Export from Tekla. Upload once.

WHAT TO ASK YOUR DETAILER FOR

The files Arc-Track needs

Use one phase and one revision throughout. Export every occurrence of each included mark, not just one example. Separate phases such as H1 and H2 into their own ZIPs and upload each to its matching Arc-Track phase.

A KSS-only or KSS + IFC package is insufficient for this ZIP importer. The PDF drawings supply the checked fabrication values. Excel imports remain available for other systems and reviewed layouts.

1. Complete numbering and update the shop drawings. Confirm the project, phase and issued revision with the detailer.
2. Use the same selected steelwork for KSS, PDF and IFC. Include loose shipping items; avoid unrelated phases, concrete and reference models.
3. Keep assembly and part marks unchanged between exports. If the model or drawing changes, regenerate the affected package and review the revision before importing.

1. For a selected export, use the Select objects in components selection switch. Tekla warns that Select assemblies can produce an empty MIS file.
2. Create the list for the chosen phase. Use Create all only when the complete model is the intended import scope. Save one .kss file.
3. Arc-Track requires Tekla KISS 1.0 with metric units: lengths in millimetres and masses in kilograms. Have the detailer check the export; do not change a unit flag or rename another format to .kss to force acceptance.

1. Turn Output to single file off so each drawing is exported separately. Print current drawings, with fonts embedded where available.
2. Arc-Track currently accepts one page per PDF and one PDF per active assembly or loose shipping mark. Scans, photographs, combined drawing books and multi-page drawings need a reviewed alternative workflow.
3. Keep selectable text and the full material table: marks, quantities, profiles, lengths, grades, masses, paint areas and drawing totals. The reader currently expects its supported English Tekla table layout; another template must be checked with a sample.
4. Use the filename patterns below. Keep the mark exactly as it appears in the KSS and title block. General arrangement, erection and unrelated single-part drawings belong in the project's documents, outside this import ZIP.

The spaces around each separating hyphen matter. In Tekla, configure the assembly and single-part print naming settings (XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_A and XS_DRAWING_PLOT_FILE_NAME_W), or rename exported copies. Check the filename preview: the mark format must match your model, including hyphens and underscores. A bare MARK.pdf is not accepted by this ZIP reader.

1. In Tekla's IFC export, choose IFC2x3, file format IFC and Steel fabrication view. This view carries assembly information and exports bolt holes as voids.
2. Retain assemblies: older dialogs use Advanced > Object types > Assemblies; newer dialogs use Include assembly information. Keep Exclude single part assemblies off so loose single-piece items remain represented.
3. Export complete assemblies and all required occurrences for the same phase. Retain their assembly marks and hierarchy; Arc-Track matches IfcElementAssembly tags to the shipping marks and checks piece counts.
4. Include bolts when fasteners should be visible. Choose a consistent model origin / agreed base point. Export plain .ifc rather than .ifcZIP or .ifcXML. IFC4 can be read by the converter, but its export settings require a sample check; use the IFC2x3 recipe for the standard handover.

1. Use a clear archive name such as JOB-076_H1_Rev-A.zip. Subfolders are allowed, but the PDF basenames must still follow the required pattern. Keep one current drawing for each mark.
2. The ZIP must be at most 32 MB. KSS plus PDFs may expand to at most 64 MB; all selected files together may expand to at most 96 MB. Split a larger job into matching phases instead of lowering drawing readability.
3. Do not nest ZIPs. Leave NC1, STEP, DXF, spreadsheets, duplicate revisions and unrelated attachments outside this package. Other extensions are ignored; another PDF is still checked as a drawing and can stop the import.
4. Before sending, open the ZIP and check its contents. Missing PDFs may only be excluded during Arc-Track review when their marks were genuinely cancelled in the issued revision.

1. Select the ZIP once on the project overview. There is no separate IFC upload in Production > 3D models.
2. Compare Import target with KSS source. Review material and assembly counts, PDF previews, reconciliation messages, and the IFC model previews and model reference when included.
3. PDF quantities and readable drawing values take priority in this importer; review every reported difference. Confirm genuine revisions through the revision review, then tick the final review confirmation and select Import project & link all files.
4. Keep the window open until the Completed receipt appears. Files are verified before the lists and links save together. Reopen the pending preview or select the same ZIP to resume checked uploads. Review routing separately before procurement or work allocation.

WHEN THE EXPORT DOES NOT MATCH

Find the problem before fabrication

BEFORE HANDOVER

Check the whole package

• ✓Same project phase and issued revision in all files
• ✓One metric Tekla KISS 1.0 KSS
• ✓One current, readable, one-page PDF per active mark
• ✓Required A / W filenames and exact marks
• ✓Optional plain IFC with assembly hierarchy and all occurrences
• ✓A known channel or plate checked for holes in the exported IFC
• ✓ZIP within the stated size limits
• ✓Arc-Track previews reviewed and Completed receipt verified

Copying does not send a message or upload any project files.

About export plugins

The linked FabStation TSEP tool is a FabStation export tool. Arc-Track does not currently supply its own Tekla plugin, and that plugin's ZIP output has not been certified for Arc-Track. This guide uses Tekla's manual exports. If a detailer supplies a plugin-generated ZIP, verify every Arc-Track requirement and review a sample before using it for production.

A compatible file extension alone does not prove the KSS layout, drawing table or IFC assembly structure is supported.