I recently came across a shareware Finite Element Analysis program called Engilab Beam 2D. It's pretty easy to use (and free for the limited node/element trial version). Do any of you have experience with this program? More specifically, I'm trying to sort out the input of the force variable. The program allows input of either a point load at a node, or a uniform load along an element. I'm assuming that the number to be input for the uniform load is the force applied per unit (i.e. if an element is defined in inches, the force is per inch)

If anyone has experience with the software, could you give me a quick rundown of the variables by example using, say, a pair of 8"x8"x10' hemlock posts, pinned at the base and connected at the top with an 8"x8"x10' tie, plus a pair of 4"x6"x3' braces, and a uniform load on the tie representing 50lbs/sq ft across 10'x10'bays.

Thanks!
~ Kevin