This article explains how to send a model from SAF to Tekla Structures, using BIM Expert.
1. Good to know
SAF (Structural Analysis Format) is a file format that is supported by many programs, so this workflow can also be used when you want to go
- From SCIA Engineer to Tekla Structures
- From Risa to Tekla Structures
- From Graphisoft / Archicad to Tekla Structures
- From Allplan to Tekla Structures
- From RadImpex to Tekla Structures
- From AxisVM to Tekla Structures
- From Sofistik to Tekla Structures
- From Dlubal to Tekla Structures
- From mbAECStrukturEditor to Tekla Structures
- From D.I.E to Tekla Structures
- From InfoGraph to Tekla Structures
- From NextFEM to Tekla Structures
- From MasterSap to Tekla Structures
- From Prota Structure to Tekla Structures
- From Karamba3D to Tekla Structures
2. Send the SAF model to Tekla Structures
2.1 From SAF to BIM Expert
In the Model tab, select ‘Import’. Next, choose ‘SAF’. Click
to continue.
2.1.1 Material mapping
Database materials such as steel (e.g. S235, ASTM-Grades), concrete (e.g. C25/30, M50) and timber (e.g. C24, D50, GL28c) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (Concrete grade C25 instead of Concrete grade C25/30). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database. Below the material list, there is a list of the current selected material’s properties.
If you cannot find a suited counterpart in the BIM Expert database, the material can be added as new.
2.1.2 Section mapping
Database sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, ☐ and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (e.g. name is HEB300 – S235 instead of HEB300). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.
Parametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) and user defined sections are not in the database. They should always be added as new.
The model is now in BIM Expert.
2.2 From BIM Expert to Tekla Structures
In the Model tab, select ‘Export’. Next, choose the destination software, namely Tekla Structures. Click to continue.
2.2.1 Settings
Choose ‘Export considering an analysis model’ and hit ‘Continue’.
Select the desired version of Tekla Structures, select the desired options and click ‘Export’.
In case the Tekla Structures project has already a model inside, BIM Expert will ask you how the new analysis model should be handled:
- Option 1: replace the old analysis model by the new one
- Option 2: create a new analysis model + give the new analysis model a name
- Option 3: copy the properties and settings of the old analysis model and export the new model to this.
In case the Tekla Structures project is empty, you can opt to specify the insertion data:
- ‘Yes’ to define the insertion data.
- ‘No’ to use the default insertion data.
2.2.2 Material mapping
In case not all sections or materials can be automatically mapped, you will see a dialog window to map BIM Expert’s materials with Tekla Structures materials. Click on the button with the 3 dots 
to open Tekla Structures’ material library and search for a match.
Alternatively, you could type in the Tekla Structures’ material name directly.
2.2.2 Section mapping
In case not all sections can be automatically mapped, you will see a dialog window to map BIM Expert’s section with Tekla Structures’ sections. Click on the button with the 3 dots to open Tekla Structures’ section library and search for a match. Tekla Structures’ section library depends on the environment that you have chosen. If no sections at all can be mapped, you might want to restart Tekla Structures with a different environment.
2.2.3 Preview & creating the model
The model will now be previewed in Tekla Structures and you get an overview of all new elements, native Tekla Structures elements. You could choose to leave some elements out by unchecking the ‘Accept‘ box, but in most cases you click ‘OK’ here.
2.2.4 Connections and components
Once the whole model is in Tekla Structures, BIM Expert will start the connection conversion. Whenever possible BIM Expert will convert connections to Tekla Structures components. You will first get an overview of all connections that are recognized as components. When clicking the little eye button 
, you get a pop-up window showing the connections. You could choose to leave some elements out by unchecking the ‘Accept‘ box, but in most cases you click ‘OK’ here.
If there are materials of sections to be mapped, they will appear in the next pop-up window. In the column ‘Bolt Assemblies Tekla Structures’ you can set a (different) bolt material.
3. Final steps in Tekla Structures
The model is now in Tekla Structures, ready for the next steps in the project process.
