Tekla Open API

Do Van Cuong

Technical Consultant

Agenda

What is Tekla Open API used for?

What you need to get started

Where to go to get help

Tekla Extensions

Case Study

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Tekla Open API

Launched in 2006

Over 200 extensions developed

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Tekla Open API

A key product strategy for Tekla

– Tekla Structures as the Open BIM solution

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Tekla Open API

A key product strategy for Tekla

– Tekla Structures as the Open BIM solution

– Case: Structural analysis and design link with SAP2000

Demo

Tekla Open API

A key product strategy for Tekla

– Use of modern development technology

– Securing development resources is easier for Tekla

– Shorter development lifecycle

– Easy delivery of updates and fixes

– Possibilities for country and segment specific development

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Tekla Open API

A key product strategy for Tekla

– Possibility of add-on development

7 Demo

Mini Toolbar

Task Manager

Insert PDF Reference Model

gp225

gp225

pa114 pa114

Tekla Open API

Third Party Solutions

– CNC Scribing

– Developed by Steel Projects /

Ficep

– Enable scribing data and automatic

status feedback

– Scribing the drill head marks

(Plate weld lines, fitting marks, plate

marks, burn lines, holes)

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Tekla Open API

Third Party Solutions

– Developer: Tocoman

– Provider of quantity and construction cost software and services

– Purpose

– Interactively read quantity information directly from the model to the

Tocoman Server

– Create cost estimation based on recipes

– Tocoman_iLink

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Tekla Open API

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Third Party Solutions

– PEB specific development

– Plugins for PEB details, connections,

and structures

– Drawing tools for specific PEB

needs

– Links from Tekla Structures to ERP

and A&D

– Model checking, approval, and

process tools

Tekla Open API

Third Party Solutions

– Tekla Structures Extensions

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Tekla Open API

Developed on Microsoft .NET Framework

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A core strategy for Microsoft

Support for multiple programming languages

Security (Automatic memory managment)

Object oriented programming

Modern development tools and environments

Tekla Open API

Assemblies: Design principles of classes:

– Object initialization is similar to object creation in Tekla Structures

– Field naming in object classes follows dialog field name in Tekla

Structures

13 Demo

Dim MyBm As New Tekla.Structures.Model.Beam

MyBm.Profile.ProfileString = "UB406*140*39"

MyBm.Material.MaterialString = "S275"

MyBm.Class = 3

MyBm.Name = "BEAM"

MyBm.AssemblyNumber.Prefix = "B"

MyBm.PartNumber.Prefix = "M"

MyBm.AssemblyNumber.StartNumber = 1

MyBm.PartNumber.StartNumber = 1

Tekla Open API

Assemblies

– Tekla.Structures.dll

Contains basic common types shared in model and drawings

– Tekla.Structures.Model.dll

Consists of classes and methods used when connecting and manipulating model objects

– Tekla.Structures.Drawings.dll

Functionality to inquire, insert, select, modify or delete drawing objects

– Tekla.Structures.Plugins.dll

Functionality to create plug-in into Tekla Structures

14 Tekla Open API Reference

Tekla Open API

Assemblies

– Tekla.Structures.Analysis.dll

Contains classes used for accessing Analysis & Design information

– Tekla.Structures.Catalogs.dll

Functionality to access catalog information such as profiles, bolts, materials, rebars,

meshes and printer

– Tekla.Structures.Datatype.dll

Contains data type used to pass data to and from Tekla Structures and between other

assemblies

– Tekla.Structures.Dialog.dll

Enables dialog creation and data connection for plug-ins 15 Tekla Open API Reference

Tekla Open API

Development Type

– Application

• Executed in separated process from Tekla Structures

• Started from Tekla Structures if embedded to a macro

• Development samples:

• .NET application

• COM application

• VBA macro

– Plug-ins

• Loaded inside Tekla Structures process

• Model plug-ins starts from Component Catalog

• Drawing plug-ins starts from toolbar

• Intelligent, modifiable and associated to input objects.

16 Demo

Tekla Open API

Development Pre-Requisite

– Tekla Structures license

– Microsoft Visual Studio 2010

17 Demo

Tekla Open API

Development Pre-Requisite

– Basic understanding of Tekla Structures

– Model creation basics

– Part creation, alignment, and operations

– Understanding of Tekla Structures objects

– Understanding/Experience with .NET/COM programming

language

– C#, VB.NET, J# etc.

– English documentation

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Tekla Open API

Development Resources

– Tekla Open API Developer Startup Package

– Available from the extranet

– Sample Visual Studio solutions & documents

– API help reference

– FAQ, How to, Release notes, Self learning, etc.

19 Demo

Tekla Open API

Development Support

– Open API Forum

20 Demo

Tekla Open API

Sample Application Development

21 Demo

Tekla Open API

Sample Plug-In Development

22 Demo

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Sample Plug-in Development

Gettings data from user interface into plug-in

Public Class StructuresData

<TSPlugins.StructuresField(“C1”)> Public C1 As Double

End Class

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Case Study

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Mammut Building System

Website: http://www.mammutgroup.com/mammut_building_systems.html

Capacity: 10000 tons steel per month

Biggest Tekla Customer (by 2007) with over 200 license

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Developed an application for generating complete

building model in Tekla from various design inputs.

With this application, an average complex steel

building can be modeled in 10 minutes which will take

nearly 3 days to model manually. This program is

developed in C# language using Tekla, Excel API.

Developed an automation program which can read

TEKLA report and send information to Machine

directly for the production of Z-Sections with holes.

This program has reduced manual errors and

increased production considerably.

Raju Dinagaran

Senior Design Engineer

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Component by HSD Vietnam

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Thank you!