your company network or a commercial file storage and
synchronization service to share content.
• Save content locally for private use.
In Tekla Warehouse, content is organized into collections.
Tekla Structures collections contain official Tekla Structures content that you
can use in your models. The content is grouped by geographical area. There is
also a global folder for content that is not location specific.
Tekla Warehouse has the following content categories:
• Applications
• Custom components
• 3D products
• Profiles
• Materials
• Bolts
• Reinforcement
• Model setup files
• Drawing setup files
• Report templates

Accessing Tekla Warehouse

To open Tekla Warehouse while using Tekla Structures, do one of the following:

Tekla Warehouse 409 Other supported formats

• On the File menu, click Extend --> Tekla Warehouse.
• Go to Quick Launch, and start typing Tekla Warehouse.

Tekla Warehouse Service

Tekla Warehouse consists of the Tekla Warehouse web site (https://
warehouse.tekla.com/) and the Tekla Warehouse Service.
You need Tekla Warehouse Service to benefit from all the features Tekla
Warehouse offers, for example, easy installation of content into a Tekla
Structures model, or local and network collections.

See also
For more information on Tekla Warehouse, go to Tekla Warehouse and click
About, or see Getting started with Tekla Warehouse.

Tekla Warehouse 410 Other supported formats

Index

exporting.........................................393,394
3 import file types.................................... 382
3D DWG/DXF importing................................................383
exporting................................................ 182 Calma............................................................387
change detection for reference models...126
change management..................................126
A checking multi-user databases....................64
checking reference model contents......... 138
abs files........................................................ 359 checking
access rights.................................................. 73 exported IFC model.............................. 176
analysis & design CIMSteel design/manufacturing models
direct links..............................................242 exporting................................................ 301
Robot...................................................... 249 CIMSteel....................................................... 387
SAP2000................................................. 249 conversion files..................................... 303
systems...................................................242 exporting................................................ 299
ASCII..............................................................261 exporting to an analysis model........... 301
exporting.........................................306,307 importing................................................299
file description.......................................307 CIS................................................................. 250
importing........................................ 306,307 conversion files..................................... 303
exporting................................................ 299
exporting to an analysis model........... 301
B importing................................................299
CIS Model..................................................... 387
base quantities............................................176
CIS Model/CIMSteel.................................... 387
Bus................................................................ 387
CIS status..................................................... 387
importing................................................258
CIS/2..............................................................299
BVBS............................................................. 309
CIS/CIMSteel................................................ 261
calculating bar length........................... 365
CNC............................................................... 262
export settings.......................................359
compatible software..................................... 94
exporting................................................ 359
concrete fabrication....................................309
contour marking......................................... 282
conversion files........................................... 113
C CIMSteel................................................. 303
CAD models creating...................................................114
re-importing...........................................399 twin profiles........................................... 114
CAD............................................................... 387 converting IFC objects................................ 149
export file types.....................................382 converting multi-user model....................... 56
converting single-user model...................... 56
Convert_DSTV2DXF..................................... 286
copying
multi-user models................................... 62

411
creating DSTV file description...................................264
contour marking....................................282 dstv2dxf.exe................................................ 286
creating layout line..................................... 233 DWG..............................................................180
creating layout point.................................. 232 drawing export layers............ 196,198,199
creating export..................................................... 184
conversion files..................................... 114 export example..................................... 204
layers for DWG export.......................... 205 exporting 3D.......................................... 182
Layout Manager groups....................... 230 exporting drawings................ 184,193,195
NC files in DSTV format........................ 265 importing................................................181
NC files in DXF format...........................286 objects in export layers........................ 197
pop-marks..............................................278 DWG export................................................. 184
rule for DWG export............................. 205 DWG/DXF files
selection filter for DWG export............204 exporting drawings............................... 184
tube NC files.......................................... 285 DXF........................................................ 180,262
customizing creating from NC files........................... 286
NC file header information.................. 277 drawing export layers............ 196,198,199
cxl..................................................................243 exporting 3D.......................................... 182
exporting drawings........................193,195
importing................................................181
D DXF
objects in export layers........................ 197

defining export..................................................... 184

custom line type for DWG export........206 exporting drawings............................... 184
export settings in Layout Manager..... 236
line types and weights for layers in DWG
export..................................................... 207
deleting E
unnecessary drawing files......................73 EliPlan........................................................... 309
design models............................................. 301 export settings.......................................370
DGN.............................................................. 210 exporting................................. 366,367,368
exporting................................................ 213 importing........................................ 366,368
importing................................................211 error messages
supported objects................................. 211 in multi-user mode................................. 63
direct links.............................................. 94,242 Eureka LMP.................................................. 387
drawing export............................................ 184 examples
defining customized line type mappings converting IFC objects.......................... 158
.................................................................199 creating layers for DWG export........... 205
drawing files...................................................70 creating rule for DWG export.............. 205
deleting unnecessary..............................73 creating selection filter......................... 204
drawings defining custom line type for DWG
default line types...................................203 export..................................................... 206
export layers........................... 196,198,199 defining line types and weights for layers
exporting................................. 193,195,199 .................................................................207
DSTV...............................................253,262,387 exporting drawing to DWG.................. 208
converting to DXF..................................287 setting up layers for DWG export........204
creating NC files.................................... 265 export DWG................................................. 184
exporting................................................ 260 export layers........................................ 196,198
importing................................................253 assigning objects................................... 197
supported entities.................................260 copying to another project...................199

412
export to DWG.............................................184 XML......................................................... 394
export types.................................................111
exporting
CAD......................................................... 393
exporting......................................................111
F
3D DWG/DXF..........................................182 Fabtrol XML.......................................... 261,305
ASCII................................................ 306,307 importing................................................305
assigning objects to drawing export FEM........................................................387,394
layers...................................................... 197 export file types.....................................252
BVBS.........................................358,359,365 import file types.................................... 252
CAD......................................................... 394 importing................................................252
CAD export file types............................ 382 file formats.....................................................91
checking exported IFC model.............. 176 files
CIMSteel................................................. 299 conversion...................................... 113,114
CIS........................................................... 299 firm folders
compatible formats.................................92 exporting drawings............................... 199
compatible software............................... 94 fittings in NC files........................................ 284
DGN........................................................ 213 formats
drawing...................................................208 in import and export...............................92
drawing export layers............ 196,198,199
drawings.................................................199
drawings to 2D DWG/DXF files..... 193,195 H
drawings to DWG/DXF.......................... 184 header
DSTV........................................................260 NC files................................................... 277
ELiPLAN....................................366,367,368 HMS....................................................... 309,377
FEM......................................................... 394 exporting from Tekla Structures..........377
FEM export file types............................ 252 project data in export........................... 378
IFC base quantities................................176 slab data in export................................ 378
into IFC....................................................167 steel part data in export.......................378
into IFC4.......................................... 167,172
layers...................................................... 195
Layout Manager.................................... 228
layout points.......................................... 234 I
MIS list.................................................... 298 IFC4
model to Tekla BIMsight.......................402 exporting Tekla Structures models....
PDMS...................................................... 394 167,172
PML......................................................... 394 IFC................................................................. 145
SDNF....................................................... 394 base quantities...................................... 176
SketchUp................................................ 217 checking exported IFC model.............. 176
STAAD..................................................... 259 converted objects..................................149
supported DSTV entities.......................260 defining property sets in export..........164
to a CIMSteel analysis model...............301 example of converting IFC objects...... 158
to CIMSteel design/manufacturing export..................................................... 163
models....................................................301 exporting Tekla Structures models..... 167
to HMS.................................................... 377 import.....................................................148
Unitechnik.... object conversion limitations.............. 162
310,312,314,319,330,337,344,346,349, object converter.................................... 149
352,353,356,357 profile conversion................................. 158

413
 property set configuration files........... 177 compatible software............................... 94
reference model assemblies................144 ISM................................................................ 250
supported schemas.............................. 148
using Organizer spatial hierarchy in
export..................................................... 167
import types................................................ 111
L
importing points......................................... 240 LandXML...................................................... 214
importing..................................................... 111 layers
additional models from Tekla BIMsight.... assigning objects in drawing export... 197
402 copying to another project...................199
ASCII........................................................306 in drawing export............ 195,196,198,199
Bus.......................................................... 258 Layout Manager
CAD......................................................... 383 coordinates............................................ 231
CAD import file types............................382 creating layout line................................233
CAD models........................................... 399 creating layout point.............................232
CIMSteel................................................. 299 default numbering................................ 230
CIS........................................................... 299 defining groups.............................. 230,231
compatible formats.................................92 exporting................................. 228,234,236
compatible software............................... 94 exporting drawings............................... 237
DSTV........................................................253 field point............................................... 240
DWG files................................................181 groups.....................................................230
DXF files.................................................. 181 importing.................................228,237,239
ELiPLAN........................................... 366,368 importing points....................................240
FabTrol XML........................................... 305 measured point..................................... 240
FEM......................................................... 252 viewing....................................................234
FEM import file types............................252 line cuts in NC files......................................284
from Tekla Structural Designer............245 line types
Layout Manager............................. 228,237 customizing............................................195
layout point............................................239 in drawings.............................................203
models....................................................387 mapping..........................................195,199
PDF to model......................................... 217 locking
Plantview models.................................. 385 reference models.................................. 125
re-importing a model............................399
reference models................... 117,118,148
reference models from Tekla BIMsight.... M
402 manufacturing models...............................301
reports.................................................... 400 mapping line types..................................... 195
SDNF....................................................... 383 mapping
STAAD..................................................... 254 line types for drawing export.............. 199
Stan 3d....................................................257 markups......................................................... 78
SteelFab/SCIA.........................................386 master models.............................................. 57
industry standards........................................91 saving........................................................65
inquiring matexp_cis.cnv............................................ 303
reference model contents....................138 MicasPlus..................................................... 387
inserting MIS.........................................................261,297
reference models.................................. 118 exporting................................................ 298
interoperability file types information........................... 298
compatible formats.................................92 model history

414
 collecting.................................................. 60
model revision comments......................60 O
viewing......................................................60 object conversion........................................162
models objects.inp................................................... 124
importing................................................387
multi-user models
copying..................................................... 62
shutting down..........................................61
P
multi-user mode PDF
active multi-users.................................... 62 import.....................................................216
advantages...............................................53 importing to model...............................217
autosave................................................... 59 PDMS............................................................ 394
changing the server of a multi-user PDMS/E3D ...................................................306
model........................................................54 permissions................................................... 73
checking databases.................................64 Plantview......................................................387
error messages........................................63 importing models..................................385
locking models.........................................58 PML
locks for drawings................................... 72 exporting................................................ 394
multi-user server..................................... 54 point clouds
numbering.......................................... 69,70 attaching................................................ 218
overview................................................... 53 detaching............................................... 218
recommendations...................................64 limitations.............................................. 218
saving in.............................................. 59,65 point count.............................................218
switching between single-user and multi- storage....................................................218
user modes.............................................. 56 supported file formats......................... 218
multi-user server as a service......................54 pop-marks
creating...................................................278
prfexp_cis.cnv.............................................. 303

N privileges........................................................ 73
privileges.inp
NC files changing access rights............................73
destination folder..................................267 controlling access to lock and unlock
settings................................................... 267 objects...................................................... 73
NC files controlling access to numbering setup 73
contour marking....................................262 controlling access to save standard files
creating...................................................265 ................................................................... 73
creating contour marking.................... 282 options......................................................73
creating in DXF format..........................286 user-defined attribute Locked............... 73
creating pop-marks...............................278 project folders
customizing file header information.. 277 exporting drawings............................... 199
DSTV file description.............................264 property set configuration files
fittings.....................................................284 in IFC export...........................................177
line cuts.................................................. 284 property sets............................................... 177
NC file headers...................................... 262 defining in IFC export........................... 164
pop-marks..............................................262 publishing
tube NC files.......................................... 285 model to Tekla BIMsight.......................402
NC/DSTV.......................................................261
numbering
in multi-user mode............................ 69,70

415
R importing................................................383
shutting down multi-user models...............61
reference model single-user mode
LandXML.................................................214 switching between single-user and multi-
reference models user modes.............................................. 56
locking.................................................... 125 SketchUp...................................................... 217
reference models exporting................................................ 217
assemblies............................................. 144 SLABDATE block ..........................................350
checking contents................................. 138 software......................................................... 94
detecting changes..........................120,126 STAAD.Pro.................................................... 250
downloading from Trimble Connect STAAD........................................................... 387
project.......................................................78 exporting................................................ 259
hiding and showing...............................120 importing................................................254
hierarchy................................................ 140 table type specifications.......................256
highlighting in model view................... 120 Stan 3d......................................................... 387
importing................................................118 importing................................................257
inquiring contents.................................138 Steel fabrication.......................................... 261
inquiring native reference objects...... 140 SteelFab/SCIA.............................................. 387
loading....................................................117 importing................................................386
modifying details...................................124
opening reference models list.............120
reference model objects...................... 139
showing details......................................120
T
showing layers.......................................120 table type specifications
supported DGN objects........................211 STAAD..................................................... 256
Trimble Connector Tekla BIMsight............................................. 401
exporting model objects to ifc files. 78 importing additional models............... 402
synchronizing with Trimble Connect importing reference models................ 402
............................................................. 78 publishing models from Tekla Structures
updating................................................. 120 .................................................................402
user-defined attributes........................ 120 Tekla Model Sharing
reports back up..................................................... 44
importing................................................400 baseline.................................................... 29
Robot............................................................ 249 best practices...........................................44
cache....................................................12,14
conflicts.................................................... 44

S drawing locks........................................... 26
editor........................................................ 16
S-Frame excluding files and folders..................... 42
displaying............................................... 251 excluding model...................................... 30
exporting................................................ 251 introduction............................................. 10
importing................................................251 joining....................................................... 19
SACS..............................................................387 licenses..................................................... 12
SAP2000....................................................... 249 limitations................................................ 44
saving model history...........................................44
in multi-user mode............................ 59,65 multi-user model.....................................32
master models.........................................65 object IDs..................................................44
SDNF............................................................. 387 object locks.............................................. 26
exporting................................................ 394 object types..............................................44

416
 organizer.................................................. 44 exporting....
owner........................................................16 310,312,314,319,330,337,344,346,349,
prerequisites............................................ 11 352,353,356,357
privileges.................................................. 26 insulation............................................... 330
project viewer.......................................... 16 surface....................................................330
read in.......................................................21 UXML............................................................ 309
restore...................................................... 44
settings..................................................... 40
shared models......................................... 33
sharing changes...................................... 23
V
sharing history.........................................23 viewing
sharing service.........................................12 layout lines.............................................234
starting..................................................... 18 layout points.......................................... 234
user information..................................... 34
user roles..................................................16
viewer....................................................... 16 W
what is shared......................................... 35 Web Viewer
write out................................................... 21 creating named views...........................406
write out errors....................................... 44 e-mailing models...................................406
Tekla Structural Designer........................... 243 full content rendering...........................404
exporting to........................................... 248 large models.......................................... 404
importing from...................................... 245 moving objects...................................... 407
re-importing from................................. 247 publishing a model as web page.........404
Tekla Structures multi-user server..............54 receiving models................................... 406
Tekla Warehouse.........................................409 sending links.......................................... 406
Tekla Warehouse Service........................... 409 sending models..................................... 406
Tekla Web Viewer........................................ 401 Tekla Web Viewer.................................. 403
ToDo tooltips....................................................405
assigning...................................................78 viewing objects...................................... 407
attachments............................................. 78 web templates....................................... 405
creating.....................................................78 zooming..................................................407
markups................................................... 78 working models.............................................57
notes......................................................... 78
Trimble Connect Desktop............................ 78
Trimble Connect Web................................... 78
tube NC files................................................ 285 X
twin profiles XML
conversion..............................................114 exporting................................................ 394

U
uni................................................................. 312
Unitechnik....................................................309
assemblies............................................. 330
classes.................................................... 330
embeds...................................................330

417
418