ForteWEB Users Frequently Asked Questions
Transitioning from Forte Desktop? Jump to transition information here.
Q: What are my resources for learning how to operate ForteWEB?
A1: ForteWEB has context-specific Help within the program. Just click the Help & Support menu button on the main ribbon and then select Help from the dropdown menu and you will be directed to the help page related to the topic you are in within the software.
A2: We provide a video tutorial to walk you through creating and designing a job in ForteWEB. To access this tutorial simply click the link below to get started.
Q: What if I have questions while using the ForteWEB software?
A: Software Support is available Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM Mountain time to help answer any questions you may have. We can be reached via email at software@wy.com, by phone at (800) 833-9491, and by online chat. LiveChat is built into ForteWEB. Click the Help & Support button from the main ribbon and select LiveChat from the dropdown list to start chatting with a software support specialist.
Q: What if I have created a new job file, but I cannot move forward in the software?
A: Double-check that you did add a new file and not a new folder. The icon to the left of the file/folder name can help you determine if the item in the list is a file or a folder. If you have a file selected, click the Open button in the toolbar to go to the main view and start adding members.
Q: How do I add a member to the job?
A: Once you have created a new job file, you’ll be directed to the main ForteWEB view where you can add members to the job which you can rename to suit your naming conventions. Click the green plus sign above the Job Tree to add members to the Job Tree. Members can be reordered in the Job Tree using drag and drop.
Q: Where is my member graphic on the screen?
A: For tabs that typically show the member graphic click the green Show button located in the upper left of the Member Info tab. The member graphic will show until you click the red button to hide it.
Q: What if I do not see a specific product listed under the Product Selection tab?
A1: Check that the desired products are selected in the Materials Manager area. Materials Manager can be found under the User icon in the main ribbon at the top of the main view and can be automatically set to select products based on the current region.
A2: Product availability is also dependent on building code, building class, and member type. For example, ASTM Steel is only available for Floor Flush Beams and Floor Drop Beams and Glulams are only available when the job is set to an IBC building code.
Q: How do I activate the Solutions tab and/or the Report Tab?
A1: Make sure every field in the Product Selection tab has at least one selected value before the member can be designed. This includes the selection of Series, Depth, Plies, O.C. Spacing, and Orientation as applicable.
A2: On the Loads Tab make sure you do not see the location input field highlighted in yellow. This would indicate the input load is placed partially or entirely off the end of the member and the load location field needs to be checked before the member can be designed. If the load is set to full length and still off the member, simply uncheck full length and then check it again to reset the location values.
Q: How do I save my job?
A: ForteWEB saves the job automatically after each change. Users also have the option to download the ForteWEB file to the device by using the Download feature located in File Manager. The is no limit to the number of files you can create.
Q: What if I cannot locate my file?
A1: Files sometimes get created in a non-intended folder. You can use the search feature to quickly locate the file based on any part of the file name.
A2: You can use the recent files feature to open or locate recently modified files.
Q: Do I need to add the Self-Weight of the member I am sizing?
A: Self-weight is used only when the member type is a flush beam or a drop beam. Forte®WEB software automatically includes the product self-weight as part of the dead load acting on the full span of the member. When the member type selected is joists there is no self-weight; joist weight is assumed to be included in the area base dead load.
Q: What if the design fails but I am unsure why?
A: When the design inputs trigger a design engine constraint the program will populate a failure message on the Report tab. The message will appear in red on the upper left quadrant of the report.
Previous Forte Desktop Users - Transition Information
Q: Do I need to register for ForteWEB software if I’ve already registered for Forte desktop software?
A: Yes, ForteWEB has a separate registration system so all users will need to register for a new account before they can use ForteWEB software. Just click the Need to Register button and fill out the form making sure all the criteria on the right side appears green indicating the input is valid.
Q: How do I sign in to ForteWEB?
A: All new users will need to choose the Need to Register button located at the lower right side of the login screen to create a ForteWEB account before logging in and using the software.
Q: Can I still access my Forte desktop job files?
A: Yes, the ForteWEB File Manager includes an Import feature for opening Forte desktop files. Clicking Import will allow users to browse and select an existing Forte (.4te) file to import and open in ForteWEB. If you encounter a file that does not import, simply email the (.4te) file to software@wy.com so that it can be updated for import.
Q: What are my resources for learning how to operate ForteWEB?
A1: ForteWEB has context-specific Help within the program. Just click the Help & Support menu button on the main ribbon and then select Help from the dropdown menu and you will be directed to the help page related to the topic you are in within the software.
A2: We provide a video tutorial to walk you through creating and designing a job in ForteWEB. To access this tutorial simply click the link below to get started.
Q: What if I have questions after I start using ForteWEB software?
A1: Live Chat is now built into ForteWEB. Click the Help & Support button from the main ribbon and select Live Chat from the dropdown list to start chatting with a software support specialist.
A2: Software Support is available via email at software@wy.com or by phone at (800) 833-9491. We are available Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM Mountain time to help answer any questions you may have.