In this blog, we will look at how to create and share new materials in a Tekla model. By default, Tekla comes with a predefined list of materials stored in the system drive (C drive). However, in many projects, we often need to add custom materials based on project requirements. To add a new material, go to the Menu at the top left corner, navigate to Catalogs, and then open the Material Catalog. From there, select an existing material, right click & selct “Add Grade,” rename it as required, and assign the appropriate density. Once saved, the new material will be available in the model.
When sharing the model, especially using the db1 file to reduce file size, the newly added materials may not be available to the recipient. This is because custom materials are stored separately. To ensure the other user can access the same materials, you need to share the file named “matdb.bin” from the model folder. This file is created only when new materials are added and must be included along with the db1 file.
Alternatively, there is another method to share materials. In the Material Catalog, you can use the “Export” option available at the bottom to save the material data as a separate file. This file can then be shared, and the recipient can import it into their Material Catalog to access the same materials.
Watch the video below for a step-by-step demonstration of this process.
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