How to Create Custom Reports in Risa for Client Presentations

Why Custom Reports Matter for Client Presentations

In structural engineering, client presentations are more than just a formality — they are your opportunity to demonstrate value, build trust, and secure project approval. A generic report from a structural analysis program rarely makes the impact you need. Custom reports in RISA (the structural analysis and design suite now part of the Bentley portfolio) let you tailor every element: what data is shown, how it is grouped, what visuals accompany the numbers, and even the branding or layout. The result is a polished, client-facing document that tells a clear story about your design’s robustness, code compliance, and efficiency. This guide goes far beyond the basic steps; you will learn how to fully leverage RISA’s reporting engine to create professional, presentation-ready custom reports.

Understanding RISA Reporting Capabilities

RISA (which includes products such as RISA-2D, RISA-3D, RISAFloor, RISAFoundation, and RISAConnection) offers a powerful, integrated report generator that can pull from nearly every aspect of your model. Instead of a single, static printout, you can choose from predefined templates or build your own from scratch. Key capabilities include:

Selective data presentation — Show only the members, load combinations, or design checks that matter for the current presentation.
Custom grouping and filtering — Organize results by story, member type, material, or code provision.
Embedded graphics — Insert deformation plots, moment diagrams, shear force envelopes, and code-check summaries directly into the report body.
Calculations and commentary — Add text boxes, equations, or manual calculations to explain unexpected results or design decisions.
Multiple output formats — Export as HTML, PDF, Excel, or Word, each with adjustable page sizing and orientation.
Reusable templates — Save your custom layout as a .RRP (RISA Report Template) file so you can apply the same structure to future projects.

Understanding these capabilities is the first step. The next step is to ensure your model is ready for the reporting process — because a clean model leads to a clean report.

Preparing Your Model for Reporting

A disorganised model produces a disorganised report. Before you open the report generator, invest a few minutes in model hygiene:

Use descriptive member labels — Instead of default “B1”, “B2”, rename beams to “Roof Beam at Grid A2-B2” or “Grade Beam North Line”. The report will inherit these labels.
Group load cases intelligently — Assign logical load case names such as “Dead + Live (Gravity)” and “Seismic (EQx)” so that the report summary is readable.
Run all analyses and design checks — Ensure you have completed the required code checks and that no warnings or errors remain. A report showing errors undermines your credibility.
Set up load combinations — RISA can include the governing combinations in the report, but only if they are defined. Check that your combination set follows the applicable code (e.g., ASCE 7, AISC 360).
Create named views — RISA allows you to save 2D or 3D views (such as “Elevation – Moment Frame” or “Plan – Roof Diaphragm”). These views can be inserted as images in the report.

With the model prepared, you are ready to generate a custom report that highlights your engineering judgment and design logic.

Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Custom Report from Scratch

Step 1: Open Your Model and Access the Report Generator

Launch RISA and open the structural model you intend to report on. Go to the menu bar and select Reports > Create New Report. A dialog box appears offering template options — choose Blank Report if you want full control, or pick a prebuilt template (e.g., “Summary Report” or “Design Details”) as a starting point. For client presentations, a blank report often works best because you decide exactly what to include.

Step 2: Understand the Report Editor Interface

The report editor (sometimes called the Report Builder) is divided into sections. The left pane shows available report items — these are data segments like “Member Forces”, “Deflections”, “Steel Design Summary”, “Foundation Reactions”, etc. The right pane is your canvas, where you assemble these items in the desired order. You can drag and drop items, reorder them, and adjust settings such as column width, font size, and inclusion of headers/footers.

Step 3: Add and Configure Report Sections

Start by adding an Introduction section. Use a text box to write a brief project description, the applicable design code, the date, and your company logo. To insert a logo, use the Insert > Image feature. Next, drag in the following typical sections for a client presentation:

Member Forces (factored) — Show maximum moments and shears for key members. Use the filter to select only the members you want to highlight.
Steel or Concrete Design Summary — This table lists code checks, utilization ratios, and pass/fail status. For client clarity, consider hiding columns that show internal calculation details; show only the ratio and status.
Deflection and Drift — Clients appreciate seeing that your design meets serviceability limits. Insert the deflection plot and the governing check summary.
Reactions at Supports — Useful for foundation design hand-off, but in a client report you may prefer to keep this in an appendix.
Graphics — Insert saved views such as a 3D isometric of the complete structure, a deformed shape under the worst load combination, or a moment diagram for a critical beam. Right-click on the graphic item and choose properties to resize it to fit the page.

Step 4: Customise Layout and Styling

Each section has a Properties panel where you can change fonts, colors, line thickness, and page breaks. For a professional appearance:

Use a single, clean font (e.g., Arial 10pt for body text, Arial 12pt bold for section titles).
Enable Shrink to Fit for tables so they don’t overflow the page margins.
Set page orientation to Landscape for wide tables or large graphics.
Add a running header with project name and page number using the Edit Header/Footer option.

Step 5: Add Commentary and Callouts

Place text boxes next to critical tables or graphs to provide context. For example, next to the governing moment diagram, write: “The maximum factored moment at column line C occurs under the ASCE 7-16 Load Combination 3 (1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5S). The member is adequately sized with a utilization of 0.88.” Such commentary transforms a raw data table into a meaningful presentation.

Step 6: Preview and Refine

Click the Preview button to see how the report will look. Check that no tables are cut off, that images are not distorted, and that all headers appear correctly. Make adjustments — reorder sections, add page breaks before heavy tables, or reduce font size for dense data. Repeat previewing until you are satisfied.

Step 7: Save the Template

If you plan to create similar reports for future projects, save your report layout as a template (File > Save Report Template). This .RRP file will retain all your customisations except the actual data. You can reuse it by opening a new model and applying the template.

Advanced Customisation Techniques

Using Filters and Groups to Simplify Data

One of the most powerful features in the RISA report builder is the ability to apply filters. For example, in a multi-story building, you can filter the “Member Forces” section to show only members in the roof diaphragm. Or you can group columns into a design summary table that aggregates all similarly sized members. To apply a filter, double-click the report item (e.g., “Member Forces”) and go to the Filtering tab. You can set conditions such as: Member Label contains “Roof” OR Material = “A992”. Grouping is handled on the Grouping tab, where you can sort by story, material, or design group.

Embedding Custom Calculations and Notes

Sometimes you need to include hand calculations or code references that RISA does not generate. Use the Insert > Text Box command to add rich text, including bullet lists, equations (using a clear font like Cambria Math), or even hyperlinks to code clauses. If you frequently add the same commentary, consider creating a set of standard text boxes saved in a separate file and copy-paste them.

Adding Graphs and Charts

While RISA can generate moment and shear diagrams directly in the model view, the report builder also allows insertion of these as static images. For more sophisticated charting (e.g., story drift vs. height, or time-history results), export the data to Excel and create your chart there, then embed the chart image in the report using Insert > Image. This approach gives you full control over axes, labels, and colour schemes.

Automating Reports with Scripts (VBA)

For power users, RISA supports VBA macros to automate report generation. You can write a script that opens a model, runs the report builder with your template, and exports a PDF — all without manual clicks. This is especially useful when you have to generate identical reports for multiple models (e.g., dozens of connection designs in RISAConnection). The RISA help documentation and online developer forums provide sample scripts to get you started.

Designing Report Content for Client Impact

A custom report for a client presentation is not the same as a calculation package submitted for permit. Focus on what matters to the client:

Overview of the structural system — a clear description of the lateral and gravity systems (e.g., moment frames, braced frames, slab on metal deck).
Key design parameters — wind speed, seismic design category, live loads, and any special criteria.
Governing design results — the highest utilization ratios for beams, columns, and connections. Show that the design is efficient (not oversized) and code-compliant.
Serviceability checks — deflection and drift values, with explicit code limits. Clients often ask “Will the building feel shaky?” – show them the drift ratios are within standard comfort levels.
Visual snapshots — a rendered 3D view, an elevation showing the lateral system, and a detail of a complex connection. Label key elements.
Exclude what is irrelevant — remove detailed code-intermediate steps (e.g., K-factor calculations, slenderness reductions) unless the client specifically requests them. Too much technical detail can dilute your message.

Remember that the report should be self-contained enough for a client to understand without you present, but also serve as a visual aid during your presentation. Use colour sparingly — bold colours for highlighting critical values, and neutral tones for backgrounds.

Once your report is finalised, you need to export it in a format suitable for client delivery. RISA’s report builder supports multiple output options:

PDF — Best for formal presentations and email attachments. Use the Export to PDF option; RISA will honour your page breaks and orientation. If you need a smaller file size, adjust image resolution in the report item properties.
HTML — Useful for internal reviews or posting to a project sharepoint. Note that HTML output may not preserve all formatting perfectly; test before distribution.
Excel — Use this when the client requests raw data for their own analysis. You can export results tables directly to an .xlsx file and then further format them in Excel. Be aware that graphical elements are not transferred; only data tables.
Word — The Word export produces a .docx file that embeds images and tables. This is helpful if the client requires a report that they can edit or annotate.

When exporting, always double-check the file name and include the project number and date (e.g., “Acme Tower_Structural Report_20250408.pdf”). Also, consider compressing images in the report to keep the file size manageable; RISA allows you to set the image quality (low/medium/high) in each graphic item property.

Tips for Effective Client Presentations

Your custom report is only as effective as your delivery. Here are advanced tips beyond the basics:

Structure Your Narrative Around the Report Sections

Do not read from the report; instead, use it as a visual backdrop. Start with the project overview slide (or section), then walk through the design philosophy, then reveal the key results. Pause at each table or graphic and explain what it shows and why it matters. For example: “This slide shows the maximum drift under the 10-year wind event. As you can see, the drift is 0.0035 rad, which is well below the 0.005 rad limit from ASCE 7. That means the building will feel stiff during a typical storm.”

Anticipate Client Questions

Clients often ask about construction cost implications of structural choices. In your report, include a brief note comparing the tonnage of steel or volume of concrete for the chosen system versus an alternative you considered. This shows that you have optimised the design. If the client asks about the high utilisation ratio for a particular beam, you can point to the notes in your report that explain the connection detailing constraints.

Use a Consistent Legend and Notation

All abbreviations, load case names, and color codes should be defined in a legend at the beginning of the report. For instance, “D = dead load, L = live load, WL = wind left, WR = wind right, E = seismic load.” This helps clients who are not structural engineers follow the data.

Prepare a One-Page Executive Summary

Before the detailed report, insert a one-page executive summary. This page should contain only the project name, the key design criteria, the maximum utilization ratios, and a rendered image of the structure. Busy clients may only read this page and ask to see specific sections later. RISA allows you to create a separate custom report for just this summary, or you can include it as the first section with a page break after.

Practice the Technical Walkthrough

Rehearse your presentation with colleagues who are not familiar with the project. Ask them if any part of the report was confusing. Use their feedback to add clarifying commentary or to remove extraneous data. The goal is that every element in the report serves the story you want to tell.

External Resources for Advanced Reporting

To deepen your mastery of RISA reporting, consult the following resources:

RISA-3D product page — official documentation and feature overview.
Bentley RISA page — access user forums, knowledge base articles, and update releases.
RISA Help Center — search for “report” to find detailed articles on customising every report item.
Structure Magazine — articles on best practices for structural engineering presentations often include tips on report content.

Conclusion

Creating custom reports in RISA for client presentations is not merely a technical skill — it is a strategic communication tool. By taking the time to clean your model, thoughtfully design the report content, apply advanced customisations, and practise your delivery, you elevate your engineering output from mere compliance documents to compelling stories of structural safety and efficiency. Invest in mastering the report builder, build a library of reusable templates, and your clients will notice the difference — not just in the numbers, but in the clarity and confidence you bring to every presentation.