It’s quite limited when it comes to implemented CalculiX features but support for beam elements is one of its main advantages. Give it a try.
I know this response is a year late, but since this thread is still active:
Prepomax still lacks a “full” feature set. As an exercise I tried to load several Calculix *.inp files, most had some failures. If you are an individual that can manage the quirks that require filling in the gaps with keyword input I think Prepomax can be a good choice. But for implementing in a large organization, some who will be casual users, I think Mecway is an excellent choice. As others have mentioned, the Forum and the Development are both very strong. There is now a very handy Python API for customization, and we’ve benefited from the responsive programming team many times.
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i’m only given some noticed, it’s a bit unfair compared the long development commercial work (LISA as predecessor) with shorter periods of opensource starting as hobbyist
i’m also interested in MecWay since i’m a user of predecessor. but maybe i’m discarding due to some reasons, i believe both user took benefit each others.
in my country also popular due to it’s affordability, at past time i developed a converter of LISA xml to Abaqus INP files, maybe someday i will publish as freeware or implementing the capabilities of PrePoMax to read/import the xml files directly.
it’s possible with *No Analysis keyword in CalculiX, the solver only perform checking but still generate result files and shown expanded beam element orientations.
since the beam element are expanded to solid by the solver, so all advanced analysis feature (contact, plasticity, large deformation/stability) also supported.
these are advancement over classical 1D element (linear elastic) even nonlinear fiber and corotational type.