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Import files to an Advance Bill job

Tekla PowerFab
Modified: 11 Mar 2025
2025
Tekla PowerFab

Import files to an Advance Bill job

You can import IFC and .pfxt files to the Advance Bill module.

The IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) file format is for the Advance Bill and Estimating modules.

The PFX (Tekla PowerFab eXchange) file format is for the Project Management and Production Control modules.

When importing IFC files, note the following:

  • Using IFC files allows revised items to be updated, and you can report the changes such as material size and quantity during the import process.

    Microsoft Excel worksheets or KISS files do not have this ability.

  • We recommend that you use the Steel fabrication view or 2x3 EM11 IFC format, but the Coordination view or the standard IFC2x3 format work as well.

  • Before you start importing, ensure that you have created preliminary marks (PRELIM_MARK) in Tekla Structures and included those in the IFC files.

  • In Tekla PowerFab, map at least the PRELIM_MARK to Reference Number. Other mapping is optional.

For instructions on exporting IFC files from Tekla Structures, see IFC export.

  1. Go to File > Import.

    The Import dialog opens.

  2. In the navigation tree , select IFC or .pfxt under Advance Bill.
  3. Browse to find the file you want to import.
  4. Select the file, and click Open.
  5. Click Import

    You can click the Test Import button to test importing a file before actually importing it. This way, you can ensure that all information will be imported successfully.

    The Import dialog opens, and shortly after, the Advance Bill Job Edit dialog.

  6. Type or select the job to which you want to import the file.
  7. Select and fill out job information.
  8. To load general information from the selected project management job to the Advance Bill job, in Project Management Job, click Load Info.
  9. For new jobs, if you want to add and link a new Trimble Connect project, click Link.
    The Link Project to Trimble Connect dialog opens.
    See Link a project to Trimble Connect.
  10. Click Save.
  11. If the mapping is not automatically done, map the selected information from the file.

    For IFC, we recommend that you map at least PRELIM_MARK to Reference Number. Other mapping is optional.

    • After selecting the field to be mapped to, for example to Reference #, click Set Field Mapping and OK.
  12. If unrecognized shapes or grades are detected, the Translate Shapes/Grades dialog opens.
    See Translate unknown shapes and grades.
    • When you have translated all necessary shapes and grades, click OK to close the dialog and continue the import.
  13. If there are changes in the file, the Change Summary dialog opens, you can proceed to manage the changes.

    For tolerances, see Define company standard settings for Advance Bill.

    See Manage changes to an Advance Bill job.

  14. After a successful import, go to the Advance Bill module to review the bill of materials.
  15. In the Select Advance Bill Job dialog, select the job and click Open to open the job.

    The job shows the imported records, and the mappings.

    To display the fields showing quantity linked to inventory, purchasing, and production control, right-click on the display grid and select Customize grid.

If you have changed any fields in the records in the job, such as quantities or grades, the import reverts the changes made in the job, and the Import log shows that a number of items were updated.

For further information, see also the following videos:

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