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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://calcs.com/docs/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

In this series, we walk you through the power of Project Defaults. You will learn how to centralize your calculation data, whether that be site-specific wind and seismic parameters to custom load linking, using Project Defaults ensures that changes made in one place update across your entire project.
Why use Project Defaults? Instead of typing the same wind speed or deflection criteria into every beam calculator, define it once in Project Defaults. If the project location changes, simply update the address, and all linked calculations update automatically.
Check out our Project Defaults Cheat Sheet for a crash course on commonly used references.

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Jump to a video

Setting up Project Defaults

Address, wind/seismic mapping & building codes

Linking Defaults to Calculators

Using reference IDs & custom distributed loads

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Setting up Project Defaults and Site Parameters

Project defaults act as the central information hub for all your calculations. In this video, we review how to input your project address to automatically pull site-specific data (wind, seismic, snow) and configure your building codes. Key features covered:
  • Automatic Geo-location: Entering the project address pulls data from contours maps for Wind, Seismic (USGS), and Snow.
  • Building Codes: Default support for IBC, with options for California and Florida building codes.
  • Site Parameters: Define tornado considerations, deflection criteria (long/short term), and building geometry.
  • Custom Loads: Define custom distributed loads here to be used later.

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Linking Project Defaults to Calculators

Once your defaults are set, you can link them directly into specific calculators. This video demonstrates how reference IDs work and how to pull in the custom loads you defined earlier. We’ll take a look at the wood beam floor joist To link your data:
1

Open a calculator

Open any calculator (e.g., Wood Beam). You will see fields referencing Project Defaults with a reference ID (e.g., l_b).
2

Verify dynamic updates

If you change a value in Project Defaults (like bearing length), it automatically updates inside the calculator.
3

Link custom loads

In your load inputs, select Link to Project Defaults to pull in specific items, such as the mechanical unit defined in the previous video.

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Check out the next videos in our onboarding series:

Calcs.com Overview – Tools and Navigation

Philosophy, traffic lights, Member Selector, link loads and more

How to Organize Your Projects on Calcs.com

Organizing Projects in Calcs.com

Load Linking: Beams → Columns → Foundation

Joists, beams, columns, footings, and live linked updates

Load Linking: Wind Loads → Diaphragm → Shear Wall

Build a fully connected lateral load path