Coordinated with Structural BIM and Steel Shop Drawings for fabrication-ready steel documentation across USA projects.
What we do in plain terms: We take your structural engineering drawings and build precise 3D steel models using Tekla Structures - then generate everything a fabricator needs: shop drawings, erection drawings, connection details, BOM, CNC files, and DSTV output. This process, known as Tekla steel detailing or structural BIM modeling, ensures your steel structure is fabricated and erected correctly, on time, and without costly errors. We also deliver coordinated shop drawings for every member in the package.
500+
PROJECTS DELIVERED
98%
DRAWING ACCURACY RATE
LOD 400
FULL LOD 200-400 RANGE
48 hr
AVERAGE QUOTE TURNAROUND
What is Tekla steel detailing?
Tekla steel detailing is the process of creating precise 3D structural steel models and fabrication-ready drawings using Tekla Structures software. It converts structural engineering designs into shop drawings, erection drawings, BOM, CNC files, and DSTV output - everything a steel fabricator needs to manufacture and erect the structure correctly, beyond traditional 2D drafting workflows.
Why is steel detailing important?
Without accurate steel detailing, fabricators work from imprecise information - resulting in wrong cuts, mismatched connections, costly rework, and on-site delays. Tekla BIM steel detailing eliminates this uncertainty by giving every member of the project team - fabricator, erector, and engineer - exact, verified information before fabrication begins.
Why use Tekla Structures?
Tekla Structures is the leading BIM software for structural steel detailing. It produces intelligent 3D models with automatic drawing generation, clash detection, and direct CNC and DSTV file output - reducing fabrication errors to near zero and dramatically accelerating the documentation workflow from design to fabrication.
HOW IT ACTUALLY WORKS
Many clients understand they need steel detailing, but aren't sure what the process looks like from start to finish. Here is how Tekla detailing works alongside steel shop drawing and BIM modeling workflows - from your engineering drawings to final fabrication file delivery.
You provide your structural engineering drawings - general arrangement plans, member schedules, connection specifications, and relevant design codes. Our lead detailer reviews the complete package, clarifies any ambiguities with your engineering team, and confirms the full scope and LOD before modeling begins. This eliminates downstream misunderstandings that cause costly revisions.
Our Tekla-qualified modelers build the full 3D structural steel model - every beam, column, brace, plate, bolt, and weld modeled precisely according to your engineering specifications. All connection details are built to engineer-specified requirements. The resulting 3D model is a complete, intelligent digital representation of your steel structure, accurate in every dimension and relationship.
The completed model is run through internal clash detection - identifying any conflicts between steel members, connections, and plates before drawings are issued. Our BIM manager reviews the model against the original engineering drawings for accuracy and completeness. All clashes are resolved and documented before the first drawing is submitted for client review.
Shop drawings, erection drawings, and general arrangement drawings are auto-generated directly from the Tekla model and issued for client and structural engineer review. Because all drawings come from the same intelligent model, they are consistent and coordinated - any revision to the model updates all associated drawings automatically, eliminating the manual redrawing errors common in traditional CAD workflows.
Approved drawings, Bill of Materials, CNC files, and DSTV fabrication output are packaged and delivered via secure file transfer or BIM 360. CNC and DSTV files go directly to your fabrication shop's cutting and drilling machines - eliminating manual programming, removing human error, and accelerating the fabrication timeline from drawing approval to first steel piece ready for erection.
Why clients come to us
Every steel detailing engagement starts with a real challenge on your project. Here is how our structural BIM and steel shop drawings solve the most common and most expensive fabrication problems.
Problem
2D drawings cause fabrication errors - wrong cuts, wrong holes, mismatched connections
Solution
Tekla 3D BIM modeling produces a fully accurate model - every member, connection, and plate dimensioned correctly
Result
Fabrication-ready shop drawings and CNC files with near-zero dimensional errors - manufactured right the first time
Problem
Steel connections clash with other structural members - only discovered during erection on site
Solution
Tekla clash detection identifies all connection and member conflicts before a single piece is fabricated
Result
Zero on-site clash surprises - all conflicts resolved in the model before fabrication begins
Problem
CNC machines cannot be programmed without accurate digital fabrication files
Solution
Tekla Structures generates CNC-ready and DSTV files directly from the 3D steel model for automated machine cutting
Result
Machine-ready fabrication output delivered with every project - no manual data entry, no programming errors
Problem
Procurement cannot be planned accurately without a reliable material quantity takeoff
Solution
Tekla BIM models generate accurate Bill of Materials - all steel grades, sizes, weights, and quantities in one report
Result
Precise procurement planning, reliable project budgeting, and elimination of material over-ordering and waste
Problem
In-house detailing teams cannot scale to meet fabrication deadlines on large projects
Solution
Offshore Tekla steel detailing outsourcing provides immediate access to a full detailing team at 40-60% lower cost
Result
Project deadlines met - with no recruitment delays, no software license costs, and no overhead
Problem
Existing CAD drawings need to be upgraded to BIM but the in-house team lacks Tekla experience
Solution
CAD to Tekla BIM conversion services migrate your 2D drawings into a complete, intelligent 3D structural model
Result
A future-ready BIM workflow - with automatic drawing generation, clash detection, and digital fabrication output
WHAT WE OFFER
From steel shop drawings and erection plans to BIM modeling, CNC fabrication files, and CAD to BIM conversion - our Tekla-qualified team delivers precisely customized structural steel detailing solutions for fabricators, contractors, and engineers across the USA.
Our core service - generating fabrication-ready shop drawings and erection drawings from a fully detailed Tekla Structures 3D model. Every shop drawing is produced directly from the model, ensuring dimensional accuracy and full consistency across the entire drawing package. All drawings are produced to your specified standards - AWS, AISC, BS, or AS - and submitted in your required format.
Shop drawings provide the fabrication shop with every dimension, hole location, weld specification, and piece-mark needed to manufacture each steel member. Erection drawings show the site assembly team exactly how every piece connects and is positioned in the complete structure.
Level of Development
LOD (Level of Development) defines how much detail is included in your Tekla steel model. We deliver detailing at every LOD - from early Revit coordination through fabrication-ready shop drawing output. Here is a clear guide to help you decide.
200
Approximate member sizes and positions - used for early design coordination and structural planning from engineering concept
300
Precise geometry for clash detection, construction documentation, and multi-discipline BIM coordination with MEP and architecture
350
Full connection interfaces and assemblies modeled - ready for construction coordination, site sequencing, and trade interface management
400
Complete fabrication detail - every bolt, weld, plate, and cut modeled precisely with CNC and DSTV output ready for machine programming
How we work
A structured, transparent detailing workflow aligned with your BIM modeling milestones - from structural drawing review through structural BIM coordination to final fabrication file delivery.
We review your structural drawings, specifications, applicable codes, and delivery requirements. You receive a detailed quote within 48 hours of submitting your documents.
DAY 1–2
Our detailers build the complete 3D steel model in Tekla Structures - every member, connection, plate, bolt group, and weld modeled to engineering specifications.
DAYS 3–10
All steel members and connections are clash-checked. Our BIM manager reviews the model against the engineering drawings for accuracy and completeness.
DAYS 10–13
Shop and erection drawings are generated from the model and issued for client and structural engineer review. Revisions are incorporated promptly and reissued.
DAYS 13–17
Approved drawings, BOM reports, CNC files, DSTV output, and all project documentation are delivered via BIM 360 or secure file transfer.
FINAL DAY
Every Tekla steel detailing project includes a complete set of fabrication-ready deliverables - accurate, verified, and formatted for immediate use by your fabrication shop and erection team.
Make the right decision
Many teams compare in-house Tekla detailing with outsourcing or traditional structural CAD drafting. Here is an objective comparison against 2D drafting workflows to help you decide for your project's accuracy, cost, and timeline.
| Factor | In-House Detailing Team | Outsourcing to STEELDETAIL - Our Service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | High - salaries, Tekla licenses, hardware, benefits | 40-60% lower - per-project fee, no overheads |
| Tekla Software | Must purchase and maintain Tekla Structures licenses | Fully included - no software cost to you |
| Scalability | Limited by headcount - bottlenecks on large projects | Scale up on demand - no recruitment delays |
| Tekla Expertise | Depends on individual staff and experience | Certified Tekla specialists on every project |
| Turnaround Speed | Slower - subject to internal workload and priorities | 7-20 business days - dedicated project team |
| Clash Detection | Depends on in-house capability and tools | Always included - internal QA on every model |
| CNC & DSTV Output | Requires additional Tekla configuration and expertise | Delivered as standard on every project |
Our Tekla steel detailing team uses Tekla Structures for 3D BIM modeling alongside Revit Structure and structural BIM coordination, Navisworks for clash detection, AutoCAD for 2D support, and BIM 360 for model delivery. We support all standard structural drawing input formats and major fabrication output formats.
Our command of the complete Tekla steel detailing technology stack - from initial model setup through CNC output - means your project is handled by specialists at every stage. No generalist operators. No software gaps. No deliverables that require third-party processing before they can be used.
The industry-leading BIM platform for structural steel detailing. Every 3D model we deliver is built in Tekla Structures - producing the most accurate shop drawings, erection plans, and CNC output available from any detailing software.
Tekla generates machine-ready CNC and DSTV files directly from the 3D model - compatible with all major fabrication machines from Peddinghaus, Ficep, Voortman, and others. No manual programming required.
When new structural steel work must coordinate with existing architecture, MEP, or civil models, we use Navisworks clash detection to identify and resolve all conflicts before drawings are issued - preventing on-site surprises.
We use Autodesk BIM 360 for collaborative model sharing, drawing issue management, and revision tracking - giving your project team real-time visibility of the model status and drawing package throughout the project.
Sector Expertise
Structural steel is used across every sector of construction. We deliver Tekla detailing alongside structural BIM and Revit BIM coordination - tailored to each industry's documentation standards and fabrication expectations.
Tekla steel detailing for multi-story office buildings, retail centers, and mixed-use developments - delivering accurate shop drawings and BIM models for complex structural steel frames on tight commercial construction schedules.
Structural steel detailing for warehouses, manufacturing plants, and processing facilities - including heavy industrial steel frames, crane runway beams, mezzanine structures, and complex column and connection arrangements.
Steel detailing for bridges, pedestrian walkways, support structures, and civil infrastructure - delivering fabrication drawings and BIM models for structural steel that meets the demanding accuracy standards of infrastructure projects.
Offshore and onshore structural steel detailing for platforms, topsides, module frameworks, jacket structures, and petrochemical facilities - with full compliance to offshore structural standards and complex 3D modeling capability.
Structural steel detailing for power plants, substations, solar racking support structures, and energy facilities - delivering accurate fabrication documentation for steel structures that support critical energy infrastructure.
Full steel detailing support for design-build contractors - from early LOD 300 coordination models through LOD 400 fabrication packages - integrated into your project workflow as a specialist detailing partner on every project.
Tekla steel detailing for steel-framed residential buildings, light gauge steel structures, and mixed steel-concrete residential developments - accurate, construction-ready documentation at competitive rates.
Steel detailing for rail stations, transit hubs, airport structures, and transport infrastructure - delivering precision Tekla models and shop drawings for complex steel canopies, platforms, and structural systems.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Timelines depend on project complexity, LOD requirements, and steel shop drawing scope. Here is a realistic guide for a mid-size commercial project using Tekla and shop drawing deliverables.
Day 1
You submit your structural engineering drawings, connection specifications, applicable codes, and scope requirements. We review the complete package and provide a detailed quote within 24-48 hours - covering LOD, scope, timeline, and pricing with no ambiguity.
Days 2-3
We confirm scope, coordinate grid references, applicable standards, and any project-specific requirements with your structural engineer. The Tekla model environment is set up with your project settings, section libraries, and title block requirements before detailing begins.
Days 3-12
Our Tekla detailers build the complete 3D structural steel model - all primary members, secondary members, connections, plates, bolt groups, and welds modeled in full detail at your specified LOD, working directly from your engineering drawings and connection specifications.
Days 12-14
Our BIM manager runs clash detection on the completed model and reviews all connections and member geometry against the engineering drawings. All clashes are resolved and the model is verified for accuracy before any drawings are issued to the client.
Days 14-17
The first issue of shop drawings, erection drawings, and GA drawings is submitted to your team and structural engineer for review. All drawings are generated directly from the model - consistent, coordinated, and correct by construction. Revision comments are received and incorporated promptly.
Days 17-20
Approved drawings and the complete fabrication deliverable package - CNC files, DSTV output, BOM, material schedules, and as-built documentation - are delivered via BIM 360 or secure file transfer, ready for immediate use by your fabrication shop and erection team.
WHY CHOOSE US
Choosing the right steel detailing company is a critical decision - errors in shop drawings affect every piece of steel that gets fabricated. Here is why fabricators trust us for structural BIM and BIM modeling on their most important steel projects across the USA.
Structural steel detailing in Tekla Structures is our core discipline - not a side service offered alongside other work. Our detailers have dedicated, production-level experience in Tekla modeling, connection detailing, and fabrication documentation across hundreds of commercial, industrial, and infrastructure steel projects. You are working with genuine Tekla specialists.
Because we model in 3D first and generate drawings from the model, dimensional inconsistencies between shop drawings - a common problem in traditional 2D detailing - are eliminated. Every drawing in your package reflects the same model geometry. Changes made in the model update all associated drawings automatically, preventing the revision errors that cause fabrication mistakes.
We deliver shop drawings, erection drawings, connection details, BOM, CNC files, and DSTV output under one specialist team and one project fee. You do not need to coordinate between a detailer, a BOM service, and a CNC programmer - we produce the complete fabrication package from one Tekla model, with full internal consistency guaranteed.
We work on projects ranging from small steel mezzanines and plant platforms to large multi-story commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and infrastructure bridges. Our team scales to match your project volume - providing dedicated detailing capacity for complex, large-scale programs without the recruitment delays and capacity constraints of in-house teams.
We quote within 48 hours of receiving your drawings and maintain clear milestone communication throughout the project. Most mid-size steel detailing projects are completed within 15-20 business days. We flag scope or drawing issues early - never at the point of delivery - protecting your fabrication schedule and erection programme at every stage of the project.
Outsourcing Tekla steel detailing to our team delivers 40-60% cost reduction compared to maintaining an in-house detailing capability - which requires significant Tekla Structures license investment, hardware for processing large models, and ongoing specialist training. Our offshore detailing model gives you immediate access to a complete specialist team at a per-project fee with no hidden overheads.
EXPERTISE & EXPERIENCE
Our Tekla detailing is built on real project experience - from large commercial frames to programs coordinated with Structural BIM and steel shop drawing packages fabricators rely on for construction decisions.
Our Tekla detailing team has delivered structural steel documentation for commercial buildings exceeding 500,000 sq ft, complex industrial warehouses with dense secondary steel, and large infrastructure projects with non-standard connection requirements. We understand the scale, coordination demands, and deadline pressures that large steel projects require - and we have the team depth and workflow discipline to deliver them on time and accurately.
We work regularly as the specialist Tekla detailing partner for steel fabricators, structural engineering consultancies, design-build contractors, and general contractors - integrating our shop drawings and model files directly into their fabrication and construction workflows. Our deliverables are formatted to work immediately upon receipt, with no post-processing or compatibility issues for the fabrication team.
Our clients consistently report measurable improvements after switching to our Tekla detailing services - including significant reduction in fabrication error rates, faster drawing issue cycles because revisions update automatically in the model, and lower project costs due to elimination of costly on-site rework. Accurate BIM detailing from a specialist team pays for itself many times over on any project of meaningful scale.
500+
PROJECTS COMPLETED
98%
DRAWING ACCURACY RATE
48hr
QUOTE TURNAROUND
LOD 400
FABRICATION-READY DETAIL
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Common Questions
Clear answers to the questions fabricators and engineers ask most often about our steel shop drawing and structural drafting services before starting a Tekla detailing project.
Tekla steel detailing is the process of creating detailed 3D structural steel models and fabrication-ready drawings using Tekla Structures software. It includes shop drawings for every steel member, erection drawings for site assembly, connection detail drawings, Bill of Materials reports, and CNC and DSTV fabrication files - everything a steel fabricator and erection contractor needs to build the structure correctly.
Shop drawings are used by the fabrication shop to manufacture each individual steel piece - they show every dimension, hole location, cut, cope, weld, and finish specification for a single member. Erection drawings are used on site to show how all the fabricated pieces connect and are positioned in the complete structure - including member locations, sequence, anchor bolt layouts, and connection assembly instructions.
Timeline depends on project complexity, number of steel members, LOD requirements, and the number of connection types involved. A small-scale steel frame project might be completed in 5–7 business days. A large multi-story commercial or industrial project at LOD 400 with full CNC output typically requires 15–25 business days. We provide a detailed timeline with every quote and communicate clearly at each project milestone. Rush delivery is available for urgent fabrication schedules.
DSTV (Deutscher Stahlbau-Verband) and CNC files are machine-readable fabrication output files generated directly from the Tekla Structures model. They are fed into CNC cutting, drilling, punching, and plasma machines at the fabrication shop - eliminating the need for manual machine programming, removing human data-entry errors, and significantly accelerating the time from drawing approval to finished steel member ready for erection.
Cost depends on project scope, number of members, LOD requirements, and the deliverables required. Offshore outsourcing to our specialist team typically costs 40–60% less than maintaining an in-house Tekla detailing capability - which requires Tekla Structures licenses, hardware, and ongoing training. We provide a detailed, fixed-fee quote within 48 hours of receiving your structural drawings - with no hidden charges and no scope creep.
LOD 200 is used for early design coordination and structural planning. LOD 300 is the standard for multi-discipline BIM coordination and construction documentation. LOD 350 is used when full connection interfaces and trade coordination are required. LOD 400 is the fabrication standard - providing all connection details, bolt specifications, welds, CNC data, and BOM needed for shop fabrication. During consultation, we recommend the appropriate LOD for your project phase and fabrication requirements.
Yes - we offer CAD to Tekla BIM conversion services. We take your existing 2D AutoCAD structural drawings and build a complete, intelligent 3D Tekla Structures model, from which shop drawings, erection drawings, BOM, and CNC output are automatically generated. This is the standard route for fabricators and contractors moving from traditional 2D drafting workflows to BIM-based steel detailing.
Tekla steel detailing is the discipline - the process of producing fabrication documentation for structural steel. BIM modeling refers specifically to the 3D intelligent model built in Tekla Structures that drives the entire documentation process. In Tekla, all shop drawings, erection drawings, BOM, and CNC files are generated from the BIM model - meaning BIM modeling and steel detailing are the same integrated workflow, not separate activities. This is what makes Tekla-based detailing more accurate and efficient than traditional 2D CAD drafting methods.
Submit your structural drawings for LOD 400 steel shop drawings, CNC and DSTV output, and coordination with structural BIM teams - receive a fixed-fee quote within 48 hours.