RSG Software features CFS cold-formed steel design software for AISI and ASCE Specifications. Providing the most comprehensive and widely used cold-formed steel component design software for structural engineers. Apr 27, 2019 CFS 9.0. CFS is a comprehensive general-purpose cold-formed steel component design tool. CFS 10.0.0.4 (latest) CFS 7.0 CFS 6.0. No specific info about version 9.0. Please visit the main page of CFS on Software Informer. Share your experience: Write a review about this program Read more.

Version 4.3
• Expiration date extended to January 1st, 2017.

Version 4.2
• Expiration date extended to January 1st, 2016.

Version 4.1
• Expiration date extended to January 1st, 2015.

Version 4.0
• Updated to comply with 2009 I codes.
• Updated to include SSW portal applications (in C-SW09 catalog)
• Updated to include S/SSW 1st story raised floor applications (in C-CFS10 catalog)
• Updated to include S/SSW two-story stacked applications (in C-CFS10 catalog)
• Updated to include SSWAB anchorage solutions for SSW and S/SSW
• Updated SW anchorage solutions to include both SWAB and SSTB
• Updated to include second story floor joist depth of 18in
• Updated .pdf documents under the Tools pulldown menu to include new applications
• Revised to permit negative axial loads
• Revised User's Manual

Version 3.8
• Wall Bracing Design mode has been removed.
• Simpson Strong-Tie now has an online Prescriptive Design Center developed to provide equivalent wall-bracing solutions based on the wall-bracing requirements of the International Residential Code® (IRC) and the Conventional Light-Frame Construction Section 2308 of the International Building Code® (IBC).

Version: 1.0.0

Category: Lateral Systems
Updated: Dec. 2016

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• Strong-Wall® Shearwall Selector

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CFS Designer version 4.0.0.13
• Fixed error with wall stud and 1-span opening referring back to initial defaults for load, bracing and connections

CFS Designer version 4.0.0.11
• Yield strength settings fixed to not reverting to default setting in 1-span opening.
• Issue with multiple built-up members in 1-span opening not saving proper built-up
• Wind load in 1-span and wall stud module fixed to not revert back to default 20psf.

CFS Designer version 4.0.0.6
• Fixed an error with a crash in 1-span opening

CFS Designer version 4.0.0.1
• Addition of S100-16 w/ S1-18 amendments
• Import of Wind load to 1-span opening and kneewall modules
• Enhanced wind module layout
• Additional on-screen report for required loads for wall stud module
• Added HYS and 150 track leg to Connector Selector
• Added images to member settings for 1-span opening
• Added interior/exterior condition option to stacked wall module
• Enhanced point load selector in kneewall module
• Added connection selector in floor joist module
• Added a negative sign to outward load in rafter module
• Check Bending and Axial and Bending and Tension are now listed separately in rafter module
• Changed stacked shearwall and stacked x-brace modules to LRFS shearwall and LRFS x-brace
• Added non-composite 2, 3 and 4 stud configurations to LRFS shearwall and x-brace module
• Updated all outputs to be more concise, consistent and easier to read

Version 3.4.3.0
• Error loading design combination 4
• Error saving connection design for R1 in beam input
• ASCE Wind ASCE 7-16 slight modification 30.3-2A overhang, 30.3-2C overhang, 39.3-2H and 30.3-2I
• ASCE 7-16 added Partially Open Building to Enclosure Classification

Version 3.4.2.0
• Bug in exporting of members from wall with opening module to beam input for older version files has been fixed
• Bug in Rafter framing has been fixed that had incorrectly initialized inputs for load combinations
• Wall Stud module optimized to help reduce lag time
• Corrected issue that corrupted CFS designer file
• Fixed wind export to export max height of wind loads when building taller than 60ft
• ASCE 7-05 issue corrected with ASD check box

Release Notes – CFS Designer v3.4
• Incorporated S100-16 as an option in CFS Designer
• Added ASCE 7-16 wind load into the wind module for component and cladding wall and roof loads
• Ability to transfer wind load from the wind module to the wall stud module based on user selected tributary area
• Added user selected tributary area to wind module for customize reporting
• Added ability to input multiple parapets in wind module customize reporting
• Added an on screen wind summary in the wind module for both wall and roof loads
• Modified wind module report to make easier to read
• Updated images in wall stud and beam input module to include arrows to indicated load direction as well as color filled trapezoidal loads similar to the uniform loads
• Added ability in wall stud and beam input module to design cantilever based on 2xcantilever or 2x(cantilever + span inflection point)
• Updated all connection to the C-CF-2020 Simpson Catalog
• Modified the on-screen member summary for wall stud module to be easier to read interactions as well as added web stiffener location requirements
• Create a new work space report generator that allows user to organize reports in any fashion
• Created 3 and 4 stud option configurations in stacked shearwall module (similar to stacked x-bracing module)
• Cleaned up all layouts to line up input boxes and adjust alignment
• Fixed a web stiffener callout error in rafters that was incorrectly noting web stiffener not needed. Note it was showing stiffener needed in on-screen summary.
• Fixed report error in stacked shear walls for No 10 fasteners in 68 mil (not no 8)
• Updated defaults to be more relevant start points
• Fixed an error where HSS member and reaction not updating on screen
• Updated all links to CFS Catalog to the C-CF-2020 Simpson Catalog
• Fixed issue with Windows 10 and close minimize and maximize button missing
• Added tool tip for kneewall seismic and wall with opening module
• Updated 'CFS design has an update' button and 'license file message' to have better instructions

Version 3.2.0.4
• Corrected error with vertical load for design of connections wall stud and beam input
• Corrected error with back to back, boxed, built-up sections for axial/moment interaction

Version 3.2
• Reorganized design tool layout
• Wall stud module to design wall stud framing with enhanced loading inputs and design
• New wall stud module output
• Wind module added to design components and cladding for walls and roof
• Added CFS connections to beam input, wall stud and wall with opening
• Added base clip connections to beam input, wall stud and wall with opening
• Enhanced layout for rafter module
• New output for rafter module which includes max gravity and uplift loads
• Ability to design lay-in headers in wall with opening module using strongback/lateral track option
• Added ability to add multiple holdowns at each connection for x-brace and stacked shearwalls
• Added on screen connector summary report for stacked x-braced and stacked shearwalls
• Added 3 and 4 stud configurations for stacked x-braced and stacked shearwalls.

Version 3.0
• ASD option for stacked shearwalls
• Load modifiers for stacked shearwalls (lapped sheet steel, and gypsum board opposite side)
• Enhanced Wall with Opening module interface
• Added the option to use Prox header in the Wall with Opening module
• Added an Interaction check for single member headers in Wall with Opening Module
• Ability to design Box header with different load anologies in Wall with Opening Module
• Enhanced images for custom sections
• Enhanced layout for joist module
• Added SCS clip as an option in connection design
• Added SureBoard to simple shearwalls
• Added holdowns to simple shearwalls

Version 2.8.7
• Fixed issue with wall with opening Built-up jamb showing interaction with no member selected.
• Fixed issue of clearing red “fail warning” on wall with ongoing member summaries that worked.

Version 2.8.5
• Fixed an issue causing opening to crash in wall with openings
• Fixed an issue that showed incorrect reaction for existing openings that were not recalculated.

Version 2.8.4
• Corrected an issue with the latency of wall with opening program using built-up members for jambs.
• Corrected and incorrect and conservative value for Sure-Board for fastener spacing of 2/6 for w1 variable.

Version 2.8
• A new kneewall module has been added. The new module designs low-wall and overhead cantilevered studs, moment connectors and anchorage.
• Added Sure-Board® as an option for sheathing in stacked shearwall module.
• Added Sure-Board® ER-126 to web links under report.
• In the General Interaction module added maximum shear force for checking bending and shear interaction.
• Re-organized and added text to the connection designer in beam input and wall with openings module.
• Added a X-distance user input to determine a corresponding shear, moment and deflection value in beam input diagrams.
• An error in wall with opening module for built-up members when imported to Beam Input has been corrected.
• An error in wall with opening module for built-up members for axial/moment interaction has been corrected.
• The Stacked X-Brace summary report was updated to note that negative values represent uplift and positive values of factored net uplift are indicative of no net uplift. The Ratio (Factored Net Uplift)/Holdown Capacity) was also corrected to be zero when there is no net uplift.
• Stacked X-Brace deflection calculations were updated to include resisting dead load in accordance with ASCE 7 load combinations when determining holdown deformation.
• Stacked Shearwall deflection calculations were updated to include resisting dead load in accordance with ASCE 7 load combinations when determining holdown deformation.

Version 2.5
• A new stacked x-braced module has been added. The new module follows AISI S240 and S400 and allows up to 8 stories. ASD or LRFD options available
• A new stacked shear wall module has been added. The new module follows AISI S240 and S400 and allows up to 8 stories. CFS v2.5 allows LRFD input. Future versions will allow ASD.
• Connection design has been completely redone in beam input and wall with opening module. Design is much more flexible. All Simpson by-pass connectors and all anchors in CFS catalog as well as base track, slotted track and slip track can be designed in CFS designer. Rollers and pin supports have also been added to the beam input module
• Wall with opening module general tab has been modified. Additional header load and additional stud axial load are now located under vertical loads and can be combined with wall self-weight. Option for excluding or including tributary self-weight has been added. Flexural bracing for jamb and stud has been separated and bracing has been re-organized.
• Well over a dozen tool tips have been added to the software to help better understand what the software does and provide information that may be useful on particular subjects.
• Quick links to CAD drawings, connectors, code reports and technical topic articles have been added.
• Increased the text space for models within the workspace allowing longer names to be easier to read.
• Added the ability to organize workspace alphabetically or entered order
• Created a standard name generator for custom shapes
• Added the ability to move any of the wall with opening module members to the beam input
• Output for beam input module has been slightly modified to make the section and connection information easier to read
• Default Summary Report pdf file names have been modified to their model name

Version 2.0.3
• An error generated when printing WorkSpace Reports for files with a large number of models was fixed.
• A warning dialog box regarding delays resulting from printing large WorkSpace Reports was added.
• An issue with stacked walls that displayed on-screen and in the summary report the wrong maximum interaction value for certain inputs was fixed.
• A Summary Report error incorrectly displaying results for sections with web stiffeners required for negative reactions was fixed.
• An issue that caused custom sections in Y-Y Axis orientation to show results as if they were in their X-X orientation was fixed.
• An error that could cause built-up members in Walls With Openings to not print was fixed.
• An error that could cause the Sheathing Parameters inputs to be invisible when a model with sheathing bracing was saved was fixed.

Version 2.0.2
• Performance issues related to speed when designing Stacked Walls were fixed.
• Issues in Walls with Openings that could cause a crash when switching from a Walls with Openings model to a Beam Input model were fixed.
• The Walls with Opening on-screen Summary Report checkbox for Wall Studs was fixed to remain unchecked if unchecked by the user.
• An error was fixed that caused the ‘Save’ dialog box to appear in Walls with Openings even if no input changes had occurred.
• An error that would cause a crash if certain Walls with Openings dimensions were input incorrectly was fixed.
• The Shear Wall Results screen now shows v(allowable) in red if it is less than v(applied).

Version 2.0.1
• Cantilever (parapet) deflections were added to Walls with Openings Summary Report
• The Summary Report for HSS analysis was updated to include negative support reactions
• The on-screen Member Summary was updated to correctly show the moment ratio heading Mmax/Mayo for Y-Y Axis members and to include the Ft-lb units for Ma(Brc).
• The User Interface was updated to properly display the location of Point and Sloped Loads on Wall Stud or Beam/Joist models
• The Walls with Openings maximum height validation value was increased to 100 ft for each input height.
• The Walls with Openings UI was updated to allow zero input for the dimension between the header and the upper support location.
• A bug that for certain combinations of Walls with Openings input would not allow the user to save 97-mil framing members was fixed.
• Updates to printing were made to eliminate extraneous pages from reports.
• A bug that caused Beam Input models with Built-Up sections to not save correctly was fixed.
• For Beam Input models with Built-Up sections, the on-screen summary and the Summary Report were updated to eliminate the M + Torsion column.
• Summary Report notes regarding connection multipliers for opposite load direction were deleted from reports where connection designs were not included.
• A handful of minor bugs that caused incorrect validation warnings and errors to be displayed were fixed.
• Section input dropdowns were updated to include consistent ranges of flange size and thickness for all the Design Tools
• A bug that could cause WorkSpace Reports to print incorrectly when Walls with Openings were included was fixed.
• The on-screen code year display for HSS designs was corrected to consistently read “ANSI/AISC 360-10, ASD”.

Version 2.0
• Added a new tool that automates the design of a system of stacked load-bearing walls for up to 8-stories of stud framing. Existing CFS Designer V1.5 users can contact
  cfs-designer@strongtie.com for a coupon for $100 off the normal price.
• Text format issues for headers in the Floor Joist report have been fixed.
• Fixed a UI issue associated with C_b input for the General Interactions module.
• For the General Interactions module, the input Lm value for distortional buckling was not being correctly applied. This bug has been fixed.
• For the General Interactions module, an incorrect validation error appeared when Axial Lm was set to zero. This has been fixed.
• HSS sections have been updated to ANSI/AISC 360-10.
• For the X-Bracing module, a bug has been fixed to prevent a program crash when using text input for the chord axial bracing.
• For the Wall with Opening module, a bug associated with sill reactions for certain duplicated models has been fixed.
• The default for Cold-Work of Forming was incorrectly set to “Ignore”. This default has been changed to “Include”.

Version 1.5
• CFS Designer has been updated for the AISI S100-2012 Code. The User’s Manual has also been updated to reflect this addition.
• Corrected the Summary Report for Boxed and Back-Back members so that the allowable weak-axis bending moment is not displayed for these members. CFS Designer does not calculate weak-axis properties for Boxed and Back-Back members.
• Corrected a bug associated with the calculation of Cb when KyLy was set to “None”.
• In the Floor Joist module, fixed a bug concerning the On-Screen Summary Report for the Moment Ratio. The report was based on 60 inches when it should have been set to Full Bracing.
• Corrected a bug for X-Bracing. The program was incorrectly calculating the number of required fasteners when the Seismic Increase Factor was set to “Strap Strength”.
• When the Code Year was set to 2010, the program was resetting the Code Year Label to 2007 when switching between program modules. The calculations were being carried out correctly for the 2010 Code; it was just the label under Member Settings that was in error.
• For certain loading configurations under Beam Input the wall stud dimensions were not displayed in the Summary Report. This has been fixed.
• For Sloped Loads input under Beam Input a validation error will now be generated if Y-Start is greater than Y-End. The program was previously not displaying this error.
• For Point Loads input under Beam Input a validation error will now be generated for point loads that fall off the end of the beam/stud. The program was not previously displaying this error.
• A few users were having issues generating Workspace Reports for certain large files. This bug has been fixed.

Version 1.4.2
• V1.4.2 fixes the January 1, 2016 auto update bug

Version 1.4.1.0
• V1.4.1.0 permits users to give a unique name to custom sections.
• A bug with on-screen member summary results was resolved.
• Bugs associated with printing workspace reports and saving files with built-up members have been resolved.
• The sheathing braced design option for axial loaded studs was not working in V1.4 and has been fixed in V1.4.1.0.
• V1.4 was giving SUBH bridging solutions when the bracing was set to 'None'. V1.4.1.0 fixes this issue.
• The User's Manual has been updated to include information on Simpson Strong-Tie® connectors.

Version 1.4
• For the General Interactions module the program was previously allowing inputs for weak axis bending for z-sections. These inputs are now grayed out since CFS Designer does not calculate weak axis bending capacity for z-sections.
• Some of the dropdown boxes for z-section input dimensions were not functioning properly. This has been fixed.
• The help file has been updated to address recently added functionality.
• A bug associated with the erroneous input of point loads falling off the end of a beam or stud has been fixed.

Version 1.3
• A new summary report has been created for the Beam Input Design Tool. One page output will now be produced for a two-span condition with top and bottom cantilevers.
• Summary reports for all models in a workspace can now be printed in a consolodated .pdf file using the WorkSpace Report button.
• Z-Sections can now be analyzed under Custom Sections.
• The section graphics have been enhanced under Custom Sections.
• Graphics have been added to the drop-down boxes for connections.
• LSUBH bridging connectors are now designed along with SUBH and MSUBH connectors.
• Designers can now choose to design bridging connectors using 2% of the applied load per AISI S211, or 1% of nominal load per AISI S100.
• Fixed a bug concerning the reported deflection for beams/studs that don't have bending loads.
• Fixed a bug with the allowable axial load for sheathing braced design for the Beam Input Design Tool.
• Fixed a bug concerning the reported reactions for built-up members for the Beam Input Design Tool.
• Fixed a bug concerning the on-screen summary results for the maximum value of the shear/moment interaction for the Beam Input Design Tool.
• The X-Brace Design Tool has been updated for the IBC 2012 code and will now check the aspect ratio for Section C4.1 of AISI S213-07/S1(2012). An aspect ratio greater than 2 is not permitted.
• For the X-Braced Design Tool a bug for manually entered connection design values has been fixed.
• For the Shearwall Design Tool the program now uses the Framing Thickness instead of the Chord Thickness to determine the allowable shear.
• For the Shearwall Design Tool the program has been updated for the IBC2012.

Version 1.2
• Fixed typos in the Interaction Summary Report, the Wall with Opening Summary report, the X-Braced Summary Report, and the General Interactions Summary Report.
• Fixed a bug with the On-Screen Connector Summary when Track/Other was selected in certain scenarios.
• Output resolution has been enhanced for graphic images.
• A note concerning sheathing fasteners has been added to the Shearwall Summary Report.
• The validation limits for the Deflection Load Modifier have been relaxed.
• Fixed errors with the status bar not turning red, and for correctly displaying the deflection limit when lateral loads are not present.
• The program will now prompt users to save before duplicating models.
• For General Interactions, fixed bugs associated with calculating Cb, and y-axis bending for boxed sections.
• Fixed a bug so that the Diagram Tab will not disappear after resetting point loads and sloped loads.

Version 1.1
• Fixed various bugs associated with built-up members with the beam input tool.
• Fixed the on-screen member summary and status bar for the beam input tool to display the proper deflection values.
• Fixed the K_tL_t axial bracing setting for the beam input tool so that it enables and disables properly.
• Fixed a small typo in the summary report for the wall with opening tool.
• Fixed the program so that sheathing braced design cannot be selected for Y-Y axis bending.
• Fixed a small bug associated with validation errors with custom CFS sections in the beam input tool.
• Added a summary report for built-up members.

Version: 4.0

Category: Cold-Formed Steel
Released: January 14, 2021

Release NotesRequirements

Simpson Strong-Tie® CFS Designer™ gives cold-formed steel (CFS) Designers the ability to design CFS beam-column members according to AISI specifications and to analyze complex beam loading and span conditions. Intuitive design tools automate common CFS systems such as wall openings, up to eight stories of interior or exterior load-bearing studs, compression posts for shearwalls, eight stories of stack x-brace or shear wall design,floor joists with unbalanced live-load combinations, and low-wall moment connections. CFS Designer™ allows the design of multiple systems within the same job file, and supports connection design for specific Simpson Strong-Tie® curtain wall and bridging connectors like the SUBH u-channel bridging connector.

Additional features include:

• Simpson Strong-Tie CFS Designer provides a wall stud and beam stud design tool that allows Designers to model up to 3-span beams with overhangs at each end. Designers can also add a complex array of distributed, sloped, and point loads.
• CFS Designer automates the complicated design provisions of the AISI CFS Specification. Stress checks include; braced and unbraced moment, shear, web-crippling, axial strength, and all code-required combined interactions. The 2016 w/ S1-18, 2016, 2012, 2010, 2007, and 2004 AISI Specifications are covered by the software.
• CFS Designer enables the design of single stud and track members, built-up box-sections, back-back sections, nested stud, track sections, and proxheaders. In addition, when CFS members are not a practical solution, the software enables the design of HSS sections according to the AISC 13th Ed.
• In addition to modeling beam problems, CFS Designer also provides a set of tools that automate the design of wall openings for windows and doors, eight stories of x-braced and sheathed shearwalls, floor joists, roof rafters, up to eight stories of load-bearing studs and provides the design of low-wall moment connections.
• CFS Designer can simplify your curtain wall connector, anchorage and bridging design. This software automates the design of by-pass connectors, slotted track, slip track, base track as well as SUBH and MSUBH bridging connectors.
• CFS Designer provides an intuitive user interface that enables the engineer to save engineering models in a single file. Output files are generated in Adobe Acrobat format and can be saved as separate files as needed.

Want to learn more? Watch an overview in our Video Library.

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• CFS Designer™ software beam input
• Rafter design
• Designing a CFS wall with opening
• Moment analysis diagrams
• CFS Designer Stacked Walls

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Tutorials

Simpson Strong-Tie® CFS Designer™ Software Tutorial (version 4.0 update)

Simpson Strong-Tie® CFS Designer™ Software Tutorial (version 3.4 update)

Simpson Strong-Tie® CFS Designer™ Software Tutorial (version 3.2 update)

Simpson Strong-Tie® CFS Designer™ Software Tutorial (version 3.0 update)

Simpson Strong-Tie® CFS Designer™ Software Tutorial (Version 2.8 update)

Simpson Strong-Tie® CFS Designer™ Software Tutorial (Version 2.5 update)

Getting Started with Beam Input

Wall with Opening

Advanced Settings and Key Features

Stacked Walls Tutorial Video for CFS Designer

System Requirements

1. Microsoft Windows® 2003 or newer.
2. Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile
3. Adobe Reader 9.0
4. Display Resolution 1280 x 768

Update/Upgrade Notes

CFS Designer™ software will be updated on average twice per year or as needed based on new features and bug fixes. Updates to the software are free of charge and are available to all users on the current version.

Upgrades will be on a two-year cycle with the next upgrade in January 2023 (V5.X). CFS Designer users will need to buy the software to make sure their upgrade stays current. If you buy the software within five months prior to an upgrade, you will receive a coupon for a free upgrade to the next version. Within 9 months of the upgrade, you will receive a coupon voucher for $100 off the upgrade price.

Cfs 9.0 Software Download

Users who do not upgrade their software will not receive software updates or software support. Simpson Strong-Tie reserves the right to change the user and site prices at any time.

Cfs 9.0 Software Code

1 user: $349

2 user: $399

3 user: $449

Site license: $499

Support

Our Technical Support Department hours are M–F from 8am–5pm Pacific Time.

Cfs 9.0 Software Downloads

In most cases you will receive a response in two business days or less.

Cfs 9.0 Software Free

Cfs 9.0 Software

Have questions? Please contact us at asksimpson@strongtie.com.