Import from Tekla Structural Designer creates Tekla Structures parts, such as beams, columns, slabs, and shear walls based on the contents of the imported Tekla Structural Designer file (.tsmd) or neutral file (.cxl). To import rebars, you need to have compatible versions of Tekla Structures and Tekla Structural Designer installed on the same computer and access to the original Tekla Structures Designer file (.tsmd).

1. Open the Tekla Structures model to which you want to import.
2. On the File menu, click Import > Tekla Structural Designer.
3. In the Tekla Structural Designer Import dialog box, enter the path of the import .cxl file or the original .tsmd file in the Import file box, or click the ... button next to the box to browse for the file.

   Once you have selected a valid file, the import settings and the Import button will be enabled.

4. If updating the positions of objects is not required, select the Only consider profile and material changes check box.
5. Select among the following grid options:
   • Import grids from import file: The grid lines from the import file will be imported into the Tekla Structures model. A grid line pattern will be created, and all the imported grid lines will be attached as individual grid planes to this pattern.
   • Delete existing Tekla Structures grids: Import will remove all grid lines/planes from the current Tekla Structures model.
6. If you want to remove slab and wall openings in the Tekla Structures model that were previously imported from Tekla Structural Designer, select the Remove previously imported openings check box.
7. Open the Location section and define to which location you want to import the model. Do one of the following:

   • In the X, Y, and Z boxes, enter offsets for the imported model from the global origin of the Tekla Structures model.

   • Click Pick and then pick a location for the import model datum point in the Tekla Structures model.

   You can also define a rotation.

8. In the Rebars section, define whether the reinforcing bars are imported, and how they are imported. Note that the Rebars section will become available only when you have selected a .tsmd file as the import file.

   Option	Description
   Import rebars	Enable or disable rebar import.
   Delete old rebars	Delete any reinforcement previously imported using Tekla Structural Designer import.
   Create rebars as	Native bars: Create the rebars as standard Tekla Structures bars. Rebar sets are created for loose bars in cast-in-place concrete pad footings, strip footings, beams, columns, and walls. Meshes are not transferred. Reference bars: Create the rebars as a reference model that will be saved in the model folder.
   Creation options	Simplify bars: The rebars will be imported without any hooks or curtailments, and longitudinal bars in beams will be cut off before they enter the columns at the end points. Once per design group: Rebars in parts belonging to the same design group (for example, beam, column, or pad footing) will be added only to one part in the group.
   Import rebars for	Select the objects for which you want to import rebars: Beams, Columns, Walls, Slabs, or Foundations.

9. To read the import file and display all the proposed profile, material grade, and rebar grade conversions to be used, open the Conversions section and click the preview buttons.

   The import uses an internal conversion list containing the standard profiles and grades. If the profile or grade of any object cannot be converted using the internal conversion, the Tekla Structures name will be replaced with the text --- NO MATCH --- in the Conversions tables.

10. If the text --- NO MATCH --- is displayed, you can convert the profiles, materials, and rebar grades manually in the following way:
    1. Create a profile, material, and/or rebar grade conversion file in a text editor using the file name extension .cnv.

       The conversion files can also be used to override the standard conversion.

    2. In the text file, enter the .cxl/.tsmd profile, material, or rebar grade name, for profiles the # symbol and the profile code, then the equal sign (=), and the corresponding Tekla Structures name.

       You may need help from your local Tekla support with this.

       In the rebar grade conversion file, list the size mappings for the grade on the rows underneath the grade name in the same way, indented by a tab.

       

    3. In the Profile conversion file, Material conversion file, and/or Rebar conversion file boxes, specify the conversion files that you want to use for mapping profiles and grades.

       The Rebar conversion file box is only available if you have a compatible version of Tekla Structural Designer installed and a .tsmd import file selected.

    If the conversion files are not used, the members with profiles or materials that cannot be converted will still be created but they will use the import file profile or material, which may be invalid in Tekla Structures. In this case, the members may be drawn as lines in the model, but can then be edited manually in Tekla Structures.

11. Click Import.

    If you are importing a .tsmd file, Tekla Structural Designer starts and opens the model, so that it can be imported into Tekla Structures.