Tekla Structures Profile Catalog Site

Tekla Structures Profile Catalog is a central database containing the cross-sectional properties (dimensions, analysis properties, and user attributes) of all profiles available for modeling. This guide covers how to access, customize, and manage these profiles. Tekla User Assistance 1. Accessing and Navigating the Catalog To open the catalog, go to the menu and select Catalogs > Profile catalog Tekla User Assistance

: Profiles are organized in a tree structure based on rules (e.g., I-profiles, L-profiles). : Profile data is stored in the profdb.bin file located within your model folder. Tekla User Assistance 2. Creating and Adding Profiles

You can add profiles using several methods depending on the complexity of the shape: Copy & Modify

: Select an existing fixed profile, right-click, and choose to copy or edit it to create a similar shape with different dimensions. DWG Import

: For irregular custom shapes (like specific cladding or cold-rolled sections), you can define a cross-section using a Prepare a clean 2D DWG with a closed polygon.

File > Catalogs > Define profiles > Define cross-section using DWG file

Assign a name and place it in the model to add it to the database. Sketched Profiles Sketch Editor

for parametric profiles that need to change size based on variables. Tekla Warehouse : Download manufacturer-specific profiles and click Insert into model to automatically add them to your profdb.bin Tekla User Assistance 3. Importing and Exporting

To share profiles between projects or environments, use the import/export functions: Tekla User Assistance

How to Create new Profiles from DWG Files | Tekla Structures tekla structures profile catalog

The Tekla Structures Profile Catalog is a central database used to define and manage the cross-sectional shapes (profiles) of parts within a BIM model. It contains standard, environment-specific, and user-defined profiles, storing this information in the profdb.bin file. Core Catalog Functions

Hierarchical Organization: Profiles are organized in a tree structure based on rules (e.g., grouping by I-profiles or HEA subtypes).

Management Tools: Users can add, modify, delete, and copy profiles to create custom libraries tailored to specific project needs.

Import/Export: Facilitates sharing between models and versions using .lis (standard profiles), .uel (sketched), and .clb (parametric) file formats.

Conflict Resolution: During import, the "Review import items" feature allows users to leave, merge, or replace duplicate profiles to maintain database integrity. Profile Types The catalog supports five distinct item types:

Fixed Profiles: Profiles with static dimensions (e.g., standard AISC steel sections).

Parametric Profiles: Shapes where size is determined by user-defined parameters (e.g., a rectangular beam defined by width and height).

Sketched Profiles: Custom shapes created using the Sketch Editor for irregular geometry.

User-Defined Parametric Profiles: Advanced shapes defined via .clb files. Tekla Structures Profile Catalog is a central database

Rule Sets: Logic that determines how profiles are displayed and grouped in the catalog tree.

Customize the original profile catalog - Tekla User Assistance

Tekla Structures , the Profile Catalog acts as a central library containing all the cross-sections (like I-beams, L-profiles, and plates) available for your project. This guide covers how to navigate, use, and customize it. 1. Accessing the Catalog

You can open the catalog by navigating to the File menu and selecting Catalogs > Profile catalog. From here, you can view the entire tree of available profiles organized by type. 2. Standard vs. Parametric Profiles Profiles are generally split into two categories:

Standard (Fixed) Profiles: These have predefined dimensions (e.g., HEA120). You cannot change their specific dimensions once selected from the tree.

Parametric Profiles: These allow you to manually input dimensions (e.g., a "B*H" wood profile or a "D" circular section). These are often denoted by a specific prefix (like PL for plate or D for diameter). 3. Assigning a Profile to a Part To change the profile of an existing beam or column: Double-click the part to open its Properties. Click Select… next to the Profile field.

Choose a profile from the tree. You can use the Show details checkbox to see additional properties like weight per meter or cross-section area. Click Apply or OK. 4. Customizing the Catalog

If a standard profile is missing, you can add your own in several ways:

User-Defined Rules: You can create new categories (like "Historical Profiles") by right-clicking the tree and selecting Add Next Level Rule. Purge Unused Profiles: In the Profile Catalog, use

DWG Import: For complex shapes, you can import a cross-section from an AutoCAD DWG file by going to File > Catalogs > Define profiles > DWG import.

Material Association: You can control which profiles appear for specific materials (e.g., only showing L-profiles for steel parts) by right-clicking a profile type and selecting Material > Steel or Concrete.

Watch this step-by-step tutorial on how to import custom cross-sections from DWG files directly into your Tekla Profile Catalog: Create Profile from DWG in Tekla Structures Tekla Software YouTube• Jan 16, 2018 5. Managing Profiles in IFC Conversions

When importing external models (like IFC files), Tekla uses the Profile Catalog to map incoming names to native profiles. If a name matches perfectly, Tekla uses that profile; if not, it attempts to find a match based on parametric values.

Do you need help defining a new parametric profile using the Sketch Editor, or are you looking to export your catalog to another environment?

Customize the original profile catalog - Tekla User Assistance

Best Practices for Large Projects

  1. Purge Unused Profiles: In the Profile Catalog, use the Clean up tool to remove profiles that are not assigned to any model object. This speeds up the catalog loading time.
  2. Use Sub-Folders: Create custom folders in the Profile Tree. For example, a folder named 00_CLIENT_PROJECT containing only the 15 specific built-up box columns used in that job.
  3. Read-Only for Production: On a live project, set the profile catalog to read-only for detailers. Only the BIM Coordinator should have write access to prevent accidental deletion of the IPE300.
  4. Logging: Turn on profile catalog logging via advanced option XS_PROFITAB_LOG to debug why Tekla is ignoring your custom dimensions.

Monograph: The Tekla Structures Profile Catalog — Architecture, Management, and Digital Fabrication

15. Conclusion

The Tekla Structures Profile Catalog is more than a parts list: it is a critical nexus between design intent, structural analysis, fabrication, procurement, and project governance. Robust catalog management—combining rigorous data modeling, versioned deployment, supplier alignment, and automated validation—yields measurable reductions in fabrication error, procurement delays, and waste, while enabling advanced digital fabrication workflows.

Step 2: Create New

Right-click in the Profile List pane and select Add profile or click the "New" icon.

Troubleshooting the "Invalid Profile" Flag

Sometimes a profile turns red in the model or shows a warning "Invalid geometry." This happens when the profile’s dimensions create a self-intersecting shape.

Common causes:

Fix: Edit the profile in the catalog or delete it and re-import from a standard source.