Plant Design System (PDS)

Environment

Not environment-specific

PDS is written by the Intergraph Corporation. This page describe how Tekla Structures interoperate with Intergraph’s Plant Design System PDS

Exchange of data

Information between Tekla Structures and PDS can be transferred in two different ways, as a reference object or as a native object. To move information across in the SDNF format the Frameworks is required.

Reference file

Most reference models contain only the graphical information and have no inbuilt intelligence. The reference models will be used by Tekla Structures users who wish to view graphically structural, mechanical or electrical systems that are model in other 3D software. For example the piping and equipment done in PDS are imported as reference objects because of their use in the design phase, not for construction /fabrication itself. There are a few different file formats supported for reference models in Tekla Structures.

For reference information exchange between Tekla Structures and PDS are the file formats DGN, DWG, and DXF used. GUID is not supported by the file format. Both change management and clash checking is possible with DWG models in Tekla Structures.

Benefits

A reference model is not stored in the Tekla Structures model, it is just a link to the reference model, so the file size of the Tekla Structures model do not increase. Change management is possible with DWG files, for more information see below Importing to Tekla Structures - Reference files.

Reference files.
The reference model enables the Tekla Structures user to build the supporting structure around different kind of equipments as it’s possible to snap to a reference object. It is also easy to check for clashes between a reference model (DGN and DWG) and the Tekla Structures model (requires Tekla Structures 14 onwards). It is possible to show the reference model in drawings.

Drawback

DGN, DXF and DWG do not have any inbuilt intelligence. Therefore is it not possible to get any information about material or weight nor turn the objects into native Tekla Structures objects.

Transfer of steel frame

To transfer the steel frame between Tekla Structures and PDS the SDNF file format is used. The transfer requires Frameworks from Intergraph. SDNF - The Steel Detailing Neutral File, SDNF, has been the standard for data transfer for decades, as developed by Intergraph. SDNF is a reliable format to use in transferring steel profile information between applications. The transfer of information is of native objects. GUID is possible with SDNF.

The SDNF file only transfers steel members and plates. Tekla Structures dose not import or export the gridline from the SDNF file in order to let the user create the gridline and at the same time use this as a check.

Benefits
Intergraph wrote the SDNF file format there are no problems with transferring information via SDNF. Objects transferred via SDNF will act as native objects with steel grade and profile. As GUID is supported by SDNF it is possible to track objects and manage the changes.

Drawbacks
At the moment Tekla Structures do not allow the user to import and export the grid with the SDNF file. Only the steel frame can be transferred with via SDNF, to transfer piping and equipment use reference files.

Workflow

There are two different workflows depending on if the user also got Frameworks or not. If the user only has Tekla Structures and PDS the only way to exchange information is by using reference files. But as most users also have Frameworks the exchange of information in SDNF format is possible. The suggested workflow is assuming that the user has Frameworks.

The clash checking between the structural model and the equipment model can be done in Tekla Structures as in PDS/Frameworks. To do the clash checking in Tekla Structures use the reference model from PDMS and check for clashes (requires Tekla Structures v 14.0).

There are many benefits with the suggested workflow. To mention a few of them:

Tekla Structures modelling – powerful, comprehensive tools for structural modelling - steel, concrete, stairs, rails
Reference model (DGN, DWG and DXF) manipulation in Tekla Structures
High quality structural drawings – directly linked to model
Tekla Structures model will be used for detailing – makes sense that structural engineer uses same tool – facilitates improved downstream workflow, shop drawing review, etc.
Tekla Structures model can contain all structural items (rebar, connection material) not needed in plant model.
Workflow adopted by other users

Figure 1: Suggested workflow

Export and import files in Tekla Structures.

Importing to Tekla Structures

Reference files
1. Select the Insert Reference Model icon on your toolbar. or from File > Insert reference model.
2. In the field File name browse to folder of the reference model and select the desired file.
3. By default all layers in the model are imported. In Select Layers dialog is it possible to choose which layers to import.
4. Select OK
5. Snap to common coordinate system origin in Tekla Structures (make sure the Insert Reference Model icon is still selected.
6. The reference model will appear.
7. Interrupt the command and right-click the background, select Fit Work Area to Entire Model.

Figure 2: Reference Model Properties dialog box

In Tekla Structures 14 onwards there is an easy way of detect changes between different versions of reference files (only possible with IFC, DWG, XML and 3DD files).

1. Select the Insert Reference Model icon on your toolbar. or double-click on the existing reference model,
2. In the field File name browse to folder of the reference model and select the new reference file.
3. In the field Old file name browse to folder of the reference model and select the old reference file.
4. In the field Show select New file.
5. Select OK.
6. Snap to common coordinate system origin in Tekla Structures (make sure the Insert Reference Model icon is still selected.
7. The new reference model will appear.
8. Interrupt the command (by pressing ESC or right-click the background and select Interrupt).
9. Double-click the reference model and the Reference model properties dialog box appear.
10. In the field Show choose one of the options (Old file, Unchanged, Changed, Deleted, and Inserted) and then select Display.

Troubleshooting

If a white “X” shows up when the reference model is placed check to make sure the file path is correct, or that the file is actually still in that location (it may have been moved for example). The white “X” can also turn up if OK or Apply button were not selected before the reference model was placed.

If a white "X" shows up when the reference model is placed, you may need to delete a reference model from the Ref Cache folder in the default models folder. This problem occurs when a reference model fails to import the first time for some reason. A Ref Cache folder is created for the reference model, even if it failed in the import. So the user must go in and delete that subfolder name before trying to import it again.

Importing SDNF

Version Requirements: Tekla Structures V12.0 onwards.
Note - General see the SDNF article for more information and the Position Number Type is set to Universal ID in most cases

1. File > Import > CAD
2. Select Properties
3. In the field SDNF version number choose the version for the SDNF file to be imported. With PDS/Framworks version 3.0 is normally used.
4. Go to the Parameters tab.
5. In the field Input file browse for the file to be imported.
6. In the Type field select the SDNF option
7. If conversion files are needed, define the path to the files in the Conversion tab. Conversion files map Tekla Structures profile and material names with names used in other software.
8. Select Apply and then OK.

When importing newer or updated versions of a file it is important to be able to manage the changes. In Tekla Structures this is very easy, the model will be colour coded marking what have been modified, deleted, ignored and copied. Changes made to the model can then be accepted or rejected all at once or case by case.

Figure 3: Managing changes when importing

Exporting from Tekla Structures
This section describes how to export files from Tekla Structures.

Before exporting – select what to export

With most export file formats in Tekla Structures, you cannot export model elements that are not highlighted. So highlight them first before going to File > Export…
Select Objects in Components – Make sure this icon is selected to make sure parts are included from components in the model, like stairs for example. To NOT include connections in the export, only select the parts icon as shown.

It is recommended that the Tekla user set up View Filters specifically for isolating only the objects to be exported from Tekla Structures

Exporting reference models - Export DGN
1. Select the parts to export.
2. File > Export > 3D DGN
3. Enter the name of the export file, or click Browse... to locate it.
4. To export the model, click:
a. Export all to export the whole model, or
b. Export selected to export selected parts from the model.
5. Tekla Structures creates the export file in the current model folder. A note should appear in the lower left corner of the Tekla Structure window that states “DGN file created”.

Figure 4: DGN export dialog box

Export DWG/DXF
1. Select the parts to export.
2. File > Export > 3D DWG/DXF
3. Modify the export options as required.
4. Accept the default file name, or use Browse... to navigate to another file.
5. Select whether to export as DWG or as DXF.
6. To export the model, click:
a. Export all to export the whole model, or
b. Export selected to export selected parts from the model.
7. Tekla Structures creates the export file in the current model folder. A note should appear in the lower left corner of the Tekla Structure window that states “DWG/DXF file created”.

Figure 5: DWG/DXF export dialog box

Exporting SDNF
Note - General see the SDNF guide for more information and the Position Number Type is set to Universal ID in most cases
1. Select the parts to export.
2. File > Export > CAD
3. In the SDNF tab, set Apply cuts and fittings to Yes.
4. Go to the Parameters tab.
5. Define a file name in the Output file.
6. In the Type field select the SDNF option
7. If conversion files are needed, define the path to the files in the Conversion tab. Conversion files map Tekla Structures profile and material names with names used in other software.
8. Select Apply and then Create