From Tekla Structural Designer to Tekla Structures

This article explains how to send a Tekla Structural Designer model to Tekla Structures, using BIM Expert.

1. Preparation in Tekla Structural Designer

The conversion is based on the .cxl file format. The .cxl file format is an XML based neutral file format that allows applications to link with Tekla Structural Designer. Tekla Structural Designer accepts and produces files in the .cxl neutral file format.

1. Create the model as usual.
2. On the BIM Integration tab, click Autodesk Revit Export. The BIM Integration wizard opens.
3. Adjust the location and rotation of the model, and click ‘Next’.
4. Select the items that are included in the model, and click ‘Next’.
5. Specify the export names of material grades, and click ‘Next’.
6. Specify the file name and location.
7. Select whether the file is exported for the first time, or whether you want to update an existing model.
8. Click ‘Finish’.

2. Send model from Tekla Structural Designer to Tekla Structures

2.1 From Tekla Structural Designer to BIM Expert

In the Model tab, select ‘Import’. Next, choose ‘CXL’. Click  to continue.

The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.1.1 Material & section mapping

Most common materials and sections are mapped according to the TSD neutral file mapping conventions. If there is no match found, a default section and material will be applied. You can specify these defaults in ‘File > Settings > CXL’

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.

4. Get started with BIM Expert