More information on all features is available in the Tekla Structures 16 Help and Release Notes.

Tekla’s model-based software products make customers’ core processes more effective in building and construction and infrastructure management. Tekla Corporation has area offices and partner organizations worldwide. International operations account for more than 80% of net sales. Founded in 1966, Tekla is one of the longest operating software companies. Tekla Structures, the most advanced BIM (Building Information Modeling) software on the market, provides an accurate, dynamic, and data-rich 3D environment that can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, as well as concrete detailers and manufacturers

Tekla Structures has been developed to help you build an accurate illustrative 3D model faster and more easily. See for yourself and learn quickly by clicking through the First Steps with Tekla Structures interactive tutorial

Fewer clicks with Snap to line

The new Snap to line snap switch allows snapping to entire lines in the model. This is useful when creating objects that line up with an existing object or a grid line, or when creating objects based on lines in reference files.

New Mini Toolbar

You can now control the position and rotation of objects more easily by using the Mini Toolbar. Try out the mini toolbars for grids, views and welds.

Number series of selected objects

After making a change in the model, there is no need to number all modified objects anymore. You can now limit the numbering to only the series of a selected object. This is much faster than before. The bigger the model, the more you benefit from this improvement.

New drawing filters

Filtering now works in the same way for model and drawing parts. Filters are easy to use and allow to filter the contents of drawings in a more complex way. The new filters are available for general arrangement drawings, assembly drawings, single-part drawings, and cast-unit drawings.

Object level settings

The drawing properties and drawing view properties dialog boxes now introduce a new option for controlling saved properties of parts, reinforcing bars, neighbor parts, marks, bolts, welds, and dimensions; directly on the drawing and view level. With the new object level settings, setting up special representations for model objects in drawings or views is easier than ever. Parts are ‘classified’ using the filtering options.

Single part drawing views in assembly drawings

You can now specify whether you want to create new views of single parts into each assembly drawing, or use views from existing single-part drawings. This will save a lot of time in editing views.

Objects visible while dragging

Now, when you drag any object in a drawing, views and drawing objects are visible all the while. This will significantly reduce unnecessary editing.

Better interoperability with IFC

IFC files now introduce an increased range of options, improving speed, flexibility and enriching information content.

• Convert linear IFC members to native Tekla Structures objects; direct processing of received information without redrawing
• Export bolts and reinforcement via IFC for better co-ordination with architects, MEP and other BIM parties
• Richer information via IfcXML format and variable property sets
• Faster compressed IFC format enables rapid import and export.

Clash Check Manager

In the Clash Check Manager, all detected clashes are classified by type of clash. You can also prioritize the clashes and decide which clashes are acceptable by approving them. When you have edited the model, and re-run the clash check, you will immediately see which clashes have been resolved.

Improved Analysis & Design

The interface is now much clearer; there is less manual work and support of more complex A&D models. A few enhancements:

• Bar node, area node and area edge positions can be set manually using handles if automatic model creation does not work the way you want.
• Node links can be set.
• Improvements to Built Up Section Analysis
• Supports/releases can now be set differently in each analysis model.

Model Organizer

With the Model Organizer, you can manage and view different areas, phases, and object types in your model. Use it for construction planning and management. Now it is easy to divide a large model into logical sections and floors. You can import and export object-type hierarchies in XML format. This means that you can use a standard national or company-specific classification and there is no need to create a hierarchy from scratch in every project.

Task Manager

This is a tool for contractors, sub-contractors, and project managers. Use it to create, store and manage scheduled tasks, and to link the tasks to their corresponding model objects. You can create tasks interactively or by importing them from external project management tools, such as Microsoft Office Project or Primavera P6.

The Model Organizer, Task Manager and Clash Check Manager are available in the Tekla Structures Full and Construction Management configurations.

Hollow core lifting loop and opening tools

These new tools are especially useful in mass production. The hollow core lifting loop tool creates a full set of four lifters, and works on floors created with the Floor Tool or with the Modeling of floor bay (66) component. You can define rules in an XML format file. The opening tool for hollow-core slabs places holes and recesses according to predefined rules: small openings are centered between strands, and larger openings are placed so that the number of strands cuts is minimized.

Multiple wire size mesh

The new Multiple wire size mesh component automatically optimizes reinforcement in slabs and walls. This data can be transferred to a mesh welding machine through the Unitechnik link. You can use predefined patterns.

Improved Unitechnik link

Unitechnik is an open interface that enables CAD-CAM software to transfer precast concrete piece information to production systems or system components of precast plants. There is now more control and flexibility in the Unitechnik link. For example, the settings are adjustable for different plants. There is an option to define the edge shape of wall panels. Automatically drawn formwork layouts for cast units have been simplified.