The STEP and IGES export formats extend the interoperability possibilities to serve handrail manufacturers and related fabrication processes, and mechanical computer-aided design.

You can export steel profiles and associated connecting entities, such as bolts and welds, as assemblies or single parts. The Tekla Structures model geometry is directly transformed to the STEP or IGES file formats using the Open CASCADE Technology (OCCT), where no conversion files are needed.

For more information about the STEP and IGES formats, see STEP and IGES.

• To start the export, click the new File > Export > STEP/IGES command. Load any export settings predefined in your environment, or set up the export as necessary. You can export all or selected objects relative to the model origin, to the current work plane coordinates, or to the defined base point. When you are ready, click Export. By default, the files are exported to the \STEP folder under the current model folder.

  

Earlier, you had to use the Multi Converter extension in Tekla Warehouse or a third-party software to convert the exported data to the STEP or IGES format, and sometimes also remodel the geometry in a third-party software. Exporting and remodeling was time consuming, and the resulting files could be extensive in size.

In the image below, the handrail on the top represents the output generated by the Multi Converter extension. The exported object geometry is faceted, and the output is not suitable for handrail manufacturing processes. The handrail at the bottom represents the output generated by the STEP/IGES export. The exported objects have solid geometry, and the output is suitable for handrail manufacturing processes as such.

Define export file name using a template

You can define the name of the export file by entering the name directly in the File name box or by clicking the plus button and double-clicking the desired file name elements in the attributes list. You can use a combination of text and attributes. You can also drag file name elements to a new location, or delete elements by selecting the elements and pressing Delete on the keyboard or selecting Delete from the context menu. You can move in the box using the arrow keys and the Home and End keys.

Export to one or multiple files

Splitting allows you to select whether to export All objects in one file, Selected number of objects in each file, or One object in each file. When exporting multiple files, the export adds a running number to the end of the file name.

STEP application protocol

For STEP files, you need to select the appropriate application protocol: AP203, AP214, or AP242. The application protocol to use depends on the software that will be used to open the file. AP203 is the oldest and AP242 the newest protocol.

Objects included in export

You can select whether to include Assemblies, Bolts, or Welds in the export. If you select Assemblies, steel parts are exported as whole assemblies, otherwise steel parts are exported as single objects.

Limitations in STEP/IGES export

Currently, the STEP\IGES export does not export the following objects:

• Object types related to sheet metal unfolding, such as bent plates and lofted plates
• Concrete parts
• Cambered profiles
• Warped profiles
• Reinforcement and mesh
• Weld preparations
• Added parts
• Surface treatment
• Pours