The Rationale of Tekla Structures Versions, .NET Applications and my favorite 14.0 Features
Tero Laine

Tekla Extended applications:

Tekla has created several new applications using Tekla Structures .NET interface. These are a direct result of customer feedback, and show how you can make many things easier and more automatically than before.

These extended applications can be used on top of Tekla Structures, and provide good additional tools for every user. For full feature presentation of the applications, go to Tekla Extranet => Downloads => Extended applications.

I would suggest taking a really good look at the following:

• Tekla Erector
• Change Management
• OneClick Tool Suite
• Multi Report Generator
• Tekla RFI Manager
• Adjust workplane

All feedback is best posted to the Tekla Extranet discussion forums under “.NET feedback forum” so it goes directly to those developing these applications, but of course we are interested to hear your comments also at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Different Tekla Structures versions:

13.0.8?? 13.1SR1? 14.1 Alpha? 14.0 RC2? Confused with the version names you see or hear about?

Each Tekla Structures release (e.g. 13.1) has the following version stages:

• Alpha versions are for internal testing.  They are available for Tekla staff and Tekla Partners.

• Beta versions are for internal and external testing. They are available for Tekla personnel, Partners and selected beta users.

• Release Candidate (RC) versions are candidates for being the Final version. They are available for all users with a valid maintenance contract. There are typically very little, if any, changes between RC and Final version.

• Final version is released when the user feedback from the previous RC confirms that the version is ready to be released as Final. Final version is the same as the previous RC. Final version is available for all users with a valid maintenance contract.

The versions above are always full installation packages with all environments included. In addition to those, we have upgrade packages, which include only changed files. These packages are:

• Service Releases (SR) e.g. 13.1SR1, which include fixes to errors found in the latest Final or previous versions. SR:s are available for all users with a valid maintenance contract. We recommend all users install the latest SR, even if in the middle of the project. It is better to get the fixes in before you suffer from the things already fixed! Typically Service Releases do not contain new functionality, only fixes. Typically, you need to have the final version installed to be able to install Service Releases.

• Progress versions, e.g. 13.1.4, which include some features or fixes for specific user groups, e.g. offshore structures detailers. Progress versions always include also the fixes of the previous SR (if SR’s have been released). Progress version can be installed on top of SR/Final. Note that after installing progress version, you cannot install any Service Release on top of it. When a new SR is released, also a new progress version is released to offer the fixes in SR also to progress version users. Progress versions are available for specific user groups only, which test the features or fixes before they are released to all users in the next main version. However, if there is a solution in a progress version and our support team knows you need it, we can give you access to the progress version as well.

14.0 favorite features:

• fixed drawing view placing added, and automatically fixed placing for drawing objects dragged from their automatic place

• seeing who are working in which drawing in a multiuser project

• clone drawings from any model, and make it automatic using AutoDrawings (drawing wizard)

• visualize changes between two reference models…or between two Tekla Structures models

All these features are fully covered in 14.0 presentations on our User Meeting 2008 page, in the Release notes as well as in What’s new for steel detailing in Tekla Structures 14.0 (log onto Tekla Extranet to get the link working).