Knowledge base

Checkbot Free – the structural design hub for FEA and CAD data

Checkbot

Licensing

v24.0

Checkbot Free offers unification and simplification of the workflow for users across various regions. It provides simplification of structural engineering workflows in communication through design data management and sharing between different tools.

The IDEA StatiCa Checkbot Free application works both as a plugin linked to a specific FEA or CAD tool and as a standalone application capable of importing, managing, and exporting different types of design data. For the majority of its capabilities, the paid license is not necessary. The only necessity for running it is a valid IDEA StatiCa user account. This means that also without the paid, educational, or trial license, the user can still leverage the advantages of the Checkbot Free features.

Checkbot is a part of the IDEA StatiCa install file. If the user has not yet created an IDEA account, they can simply follow this step-by-step guide to set up a Basic account.

Checkbot Free offers a range of functionalities aimed at improving project collaboration and efficiency:

Import compatibility: Users can import model data from all supported CAD and FEA tools directly into IDEA StatiCa Checkbot.
Sharing of design objects: Enables sharing of design objects such as members' geometry, cross-sections, and materials.
From FEA tools, also the internal forces for specific load cases and combinations are imported together with the structure.
From CAD tools, the detailed connection elements are transferred with all additional plates, bolts and welds.
File-based import: Besides the automated way of integration and importing, Checkbot also provides a direct import option. The stand-alone version of Checkbot can process data from SAF, IOM and RAM files.
File export: There is several possible outputs from Checkbot models, useful for sharing within communication. User can export .ideacon files, which can be opened in Connection app or cloud Viewer. Or, IFC file format can be even more useful when reading by other free or licensed tools, especially handy for the CAD models. Both file formats can be exported as for the specific structural node or multiple nodes at once.
Viewer access: Allows opening selected connections in our Viewer web browser tool, ensuring project details are easily accessible for review and discussion.

If you're interested in all useful Checkbot's benefits, learn more in this comprehensive feature-explaining article.

User's benefits of being 'Free'

Licensing flexibility: Checkbot is always included in a single IDEA setup package, where individual applications are being unlocked with a license. Checkbot tool is a 'Free' app working with all types of licenses. Even when all paid license seats are occupied, users can still perform imports and exports there.
Replacement of free Viewer plugins: All the features provided by previous CAD viewer plugins for Advance Steel, Revit, and Tekla are now available in Checkbot feature set. Therefore, these plugins are not being developed and supported any more. All their advantages with many more can be found in Checkbot now.
Unified solution: This also means that Checkbot centralized all the features useful for CAD tools users under one plugin button in the ribbon, one installation and one workflow.

Intuitive user experience

Informative tooltips: In Free version, some features are disabled and available only in Paid licenses. These commands were improved by feature tooltips explaining why they are unavailable, enhancing user understanding and navigation.
Clear identification: The free version is clearly labeled as "Checkbot Free" in the title, distinguishing it from the paid version.