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.
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. tekla structures profile catalog
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
Master Your Projects: A Guide to the Tekla Structures Profile Catalog 🏗️
The Profile Catalog is the backbone of any Tekla Structures model. It’s where your digital "building blocks"—from standard I-beams to custom cold-rolled sections—live. If you want to speed up your modeling and ensure fabrication accuracy, mastering this tool is a must. Here is a quick breakdown of how to make the most of it: 1. Fixed vs. Parametric Profiles Tekla Structures , the Profile Catalog acts as
Fixed Profiles: These have set dimensions (like a standard W-shape). You can’t change their size on the fly; you simply select the specific size you need from the library.
Parametric Profiles: These use variables (like h*b*t). You define the rules, and Tekla generates the shape. This is perfect for custom plates or unique welded sections. 2. Importing & Exporting (.lis files)
Don’t reinvent the wheel! You can import profile catalogs from manufacturers or export your custom library to share with your team.
Pro Tip: Use the Export function to create a backup before making major manual edits to the profdb.bin file. 3. Defining Custom Cross-Sections
Can’t find what you need? You can define your own shapes in two ways:
Sketch Editor: Draw the shape manually for complex, non-standard items.
DWG Import: If you already have the section in CAD, import it directly to save time. 4. Organizing with User Attributes 9. Computational Use and Extensions
Use the User-defined attributes (UDAs) within the catalog to add data like manufacturer names, material grades, or CO2 values. This makes your BIM data much richer for reporting and scheduling.
Why it matters: An organized profile catalog means fewer errors in the BOM (Bill of Materials) and a much smoother handoff to the fabrication shop.
Here’s a curated selection of interesting papers, technical resources, and deep-dive articles related to the Tekla Structures profile catalog — ranging from customization and parametric profiles to interoperability and data management.
ProfileCatalog.xml directly for bulk changes (always backup first).For large-scale projects, managing the Profile Catalog is vital. Tekla allows firms to maintain project-specific catalogs. This ensures that all team members are using the exact same definitions, preventing discrepancies where one detailer might use a "HEA200" while another uses a slightly different metric equivalent. By centralizing this data, the software enforces standardization across the entire project lifecycle.
The Profile Catalog (formerly known as the Profile Database) is a centralized repository within Tekla Structures that defines the geometric properties of every structural shape you can model. Unlike simple "families" in other BIM software, Tekla’s catalog is a hybrid system combining a native database with access to external standards.
It answers three critical questions for the software: