A preprocessor for the analysis of space frame structures is developed. The preprocessor is designed to run in the Microsoft Windows graphical environment which is widely available on personal computers. The program is written in the Visual Basic programming language.

Visual Basic is an object-oriented programming language that provides a powerful way to create applications for the Windows environment. It is an ideal programming language for developing small or medium size Windows applications.

The basic features of the preprocessor include the ability to read and write data files, entry and review of structural data, and a context-sensitive online help system. In addition, the program provides a user-friendly interface and adopts standard Windows user interface guidelines. A sophisticated automatic data checking mechanism reduces data entry errors to a minimum. The preprocessor also features three-dimensional graphics which can display the structural geometry and applied loads.