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Getting Started ​

This guide walks you through creating your first structural model in Calculus in about five minutes.

Opening Calculus ​

Navigate to the Calculus URL in your web browser. The editor loads immediately with an empty model and a default structural grid. No login or installation required.

The Interface at a Glance ​

When the editor opens, you'll see:

AreaLocationWhat it does
3D ViewportCenterYour model workspace — click here to create and select objects
Menu BarTop-leftFile, Edit, View, and Library menus
ToolbarTop-centerButtons for creating beams, plates, bolts, and other objects
Hint PanelBelow toolbarShows what to do next based on the current command
Property SidebarRight sideEdit properties of selected objects
Status BarBottom-leftShows how many objects are selected
View CubeCornerShows the current orientation of the 3D view
To do thisDo this
Rotate the viewRight-click and drag
Pan (move sideways)Middle-click and drag
Zoom in / outScroll the mouse wheel
Fit the whole model on screenPress Home
Change the rotation centerPress V, then click a point

Tutorial: Create a Simple Frame ​

Step 1 — Start with the grid ​

Your model already has a default grid with axes labeled 1, 2, 3, 4 (horizontal) and A, B, C, D (vertical). This grid provides snap points you'll use to place objects precisely.

Step 2 — Create your first beam ​

  1. Press 1 on your keyboard (or click Beam in the toolbar)
  2. Move your cursor to a grid intersection — you'll see a snap indicator appear
  3. Click to place the beam's start point
  4. Move to another grid intersection and click to place the end point
  5. A beam appears between the two points (default profile: IPE300, material: S355J2)
  6. You can keep clicking to create more beams, or press Esc to stop

Step 3 — Create a plate ​

  1. Press 2 (or click Plate in the toolbar)
  2. Click several points in the viewport to define the plate's outline — each click adds a corner
  3. When you've placed all corners, press Enter to finish the polygon
  4. A plate appears with the default 10 mm thickness

Step 4 — Edit object properties ​

  1. Click on the beam you just created to select it — it highlights and the Property Sidebar opens on the right
  2. In the sidebar, you can change:
    • Profile — Click the profile field and pick a different section (e.g., HEA200)
    • Material — Change from S355J2 to another material
    • Class — Change the color classification (0–14)
    • Position — Adjust vertical/horizontal positioning (top/center/bottom, left/center/right)
  3. Changes apply immediately — you'll see the beam update in real time

Step 5 — Move or copy objects ​

  1. Select the beam
  2. Press Ctrl+X to move, or Ctrl+C to copy
  3. Click a reference point (where you're moving from)
  4. Click a target point (where you're moving to)
  5. The object moves or a copy appears at the new location

Step 6 — Save your model ​

Press Ctrl+S (or go to File → Save As). Your browser downloads a .calculus file containing the entire model — all objects, catalogs, and settings. You can share this file with colleagues or open it later.

Selecting Objects ​

To do thisDo this
Select one objectClick on it
Add/remove from selectionHold Ctrl and click
Select by area (fully enclosed)Drag a box left to right
Select by area (crossing)Drag a box right to left
Select handles (edit points)Hold Alt while dragging a selection box
Deselect everythingClick on empty space

TIP

Dragging left-to-right selects only objects fully inside the box. Dragging right-to-left selects everything the box touches. This is the same convention used in Tekla Structures and AutoCAD.

Quick Command Access ​

Press Ctrl+K to open the Command Palette — a searchable list of every command available. Start typing (e.g. "bolt" or "mirror"), choose the command, and press Enter.

Next Steps ​

Now that you've created your first objects, explore the rest of the documentation: