> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://manual.karamba3d.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://manual.karamba3d.com/2-getting-started/2-getting-started-1.md).

# 2 Getting Started

If all goes well during installation you will notice upon starting Grasshopper (GH) that there is a new category called Karamba3D on the component panel. It consists of roughly twelve subsections (see fig. 2.1). In case you do not see any icons select **“Draw All Components”** in Grasshopper's **“View”**-menu.

The installation can be tested by placing a Karamba3D **“License”**-component on the canvas: it should not issue a warning or error. If not, see section [4.1.3](/troubleshooting/4.3.-miscellaneous-problems/licensing.md) for how to solve that issue.

{% hint style="info" %}
On Apple machines make sure to have Microsoft's [.NET Framework 4.5](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30653) in case of Rhino6 and [version 4.8](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-net-framework-4-8-offline-installer-for-windows-9d23f658-3b97-68ab-d013-aa3c3e7495e0) in case of Rhino7.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/hNF8byUF3cHrfwbcaSay" alt=""><figcaption><p>Fig. 2.1: Category “Karamba3D” on the component panel</p></figcaption></figure>

These are the subsections which show up in the Karamba3D category:

| Tab             | Function                                                                                                                                                |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| License         | The **“License”-**&#x63;omponent contained in here delivers information regarding the current type of license and how to get a pro-version of Karamba3D |
| Params          | containers for Karamba3D objects like beams, loads, models, . .                                                                                         |
| 1.Model         | lets you create a basic models with default settings for cross sections and materials                                                                   |
| 2.Load          | components for defining external forces                                                                                                                 |
| 3.Cross Section | contains components to create and select cross sections for elements.                                                                                   |
| 4.Joint         | for defining joints on beams and shells.                                                                                                                |
| 5.Materials     | components for the definition and selection of materials                                                                                                |
| 6.Algorithms    | components for analyzing the structural model                                                                                                           |
| 7.Results       | for the retrieval of calculation results                                                                                                                |
| 8.Export        | for exporting Karamba3D-models to RStab or Robot via DStV-file                                                                                          |
| 9.Utilities     | contains some extra geometric functionality that makes it easier to handle and optimize models                                                          |
| x1.ParamUI      | components for controlling the display of models via parameter-input only                                                                               |

{% hint style="info" %}
The colors of Karamba3D’s icons have a special meaning: black or white designates the entity or entities on which a component acts. Products of components get referenced by a blue symbol.
{% endhint %}

Karamba3D adds a section in the Grasshopper menu (see fig. 2.2.). There it is possible to

* set the basic physical units and whether to work in Imperial or SI Units,
* optimize the visibility of Karamba3D components in the toolbar,
* set the language of the user interface,
* edit the initial settings file and&#x20;
* get help

<figure><img src="/files/iqe0I34b6jvaf1v0U9nR" alt=""><figcaption><p>Fig 2.2.: Section "Karamba3D" in the Grasshopper menu.</p></figcaption></figure>