Time to update to Tekla Structures 17
The annual main version of Tekla Structures, version 17.0, was released in February and is available to download on the Tekla Extranet. Improvements include better clash checking, organizing, viewing, snapping, commenting and project managing tools (including easy input to the new Tekla BIMsight application), more customizable and automated drawings, and better visualization of parts and objects with more colors to choose from.
There’s even more interoperability than before with leading software systems, such as Unitechnik, BVBS 2.0, and BETSY, for those operating in the precast concrete industry. For the steel industry there is now an improved DSTV connection to CNC machinery. Tekla Structures 17 also introduces new installation icons, so that it is easier for you to recognize your different software versions, and a new splash screen so that you can work on other things while installation is going on in the background.
“It appears that Tekla are committed to advancing their development and ironing out the product before its release. It would be a challenge to Tekla's competitors to attempt to achieve the same level of commitment,” said Tim Fox of PDC Consultants, about the new version.
Read more beta tester quotes and see top new feature videos on the Tekla
Structures 17 website
Read news about Tekla Structures 17 on the Tekla Website
Read Katri’s Tips & Tricks for versions 16.1 and 17.0 on the Tekla Extranet
Time to collaborate with Tekla BIMsight
In case you don’t have Tekla BIMsight on your computer yet, remember that it is completely free to download, install and share with your colleagues for improved building information model-based project collaboration and management.
Tekla’s newest application makes it easy to combine and understand 3D models created by different AEC disciplines with different software, to interpret the design intent, check for clashes, and comment on and mark changes. It is a convenient and very cost-efficient tool to maintain and communicate construction information, to see the big picture as well as every important detail in the same combined, illustrative 3D project model.
Follow #TeklaBIMsight in Twitter and Facebook to find the latest reviews
Download and browse the Help Center at www.teklabimsight.com to learn more
Read news about Tekla BIMsight on the Tekla Website
Extensions for Tekla Structures
With the release of Tekla Structures 17, the Extensions download pages on the Tekla Extranet have been renewed. The new, more user-friendly pages contain quality levels, modified dates, and ratings as well as accurate download data. Much more information is also available about our extensions, such as help files, videos, and pictures, as well as the added possibility to include your own comments and ratings.
What are extensions?
Extensions are software applications that are developed using the Tekla Open API™ programming interface. These applications extend the capabilities of Tekla Structures and enable agile product development for Tekla, our customers and partners. Extensions also include macros, plugins, and custom components that you can use to develop additional functionality and tools enhancing your work. Some extensions are included in each Tekla Structures version.
Quality levels
A Tekla Approved extension has passed an internal quality inspection regarding testing, code quality, usability, naming, versioning, packaging, and possibility of being localized. All Tekla Approved extensions will be delivered in .msi (Windows Installer) format from Tekla Structures 17.0 onwards and will be signed with VeriSign. An Experimental extension is a prototype, which means it may not be of the same quality as Approved extensions and might lack, for example, the possibility of being localized. Experimental extensions are often developed as proofs of concept for functionality that could be added to Tekla Structures.
Tekla achieves gold partnership with Microsoft
Tekla has built its software architecture on the Microsoft Corporation technology platform since the 1990s. Having been a partner to Microsoft since 2004, Tekla became a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner during 2010.
“It is now faster and easier to receive information from Microsoft about their developments because we have our own dedicated contact person in the organization,” says Kim Nyberg, director of technology at Tekla. “As an independent software vendor we can now react to possible updates early and deliver new technology to our end-users much faster than before. Along with the gold partnership, Tekla will gain more visibility related to Microsoft technology, which eventually will allow a bigger investment in product development, meaning better software products for our existing and future customers.”
“Tablet-based solutions may be one of our cooperative developments with Microsoft in the future,” Nyberg says. “We have already developed a few mobile solutions for our infrastructure and energy customers, which may be utilized to create and productize solutions for building and construction. The tools we need for this development are the same that have been used to create the desktop and web applications that are already being successfully used. It’s not about just sharing the code but sharing the ideas, too.”
You can find more information about certified partnerships on the Microsoft Partner Network site
BIM in the USA
The Tekla USA team recently visited the BIMForum of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) in San Diego, California. AGC shares their experiences and executes their goals via online forums, highly useful deliverables and practical industry conferences. Although the BIM Forum operates as a unified group, chaired by John Tocci of Tocci Building Corporation, they have established subforums to address each relevant industry sector and topic. These subforums collaborate with each other and industry organizations on interdisciplinary projects to accelerate the adoption of BIM in the USA.
Read more about the event in AECbytes
Photos from the event on the Tekla Structures North America Facebook page
Presentations available on the AGC website
Tekla was also present in January at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Nevada, introducing Tekla BIMsight to the industry for the first time. The event helps concrete contractors, general contractors, masonry builders, architects, engineers and many more professionals and students keep up-to-date about the concrete industry and related technology. BIM as way of working is not yet common in the concrete industry. The recession has put an end to many construction enterprises, but survivors seem to be doing better than in the previous couple of years. Even if BIM awareness is low, when recognized it is greeted in an extremely positive way.
See Tekla video from World of Concrete in YouTube
Customers make Tekla India User Meet 2011 a grand success
Tekla conducted the 4th edition of ‘Tekla India User Meet’ (TIUM -2011) at ITC Mughal at Agra between 9th and 12th March. It was attended by 150 representatives from Tekla’s various customers across India. This two day event comprised 13 technical sessions, 5 workshops and 3 very insightful presentations by guest speakers. Highlight of the show was Tekla India Model Competition (TIMC) which saw twenty entries across three categories. A winner was chosen in each category by an independent panel with a special winner chosen by popular vote.
Mr. Risto Raty, Executive Vice President, Tekla Corporation and Mr. Andre‘Corniere, Director Tekla India were present at this event and freely interacted with Tekla’s customers and partners.
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TIUM 2011 was a huge success particularly due to the enthusiasm shown by customers. They promptly asked questions during the sessions, voted actively for their favourite models in TIMC and energetically participated in cultural cum entertainment programs scheduled during the evenings. This event also presented a suitable networking opportunity to the participants to interact with the entire Tekla team and with each other.
Read news about Tekla India User Meet 2011
Greetings from Ecobuild, London
Tekla, along with partner and customer companies, was present at Ecobuild in London from March 1 to 3, to demonstrate how increased efficiency through using BIM software solutions supports more sustainable building and construction. Ecobuild is the largest event for construction in the UK, and this was the biggest Ecobuild ever and the first to take place at London’s ExCeL. Retrofit projects and low-carbon society were some of the key questions addressed during the event.
“Forty-four percent of world’s carbon emission comes from the built environment, so how we construct and use buildings really matters,” said Nick Raynsford, former Construction Minister and chairman of the Strategic Forum for Construction in his address about the future of construction. “Engineers need to have a louder voice; the planet needs us to succeed,” said Gordon Masterton, vice president of environment section at Jacobs Group and chair of the Construction Industry Council. He saw integrated teams, joint education, and BIM as important in responding to the challenge of building and refurbishing to low and zero-carbon standards.
Many of the discussions at Ecobuild had to do with the built environment of London itself. “Tekla is very much part of the development of London’s infrastructure, as Tekla software has been and is being used to model the most challenging parts of its most impressive buildings, such as the Gherkin and the Shard,” said Andrew Bellerby, managing director of Tekla in the UK.
“We are seeing a growing interest from our customers in using 4D visualization to enhance their construction project management,” said Paul Bamforth, managing director of Asta Development, who was also present at Ecobuild. Tekla recently announced partnership with Asta for improved interoperability with their Powerproject software. Other Tekla partners and customers presented at Ecobuild included Arup, Georgia Tech, ArcelorMittal, Ruukki, Peikko and B&K Structures.
BIM’s the thing to talk online
If you are still wondering what BIM is all about, there are hundreds of discussion groups and blogs available online on which to share your questions and opinions. Which ones do you follow and like?