Key Features of ShapeDesigner

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 73 views

Introduction

As a structural engineer, designing and analyzing beams is a crucial aspect of your work. However, calculating the cross-sectional properties of beams can be a time-consuming and complex task. This is where ShapeDesigner comes in – an advanced general beam section calculator that simplifies the process of calculating torsion and flexural structural properties. In this article, we will delve into the features and benefits of ShapeDesigner, and explore how it can be a valuable tool for structural engineers.

What is ShapeDesigner?

ShapeDesigner is a Software as a Service (SaaS) application that calculates the cross-sectional torsion and flexural structural properties of beams. These properties are essential for designing and analyzing beams in static, free vibrations, dynamic, and buckling analysis. ShapeDesigner is a useful tool for structural engineers, as it allows them to design and analyze steel, aluminum, and polymeric or composite materials sections.

Key Features of ShapeDesigner

ShapeDesigner offers a range of features that make it an indispensable tool for structural engineers. Some of the key features include:

Integrated DXF (Autocad) Import/Export and Editing Tool: ShapeDesigner allows users to import and export DXF files, making it easy to work with Autocad files.
Materials Property Selection from an Extendable Library: ShapeDesigner comes with an extensive library of materials properties, which can be easily selected and applied to designs.
Multi-Criterion Optimization for Standard Sections: ShapeDesigner's optimization feature allows users to optimize standard sections based on multiple criteria.
Optimization for Complex Sections: ShapeDesigner's optimization feature can also be applied to complex sections, making it a versatile tool.
New and Efficient Design Verification Solver: ShapeDesigner's design verification solver is fast and efficient, making it ideal for complex designs.
New Integrated Tool for Build-Up Beam Connector Calculations: ShapeDesigner's build-up beam connector calculator makes it easy to calculate the properties of complex beam connectors.
Multi-Project Script: ShapeDesigner's multi-project script feature allows users to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Online Single Computer and Network Floating License Management: ShapeDesigner's license management system makes it easy to manage licenses and access the software from anywhere.
Advanced Integrated CAD for Sketching and Drawing 2D Profiles: ShapeDesigner's CAD feature allows users to sketch and draw 2D profiles with ease.
Improved Automatic 2D Mesh Generator: ShapeDesigner's 2D mesh generator is improved, making it faster and more efficient.
Library of Commonly Used Standard (AISC, CISC and BS) Steel and Parametric Sections: ShapeDesigner comes with a comprehensive library of standard steel and parametric sections.
Sections Can Be Used to Assemble Complex Geometries: ShapeDesigner's sections can be used to assemble complex geometries, making it a versatile tool.
Isocolor Representation of the Stresses: ShapeDesigner's isocolor representation of stresses makes it easy to visualize and analyze stress distributions.
Stresses Results Are Normal, Warping, Shear, Von-Mises and Principal Stresses: ShapeDesigner's stress analysis feature provides detailed results, including normal, warping, shear, Von-Mises, and principal stresses.
Fast and Efficient Solver for Complex Sections: ShapeDesigner's solver is fast and efficient, making it ideal for complex designs.
Shear Flow and Shear Stresses Due to the Shear Loads Vx and Vy: ShapeDesigner's shear flow and shear stress analysis feature provides detailed results.
Generates Professional Output Report: ShapeDesigner's output report is professional and detailed, making it easy to present results to clients.
Integrated Units Converter Tool: ShapeDesigner's units converter tool makes it easy to convert units and work with different measurement systems.
Integrated 3D MohrCircle Tool: ShapeDesigner's 3D MohrCircle tool provides a detailed analysis of stress distributions.
Support for Dimensions and Notes: ShapeDesigner's support for dimensions and notes makes it easy to add annotations and comments to designs.
Locates the Plastic Neutral Axes of a Composite Section: ShapeDesigner's plastic neutral axes feature locates the plastic neutral axes of a composite section.
Displays the Transformed Composite Section with Stress Distributions: ShapeDesigner's transformed composite section feature displays the transformed composite section with stress distributions.
Performs Elastic-Plastic Bending Analysis: ShapeDesigner's elastic-plastic bending analysis feature provides detailed results.
Detailed User Manual with Practical Examples and References: ShapeDesigner's user manual is comprehensive and includes practical examples and references.

Benefits of Using ShapeDesigner

ShapeDesigner offers a range of benefits to structural engineers, including:

Time-Saving: ShapeDesigner simplifies the process of calculating cross-sectional properties, saving time and increasing productivity.
Accuracy: ShapeDesigner's advanced algorithms and calculations ensure accurate results, reducing the risk of errors.
Versatility: ShapeDesigner's features and tools make it a versatile tool, suitable for a wide range of applications.
Ease of Use: ShapeDesigner's user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, even for those with limited experience.
Comprehensive Results: ShapeDesigner's output report provides comprehensive results, making it easy to present results to clients.

Conclusion

ShapeDesigner is a powerful and versatile tool for structural engineers, offering a range of features and benefits that make it an indispensable tool. Its advanced algorithms and calculations ensure accurate results, while its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use. Whether you are designing and analyzing steel, aluminum, or polymeric or composite materials sections, ShapeDesigner is the perfect tool for the job.

Introduction

ShapeDesigner is a powerful and versatile tool for structural engineers, offering a range of features and benefits that make it an indispensable tool. However, like any software, it may have some questions and concerns that users may have. In this article, we will address some of the frequently asked questions about ShapeDesigner, and provide answers to help users get the most out of the software.

Q: What is ShapeDesigner?

A: ShapeDesigner is a Software as a Service (SaaS) application that calculates the cross-sectional torsion and flexural structural properties of beams. It is a useful tool for structural engineers, as it allows them to design and analyze steel, aluminum, and polymeric or composite materials sections.

Q: What are the key features of ShapeDesigner?

A: Some of the key features of ShapeDesigner include:

Integrated DXF (Autocad) import/export and editing tool
Materials property selection from an extendable library
Multi-criterion optimization for standard sections
Optimization for complex sections
New and efficient design verification solver
New integrated tool for build-up beam connector calculations
Multi-project script
Online single computer and network floating license management
Advanced integrated CAD for sketching and drawing 2D profiles
Improved automatic 2D mesh generator
Library of commonly used standard (AISC, CISC and BS) steel and parametric sections
Sections can be used to assemble complex geometries
Isocolor representation of the stresses
Stresses results are normal, warping, shear, Von-Mises and principal stresses
Fast and efficient solver for complex sections
Shear flow and shear stresses due to the shear loads Vx and Vy
Generates professional output report
Integrated units converter tool
Integrated 3D MohrCircle tool
Support for dimensions and notes
Locates the plastic neutral axes of a composite section
Displays the transformed composite section with stress distributions
Performs elastic-plastic bending analysis
Detailed user manual with practical examples and references

Q: What are the benefits of using ShapeDesigner?

A: Some of the benefits of using ShapeDesigner include:

Time-saving: ShapeDesigner simplifies the process of calculating cross-sectional properties, saving time and increasing productivity.
Accuracy: ShapeDesigner's advanced algorithms and calculations ensure accurate results, reducing the risk of errors.
Versatility: ShapeDesigner's features and tools make it a versatile tool, suitable for a wide range of applications.
Ease of use: ShapeDesigner's user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, even for those with limited experience.
Comprehensive results: ShapeDesigner's output report provides comprehensive results, making it easy to present results to clients.

Q: What types of materials can I design and analyze with ShapeDesigner?

A: ShapeDesigner allows you to design and analyze steel, aluminum, and polymeric or composite materials sections.

Q: Can I import and export DXF files with ShapeDesigner?

A: Yes, ShapeDesigner allows you to import and export DXF files, making it easy to work with Autocad files.

Q: What is the difference between the standard and complex section optimization features?

A: The standard section optimization feature optimizes standard sections based on multiple criteria, while the complex section optimization feature optimizes complex sections.

Q: Can I perform elastic-plastic bending analysis with ShapeDesigner?

A: Yes, ShapeDesigner's elastic-plastic bending analysis feature provides detailed results.

Q: What is the user manual for ShapeDesigner?

A: ShapeDesigner's user manual is comprehensive and includes practical examples and references.

Q: How do I get support for ShapeDesigner?

A: ShapeDesigner offers online support, including a user manual, FAQs, and a contact form for technical support.

Q: Can I purchase a license for ShapeDesigner?

A: Yes, ShapeDesigner offers a range of licensing options, including online single computer and network floating licenses.

Q: What is the cost of ShapeDesigner?

A: The cost of ShapeDesigner varies depending on the licensing option and the number of users. Please contact ShapeDesigner for a quote.

Conclusion

ShapeDesigner is a powerful and versatile tool for structural engineers, offering a range of features and benefits that make it an indispensable tool. We hope that this FAQ article has answered some of the questions you may have had about ShapeDesigner. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.