Braceworks® entertainment rigging software is an add-on module for Vectorworks Spotlight that provides design, production, and rigging professionals with an easy way to gauge the performance of temporary structures under load. By combining 3D structural analysis, design, and modeling software together, Braceworks helps ensure safety and compliance with engineering codes and standards, creating a completely integrated process in one interface.
Kylie Minogue Aphrodite Tour | Design by Nick Whitehouse, Illuminate Entertainment, Inc.
Regulatory requirements, such as the Eurocodes, and increasing requirements from venues, municipalities, and building owners, are making it necessary for event rigging, design, and A/V companies to produce load and structure calculations for sign off by structural engineers. Braceworks is the rigging and bracing structural analysis solution you can trust. It was originally developed in collaboration with DeerSoft GmbH, and is now solely developed by Vectorworks, Inc. with input from rigging professionals, venue operators, and event planning firms, so we're confident it will deliver the results you need.
With Braceworks, you can:
No. Braceworks is an entertainment rigging add-on module that can be purchased for use with Vectorworks Spotlight or Design Suite.
The Eurocodes that Braceworks checks include: EC3 (steel structures) and EC9 (aluminum structures).
No. Braceworks works on the same system requirements as Vectorworks software. Please refer to our system requirements page for the most up-to-date information and system recommendations.
No. Drawings are certified by structural engineers. While the calculation methods behind Braceworks are based on the Finite Element Method, the software does not replace structural certification or stamping. But, it will save you, your team, and your structural engineer tremendous amounts of time by generating the calculations directly from the model instead of by hand. Detailed calculation reports can be created. Models can be exported in DSTV format for collaboration with structural engineers using other FEA software.
We have done benchmark comparisons of calculations from Braceworks with the structural engineering packages Dlubal RSTAB and Scia Engineer. To see the comparison of results, please read this benchmark comparison in the Knowledgebase.
No. Our liability disclaimer states: the user of the software is solely responsible for the use of the software product and for the completeness and accuracy of the analysis and design results. The software does not provide certified calculations; certified calculations can be provided only by a licensed structural engineer. It is the user's responsibility to verify that all loads, forces, connections, and calculations comply with all manufacturer load tables, equipment labels, and engineering specifications. Equipment, structures, designs, and calculations must comply with all applicable standards (for example, ANSI, Eurocodes, etc.) And meet the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL WORK PRODUCT CREATED USING THE SOFTWARE.
Yes. Depending on the types of symbols you have, you may need to follow certain steps to make them Braceworks compatible. Please refer to the online help system for specifics.
Yes. You can select the cross section from our predefined list or create your own custom cross section
The following Spotlight plug-in objects can be hung on a Braceworks truss: lights, tv, projector screen, blended screen, LED screen, speaker, speaker array, and soft goods. Additionally, generic point loads and distributed loads can have customized geometric representations.
For pricing and ordering options, please visit the Braceworks pricing page.
Yes. You can now do Bridle Analysis is included with Braceworks.
Yes. Braceworks is a robust event rigging software that includes documentation capabilities. It provides a PDF report of all the load calculations needed, as well as a DSTV file that structural engineers may use to review the calculations in any structural analysis software.
Yes. Braceworks allows you to export spreadsheets for hoist locations.
Vectorworks has included truss content for several truss manufacturers who have agreed to provide the information for use in Braceworks. However, some manufacturers, such as Thomas and Tomcat, are not included in the default content provided at this time.
If a manufacturer you wish to have is missing from the default content provided, we recommend you contact those manufacturers to encourage their cooperation. In the meantime, for any content not provided by default, please refer to the online help system online help system for instructions on how to create your own truss content libraries.
Other users of Vectorworks Spotlight will be able to add objects such as truss, lighting devices, hoists, etc. However, only licensed users of Vectorworks Spotlight with Braceworks will be able to do calculations or reports.
We're happy to keep you informed and answer your questions about Braceworks. Complete this form to stay in the know or request a demo.
The Braceworks software customer is solely responsible for using this software product and for the completeness and accuracy of the analysis and design results.
Vectorworks, along with any partners or entities who have supplied data or content as part of the software product, does not guarantee the accuracy of any data provided by the customer or product manufacturer or the calculation results using such data calculations.
The software does not provide certified calculations; certified calculations can be provided only by a licensed structural engineer.
It is the user’s responsibility to verify that all loads, forces, connections, and calculations comply with all manufacturer load tables, equipment labels, and engineering specifications. Equipment, structures, designs, and calculations must comply with all applicable standards (for example, ANSI, Eurocode etc.) and meet the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction.
YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORK PRODUCT CREATED USING THE SOFTWARE.
