US Contractor: User Resources

Tekla Structures
2023
Tekla Structures
2022
Tekla Structures
2021
Tekla Structures
2020
Tekla Structures
2019i
Tekla Structures
2019
Tekla Structures
2024
Tekla Structures
US Contractor
Environment
United States (Imperial)
United States (Metric)

The contents of this guide aim to help users and their companies get things kicked off with Tekla Structures. This guide will provide context on each of the steps you need to get up and going. It will also provide links to other pages where further information is applicable. The goal is to ensure users have the proper direction at the very beginning of their journey with Tekla.

Our User Assistance webpage already provides directions on Getting Started. This guide does not duplicate that information. Instead, it provides supplemental information for US-based users who model concrete and related materials such as rebar, formwork, or masonry.

The rest of this guide covers the first steps for users to follow. These steps cover topics from creating your Trimble Identity to installation, and even how to get additional help.  Proceed through them in order and good luck!

1. Creating a Trimble Identity

Tekla Online Services use a Trimble Identity for identification. Your Trimble Identity will be key in utilizing your Tekla Structures subscription license. This provides single-sign-on access for all services. This includes Tekla Structures, Tekla Warehouse, and Tekla Model Sharing. You can sign in to one service and then browse to another online service without the need to log in again. For a list of services see the landing page here: https://www.tekla.com/services

We recommend looking at our page Get Started with Tekla Structures provides basic information on creating your Trimble Identity.

2. Download the software for installation

Our installation packages are available for download in the Tekla Downloads service. You will download and install Tekla and the Environment not only for the first time but also when upgrading to the newest version, or wanting to install the latest service pack. Use the following link to go to the Tekla Structures Download Page: Tekla Downloads. We recommend looking at our page Get Started with Tekla Structures provides the basic information on downloading Tekla Structures.

Here are a few additional tips to consider when downloading and installing Tekla Structures:

  • Unless directed otherwise, always choose the latest version and service pack. The version is classified by the year of its release. Ensure to select the latest service pack as well, denoted by SP, and then the service pack number. Ex.: "SP1" Note that our website will display the latest version with the service pack below the version selection dropdown.
  • Unless instructed otherwise, select Tekla Online Licensing as your license type.
  • Tekla requires two downloads: the software itself and the environment. The environment is key to ensuring you have the proper settings and model template. For US-based customers, you will want to download the USA Environment.
  • Install the software first, then the environment.

3. Tekla Resources & Learning

Modeling Resources

The following is a list of dropdowns that provide resources grouped by industry or focus area. In each group, users will find a recommended configuration for Tekla Structures, links to available learning paths, as well as additional resources.

  • Recommended Configuration: Depending on the industry or material focus, the configuration of Tekla Structures users select at program start-up can vary. This section provides guidance on the recommended Environment, Role, and Model Template to use for a given focus area.
  • Learning Paths: These learning paths provide links (when available) to applicable learning courses for the given focus area. Each step in the path builds upon the previous one to help users have a good understanding of modeling with Tekla’s Environment as well as supplemental resources for industry-specific topics or workflows. If a link is not available for a learning resource, or you need assistance in enrolling, contact your Account Manager.
    • The Free eLearning paths provide resources available via Tekla User Assistance or Learn.Trimble.com. These resources are available to all users at no cost and offer introductory instruction on basic topics.
    • The Paid eLearning paths are similar the to free but offer a more in-depth self-paced course. These typically take longer to complete than their free counterparts.
    • The Instructor-led Training paths also provide supplemental learning resources for specific industries that may not be covered in the class. The training class is a paid engagement and is conducted virtually via web conferencing.
  • Additional Resources: The resources here vary but can include links to documentation, required downloads for industry-specific tools, or even supplemental video content (when available).

Bridge Detailing

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Imperial Bridge Designer
  • Model Template: CIP-Rebar Detailing

Bridge Detailing Learning Paths

 

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Cast-in-Place Concrete Modeling

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Imperial Cast in Place
  • Model Template: CIP-Rebar Detailing

Cast-in-Place Concrete Modeling Learning Paths

 

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Formwork Detailing

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Imperial Cast in Place
  • Model Template: CIP-Rebar Detailing

Formwork Detailing Learning Path

 

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Light Metal Framing

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Steel Detailing
  • Model Template: Steel Detailing

Light Metal Framing Training Path

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Masonry Modeling

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Imperial Masonry (Warehouse download)
  • Model Template: CIP-Rebar Detailing

Self-Paced Training Paths

 

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Precast Detailing

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Imperial Precast Detailing
  • Model Template: Precast Detailing

Precast Detailing Learning Paths

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Rebar Detailing

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Imperial Rebar Detailing
  • Model Template: CIP-Rebar Detailing

Self-Paced Training Path

 

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Tilt-up Detailing

Recommended Configuration

  • Environment: US
  • Role: Imperial Cast in Place
  • Model Template: CIP-Rebar Detailing or Precast Detailing

Tilt-up Detailing Learning Paths

 


Additional Resources and Downloads

Tekla Structures Advanced Learning

The following links are to self-paced training courses that provide experienced Tekla Structures users with the knowledge and the tools needed to progress to the advanced stages of the Tekla Structures program.

Reporting and Documentation 

Reporting Tool

Note: This tool is found on the DRAWINGS & REPORTS ribbon of Tekla’s user interface.

One of the benefits of creating a construction model is the ability to report on a model's information. This information can vary, but often the focus is quantitative. Tekla can provide report functions to users through a few methods. The first of which is the Reports tool.

Reports allow you to view and share information derived from the model. They use templates that dictate the format of information to be produced. Reports provide a fast and consistent way to quantify or review the objects in the model. 

Running a Report

  • Navigate to the Drawings & Reports ribbon and select “Reports”.
  • In the Report dialog, choose the report template to use on the left-hand side.
  • Choose “Create from all” to produce a report of the entire model.
  • Choose “Create from selected” to produce a report of the selected objects.

Customizing Reports

Customizing or creating new report templates can be done through the Template Editor. There are a few resources available to help users modify existing templates or create their own.

 

Template Editor Training

If users are new to Tekla Structures or the Template Editor, they can consider the Advanced Training available for the Template Editor (requires login with Trimble ID). To purchase this training, please speak with your Account Manager. Otherwise, users can consider utilizing the Organizer for customized reporting needs.

The Organizer

Note: This tool is found on the MANAGE ribbon of Tekla’s user interface.

The Organizer is a flexible tool that provides the ability to view the data associated with model objects. An excellent way to think of the organizer is as a living spreadsheet. This spreadsheet provides data in real-time and by syncing with the model. And because of this, the data of objects are easily visible and can be exported to Excel. This is excellent for both reporting and well as model checking and QA/QC workflows.

Using the Organizer

The organizer has two main areas, the Categories Pane (groups of objects) and the Object Browser (line times of data, or the “report”). The basic functions to utilize the organizer are documented here:


Organizer Examples

The following list of links provides examples of the organizer in use. Reference these to visualization and explanation of common use cases for the organizer.


Customizing the Organizer

Users can customize or create new property sets (object browser columns) and categories. The following is a list of detailed steps to execute common areas of customization:

Drawing Creation (GA)

Drawing Resources

When it comes to creating drawings from a model, the following videos provide an overview of the settings related to the General Arrangement drawing type that will be useful in cast-in-place modeling.

  1. Creating GA Drawings for Concrete Structures
  2. GA Drawings – Object Level Settings for Concrete
  3. GA Drawings – View, Dimension, and Mark Settings
  4. GA Drawings – Object Type and Other Settings

Drawing Learning

Our product guide provides outlines on how to produce drawings as well as what is needed before creating them. We also provide instruction on drawing creation in our instructor-led training. Users looking for information on creating general arrangement drawings should first review the product guide below and if further assistance is required, reach out to your account manager for information on instructor-led training.

Other Tekla/Trimble Services 

Trimble Connect

Trimble Connect is an open collaboration tool. It acts as a single source of truth for your projects and serves as an interface to deliver your Tekla Models and documentation to your project team.

Trimble Connect is cloud-based storage that features revision tracking on files. The built-in 2d and 3d viewer allows users to view up-to-date models and documents in the office or in the field. They can interact with model objects, report data, and use the built-in To-Do features to help productivity and communication.

Trimble Connect can be accessed via the browser on a computer or an app for mobile devices and tablets. This allows it to serve as a single cloud-based server for access to models, documents, and drawings where ever users are.

To get started, users can find great resources on the Trimble Connect Support Page at the following links:

Tekla Model Sharing

Tekla Model Sharing enables teams to collaborate on the same Tekla Structures project regardless of their location or time zone. Tekla Model Sharing adapts to any Internet connection speed, and you can even work offline. No extra hardware or software is required apart from Tekla Structures. The following are links to documentation on Model Sharing.

4. Assistance and Feedback

There are many resources for seeking out help with Tekla Structures and they are listed below. Remember that any and all requests for assistance should be directed to our Support Team. Our team is not only knowledgeable about the technical side, but can also provide assistance on how to use the software, and its tools, and create company-specific settings. The following outlines how to contact our support team and things to consider when providing information to them to speed along your request for assistance.

If you are looking to provide feedback on Tekla Structures or a specific portion of it, the following resources are the places you can submit this feedback. Tekla User Assistance articles do have feedback prompts at the bottom of the page in the "Was this helpful?" section. Additional feedback can also be submitted to our Support Teams or the Tekla Forum on the relevant topic.

 

Tekla User Assistance

This website (Tekla User Assistance) is the location for all product guides, support articles, and tutorials. It is the online user manual for all things Tekla Structures. If you have a question, log in searching for your topic. This is an excellent way to get quick and comprehensive answers. Users can navigate back to the TUA home page at the top left of this page and begin browsing topics, or they can utilize the search function at the top right of the webpage. 

Contact the US Tekla Support Team

Our local support team is dedicated to helping you with any and all questions you may have. They are available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Users can contact the Support Team in the following ways:

Please provide as much information and detail as possible when contacting our team. This helps not only our team get you the answers you need but also can greatly reduce the time to provide those answers. Providing descriptive text of your issue and screenshots (if applicable) always helps our team get you answers in the fastest amount of time. 

Tekla Discussion Forum

The Discussion Forum is a site where users can have discussions and ask questions on issues and best practices. Tekla Discussion Forum also serves as an avenue for sharing ideas, wishes, and feature requests.

The Tekla Discussion Forums is an excellent place to look for answers to questions you may have and connect with other Tekla Structures Users. Keep in mind that not all questions have a discussion thread. If this is the case about your particular question or suggestion, it is encouraged that you post it for the community to discuss. This not only helps you get an answer but also other users in the future who have the same or similar questions.

Keep in mind that responses on the forums may not be immediate and they are best suited for non-critical issues that do not have to be resolved right away.

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