Getting Started¶
This walkthrough builds, solves, and reviews a simple frame in a few minutes.
1. Start from a template¶
Choose File → New from Template… (Ctrl+T). The first option is Portal Frame. Set the span and height, review the material/section defaults, and click OK. The structure is drawn and automatically fitted to the canvas.
Every template comes with:
- a self-weight load case LC1 (self-weight multiplier = 1.0), and
- a Linear analysis case SW that applies LC1.
See Templates for the full list.
2. Add loads (optional)¶
Open the Loads tab in the left panel to add point loads, distributed loads, thermal loads, or settlements. Each load belongs to a load case. See Loads.
3. Define analysis cases and combinations¶
- An analysis case says how to solve (Linear, Modal, Spectrum, …) and which load cases to apply with what factors.
- A combination combines analysis cases (e.g. ULS = 1.35·G + 1.5·Q).
Adding a load case automatically creates a matching Linear analysis case, so for simple models you may not need to define any analysis cases by hand. See Analysis.
4. Run the analysis¶
Press F5 (or the Run button in the toolbar). When results are available the model is locked (the padlock shows closed); unlock with Ctrl+L to edit again.
5. Review results¶
Use the View dropdown in the toolbar (or View → View mode, Ctrl+1…Ctrl+8) to switch between Structure, Loads, Deformed shape, Bending moment, Shear force, Axial force, Reactions, and Modal shapes. Pick the Case to display. The Results tab shows the full numeric report. See Results.
6. Save and export¶
- File → Save (Ctrl+S) writes a
.x2dfile (structure + results + view). - File → Write Report… produces a PDF/Word/Excel report; Write Tables to Excel… is the one-click spreadsheet.
See Exporting and File Formats.