StruCalc Feature Highlight: Design View

Design View allows you to quickly and efficiently add loads to a module via a data input screen that saves tributary widths, allowing them to be easily edited later, without ever entering the default Diagram View.

• Click the ‘Design View’ button directly to the right of the module’s ‘Location’ text box to enter Design View
• Input your desired loads
• Load cards corresponding to the created loads will be displayed at the bottom of the screen 
• Return to Diagram View at any point by clicking the ‘Diagram View’ button directly to the right of the module’s ‘Location’ text box
• Prefer Design View? Update your default module view via the ‘Calculations’ tab in Global Settings

By default, a module is displayed in Diagram View. This view offers complete visualization of a module. Loads of varying types may be added by clicking one of several buttons.

Although powerful, adding loads through a module’s Diagram View may be overkill for simple modules. In an effort to streamline the initial adding of loads, we have created Design View. In this view, loads may be added through a data input screen that saves tributary widths, allowing them to be easily edited later..

To access Design View when in Diagram View, click the ‘Design View’ button directly to the right of the module’s ‘Location’ text box.

Alternatively, choose the ‘Design View’ option from the ‘View’ section of the file menu. The default keyboard shortcut for toggling between Diagram View and Design View is Ctrl+Space.

Once in Design View, add loads by filling out the inputs in the center of the screen.

Loads created in Design View, along with loads created in Diagram View, may be viewed as Load Cards at the bottom of the screen. Load cards created in Design View will have the Design View icon in their upper left corner. Load cards will be sorted such that loads created in Design View will appear before loads created in Diagram View.

Switch back to Diagram View at any time by clicking the ‘Diagram View’ button directly to the right of the module’s ‘Location’ text box, selecting the ‘Diagram View’ option from the ‘View’ section of the file menu, or typing Ctrl+Space. Switching back and forth between views will not impact loads. It is perfectly acceptable to use both views for the same module.

Do you prefer Design View?

If so, you may wish to configure whether a new module is opened in Design View vs. Diagram View. To do so, click the dropdown arrow in the upper right hand corner of the application, and select the Settings option. 

In the Settings window, navigate to the ‘Calculations’ tab. Update the ‘Default Module View’ by selecting either ‘Diagram’ or ‘Design’. Once updated, new modules will initially open in the chosen view. 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service at support@strucalc.com. 

Thanks for reading!