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Skillsspeckle-impl-tekla

speckle-impl-tekla

Data & analytics

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Updated 10-15 22:18

About this skill

speckle-impl-tekla

Quick Reference

Connector Capabilities

Capability Status Notes
Publish (Send) Yes All selectable model objects
Receive (Load) NO Not implemented -- publish-only connector
Supported Versions 2023, 2024, 2025 Windows only
Schema Type TeklaObject Extends DataObject
Geometry Format Brep Stored in displayValue
Proxy Types RenderMaterial Only proxy type used

Data Schema Hierarchy

Root Collection
  └── Tekla File
        └── Type (Beam, Column, Plate, etc.)
              └── TeklaObject

Critical Warnings

NEVER attempt to receive/load data INTO Tekla Structures -- the Tekla connector is PUBLISH-ONLY. There is NO receive functionality. If a workflow requires loading data into Tekla, use an intermediate format (IFC) or request the feature via the Speckle Community Forum.

NEVER expect assemblies in the published output -- Tekla assemblies are NOT published to Speckle. Only individual parts (beams, plates, bolts, etc.) are converted.

NEVER publish from a Tekla drawing view -- the connector ONLY works from the model viewport. Attempting to publish from drawing views ALWAYS fails. ALWAYS switch to the model viewport before publishing.

NEVER expect drawing layouts, title blocks, or annotation data in the Speckle output -- drawings are NOT part of the published data.

NEVER expect numbering series or sequence settings to appear in the published model -- these Tekla-specific organizational constructs are NOT converted.

NEVER expect nested TeklaObjects -- TeklaObjects do NOT contain child TeklaObjects. Each structural element is a flat, independent object in the hierarchy.

Publish-Only Architecture

The Tekla connector is fundamentally different from bidirectional connectors (Revit, Rhino, Blender). It supports ONE direction only:

Tekla Structures  ----[publish]---->  Speckle Server
                  <---[receive]----  NOT SUPPORTED

Why This Matters

  • Coordination workflows: Tekla models can be federated with Revit/Rhino/Archicad models in Speckle for visual review, but changes NEVER flow back into Tekla automatically.
  • Round-trip is impossible: Any modifications in Speckle or other tools ALWAYS require manual re-creation in Tekla.
  • Automation scope: Speckle Automate functions can analyze Tekla data but NEVER push results back into Tekla.

TeklaObject

Type Definition

TeklaObject extends DataObject with the following structure:

Property Type Description
speckle_type string ALWAYS "Objects.Other.TeklaObject" or similar DataObject variant
type string Element category: "Beam", "Column", "Plate", "Bolt", etc.
displayValue array Geometry array, typically Brep format
properties dict Metadata dictionary with Tekla-native data
properties.Report dict Aggregated report data from Tekla
applicationId string Stable Tekla element identifier
units string Model units (typically "mm")

Properties.Report Contents

The properties.Report dictionary contains aggregated Tekla-native data:

Report Field Description Example
Profile designation Section profile name "HEA300", "W12X26"
Material specification Material grade "S355", "C30/37"
Physical dimensions Length, width, height Numeric values in model units
Weight Part weight Numeric value
Part number Tekla part mark String identifier
Assembly number Assembly mark reference String identifier
Coordinates Part position X, Y, Z values

Geometry

  • ALWAYS stored in displayValue as an array
  • Typically Brep (boundary representation) format for steel profiles
  • Plates and other flat elements also use Brep
  • Bolts are represented as simplified geometry

Publishable Objects

Supported Elements

ALL selectable model objects in the Tekla model viewport:

Element Type type Value Typical Geometry
Steel beams "Beam" Brep (extruded profile)
Steel columns "Column" Brep (extruded profile)
Steel plates "Plate" Brep (flat solid)
Bolts "Bolt" Brep (simplified)
Concrete beams "Beam" Brep
Concrete columns "Column" Brep
Concrete slabs "Plate" Brep
Other parts Varies Brep

NOT Published

Element Reason
Assemblies Not supported by connector
Drawing layouts Not supported -- model objects only
Title blocks Drawings not supported
Numbering series Organizational data not converted
Sequence settings Organizational data not converted
Custom components (as groups) Exploded to individual parts
Reinforcement details Not supported in current connector

Publishing Workflow

Step-by-Step

  1. Open model viewport -- ALWAYS verify you are in the model viewport, NOT a drawing view
  2. Select objects -- Select the structural elements to publish, or use filters
  3. Open Speckle connector -- Access via Tekla Extensions menu
  4. Choose project/model -- Select the Speckle project and model to publish to
  5. Publish -- Send selected objects to Speckle

Selection Strategies

Strategy Method Use Case
Manual selection Click/box-select in model Small targeted exports
Selection filter Tekla selection filters Category-based exports (all beams, all plates)
All visible Select all visible objects Full model export

Federation with Other Connectors

Tekla models are ALWAYS consumers in federated views, never the destination for incoming data:

Revit Model --------\
Rhino Model ---------+--> Speckle Server --> Federated View (Viewer/Power BI)
Tekla Model --------/                   \--> NEVER back to Tekla

Common Federation Patterns

Pattern Tekla Role Other Tools
Structural coordination Publisher of steel/concrete model Revit (architectural), Rhino (facade)
Clash detection Publisher of structural elements All other disciplines in viewer
Progress tracking Publisher of as-built model Speckle Automate for analysis
Design review Publisher of structural model Viewer for stakeholder review

Proxy Architecture

The Tekla connector uses ONLY one proxy type:

RenderMaterial Proxy

  • Material appearance data stored at Root Collection level
  • Referenced by TeklaObjects via applicationId
  • Contains color, opacity properties
  • Does NOT contain textures (Speckle NEVER transfers textures)

Platform Constraints

Constraint Detail
Operating system Windows only
Tekla versions 2023, 2024, 2025
Viewport requirement Model viewport only (not drawing views)
Data direction Publish only
Geometry type Brep (boundary representation)
Units Follows Tekla model units (typically mm)

Reference Links

Official Sources