User Guide

Overview
Version 5.0 5
Reviewing the Results
You can review your results graphically or with the spreadsheets. Spreadsheet
solution results (displacements, forces, stresses, etc.) are listed on the Results
menu. You can sort and filter these results to get exactly what you want. In the
graphic views you can click on the Plot Options button and choose the results
that you want to display; force diagrams, plate contours, deflected shapes, etc.
Important Assumption!
The tutorial is written with the assumption that RISA-3D has not been customized
and is in the default, installed state. RISA-3D allows you to customize its settings
so that it best suits your needs. If the installation of RISA-3D that you are using
has been customized then the options may not agree with those that are assumed
here, which may lead to some confusion. You may reset the program defaults by
selecting this option in the Preferences on the Tools menu.
Conventions Used in the Tutorials
Action Items
This tutorial builds upon itself from start to finish and it is important that you do
not miss a step and get off track. To help you avoid overlooking a step we have
underlined the action items that call for you to actually do something on your
computer. If you wish to work through the tutorial quickly you may scan for the
action items and read the details that interest you.
Using the Mouse
When we say to “click” something with the mouse, we mean move the mouse so
the mouse pointer on the screen is on the object. Once there, press and release the
left mouse button. Occasionally we will want you to click the RIGHT button. In
this case we will expressly say to click the RIGHT button. If we say click
something without mentioning which button, click the left button.
Using the Keyboard
During the tutorial, entries you are to type will be shown like this:
12 , 10 , ...
When you see an entry such as this, type it in exactly as listed, except don't type
the commas! When something is listed in brackets ([ ]), it means press the
particular key. For example, [Enter] means press the “Enter” key, [Spacebar]
means press the space bar, etc. “Alt-” and “Ctrl-” mean press the listed key
while holding down the Alt or Ctrl key. [F1], [F2], ... mean press the indicated
function key at the top of the keyboard.