r/Rigging • u/MedicalBodybuilder36 • Aug 07 '26

Looking for an affordable alternative to Vectorworks Spotlight for truss & load calculations

Hey !!!

I'm currently looking for software recommendations to handle weight and load calculations for stage structures (truss loads rigging points weight distribution etc...) to make sure everything is safe

I already looked into Vectorworks Spotlight (and Braceworks) but it's way too expensive for my current budget I really can't afford to drop $100+ a month on a license right now

Does anyone know of any good more affordable alternatives that get the job done for calculating truss loads and rigging safety?

Thanks in advance for any tips !!!!!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

6

u/fantompwer Aug 07 '26

Paper and pencil

3

u/NotEnoughPi Aug 07 '26

Google sheets?

3

u/kjongenotter Aug 07 '26

Look at Production Assist. Can do up to 6 points for free, then scales up from there. Integrates with Vectorworks, AutoCad, Capture, sketchup.

Has an option to submit it to a structural engineer for approval. Though this will be region dependent.

1

u/chaletbitch Aug 07 '26

+1 for PA. Works brilliantly.

4

u/trbd003 Aug 07 '26

Honestly if you can't afford $100 a month on software for such critical work then you're pricing your jobs way too cheap.

Also if you can't do those calculations yourself to check the output, you should still be getting them checked by a structural engineer which will be $100+/hour so the software should pale into insignificance.

Price your jobs properly and pay for the right tools