1. Free license
Our software is free for students and teachers. Click here here to apply for your free license.
2. Use your email address from school
When creating a student account (and applying for your license at the same time), it is essential to use your correct name and your personal email address of the school. This is the only way we can identify you as a student and you will be guaranteed of a free license. Free licenses are never send to a non-school email addresses!
3. Request your license on time!
All license requests are manually checked and generated, on working days from Monday to Friday. After 18h, in weekends and on holidays we enjoy a well deserved rest. Count on 2-3 business days for the processing of your license request.
4. Learn from examples
Before starting your actual assignment, make a few examples. These will answer your first set of questions and you will make less mistakes afterwards. BuildSoft has a wide range of educational material to get you going:
- Getting started manual – http://www.buildsoft.eu/en/library/manuals
- YouTube videos – https://www.youtube.com/c/BuildsoftEu
- Knowledge Base - support.buildsoft.eu
- Build-in Help function – F1 in Diamonds and PowerConnect
If you still have questions, mail them to support
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5. Start with a simple model
A simple model is easy to use and remains understandable. You can expand this simple model stepwise.
6. Be critical towards results
Diamonds and PowerConnect are software programs. The software only does what the end users tells it to do. It’s not an art to get results from the software. The art is to decide whether the results are correct and acceptable. If you put (unconsciously) trash in , trash will come out. So, be critical when you get results! Ask yourself: Is this the result I expect?
7. Calculate something by hand
The basis for using analysis software is confidence in the results. Calculate a simple model by using the software and by hand, for example a beam on two simple supports. Compare the moments, reactions and the deflection. More advanced users can also calculate the steel verification or the reinforcement.
8. Schematize
Schematize the construction to a mechanical model. A mechanical model contains only the bearing structure. This is the set of beams, columns, walls and floors that transfer the loads to the foundation.
Non - bearing elements are elements that do not contribute (or in a negligible degree) to the strength, stability and stiffness of the structure. Examples of non-bearing elements are windows and doors, glass, insulation, thin walls (drywalls), (HVAC) techniques, ...
9. Verify the design standard settings
BuildSoft, part of StruSoft Group, is used in more than 50 countries around the world. Not all 50 countries use the same calculation rules. In Europe, we use the Eurocodes combined with a national annex.
Always verify the design standard settings (via the menu ‘Analyse’) before you start the calculation.
10. A Diamonds or PowerConnect training at your school
BuildSoft can provide trainings documents for high schools, colleges and universities. The content of the training is always adjusted to the level of the education and the courses. Some possibilities are for example: M-lines in beams, the behaviour of trusses, the behaviour of plates and even the full modelling of a 3D structure including connections. For more information, contact us at educationbuildsoft.eu.