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Baris D. Follow
BIM Coordinator at BIMTEC 87 5 8
2 articles

Data migration methodology from

Tekla Structures towards Revit and
Navisworks
Published on December 12, 2018

1. Introduction

Migrating model data from Tekla Structures to Autodesk products a tricky procedure due to
different software behaviors of these both competitors. The only effective way is to export
the IFC file from Tekla with proper exporting, mapping and import setups. A few years ago
to fulfill this problem, there was .tczip export procedure involved in to manage, yet it was
not reliable at all and was an unpredictable time-consuming task to get results for large size
or complex geometry projects. Therefore, this article is prepared to define what should be
steps to manage interconnection of the structural model data from Tekla Structures (version
2017 and onwards)(TS) to Navisworks(NW) and Revit based on experience, trial and error
experiments and related software manuals which can be found online. If you, the reader,
have any further idea for the more efficient way I am eager to hear it as soon as possible.

2. Tekla to Navisworks Guidelines    

Step #1, Placing the model to real coordinates in Tekla Structures: Firstly, in order to let
software works smooth and keep away from potential misunderstandings, I would prefer to
hide unnecessary items or phases in TS. Then, the model base point shouldMessaging
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real position. To reach to the feature in TS click at the top left corner of the window
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below capture window will be expanded. After that, go to Base points:
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And another smaller window will

appear (see right) to copy Project
Base coordinates which are most
likely defined in project
documents such as BIM Manual,
GIS Manual, PMP etc. Input the
valid value in meters and keep
sure that angle to the north also
populated correctly and precise
enough.

Step#2, Arranging IFC export options in Tekla Structures and exporting: After we set
the project base points properly, the next step is to IFC Export settings that should be
arranged as in the left and below screen shots.

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Export type(1): Selecting
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Coordination View 1.0-2.0
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options cause some trouble on
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export all geometries in flawless
shapes Surface geometry must
be selected.

Additional property sets(2): To

map the information that is desired
to reflected into NW, new property
sets should be generated and
required parameters should be
selected as in next-below capture.
To reach to the window, just click
Edit. Input a name in the
Property Set box, I prefer to
name it "Steel Structure

Coordination" for this sample, as

want to be read in NW.

As it can be seen in the right

screenshot taken from NW
properties window (flash-forward,
after all conversion procedure
finished), whatever we select in
above capture parameters will be
reflected in the NW Properties
window.

Location by(3): Global Zero

option should be selected for NW
export. We are going to use
different option for Revit due to its
model range issue.

Now the IFC file can be safely

exported by clicking to Export
button at the bottom of the Export
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Baris #3,
Step D. Arranging
Follow
Navisworks IFC import options and importing: Before to import
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IFC file to NW, keep sure that hierarchy of elements is being considered correctly by NW.
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Otherwise, all of items/objects are considered as parts and assembly hierarchy will be
ignored. This is not the desired approach for the audit of the model, clash tests, 4D and 5D
activities which are executed based on assemblies of the steel structure. Therefore, go to
Options Editor>>File Readers and keep Show Spatial Hierarchy ticked, see above
image. Accordingly, import/conversion can be done safely by using the Append feature of
the software.

 3. Tekla to Revit Guidelines 

Exporting IFC model from TS to append into Revit requires slightly different procedure due
to range issues occur in Revit. If the origin option is not set suitably, most probably element
geometries, especially curved, inclined and small members such as bolts, will be distorted.
Export option selections differ at only Step#1, rest of the steps which are defined for NW
will remain the same.

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Baris D. Follow
BIM Coordinator at BIMTEC 87 5 8
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Step#1, Arranging export settings for Revit in Tekla Structures and exporting: IFC
model from TS should be exported with the above capture setup. Take into account that
Location by setting is not the same as for NW export. Model origin should be selected as
the reference.

Step#2, Preparation of Revit file which will be the host to IFC file temporarily: Revit
model, whether create from scratch or use an existing one, should be opened to import IFC
model that is generated in Step#1. This model will not be used but it will generate one more
Revit file with structural elements in the same folder.

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Before import IFC model to Revit, keep the Project Base Point visible and give
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0,0,0 for all variables as shown in the upper screenshot.
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Step#3,
2 articles Importing file into Revit: Import IFC model into Revit by using Manage Links
and IFC segment. Importing process may take time more than expected, it is a heavy task for
PC. Wait patiently and do not spend computer resources such as CPU and RAM for other
tasks. And observe Revit progress information ribbon at the bottom left of the screen is it
alive or crashed. End of this step you will obtain one more Revit file in the same directory.
Then close the Revit file that is used for the import process, without saving.

Step#4, Realigning the model to real coordinates: As the last step, open newly generated
Revit file to move to the global position of the model must be corrected as per project base
point defined in the BIM documents.

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4. Conclusion

All these steps may be seen complex, yet after a few attempts, it will be seen that it is not
that much. Unless Autodesk merges with Trimble, incompatibility problem will exist forever
on the top of the desk. In this regard, a smart control over the flow, transmitting and
receiving of data is a must for a BIM Specialist.

                                                                                                                
                                            

  

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Baris D. Follow
BIM Coordinator at BIMTEC
Hariprasath Loganathan • 2nd 87 5 8 3w
2 articles Technology Enthusiast | Structural Detailer | Structural Designer | Tekla Structures R&D | Tekla Open API
"Unless Autodesk merges with Trimble, incompatibility problem will exist forever on the top of the desk"
that's true!!!
Like Reply 1 Like

Mikko Huovila • 2nd 3w

Software Manager at Trimble

Thank you Baris, anothter option for Revit 2019 export please check this Tekla Structures extension that
creates base point by dragging&dropping of Revit IFC.
https://warehouse.tekla.com/#!/catalog/details/67106f19-f518-4883-8a43-a2aec716c4e7

Tekla Warehouse
warehouse.tekla.com
This is the free Tekla Structures BIM storage. Find, import, install, and share internally and
globa…

Like Reply 2 Likes · 1 Reply

Baris D. • 2nd 3w
BIM Coordinator at BIMTEC

Thanks for extension. I will check it out and try to understand its mechanism asap. Yet, if it is for
Revit 2019, I assume that I will start to use in 2020 earliest :)
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Baris D.
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