FEM-Design - Resetting the User Coordinate System (UCS)

Sometimes when the UCS has been changed and you want to reset it to a default state (same as global system).

In FEM-Design 3D Structure there are two ways to do this:

1. By using the graphical user interface (GUI)-buttons

First steps with the Tekla to FEM-Design link

How do I start working withe the Tekla Add-In?
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We aim to satisfy our customers and always deliver a tool that fits to their real needs. Therefore, if you are a Tekla / FEM-Design user and you have some suggestions / requests regarding the future development of the link between the two programs, please let us know in the comment box below, or at iwona.budny at strusoft.com. We will consider each of your suggestion and, if only possible, try to include it in the future releases.

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The first step is to download and install the StruXML Tekla Add-in. You can find it at the:  

• download page:

Comparison between Bedding modulus and solid elements using the 3D Soil module

A brand new video related to geotechnical design is now available at our StruSoft Official Channel.

In the video, an analysis and design of two identical foundations using bedding modulus and solid elements is shown, to illustrate the difference between these two methods to model the soil. FEM-Design 3D Soil is used in the case where the soil is modeled as solid elements.

FEM-Design 14 and trapezoidal steel sheet (TRP-plåt)

There are a few features that are not so commonly known, one of which is the Profiled panels and the usage of trapezoidal steel sheet. In the following guide we will explain the usage of profiled panels to enhance the design of lightweight roofs.

FEM-Design 14 and lateral support

When designing steel structures a few of the beams or columns might be supported for lateral torsional or shear buckling. Instead of defining point supports in those points that might cause the model to act as if totally supported, beams and columns can have their buckling length defined as if supported by reducing the buckling length. Here we will explain how and where to set the buckling lengths.

FEM-Design 14 and DWG-import

In the end of 2011 we introduced the External reference-command to be able to have a model that you could connect several dwg-files to. In FEM-Design 11, we have made further refinements to this function, and they are still valid in FEM-Design 14. In this post we will explain the function step-by-step.

New version of Tekla StruXML Add-In is available

A new version of Tekla StruXML Add-In 1.1.1.0 is now available to download from our download center or your StruSoft Installer.

The new version allows to transfer models saved in the Tekla Structures 20 and 20.1. Furthermore, some minor bug related to openings creation was fixed.

Training videos for Tekla to FEM-Design connection are available here.

FEM-Design 3D Structure - Basic course

We have just released a new FEM-Design 3D Structure - Basic course videos on our Youtube channel. The playlist will soon be supplemented with new videos.

For those interested in FEM-Design Plate, we recommend to download the course material.

Problems with the graphics in FEM-Design

I have some graphic problems when running FEM-Design. How can I solve it?

If you are experiencing some graphic related problems there are some things we advice to do:

• make sure you have the latest drivers for your graphic card, if not - update it, 
• if the latest driver does not help, switch to another graphic engine in FEM-Design (for instance from OpenGL to DirectX or oposite),
• if the last action did not help, switch to one of the safe modes: OpenGL - safe mode ot DirectX - safe mode, 
• if none of the actions helped, select to Disable all hardware acceleration.

Student license for FEM-Design

How to get a student license for FEM-Design?

In order to receive a free FEM-Design Educational license you have to first fill the form at our website. After registration you will receive an e-mail with the link to download the program and instruction of installation.

FEM-Design educational version information:

• It can only be used for educational purpose; any commercial use of this version is prohibited.
• It is a full right product without any limitation.
• It is compatible with "FD Student" versions, but is not compatible with the commercial FD versions' files.
• A watermark „Educational version” is displayed at background of printing page.

Wrong kind of material parameter when exporting from Revit to FEM-Design

I have a structural material assigned to an element but I cannot export it due to Lack of structural material assign to an element.

UPDATE: September 10th 2014
When using Revit StruXML Add-In in version 1.1.002, structural material for Beams, Columns, Isolated foundations can be both Instance and Type parameter.
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The reason user may receive the warning about a missing material, even though the element has a material assigned to it, is a wrong kind of Structural Material parameter. 

Structural material has to be an Instance parameter in case of:

• Beams,
• Columns,
• Isolated foundations,

and a Type parameter in case of:

• Floors,
• Walls,
• Wall foundations
• and Foundation Slabs. 

Errors when xporting elements from Revit to FEM-Design

Why some elements are not exported from Revit to FEM-Design?

There are two main reasons why some elements are not exported from Revit to FEM-Design:

• lack of structural material assigned to the element,
• analytical model is not enabled for the element.

If some elements are not exported, user will be notified about it along with the information of element type and reason why the export failed. In the export dialog user can see a list of all errors. To see the detailed report of exported / not exported elements, one can choose to see the Export Report. Both are shown in the example below:

Visibility of labels in FEM-Design

Why can't I see my reinforcement / thickness / material / section /loads / etc. labels in my FEM-Design model?

The visibility of the labels in FEM-Design is dependent on the current view mode applied to the model. Any kind of label can only be visible in the Wireframe mode.

Printing from documentation in FEM-Design

How to change the default printer in Documentation module in FEM-Design? 

Default printer is associated with the Section. If you wish to change the default printer, select the section --> go to Properties --> choose Printer setup... button --> Select the desired printer from the drop down list --> Ok.

Be aware that if you have more than one section in your documentation, you need to set the default printer for each section separately.