Synchronizing models

After an initial import has taken place it is typical for both the Tekla Structural Designer and Autodesk Revit models to be developed independently.

However as the project and design of the structural frame is refined, it is appropriate to synchronize the models together to communicate any changes in geometry, section size, and design parameters. This is easily achieved by repeating the import procedures.

Synchronizing Autodesk Revit to Tekla Structural Designer

Export from Autodesk Revit

This example covers the export of a completed Revit model into CXL format using the Integrator. The CXL file would then be imported into Tekla Structural Designer using the Update Existing Model command.

The file that we are using contains no mapping problems and reference should be made to the relevant sections should you find that your own file does have any problems regarding mapping.

To export the model to Tekla Structural Designer, activate the Integrator for Structural Designer program by clicking on the icon held on the Tekla Integration tab.

The following splash screen provides some information about the two base design products used with the Integrator along with hyperlinks to the relevant website page. Click Next to move onto the next page.

The next dialog of the Integrator allows various import and export options to be set for each of the two design programs.

In this example, we are exporting a model for use with Tekla Structural Designer. The model will be imported so that an analysis model is set up from scratch. We therefore choose the option Export model from Revit – Update existing model. Click Next to continue after making your selection.

The Select Structural Objects to Export dialog allows you to control which items will be exported from Autodesk Revit. As a guideline, all items should be flagged for inclusion in the export but if you have a requirement to omit certain items, then simply deselect the Include option for that item.

The option to update selected items in a model should be used to update entire models held as part of the main Revit file. E.g. A multi-project Revit file may consist of several Tekla Structural Designer models.

The option can also be used to update individual items by selecting the items to be exported prior to launching the integrator. If you have any queries relating to this information please do not hesitate to contact the local Trimble Customer Service team.

The Section and Material Mapping dialog indicates the different section families detected in the exporting file. If there are any numerical entries in the Not Recognized column then there are some mapping discrepancies and these should be investigated before continuing further. (See separate section on mapping objects).

Even if the mapping is correct and no problems exist (as per the example shown), the actual mapping can be checked by clicking to select the Review Mapping option for all Columns, Framing, Materials and Steel Decks.

Click Next to move onto the next page.

The final screen of the export process is to choose the file and location which you wish to use.

Select the correct information and then click Finish to exit from the Integrator dialog and start the processing of the file.

Once the processing of the CXL file has been completed, a log file will be shown. The log file is simply a text file recording the objects exported, deleted or altered along with any warnings encountered.

Please note that the log file is automatically saved in the same directory location used for the CXL file location (although this can be manually moved at a later date).

Import into Tekla Structural Designer

With your current Tekla Structural Designer model open, you should first save your model to retain a copy of the pre-import status, should it be needed in the future. Then repeat the command Structural BIM Import which is held on the BIM Integration tab.

Clicking on the command will launch the import application which shows several dialogs in a wizard process. The first one to be encountered will prompt for the CXL filename and location which is to be integrated. Use the … button to browse and select the appropriate CXL file.

After selecting a CXL file for import, you should find that the remainder of the fields are populated with the settings read directly from the file. Click Next to continue after reading the information.

The next screen shows the settings related to the file allowing the user to choose Metric or Imperial for the units, a design code and the default level type. The level type can later be adjusted in the construction levels dialog if required.

The Update Existing Model option should now be used as we are importing changes to an existing Tekla Structural Designer model.

Use the exact same settings on the Relocate Import Model dialog as were used when previously importing the model into Tekla Structural Designer. If the model originated in Tekla Structural Designer, keep all values at 0 and click Next to continue.

Following on from the position information, the integration filter will be displayed. The five options shown here allow you to verify if grids, levels etc. are to be imported.

You should also determine whether the five additional options are appropriate to the synchronization that you are performing. All of the options in this dialog can be described as follows :

Include (enabled as default)

Simply controls whether objects of this type are considered by the Import, (added, modified or deleted if checked) or left as currently defined in the existing model, (not checked).

Delete Existing if not in Import File (enabled as default)

If enabled, then an object in the existing model that is not in the import file (most likely already deleted in Revit) will be deleted from the Tekla Structural Designer model.
If you are unsure and wish to double check, uncheck the box and you will find the member retained for manual deletion at a later date.
There are exceptions, depending on the object’s BIM Status. If the status is New or Excluded, then the object will not be deleted during the update process whether this option is checked or not.

Grids

Update Position affects the start and / or end of a grid line. Note: Currently the curvature of arc grids cannot be changed.
Update Other Data affects changes made to the grid name only.

Levels (Construction Level)

Update Position affects any changes made to the level height within Autodesk Revit.
Update Other Data changes the name of the level to suit the Revit model.

Slabs / Deck (Slab Items)

Update Section / Grade updates any alterations made to Slab Depth, Concrete Grade or Decking Properties (if relevant).
Update Position makes changes to the outline of the slab, alignment (vertical offset) and plan rotation.
Update Openings adds, removes or modifies the outline for openings associated with the slab item.
Update Other Data will alter the type of slab if amended in Autodesk Revit.

Members (Columns, Beams, Braces etc.)

Update Section / Grade will update and changes made to the section size or the material grade.
Update Position changes the member to suit alterations made to the start and / or end of the physical member, alignment or rotation in section.
Update Openings adds, removes or modifies the outline for openings associated with the member.
Update Other Data will change any other characteristics such as the gravity only flag and end release conditions.

Walls (Concrete and Bearing)

Update Section / Grade controls any updates to the wall thickness and material grade.
Update Position changes the wall to suit amendments made to the start and / or end of the physical wall along with changes made to the alignment.
Update Openings adds, removes or modifies the outline for openings associated with the wall.
Update Other Data affects the Use mid pier option (Note: for concrete walls only).

Mapping of materials to recognized grades will be shown now. Here you can view the different materials recognized in the incoming CXL file and the options to alter materials with a more preferred grade.

Following on from Material mapping, the dialog for Decking mapping will be shown (if applicable). Again this allows users to view the decking types being imported and have the option of overwriting the details if required.

After setting this information, click Finish to start the import into Tekla Structural Designer.

Integration management in Tekla Structural Designer

Once the synchronization process has been completed, the command BIM Status (held under the Review tab) can be used to provide a color coded indication of how the model has been affected in the last import.

This view identifies all the changes to Tekla Structural Designer members and slabs which have occurred as a result of the merge process.


Color coding	Description
New	Object has been created in Tekla Structural Designer and has not yet been exported to Autodesk Revit.
Imported	Object has been created by the import from Autodesk Revit.
Exported	Object has been previously exported to Revit (prior to any import processes).
Updated	Member has been modified as a result of the Structural BIM import. Check the BIM Status tree for details.
Deleted	Object has been deleted in Revit but has been retained during the merge process due to the Integration Filter settings.
Excluded	Object will not be communicated from TSD to Revit.
Not Modified	Object has not been altered in any way by the Structural BIM Import process

New indicates members that have not been communicated to Autodesk Revit yet. As Autodesk Revit should hold the master physical model it is advisable to first export the Tekla Structural Designer to Autodesk Revit and then perform the merge again with the updated Autodesk Revit model.

Structural BIM Import status tree

Once the synchronization process has been completed, the Structural BIM Import status tree (held under the Status tab) will show all newly created items or modifications performed by the merge process. These alterations to the model can be identified by double clicking on each entry in turn. This will highlight the affected member/object within the main Structure 3D view.

This status list can then be used to track alterations made to the model in the last import process.

Synchronizing Tekla Structural Designer to Autodesk Revit

Export from Tekla Structural Designer

To send the changes made in the Tekla Structural Designer model to Autodesk Revit the export procedure is repeated using the command Export to Autodesk Revit which is held on the BIM Integration tab.

During the export process it is recommended that you give this new .cxl file a name that indicates the integration sequence (e.g. Pass3.cxl).

Synchronizing a model from Tekla Structural Designer into Revit

This example covers the import of a second (updated) CXL file into Autodesk Revit using the Integrator. The file that we are using contains no mapping problems and reference should be made to the relevant sections in this document should you find that your own file does have any problems regarding mapping.

Firstly, with the current Revit model open in the background, activate the Integrator for Structural Designer program by clicking on the icon held on the Tekla Integration tab.

The next dialog of the Integrator allows various import and export options to be set for each of the two design programs.

At this stage, the integrator checks the active Revit model for any instances containing Tekla Structural Designer data, indicating prior data exchange. If any elements are found, the First time import option is automatically disabled forcing the Update existing model option to be used instead.

In this example, we are updating an existing model with a new CXL file created from Tekla Structural Designer. The First time import option is therefore disabled and the only option available is Import model into Revit - Update existing model. Click Next to continue.

Having chosen the software and the correct import option, you will be prompted to select the file and location that you wish to import.

Select the correct information and then click Next to move onto the next dialog.

The Select Structural Objects to Import dialog allows you to control which items will be imported into Autodesk Revit. As a default, the application will automatically flag items for inclusion in the import but if you have a requirement to omit certain items (e.g. all Grids), then simply deselect the item option.

The option to update selected items in a model should be used to update entire models held as part of the main Revit file. (E.g. A multi-project Revit file may consist of several Tekla Structural Designer models.)

The option can also be used to update individual items, by selecting the items prior to launching the integrator. If you have any queries relating to this information please do not hesitate to contact the local Trimble Customer Support Team.

Note: Member End Forces will always be deselected as a default. Select this option if forces are required for import.

Member End Forces can be included in an import if a valid designed Tekla Structural Designer model was exported. If a Tekla Structural Designer model was exported before the design was completed, no member end forces will be included in the CXL file.

The Section and Material Mapping dialog indicates the different section families detected in the importing file. If there are any numerical entries in the Not Recognized column then there are some mapping discrepancies and these should be investigated before continuing further. (See separate section on mapping objects).

Click Finish to exit from the integrator dialog and start the processing of the file.

Once the processing of the CXL file has been completed, a log file will be shown. The log file is simply a text file which displays a record of the objects imported, deleted and altered along with any related warnings.

Please note that the log file is automatically saved in the same directory location used for the CXL file location (although this can be manually moved at a later date).

In our example below, we have one level updated and several beams and columns updated.

As there are some alterations to the model and entries listed under the Objects Updated section, these are written with a full description below the main log itself.

The changes are that the Datum Level Level 1 has been renamed to Base to suit the naming requirements of the Tekla Structural Designer model. The other changes relate to sectional alterations made to several beam and column member instances (Note that the reference ID for each instance is also noted).

Selective Integration

The Integrator can also be used to allow selective imports and exports from Revit.

To use this process, simply select the items in Revit which are to be exported or updated prior to using the Integrator software.

There are some limitations with this process:

From Revit to Tekla Structural Designer
- In Tekla Structural Designer, the Delete existing if not in import file option should be disabled to avoid the automatic deletion of all objects not communicated in the CXL file.
- If an item has been deleted and replaced in Revit then it will lead to the original item being retained during the merge process. These items will need to be identified in Tekla Structural Designer and manually deleted.
From Tekla Structural Designer to Revit
- All items not included in the update process will be flagged as being Unchanged.