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Export Project Data: Tekla Structures with TSEP Plugin (NEW!)

To export all the required project files from Tekla Structures, there are two options:

  • Download the Tekla Structures TSEP plugin and generate the correct project ZIP automatically.
  • Piece the ZIP file together manually via individually exported files provided by your detailer.  

It’s recommended to use the TSEP plugin. This process will be described below.

Files that can be exported with Tekla Plugin

You can get the following file types with the Tekla plugin:  

    • A KISS file;
    • 3D project file (IFC);
    • Shop drawing PDFs (General Arrangement / Erection drawings excluded).

The plugin will allow you to get any combination of the 3 file types. Note the KSS file is a mandatory file.

The table below shows how each file corresponds with functionalities in FabStation:

KSS only uploaded KSS and PDF uploaded KSS and IFC uploaded KSS, IFC and PDF uploaded

Drawings

✅

✅

3D Viewer

✅

✅

Augmented Reality features

✅

✅

Status System
✅
✅
✅
✅

How to get Tekla Plugin

  1. Go to Tekla Warehouse and type ‘FabStation’.
  2. Click on FabStation Export Plugin.
  3. Click on
Tip

To download the plugin, you need to be logged into the Tekla Warehouse website.

NOTE:

The plugin application is supported in Tekla Structure versions 2019 and beyond. It will not work in previous versions.

Alternatively, you can download the plugin from here:

Download V2.2

Note: the plugin downloaded here is the same as the one from Tekla Warehouse.

4. Unzip the package and install the plugin. 

5. The tool can be found and opened from the Applications and Components panel on the right-hand side of Tekla Structures, under the FabStation Tools group. 

6. Double-click on the icon to launch the tool.

 

Export KSS with IFC and PDFs

1. Name Your Package

After you open the plugin, proceed with the following steps:

1. Change the ZIP file name to the one you need.

2. PDF Export Settings

2.  Toggle ON Export PDF. Then there will be two options: 

  • Print PDF; (2.1)
  • Export from existing PDF (this will save printing time if the drawings are already printed in your local device); (2.2)

2.1 If you select Print PDF, it will work as a native PDF Tekla printer and select the drawings in a similar way.

You can choose the drawings to be printed either: 

– Directly from the document manager;

OR

– Later, as you select components for the IFC file from the model, associate them with the corresponding drawings in the document manager using the selector tools. For example:

Tip

Make sure all the drawings being issued for fabrication are up-to-date.

2.2 If you already have the drawing printed on your local device to save time on printing, you can select Export from Existing PDF.

It will automatically enable 2 folders, as you can see on the right. 

Standard Tekla drawings folders are selected by default. You can use these or select “Change” to get PDFs from different folders. 

3. IFC Export Settings

3. Toggle ON Export IFC. 

3.1 Keep ‘Select reference objects’ OFF, unless you want to export reference objects, such as joints or concrete for the Project Viewer.

NOTE:

If you need Reference Objects, there will be more information in the Export Package Step below. For now, proceed with the following steps.

3.2 Choose the components for the IFC export, you have two options: 

 – Choose the components from a 3D model directly and then click  Select and show only drawings containing parts currently selected in the model.

OR

– Proceed with the opposite: First select desired components in the document manager – Then click   to select objects in the model for selected drawings

Use the method more convenient for you, most importantly note to have the same components selected in the document manager and the 3D model. For example: 

Important

As you use Tekla Selection tools, please note that this new selection tool is breaking the KSS file export:

Please use any other selection tools other than this one:

4. Export Package

Do you need Reference Objects?

If you do not need reference objects, please proceed with the instructions below. 

Yes, I need Reference Objects

Once all the components for the IFC and PDF are selected, proceed with the export. There will be only one button option that generates all the needed files. 

This button will create a ZIP folder that contains all the exported files on your local device. For example: 

With that, your export is done! 

You can now upload the ZIP into your project within FabStation following these instructions or send the package to the person responsible for FabStation uploads. 

Reference Objects*

In some cases, you may want to Select Reference Objects to also export joints and other non-assembly elements for the Project View.

*1 In this case, before the export process, toggle ON “Select reference objects”.

The button will say “Generate PDF and KSS” (without IFC).

*2 Click on “Generate PDF and KSS”.

Since you already selected all assemblies for export in the Step 3: IFC Export Settings, it will export them in KSS, and also export the selected PDFs. 

*3 Once KSS and PDFs are generated, you will see a message and the button “Generate IFC” will appear. 

Before clicking on it, go back to Tekla 3D models and select needed reference objects on a 3D model in addition to the previously selected assemblies. 

Please make sure that both: assemblies and reference objects are selected. 

*4 Once that is done, click on “Generate IFC”.

With that, your export is done! 

You can now upload the ZIP into your project within FabStation following these instructions or send the package to the person responsible for FabStation uploads. 

Full Export Recap

To summarize:

  1. Change the ZIP file name.
  2. PDF settings. Toggle ON ‘Export PDF’ and choose to ‘Print PDFs’ or ‘Export from existing PDFs’. 
    – Print PDF – this will print the drawings selected in the document manager. 
    – Export from existing PDF – select 2 local folders for parts and assemblies. 
  3. IFC Settings. Turn ‘Export IFC’ toggle ON. Keep ‘Select reference objects’ OFF.
    Select required components in 3D model and Document manager as you prefer. 
  4. Export the package.  
    – If reference objects are needed, follow Reference Objects export workflow. 

Skip IFC or PDF export

If you want to skip the export of IFC, PDF or both, just turn OFF the corresponding toggles. KSS is a mandatory file, so you can only export: 

  • Just a KSS file;
  • KSS + IFC
  • KSS + PDFs

Please check the image above or this article to see how each file corresponds to a functionality in FabStation. 

To skip the PDF export: 

  1. Keep ‘Export PDF’ toggle OFF.
  2. Proceed with Step 1 and name your package. 
  3. Proceed with Step 3: IFC Export Settings to select assemblies in 3D model and document manager. 
  4. Click on “Generate IFC and KSS” (If reference assemblies are needed, proceed with Reference objects* step)

To skip the IFC export: 

  1. Keep ‘Export IFC’ toggle OFF.
  2. Proceed with Step 1 and name your package. 
  3. Proceed with Step 3: IFC Export Settings to select assemblies in 3D model and document manager. 
  4. Click on ‘Generate PDF and KSS’.

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