Category: Tekla API

The documentation of the Tekla API – IMO is inadequate. That is why we need supplemental explanations and code samples.

Here is another example that hopefully benefits the community.

I have written a bunch of extension methods (Tekla.ExtensionMethods) that would hopefully simplify a lot of the headaches associated with using the API. This is already published as an Open Source project under an MIT license and is available on Nuget. As of 2026-06-25 it is released under an alpha release – meaning that the API might change drastically.

Checkout Tek1’s blog posts for more content on the Tekla Open API.

If you need to hire us to do your Tekla API work, please send us your proposal to [email protected]

This post and tutorial shows you how to set up your Tekla Dependencies (i.e. DLLs) on an Tekla Open API project:

Source code:

Directly Embedded code:

Model model =  new Model();

if (model.GetConnectionStatus())
{
    Beam beam = new Beam();
    beam.StartPoint = new Point(0, 0, 0);
    beam.EndPoint = new Point(1000, 0, 0);
    beam.Profile.ProfileString = "UB150*14"; // make sure this is available in your environment.
    beam.Finish = "PAINT";

    beam.Insert();


    model.CommitChanges();
}

Nuget Packages:

• Tekla API DLLs
• Tek1 Tekla Open API blog posts
• Tek1 Open API Course

And if you prefer vimeo (i.e. if you hate youtube ads) checkout this link:

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1196894990

The Code Behind the Shed Builder

As promised, here are the key methods behind the ShedBuilder:

I have separate classes – e.g. Facia, Column, Chord, Girt etc. to better represent the concepts and the interplay between all the items – and then I simply tie them all together to get the output that I want, but the main logic is here – if you wish to write the code yourself:

And to extract properties given a particular profile:

And finally to get all profiles which have a “HEIGHT” property:

The Key Libraries I use:

• Spectre Console – https://spectreconsole.net/
• XUnit – Testing: https://xunit.net/?tabs=cs
• Tekla APIs – Downloaded from Nuget.

Automation

This is a live production / job example of how we can quickly / accurately detail sheds at scale.

Meaning we can handle:

(i) volume
(ii) speed

You can do the same too!

If you have questions or need assistance automating – feel free to email: [email protected] or [email protected] or visit our website: https://www.tek1.com.au/ or +61 0411 022 502 if you need to call me.

Or if you wish to develop the software yourself checkout our blog posts – where all the basic elements to create this type of automation is present.

For more posts checkout our Tekla API blog.