- Design towers, connections, and foundations
- Create realistic graphics with precision 
- Configure and customize libraries 
- Perform advanced analysis 
Learn more about what OpenTower Designer can do for you...
What is OpenTower Designer? What is OpenTower Designer used for?
OpenTower Designer is a purpose-built solution for telecommunication tower analysis and design that captures real-life workflows, including tower modification, multiple scenario evaluations, foundation checks, and connection designs. It connects to equipment databases to automatically generate wind and seismic loadings, analyze the structure, and produce custom reports. The application’s advanced graphics show a realistic view of the tower, including 3D rendering of equipment and feedlines.
If you are looking to improve efficiency on your next tower project, you are in the right place. With OpenTower Designer you can efficiently design and model towers, such as lattice towers and guyed masts, as well as equipment like antennas, mounts, and linear appurtenances.
Bentley’s tower applications are built to specifically suit tower workflows to optimize design time. With both graphical and text-based definitions of tower structures, you can design and complete projects faster than ever.
- Create realistic graphics with precision
Save time and rework with powerful 3D physical modeling and visualize the 3D model with appurtenances to understand the exact positioning of equipment and feedlines.
- Configure and customize libraries
Leverage a comprehensive library of panel types and ancillary equipment as well as in-application bracing, equipment, and section profile libraries so it’s easy to add antenna, dish, TME, feedlines, and attachment equipment from major manufacturers or you can choose to customize your own.
- Design connections
Automatically understand the effects of connections on member design calculations and check efficiencies. OpenTower Designer makes it easy to define member connections with various bolt patterns and even offers pre-defined bolt configurations.
- Design tower foundations
(U.S. code) Integrated foundation design for tower legs and guy support points, including pad-pier, drilled pier, guy anchor foundations and mat foundations helps maintain a streamlined workflow.
- Import models from other applications
When working from an existing model it’s easy to import files from another application to quickly put OpenTower Designer to work. You can import models from other applications such as TnxTower (U.S.) or MS Tower.
- Perform advanced analysis
Analyze and design monopoles and self-supporting and guyed communication towers and automatically generate loads for any number of directions with user-defined topographic configurations. You can also define cluster formation of linear ancillaries and resistance ancillaries. Perform sub-truss analysis or minimum bracing resistance check, static applicability check, asymmetric ice loading or escalated ice, segmental guy cables, auto patch loading, and guy rupture analysis.
- Create reports
Create reports from structure data to loading analysis results to design capacities for members and bolts.
Where can I find OpenTower Designer tutorials?
Here are some FREE OpenTower learning resources/ webinars available at Virtuosity, a Bentley Company. You can also find a lot of resources at OpenTower.com.
Where can I get OpenTower Designer training?
If you want to receive tailored training or attend an OpenTower Designer course, Virtuosity offers extra training and mentoring services. You can choose from tailor-made training, on-demand learning, consulting services, mentoring and more. Learn more about Expert Services at Virtuosity here.
What makes OpenTower Designer different than other software?
OpenTower Designer offers:
- Powerful graphics and 3D visualizations that suit your workflow
- Standard and custom section profile catalogs making your model easy to maintain
- Layered geometry
- Scenario management
- Built-in foundation design
- Seismic analysis
- Linear appurtenances arrangement module
- Interoperability with many applications
What is OpenTower Designer compatible with?
- Import tnxTower or Risa Tower models
- Interoperability with STAAD.Pro and other Bentley products for design, detailing, and drawing generations
- Safe software FME integration
- Preconfigure integration with ProjectWise
What is the price of OpenTower Designer? How much does OpenTower Designer cost?
A practitioner license of OpenTower Designer costs $ 2,950 USD at Virtuosity.com. Prices vary per region. To see the price in your region, select your region at the bottom of the page. While there are various types of licensing available, a common choice is the 12-month practitioner license offered through Virtuosity, Bentley's eCommerce store. When you purchase through Virtuosity you get a Virtuoso Subscription which means you get both the software AND the training, expert services, and custom mentoring you need to get started quickly.
Expert services and tailored training, when and where you need it.
At Virtuosity, we understand how important it is to get the most out of every working moment. You need to limit downtime, and use each software application to its fullest potential. There is just no time to spare. That's why every software purchase through Virtuosity comes as a bundle with “Keys” or credits that can be redeemed for expert services and training, so you can get started right away. Learn more about our training options.
We call this bundle the Virtuoso Subscription.Each practitioner license comes with a number of "Keys" and you can always purchase additional "Keys" as you go.
There is a menu of expert services and training options that you can redeem your "Keys" for:
Keys |
Hours |
|
Quick start training Virtual classroom training is a great way to quick-start your success. |
1 key | 2 hours |
Recorded online sessions OnDemand sessions can be very helpful and convenient. They include information on the latest software, workflows, and systems. |
1 key | 2 hours |
Standard training Standard training offers a thorough understanding of general features, workflows and tools of the application. |
1 key | 4 hours |
Customized training With tailored training you can set your own agenda for training and get something to suit your specific requirements. |
1 key | 2 hours |
Consulting If you have a challenging or unique project, you may choose to expand your team with one of our experts. |
1 key | 2 hours |
Mentoring Get one-on-one mentoring from a product expert. Choose from a variety of topics including design, analysis, and modeling techniques. |
1 key | 2 hours |
Physical Modeling and Lifecycle Management
- Create a living history of a tower’s lifecycle management through modification layer and scenario analysis capabilities.
- Separate modification layers from the base model to combine an installed model with hierarchical proposed modifications. All modifications are saved for future use.
- Separate loading layer from geometry layer as well as combine loading layer with a geometric layer to create an analysis scenario.
- Analyze and compare as many scenarios as needed to deduce the optimum configuration.
- Physical modeling with bearing angle for square and triangular self-supporting and guyed towers
- Fast model generation wizards
- Edit models parametrically to increase efficiency and save time
- Enable precise modeling with automatic member orientation
Flexible Libraries, Catalogs, and Tables
- Library of reusable bracing patterns and truss legs
- Custom tower catalog for commonly used built-up section profiles and materials
- Extensive database of mount, discrete, and linear appurtenances
Realistic 3D Graphics
- Tower and all equipment are drawn to scale
- Smart input screens for precise position of equipment with azimuth and offsets
- OpenTower adopted “Wysiwyg” philosophy to promote precision modeling
- All section profiles, including built-up sections like split-pipe, are drawn to scale with appropriate rotation of its major and minor axes.
- Feedline Tool positions feedlines along the height of the tower by forming and moving feedline stacks on a grid system.
- Visualization shows realistic 3D graphics of all modeled equipment on the tower along with geometry
Tower Modification, Scenario Analysis
- Automatic generation of wind, ice, and seismic load cases for tower structures and external attachments as per TIA-222-F, TIA-222-G, and TIA-222-H standards
- Hierarchical modification layers and scenario analysis for “what–if” scenario investigation and data management
Analysis-linear Static, P-delta, Nonlinear, Cable, and Modal Analysis
- Post-processing features include joint displacements, member forces, stresses, support reactions, leg compression, deflection, tilt, and twist results in terms of diagrams and tables
- Enables the user to have a detailed insight of the analysis results
- Helps to plot multiple post-processing diagrams for a selective set of physical members for complex structures
Foundation, Connection, and Member Design
- Integrated foundation design saves time and reduces errors
- Design as per TIA-222-F, TIA-222-G, and TIA-222-H Standards Custom tower catalog for commonly used built-up section profiles and materials
Customizable, User-friendly Report-generation
- Create complete reports directly from OpenTower and avoid manual report compilation activities
- Establish dynamic update links and save time
Design in accordance with international design standards
- U.S. design standards (with OpenTower)
- Eurocode 3, British National Annex, and PD 6688 (with OpenTower Europe)
Interoperability
- Import tnxTower or Risa Tower models
- Interoperability with STAAD.Pro and other Bentley products for design, detailing, and drawing generations
- Safe software FME integration
- Preconfigure integration with ProjectWise
- Bentley Map Mobile publishing
Processor
Intel Core i7 or similar
Operating System
Windows 10 x 64
RAM
16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended
Available Languages
English
Request a live demonstration or an evaluation license ...
The flexibility of a single model to check scenarios is one of the greatest advantages of OpenTower. It allows us to provide our clients as much feedback as possible to promote a long-term relationship.
Matthew K. Lackey, P.E., Charlotte Structural Division Manager, Tower Engineering Professionals, Inc.Your peers were also interested in...

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