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The Tekla connector exports structural elements from Tekla Structures, preserving type organization and report data.

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Hierarchy

Tekla models are organized by File and Type: 
Root Collection
├── Tekla File
│   └── Type
│       └── TeklaObject
└── Proxies: RenderMaterial[]
The hierarchy reflects Tekla’s organizational structure:
  • File - The Tekla file
  • Type - Element type (beam, column, plate, etc.)

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TeklaObject Structure

TeklaObject extends DataObject with these additional fields: 
{
  "id": "string",
  "speckle_type": "Objects.Data.DataObject:Objects.Data.TeklaObject",
  "applicationId": "string",
  "name": "string",
  "properties": {
    "string": "any value"
  },
  "displayValue": [
    "Base (geometry objects)"
  ],
  "units": "string",
  
  "__comment": "TeklaObject-specific fields",
  "type": "string"
}

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Connector-Specific Fields

  • type - The element type name (e.g., “Beam”, “Column”, “Plate”)

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Properties

TeklaObject properties contain:
  • Report - Tekla report data containing element properties, dimensions, and metadata
{
  "properties": {
    "Report": {
      "Profile": "HEA200",
      "Material": "S355",
      "Length": 5.0,
      "Weight": 125.5,
      "Part Number": "P1",
      "Assembly Number": "A1"
    }
  }
}
The Report structure varies by element type and contains Tekla-specific property data.

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Proxies

Tekla models use:

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RenderMaterial

Material assignments for visual representation. Referenced by objects via applicationId.

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Example: TeklaObject

{
  "id": "tekla-abc123...",
  "speckle_type": "Objects.Data.DataObject:Objects.Data.TeklaObject",
  "applicationId": "element-456",
  "name": "Beam - HEA200",
  "properties": {
    "Report": {
      "Profile": "HEA200",
      "Material": "S355",
      "Length": 5.0,
      "Weight": 125.5,
      "Part Number": "P1",
      "Assembly Number": "A1",
      "Start Point": {"x": 0, "y": 0, "z": 0},
      "End Point": {"x": 5, "y": 0, "z": 0}
    }
  },
  "displayValue": [
    {
      "speckle_type": "Objects.Geometry.Brep",
      "units": "meters"
    }
  ],
  "type": "Beam",
  "units": "meters"
}

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Invariants and Caveats

  1. No nested DataObjects - TeklaObjects cannot contain other TeklaObjects as direct children
  2. Geometry in displayValue - All visual geometry is in displayValue
  3. Report data - All Tekla-specific data is in properties.Report
  4. Type organization - Objects are organized by element type
  5. Structural focus - Tekla models focus on structural elements (beams, columns, plates, etc.)
The Report property contains Tekla’s native report data, which includes element properties, dimensions, material information, part numbers, assembly numbers, and other Tekla-specific metadata. The exact structure depends on the element type.