Question 1

Why the "Lite" in “Concept Lite”?

Accepted Answer

Concept Lite lets you quickly model your building and gives you real feedback about the impacts of design decisions related to geometry, materials, systems, manufacturers, and more.  It’s fun to use (...or so we hope!) and can help answer real questions.

However, Concept Lite is not a fully-featured concept design tool!  There are plenty of design options that can’t be modeled in Concept Lite.  Our real goal – Branch Concept Pro – is a tool to let you explore nearly any design and get precisely the data you need for decision-making.  Concept Lite is just the beginning.

Building an industry-changing concept design tool won’t be easy.  We need your feedback to help guide our product development!  Try Concept Lite and then let us know what you think! (https://www.branch3d.com/contact)

Question 2

How can I use Concept Lite on my project?

Accepted Answer

Use Concept Lite to quickly model your building, test-drive structural ideas, compare materials, and get a ballpark sense of carbon impact and material quantities. It’s a visual, exploratory tool for you and your stakeholders to see how design changes affect key metrics, all in real time. It’s free and you can start modeling almost instantly!

As your design progresses, if you want a deeper dive or an official engineering sign-off, you'll need to talk to a professional structural engineer—StructureCraft can help with that!  (https://structurecraft.com/contact-us)

Question 3

Are the quantities and carbon numbers real?  What are they based on?

Accepted Answer

As you change any input to your model – move a grid, change the outline, choose a new system, etc. – Concept Lite structurally analyzes the whole building for gravity loads, tracking dead and live loads through every panel, beam, and column.  For each element, it calculates the required strength and stiffness and chooses an efficient size that also meets the specified fire rating.  It sums up all of the resulting quantities and does the math to calculate structural, material, install, and carbon efficiency metrics.  Finally, depending on the manufacturers/regions you selected and the project location you entered, it calculates lifecycle carbon (including estimated transportation carbon).  It does all of this in real time!

How accurate is the result?  Roughly early-concept-design accurate.  In order to do all this calculation in real time (and to prevent every user from needing to fill out a 10-page basis-of-design questionnaire for each model), we’ve had to make some simplifying assumptions.  These assumptions are all reasonable and informed by our real-world experience as structural engineers across many projects, but they won’t necessarily exactly match your project’s case.  There’s more detail about specific assumptions elsewhere in this page, as well as in explainer text in the app.

Concept Lite does not analyze the structure for lateral loads (e.g. wind and seismic forces), so the member sizing does not account for those loads.  
 
This should go without saying...but Concept Lite is no substitute for having a consulting professional engineer on your project!  Contact StructureCraft i(https://structurecraft.com/contact-us)f you want to talk to structural engineers about your project.

Question 4

What about earthquakes, wind, and lateral forces?

Accepted Answer

While Concept Lite does a full gravity analysis, it does not analyze the structure for wind, earthquake, or other lateral forces.  You can add cores to your model, but the walls are not sized (for lateral or gravity forces); instead, they block out the floor framing and track gravity loads downwards.

Lateral loads can affect the early design of some structures – especially those in areas with high winds or seismicity – so we intend to incorporate further analysis and design capabilities in Concept Pro.

Meanwhile, contact StructureCraft i(https://structurecraft.com/contact-us)f you want to talk to a structural engineer about how lateral loads might impact your design concept.

Question 5

How do I get cost/pricing information for my project?

Accepted Answer

Concept Lite doesn’t currently include a cost estimator module (although it’s on the roadmap for Concept Pro!).  Instead, it focuses on showing quantities and relative carbon impacts.  However, those same quantities can help you or your project team develop cost estimates.

Need a more precise breakdown or ballpark pricing for mass timber or other structural systems? Reach out to StructureCraft—(https://structurecraft.com/contact-us)we’re happy to assist.

Question 6

My building isn’t a rectangle.  How can I customize the geometry?

Accepted Answer

Few projects are actually simple rectangles with uniform grids!  So, Concept Lite gives you plenty of ways to edit your building.  Click on a face and drag your mouse to push or pull that face.  Click the building outline to add a new corner, then drag it around.  Use the sliders to change typical grid spacing or drag individual grids around.  Push or pull on the top of the building to add or remove stories.  Our videos show more.

You can’t do everything in Concept Lite: setbacks, rotated framing, one-off column shifts, cantilevers...there are many common geometries that can’t be represented in Concept Lite.  That’s part of what makes it “Lite”.  This is only the first (publicly available) step on our journey towards a fully-featured concept design tool!

Question 7

If I enter my project’s location, does Concept Lite account for local building codes and fire rating requirements?

Accepted Answer

The location entered is used only to estimate transportation emissions as part of the carbon calculations.  Concept Lite does not use the location to check that you are meeting local zoning requirements.  Instead, Concept Lite relies on you to choose the proper inputs: height, fire rating, loads, etc.  The structural calculations assume standard US model codes (IBC, ASCE, etc.); it does not take into account any modifications specific to your project’s jurisdiction. Further support for additional jurisdictions, building codes, and structural calculations will be added in the Pro version of Branch Concept.

Question 8

What structural systems and materials does Concept Lite support?  Is it only for timber?

Accepted Answer

Concept Lite lets you explore multiple structural systems across different combinations of concrete, steel, and timber.  Built by a team of structural engineers with wide experience across all building types and structural materials, Concept Lite reflects that broad expertise by allowing a wide range of options.

Question 9

Can I come back to my designs later?

Accepted Answer

Yes: if you enter your email address, your model will be saved as a browser cookie.  If you return to Concept Lite later on the same device, you will resume editing the same model.  If you clear cookies, switch to a new device, use “incognito mode”, or switch browsers, you may lose your progress.

For now, Concept Lite doesn’t let you save multiple models.  If you want to come back to an option later or save multiple options, consider stashing “Share” links: each link generated by the “Share” button will recreate the model exactly as it was when you clicked the button.

Question 10

Can Concept Lite export my design or integrate with other tools?

Accepted Answer

Not yet!  For now, you can use the “Share” button to generate links to send to your friends and coworkers.  Easy integration with other tools is definitely on our to do list.

Sign up for our waitlist t(https://www.branch3d.com/waitlist)o be the first to hear about new features!

Question 11

What is (and isn’t) considered in the quantities?

Accepted Answer

We’re focusing on primary structural elements in the gravity system: beams, columns, floor/roof panels, and simple bearing-pad foundations.  Concept Lite estimates volumes and piece counts for those items only.  Within the structural scope, lateral systems, walls (even the core walls shown in the model), basement walls, complex foundations, and specialty framing (like for facade or stair supports) are excluded.  Fire protection materials are not included unless the fire rating is achieved via adding structural material, e.g. in the cases of exposed timber or slab on metal deck.  Non-structural materials like finishes, partition walls, MEP systems, cladding are not included.  We’ve tried to keep it streamlined so you can rapidly assess and compare different structural concepts.

Question 12

What is included in the carbon calculations?

Accepted Answer

Concept Lite calculates embodied carbon for the structural system using the methodology defined in the “H(https://www.istructe.org/resources/news/how-to-calculate-embodied-carbon/)ow to calculate embodied carbon (2nd edition)” g(https://www.istructe.org/resources/news/how-to-calculate-embodied-carbon/)uide from the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). (https://www.istructe.org/resources/news/how-to-calculate-embodied-carbon/) Only the structural materials are included in the carbon calculations: non-structural components like facade, finishes, mechanical systems, etc. are excluded.

Lifecycle assessment has many possible “system boundaries”.  Concept Lite considers the “cradle to handover” case: it includes the carbon required to produce the materials, transport them to site, and install them, but does not include the carbon required to operate the building or deconstruct it at the end of the building’s life.  Production carbon data is drawn from product- and manufacturer-specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) whenever possible; if specific EPDs are not available, we use estimated regional averages.  To calculate the transportation carbon, Concept Lite calculates routes to the Project Location that you put in the input panel.

Note that there is some variability in how EPD data is measured, especially between suppliers on different continents.  While we've done our best to allow for "apples to apples" comparisons, there may still be some "jumps" when switching between manufacturers.

Explore the Carbon tab in the output panel to see a detailed breakdown of your project’s calculated carbon!

Question 13

How do I see the size of specific elements?

Accepted Answer

Concept Lite sizes every beam, column, and floor in real time, using real structural analysis and design codes.  These sizes drive the quantity and carbon data shown in the outputs.  However, “Lite” doesn’t share all of the engineering data for each member; we’re saving that for Concept Pro!

For now, use the “Color by size” toggle in the navigation bar to see an approximate indication of member size.  In addition, the “Building Statistics” in the Summary output tab lists the minimum clear height found anywhere in your model.

Question 14

Where does the timber manufacturer data come from?  Why these manufacturers, but not <other manufacturer>?

Accepted Answer

As mass timber becomes more common, the number of suppliers and products continues to grow.  With Concept Lite, our goal wasn’t complete coverage, but instead to give users a realistic sampling of the options available.  To that end, we focused on mass timber manufacturers that commonly serve North America, with a bias towards manufacturers we’ve worked with before on projects.  If you want your products listed in Concept Pro, contact the Branch Team. (https://www.branch3d.com/contact)

Question 15

What kind of feedback are you looking for?

Accepted Answer

Concept Lite is only the start of our journey towards building a fully-featured concept design tool.  As we build Concept Pro, user feedback will be key to keep us pointed in the right direction.  We want to know about your concept design process!

• How did Concept Lite work (or not work!) for your project?  
 • What features do you wish it had?  
 • What kinds of design questions are you trying to answer at this phase of the project?  
 • What data would help you make decisions?  
 • How do you like to explore options?

Your feedback will directly shape our roadmap.  Try Concept Lite and then let us know what you think! (https://www.branch3d.com/contact)

Question 16

How do I sign up to be an early user of future Branch tools?

Accepted Answer

We need forward-thinking building designers to help us build the design tools of the future!  Sign up for the waitlist here. (https://www.branch3d.com/waitlist)

Question 17

Why do you ask for my email address?

Accepted Answer

If you use Concept Lite for long enough (or use certain actions), it’ll ask you to enter your email before you can proceed.  How people use Concept Lite will help inform how we build full-power Concept.  Email addresses are part of understanding who is interested in using Concept Lite for what.  We won’t contact you unless you check the box and sign up for the list.  We absolutely won’t sell your email address or anything sketchy like that.

For more details, read our Terms & Conditions (https://concept.branch3d.com/terms)and Privacy Statement.(https://concept.branch3d.com/privacy)

Question 18

Why isn't Concept Lite working well on my device?

Accepted Answer

Concept Lite was designed to run on a desktop or laptop with keyboard and mouse, in a commonly-used browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.  Building models are necessarily large and detailed, and there is a lot of data to display...it just works better on a larger screen!

That said, Concept Lite will still work on some mobile devices.  We've been testing it on our phones and iPads, with decent success.  However, it is more likely to be glitchy, and it may be difficult to control on a small screen.

If you're having trouble on your mobile device, try switching to a laptop: use the "Share" button to generate a link, then open that link on your laptop and keep modeling there!

If Concept Lite isn't working well on your computer, try switching browsers or disabling browser extensions.

Question 19

Where can I find Branch Concept Lite’s Terms & Conditions and Privacy Statement?

Accepted Answer

You can review our complete Terms & Conditions (https://concept.branch3d.com/terms)and Privacy Statement (https://concept.branch3d.com/privacy)at any time. These documents explain how we handle data, outline user responsibilities, and govern the use of Branch Concept Lite. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our team.(https://www.branch3d.com/contact)

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