ETABS [v20 & v21]

This guide covers installing and using the CalcTree plugin with ETABS versions 20.3.

Example Use Cases

• Automatically produce customised reports using a CalcTree template and feeding ETABS data directly into it

• Run additional design checks of your ETABS model using a CalcTree calculation to ensure compliance

• Complete calculations for other components of your design which are dependent on ETABS data

Installation

Download the plugin

1. Download the correct version of the CalcTree ETABS plugin ETABS v20.3 & ETABS v21 [v21 uses the same v20 plugin files]

2. Extract and copy the entire downloaded folder to your ETABS plugins directory. This is typically located at:

C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS 20\Plug-ins\

or

C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS 21\Plug-ins

If the Plug-ins folder doesn't exist, you can create it manually.

Register the Plugin Inside ETABS

1. Open ETABS v20 or v21

2. Go to Tools > Add/Show Plugins

3. Click Add New Plugin

4. Fill out the form:

   1. Plugin Name: CalcTree

   2. Executable File: Browse to and select calctree_plugin_etabs21.dll in the folder you just added

5. Click OK

After this, you’ll be able to access the plugin via Tools > Plugins > CalcTree.

In some instances, the plugin may indicate it's 'Not found' by ETABS. If that's the case for you, then please follow the steps outlined in this video.

If you have any issues, please get in touch with our team directly at [e-mail]

Using the plugin

1. Open your ETABS model (.edb) in ETABS v20 or v21

2. Launch the plug-in via the menu: Tools > Plugins > CalcTree

3. The CalcTree plug-in window will appear, showing a structured tree view of available model tables. These are grouped by category — such as Geometry, Assignments, Loads, and more — for easy navigation.

4. Select the table(s) you wish to upload to CalcTree by clicking on them. Selected tables will highlight blue, and display in the 'Selected tables' field below.

5. Add an API key and the URL of the target page to send the data to

6. Click 'Send Data to CalcTree' to send your data to a CalcTree page

CalcTree Connector plugin in ETABS v21

Using the data in CalcTree

Once data tables have been sent to CalcTree, they will appear under the 'Uploaded files' toggle in the Integrations panel of the page you sent the data to.

The data, in the form of CSVs, can be consumed in your Python script for additional processing, calculations, and management of how you wish the data to be displayed on the page.