This page contains a brief outline of how to build OpenSees on your platform, of which two types are currently supported: Unix and Win32.

Building on Unix Systems

  1. Before you begin you need to make sure you have Tcl/Tk installed. Different releases require fifferent versions of tcl/tk. All versions before 1.4 require tcl/tk 8.2.x. OpenSees version 1.4 requires tck/tk8.3.x. OpenSees version 1.5 will reuire the latest version tcl/tk8.4.x. It is important you install the appropriate tcl/tk version. It is also VERY important you install the TCL header and library files. The default TCL installation may not include them, make sure they are selected when you are asked what to install by the TCL insallation wizard.

  2. Now you need to download a version of OpenSees. Don't forget to read the license information.

  3. Next you need to edit the file Makefile.def in the root of the repository (OpenSees). This file contains generic information used in all the Makefiles found in all the subdirectories. Example Makefile.def's for specific machines and can be found in the MAKES subdirectory.
    If you are building on a machine for which a Makefile.def has already been constructed, you are strongly encouraged to copy this file to ../Makefile.def and edit this file.

    We encourage developers who get OpenSees compiled on other platforms and compilers to submit their Makefile.def to save others the pain.

  4. Finally, type 'make' in the OpenSees directory and the libraries and executables should be created for you! It may take awhile depending on the speed of your processor, so go take a walk.

  5. Common Problems Building the Code:
    • Getting the Makefile.def correct!

Building on Windows Systems

  1. You will need a copy of Microsoft Visual C++ version 5.0 or later. Sorry about using Visual C++, we know it does not implement the current C++ standard - but it does have critical mass!
  2. Before you begin you need to make sure you have Tcl/Tk installed. Different releases require fifferent versions of tcl/tk. All versions before 1.4 require tcl/tk 8.2.x. OpenSees version 1.4 requires tck/tk8.3.x. OpenSees version 1.5 will reuire the latest version tcl/tk8.4.x. It is important you install the appropriate tcl/tk version. It is also VERY important that you install the TCL header and library files. The default TCL installation may not include them, make sure they are selected when you are asked what to install by the TCL insallation wizard.

  3. Now you need to download a version of OpenSees. Don't forget to read the license information.

  4. We have provided you with a Visual C++ project, opensees.dsw, located in the OpenSees/Win32 directory. Click on this file to open it and then click on build to build it. However, be sure the active project in the workspace is set to openSees and not actor, the default active project.

    If you are compiling your own code, we suggest you create a new project and link to our header files and library files.

  5. Common Problems Building the Code:
    • The include directory for TCL header files is given as C:\Program Files\tcl\include in the OpenSees VC++ project settings. If Tcl is located in a different directory on your machine, you will have to change the project settings accordingly. The same goes for the TCL library files, which are given as C:\Program Files\tcl\lib in the project settings.
    • The include directory for MSDev library files is given as C:\msdev\lib in the OpenSees VC++ project settings. If MSDev is located in a different directory on your machine, you will have to change the project settings accordingly.
    • Sometimes you may need to build twice on the debug version. The linking fails the first time for some reason?