Tekla Structures Review: Pros, Cons, Features and Pricing

Yes. Tekla Structures connects with tools such as Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Graphisoft Archicad, and structural analysis applications. It also supports open file formats, including IFC, DWG, and DXF reference models. Before selecting it, confirm which formats each project partner accepts and whether they need editable models or reference files. Test a representative exchange with your actual project data. Don’t assume that every format preserves all model properties or supports two-way editing.

Yes. Tekla Model Sharing lets team members work on local copies of a shared model, including while offline. They need an internet connection to share their changes, and data transfers are encrypted. This can help distributed teams keep modeling when connectivity is unreliable. Agree on who shares changes and when, then test the process on a representative model. Offline work doesn’t remove the need for clear coordination around model updates.

Yes. Tekla Model Sharing provides managed access rights, and Trimble says subcontractors don’t need access to your company network. Your administrator manages project access, so decide who can join and confirm the right permissions before inviting external parties. Set expectations for model ownership, change sharing, and project closeout with each partner. Also check your organization’s own policies for sharing project data with third parties; product controls don’t replace your internal review.

Review the Tekla Trust Center and the security documentation for each connected service your team plans to use. Tekla says its main products and services are ISO/IEC 27001 certified. Tekla Model Sharing data is secured using Microsoft Azure, with managed model access and encrypted data transfers. Trimble Connect publishes separate security information, including audit and compliance details. Confirm which services store your project data and compare their terms and controls with your organization’s requirements.

Tekla Structures subscriptions belong to the organization, and administrators assign licenses through Tekla Online Admin. Each license can be assigned to one person at a time. Assignment flexibility depends on license type: Standard has a yearly reassignment limit, while Flex has no assignment limit. Standard and Flex are limited to the country of purchase, subject to temporary-use rules. Check current terms with Trimble or your reseller, especially if your team changes often or works across countries.

Confirm that Tekla Structures can produce the specific drawings and fabrication information your downstream teams require. Then test a representative model through the handoff, rather than judging the workflow from a demonstration alone. Ask fabricators and contractors to review sample outputs, including naming, detail, and required file formats. Record any manual checks or conversions your team still needs. This gives project managers a clearer view of dependencies, acceptance criteria, and work that must happen before production.

Use a representative project to assess the workflows your team will actually run, from model creation through documentation or fabrication handoff. Agree on evaluation criteria first, such as required outputs, partner file exchanges, and administrator setup. Ask Trimble or an authorized reseller what evaluation access is available; don’t assume a trial is included. Include the people who will manage standards and licenses, as well as model authors. A focused evaluation can reveal configuration needs before they affect a live project.

Tekla Structures subscriptions include software version updates and service releases, so decide how your team will review changes before applying them to active work. Coordinate version plans with consultants and fabrication partners, and confirm that shared project workflows remain compatible. Keep a record of the version used for each project and agree on who approves changes. Tekla’s subscription terms and update processes can change, so verify current details with your administrator or reseller before setting project policies.