VisualAnalysis Introduction

VisualAnalysis uses the following workflow. More information on how to get started can be found in the Training Videos.

1. Model
   1. Sketch members in the Model View by clicking and dragging the mouse on the Grid. Nodes are automatically created at the member's ends.
   2. Adjust the parameters of the grid or add new grids of various types in the Project Manager | Grid tab.
   3. Select items graphically with a mouse-click to edit them in the Project Manager | Modify tab. 
   4. Click on the white-space in the Model View to Select "nothing" and modify the Project Settings.
   5. Use the right-click context-menu for quick relevant commands pertaining to the view (Model View, Result View, Design View) and the items that are currently selected.  
   6. Use the Project Manager | Filter tab in each view to show or hide information graphically.
   7. Select nodes in the Model View to define the support conditions.
2. Load
   1. Choose a Service Load Case, such as D (Dead Loads), L (Live Loads), etc. 
   2. Select one or more nodes or members, then Apply Nodal Load or Apply Member Load using the buttons in the Loading Ribbon.
   3. Use the Load Case Manager to select load cases from standard building codes or to create custom load combinations.
3. Analyze
   1. The finite element analysis is automatically performed (i.e. there is no button to click).
   2. The analysis results (displacements, forces, moments, and stresses) are displayed in the Results View.
   3. Adjust the setting in the Project Manger | Results Filter tab to modify what is shown graphically in the Results View.
4. Design
   1. Manually add the members to Design Groups or allow VisualAnalysis to Auto-Group Members using the feature in the Modify tab.
   2. The design is performed automatically and the maximum unity value (demand to capacity ratio) is graphically displayed for each member in the Design View.
   3. Manually adjust the parameters of the members or use the Design The Group to search for the optimal member section.
5. Report
   1. Create reports in the Report View by double-clicking or dragging and dropping from the available tables in the Project Manager | Add Table tab.
   2. Adjust the Report Setting and Model Filters in the Modify tab or rearrange or delete the tables in the report.  
   3. Click on tables in the report to select them and adjust the parameters in the Selected Table tab.