Complete Structural Detailing Platform

3D Structural Steel Modeling Engine

NexTructures is built upon a high-performance PySide6/Qt desktop architecture featuring an OpenGL 3D viewport. This enables engineers to perform full 3D modeling for structural steel elements including beams, columns, bracing, and plates with real-time rendering, rotation, zooming, and panning.

The intuitive model tree provides hierarchical element organization, allowing rapid selection and modification. A comprehensive property panel offers full element attribute editing for detailed specification control.

• Full 3D modeling for steel beams, columns, bracing, and plates
• PySide6/Qt desktop application with OpenGL 3D viewport
• Real-time rendering, rotation, zoom, pan
• Model tree with hierarchical element organization
• Property panel with full element attribute editing

Tekla Structures 2022 Integration Bridge

Maintain workflow continuity with industry standards through our native C# .NET bridge targeting the Tekla.Structures.Model.dll. This deep integration allows bidirectional model extraction and metadata management between platforms.

Users can import existing Tekla 2022 model directories directly, preserving critical geometry and metadata. Additionally, the bridge supports macro plugin execution for automated processing tasks.

• Native C# .NET bridge targeting Tekla.Structures.Model.dll
• Bidirectional model extraction and metadata management
• Import existing Tekla 2022 model directories directly
• Macro plugin execution support

Social Engineering Hub and Multi-User Collaboration

NexTructures redefines team workflows with a modern Social Engineering Hub. Secure user registration is backed by PBKDF2 password hashing, establishing a reliable foundation for enterprise collaboration.

Collaborate efficiently with features like Team Mates connections, a Live Engineering Activity Wall, and 3D engineer avatars rendered directly in the model at active spot edit locations. Integrated voice and text chat further streamline communication.

• User registration with PBKDF2 password hashing
• Team Mates connections and People You May Know recommendations
• Live Engineering Activity Wall
• 3D engineer avatars rendered at active spot edit locations
• Integrated voice and text chat with channel selector
• Multi-user model sharing with lock management

Interactive 2D Shop Drawing Editor

Generate precise fabrication documentation via a dedicated QGraphicsView canvas tailored for detailed drawing work. Users can intuitively drag dimensions, edit title blocks, and customize views directly on the sheet.

The software incorporates a Tekla-style Drawing List Manager (accessible via Ctrl+L shortcut) to oversee General Arrangement (GA), Assembly, and Single-Part drawing types. Final documents are exportable to standard PDF formats, with robust batch export capabilities.

• QGraphicsView canvas for detailed drawing work
• Drag dimensions, edit title blocks
• Export to PDF drawing sheets
• Tekla-style Drawing List Manager (Ctrl+L shortcut)
• GA, Assembly, and Single-Part drawing types
• Batch export capabilities

Parametric Steel Connections Library

Accelerate detailing with an extensive library of intelligent, parametric steel connections. The system includes automated configurations for Baseplates, Moment Endplates, Shear Tabs, Clip Angles, Gusset Plates, and Stiffeners.

Connections feature automatic bolt and weld placement, integrated wrench clearance verification, and a connection solver equipped with preliminary design checks to guarantee structural integrity.

• Baseplates, Moment Endplates, Shear Tabs
• Clip Angles, Gusset Plates, Stiffeners
• Automatic bolt and weld placement
• Wrench clearance verification
• Connection solver with design checks

AISC and Eurocode Steel Profile Catalog

Access accurate engineering data instantly with our comprehensive profile catalog containing 107 real structural sections. The database fully covers standard W-Shapes, HEA, HEB, and IPE classifications.

Every profile includes exact engineering section dimensions, moments of inertia, and section properties. A built-in profile parser also permits the definition and utilization of custom sections for specialized engineering requirements.

• 107 real engineering profiles
• W-Shapes, HEA, HEB, IPE sections
• Exact engineering section dimensions
• Moments of inertia and section properties
• Profile parser for custom sections

DSTV NC1 CNC Fabrication Export

Bridge the gap between design and fabrication flawlessly. NexTructures incorporates a full German DSTV .nc1 CNC file generator, exporting precise manufacturing data directly to steel fabrication machinery.

The system features a complete parser for all essential block types including ST, BO, AK, IK, KA, SI, and EN, ensuring strict compliance with industry-standard fabrication file formats.

• Full German DSTV .nc1 CNC file generator
• Complete parser for all block types: ST, BO, AK, IK, KA, SI, EN
• Direct output for steel fabrication machinery
• Industry-standard fabrication file format

Deterministic SHA-256 Assembly Numbering

Eliminate manual numbering errors and guarantee absolute model consistency. Our engine utilizes advanced SHA-256 geometric hashing for assembly marks and part position mark generation.

This deterministic numbering approach ensures that identical physical elements systematically receive identical identifiers across the entire project lifecycle, automating a traditionally error-prone process.

• SHA-256 geometric hashing for assembly marks
• Part position mark generation
• Deterministic numbering ensures consistency
• Eliminates manual numbering errors

3D Spatial Clash Detection

Prevent costly field modifications with integrated collision analysis. The engine employs multi-phase spatial grid indexing coupled with precise Axis-Aligned Bounding Box (AABB) penetration depth analysis.

Identify hard clashes (physical intersections), soft clashes (clearance violations), and duplicate elements instantaneously. The dedicated Clash Inspector dock panel provides an organized interface for systematic review and resolution.

• Multi-phase spatial grid indexing
• AABB penetration depth analysis
• Hard clash detection (physical intersections)
• Soft clash detection (clearance violations)
• Duplicate element detection
• Clash Inspector dock panel for review

Concrete Reinforcement Engine

Beyond steel, NexTructures provides a robust concrete reinforcement engine. It includes a comprehensive rebar catalog encompassing metric (10M to 32M) and imperial (#4 to #8) standard sizes.

Engineers can design standard hooks in compliance with ACI 318 and BS 8666, manage tension lap splices, specify stirrups, and automatically output accurate Bar Bending Schedules (BBS) for the entire project.

• Rebar catalog from 10M to 32M and #4 to #8
• ACI 318 and BS 8666 standard hooks
• Tension lap splices and stirrups
• Bar Bending Schedules (BBS) generation
• Full reinforcement design workflow

IFC4 and IFC4x3 Open BIM Support

Commitment to Open BIM interoperability is core to NexTructures. Supported by native IfcOpenShell integration, the platform delivers high-fidelity import and export capabilities compliant with IFC4 and IFC4x3 standards.

Exchange models seamlessly using the OpenBIM JSON format. Facilitate robust multi-disciplinary coordination by overlaying reference models originating from any IFC-compatible architectural or MEP software.

• Native IfcOpenShell-based import/export
• IFC4 and IFC4x3 standard compliance
• OpenBIM JSON model format
• Interoperability with any IFC-compatible software
• Reference model overlay support

MySQL Database Persistence and Model Management

Enterprise-grade data integrity is achieved through rigorous MySQL 8.0 database integration. Structured elements and transactions table schemas ensure data stability across massive engineering datasets.

Safeguard progress with robust undo/redo functionality backed by a complete transaction history. A centralized Model Store and Models Manager streamline administration for complex, multi-project workflows.

• MySQL 8.0 database integration
• Elements and transactions table schema
• Undo/redo with transaction history
• Model store for project management
• Models manager for multi-project workflows