# Tekla Structural Designer Reviews **Vendor:** Trimble **Category:** [Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim) **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 12 ## About Tekla Structural Designer Tekla Structural Designer is an integrated 3D structural analysis and design software tailored for structural engineers working with multi-material buildings. It streamlines the entire design process by combining analysis and design into a single, seamless workflow, enabling engineers to deliver safe, efficient, and optimized designs more rapidly. Key Features and Functionality: - Unified Modeling Environment: Utilizes a single model for both analysis and design, eliminating the need for multiple software tools and ensuring consistency throughout the project. - Automated Loading and Analysis: Features an automated wind loading engine and intelligent floor loading capabilities, simplifying the application of loads and enhancing analysis accuracy. - Comprehensive Design Capabilities: Supports the design of reinforced concrete and steel structures, including composite elements and components with stiffeners or web openings, adhering to various international design codes. - Seamless BIM Integration: Facilitates effortless collaboration with other project stakeholders by integrating with BIM software such as Tekla Structures and Autodesk Revit, allowing for efficient model synchronization and data exchange. - Detailed Documentation: Automatically generates precise, up-to-date documentation, including calculation reports, material take-offs, and drawings, ensuring all project information is current and accurate. Primary Value and User Solutions: Tekla Structural Designer addresses the challenges faced by structural engineers by providing a comprehensive solution that enhances productivity, accuracy, and collaboration. By automating complex tasks such as load calculations and design iterations, it reduces manual effort and minimizes the potential for errors. The software's integration with BIM platforms ensures seamless communication between engineers, architects, and fabricators, leading to more coordinated and efficient project execution. Ultimately, Tekla Structural Designer empowers engineers to deliver high-quality, code-compliant designs more quickly, improving client satisfaction and project profitability. ## Tekla Structural Designer Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users value the **easy collaboration** features of Tekla Structural Designer, enhancing teamwork and project accuracy. (2 reviews) - Users praise the **ease of use** of Tekla Structural Designer, facilitating collaboration and quick updates efficiently. (2 reviews) - Users value the **3D visualization** capabilities of Tekla Structural Designer, enhancing collaboration and streamlining updates. (1 reviews) - Users praise the **robust drawing capabilities** of Tekla Structural Designer, enhancing accuracy and collaboration for optimal results. (1 reviews) - Users find the **inbuilt parameters and collaborative features** of Tekla Structural Designer enhance accuracy and user experience. (1 reviews) - Users value the **user-friendly file management** that enhances collaborative efforts and accuracy in Tekla Structural Designer. (1 reviews) - User Interface (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users face **3D modeling issues** that complicate detailing, despite appreciating the advanced features and interface of Tekla. (1 reviews) - Users find Tekla Structural Designer has **limited customization** options, making it challenging to meet unique project requirements. (1 reviews) - Users find the **missing features** of Tekla Structural Designer limit its customization for unique project requirements. (1 reviews) - Users face **plugin issues** that hinder the modeling process in Tekla Structural Designer, affecting project efficiency. (1 reviews) ## Tekla Structural Designer Reviews ### 1. Tekla Review **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Anand K. | VDC Project Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 16, 2025 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** Userfriendly, Easy to use, Makes quick updates, 3D visualisation, Easy to collobrate with other team and trades, New automation is pretty cool **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** Difficult to customize for unique requirements, some detailing features are still in evolution process **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Automation of structural analysis gives quick results which reduces RFI response times. ### 2. Smart Tool For 3D modeling to drafting Work With Amazing plugins. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sagar V. | Civil Structural Engineer, Civil Engineering, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 02, 2022 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** It is have all the Parameter for modelling inbuilt and for personal work we can add macros and modify tool for best user experience. Collbrative work with S3D , SPR and R3D software makes this software very accurate to work in indutry, file sharing viewing experience also very much latest and user friendly. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** It is very Focused on bigger projects and indutry work, still it have RCC and steel detailing and modelling approch but with some weld and macros issued when arrives makes very struggle, but looking to fetures it have and 3D interface it gives is next level. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Adding More macros options, adding more interface solutions, more material librabry and best support assistance when sicking help is what really user needed and they are doing it, so what else!! ### 3. Tekla Structures Review **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Justin V. | Electrical Designer/BIM Manager/Coordinator, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 24, 2023 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** I don't currently use Tekla Structural Designer but, I used it and learned it for the first time in 2014. I've always enjoyed learning new design software especially where I was able to work in 3D. It was fun and challenging to learn. We used it in conjunction with Revit while working for a contruction management company in the design and building process of the American Dream Mall. I enjoyed using it and learning it for the little bit of time I was able to use it. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** The only thing I disliked is that it was challenging compared to others that I already knew and I wish I had a formal teacher teaching me how to use it instead of a fellow co-worker trying to teach the rest of us how to use it who had no experience. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** I worked at a construction management company where we used it to design the structural portion of new anchor buildings for the American Dream mall as well as the Amusement Park area. ### 4. Shop Drawing automation made easy. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Shishir P. | Geotechnical Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 08, 2023 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** It is more user friendly while detailing work for both steel and concrete stucture.Online plugin are easily available from tekla warehouse which is very easy while working for complex project. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** The drawing especially for india require mannual editing since most of user will not find.pricing is bit on higer side for small scale user. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Helps us to create BIM model and intregate with other element to create a single project.The software has helped to deisgn various steel ,conctre and timber structure model very easily and later to produce shop drawing for construction site. ### 5. Nice structural analysis and design software **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Keshav P. | Civil Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 19, 2023 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** I like it best for steel structures design. One can model structure efficiently either in a 2D or 3D environment. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** It is one of the best structural design software available in the market. Report Summary preparation part should be made it simple and easily understandable **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am a novice in steel structures design so, I am using the 3D modeling environment of Tekla Structural Design which is helping me to visually understand the building model clearly. ### 6. Great software for steel & concrete structures design **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ali S. | Structural steel designer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 04, 2022 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** Tekla Structures is a great software with a variety of unique capabilities for optimizing both concrete and steel construction. It saved my time during designing different types of steel structures. The software is user-friendly, and easy to learn. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** I have encountered various issues when using Tekla Structures. Here are a few examples: "Fit work area to entire model" and "redraw" commands are so near that one can accidentally click either one. (model issue) Tack weld length sometimes is not accurate on weld report (report issue) Bend profile disappears when applying cut on it (model issue) You cannot add a point to a revision cloud on a drawing (drawing issue) Tekla does not support continuous breakline (drawing issue) You cannot split plates in a model, but the "CounterSplit" component can help. This can be installed as a plugin. When errors occur, you must restart Tekla to restore things back to normal. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Effective tool for BIM and detailing. ### 7. TSD provides ease in analyzing and designing the structure of a building based on BIM. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 12, 2023 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** Analyze and design easily and quickly, until providing output in the form of structural dimensions and drawing **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** The drawback of TSD is that this software is like a robot that quickly provides final results, so even laypeople can use it. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** TSD provides ease in analyzing and designing building structures quickly and based on BIM, making collaboration easy. ### 8. Useful for drawing and modeling **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Grace R. | Design Trainee, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 13, 2020 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** My companies software is not an out of the box type of program, however, I assume it is still close. The drawing and modeling is easier since the model components can be imported, saving overall drawing/modeling time. It can take a bit to get used to the shortcuts and tools, but overall, I wouldn't want to use any other program. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** Sometimes the tools can be hard to navigate, and sometimes you have to dig to find the right one. Also, there is not usually a description on how to use new tools so it can take some time to figured out things. **Recommendations to others considering Tekla Structural Designer:** Take your time to really learn it. Unfortunately, mu company doesn't use an "out-of-the-box" version of Tekla, meaning I don't have any other tips, since they may not transfer over. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** My company uses Tekla to create models and drawings of buildings and structures, and the ability to bring in frames, and data from our database helps to make sure the models are to contract specifications. You can also import CAD drawings which is useful for the 2D aspect of the design. ### 9. Tekla Structural Designer **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 02, 2021 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** Very simple to assemble the various components of a structure. Great output readings. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** Larger file sizes are a little slow—otherwise nothing. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Portal frame design. Very efficient. ### 10. easy to use **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Aditya G. | Checking Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 17, 2021 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** It is very easy to use. You can use this software without mouse. The best thing of this software is you have to make changes in 3D for make changes in 2D. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** There is no dislikes for this software but I have issue with this software we can't set short keys for faster use.. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Previously I was using SDS/2 but now using tekla and the best benefits is over sds is we don't need to compress or decompress 2D structure pieces... ### 11. Good detailed software, needs user understanding **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 11, 2019 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** Tekla Structural Designer is good as it is easy to set up new models and understand analysis **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** It can be difficult to correct errors or understand why elements fail because error messages are not always descriptive **Recommendations to others considering Tekla Structural Designer:** Tekla SD is a good piece of software but full understanding of Eurocodes and engineering fundamentals is required to successfully produce models **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Portal frame analysis in conjunction with Tekla Portal Frame Designer and other steel frames. Benefits are quicker and more accurate analysis but models and results need checking manually. ### 12. Tekla structural designer review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 02, 2019 **What do you like best about Tekla Structural Designer?** This software is easy to use. The online supports is good and tekla saves time when looking at designing bigger projects. **What do you dislike about Tekla Structural Designer?** There is not many tutorials on youtube and the company needs to pay initially for help videos. **What problems is Tekla Structural Designer solving and how is that benefiting you?** Designing big structures faster and more efficiently - [View Tekla Structural Designer pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/tekla-structural-designer/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-13+12%3A28%3A36+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=448657fa-b7e7-4364-bd3b-87ab3205a70f&secure%5Btoken%5D=e376443b52c0d40419d8d34510143023d9453f3b31bac9a5b2a6b007f1de39dd&format=llm_user) ## Tekla Structural Designer Integrations - [Navisworks](https://www.g2.com/products/navisworks/reviews) ## Tekla Structural Designer Features **Design** - Visualizing - Rendering - Drawing - Editing - Sequence Steps - Dynamic Updating **Collaboration** - Multi User - File Import/Export - Annotating - Document Storage **Construction** - Fabrication - Reinforcement Tools - Clash Detection - Grading - Earthwork **Generative AI** - AI Text Generation - AI Text Summarization - AI Text-to-3D **Common Data Environment (CDE) - Building Design and Building Information Modeling** - Role-Based Access - Centralized Data Management **Cost Estimation - Building Design and Building Information Modeling** - Lifecycle Cost Tracking - Quantity Takeoff & Cost Estimation **Electrical & Circuit Design - Building Design and Building Information Modeling** - Clash Detection - Electrical System Modeling - MEP Coordination - Load Calculation & Analysis - Interoperability with BIM & CAD - Circuit Design Integration ## Top Tekla Structural Designer Alternatives - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (1,832 reviews) - [Revit](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (909 reviews) - [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (288 reviews)