Assembly Exporter

1. Purpose and description

2. System requirements

3. Installation

1. Make sure Tekla Structures is closed.
2. Install the 32 or 64 bit (x64) installation. Download from the Tekla Warehouse.
3. Open Tekla Structures
4. Before version 2016:A new toolbar icon which will launch the tool should now be visible when a drawing is opened. 2016 version and newer: a new thumbnail under Ungrouped items in the Applications and components side pane will appear.

 

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4. Interface

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1. Saves currently applied settings - This will create a *.axo file in the current model's attributes folder.  These files can be placed in firm/project folders as needed.
2. Loads previously saved settings
3. Check to have dialog box 'Stay On Top'
4. Opens Options Dialog box
5. Opens file path location where the files are being stored

4.1 - Export Settings

1. Overwrite Existing Files - If the same file name already exists in the designated folder then that file will be overwritten if this tool is run again.
2. Export Rebar Only - Excludes the concrete and only exports the rebar that is part of the cast unit to the IFC file.
3. Selection Filter - Define a selection filter that should be used when this tool is being used.  If From Selected is clicked and multiple objects are selected, then only those that match the filter criteria will be exported.  If From All is clicked and a selection filter is defined then that filter will be applied to everything in the model and only those assemblies/cast units that match the filter criteria will be exported.
4. Create Subfolders - This tool creates individual IFC files for each assembly/cast unit and places them all into one folder by default.  If this option is checked it will create a sub-folder for each assembly/cast unit mark and place the associated IFC file within that sub-folder.
5. Root Folder - Use this to define where the IFC files should be stored.  By clicking the 'browse' button the default will automatically create a root folder within the current model folder called "AssemblyExporter".

4.2 - IFC Options

1. File Format - Define which IFC format should be created.  The options are Ifc, IfcXml, ZippedIfc, or ZippedIfcXml
2. Export Type - Define which IFC export type should be used.  The options are CoordinationView, Surface Geometry, or SteelFabricationView.
3. Additional Properties - If you have created an 'Additional property sets' xml file from the out-of-the-box IFC export dialog box then you can type in the name of the file in this dialog box for those additional properties sets to be included on each assembly/cast unit IFC file.  (This is a string dialog box not a dynamic drop down box.)

4.3 - General Options 

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1. Add Filter - Click the plus sign to add a filter to the dialog box.  If an assembly/cast unit matches this filter criteria then the IFC file will be created with the associated part face.  If it does not match the filter criteria then the default part face will be used when the IFC file is created.
2. Remove Filter - Highlight the filter that should be removed and then click this button.
3. Move Filter Down - Highlight the filter and click this button to move the filter down.
4. Move Filter Up - Highlight the filter and click this button to move the filter up.
5. Part Filter Name - Click the arrow in filter field to get a dynamic list of the selection filters that are available.
6. Part Face - Use this to define which part face should be used when creating the IFC file.  The options are Front, Top, Back or Below.
7. Filter Using Main Part - If a selection filter is set up to only search for main parts of the assembly then check this box.  By default this tool is looking to select an assembly.  Most of the out-of-the-box selection filters (an example shown below) are set up to find the main part of an assembly and this option will allow you to use the filters and select the proper objects.
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5.  Usage

1. Click the 'browse' button in the Root Folder field to define where the IFC files should be stored.  If a folder has not been defined and From Selected or From All is selected, the warning 'Export folder is blank, cannot export.' warning will appear in the dialog box.
2. Define the General Options, Export Settings, and IFC options as desired.
3. Click From Select or From All to export the IFC files for the assemblies/cast units.  From Selected will export IFC files for the assemblies/cast units selected in the model.  From All will export IFC files for all the assemblies/cast units in the model.
4. Open the Root Folder to view the IFC files that have been created.

6.  Additional Information

1. If exporting to Trimble Connect set the face to “Back”.  You can then toggle the face within Trimble Connect and this will give the desired results.  Setting the “Front” face for Tekla BIMsight and other IFC viewers should give the correct results.