Trimble Connect: BCF Topics replace ToDos in Tekla Structures

In Tekla Structures 2024, BCF Topics replace the previously used ToDos notes. BCF topics are notes that are added to the linked Trimble Connect project.

BCF stands for BIM Collaboration Format and it is an open industry standard from buildingSMART International. Now, using the BIM Collaboration Format (BCF), you can communicate project-based issues between different BIM applications, such as Tekla Structures, Tekla PowerFab and Trimble Connect, as well as other 3rd party applications. BCF topics are stored and managed in a Trimble Connect project, enabling smoother BIM collaboration workflows. As a result, you can, for example, use BCF topics to communicate within your model directly to the fabricator who is using Tekla PowerFab.

In Tekla Structures, the BCF topics are available in their own side pane window.

You can, for example, add and edit topics, add measurements, markups and comments, and assign topics to users. Before you can start adding BCF topics in Tekla Structures, your model needs to be linked to a Trimble Connect project.

BCF topics can be used with .tekla, .ifc, and .trb files that are created from a Tekla Structures model and uploaded to Trimble Connect.

A .tekla file that is created when you upload the current Tekla Structures model to a Trimble Connect project. Using a .tekla file is the preferred way of working.

If you are using Tekla Model Sharing with a Trimble Connect project, the model is automatically uploaded when you write out or create a new baseline.
An .ifc file that is created from a Tekla Structures model and uploaded to a Trimble Connect project.
A .trb file that is created from a Tekla Structures model when exporting to Tekla PowerFab and uploaded to a Trimble Connect project.

Note that ToDos are still available in Trimble Connect and they can be used in Trimble Connect 2D Viewer.

Create and modify BCF topics

Before you start adding BCF topics in Tekla Structures, ensure that your model is linked to a Trimble Connect project.

Use topics to communicate, assign, track and resolve issues within a project. You can view all the topics that you have created or that have been assigned to you in the Tekla Structures BCF Topics side pane.

On the Trimble Connect ribbon tab, click BCF Topics.

The BCF Topics side pane opens and displays the BCF topics added to the Trimble Connect project.
To create a new BCF topic, click the plus button.

The New topic page opens.
Fill in the fields.

Title is mandatory.
Assign the topic to a user or a user group.

The BCF topics are shared to all project members by default, but you can select a user or a user group to whom you want to assign the BCF topic with a due date when it needs to be resolved.
Use Add references to add references to documents or links.

A topic can reference several documents or links. You can add, for example, a PDF file for reference.
1. Click Add references.
2. On the Add references page, select the type of reference that you want to add:
  - under , select the desired reference file from the list of project files.
    Attached project files always point to the latest version of the file stored in the Trimble Connect project.
  - under , browse for a desired reference file to add a new file.
  - under , add the display text for the desired link and the URL.
3. Click Add references.
4. To add or remove reference files:
  - to add more reference files, click to open the Add references page.
  - to remove a reference file, click next to the file.
  You can work with the references also on the References page after the BCF topic is created.
Use Add models to add model files, if needed.

To enable the collaboration workflow using BCF topics, you need to have a model uploaded to a Trimble Connect project. The preferred way of working is to upload your model as a .tekla file. If you have already uploaded a .tekla file to the linked Trimble Connect project, you do not need to use the Add models option.

If you are using an .ifc or a .trb file instead of a .tekla file, use the Add models option to select the file that contains the objects associated to the BCF topic that you are creating in Tekla Structures.

Note that if you are using .ifc or .trb files, you need to manually associate each BCF topic with an .ifc or a .trb file when you create BCF topics in Tekla Structures. You can associate your BCF topics with several .ifc or .trb files at once.

In Trimble Connect the association happens automatically, and therefore the Add models command is not available in Trimble Connect. When BCF topics are created in Trimble Connect, Trimble Connect knows which models are visible in the view and stores that information with the BCF topics. These BCF topics will work correctly in Tekla Structures.
1. Click Add models.
2. On the Add models page, select the type of model file that you want to add:
  - under , select the desired model file from the list of project files.
  - under , browse for a desired model file to add a new file.
3. Click Add models.
4. To add or remove model files:
  - to add more model files, click to open the Add models page.
  - to remove a model file, click next to the file.
  You can work with the models also on the Models page after the BCF topic is created.
Click Save.

A view is automatically always added to each new topic.

The saved BCF topic is immediately synchronized to Trimble Connect.

You can then continue by adding, for example, comments and views with graphical markups and measurements.

In Trimble Connect, you can see the BCF topics on the BCF Topics page of the linked project.

If you want to further edit a BCF topic in Tekla Structures:


To	Do this
Define which topics are shown on the Topics page in BCF Topics side pane	In the BCF Topics side pane, click the arrow under Topics and select the option. By default, the Active topics are shown.
Sort the topics	In the BCF Topics side pane, click at the top of the side pane and select the sorting option. The default sorting order is by Creation date.
Edit a topic	You can edit topics that you have created or that have been assigned to you. In the BCF Topics side pane, select the BCF topic that you want to edit. The topic opens on its own page. Click Edit. Adjust the BCF topic information according to your needs. To save the changes, click Save.
Assign a topic	You can assign topics that you have created or that have been assigned to you. In the BCF Topics side pane, select the BCF topic that you want to assign to someone. The topic opens on its own page. Click Edit. In the Assignee field, enter the names of the users or the user groups. There can be multiple users or user groups listed in the Assignee field. To save the changes, click Save.
Remove a topic	You can delete only the topics which you have created. Deleting topics from the project cannot be undone. If you delete a topic, the topic will be deleted for everyone for who it has been assigned to. All the data is deleted as well. In the BCF Topics side pane, select the BCF topic that you want to remove. Click Remove. Click Delete.