Working with TSEP

Updated: 28 Jun 2023

A TSEP file (the installation package) is a form of .zip file that contains the files to be installed in a structured manner, together with an .xml file that describes the format of the extension installation, the source and target paths of the files and any special rules that govern their installation.

A key benefit of using this Package class is that it supports digital signing to provide added security.

The project definition XML file

The project definition file (.xml) is the key to creating the content and structure of the extension. You can create it individually or modify it from an existing one using any text editor that supports UTF-8.

The TSEP builder tool

The TSEP Builder tool will be the program most commonly used by the extension developer to create and test extension packages.

Installing TSEP files

The TSEP system is designed to work in a situation where the Tekla Structures user does not have administrative rights. That is why the target location for all extension-related files should lie in the Tekla Structures data folder.

Installing TSEP based extensions to Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures provides an Extension manager that assists the user to install and uninstall extensions. The Extension manager takes two different forms; one the Manager that may be run from the backstage menu or from the Applications & components menu and the other the Dispatcher application.

The Manager displays a list of installed extensions and allows the user to select extensions to remove from their system, it also allows the user to browse and import extensions. The Dispatcher is launched by file association when a file is opened after downloading from Tekla Warehouse or by just double-clicking on a .tsep file.

To learn more about the Extension manager, take a look at Video: Tekla Structures Extension manager.

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