RISA-2D

Structural design is definitely an activity for professionals, given the fact that it requires solid knowledge in this area. Analyzing and adjusting two-dimensional models that are created for such purposes also needs something special, namely an appropriate software solution that can render the models while providing the necessary tools for making the needed modifications on the spot.
Among the applications that were created juts for this type of job you can find RISA-2D. This program comes with an interface that hosts an impressive assortment of tools and functions, which are neatly organized in several toolbars and inside numerous menus.
If the editing commands are rather basic and pertain mostly to operations related to the lines inside the project, the viewing options that RISA-2D comes with are much more generous. Thus, it is possible to examine up close any element of the design.
Adding new items to the opened file is possible via the 'Insert' menu which puts at your disposal various elements. You will be able to put in grids, joints, wall panels and many more, then generate the structure.
Since it is very much similar to CAD programs in both features and functioning, it is only to be expected that RISA-2D supports saving to a file type that is compatible with the majority of such utilities, more precisely the DXF format.
A big plus for this application is the fact that it comes with a solid database containing a lot of material codes. This makes it more easy to design structures with concrete, metal (steel and aluminum) or wood.
All in all, the multitude of features that are packed in RISA-2D can make it a good choice for designers and engineers. The support for CAD files and the many materials it can work with also increase the overall value of the toolkit.