Tekla Environment List: A Comprehensive Overview
Tekla Structures is a powerful software solution for building information modeling (BIM) and structural engineering. It provides a range of tools and features to create, manage, and collaborate on construction projects. One of the key features of Tekla Structures is the concept of environments, which allows users to customize and configure the software to suit their specific needs.
What is a Tekla Environment?
A Tekla environment is a collection of settings, configurations, and customizations that define the way Tekla Structures operates. It includes a range of components, such as:
Benefits of Using Tekla Environments
Using Tekla environments provides several benefits, including:
Common Tekla Environment List
Here is a list of common Tekla environments:
How to Manage Tekla Environments
Managing Tekla environments involves creating, modifying, and sharing environments across teams. Here are some best practices:
Best Practices for Tekla Environment Management
To get the most out of Tekla environments, follow these best practices:
By understanding and utilizing Tekla environments effectively, users can improve productivity, consistency, and collaboration on construction projects. Whether you're a seasoned Tekla Structures user or just getting started, managing Tekla environments is essential to unlocking the full potential of this powerful software solution.
In Tekla Structures, Environments are localized settings that include region-specific catalogs (materials, profiles), drawing settings, and reports. These are typically selected during startup via the Tekla Launcher Tekla User Assistance Common Tekla Environments While you can download many regional packages from Trimble Downloads tekla environment list
, the following are some of the most frequently used standard environments: Tekla User Assistance Australasia : Regional settings for New Zealand
: Localized for Canadian building codes and material standards.
: A generic environment used when no specific regional setting is required. : Tailored for Indian structural standards. Middle East
: Specific settings for construction in Middle Eastern regions. South East Asia : Localized for markets like United Kingdom : Configured for UK-specific steel and concrete standards.
: Includes localized settings for Imperial and Metric units (often split into "US Imperial" and "US Metric"). European Regions : Specific environments for countries like Tekla User Assistance Key Features within Environments Localized Roles : Each environment provides specific roles (e.g., Steel Detailer Concrete Contractor Bridge Designer
) that filter the available tools to match your job function. Cloud vs. Local : You can choose to use environments in the cloud
or download them for offline use; both contain identical source content. Blank Project
: If a specific region is not available, you can start with a Blank Project to build your own custom environment. Tekla User Assistance switch between them in an existing model? Bridge Designer role - Trimble User Assistance
In Tekla Structures, an "environment" is a collection of localized settings, including material grades, profiles, drawing formats, and component settings tailored to specific regions or industry standards. Common Tekla Environments
When you install the software, you can choose from various region-specific packs. Common options include: Australasia: Settings for Australia and New Zealand. : Tailored for South American standards. : Localized for Chinese construction requirements. Europe (various): Specific packs for regions like the : Optimized for Indian materials and engineering standards. Middle East: Designed for standards in the Saudi Arabia
North America (US/Canada): Features US Imperial and Metric libraries for steel and concrete. Southeast Asia: Specific to countries like
Blank / Default: A "blank" project starting point for manual customization. Why Environments Matter
Regional Standards: They ensure your model uses the correct bolt sizes, steel grades, and rebar standards for the project's location. Models : A model is the central component
Drawing Styles: Pre-set templates for shop drawings and GA (General Arrangement) drawings that match local drafting conventions.
Component Libraries: Built-in connections and parts specific to regional building methods. Managing Your Environments
You can download and install additional environments via the Trimble Identity portal. If you need to switch between them, you can do so at the launch screen of Tekla Structures by selecting the desired region from the "Environment" dropdown menu. Add text in drawings - Tekla User Assistance
The Tekla Structures Environment is a specialized package that provides localized settings, materials, and regional standards required to use the software effectively in a specific country or region. Without an environment, users are restricted to a "Blank" setup, which lacks the predefined catalogs and templates necessary for real-world engineering and detailing. Core Components of a Tekla Environment
Each environment is a collection of data files that configure the software to follow local building codes and industry practices. Key components include:
Material Databases: Localized grades for steel, concrete, and timber.
Profile Catalogs: Standardized shapes (e.g., European HEB beams vs. American W-shapes).
Drawing Settings: Preset layouts and font styles (such as GOST for Russia or AISC standards for the USA).
Initialization (.ini) Files: System settings that define how the software loads for a specific region.
Components and Reports: Localized connection macros and bill of materials (BOM) templates. Common Tekla Environments
Trimble offers dozens of regional environments that can be installed alongside the software. Frequently used options include:
Local environment settings - env_.ini - Trimble User Assistance - Tekla
In Tekla Structures, environments provide the region-specific or company-specific settings required for localized detailing, such as material grades, profile catalogs, and drawing templates Available Environments 4. Middle East & Africa
While the specific list available to you depends on your license and what you download from the Trimble Downloads page, common environments include: Tekla User Assistance Regional/Country Environments (Imperial/Metric), , Australasia, South East Asia Middle East (various countries), and South America Default Environment
: A standard "blank" environment containing generic settings and templates that serve as a baseline. Blank Project
: Used if you want to create your own customized settings from scratch without any pre-defined regional data. Tekla User Assistance Standard Roles within Environments
Once an environment is selected, you further refine your workspace by choosing a . Typical roles include: Steel Detailer Concrete Contractor Precast Concrete Detailer Rebar Detailer General Contractor Production Planner for Concrete Tekla User Assistance How to Install Environments Tekla Downloads and sign in with your Trimble ID Run Installer : Double-click the downloaded
file for your chosen environment (e.g., "India environment"). : By default, environments are installed in the hidden
\ProgramData\Trimble\Tekla Structures\
to select your installed environment and role before opening a model. Tekla User Assistance
Imagine modeling bolts in a German environment (DIN 931) and sending the IFC file to a US fabricator expecting A325s. The Bill of Materials (BOM) will be wrong, leading to expensive purchase orders.
Every environment has a different logic for part marks (e.g., "B1" vs. "B/1"). If you change environments mid-project, Tekla might renumber everything, causing chaos in fabrication.
You cannot simply "switch" an existing model from one environment to another without corruption. However, you can change the environment for new models.
To switch:
Warning: Do not open an old model after switching the environment dropdown unless you know what you are doing. This can scramble profile names and material grades. If you must migrate an old model, use the Export > Model function or the "Change Environment" macro (which is risky for complex models).
Most European countries use the Eurocode (EN) but require national annexes. Tekla provides separate environments for these nuances: