Enercalc 2

[twinnell]

Anyone heard the latest on the release of Enercalc 6?

 

[jeffandmike]

To add to castructuraleng's list:

Archon Engineering Software:

http://www.archoneng.com/.

The modules appear to be reasonably priced.

 

[akastud]

So has anyone seen there version 6.0 yet. Surely someone has gotten it? (Sarcasm here!) I know one thing, you surely aren't paying for any customer service when you buy enercalc.

 

[vincentpa]

I went to Enercalc's website and downloaded a "demonstration version" of v6.0. When I clicked on the *.exe file, a message popped up and asked me to come back in February. Now why go through the motions of having a download page and *.exe to tell me to come back later???????

 

[lsmfse]

I recieved my copy a couple of weeks ago. I'm still getting use to the new format. The majority of the programs are included, some bugs noticed, no more retaining wall program, frame program now included, new features. I have gotten automatic updates when I start the program. I will continue to use and evaluate it and report accordingly.

 

[RobertsEngineering]

I too received my copy of 6.0. (now 6.0.8) It's got a long way to go before I quit using version 5.8. Very unstable (to the point of being unusable.), Vista's Task Manager and I are getting a workout.

 

[jeffandmike]

He's at it again with the empty promises (see the attached file).

 

[H57]

If you notice he's refering to the demo of the software. He does say "about" Feb. 1. And they are giving current users the version 6 software. If someone is in need of version 6 I found it helpful to email him as he then put me on the "list" for that nights upgrade, which I received as promised.

 

[twinnell]

I just did the same thing. I emailed him last night around 10 PM EST. He emailed me back around 10:30 and said he would put me on the list for last night. I received my email with passwords and download info at 6 AM this morning.

 

[Justinmc326]

I downloaded the evaluation version of Enercalc 6 today (2/6/08) it is version 6.0.10. In my first use I checked a beam design I did on Enercalc 5.8 using a rectangular tube in the weak axis. The values were completely different and after some searching I found that the HSS rectangular section properties are incorrectly inputted into the program. All the values are the same for the X and Y axis'. For example, Ixx = Iyy, Sxx = Syy...etc. Also, the wall thickness are incorrect for the tubes as well, HSS 8x4x5/8 has a wall thickness of 0.625" in the program, but as in AISC 13th it is 0.581". Hopefully these issues will be resolved soon.

 

[twinnell]

Report it to enercalc so they can make the change. since you paid for it, it only benefits you to report errors.

 

[jeffandmike]

Though we haven't used it for long, we've found that the program is buggy in places:

- Try changing the span length just a little too quickly under the wood beam module and see what happens (program randomly crashes or locks up at times)
- Ditto for the concrete beam module
- Sometimes when changing from one calculation to the other the program locks up

These issues seem to be related to the fact that the program is recalculating the results in realtime as changes are made. They should / could have a switch (checkbox or option button under the general settings) that allows the user to turn off this feature. Coupled with this could be a button under each module / calculation that says "Solve". After the user is done changing the criteria they can manually click the "Solve" button to obtain the solution. When the user changes one of the inputs a big warning could pop up in the results portion reminding the user that they needed to hit "Solve" for the results to be valid.

While we believe it's a good thing that the retaining wall modules have been omitted (get yourself a copy of RetainPro if you have a problem with that), other good modules are missing (other than those already described in the V6_Release_Info.pdf file). To name a few:

- Wood Ledger
- Bolt Groups in Timber
- (Steel) Bolt Group
- (Concrete) Rebar Embedment

 

[jeffandmike]

Also, when you attempt to make use of the program's "Dynamic Help" feature, most of the important parts are completely empty.

For example, if you need help with the "Wood Column" module, you'll find that "Documentation is under development". This is the case with most all of the "Program Overview", the "Project Manager" and the "Module Documentation".

 

[DonPhillips]

Just installed it and wow, much improved over 5.8. I did find a bug - try taking a square footing down to 1 bar each way and it locks up and the memory used by the application starts to soar. It was up to 1.5GB before I terminated it. The online reporting was pretty painless also.


Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[archeng59]

Is the demo version of release 6 the only thing available? We paid for Version 6 many months ago, but have yet to receive the Version 6 upgrade by email as described on his website. Just wondering if anyone else received Version 6 before I start pestering him about not receiving my copy.

 

[DonPhillips]

I had to pester to get the upgrade.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[H57]

My understanding is that they are releasing it some people each night. You'll get it at some point, but if you want it now send him an email. When I sent an email he said he would add me to the list for that night and I received it that night.

 

[archeng59]

If they are releasing to people alphabetically, we are near the bottom of the list. Thanks.

 

[DonPhillips]

My square footing bug I reported has already been addressed in the .11 update just released. They even notify me that my reported bug was corrected.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[jimzpe]

Pestering hasn't helped and alphabetically I'm at the bottom of the list. Guess I'll wait for the '09 distribution.

 

[kipfoot]

enercalc first impression: I just opened a demo version of v6 and I was surprised by how clumsy and unstable the software is. Wow! A bit step backward, in my opinion.

I like ies products, although I feel they are a bit pricey and sold individually.

http://www.iesweb.com/

I'll miss the enercalc all-in-one format. I've been using enercalc since it was a lotus 123 overlay so it's the end of an era for me.