SolidWorks

SolidWorks is mainly a 3D mechanical modeling application that is sometimes seen in the structural market. SolidWorks is written by the Dassault Systèmes Corporation, who develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software.

Dassault Systèmes whose HQ is in France, are also the authors of the CATIA application and specialize in Product Lifecycle Managements (PLM) simulation and CAD systems.

For interoperability between SolidWorks and Tekla Structures, IFC, IGES, STEP, DWG and DXF files are used. IFC is the most recommended method.

In SolidWorks 2011, there is only an IFC export option but in SolidWorks 2012 both IFC import and export are available, and they have been tested. Within Tekla Structures, there is the option to export any properties sets as defined in the IFC_properties_sets.inp file, and we also import any object specific attribute values that exist in the IFC file.

Export file - Files can be exported from Tekla Structures as normal IFC files. With Multi converter extension you can also export IGES or STEP files.

Import files - Files can be imported into Tekla Structures as IFC, IGES, or STEP files as reference models. STEP or IGES reference models cannot be converted into Tekla Structures native objects, but with IFC reference models you have that possibility.

NOTE: SolidWorks only exports the IFC members as B-rep objects.

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Example of an IGES file from SolidWorks imported in Tekla Structures.

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Example of an IFC file from Tekla Structures imported in SolidWorks

See also
Export a Tekla Structures model or selected model objects to an IFC file
IFC insert
Convert IFC objects into native Tekla Structures objects
How to export your model to IGES/STEP/OBJ/STL/IFC
Import a 2D or 3D DWG or DXF file