If you do not select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer in the IFC export settings, the export uses the IFC export hierarchy you define in the part UDAs. You also need to modify the part UDAs to define the load bearing information, and select the IFC export type.

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 Bearing, 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. Bearing is the default value.

3. Go to the IFC export tab, and 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.
4. If you are going to use the part-level export hierarchy, define the IFC building name and the IFC building storey name.
5. Click Modify in the user-defined attributes dialog.

Before you export Tekla Structures model objects to IFC, you need to define the resulting IFC entities for the exported model objects in the object properties.

1. Double-click an object in the model, for example a column, to open part properties.
2. In the IFC export section in the property pane, select an option in the IFC entity list to define the IFC entity for the exported model object.

   The default entity for the object type is selected by default.

   

3. You can define the IFC entity more precisely by selecting an entity subtype among the predefined subtypes available in the Subtype (IFC4) list, or select USERDEFINED and then type the desired type in free text in User-defined type (IFC4).

   The subtype and user-defined type are only supported in the IFC4 export.

   The available subtypes depend on the selected IFC entity.

   For example, if you have a native assembly in your Tekla Structures model, you can define that its entity type is IfcBridgePart, and select a subtype among the predefined subtypes available, for example, PIER, or select USERDEFINED and then type the desired type in free text, for example, bridge part.

4. Click Modify in the property pane.

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. If there are predefined export settings available, load the predefined export settings from the list at the top and click Load.

   The predefined export settings files are located in the environment folders.

4. Browse to the Output file location and replace the name outcoord with the desired file name.

   IFC files are by default exported to the \IFC folder under the current model folder. The length of the file path is limited to 247 characters. You do not need to enter the file name extension, it will be automatically added according to the selected File format.

5. Define the export settings:

   Setting	Description
   Parameters tab
   File format	The options are IFC, IFC XML, zipped IFC, and zipped IFC XML.
   Export type	Select the desired export type. Surface geometry: If the model is used only for viewing purposes, or as a reference model, Surface geometry is your choice. 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. Coordination view 2.0: The certified Coordination view 2.0 should be your default. We recommend that you use this export type when the geometry needs to be edited and modified in the receiving application: Reinforcing bars are exported as extrusions. The 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: This export type is designed for the fabrication workflow, and to be provided for manufacturing. 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: This export type is for those who need to export openings as separate objects. We recommend that you use Coordination view 1.0 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.
   Property sets	The property set default selection changes when you change the Export type. To use a default property set from your environment, select the property set from the Property sets list. To modify an existing property set, select the property set from the list and click Edit. To define a new property set, select <new> and click Edit.
   Export	Select either Selected objects or All objects. If you selected Selected objects, you need to select the objects in the model.
   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. Note that if the base point has not been defined, it is not displayed in the list.
   Advanced tab
   Object types	Select the object types to export. The options are: Assemblies Bolts Welds Pour objects: Select this to export pour objects instead of CIP concrete parts. Note that pour unit export is not supported in IFC2x3. Grid Reinforcing bars Surface treatment and surfaces Spaces If you select Assemblies, you can exclude single part assemblies by selecting Exclude single part assemblies in the Other area. Note the following: 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 object user-defined attributes dialog on the IFC export tab. The export does not export what you select if certain object types are selected. For example, if a concrete part is selected and theReinforcing barscheckbox is selected, all rebars in the concrete part will be exported. It is not possible to select which rebars to export with the part. The workaround is to generate two IFC export files: one with concrete parts only, and one with selected rebars only. To export pour objects, the use the selection switch Select components, Select objects in components, or Select objects in assemblies. Do not use the selection switch Select assemblies, because it tries to export pour units, which are not supported in the IFC2X3 export.
   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. To use a predefined UDA as a layer name, define the UDA for the advanced option XS_IFC_EXPORT_OBJECT_LAYER_FROM_UDA. This option is not available with Steel fabrication view. 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. 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. If you do not select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer, the export uses the IFC export hierarchy defined in the part UDAs. If you have not defined part UDAs, project property UDAs are used. Select Exclude single part assemblies when you export assemblies. Use current view colors exports the objects using the colors defined in object representation, not the class colors. The defined transparency settings are also exported. This option is not available with Steel fabrication view.

6. If you want to save the modified export settings in a new file, give the settings file a new name and click Save as.
   The new settings are saved in the \attributes folder under the model folder.
7. Click Export.

You can export a Tekla Structures model or a part of the model in the IFC4 format.

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. If there are predefined export settings available, load the predefined export settings from the list at the top and click Load.
   The predefined export settings files are located in the environment folders.
4. 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.

5. 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.

6. In Selection, select whether you want to export All objects or Selected objects.
   If you choose Selected objects, you need to select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer.
7. 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.
   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.
   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.
   Format	The options are IFC and IfcZip.
   Export type	Select the desired export type. Reference view (IFC4): This export type is intended to support the referencing workflow, and exported files can be used as reference files, and viewed in a viewer. The Reference view (IFC4) is not meant to be used for conversion to native objects. The overall goal of the Reference view (IFC4) 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 (IFC4): This export type is intended for the handover workflow, meaning import for further editing. This requires the conversion of the IFC entities into native objects, and the IFC object conversion can 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. One example is the takeover of the structural engineering model (or part of it) into the basis of the structural detail modeling. Bridge view (IFC4.3): The main purpose of the Bridge view export is to extend Tekla Structures to bridge constructions. The bridge IFC files are based on the IFC4.3 schema. IFC4precast view: This export type 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. This export type is available only in precast roles. For more information about IFC4precast, see IFC4precast.
   Base point export	Select which system to use when you have defined a base point for Location by to ensure that the collaboration works with other parties in the project. The options are: IfcMapConversion: Converts model's local coordinate system into the global coordinate system. This option is needed, when the IFC4 format that complies to the IFC4 schema is required. IfcSite coordinate system: Converts coordinates in the IFC model for each object separately. This option can be used to produce an IFC4 file that you can view in most IFC viewers, including Trimble Connect. The same conversion method is also used in the IFC2x3 export.
   Property sets	The property set selection changes when you change the Export type. To use a default property set, select the property set from the Property sets list. To modify an existing property set, select the property set from the list and click . To define a new property set, select <new> and click .
   Cast-in-place export	Allows you to select more precisely what to include in the cast-in-place export. The options are Pour units or pour objects and CIP cast units or parts.
   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. If you do not select Spatial hierarchy from Organizer, the export uses the IFC export hierarchy defined in the part UDAs. If you have not defined part UDAs, project property UDAs are used. Also note that in bridge models the export always uses the hierarchy defined in project property UDAs.
   Object types	Select the object types to export: Assemblies Bolts Grids Reinforcing bars Surface treatment and surfaces Spaces 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 object user-defined attributes dialog on the IFC export tab. The export does not export what you select if certain object types are selected. For example, if a concrete part is selected and the Reinforcing bars checkbox is selected, all rebars in the concrete part will be exported. It is not possible to select which rebars to export with the part. The workaround is to generate two IFC export files: one with concrete parts only, and one with selected rebars only.

8. If you want to save the modified export settings in a new file, give the settings file a new name and click Save as.
   The new settings are saved in the \attributes folder under the model folder.
9. Click Export.