Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects
You can convert most linear IFC reference objects such as beams, columns, braces, plates, slabs, footings and walls into native Tekla Structures objects. Conversion also supports polybeams that have curved sections, and have originally been exported from Tekla Structures, and string, int and double type UDAs. The purpose of converting IFC objects in Tekla Structures is to help in the creation of the structural model and to avoid rework in an early modeling phase.
In IFC object conversion, IFC objects are converted either as items or as extrusions. Conversion as item means that an IFC object is converted as a Tekla Structures item, where the 3D shape defines the geometry of the item. Conversion as extrusion means that an IFC object is converted as a part (column, beam, plate, etc.) that has a profile extruded to create the length of the part.
Limitation: The IFC4 and IFC4.1 formats are not supported in IFC object conversion.
In IFC object conversion you need to do the following:
- Before converting, check that the profiles and units in the IFC reference model are compatible with your environment.
- Check the object conversion settings in the IFC object conversion settings dialog box and change them, if needed.
- Convert the IFC objects to native
Tekla Structures objects. There are two alternative ways available in object conversion:
- Converting all selected reference model objects at one go using the Convert IFC objects command on the Manage tab.
- Converting using the IFC object conversion change management. You can also perform an update conversion with a new reference model revision using the change management.
Is object conversion always necessary?
In Tekla Structures, reference model objects can be used in a way similar to the native objects, for example, in clash detection, reporting and scheduling. There is no need to have everything as native, because the reference model objects can also be used in many ways. For example, reference model objects can be shown in drawings and they can be listed in reports.
The reference files have the benefit compared to the copied files that the content of the files is automatically updated by the designer of that design discipline.
Check and change the IFC object conversion settings
Before you start converting, check the conversion settings and change them if necessary.
Convert selected IFC objects at one go
You can convert all imported IFC objects at one go using the current object conversion settings. You need to have at least two or more revisions of the same model.
Convert IFC objects using conversion change management - first conversion
Object conversion change management provides change detection and change management on object level. Conversion change management is needed in the initial data change management to reduce the challenges in construction projects. Objects are not converted automatically but you need to convert the objects using the conversion changes list.
Convert IFC objects using conversion change management - update conversion
If a previously converted reference object has changed in a newer reference model revision, you can compare the older and newer revisions of the reference model and update the conversion.
Macro for selecting converted IFC objects
The SelectConvertedObjectsBasedOnIfcObjectsSelection macro selects the objects that have been converted to native Tekla Structures objects. You may need to select the converted objects to check the properties of the native Tekla Structures objects, for example. This macro is located in the Applications section of the Applications & components catalog.
Class values
The status of the converted object is reported in the changes list in the Class column. Sometimes the input data in the IFC model is not adequate to successfully create the converted object. The following table explains what the class values mean.
Class value | IFC object data | Converted object description |
---|---|---|
990 |
Parametric profile with a name |
There is enough information in the IFC model to convert the object successfully. |
991 |
Parametric profile without a name |
Tekla Structures determines the name of the object based on the objects profile. |
992 |
Arbitrary profile with a name |
The profile of the converted object may be incorrectly rotated because there is no parametrized profile data in the IFC model. |
993 |
Arbitrary profile without a name |
The profile of the converted object may be incorrectly rotated because there is no parametrized profile data in the IFC model. The profile name is set to
|
994 |
B-rep piece with a name |
The profile may be an extrema box due to the lack of profile data in the IFC model. |
995 |
B-rep piece without a name |
The profile may be an extrema box due to the lack of profile data in the IFC model. The profile name is set to
|
996 |
B-rep piece |
The object is converted using the Convert B-rep object option in converter settings. The converted B-rep object is either an item or a concrete item and is added to the shape catalog. |