Before you export Tekla Structures model objects to IFC, you can define the resulting IFC entities for the exported model objects in the user-defined attributes of the objects.

1. Double-click an object, for example a column, to open part properties, and click the User-defined attributes button.
2. On the Structural information tab, set Load bearing to Yes, if you want to define the user-defined attribute LOAD_BEARING for the exported object.

   Set this option to No for all non-load bearing objects. Yes is the default value.

3. On the IFC export tab, select an option in the IFC entity list to define the IFC entity for the exported model object.

   Below is a list of entities available for a different types of Tekla Structures objects:

   Tekla Structures object	IFC entity
   Beam	IfcBeam (IfcMember)
   Column	IfcColumn, (IfcPile), (IfcMember)
   Polybeam	IfcBeam, (IfcMember)
   Curved beam	IfcBeam, (IfcMember)
   Pad footing, Strip footing	IfcFooting
   Slab	IfcSlab
   Panel	IfcWall or IfcWallStandardCase
   Contour plate	IfcPlate or IfcDiscreteAccessory
   Bolts, nuts and washers	IfcMechanicalFastener
   Bolt hole	IfcOpeningElement
   Vertical braces	IfcMember
   Railing: Beam, Column	IfcBeam, IfcColumn, (IfcRailing)
   Assembly, cast unit	IfcElementAssembly, (IfcRailing), (IfcRamp), (IfcRoof), (IfcStair), (IfcWall)
   Pour unit	IfcElementAssembly
   Tekla Structures project	IfcProject
   Assembly sub-part	IfcDiscreteAccessory Note that by default, the IFC2x3 export does not export steel secondary objects as IfcDiscreteAccessory. You can force steel secondary parts to the IfcDiscreteAccessory category by setting the advanced option XS_IFC2X3_EXPORT_SECONDARY_AS_DISCRETEACCESSORY to TRUE in an .ini file, for example, in teklastructures.ini.
   Item	IfcDiscreteAccessory
   Bar, wire, strand, mesh, tendon, and other component embedded in concrete	(IfcReinforcingElement)
   Reinforcement	IfcReinforcingBar
   Pour object, pour break	IfcBuildingElementProxy
   Surface treatment	IfcCovering
   Weld	IfcFastener

   Note:

   • If the entity is not in parenthesis in the table above, the object is automatically exported to this entity type. If an entity is in parenthesis, the object is not exported to this entity type automatically, but you can select the entity for the object on theIFC export tab.
   • The IfcBuildingElementPart and IfcBuildingElement entities can also be used. IfcBuildingElement matches beams, columns, etc, but not assemblies.
   • Polybeams are always exported as B-rep.
4. In the IFC export type list, select Auto or B-rep:
   • The Auto option will automatically select what kind of Swept Solid IFC object a Tekla object becomes in the IFC.
   • If Auto fails for some reason (such as with a deformation), the export reverts to B-rep automatically, and creates a mesh-based IFC object with less intelligence. These objects are data heavy but still geometrically correct.
   • B-rep will force the IFC object to be always mesh based.
5. Click Modify in the user-defined attributes dialog box.

1. Select the model objects to export.

   If you want to export all model objects, you do not have to select anything.

2. On the File menu, click Export > IFC.
3. Browse to the Output file location and replace the name out with the desired file name.

   IFC files are by default exported to the \IFC folder under the model folder. The length of the file path is limited to 80 characters. You do not need to enter the file name extension, it will be automatically added according to the selected File format.

4. Define the export settings:

   Option	Description
   Parameters tab
   File format	The options are IFC, IFC XML, zipped IFC, and zipped IFC XML.
   Export type	Which export type to select? The certified Coordination view 2.0 should be your default. If the model is used only for viewing purposes, or as a reference model, Surface geometry is your choice. Coordination view 1.0 is for those who need to export openings as separate objects. Steel fabrication view is for the fabrication workflow, and to be provided for manufacturing. Surface geometry is ideal when the need is to view the model without any need for re-using or editing: Reinforcing bars are exported as B-rep. Export does not support CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry). Curved elements are exported as B-rep. Bolts are exported as B-rep. The certified Coordination view 2.0 is recommended to be used when the geometry needs to be edited and modified in the receiving application: Reinforcing bars are exported as extrusions. Export uses CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry) for presenting cuts and voids. Curved elements are exported as extrusions. Bolts are exported as B-rep. Steel fabrication view is recommended for exporting detailed information on steel objects for steel fabrication: Exports assembly presentation and dedicated property sets. Bolt holes are exported as voids. Steel fabrication model view configuration file for property sets and properties (IfcPropertySetConfigurations_AISC.xml) is included in the installation by default. Coordination view 1.0 is recommended to be used instead of Coordination view 2.0 when you need to have voids and openings presented by using opening elements: Reinforcing bars are exported as extrusions. Voids and openings are exported as opening elements (ifcOpeningElements). Curved elements are exported as extrusions. Bolts are exported as B-rep.
   Additional property sets	To define a new property set, select <new> and click Edit. To use an additional property set created earlier, select the property set from the Additional property sets list.
   Location by	Model origin exports the model relative to 0,0,0. Work plane exports the model Elevation relative to the current work plane coordinate system. Base point: <name of base point> exports the model relative to the base point using coordinate system values East coordinate, North coordinate, Elevation, Angle to North, Latitude and Longitude from the base point definition. The base point latitude and longitude values have a microsecond accuracy.
   Advanced tab
   Object types	Select the object types to export. To export pour objects instead of CIP concrete parts select the Pour objects check box. If you select Assemblies, you can exclude single part assemblies by selecting Exclude single part assemblies in the Other area. Note that edge chamfers are omitted from the exported IFC model. This is to enable better interoperability with plant design systems. If the geometry with edge chamfers is needed, you can set the IFC export type to B-rep separately for those objects in the objects' user-defined attributes dialog box on the IFC export tab.
   Property sets	Selecting the option Base quantities adds in the exported IFC file a Quantity takeoff add-on view containing additional information on the entities in the exported IFC model. For more information about the base quantities, see IFC base quantities in exported IFC model. Select one of the following options for Property sets: Default exports the default set of properties. Minimum exports the minimum set of properties required by the buildingSMART IFC standard. To view the property sets, click View. If you do not want to export predefined property sets, leave the box empty. If you do this, the View button is not available.
   Other	Layer names as part names uses part names, such as COLUMN and BEAM, as layer names for exported objects. If this option is not selected, then layer name will be the object's phase number followed by the phase name. Export flat wide beams as plates exports flat and wide beams as plates. Select this option if you have modeled plates as beams or columns with flat profiles. For example, some system components use beams or columns instead of plates. Use current view colors exports the objects using the colors defined in object representation, not the class colors. Note that exporting object transparency settings is not supported. Select Exclude single part assemblies when you export assemblies. Spatial hierarchy from Organizer uses the spatial hierarchy ( Building-Site-Section-Floors) created in Organizer in export. Do the following: Select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer. Create a project hierarchy in Organizer. In Organizer, right-click the project, and select Use for reporting. Before the IFC export, synchronize or write the Organizer data in the Tekla Structures model by right-clicking the project in Organizer, and selecting Write to the model for reporting.

5. Select either Selected objects or All objects to define the object selection for the export. If you selected Selected objects, you need to select the objects.
6. Click Export.

You can export a Tekla Structures model or a part of the model into an IFC4 file.

1. Select the model objects to export.

   If you want to export all model objects, you do not have to select any objects.

2. On the File menu, click Export > IFC4.
3. In the File name box, enter the file name without a file name extension.

   The extension will be automatically added according to the selected Format. The length is not limited.

4. Browse for the Folder location.

   IFC files are by default exported to the \IFC folder under the current model folder.

   Both absolute and relative paths can be defined.

5. In Selection, select whether you want to export All objects or Selected objects.
   Note that if you choose Selected objects, you need to select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer.
6. Define other export settings:

   Setting	Description
   Location by	Model origin exports the model relative to 0,0,0. Work plane exports the model relative to the current work plane coordinate system. Base point: <name of base point> exports the model relative to the base point using coordinate system values East coordinate, North coordinate, Elevation, Angle to North, Latitude and Longitude from the base point definition.
   Format	The options are IFC and zipped IFC.
   Export type	The options are Reference view and Design transfer view. The Reference view is intended to support the referencing workflow, and exported files can be used as reference files, and viewed in a viewer. The Reference view is not meant to be used for conversion to native objects. The overall goal of the Reference view is to provide workflows for various software applications that do not require modifying geometry. Such applications enable viewing, estimating, building, operating, and other downstream analysis. Design transfer view is intended for the handover workflow, meaning import for further editing. This requires the conversion of the IFC entities into native objects. One example is the takeover of the structural engineering model (or part of it) into the basis of the structural detail modeling . The IFC object conversion will be used to convert the IFC entities to Tekla Structures native objects. Typically import and conversion are only needed a couple of times, or even once only. The result may require some rework to accomplish a proper model. IFC4precast view supports the fabrication data transfer workflow of precast elements. At this phase it covers the fabrication of precast walls and slabs including all the needed reinforcement and embeds. For more information about IFC4precast, see IFC4precast.
   Additional property sets	To define a new property set, select <new> and click Edit. To use an additional property set created earlier, select the property set from the Additional property sets list. The additional property sets are stored in the \AdditionalPSet folder under the model folder.
   Layer names as	You can use phases, part names, or template attributes as layer names for exported objects. Select Name or Phase from the list, or type the attribute name in the box. Note that you cannot use user-defined attributes as the layer name.
   Object color	Select whether you want to export objects using object class colors or object group colors. If you select object group colors, the defined transparency settings are also exported.
   Export flat wide beams as plates	Select this option if you want to export flat and wide beams as plates. Select this option if you have modeled plates as beams or columns with flat profiles. For example, some system components use beams or columns instead of plates.
   Spatial hierarchy from Organizer	Spatial hierarchy from Organizer uses the spatial hierarchy ( Building-Site-Section-Floors) created in Organizer in export. Do the following: Select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer. Create a project hierarchy in Organizer. In Organizer, right-click the project, and select Use for reporting. Before the IFC export, synchronize or write the Organizer data in the Tekla Structures model by right-clicking the project in Organizer, and selecting Write to the model for reporting. Note that the selected objects are only exported when Spatial hierarchy from Organizer has been selected.
   Pours	When you select the option Pours, pour objects and pour units are exported but cast-in-place concrete parts and cast-in-place cast units are not exported. If you do not select this option, cast-in-place concrete parts and cast-in-place cast units are exported without pour objects or pour units.

7. Click Export.