Modeling Features

• Comprehensive CAD-like drawing/editing environment: draw, generate, modify and load elements as well as snap, move, rotate, copy, mirror, scale, split, merge, mesh, delete, apply, etc.
• Versatile drawing grids (orthogonal, radial, skewed)
• Universal snaps and object snaps allow drawing without grids
• Powerful graphic select/unselect tools including box, line, polygon, invert, criteria, spreadsheet based, save/recall selections with locking
• True spreadsheet editing with cut, paste, fill, math, sort, find, etc.
• Dynamic synchronization between spreadsheets and graphics
• Open multiple spreadsheets simultaneously
• Constant in-stream error checking and data validation
• Unlimited undo/redo capability, automatic timed backup
• Generation templates for grids, disks, cylinders, cones, arcs, trusses, tanks, hydrostatic loads, etc.
• Support for all units systems & conversions at any time
• Automatic interaction with RISASection custom shape libraries
• Steel Shapes: AISC, HSS, CAN, ARBED & numerous foreign databases
• Light Gage Shapes: AISI, SSMA, Dale/Incor, Dietrich, Marino\WARE
• Import DXF, RISA-2D, STAAD, ProSteel3D and CIS/2 files
• Export DXF, SDNF, DesconWin, ProSteel3D and CIS/2 files
• Robust two-way link with Revit Structure 2012

Analysis Features

• Accelerated true sparse solver for static analysis
• Flexible modeling of P-Delta effects
• Accelerated Sparse Lanczos dynamics solver, very fast and robust
• Multiple simultaneous dynamic and response spectra analysis using Gupta, CQC or SRSS with automatic calc of scaling factors
• Automatic inclusion of mass offset (5% or user defined) for dynamics
• True physical member modeling (members are aware of interior joints)
• State-of-the-art plate/shell elements with plane stress  only option
• 8 node solid elements with automatic meshing
• High end mesh generation — draw a polygon with any number of sides to create a mesh of well formed quadrilateral (NO triangular) elements.
• Automatic rigid diaphragm modeling with detachable joints
• Area loads with one-way or two-way distributions with optional “blow through” distribution for loading open structures
• Plate thermal loads
• Simultaneous moving loads, AASHTO/custom for bridges, cranes…
• Torsional warping calculations for stiffness, stress and design
• Member end releases, rigid end offsets, top of member offsets
• Joint master-slave assignments
• Enforced joint displacements
• One Way members, for tension only bracing, slipping, etc.
• One Way springs, for modeling soils and other effects
• Euler members: Compression up to buckling load, then turn off
• Stress calculations on any arbitrary shape
• Inactivate members, plates, solids and diaphragms without deleting them
• Story drift calculations provide relative drift and ratio to height
• Automatic self-weight calculations for members, plates and solids

Graphics Features

• Unlimited simultaneous model view windows
• “True to scale” rendering with translucency, even when drawing
• High-speed redraw algorithm for instant refreshing
• Dynamically zoom, pan, rotate, scroll, snap views
• Font and color control
• Saved views to quickly restore frequent or desired views
• Rendered or wire-frame animations of deflected model and mode shapes
• Animation of moving loads with speed control
• Distance tool for measuring between points
• Force/moment summation about any arbitrary cut line
• High quality customizable graphics printing