Inserting reference models through File > Import

You can now insert reference models, such as IFC models, through the File menu by selecting Import > Insert reference model. Selecting this command opens both the Reference Models side pane and the Add model dialog box.

Earlier, reference models could only be inserted by first clicking the Reference Models button in the side pane and then selecting the Add model command.

New way to update reference model data

You can now update the reference model data when required also by holding down Ctrl and clicking the Refresh button.

Improvements in curved line accuracy in reference models

• The improvements in the curved line accuracy were introduced already in Tekla Structures 2020 SP4. See 2020 SP4: New features and improvements for details. This improvement applies to all reference model formats.

• You no longer need to delete the existing reference model and reinsert it to use a new configuration file value. Now you can update the reference model data by holding down Ctrl and clicking the Refresh button.

Special characters in reference model name

The improvement in the reference model name was introduced already in Tekla Structures 2020 SP4. See 2020 SP4: New features and improvements for details.

Improvements in reference model rotation

The Reference Models side pane now has additional rotation options for rotation around X and Y axis. When the reference model already contains X or Y rotations, the X and Y fields are not active.

LandXML reference models

A LandXML reference model sometimes had invalid alignment geometry. This has now been fixed.

Note that you can update the changed data by holding down CTRL and clicking the Refresh button.

Support for SketchUp version 2021

The SketchUp model version 2021 support has been added.

Other reference model improvements

• Visualizing the selected reference objects now works when you select all by pressing Ctrl+A on the keyboard.

• Sometimes a reference model was not highlighted in a drawing when selected. This has now been fixed.

Improved area, volume and mass accuracy

The IFC property set accuracy has been updated to be more accurate for the area, volume and mass properties.

IFC2x3 export

New control for exporting B-reps as exact solids

B-rep objects can now be exported as exact solids in the IFC2x3 export. You can do this by setting the new model-specific advanced option XS_EXPORT_BREP_AS_EXACT_SOLID to TRUE. The default value is FALSE. This advanced option is located in the Export category of the Advanced options dialog box.

Note that if you export B-reps as exact solids, the IFC file size increases, and the export takes more time.

To get smooth edges to the export, you may need to set the advanced option XS_CS_CHAMFER_DIVIDE_ANGLE to 10.

In the following example, on the left, you can see a native type I profile, and on the right, the IFC object surface geometry when both advanced options are used:

Export without predefined property sets

You can now export IFC2x3 files without predefined Tekla Structures property sets. To do this, on the Advanced tab of the Export IFC dialog box, select the empty value for the Property sets setting.

New control for exporting rebars created by rebar sets

A new model-specific advanced option XS_EXPORT_IFC_REBARSET_INDIVIDUAL_BARS has been added to control how bars created by rebar sets are exported. If the advanced option is set to FALSE, bars are exported in groups. If the advanced option is set to TRUE, bars are exported as individual bars. The default value is FALSE. This advanced option is located in the Export category of the Advanced options dialog box.

Base point accuracy change

The base point latitude and longitude values now have a microsecond accuracy.

IFC4 export

Advanced option no longer needed to start IFC4 export

You no longer need to set the advanced option XS_IFC4_EXPORT_PLEASE to TRUE in the teklastructures.ini file to start the IFC4 export. The command to start the IFC4 export is always available in Tekla Structures File > Export if allowed by your configuration.

Attributes with "." supported in property sets

Attributes that use a "." format, such as ASSEMBLY.POUR_UNIT, can now be used to define property sets that report pour unit and pour object properties. Some useful attributes:

• POUR_UNIT.NAME - reports pour unit name from an assembly belonging to a pour unit (e.g. a formwork panel, embed), and also, from a rebar belonging to a pour unit.

• ASSEMBLY.POUR_UNIT.NAME - reports pour unit name, from a part belonging to a pour unit (e.g. a formwork panel, embed).

• If you add POUR_OBJECT.xxxxx after "...POUR_UNIT.", you can also report pour object properties.

Changes in exporting selected objects

Now the IFC4 export also exports the selected objects when Spatial hierarchy from Organizer has been selected. Earlier, all objects were always exported even if you had selected objects. Grids are now included under the building instead of the building storey.

Export selected parts in assembly

The 3D DWG and 3D DGN v8 exports, and the Export to Revit (.rvt) Geometry extension in Tekla Warehouse now allow you to export selected parts in an assembly when you use the Selected objects option. You need to use the Select objects in assemblies or Select objects in components seletion switch when you select the parts. If you do not select a part but an assembly, the highest level of assembly parts will be included in the export.

Previously, all parts were exported in the assembly to which the selected parts belonged.