How to Export Tekla Structure Model to an IFC File

IFC or industry foundation class is like a frozen copy from your model that other users can view, measure, find the clash between items and estimate the cost of the project, regardless they have installed your software in their computer.

You can use from this feature and convert your model to the IFC and then send it to the other groups.

Imagine you have an architectural model and you want to send your model to the other engineer group in order to complete other phases of your project.

In this regard, if you do not convert your file to IFC they must have similar software and similar setting which you have considered for your model, in their computers to see your model correctly.

But IFC solves this problem and you can convert your file to IFC and then send your file to other groups. when they import your IFC file into their software they can see your model there without any problem.

IFC model gives you this possibility that other people can not change your IFC file in their software and if they need to modify or change one part of your model, like create a hole in the wall they should ask you to change that part in your model and create another IFC file and send new IFC file to them.

It helps you to make sure your model is always up to date.

You can also divide your model into different phases and only send your desired phase for the contractor.

Imagine your project have architectural, civil, mechanical, and electrical phases and you want to send electrical and architectural drawings for the electrical contractor, on the one hand, this feature helps you to filter your model and only send the information which your contractor may need and on the other hand your contractor will receive the data that he needs and he works with your model easier.

How to Export Tekla Structure Model to an IFC2*3 File;

At first, you need to Define IFC entities for Tekla model for that you should follow these steps;

How to Define The IFC Entities For Tekla Model Objects

• Double click on the object

• Click on the More

• In the structural information tab, choose your desired load-bearing

• Click on the IFC export tab:

• In the IFC entity choose the correct option according to the element which you select in your model.

in the link below you can see the correct choice for each element;

-www.teklastructures.support.tekla.com/2020/en/int_exporting_into_ifc?da=GUID-1A06B760-6ECB-4C75-BB68-F7643ED5C564

• In the IFC export type there are two choices:

• Auto:

In this option, Tekla automatically chooses the correct swept solid IFC object for the Tekla object.

• B-rep:

This option creates mesh-based IFC objects and there are less intelligent and are date heavy but still geometrically correct.

• Click on the Modify key.

After you defined IFC entities for your all model objects you should follow these steps;

1- Click on the File.

2- Click on the Export.

3- Click on the IFC.

4- Choose your desired name for the IFC model.

5- Choose the location which you want to save your IFC model.

Tekla structure is saved your IFC model in the IFC folder in the folder which your model was saved in it.

6- Choose your desired format for your IFC file.

7- Choose your desired type for your Tekla model;

• Coordinate view 2.0;

If you need to edit or modify your file in the receiving application this option is recommended.

• Surface geometry;

This option is good when you need only to view the model and you do not want to edit or reuse it.

In this option reinforcing bars, bolts and curved elements are exported as B-rep.

This option does not support CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry).

• Steel fabrication view;

This option is recommended for exporting detailed info on steel objects for steel fabrication.

• Coordinate view 1.0;

If you need to export the opening and voids as separate objects, this option is recommended.

In this option, reinforcing bars and curved elements are exported as extrusions.

• Voids and openings are exported as opening elements.

• Bolts are exported as B-rep.

8- Define your desired “property sets”;

• In “Additional property sets part” choose your desired property set or select “NEW” and click on Edit key to create a new one.

• Here you can create your desired property set.

9- In this part, you can export all the model elements or part of it.

• If you select the part which you want to export them in the model and here choose “selected objects”, you can export selected objects.

• you can also export all parts of the model by selecting " All objects".

10- you can also specify the location which you want to place your IFC model in the new program.

• Model origin: this option place your model in the position which it was placed in the original program relative to 0,0,0 coordinates.

• You can also place your model relative to the base point which you defined it before.

11- Click on Export.

How to Check the IFC Exported Model in Tekla Structure

If you wanted to check your IFC exported model before you sent it, you could insert that file into your model as a Reference model and after you checked them sent it to your colleagues.

For that you should follow these steps;

1- In the right side click on the “Reference model” key.

2- click on the “Add model”.

3- In the File part click on the Browse and choose your IFC model which you created them before and click on Open.

IFC model as default is placed in the IFC folder in your Tekla model folder.

4- In the location, you can specify your model will be placed relative to the origin coordination or to the basepoint which you created before.

5- Click on the “Add Model”.

6- Here you can check your IFC model and then send it to your colleagues.