The document outlines the enhancements in Tekla Structures 21.0, focusing on interoperability and improved change management for IFC models. Key updates include automated exports through BIM Publisher, better IFC export capabilities, and enhanced workflow tools for integrating design teams. Additionally, new features for steel modeling, reinforced concrete, and improved drawing functionalities streamline the design process and facilitate collaboration with other software like Revit and Aveva PDMS.

1. Tekla Structures 21.0
Arvydas Kublickas

2. 2
INTEROPERABILITY

3. 2
INTEROPERABILITY

4. 2
INTEROPERABILITY

5. 2
INTEROPERABILITY

6. IFC Change Management
• For detecting, managing and reacting
to changes in IFC models
• Aids Engineers and Detailers to
manage changes in
– Aveva PDMS interoperability
– Design teams involving Architects
and MEP designers
– Engineer – Detailer workflow
– Internal change management
6

7. IFC Change Management
• Updated user interface
– Update Native Parts button
• Control over what properties are
update
• Feedback over success
– New columns Native Part and Native
Value
• Better default settings
for detecting changes
• Better support for
updating plates and slabs
7

8. BIM Publisher
• Automates your model and drawing exports
• BIM publisher take cares of exporting DGN, DWG, IFC
models and DWG drawings form multiple models in one
go
• Can be scheduled to run during nights
• Now also supports
– Export to PDMS
– Export to Revit
8

9. Improved IFC export
• Faster and more robust IFC export
• Strengthens Tekla’s Open BIM approach and speeds up
interoperability
9

10. Improved IFC export
• Improved export of
– counter plates with chamfers
– poly-beams
• Dramatically improved IFC export time
• New options
– export IFC with minimum properties
– export flat and wide beams as plates
– Option to export using current view colors
• Export showing status by color!
– to set accuracy for poperties
10

11. SketchUp Export & Import
• Import now supports SketchUp version 2015
• Provide additional business benefit by being able to
communicate your design intentions to those outside of the
design team in sketch form
11
Tekla SketchUp Pro Render plug-in

12. Miscellaneous
• Improved IFC Object Converter
– Works better for objects with chamfers, e.g. contour plates
• Reference model DWG import
– DWG reference model import now supports ACAD2014
12

13. 13
MODELING

14. Direct Modification
• Easy and intuitive
way to insert custom
parts
– Preview when
placing and
moving
– Immediate
editing of position
• Easy editing of
position
– Move and rotate
14

15. Direct Modification
• Construction Geometry
– Points, Lines, Circles and Planes
• Construction circles
– Now true circles providing accurate snapping
– Continuous solid line is easier to snap to
– Improved performance for large diameter
circles
15
Check radius
Re-size
Offset
Move end pointsOld: Straight segments
Dashed line
New: True curve
Solid line

16. Clip Planes
• Snap to edges on clip planes
– Own special grey snap
symbol
• Model to intersections of
parts and skewed planes
– Great for skewed and
sloped stiffener and
gusset modeling
16

17. Split Poly-beams
17
• Split command now
supports poly-beams
– Start the
command
– Pick the poly-
beam
– Picked the point
– Command stays
active for
repeated use

18. Intergraph Smart™ 3D
• For transferring model data between Intergraph's
Smart™ 3D and Tekla Structures
• Improved in latest versions
3

19. New reference models management
• More efficient management
of reference models
• Total new user interface
introduced
– New side pane list
– Group reference models
– Control visibility
– Layer control
– Change detection
– Works with Organizer
19

20. Organizer & Object Browser
• Improvements in reporting
– Show assembly content
– Combine identical rows
• Better controls for automation
– Organizer specific filters
– Filter model content:
• Choose to include or
exclude
the native model
• Choose reference models to
include or exclude
20

21. 21
STEEL MODELING

22. Numbering
22
• Welds in assemblies
– Option to check welds when
numbering assemblies
– Number of welds must be
the same
– Weld properties must match
• Size, type, reference text,
UDAs, primary and
secondary parts, etc.
• Polygon weld geometry
must match to within
1.0mm

23. Numbering
• Stud Pop-marks
– Stud pop-marks are now
taken
into account in part
numbering
• Improved information in
the numbering log
– amount of objects
checked
– time taken for numbering
steps
23
Numbering 748 parts.
Part numbering done in 2s
Numbering 0 reinforcing bars
Reinforcing bar numbering done in 0s
Numbering 340 assemblies or assembly families
Assembly numbering done in 1s
Numbering 340 assemblies or assembly families
Family numbering done in 0s
Numbering 748 parts.
Part numbering done in 2s
Numbering 0 reinforcing bars
Reinforcing bar numbering done in 0s
Numbering 340 assemblies or assembly families
Assembly numbering done in 1s
Numbering 340 assemblies or assembly families
Family numbering done in 0s

24. Numbering
• Ignore part rotation for named assemblies
– Anchor rods and other assemblies can now get same marks regardless
of rotation
– XS_EXCLUDED_PARTS_IN_ORIENTATIONAL_NUMBERING
– List part names to ignore when checking orientation
– Wild card use supported
24

25. Miscellaneous
• Weld command shows main part
– Weld main part briefly shown red
– Weld secondary part briefly shown yellow
– Immediate feedback that weld was created as planned
25

26. Plates from built-up sections
• Improved
– Support for poly-beams, including arch chamfers
• New options:
– Numbering settings
– Mapping part and assembly mark
– Individual plate settings (web vs flange)
26

27. Explode and combine poly-beams
• Explode a poly-beam into beams
– Properties are mapped to the
beams
27

28. Explode and combine poly-beams
• Combine beams into a poly-beam
– Poly-beam gets the properties from
the first picked beam
• Options
– Intersection and nearest point
options
– Remove consecutive collinear points
– Chamfer options
28

29. Complex Poly-beam Creation
• Create complex curved poly-beam
shapes
– helicoidal
– elliptical
– Aids in the layout of complex
geometry such as stadium seats,
architectural steel, stair cases etc.
29

30. Aveva PDMS interoperability
• Improved workflow with Aveva PDMS
• New bi-directional link introduces higher level of details and
better management of information transfer
– Bi-directional link based on IFC for transferring and
converting to native parts
4

31. Complex modeling
• Combine Complex Poly-beam and Surface Generation, Array
Tools, and Unfold Bent Plates to layout complex geometries
• Create 3D plate beams that won’t roll
31

32. Plate Work Tools
32
• Unfolded Bent Plate creates an unfolded version from a bent
plate that has been created using attach parts
– Maps the detailing
– Unfolds any bent plate created attach part
– Pick position to place the unfolded plate
– Only supports sharp bends
– Unfold at center line or common
edge
– Creates
drawings

33. Squaring Cuts
• Create the minimum perpendicular cut
for beveled holes and cuts in plates
– Input is a part or a part cut
– For plate burners which do not
support beveling
– Easier fabrication and fitting
33

34. Squaring Cuts
• Supports any cut profile shape
• Unfolded plates modeled so they are cut
straight
• Supports hole tolerance/offset
34

35. Circular Platform
• Create a curved platform
– Includes decking
– Perfect for platforms on storage tanks, silos, etc.
– Options to control railings
– Create full 360° platforms
– Option to create a radial grid
35

36. No Paint Area Between Parts
• Creates a no paint area between
overlapping surfaces
– Compliment to the No paint area
extension which works with bolted
parts
– Overlapping parts do not need to
be bolted or welded
– Automatically updates when the
parts are updated
– Easily build-in no paint
functionality
to custom components
36

37. No Paint Area Between Parts
• Create for the whole contact area or clearance from the
contact area
• Define the no-paint surfacing attributes
• Specify the allowable gap
– Create no paints areas even when
parts don’t touch, such as erection
tolerance gaps
37

38. 38
CIP MODELING

39. Polyline pour break
• Ortho shows 45°/90° angle
• Closed polygons + modify
39
• More flexibility in pour break
creation
• Less ”workaround” pour breaks

40. Pour break adaptivity
• Faster and more reliable pour break functionality
– Pour breaks adapt to changes in geometry
• Less deleting and remodeling existing pour breaks
• Existing pour properties and information is not lost
• Modifying is easier
40
+ 1 beam + 2 beam

41. Pours
• Reliable and more robust pours
– Automation in pour properties
• Automated pour type: pour
object has a reportable type
by default
• Manual edits are adopted
to new pours
– Improved solid handling
41

42. Revit Interoperability
• Work efficiently with the Design Team using Revit
• For collaborating and clash checking
– Use standard Autodesk approved IFC files
• For reusing accurate Tekla geometry in Revit for Drawings
– Tekla: Export to Revit for Drawings (Warehouse)
– Revit: Import from Tekla Add-In (Tekla.com)
– Improved export/import speed, general reliability and
fixed member rotation errors
– See more on teklastructures.support.tekla.com
5

43. Revit Interoperability
• Work efficiently with the Design Team using Revit
• For collaborating and clash checking
– Use standard Autodesk approved IFC files
• For reusing accurate Tekla geometry in Revit for Drawings
– Tekla: Export to Revit for Drawings (Warehouse)
– Revit: Import from Tekla Add-In (Tekla.com)
– Improved export/import speed, general reliability and
fixed member rotation errors
– See more on teklastructures.support.tekla.com
5

44. Revit Interoperability
• Work efficiently with the Design Team using Revit
• For collaborating and clash checking
– Use standard Autodesk approved IFC files
• For reusing accurate Tekla geometry in Revit for Drawings
– Tekla: Export to Revit for Drawings (Warehouse)
– Revit: Import from Tekla Add-In (Tekla.com)
– Improved export/import speed, general reliability and
fixed member rotation errors
– See more on teklastructures.support.tekla.com
5

45. Foor layout
45
• Easier using of universal floor tool
– Editing polygon area

46. Foor layout
46
• Easier using of universal floor tool
– Panels dividing/dragging (+Alt; +Ctrl)

47. Foor layout
47
• Easier using of universal floor tool
– Single slab modification (right click)

48. Foor layout
48
• Easier using of universal floor tool
– Creating (polygon, rectangular) openings or breakline

49. Foor layout
49
• Easier using of universal floor tool
– Different layers offsets

50. Hole around part (92)
50
• Create multiple holes with one action

51. Hollow Core Reinforcement Strands
(60)
51
• Different strand placing cases for ends
• New option to consider openings

52. Floor Layout Cast In Place Filler
52
• Fill Floor Layout empty narrow stripes with cast in place
concrete
• Concrete fills inside Floor Layout area/boundaries

53. Mesh Bars and Mesh Bars by Area
53
• Intelligent (area) reinforcement with mesh
• Modify Mesh Bars by Area boundaries
with Direct Modification

54. IFC Change Management
• For detecting, managing and reacting
to changes in IFC models
• Aids Engineers and Detailers to
manage changes in
– Aveva PDMS interoperability
– Design teams involving Architects
and MEP designers
– Engineer – Detailer workflow
– Internal change management
6

55. IFC Change Management
• For detecting, managing and reacting
to changes in IFC models
• Aids Engineers and Detailers to
manage changes in
– Aveva PDMS interoperability
– Design teams involving Architects
and MEP designers
– Engineer – Detailer workflow
– Internal change management
6

56. Reinforced Concrete Stairs (95)
56
• Automatic parametrical component
• Faster more intelligent results (especially later changes)

57. Beam End Reinforcement (79)
57
• Recognise reverse situation

58. Rectangular Column Reinforcement
(83)
58
• Improvement handling of intermediate stirrups
• UI changes

59. Sandwich Wall Window
59
• Possibility to handle continuous slope details by setting angle
or sloping length (before was problem: different settings
needed to be set if e.g. insulation layer thickness was
changed)

60. 60
DRAWINGS

61. Dimension
Rules
View
Properties
Drawing
Beam
Front
Bolts
Parts
Top
Grids
Parts
Section Bolts
View Level Control
• A change to a view based
approach at drawing
creation
– The view is now the
primary control for most
object properties
– The view is where
dimensioning rules are
defined
– New view based
dimension rules are
available
61

62. The old dialogs...
62

63. ... and its many sub dialogs
63

64. New Drawing and View Dialogs
• New dialogs for drawing
and view properties
– Intuitive & easy
navigation of drawing
and view properties
– Less screen clutter and
reduced ‘depth’ of
settings by removing
sub-dialogs
– View properties can
now be shared across
all drawing types
*GA drawings still use the old dialog, but views in GA drawings
use the new view dialog
64

65. View Level Control
• Use different settings in views at drawing creation
– Control parts, marks, and other objects separately in top,
front, section, and end views
– Example: Use exact profiles in section and end views only
65

66. View Level Control
• Create multiple views
– Create several top,
front, or end views for
different dimensioning
or marking purposes
– Example: two end
views, one with part
dims, one with bolt
dimensions
66

67. View Level Control
• Automatic dimensioning of new and existing views
– Manually created views now use applied view properties
• Dimensioning rules will be run when the view is created
• Create section and detail views with automatic dimensioning
– Change the automatic dimensioning in an existing view
• Manually created dimensions will be kept
– New model content and changes will be dimensioned by the applied
dimension rules when drawings are updated
67
Dimensions created
along with the view
Scale comes from applied
properties

68. IFC Change Management
• Updated user interface
– Update Native Parts button
• Control over what properties are
update
• Feedback over success
– New columns Native Part and Native
Value
• Better default settings
for detecting changes
• Better support for
updating plates and slabs
7

69. IFC Change Management
• Updated user interface
– Update Native Parts button
• Control over what properties are
update
• Feedback over success
– New columns Native Part and Native
Value
• Better default settings
for detecting changes
• Better support for
updating plates and slabs
7

70. Custom Presentation - Examples
• Laser layout projection
– Drawing all the lines slows down the laser and makes it too
dim to see on the layout table
70

71. Custom Presentation - Examples
• Can be used to create custom weld marks
– Offshore standards
– Inspection marks
– Etc.
71

72. • Show weld seams in all drawings
– Clarify the locations of welds
in drawings
– Snap to weld seams to
dimension the length
of the weld or weld offsets
– Control weld seams and
weld marks independently
Welds in Drawings
72

73. Welds in Drawings
• Welds and weld marks can now be
shown in single-part drawings
– Show weld seams and marks
in single-part drawings
– Aids in clarifying possible needs
for surface preparation
• Weld and weld mark selection
switches in drawings
– To select welds, use the ‘Select
drawing welds’ switch
– To select weld marks, use the Select
drawing marks switch
73

74. Reference in Cast Unit Drawings
• Show architecture reference in Cast Unit drawings
• Architectural graphic facade
• Double check MEP and hole reservations
74

75. New dimensioning – shape, hole and
recess
• Define shape, hole and recess types
75
1.Hole
2.Recess
3.Shape

76. Improved 2D details on drawings
• Drawing Symbol Manager allows you to save, change manage
2D details used on drawings
• Improves productivity when working with 2D details
• NEW in 21
– Renewed user interface
– Folder structure for 2D details
– Search
– Grouped together
– Also works for inserted DWGs
76

77. New Drawing Printing
• Easy preview and printing of drawings
– Preview drawings before printing
– Built in support for printing to PDF
– Produce PDF, print to printers, or plot to files
– Create a single PDF file
of all drawings
– Set line thicknesses
– Many other advanced
printing options
77

78. Miscellaneous
• See who has locked drawings
– New “Locked by” column in drawing list shows the user
who has locked the drawing
• Curved section views
– Drag and drop editing of the
view boundary and view plane
– View plane and boundary are
now shown in the curved view
and the parent view
– All parts inside the curved
boundary are shown in the
section view
78

79. BIM Publisher
• Automates your model and drawing exports
• BIM publisher take cares of exporting DGN, DWG, IFC
models and DWG drawings form multiple models in one
go
• Can be scheduled to run during nights
• Now also supports
– Export to PDMS
– Export to Revit
8