As already mentioned in the previous subchapter, the procedure for transferring the elements from Tekla into IMPACT is separated into 3 steps. Linking, Mapping and Saving.

Linking

• Select the elements (that you want to transfer) as assemblies, in your Tekla model. In my case, I have only 59 precast elements in my tekla project and therefore I will select my whole model at once. In your case, you will decide if you want to do this procedure, per floor, construction phase or bring all the elements in at once.

• Back on TBT and press the command Linking.

• It might take a few seconds to analyze the data, but a new Window will pop up, with all the assemblies that you have selected in your Tekla model.

IMPORTANT Note: If you right-click on one of the elements in the new window that pops up, there will be 3 options for erasing elements from the window, as shown in the picture below.

Note: "Their Groups" mean the elements under the same category type, such as walls, slabs, beams, columns and so on. Either we keep all but selected items and their groups or erase all that belong to the same group.

• Try to use all 3 commands on a few elements and see how the software responds. It does not matter which elements as we will get them back in the next step.
• Press Retake Tekla Selection and all the elements that are still selected as assemblies in your Tekla model will show up in the window. This is just in case you made a mistake while erasing things from the list that are not precast elements.

• On the left side of the screen you can assign the selected elements to a specific building, floor or construction phase. In our case we will use building, floor and phase 1, just to make it an easy start example. There is a possibility to transfer the elements onto the correct floor later on, either from the TBT grid or from the actual model in PM.

• Press Link. the elements must now be visible on the TBT Grid.

IMPORTANT Note: It is highly recommended, that your Tekla consultants/detailers create a filter in Tekla that will only show the precast elements on the Tekla model view. In that way, you ensure that all the assemblies that you are selecting for linking them to IMPACT, are the precast assemblies and not other items that are not relevant to your precast project. However, this is not a must, just a nice tip.

Mapping

Mapping is the procedure of matching a Tekla element type to an IMPACT Element type. If an element in Tekla is designed as a slab (for example), then it can only be mapped as a Slab definition in IMPACT, or as a Linked definition.

IMPORTANT Note: Every Tekla definition can always be mapped as a Linked IMPACT definition and that ensures that the transfer procedure will always work. In reality, when you are using your own database (not the trial database from StruSoft) we can create most of the different definition types that you use in your Tekla standard. If a Tekla definition cannot be represented in IMPACT (like a stair) then it should always be mapped as a Linked IMPACT definition with the corresponding name to represent the stair.

• Use the command Mapping.

• The following window will pop up.

Subwindow 1 (Project Mapping) has all the Tekla definitions that represent the elements we have already linked from the Tekla model. This is the window where we match the Tekla definitions with the IMPACT ones (we want to add the definitions under the empty mapping column).

Subwindow 2 has all the IMPACT definitions that exist in your standard. If you do not have many different definitions, then StruSoft can create them for you, or you can create them yourself, always with the help of your IMPACT support person (this will not be explained in this training).

Subwindow 3 is the Common Mapping. After a mapping in a project is successful, we can move all the existing mapping definitions from subwindow 2 to the common folder location (subwindow 1). That means that in the future, whenever the software identifies a common mapped Tekla definition, the IMPACT mapping will be filled out automatically. Practically, the more projects/elements you are transferring from Tekla and the more definitions you define in the common folder, the easier will be for you in the future to do the IMPACT mapping. In theory, we want to completely skip the mapping step for all your future projects. You just need consistency in the naming of your Tekla profile names (Maybe through a UDA).

• Now that the theoretical part is over, Select a corresponding definition from window 2, and then assign it back to window 1 as shown in the picture. You can select multiple Tekla profiles at once and assign the IMPACT definition. In my example, I will use Linked Elements for all other types and WP20 for the Front Walls.

• After you finish assigning all the definitions, press Save.

Make sure you read and understand the IMPORTANT Note above. Correct Mapping is 90% of the whole procedure.

Saving and Reviewing the model in PM

Now that the Linking and Mapping are done, the elements are still not transferred to the IMPACT Database. In this step, you just need to press a button; Save All elements

• Press Save All Elements.

• The following progress bar will pop up, notifying you of the progress of the saving function. You need to wait until the bar is completely gone away. Depending on the size of your project you might want to take a coffee break during the saving step.

Note: The more complex geometries (such as sandwich walls with brick patterns) will take more time saving than a solid/hollowcore slab.

• In the log below, you should have the following message that ensures the procedure worked as it should.

Note: If you have any error messages that should not worry you that much. Most likely some of your mapping is wrong and you will need to do the second step again for those elements. However, I am sure that a few of the elements would have already been saved correctly.

• Select one element from the TBT grid and review its properties under the Properties window, as well as the main grid. You will notice that the element has the same properties for both tekla and IMPACT and that it has now gotten an Element Id on the grid. Those are the indicators that an element has been transferred to IMPACT properly. If those 2 are missing that means that the element is not correctly transferred.

• Now go back into the IMPACT Project Manager and Reload the model

• Your elements in PM should look the same as in your Tekla model.

Now you can use our great IMPACT Project and Production Planning tools to ensure a quality and efficient workflow in your company.

Next: Other Functions/Good to Know