Tekla Structures and CIS/2
by Arvin Eugenio Sales & Marketing
Because of the numerous types of software being used globally in all phases of construction, it is apparent that interoperability has become the ‘name of the game’. Prior to the purchase of structural software to utilize in architectural, engineering, detailing or even fabricating, one should make a note of the software’s capability to interact with other programs. To ensure technologies ‘talk’ to each other, software developers such as Tekla have gone through great lengths to ensure their products are able to import/export file formats common to most if not all available platforms across all industries. One of these file formats is CIS/2.
The CIMSteel Integration Standards (CIS/2)1 is a product model and electronic data exchange file format for structural steel project information. CIMsteel stands for Computer Integrated Manufacturing of Constructional Steelwork and this format was intended to create a seamless and integrated flow of information among all parties of the steel supply chain involved in the construction of steel framed structures. The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has adopted this format as their choice for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and the technical basis for CIS/2 is the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data or STEP (ISO 10301).
Though quite common nowadays among analysis and design, detailing, fabrication and construction programs, Tekla Structures is one of very few software packages that are both able to import and export this file format. In fact, most platforms allow only either Export or Import and not both.
Note also that CIS/2 itself is not a software package that you buy and is a file format just like DXF that is imported or exported in a steel related software package. For example, a CIS/2 file exported by an analysis or design program i.e. RAM, ROBOT, STAAD.Pro etc, could be imported into Tekla Structures to detail the connections. 2 The CIS/2 standard covers everything from nuts and bolts to materials and loads to frames and assemblies, and structures can be represented as analysis, design, or detailed models.
The AISC’s EDI review board, along with the aid of The National Institute of Steel Technology (NIST) 3 chose CIS/2 as the standard for electronic data interchange. NIST has helped software vendors like Tekla to implement this file format and is continuously working with the engineering, detailing and fabricating industry in the usage of the format.
Originally, the CIS2 Module functionality was sold as an Add-On to other Tekla Structures configurations for $1,500.00cad per license. Due to Tekla’s openness strategy, effective October 31st 2006 all new license purchases of the following configurations receive the CIS/2 module functionality at no additional cost:
- Standard Design
- Steel Detailing
- Steel Detailing Limited
- Developer
- Educational
Furthermore, purchasers of maintenance for 2007 for existing configurations above will also receive complimentary the CIS/2 functionality.
Though many believe that CIS/2 is the standard for interoperability, times are always changing. As of July of this year, 4 Tekla became the first structural software solution to achieve IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) Certification. This is another landmark for Tekla and its direction for open data exchange within Architectural, Structural and even Mechanical and Electrical industries. Open data exchange and IFC allows for ‘freedom to select the best application at hand without losing connectivity with other disciplines, thus improving productivity across the industry’.
- Paragraph edited from www.cic.nist.gov
- For more information on the scope of CIS/2 and for output samples of different software platforms, please visit www.cic.nist.gov
- For more information on NIST visit www.nist.gov
- See Tekla’s press release July 2006 on www.tekla.com
CIS/2 Questions & Answers
Question: I am an existing customer. If I purchase an additional Tekla Structures configuration, do I receive the new functionality?
Answer: Yes. For your other configurations, only if you purchase maintenance for 2007.
Question: I am currently on maintenance this year but do not wish to commit for maintenance in 2007. Can I purchase the CIS/2 module?
Answer: The CIS/2 module can be sold at current pricing if you do not wish to commit for maintenance in 2007 ($1,500.00 cad). |
