Installation & Set Up Guide

Before you start

vfopro runs your analyses with OpenSeesPy, which needs a Python environment on your computer. vfopro does not bundle Python — it drives one you provide, so install that first.

• A Windows PC — the installer is a .exe.
• An internet connection — for sign-in and for the one-time OpenSeesPy install.
• Miniconda (or Anaconda). Install it now if you don't have it, then create a conda environment for vfopro to use — any name works.
• An AI provider key — optional. Only needed for the AI assistant.

Install vfopro

1. Download vfopro

   Save the installer, run it, and follow the prompts.

2. Launch vfopro. The sign-in screen appears.

Sign in or create an account

• Already have an account? Enter your email and password and click Log In.
• New here? Switch to the Create Account tab, enter your name, email, and a password (at least 8 characters), then click Create Account.

The first-run setup checklist

The first time you sign in, vfopro shows a Welcome to VFO Pro checklist with two setup steps.

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1. Python environment (OpenSees) — required. Analysis can't run without it.
2. AI Assistant key — optional. Only needed for the built-in AI assistant.
3. Start using VFO Pro stays disabled until step 1 is done.

Set up your Python environment

Click Set up next to Python environment (OpenSees). Settings opens on the Python tab. (You can also open it any time from the gear icon in the bottom-right corner of the main window.)

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1. Under Environment › Type, choose how vfopro should find Python (see the table below). Conda environment is recommended.

2. For a conda setup, point Conda path at your Miniconda/Anaconda install (leave it blank to auto-detect), click Refresh, then pick your environment from the Environment dropdown.

3. Set Working dir to the folder vfopro should use for scratch files (it defaults to Documents\VFOPro). Leave Auto-install OpenSeesPy checked so vfopro can install missing packages for you.

4. Click Test Env — covered in the next section.

Which environment type should I pick?

Verify OpenSeesPy is installed

Click Test Env. vfopro checks your Python version and confirms openseespy can be imported. If it's missing, vfopro asks permission before installing it — along with its own vfopro output-processing package. The first install takes about 2–3 minutes.

Need more detail? Three helper buttons sit next to Test Env:

• Test Py — a per-package check (openseespy, numpy, matplotlib) to diagnose a specific failure.
• Debug — dumps raw version and import output for troubleshooting.
• Detect — searches for non-conda Python installs.

Add an AI key (optional)

Skip this if you don't plan to use the AI assistant yet — modeling and analysis work fully without it. To set it up now, click Set up next to AI Assistant key, or open Settings and switch to the LLM tab.

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1. Pick a Provider: OpenAI (ChatGPT), Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude.

2. Get an API key from that provider's console — the tab shows the right link for the provider you pick:

   • OpenAI: platform.openai.com/api-keys
   • Google Gemini: makersuite.google.com/app/apikey
   • Anthropic Claude: console.anthropic.com/account/keys

   Paste it into API Key (use Show to double-check what you typed).

3. Pick a Model for that provider from the dropdown.

4. Click Test Connection, then Save.

   You should see: “API key is saved (encrypted)”.

Your key is encrypted at rest. You can switch providers, or remove a saved key with Clear API Key, at any time.

Finish setup

Once your Python environment shows Ready, the checklist's Start using VFO Pro button becomes clickable.

Click it to dismiss the checklist for good. If you skipped the AI key, that's fine — it's optional and won't block you.

Troubleshooting

pip install openseespy numpy matplotlib
# or, with conda:
conda install numpy matplotlib
conda install -c opensees openseespy

Still stuck? Email us with what you tried and we'll help.

Change these later

The gear icon in the bottom-right corner always reopens Settings. You can change your Python environment, AI provider and key, or any other option (Analysis, Skills and General tabs) at any time. Nothing here is a one-time, irreversible choice.