ETABS Version 8.08

PLEASE READ THIS FILE!

It contains important information that is more current than what is in
the Manuals.


CONTENTS
--------
1. Installation Instructions for ETABS Version 8.08
2. Installing over older version 8.xx
3. Updating older version 8.xx from the ftp
4. Updating older version 7.xx or 6.xx
5. Significant changes from Version 8.00


1. Installation Instructions for ETABS Version 8.08
---------------------------------------------------

The installation instructions are available in three places.
A. The "ETABS Installation Card" link on the ETABS CD browser.
B. A printed document included with the program package.
C. In the ETABS_Install_Instructions.pdf file in the root directory of the CD.
The instructions include information about the software protection system used and
installation options and instructions. You can choose between a Standalone or
Network installation.

For Network installations, see the License Manager System Administrator's
Guide for more detailed information about the License Manager and the License
Manager Administration program "WlmAdmin.exe".


2. Installing over older version 8.xx
-------------------------------------
Version 8.08 cannot coexist with another version 8.xx on the same machine. It will
first uninstall the older version from that machine. Before installing ETABS
Version 8.08 on an older version, please backup the license file "lservrc" sent to
you for your machine. After a Standalone installation the backed up license file
should be copied over the new one.

For Network installations there is a newer version of the SentinelLM server
software that you should install. First uninstall the old version 7.1.1. Then run
the Setup for the new version 7.2.0. To register your saved license file, copy it
over the one in the ETABS License Manager directory and run "lslicense.bat".



3. Updating older version 8.xx from the ftp
-------------------------------------------
The update from the ftp is not a full installation. Only newer files are included in
the zipped file. These should be extracted in the folder where the current program is.
The file gdiplus.dll should be copied onto the windows system or system32 folder unless
a file by this name is already present.



4. Updating older version 7.xx or 6.xx
--------------------------------------
Version 8.xx can coexist with any version 7.xx and/or 6.xx.



5. Significant changes from Version 8.00
----------------------------------------

Changes from V8.07 to V8.08 (8/29/2002)
---------------------------------------
- Program reissued on CD.
- OpenGL viewer enhanced to show deformed shapes and other results views.
- Design of steel EBF frames enhanced.
- Minor bug fixes and adjustment of units based defaults.

Changes from V8.06 to V8.07 (8/23/2002)
---------------------------------------
- A bug which may cause some circular concrete columns to be designed as
square was corrected. Circular concrete columns designed by the program
need to be reevaluated. The design forces produced were correct.
- Line constraints now have flexibility based on connected elements.
- Ramp/Wall connection is now automatically made at intersecting edges
unless line constraints are shut off.
- The display has been significantly improved. Options for transparency of
objects added.
- Distribution of inter-story mass to story levels corrected.
- Minor corrections made to vertical load distributions from null objects.
- Minor bug fixes.


Changes from V8.05 to V8.06 (7/16/2002)
---------------------------------------
- Bug introduced in V8.05 for seismic loads corrected. Mass was incorrect.
- Vertical load distributions from null objects is now handled.
- Correction made to application of user defined wind and seismic loads.
- Minor bug fixes.


Changes from V8.00 to V8.05 (6/11/2002)
---------------------------------------
- Significant changes. Several incomplete items were completed.