Bentley Education Student Access: CivilStorm and Storm Advanced


Beginning July 1, 2024, Bentley has simplified its OpenFlows software offerings. Products you might have used before, like CivilStorm, StormCAD, and PondPack, are now consolidated into a single powerful application called OpenFlows Storm.

The features you can use (like CivilStorm functionality) are determined by the version or tier you select during the installation process. The installation file is the same for Storm Essentials and Advanced but the version you complete installation for will determine the functionality you can access when launching the downloaded application. 

This article will walk you through how to download, install, and correctly select access for the capabilities of CivilStorm.

FAQ: How do I download OpenFlows Storm?

  1. Go to bentley.com/education  
  2. If you do not already have a Bentley Education account, select the sign-up button in the header image. If you already have an account, select the log in button. If you previously created an account but your initial access has expired, you will be asked to revalidate your eligibility through editing your education profile and completing the required steps to prove your continued eligibility for free access as a current student or educator.  
  3. From the main education page, go to the page for viewing education software. You will find the free education options for Civil Storm under the Hydraulics and Hydrology filter.  
  4. Select the Install link on the tile for OpenFlows Storm and then select Install OpenFlows CivilSorm. If you do not see the link to Install, make sure the Students & Educators filter is turned on. You must be logged in with a verified education account before you can access any downloads, otherwise the Install link will provide you with an error message.A screenshot of a computerAI-generated content may be incorrect.
  5. Once the software downloads portal has loaded, follow the on-screen instructions to download the OpenFlows Storm Installation package.A screenshot of a computerAI-generated content may be incorrect.
    Please Note: If you receive the following pop-up during installation, please uninstall any older version of CivilStorm and StormCAD installed on your computer. You can uninstall an application by going to your computer's settings>Apps menu and selecting to uninstall the old version of this application.
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  6. Launch the OpenFlows installation file, you will need to accept the End User License Agreement in order to continue. For more details, see our End User License Agreement.
  1. After selecting the Install button, you will be given the option of selecting OpenFlows Storm Essentials or OpenFlows Storm Advanced. In order to access CivilStorm, you must select the option that includes the Advanced tier. Please note: this may not be the pre-selected option.

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  1. The first time you open or create a file, a dialogue box may open, prompting you to choose a feature level. Select the option for Standalone, AutoCAD, MicroStation, unlimited inlets.
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FAQ: How can I check if I have the correct version of OpenFlows Storm to access CivilStorm?

To confirm that you have the correct tier or version:

  1. Launch the specific application from your settings menu
  2. Login with your Bentley Education account details to the CONNECTION client
  3. Select File>Help>About to view the 'Product Version' or 'File Version' details. This is only applicable once an application is installed to your desktop.

FAQ: I already installed OpenFlows Storm, but I only see "Essentials." How do I get the "Advanced" features? 

If you have already installed OpenFlows Storm but are unable to access CivilStorm, you may have defaulted to the OpenFlows Storm Essentials version, pre-selected during installation. If you complete the steps above and launch the installation file, you can download the Advanced tier instead. The installation file indicates that this will update and override previously installed versions of the application. These steps are good for updating your tier-enabled capabilities as well as upgrading the product for new functionality after a new version has been released.

 

Still Having Trouble?

If you have followed these steps and are still unable to access the software or the correct features, please contact our support team for further assistance by visiting bentley.com/education/help.