Working with reference models in Tekla Model Sharing

One Tekla Model Sharing user can insert the reference model to the Tekla Structures model. The reference model is then copied to the datastorage/ref subfolder in the model folder.

So even if the original reference file is deleted from the original location, there is always a copy of the reference file in the datastorage. When the user writes out the model, the datastorage/ref contents is shared to the cloud.

Another user can then see the reference model when they read in and click the new reference model visible in the reference models side pane.

There has been uncertainty among users because different users have different file systems and the reference model path has not matched the original path in all users' computers. But the original reference model path does not have to be true on each computer, since the copy of the reference model is in the datastorage, which is shared.

Updating a reference model

When an existing reference model is updated, a new version is copied to the datastorage/ref folder.

• If there is an updated version of the reference model in the original file location with the same filename, you need to click Refresh updated models, otherwise it will not be taken into use in the Tekla Structures model.
• Another way is to save an updated copy of the reference model with a different name, and then update the new version through the Change detection functionality.

It is not recommended to replace an existing reference model with a totally different reference model. This will lead to this error: Warning: no suitable reference sub object found for id xxxxx. Also if you have a new version of an existing reference model and you delete the previous reference model and insert a new version as a totally new reference model, this means that GUIDs will change and reference will disappear from drawing etc.

There is new way of using reference models in Tekla Structures 2020: Overlay models. They are lightweight reference models which are in Trimble Connect project connected to Tekla Structures model. 

Currently you cannot have private and personal reference models, but all reference and overlay models are public for other model sharing model users. For example you cannot exclude reference models from sharing. Also the overlay models from a Trimble Connect project cannot be private, but they also are visible for all users.

See also

Detect changes between reference model versions
XS_REFERENCE_MODEL_KEEP_VERSIONS_COUNT