Tekla Structures 2024 introduces the 3D PDF export for exporting the current model or the selected model objects as a 3D PDF file. The 3D PDF allows you to easily communicate your work to others without needing to download and install an extension: all the receiver needs is a PDF reader that supports the 3D PDF format.

Alternatively, share your models via the public Trimble Connect link.

The 3D PDF looks exactly like the original 3D design. Using this tool reduces design errors, improves the quality of the project, and increases productivity, leading to improved communication and faster decision making.

We recommend that you use Adobe Acrobat Reader, as all PDF readers do not support the 3D PDF format.

The various options in the 3D PDF export allow you to:

• Export the whole model or the selected parts of it.
• Select the objects to include in the PDF:
  • Fasteners
  • Reinforcement
  • Bolts
  • Welds
  • Grids
  • Part properties
• Export additional properties for the objects using property sets defined for the IFC export.
• Export objects as assemblies, which means that Tekla Structures automatically selects the corresponding assembly of the objects for the export.
• Use the current model view colors in the 3D PDF.
• Show the model information either by phases or by objects in the 3D PDF model tree. When you have included part properties in the export, part properties will be displayed in the model tree when a part is selected.
• Show the objects either with normal or high solid accuracy.
• Define the page settings (size, orientation) and select the suitable model and view settings (background color, light definition, rendering mode).
• Open the export folder and/or the 3D PDF file after the export.
• Create the U3D format file only. The Universal 3D (U3D) format is a compressed file format standard for 3D computer graphics data.

Publish to 3D PDF is also available as an extension in Tekla Warehouse.

How to export in the 3D PDF format

• To start the export, in modeling mode, click File > Export > 3D PDF.

  

• Check the settings on the File, PDF, and Model content tabs, and adjust the settings to suit your needs.
• If you want to export some objects only, select the objects in the model, and select Selected objects as the Scope of export. To export the whole model, select All objects.
• When you are ready, click Publish. By default, the PDF file is exported to the \PDF folder under the current model folder.

You can open the resulting 3D PDF in a PDF reader and explore the model using the tools available in the reader.

Below is an example of the 3D PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro. Model objects are listed in the model tree by phases.

Below is an example of part properties for a column in the model tree. An IFC property set configuration file has been selected from the Additional property sets list in the export settings, and some additional properties are listed.