Overview

ScaffPlan allows you to Export complete ScaffPlan model from SketchUp into a portable ScaffPlan Model file (.sm) and import it into ScaffPlan for Tekla with full data integrity and no functionality loss.

This enables reliable model handover between SketchUp and Tekla, version-to-version collaboration, backups, and controlled project transfers — while preserving native ScaffPlan intelligence wherever possible.

Purpose of the Export/Import Function

The ScaffPlan Export and Import functionality is designed to:

• Transfer complete scaffolding models between compatible ScaffPlan versions.
• Preserve native ScaffPlan intelligence, components, and metadata.
• Allow SketchUp concept models to be handed over into Tekla for detailed design workflows.
• Maintain traceability and logging for support and troubleshooting.
• Support full Undo functionality after import.

The interoperability workflow prioritises SketchUp → Tekla model transfer.

Version Compatibility

⚠️ Only same-version compatibility is supported.

You can only import models between matching major versions:

• ✅ 2025.x → 2025.x (including service packs)
• ✅ 2026.x → 2026.x (including service packs)
• ❌ 2025.x → 2026.x (not supported)

If versions do not match, the import will be blocked.

What Is Included in the Export

The following data is fully supported and preserved:

• ✅ All native ScaffPlan components
• ✅ Custom Items and ScaffBlocks
• ✅ Reference models - Native SketchUp objects are prepared as .skp reference models
• ✅ Project Information
• ✅ Company logo (stored inside the exported file)
• ✅ Advanced Options (e.g. timber sizes)

Non-ScaffPlan objects are exported and imported using IFC data.

How to Export a ScaffPlan for Model

⚠️ Save the model before exporting it to Tekla.

Step 1 – Start Export

1. Open your ScaffPlan model in SketchUp.
2. Click Export Model.

A Save File dialog opens automatically.

Step 2 – File Settings

The dialog automatically provides:

• File type: ScaffPlan Model (.sm)
• Default file name:
• [CurrentModelName]_YYYY-MM-DD.sm
• Default location:
• [Model Folder]\ScaffPlan\

If the ScaffPlan folder does not exist, it will be created automatically.

If a file already exists, you will be prompted to confirm overwrite.

Step 3 – Export Progress

During export you will see:

• Progress percentage (0–100%)
• Current operation status (e.g. exporting components, writing reference data)
• Number of items processed

The export process is fully logged.

Step 4 – Completion

On success:

✅Model exported successfully to: [file path]

If an error occurs, an explanatory message will be shown and detailed information is written to the log file.

Logging and Diagnostics

All export and import operations are logged automatically.

Log file location:

[Model Folder]\ScaffPlan\Logger\Interoperability.log

The log contains:

• Timestamp
• Platform and version
• File path
• Component counts
• Validation results
• Errors and warnings

This log is essential when reporting issues to support.

Common Error Messages

Best Practice Recommendations

✔ Always confirm version compatibility before exporting.
✔ Keep exported files inside the project’s ScaffPlan folder.
✔ Use export as a backup before major changes.
✔ Attach the log file when contacting ScaffPlan support.

Current Limitations

The following items are not exported at this stage:

• ❌ Model display settings not controlled by ScaffPlan:
  • Length units
  • Angle units
  • Decimal precision
• ❌ Attributes belonging to ScaffPlan plugin internal settings
• ❌ Certain Tekla-only or SketchUp-unsupported plugins when importing into SketchUp, such as:
  • Containment mesh
  • Encapsulation
  • Other specialised sheeting systems

These exclusions do not affect core scaffolding geometry or intelligence.