Recommended test
Review the alpha notice, pair the Windows engine and calculate a supported W-frame without using the hosted calculation service.
- Install and open the Windows Calculation Engine, then select This computer in an Autostrek calculation panel.
- Create a pairing code in the companion, connect in the browser and approve local access.
- Run Automatic sizing and confirm that the result preserves the entered span, snow load and CC.
- Close the companion and try another calculation; confirm a local-service message appears and no sizes are applied.
What the alpha does
The Windows alpha runs Code_Aster on your own computer while you use the Autostrek website. Calculation panels default to This computer (Windows alpha). Cloud service (not available yet) is greyed out because hosted calculations have not launched. Older Cloud selections also open the local-engine setup. It is optional for existing subscribers: installation and pairing are still required before calculations can run. Your computer supplies the calculation resources, and the same preliminary checks apply.
This option is available in the subscriber alpha build. Refresh the app if you do not see Calculation engine. The website and setup download require normal subscriber access; installing the engine does not make Autostrek fully offline.
The first time you choose the local engine, a notice explains that installation, compatibility and calculation workflows are under active development. Select Got it (Forstått in Norwegian) to dismiss it on this browser. The Alpha / Alfa badge and Report a problem in the forum / Meld et problem i forumet link remain visible. Dismissing the notice does not install or connect the engine.
The alpha collects feedback from real Windows computers. Wider compatibility and complete clean-machine qualification remain unverified; this is not a general-release claim. Existing numerical checks and preliminary structural-design limits remain in place.
Install the engine
Use Windows 10/11 x64 and a current Chrome or Edge browser for this alpha. Other operating systems and Windows ARM are not included. Allow at least 5 GB free disk space during setup and an internet connection to download the runtime.
- Open Truss Builder’s Automatic sizing or Build’s Automatic truss dialog.
- Under Calculation engine, choose This computer (Windows alpha) (Denne datamaskinen (Windows-alfa) in Norwegian).
- Select Download Windows setup and run the installer.
- Open Autostrek Calculation Engine from the Windows Start menu.
Setup installs Python, Code_Aster and the companion for your Windows account. You do not need to install Python or Docker yourself. It does not change system Python or PATH. The engine checks its runtime and displays Ready when it can accept connections.
The current alpha package is signed and timestamped by SCHNEIDER DESIGN, the legal publisher of Autostrek. Check the installer’s Properties > Digital Signatures and use only the official pilot download and published SHA-256 checksums. The matching companion source is available beside the installer (normal Autostrek sign-in applies). Signing does not guarantee that Windows or organization policies accept every installation; clean-machine qualification is still pending. If blocked, report the exact message rather than disabling security controls.
Pair the browser
- In the companion window, click New pairing code.
- Enter the eight digits in Autostrek and click Connect local engine.
- Allow the browser to connect to your computer when prompted.
- Wait for Connected. Calculations will run on this computer.
A code can be used once, expires after five minutes and stops accepting attempts after five incorrect entries. Generate a new code if necessary. Pairing is retained in the current browser tab for up to twelve hours. Restarting the companion requires pairing again. The calculation target is a browser preference and is not saved inside your project.
Keep the companion window open while calculating. Check connection verifies a retained pairing. Disconnect revokes this browser’s pairing and cancels its jobs; the companion’s Disconnect all browsers and cancel jobs revokes all pairings. Closing the companion stops the engine and cancels active work.
Calculate normally
The local engine supports the same available W-frame, attic, lattice attic and gable-Mansard sizing requests as the app. Manual W-frame analysis and the separate experimental full-Mansard assembly analysis can also use it. Full hipped Mansard Automatic sizing remains unavailable.
Review span, roof shape, snow load, floor loads, supports and CC as usual. Local execution does not change the candidate search or skip checks. Calculation time depends on your computer; the alpha runs one solver job at a time. Another connected browser may therefore wait for the current job.
The engine accepts structural inputs from paired Autostrek browser sessions on this computer. It does not expose a service to other computers on your network. Pairing credentials are excluded from project files and downloaded calculation reports.
Troubleshooting and updates
Use Bug Reports in the subscriber forum to report alpha problems. Select Create new thread, then Insert bug template. Include Local Calculation Engine Alpha, engine version 0.1.0, Windows/browser versions, the tool or truss type, steps, expected/actual behavior and the exact error. A cropped screenshot can help. Do not post pairing codes, session tokens or private project information. Nothing is posted automatically.
The signed companion and Windows Installed apps entry currently retain the Windows pilot 0.1.0 name; this is the same engine used by the web app’s Alpha option.
| Message or symptom | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cannot reach the local engine | Keep the companion open and check the browser’s permission for local/loopback access to Autostrek. |
| Incorrect or expired pairing code | Create a new code in the companion and reconnect. |
| Engine version is incompatible | Close the companion, run the current setup again, then reconnect. |
| Cloud service is greyed out | Hosted calculations have not launched. Install and pair the Windows engine to calculate locally. |
| Engine port is already in use | Close the other Calculation Engine window before starting another copy. |
| Setup or runtime fails | Use the setup log in %LOCALAPPDATA%\AutostrekCalc or Open log folder in the companion when reporting the problem. |
The app does not silently switch from local to cloud when a calculation fails. Existing sizes remain unchanged. An unavailable service is not a structural pass or failure.
Pilot updates are manual: close the engine and run the current installer again. Remove it through Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Autostrek Calculation Engine. Uninstalling the engine does not remove Autostrek project files.
Local results retain the existing preliminary design limits. Connections, bracing and Norwegian Eurocode compliance are not established by installing the engine. See Automatic sizing and analysis results.