Updates

Version 3.1.0


The way loads are entered on lintels and beams has changed.

Previously lintel and beam calculators required the total span of the applied load.

Specifier now uses Loaded Dimensions (LD) for applied loads, to align with NZS3604 and common industry practice, allowing Specifier to be used with confidence in more use cases:

  • Calculator diagrams have been updated and extended to clearly show permitted cases and the relevant loaded dimension formula.
  • For most calculations the loaded dimension is simply half the span of the applied load.
  • Existing saved calculations have been automatically converted to the equivalent loaded dimension values.

Generating design certificates is now faster and easier with automatic selection and attachment of recommend resources.


2025-03-28

  • Automated selection of resources attached to generated design certificates.
  • Updated and expand diagrams for lintels, roof framing and floor framing.
  • Lintel and beam calculators now use loaded dimensions instead of total span.
  • Clearer product descriptions for PLX Portal.
  • Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements.

Version 3.0.1


2025-01-16

  • Updates to the PLX Bracing Portal incorporating a new foot bracket design with higher bracing ratings and a new 240mm leg option for openings with limited column space (PLXP150).

Version 3.0.0


We've made some changes in this release to the user interface based on your feedback.

Updates include shorter calculation forms, re-organising the menus to be more logical and a general cleanup of some sawdust leftover from younger Specifier.

Rest assured the calculator functionality is unchanged and calculations work just as they always have with quick, easy and dependable results.

As always, Prolam offers free supported via chat, phone or email. If you have questions or comments about the new design let us know by clicking SUPPORT or our phone number in the top navigation bar.


2024-10-30

  • New calculator and project input form field layout that significantly reduces scrolling for faster and easier calculations.
  • Updated side navigation menu for easier management of projects, calculations and design requests.
  • New teams and user profile menus in the top right navigation bar for clear access to team and user settings.
  • A new setting for preferred user interface density accessible from the user profile.

Version 2.4.1


2024-09-27

  • Extend SG8 range to include 290x45.
  • Updated PLX Portal details.
  • Update post drawings to remove restriction note on heavy/brittle cladding.
  • Misc minor bug fixes and improvements.

Version 2.4.0


2024-08-07

  • New higher density Design Certificate layout the generates less pages to print and includes a summary table for quick reference of results when reviewing or ordering.
  • Prolam PLX Portals calculators as a top level navigation item for easier discovery and use.
  • Product descriptions to clearly differential between products for easier selection when calculating and generating certificates.
  • A 'Remember Me' checkbox on login to save your session.
  • Improvements to the calculation list view including showing design requests.
  • Minor styling changes and improvements in preparation for the refreshed user interface coming in the next release.
  • Many other minor bug fixes and improvements.

Version 2.3.1

  • New calculator for strutting beams (lintel supporting roof strut), a common case when renovating older houses with close-couple roof structures.
  • Add a simple knowledge base ('Help Docs') with help for common actions.
  • Link to the published product lead times to aid in deciding which product is most suitable for an application with time constraints.
  • Add the ability to remove a certificate from the list view to aid in organising or cleaning up old certificates.
  • Change generated certificate filenames to put the project reference first and the randomly generated certificate number last in PDF filename for easier user sorting/management of files.

Version 2.3.0

  • Introduce support for the new AS/NZS1720.1:2022 timber design standard to all calculators, including improvements to calculation efficiency and performance leveraging the standard.
  • Saved calculations can now be easily renamed and re-ordered from the Saved Calculations page.
  • Support for masonry veneer cladding on bracing posts.
  • Users can provide feedback and vote on features they would like to see, along with viewing a listing of recent updates and changes to Specifier.
  • Simplify Standard Exposed Truss Design Requests with less fields to fill in and clearer limits on what parameters standard trusses support.

Version 2.2.2

  • Calculations can now be moved between projects from the Saved Calculations page to make re-organising projects easier.  Copying calculations from exisiting projects is also possible.
  • Show recent design service requests on the dashboard along with recent projects and calculations.
  • Improvements to the new Design Service feature based on user feedback and suggestions.

Version 2.2.1

  • New calculator for designing raking lintels above sloping windows and doors in the gable end of a building.
  • Prolam Design Service - Design Requests.  Prolam's design service provides specifically engineered solutions for exposed trusses; complex beams, lintels or posts; bracing portals; or other applications of Prolam products beyond the capabilities of Specifier.
  • Improved help text on many calculator fields to clarify input limits and appropriate values.

Version 2.2.0

  • Prolam's new PLX Bracing Portal can now be designed on appropriate calculators.
  • Show AS/NZS1170 Building Importance Level (IL2) on certificates.
  • Add contextual help for available product lengths and example finishes when selecting products.
  • Add explicit allowance for gable wall weights on the Lintel Supporting Ridge Beam calculator.
  • Clarify that the required number of posts on post bracing calculators refers to a minimum value and improve footnotes for pre-cambered members.
  • Fix display of non-Latin characters and other misc bugs.

Version 2.1.3

  • Add the ability to specify attic floor loads on lintel supporting girder truss calculator.
  • Enable MCA timber treatment option (for all H3+ products excluding SG8) in calculators.
  • Updated product range including PLP350 posts.
  • Fix configuration on PDF certificate for Cantilever Lintel for Corner Window (Gable End) calculator not printing correctly.
  • Improve phone number validation to aid with inputting international numbers.
  • Fixes to posts calculations with band-sawn finish.

Version 2.1.2

  • Include SG8 timber as an option in NZS3604-scoped designs allowing Specifier to be used as the complete beam and post design solution in most standard residential buildings.
  • Add the ability to request Specific Engineering Design assistance directly within Specifier for Prolam Products.
  • Improved calculation results table with dynamic filters to make selecting the correct member easier.
  • Improved app layout on mobile devices to make using Specifier on mobile easier.

Version 2.1.0

A significant upgrade to Specifier with support for creating team accounts so users can collaborate on projects and share responsibility for designs.

  • Team members can access and work on projects owned by the team.
  • Projects and calculations can be duplicated to speed up designs for common scenarios.

Version 2.0.15

  • Include PLX20 members as an option when designing floor beams.

Version 2.0.14

  • Include PLX product range in ridge beams calculation results.
  • Updated rafter to beam fixing details.
  • PLX20 can now be specified up to 6.6 m.
  • Update band-sawn finish product range.

(Note 2.0.12 and 2.0.13 were merged into this release).

Version 2.0.11

  • Extend range of PLX20 permitted lengths to the full set of 3.6-6.0m.
  • Add a note about size of footings on non-bracing posts refers to NZS3064.

Version 2.0.10

  • New separate calculator for multiple girder trusses allowing for improved designs optimised for the use case.
  • Revise and optimise single girder truss calculator for better results.
  • Increase permitted range for supported floor spans on floor beams.
  • Fix slight over-estimation of deck loads on posts to allow for better optimised member sizes on decks.

Version 2.0.9

  • Add new large PLX20 300100 to supported product range.
  • Improve efficiency of posts supporting roof and deck.
  • Add reporting of design floor loadings on lintel certificates.

Version 2.0.8

  • Misc minor fixes to calculation outputs and improvements to calculator efficiency.

Version 2.0.7

  • Update slenderness limits on posts to improve resilience and serviceability of posts designs.
  • Update PLX20 to utilise pre-camber for more efficient results.

Version 2.0.6

  • Extend range of allowable sizes for PLX20 members
  • Improve reporting of residual deflections on certificates.

Version 2.0.5

  • Add PLX20 composite product range as a product option to the lintel calculators.

Version 2.0.4

  • Add uplift restraint requirements for posts and note about footing referring to NZS3604.

Version 2.0.3

  • Fix minor formatting issues on certificates.

Version 2.0.2

  • Report residual deflections on pre-camber members on certificates to aid design where deflection is a critical factor.
  • Improve calculation accuracy and fix minor bugs.

Version 2.0.1

  • Update various design parameters for more accurate results.

Version 2.0.0

Initial Specifier v2 release.