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  2. Tekla Structures
  3. Share models and files
  4. Import to and export from Tekla Structures
  5. Steel fabrication
  6. Tekla PowerFab

Tekla PowerFab

Tekla Structures
Modifierad: 11 sep 2024
2024
Tekla Structures

Tekla PowerFab

You can export your Tekla Structures model data to Tekla PowerFab as a compressed package in the .pfxt or .zip format. The package contains an XML file with drawing revisions, bills of materials, and user-defined attributes, as well as directories with CNC files and drawing files.

Combining and estimating

You can export a preliminary list or an advanced bill of materials (ABM) from Tekla Structures to Tekla PowerFab for combining and estimating in Tekla PowerFab.

We recommend that before exporting an ABM from the modeling software, you create and apply preliminary marks (PRELIM_MARK) to all parts that are included in the export. This provides a way for Tekla PowerFab to link and compare the advanced bill of materials to the subsequent production bill of materials, allowing any changes to be identified.

You can use Tekla Structures IFC export to produce the IFC files needed for combining and estimating in Tekla PowerFab. For more information about the IFC export, see Export in IFC format.

For details on importing IFC files to Tekla PowerFab, see Import files to Tekla PowerFab, Import an IFC file to a combining job, and Import files to the Estimating module.

Fabrication

In the fabrication phase, you can export your Tekla Structures model data to Tekla PowerFab as a compressed package in the .pfxt or .zip format. The package contains an XML file with drawing revisions, bills of materials, and user-defined attributes, as well as folders with CNC files and drawing files.

This export is specific to importing to Tekla PowerFab Production Control.

For details about importing Tekla PowerFab files into Tekla Structures, see section "Import Tekla PowerFab XML into Tekla Structures" in the Tekla PowerFab Exchange support article.

Export model to Tekla PowerFab

  1. In Tekla Structures, ensure the Select objects in components or Select objects in assemblies selection switch is enabled.
  2. In the Tekla Structures model, select the objects that you wish to include in the fabrication package.
  3. Select the drawings for the selected parts:
    1. To open Document manager, on the Drawings & reports ribbon tab, click Document manager.
    2. In the category list on the left, select All drawings.
    3. Click the Select and show only drawings containing parts currently selected in the model.
  4. In the File menu, select Export > Tekla PowerFab.
    The Export to Tekla PowerFab dialog box is displayed.
  5. On the Export to Tekla PowerFab tab, to load predefined export settings, select the export settings from the list, and select Load.
  6. On the Export to Tekla PowerFab tab, either select Auto-generate file name, or type the path and the name of the export file in the Tekla PowerFab file name box.

    Commas are not allowed in the file path. You can also browse to the desired folder.

    If you select Auto-generate file name, the export file uses the project number defined in the Tekla Structures Project properties (template attribute NUMBER#2).

  7. Select the export file format .pfxt or .zip.
    The .pfxt file is a Tekla PowerFab Exchange File format file.
  8. In the Export settings section, select which information you want to include in the export file.

    For more information about the available options, see "Export settings for Tekla PowerFab" below.

    When creating the fabrication package, you can also select to include the physical assembly, part, general arrangement and multidrawings. To do this, the drawings must be printed, typically to PDF, before the export.

  9. In the Drawing files section, select which drawing files are exported, and where different types of drawings are stored.
  10. In the CNC files section, select if and how you want to export CNC files.

    Whilst it is not mandatory, it is recommended to include the NC files in the fabrication package, as there are a number of workflows in the Tekla PowerFab desktop application that rely on them.

  11. Select whether you want to embed the model file, upload the model file into Trimble Connect, or skip the generation of the model file.
  12. Click Export to Tekla PowerFab.
    You can save the modified export settings for future use by selecting Save, or save the modified export settings with another name by defining a new name and selecting Save as.

    The standard settings file is saved with the name standard.TeklaPowerFabPluginSettings.xml in the \attributes folder under the model folder. If you save the settings with another name, the settings file will be saved as <name>.TeklaPowerFabPluginSettings.xml.

  13. If the Tekla Structures model has unsaved changes, you will be prompted to save before exporting.
  14. If any files are out of date or not found in the export, you get warning messages that notify you of these files. Do one of the following in the message box:
    • To continue despite the missing files, click Yes.
    • To cancel the export, click No.

Below are the most common validation issues.

No CNC files found An NC file for one or more parts cannot be found in the specified folder. The part numbers are listed in the log area.
No drawing files found A drawing file for one or more assembly or part cannot be found in the specified folder. The part numbers are listed in the log area
Out of date drawings One or more drawings is out of date. Such drawings will not be included in the export.
Numbering not up to date The export has detected that the numbering may be out of date.If you are confident that the numbering is up to date, often running the Repair model tool can resolve this.

Any warnings and error messages are shown at the bottom of the Export to Tekla PowerFab dialog box. When the export is complete, the path to the exported file is shown.

Once the export is finished, the log will display “Export completed” and a Windows Explorer window will open showing the exported fabrication package, as a .zip file. The .zip file can be opened to view its contents, which includes the bill of materials (in XML format), the PDF drawings organized by type, and the NC files.

Next, the export file can be imported into Tekla PowerFab. For more information, see

Import files to Tekla PowerFab

Import files to a production control job

For more information on the export settings, see the table below.

Export settings for Tekla PowerFab

Setting

Description

Tekla PowerFab file name

When the Auto-generate file name option is not selected, you can type a file name, select .pfxt or .zip, and click ... to browse to and select the folder where the file is saved.

Auto-generate file name

When the Auto-generate file name option is selected, the export file is saved in the Tekla PowerFab folder under the model folder. You can select the file extension .pfxt or .zip.

The file name format is <project number>_<number of the export>. For example, if a model has the project number PROJ-NUM, the first export is saved to TeklaStructuresModels\PowerFab-01\Tekla PowerFab\PROJ-NUM_1.pfxt. The next export will have the same path except for the number, which will be 2.

Project number is defined in the Tekla Structures Project properties. The template attribute for getting the project number is NUMBER#2.

Export assembly drawings
Select which assembly drawing information you want to include in the export:

  • All exports information of all assembly drawings in the model.

  • Selected from Drawing list only exports information of the assembly drawings that are currently selected in Document manager.

    For more information, see Document manager.

  • Selected from model only exports information for assembly drawings currently selected in the model.

Drawing files are not included if you have selected the Do not export drawing files option.

Include BOM

When this option is selected, bill of material (BOM) information is included in the export.

The export package (either a .zip or .pfxt file) will include the bill of materials in the form of an XML file. This is required for populating the assemblies and parts in the Production Control job in Tekla PowerFab. This needed in many downstream processes, such as purchasing, production tracking and shipping.

You would usually select this option, because a BOM is an integral element of the issuing process. However, an example of when you may not want to select the option is if you only want to export the drawings into Tekla PowerFab to be sent for approval before the final fabrication package is issued.

Include single-part drawings

When this option is selected, single-part drawing information is included in the export. Drawing files are also included if you have not selected the Do not export drawing files option.

Include general arrangement drawings

When this option is selected, general arrangement drawing information is included in the export. Drawing files are also included if you have not selected the Do not export drawing files option.

Include multidrawings

When this option is selected, multi-drawing information is included in the export. Drawing files are also included if you have not selected the Do not export drawing files option.

Include drawing UDAs

When this option is selected, user-defined attributes for drawings are included in the export.

In the list on the right, select which information is included:

  • From report includes information from your 450 TeklaPowerFab_Drawing_UserDefined_v1.rpt report. By default, the Drawn by, Checked by, and Checked date values are included.

  • From drawing (slow) includes all user-defined attributes in drawings. Note that this might take some time.

  • From both (slow) includes information from both the 450 TeklaPowerFab_Part_UserDefined_v1.rpt report and the drawing. Note that this might take some time.

To customize the user-defined attributes in the export file, see the Customize user-defined export information instructions.

Include part UDAs

When this option is selected, user-defined attributes for parts are included in the export.

In the list on the right, select which information is included:

  • From report includes information from your 450 TeklaPowerFab_Part_UserDefined_v1.rpt report. By default, user-defined fields 1-4 and comment are included.

  • From model generates part information directly from the model.

  • From both includes information from both the 450 TeklaPowerFab_Part_UserDefined_v1.rpt report and the model.

To customize the user-defined attributes in the export file, see the Customize user-defined export information instructions.

Include bolts-nuts-washers

When this option is selected, bolt, nut, and washer information is included in the export.

Include bolt-nut-washer UDAs

When this option is selected, user-defined attributes for bolts, nuts, and washers are included in the export.

In the list on the right, select which information is included:

  • From report includes information from your 450 TeklaPowerFab_BoltNutWasher_UserDefined_v1.rpt report. By default, the GUID, IsBoltNutWasher value, and comment are included.

  • From model generates nut, bolt, and washer information directly from the model.

  • From both includes information from both the 450 TeklaPowerFab_BoltNutWasher_UserDefined_v1.rpt report and the model.

To customize the user-defined attributes in the export file, see the Customize user-defined export information instructions.

Include studs

When this option is selected, stud information is included in the export.

Include stud UDAs

When this option is selected, user-defined attributes for studs are included in the export.

In the list on the right, select which information is included:

  • From report includes information from your 450 TeklaPowerFab_Stud_UserDefined_v1.rpt report. By default, the stud GUID and comment are included.

  • From model generates stud information directly from the model.

  • From both includes stud information both from the 450 TeklaPowerFab_Stud_UserDefined_v1.rpt report and the model.

To customize the user-defined attributes in the export file, see the Customize user-defined export information instructions.
Add drawing file delimiter Enter a character or string that separates main and secondary part marks in the drawing name. The purpose is to keep drawing names exported from Tekla Structures to Tekla PowerFab consistent when a position number separator is used. Use the same character or string that has been defined as the Position number separator in the Numbering settings in the Options dialog (File > Settings > Options).

Embed the model file

Upload the model file to Trimble Connect

Do not generate a model file

Select one of the following options:

Embed the model file: Include the .trb model file to the .pfxt or .zip package.

Upload the model file to Trimble Connect: Upload the model file to Trimble Connect in the .trb format.

Do not generate a model file

When the model file is made available for Tekla PowerFab, either by embedding it into the export file or by having it uploaded to Trimble Connect, the Tekla PowerFab import is able to use Trimble Connect for Windows to generate a comparison model between the new version of the model and the one provided by the previous import. This allows you to not only see in Tekla PowerFab the details of the data that has changed, but to visualize those changes in Trimble Connect for Windows to understand the full context of the change.

Properties for parts and assemblies are included in the .trb file.

If the model has unsaved changes, you are prompted to save the changes before the export.

Do not export drawing files

When this option is selected, no drawing files are included in the export.

Use drawing files from folder

When this option is selected, drawing files from the folder defined below are included in the export.

The default folder is .\PlotFiles\.

To change the folder, click ... next to the text box. Then, browse to and select the folder.

Note that the drawing file names must match the drawing number, excluding the file extension. For example, the right file name for drawing 200 would be 200.

Assembly drawing sub-folder

Single-part drawing sub-folder

GA drawing sub-folder

Multidrawing sub-folder

Saving drawing types in different folders is optional. We recommend that you do so if you have drawings of different types with the same name. Having different drawing types in different folders also makes it easy for Tekla PowerFab to place the drawings in the right drawing logs.

To select the folders, click ... next to each text box. Then, browse to and select the folder where the current drawing type should be saved.

Do not export CNC files

When this option is selected, CNC files will not be included in the export.

Generate CNC files - settings

When this option is selected, Tekla Structures generates CNC files from the current model.

The exported CNC files are UTF-8 encoded.

In the list below, select the CNC export settings file that you want to use.

Use CNC files from folder

When this option is selected, CNC files from the folder set below are included in the export.

The default folder is .\NC_Files\.

To change the folder, click ... and browse to and select the folder.

Note that the file names need to match the piece mark, excluding the file extension. For example, the right CNC file name for piece mark w104 would be w104.

For more information about adding drawings to Tekla PowerFab, see Add, modify, and delete drawings.

Customize user-defined attributes for Tekla PowerFab export

The user-defined attributes for the export comes from the following reports, which you can customize to adjust which information is included in the export:

  • 450 TeklaPowerFab_Drawing_UserDefined_v1.rpt

  • 450 TeklaPowerFab_Part_UserDefined_v1.rpt

  • 450 TeklaPowerFab_Stud_UserDefined_v1.rpt

  • 450 TeklaPowerFab_BoltNutWasher_UserDefined_v1.rpt

Note:

  • Do not customize any of the other reports related to the Tekla PowerFab export.

  • Always keep extra copies of the customized reports in a separate folder.

  1. Open the environment folder where the reports are stored.

    For example, open C:\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\<version> Daily\Environments\Steel\reports.

  2. Create a copy of the desired report and move it to another folder.
  3. Open the copy in a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.
  4. Customize the copy according to your needs.
    Note that:

    • Each field must be separated by a tab character.

    • The report needs to have a single-line header containing the name of each field. These field names are included in the export file, so that the user can decide to which Tekla PowerFab fields the information should be mapped.

    • Each field name can be used only once.

    • Each field in the report needs to consist of a single line.

    • In the 450 TeklaPowerFab_Part_UserDefined_v1.rpt report, the first field needs to be the part GUID, and the name in the report header for the first field needs to be GUID.

    • In the 450 TeklaPowerFab_Drawing_UserDefined_v1.rpt report, the first field needs to be the drawing ID, and the name in the report header for the first field needs to be ID.

  5. Save the copy.
  6. Move the copy to the right folder, and overwrite the existing report.

Exported bolt XML data

Default data included in XML file

Data Description Example Data
PartId Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) of the bolt group. <PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>
PartMark* This will always be blank because bolts in Tekla Structures do not have part marks. <PartMark />
MainMember* This will always be false because bolts in Tekla Structures are always attached to a member and never the main member. <MainMember>false</MainMember>
PartQuantity Number of bolts in the bolt group. <PartQuantity>3</PartQuantity>
Shape The default values for shape are HS, MB, NU, WA, or STD. * <Shape>HS</Shape>
Dimensions The diameter and length of the bolt as defined in the Bolt catalog properties. <Dimensions Metric="0">HS 0.75" x 2.5"</Dimensions>
Grade

For Bolts (HS or MB), the grade is defined by the Standard set in Bolt assembly catalog properties.*

For Nuts, washers, and Studs, the grade is defined by the Standard set in the Bolt catalog properties.*

 <Grade>F1852</Grade>
Length** The length value will not be populated as it is provided in the Dimensions. <Length UOM="in"></Length>
Remark Will report Field or Shop based on bolt group the Bolt type property. <Remark>Field</Remark>

* The SHAPE and GRADE data may be overridden by the hard-coded translations. See section "Hard-coded translations" below.

** These fields are sections that are required for parts, but are not applicable to bolts. Because the format for bolts is the same, the values will be empty.

Shape

The default values for SHAPE are HS, MB, NU, WA, or STD depending on the type specified in the Bolt Catalog.

It is possible to manually override the individual bolt group bolt SHAPE by specifying a user-defined value for the bolt shape. It is not possible to manually override the nut or washer SHAPE values.

Grade (Material)

Bolt assembly GRADE data is output differently depending on the component of the assembly. Bolts obtain the GRADE data based on the Standard value for the assembly in the Bolt Assembly Catalog.

All other bolt assembly elements obtain the GRADE data based on the Standard value for the assembly in the Bolt Catalog.

Hard-coded translations

When Export to Tekla PowerFab compiles the XML file data, there are a few hard-coded translations that are performed. These can affect both the <SHAPE> and <GRADE> data that is exported.

Note:

The translations are not applied when you specify a user-defined bolt shape.

Anytime a Grade contains the text "TC", then the shape is set to "HS":

<SHAPE>HS</SHAPE>

If the bolt Grade contains "TC" and "A325", then the grade is set to "A325TC":

<GRADE>A325TC</GRADE>

If the bolt Grade contains "TC" and "A490", then the grade is set to "A490TC":

<GRADE>A490TC</GRADE>

If the bolt Grade does not contain "TC", but does contain "A325, "A490", "F1852", "F2280", or "F3148", then the shape is "HS", and the grade is left as-is:

<SHAPE>HS</SHAPE>

If the bolt Grade does not contain "TC" and is not any of those grades, then the shape is set to "MB":

<SHAPE>MB</SHAPE>

Example XML data for bolt assembly

<AssemblyPart>
      <PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>
      <PartMark />
      <MainMember>false</MainMember>
      <PartQuantity>1</PartQuantity>
      <Shape>HS</Shape>
      <Dimensions Metric="0">HS 0.75" x 1.5"</Dimensions>
      <Grade>A325TC</Grade>
      <Length UOM="in"></Length>
      <Remark>Field</Remark>
</AssemblyPart>
<AssemblyPart>
      <PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>
      <PartMark />
      <MainMember>false</MainMember>
      <PartQuantity>1</PartQuantity>
      <Shape>NU</Shape>
      <Dimensions Metric="0">NU 0.75"</Dimensions>
      <Grade>HEAVY_HEX</Grade>
      <Length UOM="in"></Length>
      <Remark>Field</Remark>
</AssemblyPart>
<AssemblyPart>
      <PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>
      <PartMark />
      <MainMember>false</MainMember>
      <PartQuantity>1</PartQuantity>
      <Shape>WA</Shape>
      <Dimensions Metric="0">WA 0.75"</Dimensions>
      <Grade>PLAIN</Grade>
      <Length UOM="in"></Length>
      <Remark>Field</Remark>
</AssemblyPart>

See also

Bolt catalog properties

Bolt assembly catalog properties

How the bolt catalog and bolt assembly catalogs work together

Add, modify, and delete drawings.

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