Follow these 3 steps and you’ll be engineering confidently in ClearCalcs in no time. If you'd like to get a full tour of ClearCalcs and all its features, [take a quick video tour](https://www2.clearcalcs.com/learn-with-clearcalcs). 

The 3 steps to ClearCalcs success:
- Create your first project
- Create your first calculation
- Export a calculation
 
In less than ten minutes, you'll have produced your first beautiful PDF report, and be ready to start learning advanced tricks like [linking reactions between columns and beams](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/24-linking-reactions-between-beams-and-columns-load-path-tracking), [swapping between materials](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/25-how-to-change-materials-for-example-swap-templates-between-timber-and-steel), or [adding your team](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/28-adding-users-to-your-account).

# Step 1: Create your first project
First things first, let's create your first project. ClearCalcs works by grouping sets of calculations (for example beams and columns) into projects tied to any name, job number, or address you like, so they're easy to find and manage.

For now, **just click the big green 'Create a New Project' button on the homescreen**. 

This will take you to the project details screen where you can specify a project name and address and start creating calculations. 

On the Project Details screen, you'll also see boxes for project defaults and preferred sections - these are great time-saving features, but we'll worry about them later!

Once you've created your first project and given it a name, you're ready to create your first calculation!

# Step 2: Create your first calculation

## Choosing a Calculation
ClearCalcs has a wide and growing range of calculations ( send us your suggestions!). To add a calculation to your project, **click the 'Add New Calculation' button in the sidebar** which will open up the new calculation selector screen. From here, you can **click any calculation you'd like to add it to your project** - the new calculation will automatically load and you will see your new calc highlighted in the sidebar showing it's currently active.

![[GIF] create-new-calc.gif](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/GIF_create_new_calc_65e0b60947.gif)

If you're not sure what to create, we suggest following along with our simple beam analysis calculation tutorial, but our engineering calculations help section has tutorials for plenty more.

**A Quick Note on Presets**
Some calculations (for example beams) have an added optional step after selecting the calculation where you can set a handy time saving 'preset'. 

![[BLOG] residential-architect-wood-joist.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_residential_architect_wood_joist_986e0225be.jpg)

All of these presets use exactly the same calculator, the only difference is that they change some time-saving fields as per the building standards (for example, floor joists are set as repeating members so they benefit from strength sharing). If you don't want to use these presets, just use the 'Generic' option.

## How to Use a Calculation
Once you load the calculation up, you'll be presented with the details panel where you can easily rename the calculation and view the basic usage notes and assumptions. You can dismiss this window by scrolling down or clicking the '^ Details' button on the right.

## Entering Data
From here, depending on what calculation you chose to create first, the exact fields you're presented with will differ, however, the great part about ClearCalcs is that all calculations follow the same easy to follow format - to get a quick result there are generally only three sections you need to worry about:

- **Key Properties** - generally includes the key geometry (eg. length), type of member currently being analysed, and support/restraint conditions
- **Loads** - easily enter loads to be factored and analysed, and link reactions with other members
- **Summary** - simple traffic light results showing % utilisation and diagrams

With these three sections, it's generally easy to get a calculation result in less than a minute. Using a beam as an example, simply specify a beam length, the support conditions (for example, if you want to cantilever), and the loads. The calculation and diagrams will automatically update and show you the pass/fail status of the beam as you work. 

If you're ever unsure about how to use a specific field or calculation, [simply click the field label in question](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/22-checks-references-conditions-and-assumptions) to get full references, checks, and assumptions, or click the help button on the bottom right of the screen to view find calculation specific tutorials, or submit a support request to our team (we love feedback!).

**Do I Need To Use The Other Calculation Sections?**
Advanced users can dive into more advanced criteria and modification factors using some of the collapsed sections (just click to open them up), but ClearCalcs calculations generally adopt a common/conservative default for these modification factors so you can confidently get a fast result.

## Getting a Calculation to Work
Once you've finished entering the geometry and loads of the calculation you want to analyse, you can continue to edit fields until your calculation passes satisfactorily. For selecting members in any of our materials, **[click "Autosize" to to automatically set the most efficient size](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/56-how-to-use-preferred-sections-and-autosize)**, or **[click the "Select..." button to access the member selector](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/26-quickly-finding-the-best-section-with-the-member-suggestor)** summarising results and letting you drill down to your desired selection. (You can also swap materials, but we'll talk about that in advanced tips!)

![[GIF] traffic lights.gif](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/GIF_traffic_lights_dfd73d1754.gif)

Once your calculation passes, the governing check at the top of the screen will show green or yellow (red means fail!) and you're now ready to export! 

# Step 3: Export a calculation report
Congratulations! You're now ready to export your first report to PDF!

All you need to do is select the 'Export' button to begin the process. From here, you can either export the entire project or select a specific sheet to export, as well as toggle several advanced print settings If you would like a one-page print, just select 'Summary' print mode. **For now, just accept the default settings and click Export to download your report!** 

The report should download as a PDF to your computer which you can then email to a client or print.

Congratulations! You've just produced your first professional PDF calculation report!

If you didn't set it up earlier, you can add your organisation's logo and name by going to the Settings tab on the homescreen, or edit how your name appears on the print out by clicking your user profile on the bottom left of the screen. 

# What to do next
Once you're up and running with your first few calculations, the fun really begins! ClearCalcs was created to make design calculations the easiest part of every engineer's job. There's a lot of cool things to try out, and you can find them all in our advanced tricks help section, but we'd suggest starting with these three:

- [Link reactions between columns and beams](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/24-linking-reactions-between-beams-and-columns-load-path-tracking)
- [Swap between materials (eg. change from timber to steel)](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/25-how-to-change-materials-for-example-swap-templates-between-timber-and-steel)
- [Find your preferred section faster with preferred sections and autosize](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/56-how-to-use-preferred-sections-and-autosize)

Hungry for more? Check out our [advanced tricks section](https://support.clearcalcs.com/category/72-advanced-tricks), view detailed [tutorials for engineering calculations](lhttps://support.clearcalcs.com/collection/6-engineering-calculations), or view some help[ webinars and videos on our YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqxAVCYc_ORPnUmQqELwY6w). We absolutely adore feedback and we'd love to hear about your first experience with ClearCalcs, and any suggestions you may have for us. Drop us a line at hello@clearcalcs.com!

Follow these 3 steps, and you’ll be engineering confidently in ClearCalcs in no time. 

3 Simple Steps to Start Your First Structural Calculation with ClearCalcs

As building professionals, you may be required to have a basic understanding of structural technology to perform structural design analysis and calculations for your projects. 

Unfortunately, most structural design software isn't designed for residential architects -- which is why, as an architect, you've likely faced these issues:
- Most structural engineering software is too elaborate for architects to use
- They are expensive, as they are loaded with different features you're never likely to use
- You often need to dedicate many hours to understand or become familiar with the software

Additionally, while there is plenty of simpler software available, you often need to use 3+ tools to help with designing different materials or to spend a long time manually to make your entire design work.

In this article, we will be walking you through how to easily set up your structural calculation for common structures in residential houses in ClearCalcs within minutes.

_Looking to try structural design software right away? You can open one with ClearCalcs in under 2 minutes and [sign up for our free 14-day trial.](https://clearcalcs.com/signup)_

Want to find out the exact steps you'll need to go through in order to create your structural calculation? Keep reading!

## What do you need to get started with structural design

Here is what you need to get started with your structural design calculations. 

### Your drawing plan
Generally, the structural design process begins with the design blueprint of the residential house being built. This will enable you to identify the relevant members involved in the construction and select the most suitable materials that can safely uphold the structure. 

![[BLOG] residential-architect-plan.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_residential_architect_plan_707fb60e09.jpg)

The most common members you can design in ClearCalcs:
- wood beams like roof headers, floor joists, rafters, those for load bearing wall removal, etc.
- wood columns like posts for decks, stud walls, or even lally columns
- footings such as spread footing or pad footing, and pier footing for a deck

### Your project setup
In ClearCalcs, your set of calculations (like beams, columns, and footings belonging to the same structure such as a residential house) is grouped in a project tied by the project name, job number, client name, address, and building standards. 

![[BLOG] residential-architect-project-set-up.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_residential_architect_project_set_up_319659822e.jpg)

To create your project:

**1. Identify your building code**
When you sign up to ClearCalcs, you will be automatically assigned a default building standard based on your selected country of origin. 

For example, if you're an architect from the United States, you will be assigned the US building standard, and your calculation will default to the International Building Code (IBC) 2018. 

You can change the building standard applicable to your project once you have identified the specific member you want to calculate for.

**2. Input your address**
This feature currently only locates the project in the Google Map. Future integration will include automatic calculation of wind load specific to your project.

**3. Set your preferred sections (optional)**
If you already have specific material (wood or steel), manufacturer types, or species you will be working with for your project due to clients' requirements, you can [set your preferred sections](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/56-how-to-use-preferred-sections-and-autosize) so you can save time to quickly access the list of your favorite sections in your calculation.

## How to set up your first structural calculation 

Now that you're ready with your residential layout and project information. Here's how to get started with your first calculation. 

**1. Identify the structure you're designing**
Let's say you are designing a residential deck comprising four main structural elements of deck joist, deck beam, deck post, and pier footing. You can start with your calculation by [adding a new calculation](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/132-creating-new-calculations) to your project and choosing[ Wood Beam to ASD or LRFD Requirements: Wood Joist Calculator](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/us/timberBeamASD). 

![[BLOG] residential-architect-wood-joist.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_residential_architect_wood_joist_986e0225be.jpg)

_Note: Not sure which to use? Based on our user data, it's most common to use ASD for Wood and LRFD for Steel._

**2. Input the key properties of your member**
This generally includes the key geometry (eg. beam plan length) and the support conditions (fixed, pinned, or roller support).

_Note: Need more info about the different support types? Read our support guide on [how to enter beam supports in ClearCalcs](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/148-how-to-enter-beam-supports-imperial-units)._

![[BLOG] residential-architect-key-inputs.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_residential_architect_key_inputs_4cd574139b.jpg)

**3. Input loads**
Easily enter loads to be factored and analyzed on your calculation. In ClearCalcs, you can add different loading types in combination to your member. 

![[BLOG] residential-architect-load-input.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_residential_architect_load_input_16be0a4898.jpg)

**4. Select your material type**
Once you've finished entering the geometry and loads of the calculation you want to analyze, you can evaluate if your calculation passes satisfactorily by selecting your desired type members in any of our materials libraries.

![[GIF] traffic lights.gif](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/GIF_traffic_lights_dfd73d1754.gif)

The Member Selector will automatically summarize your governing checks to make sure your calculation passes in green or yellow (red means fail)! 

## What else can you do with ClearCalcs?
What else can you do in ClearCalcs once you have created a calculation? Here are a few things:

### Link the reactions of your loads with other load-bearing members 
The problem with manually doing your design calculations is that anytime you work with two or more load-bearing members, you need to update your calculations every time you make changes upstream or downstream. 

With ClearCalcs, you can [easily link reactions between beams, columns, and foundations](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/24-linking-reactions-between-beams-and-columns-load-path-tracking) as point loads or line loads where applicable. And the loads will be dynamically tracked through the structure in the same project. 

![Load linking between beams and columns](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/load_linking_98297dfb69.jpg)

If the top calculator's reactions change, the loads being inherited onto the lower calculator will update automatically. No need to copy and paste reactions between calculations! 

### Export your calculation for submittals to permit reviewers
ClearCalcs [export feature](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/23-exporting-calculations-and-member-schedule) enables you to either export the entire project or select a specific calculation to export as a summary. 

![[BLOG] printout-example.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_printout_example_c5f754db1c.jpg)

The report automatically includes the governing checks of each calculation as well as clear assumptions such as the design code, references, etc.

_Ready to start calculating in ClearCalcs? [You can use the account for 14 days for free](https://clearcalcs.com/signup), with no commitment required. Need ClearCalcs for a one-off project? Subscribe to our month-to-month plan and cancel anytime, no questions asked._



How to easily set up your structural calculation for common residential structures with structural design software like ClearCalcs.

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3 Simple Steps to Start Your First Structural Calculation with ClearCalcs

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