Import a shape

Tekla Structures
2018i
Tekla Structures

Import a shape

You can import the following types of shape files: dgn , tsc , skp , dxf , dwg , ifc , ifcZIP , ifcXML , igs , iges , stp , and step.

When using other modeling software to model shapes that you want to import into Tekla Structures , we recommend that you center parts around the origin and direct the parts along the x axis.

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Shape catalog .

    The Shape Catalog dialog box opens.

  2. Click Import.
  3. Select the shape file to import.

    To select multiple shape files, hold down Ctrl or Shift.

  4. Click OK.

    Importing a large file can take several minutes.

Shape import has three possible results:

  • Tekla Structures imports the shape as a watertight solid shape. All solid operations are available.

  • Tekla Structures imports the shape as a non-solid shape. A non-solid shape means that the object may not be watertight. For example, it has holes, or is missing a face or an edge.

  • Import fails. This can happen, for example, if the shape is very complex or has no volume. There may also be a tolerance difference between Tekla Structures and the original software that was used to create the shape. To find out why the import failed, check the session history log by clicking File menu > Logs > Session history log .

When you import a shape into the Shape Catalog , Tekla Structures creates two files: one .xml file for shape attributes, such as name and GUID, and one .tez file for geometric properties, such as coordinates. The files are saved in the current model folder under the \Shapes and \ShapeGeometries subfolders.

Tip:

You can also download shapes from Tekla Warehouse.

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