---
title: IFC Export — Round-tripping into Tekla
description: Download an IFC 4.0 CoordinationView 2.0 file from FrameAI and import it into Tekla Structures 2024 — geometry, profiles, materials, and EN 1993 design results all transfer in a single click.
category: Fabrication
---

# IFC Export — Round-tripping into Tekla Structures

FrameAI outputs **IFC 4.0 (CoordinationView 2.0)** files that import cleanly into Tekla Structures 2024 with zero manual work. Every steel member, profile, grade, and Eurocode utilisation ratio arrives intact — giving you a design-validated starting point inside your existing BIM environment.

---

## What transfers in the IFC file

| FrameAI element | Tekla element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| `IfcBeam` (rafter/beam) | Beam | Section name used for Tekla profile lookup |
| `IfcColumn` | Column | Grade maps to Tekla material |
| `IfcMember` (brace) | Brace | Pin-ended by default |
| `IfcPlate` (end plate) | Plate component | Base plate or end plate |
| `IfcMechanicalFastener` (bolt) | Bolt component | Grade + diameter |
| `Pset_FrameAI_MemberDesign` | User-defined attributes | UtilisationRatio, GoverningCheck |
| `Pset_FrameAI_Connection` | User-defined attributes | BoltGrade, EndplateThickness_mm |

---

## Step 1. Complete your project in FrameAI

Upload a structural PDF drawing at [/intake](/intake) or use an existing project at [/projects](/projects).

Wait for the revision to reach **done** status — this takes 1–3 minutes depending on frame complexity.

---

## Step 2. Download the IFC 4.0 file

Go to your **Project page** (`/projects/{id}`). In the **Fabrication Package** panel at the top of the page:

1. Click **🏗️ IFC 4.0** (Pro/Studio required; Free users see an upgrade prompt).
2. The file downloads as `{project-name}-model.ifc`.

You can also download directly from the API:

```
GET /api/projects/{project_id}/export/model.ifc
Authorization: Bearer {api_token}
```

Or use the per-revision button in the revision table: **IFC 4.3** next to each completed revision row.

---

## Step 3. Import into Tekla Structures 2024

1. Open **Tekla Structures 2024** (or newer).
2. Go to **File → Import → IFC**.
3. Click **Browse** and select `{project-name}-model.ifc`.
4. In the Import dialog:
   - Set **Import as reference model** if you want to keep FrameAI geometry as-is.
   - Set **Convert to native** to turn members into fully editable Tekla objects.
5. Under **Profile mapping**, Tekla will auto-match standard EN profiles (IPE, HEA, HEB, HEM, UB, UC). Accept the defaults.
6. Click **Import**.

> **Tip:** Tekla uses the `IfcIShapeProfileDef` name field for profile matching. FrameAI populates this with the exact EN 10365 profile name (e.g. `IPE 300`) so lookup is lossless.

---

## Step 4. Verify the import

After import completes:

1. Select any beam and press **Ctrl+E** (Element properties).
2. Check the **User-defined attributes** tab — you should see:
   - `FrameAI_UtilisationRatio` — e.g. `0.8743`
   - `FrameAI_GoverningCheck` — e.g. `LTB`
   - `FrameAI_CodeReference` — e.g. `EN 1993-1-1`
3. Open the **Profile** field — should match the FrameAI section (e.g. `IPE300`).
4. Open the **Material** field — should show the steel grade (e.g. `S355`).

If member count in the imported model matches the count on the FrameAI project page, the round-trip is complete.

---

## Step 5. Checking imported geometry

Run a quick sanity check:

1. In Tekla, go to **Analysis & Design → Check**.
2. Confirm the member lengths match your FrameAI revision summary.
3. For portal frames: confirm column heights and rafter spans match the project dimensions.

---

## Step 6. Using FrameAI results in Tekla reports

Tekla's **Report** tool can pull user-defined attributes. To include FrameAI utilisation in a Tekla mark or report:

1. Open **Drawing Properties**.
2. Add a **User-defined attribute** field: `FrameAI_UtilisationRatio`.
3. This can be used to colour-code members by utilisation level in the 3D view.

---

## Step 7. Handling connections

Bolted connections are exported as `IfcMechanicalFastener` entities. In Tekla these import as reference objects (not native bolt arrays). To convert:

1. Note the bolt spec from the FrameAI Connection report (`/api/projects/{id}/export/connections` if available per-revision).
2. In Tekla, add the native bolt component using the FrameAI-specified grade (e.g. 8.8, M20) and pattern from the calc report.

End plate geometry is exported as `IfcPlate` with correct dimensions — usable directly as a reference for modeling the native Tekla component.

---

## Step 8. Handling free-tier watermarks

Free-tier IFC files include a STEP comment watermark: `/* FRAMEAI FREE-TIER MODEL — WATERMARKED — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION USE */`.

Tekla silently ignores STEP comments — the watermark does not appear in the Tekla model. However, free-tier geometry may be reduced or approximate. [Upgrade to Pro](/pricing?ref=ifc_tekla) for full-resolution output.

---

## Step 9. Exporting back from Tekla

If you modify the model in Tekla and need to re-validate against Eurocode:

1. Export from Tekla: **File → Export → IFC → IFC 4**.
2. The FrameAI [IFC Audit](/audit) tool can open this file and run a fresh Eurocode check report.
3. Or use the FrameAI v1 API: `POST /api/v1/jobs` to re-submit.

---

## Step 10. Allplan and Revit import (summary)

The same `.ifc` file works with:

- **Allplan 2024+** — Reinforcement → Import IFC. Select **CoordinationView 2.0** mapping preset.
- **Revit 2024+** — File → Open → IFC. Profiles appear under Structural Framing category.
- **ArchiCAD 27+** — Interoperability → IFC → Import. Members mapped to structural elements.

---

## Troubleshooting

**Profiles show as "Unknown" in Tekla.**
Your Tekla environment may lack the EN 10365 profile catalog. Install the **European profiles** catalog from the Tekla Warehouse: search "European Structural Sections". After install, re-import the IFC.

**Member count is lower than expected.**
FrameAI exports one entity per unique member mark. If your drawing has `qty: 2` for a section, FrameAI creates 2 entities offset in X. Check the revision's member count on the Project page.

**Utilisation attributes missing in Tekla.**
Confirm you are using Tekla 2022 or newer. Earlier versions ignore IFC 4 custom Psets during native conversion. Use **Import as reference model** mode to preserve Pset data.

**IFC file is very large.**
Projects with many composite beam studs generate one `IfcMechanicalFastener` per stud position. For projects with 50+ composite beams, expect 10–50 MB files. Tekla handles these without issue.