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Enercalc
2

Enercalc

Enercalc

(OP)
Anyone heard the latest on the release of Enercalc 6?

RE: Enercalc

Below is an email response I received in response to a question regarding the torsional analysis in Enercalc.  This email was received on November 11, 2007.  I think it is well past "next week" so I guess they fell behind schedule.


Hi XXXXXXX,
 
I can't comment now because we are trying to get Version 6 out next week.
 
You can fax in a printout along with your statements and we can look into it in December.
 
Sincerely,



Michael D. Brooks, P.E., S.E.
ENERCALC, INC.
Web: http://www.enercalc.com

Note: All information offered is in support of ENERCALC software systems. No information shall be considered as professional consulting related to the providers professional registrations or affiliations.

 

RE: Enercalc

I've received similar responses from Mr. Brooks.  Version 6 was scheduled for fourth quarter this year but it doesn't look like that will happen.

The good part is in talking to Mr. Brooks, it sounds like we have some good improvements on the way.

RE: Enercalc

He sent us an email a week or two ago that said they were starting to send out the new version.  They were going to issue updates slowly at first and then ramp up when they found that the installations were going OK.

RE: Enercalc

Does anyone have experience with the new Enercalc 6?  Impressions?  

Does it have an ACI Appendix D module?

RE: Enercalc

we paid for version 6 a long time ago.  years.  I'm beginning to believe it will never be issued.  

RE: Enercalc

The web page has entirely changed in the last day and it now shows screen shots of v6.0 along with the information of v6.0.  I talked them and they stated that people are currently checking it and that it will be released this year.

We'll see, but because of the changes to the web page, I have to believe that it's getting much closer.

RE: Enercalc

I think it's best to let the communications from Mr. Brooks speak for themselves:

1. For the longest time their website stated "Version 6 Status - as 16 Aug 2007" and "At this time we are a matter of weeks away." Finally that disappeared when the new website was put online in the past couple weeks or so.

2. In July 2007, emails were sent out to users with links to videos "that highlight the basic components of Version 6". In the same email it states "These videos were created in May of 2007...well before the software was finished." This gave the receiver the impression that the software was finished at that point.

3. In June 2007, emails were sent out to users with the following statements: "Version 6 is close...." and ". . . release time is very, very close . . ."

4. In an email sent out to users in January 2007, it was stated "I want to state as fact that my team and I are committed to releasing Version 6 as soon as possible." Also it stated "We are currently looking for a release date of February 26th, 2007, available first as a download with printed CDs and manual to follow."

5. There used to be a page on their old website (located at http://enercalc.com/support/v58faq.asp) that stated that "Version 6 to be released early in 2004".

Here we are in late December 2007, and the package still has not been released. Where I come from, the above statements are called lies.

Can Mr. Brooks be trusted to keep his word . . . or has that question already been answered???

RE: Enercalc

If you are unhappy with Enercalc, there are a lot of other packages out there that do the same thing:

Here's a link to a spreadsheet entitled "IBC 2006 &ASCE7-05 edition" that calculates many of the structural provisions of the IBC (and it's free): http://www.seaoc.org/software/IBC-06-2.zip

Daniel Li has a bunch of spreadsheets that are relatively inexpensive (and you can download nearly fully-functional trials for free) that perform many of the same features:
http://www.engineering-international.com/

StruWare has a few different software packages at relatively inexpensive prices that perform some of the same functions:
http://www.struware.com/products.htm

Ditto that for StruCalc:
http://www.strucalc.com/

RE: Enercalc

I use struware for wind load calcs.  It's easy to use and gives alot of useful info.  

RE: Enercalc

Enercalc 6 has now shipped, still waiting for our copy.

RE: Enercalc

So has anyone received their updated version of the software?

RE: Enercalc

We have not received it, nor have we received any recent emails regarding when we will be receiving it.

The last email we received from the company was on December 1st. In that email it was stated "We will be working extremely hard in the final weeks of 2007 to be sure you receive your Version 6.0 . . ."

Since we started many projects long before 2007 was over and did not want to go back and recalculate things once (when / if) the software arrived, we have already made provisions to use a combination of packages other than Enercalc. We just couldn't wait any longer.

RE: Enercalc

(OP)
The Enercalc website has been changed to reflect version 6.  It is totally revamped.  We have not received our copy yet either.

RE: Enercalc

That's true, but the new version is not yet available. If you go to "Downloads / Free-Trial Software", (after entering some personal information) you can download a file entitled "ECSEL6_WDEMO.EXE". When you "install" this file, the following message appears:

"We are currently providing our Users with Version 6. When the initial release is complete we will be providing the Evaluation Software. Please check back soon."

Of course, if this "soon" is the same as the other times that it was stated it was coming soon, then we will still be waiting for awhile. We are registered users and received the same email as "castructuraleng" above, but have not yet received the software update.

RE: Enercalc

Nobody at Enercalc is returning calls.

woodengineer

RE: Enercalc

Gentlemen,

Version 6 is released and users have been being notified for a while. We are sending an email to each user giving them their delivery information. There is nothing available for download on the web site. Each user information is verified before the send....and thousands of users takes a while.

We are swamped beyond recent memory. If you called with a simple "I have not received my notice" message the business office would not have returned your call. If you emailed us with your KW number and user information clarifications they would have been recorded in the database (unless a conflict with existing information existed) and no response given.

If you DID NOT receive your December 1st email please send an email to v6_notices@enercalc.com and give us your "KW" registration number, email address, company name and contact name. We will not respond to that email but will make the database changes if the information matches our records well. If not they will give you a call.

If you contact us and don't leave your "KW" registration number the return call priotity is lower. And of course many times the message is spoken so fast or is garbled we cannot get enough information.

With a new software system users have many questions. They all take time....lots of it....and we are developing a FAQ section on the web site with new additions almost daily.

We thank all of our users for your extreme patience with our very delayed project.


Sincerely,

Michael Brooks
www.enercalc.com

RE: Enercalc

To add to castructuraleng's list:

Archon Engineering Software: http://www.archoneng.com/.

The modules appear to be reasonably priced.

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

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???????

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

(OP)
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.

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

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

RE: Enercalc

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

RE: Enercalc

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".

RE: Enercalc

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

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

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

RE: Enercalc

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

RE: Enercalc

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

RE: Enercalc

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.

RE: Enercalc

Anyone else have a problem with their Wood Beam Calculations?   ASD calculations are based on Mu<Mn/Omega as it would be for a steel beam.  For wood shouldn't it be based on fb<Fb?  I could be missing alot here.

RE: Enercalc

I have no idea why they were trying to force wood calcs into the steel format, but they have now changed it to a format compatable with the NDS.  One of many, many revisions they have made in the first few months of vesion 6's existance

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