Getting Started with NexTructures

1. Installation

Begin by downloading the official installer from our release repository.

1. Download Nextructures_2026_Setup.exe from the Download page.
2. Execute the installer with administrative privileges.
3. Follow the setup wizard to unpack application files to your target directory.

2. Launching NexTructures

You can initialize the core application via the command line interface or standard batch scripts.

To start the primary graphical interface:

py NexTructures.py

Alternatively, execute the provided batch script by double-clicking NexTructures.bat.

Command Line Interface Reference

The openbim_cli.py utility provides direct access to individual subsystems:

py openbim_cli.py gui
py openbim_cli.py 3d
py openbim_cli.py canvas
py openbim_cli.py drawing-manager

3. Your First Project

Follow these steps to establish a new structural model:

1. Launch NexTructures and select New Project from the start screen.
2. Configure the project metadata and select the target MySQL database schema.
3. Utilize the Steel Profile Catalog dock to select initial members (e.g., W-Shapes or HEB).
4. Define grids in the 3D viewport and begin placing columns and beams.
5. Apply parametric connections from the Connection Library (e.g., Baseplates, Shear Tabs).

4. Importing IFC Models

NexTructures supports robust Open BIM workflows utilizing the native IfcOpenShell engine.

1. Navigate to File > Import > IFC Model.
2. Select a valid IFC4 or IFC4x3 file.
3. Specify the insertion point and orientation vector.
4. The engine will parse the geometry into OpenBIM JSON format and overlay the reference model onto your structural workspace.

5. Tekla Structures Integration

The native C# .NET bridge enables bidirectional model extraction targeting Tekla Structures 2022.

1. Ensure Tekla Structures 2022 is installed and running on the target machine.
2. In NexTructures, navigate to the Bridge Configuration panel.
3. Confirm the path to Tekla.Structures.Model.dll is resolved.
4. Use the bridge tools to import existing Tekla 2022 model directories or execute synchronized macro plugins.

6. Database Configuration

All model persistence requires an active MySQL connection.

The software will attempt to build the elements and transactions table schemas automatically upon the first successful connection.

7. Running Tests

For developers modifying the source repository, ensure continuous integration integrity by executing the test suite.

py -m pytest

The current suite contains 37 passing assertions validating core engine functionality.