Go from design model to shop drawings and CNC data in detailing software
Model-based construction software creates detailed steel models, drawings and fabrication data.
Fabricator · Fabrication · Tekla
Content updated · Tool links listed below; vendor features and pricing change, so confirm with the vendor
Short answer
Model-based construction software creates detailed steel models, drawings and fabrication data. Start here: import the design model (IFC). Keep a person in the loop: Approved shop drawings do not shift design responsibility. Follow the contract.
The problem
Go from design model to shop drawings and CNC data faster. This is a common, time-consuming task for a fabricator.
What this workflow does
Model-based construction software creates detailed steel models, drawings and fabrication data.
How it works: Rules or specialist software perform the task. No AI agent is required.
Your checkpoint: Approved shop drawings do not shift design responsibility. Follow the contract.
Before you start
- Access to the named tool; confirm license, version and cost with the vendor.
- A small, non-confidential sample to try the workflow on first.
- A qualified person to review the output before it is used.
Tools and access
Follow the steps
- Import the design model (IFC).
- Detail connections and run the clash check.
- Generate shop drawings and NC files.
- Submit for approval and track RFIs.
Try a small example
Replace the bracketed fields with your own project details. No tested sample run is published for this workflow yet.
Sample input
Fill in the bracketed [fields] in the text below with your project data.
Manual setup checklist
Turn these engineer review comments on shop drawings into a numbered action list by drawing number: [paste comments]
Expected output
Not published yet. Treat any output as a draft and check it against the source documents.
Check the result
- Every value, citation or quantity traces back to a source document.
- Missing information is marked as missing, not filled in.
Limits and recovery
- Approved shop drawings do not shift design responsibility. Follow the contract.
- Check your organization’s data policy before sharing project files with third-party tools.
Stop or switch when: The source cannot be verified, permissions are missing, or the result contains unsupported facts.
Frequently asked questions
How do I go from design model to shop drawings and CNC data in detailing software?
Import the design model (IFC). Detail connections and run the clash check. Generate shop drawings and NC files. The full step list is above.
Does this use an AI agent or regular software?
It is labeled Conventional automation: Rules or specialist software perform the task. No AI agent is required.
What tools do I need?
Tekla. Confirm license, version and cost with the vendor, and try it on a small non-confidential sample first.
Can I use the output without checking it?
No. Approved shop drawings do not shift design responsibility. Follow the contract.
Has this workflow been tested?
Workflow guide · not independently tested. It is written from vendor documentation and practitioner use.
Evidence and maintenance
Written from vendor documentation and practitioner use. Labels apply to the steps described here, not every feature of a product. Links were checked when the page was written.