SOFTEK Structural Office Release 7.

0 FAQ Sheet

)
.
?

START HERE: What help do you need?

I am a Network Administrator installing/uninstalling products on a Network and have a question.

Go to Section 1.

! . ! . ! . ! . ! . !
? ? ? ? ?

I am installing/uninstalling products on my own machine and have a question.

Go to Section 1.

I have a license for B-SECT, C-SECT or W-SECT and am not sure what to install.
Go to Section 4 then Section 1.

I am an Engineer running S-FRAME 7.0 and have a question.

Go to Section 2.

I am an Engineer running S-STEEL 7.0 and have a question.

Go to Section 3.

I am an Engineer running S-CONCRETE 7.0 and have a question.

Go to Section 4.

SUPPORT CONTACT DETAILS

E-mail: support@csc-softek.com Telephone: +1(604)273 7737 Mon-Fri office hours PST Web: fill out the form at www.s-frame.com/tech/techome.htm

Nomenclature
V = Version 6.xx = any (earlier) version of a product beginning with the number 6; e.g. 6.11, 6.21 etc.

Page 1 of 6
SOFTEK Services Ltd 2006

SOFTEK Structural Office Release 7.0 FAQ Sheet

1 !

General, Installation & Licensing

No; the installation of V7 does not require any V6.xx products to be uninstalled first. Furthermore, the installation will not uninstall earlier versions automatically. This applies to both Network and Stand-alone installations.

Q1. Do I need to uninstall V6.xx products before installing V7?

Q2. Do I need to uninstall V6.xx products after installing V7?

To avoid possible confusion, we recommend that V6.xx products are removed once V7 is installed and operational. For Networks, this also ensures that you are in compliance with the Licensing Agreement (i.e. the number of seats available should not exceed the number of seats licensed).

Q3. Where do I find Installation Instructions?

These are on the Installation CD. Insert the CD in your machines drive. When the installation screen appears, click Install Products on the Main Menu, then click the Installation Instructions link to the lower right of the next screen (Install Products). The Installation Instructions will appear. You can also open the file <Installation Instructions.txt> directly from the root of the CD.

Q4. Should I overwrite my current installation i.e. install V7 to the existing Program and Working

directories? No; by default V7 Program AND Working directories install to different locations (to previous versions) and you are recommended NOT to change this. You still use the same parent folder Structural Office but should allow the program to install to a new directory inside this e.g. S-FRAME V7 program files will install to a folder called S-FRAME7 (which is different from previous versions of S-FRAME) and the working directory will install to a folder called Structural Office7. This applies to both Network and Stand-alone installations.

Q5. I need to continue running V6.xx for a current project. Can I do this?

This is possible, however we would ask that you let us know if you are going to do this so that we can provide effective support. This applies to both Network and Stand-alone installations.

Q6. How do I perform a Network Installation?

! !

Follow section 3 of the Installation Instructions.

Q7. How do I obtain a Network License?

This is a new process. You must create a Registration File and e-mail it to Support. Follow the instructions in the Network License Section of the Registration Notes (PDF) on the installation CD. There is a link to this on the Install Products screen below that for Installation Instructions referred to above. You can also open the file <Release 7 Registration.pdf> directly from the root of the CD.

Page 2 of 6
SOFTEK Services Ltd 2006

SOFTEK Structural Office Release 7.0 FAQ Sheet

Q8. How do I install a Network Client?

There is a Client Setup V7 option for this on the Install Products screen. Install this on each client. Alternatively you can follow Section 4 of the Installation Instructions. You must install a product to the server before doing either of these.

Q9. When I run a program I see the following message what do I do?

You have either installed the wrong product(s) or need to contact support to reprogram your security key (dongle). Check your documentation to ensure you have installed the correct product(s). If you have, or if you are unsure, contact Support.

Q10. How do I uninstall a previous-version product?

This depends whether it is a) a Stand-alone installation, where the program is installed on your computer - or b) A Network Installation, where the program is run from a server. a) Stand-alone: Go to the Windows Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs, find the product in the list of installed programs and Remove it. b) Network (for Network Adiminstrators): i.) Nework Client: uninstall the SOFTEK Structural Office Client via Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel. This will remove all previous version products from the Client. ii.) Network Server originally installed at the Server: uninstall each previous product via Add or Remove Programs at the Server iii.) Network Server originally installed from a Client to the Server: uninstall via Add or Remove Programs on the original Client. If this is not possible/ known, remove previous program folders manually from the Server.

Q11. I still have questions, what do I do?

Contact Support details on page 1.

Page 3 of 6
SOFTEK Services Ltd 2006

SOFTEK Structural Office Release 7.0 FAQ Sheet

S-FRAME

Q1. Are S-FRAME V6.xx files compatible with S-FRAME V7? ! Yes; you can open files produced in an earlier version in V7. However, once they are saved in V7 they may not open correctly in V6.xx (see below). For this reason we recommend you save the file to a new name if you wish to retain the original V6.xx file. Q2. Are S-FRAME V7 files compatible with S-FRAME V6.xx? ! Possibly; if the model includes a feature which is new to V7 (for example Physical Members) this will not be understood by V6.xx and there may be problems. For this reason we generally recommend that you do not take files back to V6.xx from V7. If you have a particular need to do this and have any doubts contact Support. Q3. Is there a printed V7 program manual I can refer to? ! Not currently. However, the S-FRAME Help System has been completely updated including topics on new features. Access this via the Help Menu in S-FRAME. The existing Getting Started, Theory and Verification manuals are substantially relevent and can be referred to in most instances.

Q4. Are there New Tutorials I can look at? Yes; there are the following new multi-media (sound and video) tutorials on new features available from the S-FRAME Help Menu; Graphical User Interface, Wall Integration Line, High Rise, Physical Member, Stage Construction. Select Help/Run Tutorial to run these

! 3

Q5. I still have questions, what do I do?

Contact Support details on page 1.

S-STEEL

Q1. Can I link from S-FRAME V7 to V6.xx S-STEEL? ! No; only same-version products will link. Q2. Can I open an S-FRAME V6.xx file in S-STEEL V7? ! Not directly, since analysis from S-FRAME V6.xx is not compatible with S-STEEL V7. To do this, in S-FRAME V7; Open, Save As a new name (if you wish to retain the original V6.xx file) and Analyze before opening in S-STEEL. Q3. Is there a printed V7 program manual I can refer to? ! Not currently. However, the existing Manual is substantially relevent and can be referred to in most instances. Q4. Are there New Tutorials I can look at? ! Not currently. However you can check www.s-frame.com where tutorials will be posted for viewing/download in the future.

Q5. I still have questions, what do I do? Contact Support details on page 1.

Page 4 of 6
SOFTEK Services Ltd 2006

SOFTEK Structural Office Release 7.0 FAQ Sheet

B-SECT, C-SECT & W-SECT S-CONCRETE

Q1. Where are B-SECT/C-SECT/W-SECT? What is S-CONCRETE? ! B-SECT, C-SECT and W-SECT have been replaced by one application called S-CONCRETE which has all the capabilities of B-SECT/C-SECT/W-SECT and considerably more. You can define and design Beam, Column and Wall sections in one interface. The BEAM options in S-CONCRETE correspond to the current B-SECT program; similarly the COLUMN options to C-SECT and the the WALL options to W-SECT. Q2. I only have a license for B-SECT/C-SECT/W-SECT. What do I install? ! Just install S-CONCRETE and choose the appropriate Setup Type for your license (on the installation screen shown below). The license you receive, or your security key (dongle), will decide how S-CONCRETE functions; for example if you only have a license/key for B-SECT, then only the BEAM options in S-CONCRETE will function fully.

Q3. What is the functionality of the S-CONCRETE options I do not have a license for? ! They are limited to those of a LITE version; generally you can appreciate how they function but they cannot be used on projects. You will see the following message if you try and use one of these options:

Page 5 of 6
SOFTEK Services Ltd 2006

SOFTEK Structural Office Release 7.0 FAQ Sheet

Q4. How do I fully enable options I dont currently have? ! Contact SOFTEK to enquire about purchasing a license; either email sales@csc-softek.com or call +1(604)273 7737 and ask for sales. Q5. Can I open a B-SECT/C-SECT/W-SECT file in S-CONCRETE? ! Yes, all *.BSE, *.CSE and *.WSE file can be opened in S-CONCRETE. When you save the file in S-CONCRETE it will be saved as an *.SCO file. Q6. Can I open an S-CONCRETE file in B-SECT/C-SECT/W-SECT? ! No; S-CONCRETE uses the new file type *.SCO which is not compatible with any versions of B-SECT/C-SECT/W-SECT

! !

Q7. What sections are contained in an S-CONCRETE file? An S-CONCRETE file contains only a single section; either a beam, column or a wall section. Q8. Can I link to B-SECT/C-SECT/W-SECT from S-FRAME V7? Not directly; S-FRAME V7 will link directly only to S-CONCRETE. This is only possible via the ASCII file export (S-FRAME) and Import Loads via TIM file (B-SECT, C-SECT) options.

Q9. Can I link to S-CONCRETE from S-FRAME V6.xx? ! Not directly; only S-FRAME V7 will link directly to S-CONCRETE. This is only possible via the ASCII file export (S-FRAME) and Import Loads via TIM file (S-CONCRETE) options.

Q10. Is there a printed V7 program manual I can refer to? Not currently. However there is a completely up to date Manual available in PDF format. This can be accessed from the Help Menu within the program and from the Start Menu once the program is installed; START/Programs/Structural Office7/S-CONCRETE Manual. The programs Help System has also been fully updated.

Q11. Are there New Tutorials I can look at? ! Yes; a multi-media (sound and video) Overview Tutorial is available from the Help Menu within the program. Q12. I still have questions, what do I do? ! Contact Support details on page 1.

Page 6 of 6
SOFTEK Services Ltd 2006