Export a model to a 3D DWG or DXF file

You can export the whole model or model parts to 3D DWG or 3D DXF file types. By default, Tekla Structures creates a model.dwg file in the current model folder. You can export parts, items and bolts to 3D DWG/DXF.

Limitations

The 3D DWG/DXF export has the following limitations:

Bolt holes are not exported.
Curved beams and polybeams are exported as single, continuous beams.
The number of segments in the curved beams is as defined for the particular curved beam.
Reinforcing bars are not exported.
Grids are not exported.

Tip:

You can define color settings for parts and other model objects. This way you can affect the color that the objects have in the exported DWG/DXF files.

Open a Tekla Structures model.
On the File menu, click Export > 3D DWG/DXF .
In the Export 3D DWG/DXF dialog box, accept the default export file name, or enter another one.
To replace an already existing export file, click the ... button and browse for the file.
Select whether to export as DWG or DXF.
In Export as , select the representation for the exported objects:
- Faces exports parts as faces.
  
  Exporting 3D DWG or DXF files as Faces uses more memory and may take longer, but the end result is better.
- Lines exports parts as lines located in the center of the profile cross sections. This option suits well for exporting to analysis software.
- Center lines exports parts as part center lines.
- Reference lines exports parts as reference lines, drawn between the creation points. This option suits well for exporting to analysis software.
  
  If the model is large, or you have less memory to use, the Reference lines option is faster, and the resulting file size is smaller.
Select Part accuracy :
- The options are High and Normal. High also exports chamfers in profile cross-sections.
Select Bolt accuracy :
- High exports entire bolt assemblies, including washers.
- Normal only exports the bolt and nut.
- No bolts exports no bolts.
Select whether to include Cuts in the export.
Yes exports cuts.
Select whether to include Inner contours
Yes includes the inner contours.
In the Export list, select what to export:
- All objects exports the whole model.
- Selected objects exports the parts selected from the model.
To only select parts that you want to include in the export, activate the Select parts and Select objects in components selection switches. You can also create a selection filter that exports all the parts and objects that you want. Components cannot be imported as such, but you need to select the objects in components to export the included parts.
Click Create.

Tekla Structures creates the export file in the current model folder. The ID of each part is exported as an attribute and written into the export file for each part.