Affordable Structural Analysis software 1

[CELinOttawa]

Hello All,

Is it still possible to actually purchase a structural analysis package for two and three dimension frame type problems? Everything seems to have gone to subscription or quasi-subscription models. I am not interested in becoming someone's "after-work" or "forever" payee.

I had wanted to purchase a copy of Microstran, but Bentley purchased them and has converted them to the "forever" payment model. Quite unfortunate as it was my favourite analysis package by a mile.

Not to side track my own thread, but I have half a mind to try to find someone's old copy for sale. Buying someone's old license might be an option; Not illegal here or in Europe.

 

[Ingenuity]

I have used MicroStran for the last 20 years and was disappointed that the boys sold to Bentley. I too have a dislike for subscription-based usage.

When I worked on Canada (1989-1991) I used a Canadian program called P-Frame (2d) and S-Frame (3d). It was a great program and very advanced at the time for graphic input via grid line and mouse click for members etc. I am not sure if it is still around.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Last I checked RISA-3D offered both subscription and stand-alone licenses. I'm trying to get my boss to get me copy since Bentley went towards a subscription model.

I really wonder if they realize how many people are being driven away because of this?

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[XR250]

I use a Mac and have been using frame-mac since 1991. It is 2D only, but is a breeze to use. Does all my beams and frames.
I have to run it under an emulator now as it is not compatible with the newer operating systems, but I would be lost without it.

 

[SteelPE]

I have been extremely irritated with the forever pay requirements of the software companies as well. You pay through the nose for their program and you don't really end up owning anything. It's not like their subscriptions are cheap either. The stand alone versions of the programs would be great if the code people didn't change their mind every 5 minutes on how they want to calculate wind loads. I am running stand alone versions of a few programs now. In order to upgrade I am looking at a $10,000+ because I bought the program so long ago. That's a tough nut to swallow.

Now it appears as if AutoCAD is taking the same route. You can only receive reduced upgrades if you enter into a yearly agreement with them. Seems like they are looking for a way to increase profits.

 

[CELinOttawa]

It is entirely about profit, and it leaves us stuck in the middle.

Frankly what we need to do is start an Open Source project. In the mean time I'm hoping to still own my shirt after finding software...

Care to sell one of those old licenses? *sigh*

 

[rb1957]

google "fea software", found "

http://cuylaerts.net/"

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

 

[CELinOttawa]

Nice one rb; I've been searching for similar and hadn't seen that one yet...

 

[SteelPE]

CEL

FYI, the software companies get mad when old licenses are transferred without their consent.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

SteelPE: They can get mad all they want, it's legal in the US AFAIK:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...autodesk-affirms-right-to-sell-used-software/

The EU supreme court also ruled, in no uncertain terms, that you can sell used software licenses period. As much as they don't like it these companies can't legally stop you from selling used software licenses. However, I believe services can be restricted; so warranties, updates, customer support, and so on likely can't be transferred.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

I'm just curious, which companies have gone to subscription based services only. I know there has been talk about Bentley (RAM / STAAD) moving to subscription based. Is that what everyone's talking about or are there others?


Note:
You would think that I would know (seeing as I work for a structural software company, RISA). But, I spend so much time focusing on what we're doing that I don't always see what's going on with our competitors.

 

[CELinOttawa]

Josh: What is the cost of a RISA license? Is it a one time purchse and I own the right to use it forever type license?

 

[CELinOttawa]

Like TME said, however I would be open to paying a reasonable transfer fee to a software producer in order to get support/etc which was accessible to the original owner.

I have absolutely no issue with paying fair value for a product; I take exception to paying repeatedly for something which does not continue to cost the licensor in terms of maintenance. This is not a utility grid, but a completed software package. It is not reasonable to expect to be paid for the same work completed work ad nauseum.

 

[rb1957]

well i guess the sotfware develops are saying that they have to do a continuing job maintaining the software.

then what of MS, just walking away from old versions of Windows ?

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

 

[CELinOttawa]

Well rb, in our case our site gear is on Win XP Pro toughbooks (CF-29) machines which we've converted to digital islands. We also have Ghosted images including all software and resources we want. Everything in the office is Open Source Linux.

Frankly I would prefer to purchase someone's older license for structural analysis software!

 

[JedClampett]

Not to be the devil's advocate and I don't work for a software company, but how bad are the subscription costs? We have Bentley everything, STAAD, Microstation, etc. and I never hear it's a burden.
They have a motivation to answer questions and keep their software up to date and we have a monthly cost, instead of getting hit every couple years with a big bill. Plus we can get updates pretty much for free.

 

[Bagman2524]

Agree with JedClampett. Our yearly subscription fee for Bentley is very reasonable.

Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase. -MLK

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

My problem is with a number of issues.

One is being slave to Bently regarding using licenses on multiple computers and transferring the licenses between them requiring an internet connection. We can and have run into instances where we did not have an available internet connection on-site and had to install or reinstall STAAD. As we still have our hardlocks this isn't an issue, with a subscription and requirement to connect to the internet this is.

In addition, what if Bently went out of business or their servers were down? Suddenly you can't transfer licenses or reformat your pc without losing your software. What if 20 years from now you wanted to look at your old design model. Sure you might have an old PC or operating system and can install and run the software but what if you can't get a license?

You're then not in control of your software that you bought. You don't decide if an update is worth the money or not, you can't decide to sell your software without Bently approving it. It boils down to the fact that this is DRM at it's worst and anyone who does anything digitally such as video games, audiobooks, music, etc. knows that DRM will ONLY hurt the legitimate user. The people who pirate software, music, video games, almost always get a better product when DRM is involved because their illegal version isn't tied down. It's a crap system that keeps getting perpetuated by the software industries.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[Splitrings]

A stand alone license for RISA 3D comes with a CD and a USB key. Its your choice as to whether you purchase the annual subscription. No need for internet access and you can transfer the software from computer to computer. It may be legal to load it on multiple computers because it will not run without the USB key (you better check on this).

 

[SLTA]

I'll chime in that the costs may be no problem for folks at larger firms, but for those of us who are sole practitioners, it's obscene. One company wanted half my yearly salary for their program.

I would love to see a tiered pricing system based on the number of users at a company, but that's not likely to happen.

As for AutoCad - check out DraftSight. It's free, does just fine at 2D drawings, and there's a whole forum here on it.

************************************
Please remember: we're not all guys!