{"id":14514,"date":"2025-01-30T13:28:22","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T13:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/?post_type=ht_kb&#038;p=14514"},"modified":"2025-02-20T09:15:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T09:15:48","slug":"from-saf-to-tekla-structural-designer","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/knowledge-base\/from-saf-to-tekla-structural-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"From SAF to Tekla Structural Designer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This article explains how to send an SAF model to Tekla Structural Designer, using BIM Expert.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p><br>    \t\t<div class=\"hts-messages hts-messages--alert  hts-messages--withtitle hts-messages--withicon \" id=\"\" style=\"\">\r\n    \t\t\t<span class=\"hts-messages__title\">Attention<\/span>    \t\t\t    \t\t\t\t<p>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\tThis BIM workflow is only for bar elements! Plate elements are currently not supported.    \t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n    \t\t\t    \t\t\t\r\n    \t\t<\/div><!-- \/.ht-shortcodes-messages -->\r\n    \t\t\r\n\r\n<script src=\"moz-extension:\/\/ccccaaeb-013b-4b99-be98-cffa5aa77072\/js\/app.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"ConnectiveDocSignExtentionInstalled\" data-extension-version=\"1.0.4\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-preparation-in-revit\"><strong>1. Good to know<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SAF (Structural Analysis Format) is a file format that is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saf.guide\/en\/stable\/getting-started\/who-supports-saf.html\" target=\"_blank\">supported by many programs<\/a>, so this workflow can also be used when you want to go <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>From <strong>SCIA Engineer<\/strong> to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>Risa <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>Graphisoft \/ Archicad <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>Allplan <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>RadImpex <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>AxisVM <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>Sofistik <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>Dlubal <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>mbAECStrukturEditor <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>D.I.E<\/strong> to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>InfoGraph <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>NextFEM <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>MasterSap <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>Prota Structure<\/strong> to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From <strong>Karamba3D <\/strong>to Tekla Structural Designer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In the relevant software, make an export to SAF file and continue with the steps below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-send-the-revit-model-to-tekla-structures\"><strong>2. Send the SAF model to Tekla Structural Designer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-1-from-revit-to-bim-expert\">2.1 From SAF to BIM Expert<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>In the Model tab, select \u2018Import\u2019. Next, choose &#8216;SAF&#8217;. Click <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"img_inline alignnone wp-image-9082\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bimexpert_totekla_arrow.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 29px) 100vw, 29px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bimexpert_totekla_arrow.png 43w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bimexpert_totekla_arrow-35x33.png 35w\" alt=\"\" width=\"29\" height=\"28\" \/> to continue.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-14607 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/bimexpert_importfromsaf.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"253\" height=\"258\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"2-1-2-material-mapping\">2.1.1 Material mapping<\/h4>\n<p>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 (<em>Concrete grade C25<\/em> instead of <em>Concrete grade C25\/30<\/em>). 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&#8217;s properties.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-14606 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/bimexpert_importfromsaf_materialmapping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"395\" height=\"412\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you cannot find a suited counterpart in the BIM Expert database, the material can be added as new.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"2-1-2-material-mapping\">2.1.2 Section mapping<\/h4>\n<p>Database sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, \u2610 and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs\u00a0 (e.g. name is\u00a0<em>HEB300 \u2013 S235<\/em>\u00a0instead of <em>HEB300<\/em>). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-14605 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/bimexpert_importfromsaf_sectionmapping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"531\" height=\"351\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Parametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, \u2026) and user defined sections are not in the database. They should always be added as new.<\/p>\n<p>The model is now in BIM Expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.2 From BIM Expert to Tekla Structural Designer<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>In the Model tab, select \u2018Export\u2019. Next, choose the destination, namely &#8220;CXL&#8217;. Click\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"img_inline alignnone wp-image-9082\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bimexpert_totekla_arrow.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 29px) 100vw, 29px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bimexpert_totekla_arrow.png 43w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bimexpert_totekla_arrow-35x33.png 35w\" alt=\"\" width=\"29\" height=\"28\" \/> to continue.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-9668 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttotcxl.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"425\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttotcxl.png 602w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttotcxl-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttotcxl-50x30.png 50w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttotcxl-60x36.png 60w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttotcxl-35x21.png 35w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Next, you will be prompted to save the file<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-9677 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_filesave.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_filesave.png 861w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_filesave-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_filesave-768x417.png 768w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_filesave-50x27.png 50w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_filesave-60x33.png 60w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_filesave-35x19.png 35w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"2-1-2-material-mapping\">2.2.1 Material &amp; section mapping<\/h4>\n<p>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 &#8216;File &gt; Settings &gt; CXL&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-9669 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_defaults.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"391\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_defaults.png 496w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_defaults-300x175.png 300w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_defaults-50x29.png 50w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_defaults-60x35.png 60w, https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/bimexpert_exporttocxl_defaults-35x20.png 35w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"moz-extension:\/\/ccccaaeb-013b-4b99-be98-cffa5aa77072\/js\/app.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"ConnectiveDocSignExtentionInstalled\" data-extension-version=\"1.0.4\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-final-steps-in-tekla-structures\"><strong>3. Final steps in Tekla Structural Designer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<ol class=\"ol steps\">\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\"> On the <span class=\"ph uicontrol\">BIM Integration<\/span> tab, click <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/support.tekla.com\/dist\/suf\/product-guides\/tekla-structural-designer\/en\/2023\/GUID-8992C457-9B50-41D1-B947-0537ED277972-publishing.png\" \/><span class=\"ph uicontrol\">Structural BIM Import<\/span>. <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">The <span class=\"ph\"><span class=\"ph uicontrol\">BIM Integration<\/span> wizard<\/span> opens.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\">Use the <strong class=\"ph b\">[\u2026]<\/strong> button to browse and select the appropriate CXL file. <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">The remainder of the fields are populated with the settings read directly from the file.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\">Click <strong class=\"ph b\">Next<\/strong> to continue. <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">The <strong class=\"ph b\">Import Options<\/strong> page shows the settings related to the file, it will indicate if this is a first time import or an update, and allows the user to choose Metric or Imperial for the units, a design code and the default level type. The level type can later be adjusted in the construction levels dialog if required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\">Click <strong class=\"ph b\">Next<\/strong> to continue. <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">The <strong class=\"ph b\">Relocate Import Model<\/strong> page allows for models to be moved to around the datum position in Tekla Structural Designer from a real world co-ordinate. The extent of the model can be seen from the information displayed on the right hand side of the dialog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\">Click <strong class=\"ph b\">Next<\/strong> to continue. <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">The <strong class=\"ph b\">Integration Filter<\/strong> will be displayed. The five options shown here allow you to verify if grids, levels etc. are to be imported. Please note that the settings held in the Delete Existing\u2026 and four Update\u2026 columns should not be used when performing a First Time Import and are only used when synchronizing changes into an existing Tekla Structural Designer model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\">Click <strong class=\"ph b\">Next<\/strong> to continue. <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">Mapping of materials to recognised grades will be shown now. Here you can view the different materials recognised in the incoming CXL file and the options to alter materials with a more preferred grade.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\">Click <strong class=\"ph b\">Next<\/strong> to continue (if available). <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">Following on from Material mapping, the dialog for Decking mapping will be shown (if applicable). Again this allows users to view the decking types being imported and have the option of overwriting the details if required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li step stepexpand\"><span class=\"ph cmd\">Click <strong class=\"ph b\">Finish<\/strong> <\/span>\n<div class=\"itemgroup stepresult\">\n<p class=\"p\">After the file has completed processing, the model will be displayed within the Structural 3D view and you can then proceed with validation of the structure before applying any analytical information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"1-preparation-in-revit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Get started with BIM Expert<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div class=\"su-button-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\" class=\"su-button su-button-style-flat\" style=\"color:#FFFFFF;background-color:#E74C3C;border-color:#b93d30;border-radius:0px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color:#FFFFFF;padding:8px 26px;font-size:20px;line-height:30px;border-color:#ef8277;border-radius:0px;text-shadow:none\"><i class=\"sui sui-arrow-right\" style=\"font-size:20px;color:#FFFFFF\"><\/i> Download your free trial of BIM Expert<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:75px\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article explains how to send an SAF model to Tekla Structural Designer, using BIM Expert.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"ht-kb-category":[1306,1154],"ht-kb-tag":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/14514"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ht_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14514"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/14514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14815,"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/14514\/revisions\/14815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-category?post=14514"},{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-tag?post=14514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}