Welcome to Structural Desktop

Support Center

Welcome to the Online Support Center. This should contain the information you need for Installation, Operation, and general questions regarding Structural Desktop. We are not able to support other products or problems that are not related to Structural Desktop. Please contact the proper vendor / vendors of those products. If you are a registered user of Structural Desktop, please use the "Support Form" below. This may take up to 48 hours before you get a reply.

If you have downloaded the "Trial" version, please refer to the following items as our time is limited. We put our Registered Users First .

Installation of Structural Desktop

Download the Current Installation Instructions
Verify the correct version
* Will not work with AutoCAD LT

Using Structural Desktop

Download the current Operation Manual ( version 4.0 )
Download the Tutorial ( version 4.0 )
All other documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	What are the requirements to run Structural Desktop
Structural Desktop needs a PC with Windows 95/98, Nt40 sp6a, 2000 Pro, XP home or XP Pro. Structural Desktop also requires AutoCAD or ADT from AutoDesk. Versions of AutoCAD supported are 2000, 2000i, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. ADT Versions 3.x - 2009 are also supported. AutoCAD LT WILL NOT WORK.
Question	What analytical programs does Structural Desktop work with?
Structural Desktop bridges the gap between your analysis file and your finished drawings. It can read GT STRUDL, RISA 3D, and STAAD.Pro files.
Question	What is an "Application Load" program?
Structural Desktop is an “Application Load” program, meaning that it is made to run inside AutoCAD and other AutoDesk programs. Structural Desktop is not a stand alone program. It is imperative that the installation instructions for Structural Desktop be followed exactly.
Question	What is the difference between a .DFX and a .HLD file?
A DXF file contains only AutoCAD lines. They know where they are in space, but they have no data associated with them. A DXF file of a 3-D model is a centroidal line model. A HLD or Hold file contains Structural Desktop members and elements as well as any AutoCAD information such as preferences and layer settings. These are intelligent objects that not only know where they are but what they are. The model can viewed in centroidal line, envelope, or solid mode.
Question	What data is shared between SDT and the analytical program?
Structural Desktop reads and writes: joint coordinates member and element incidences member and element properties units constants beta angles