ER Design Studio Software
ER Design Studio — Formerly CTIware
Simplifying Retaining Wall Design
ER Design Studio is a connected suite of retaining wall design and CAD tools built by retaining wall engineers, for retaining wall engineers.
Move from grading plans to MSE analysis, quantities, reports, and construction drawings through one practical workflow.
SOFTWARE
ER Design Studio
Vespa 3
Our flagship MSE retaining wall design platform. Vespa 3 supports AASHTO methodologies for extensible and inextensible reinforcement, the Simplified Stiffness Method, NCMA design, global stability export, quantities, plans, sections, and comprehensive reports.
Vespa 2
A practical MSE retaining wall design platform with multiple methodologies, preloaded block and reinforcement libraries, full retaining wall layouts, quantities, analysis, and hand-calculation style reports.
AWall 2
An AutoCAD tool for accurate retaining wall layout. AWall 2 creates plan and elevation views, accounts for variable heights, batter, and footprint, calculates quantities, and exports geometry directly into Vespa.
EZER Toolbar
CAD automation for retaining wall construction drawings. EZER Toolbar helps turn exported design information into clear, usable details for contractors and project teams.
Three Days of Work → Three Hours
Traditional MSE retaining wall design can require manual calculations, separate CAD workflows, repeated data entry, and time-consuming quantity takeoffs.
ER Design Studio connects those steps:
Grading plan → AWall layout → Vespa design and analysis → quantities, reports, and construction drawings
The result is a faster, more transparent workflow with outputs engineers can review and project teams can use.
Pricing and Licensing
Choose the software and subscription that fit your workflow. AWall 2 is included with qualifying Vespa subscriptions. Multi-seat options are available for firms that need broader access.
Vespa 2
Monthly Subscription
$69 per month
Vespa 2 + AWall 2
Annual Subscription includes AWall
$599 annually
AWall 2
Annual Subscription
$295 annually
Vespa 3 + AWall 2
Annual Subscription includes AWall
$1099 annually
EZER Toolbar
Annual Subscription
$1200 annually
ER Design Studio Premium Bundle
Annual Premium Bundle Subscription
$2,099 annually
Need licenses for multiple users?
Email software@earthretention.com to discuss options.
Tell us how your team handles layout, analysis, quantities, reports, and construction drawings. We’ll show how Vespa, AWall, and EZER Toolbar work together—and focus on the steps where ER Design Studio can reduce repeated work and save time.
Every retaining wall workflow is different.
Your demo should be, too.
Practical walkthrough built around your team’s workflow.
DOWNLOAD, UPDATES & INSTALLATION
Need software access, an update, or help with installation? Email the ER Design Studio software team with the product and version you are using and a short description of what you need.
Our software team will review the request and provide the appropriate file, update instructions, or next step.
Software
Tutorials
Watch practical tutorials covering Vespa design setup, design parameters, retaining wall geometry, loading, geogrid placement, reports, CAD export, and AWall layout.
Some tutorials use an earlier software interface, but the core design concepts remain useful. Current demonstrations and new resources will be added through Earth Retention U.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about licensing, installation, AutoCAD compatibility, project setup, updates, activation, quantities, and common technical questions.
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Yes. Email software@earthretention.com to book a software demo. Tell us about your current retaining wall workflow so we can focus the demonstration on the tools and features most relevant to your team.
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Yes. AWall 2 is included with qualifying Vespa subscriptions. It creates accurate retaining wall plan and elevation views in AutoCAD and exports geometry directly into Vespa.
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Yes. AWall 2 operates within AutoCAD.
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Yes. Vespa is an open platform. In addition to preloaded product libraries, users can define project-specific block and geosynthetic reinforcement systems.
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Yes. Vespa can generate detailed quantities for retaining wall components, including block, geogrid, base material, reinforced fill, and retained-zone fill.
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Yes. A Vespa project can include multiple individual retaining wall designs, allowing project-specific information to be shared across the site while each retaining wall is designed separately.
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Current subscriptions include access to applicable software updates. Email software@earthretention.com to request the appropriate update. Our software team will provide the file or next step.
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Licensing is connected to the customer’s purchase and subscription. For activation, device, or multi-user questions, email software@earthretention.com.
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Internet access, firewall settings, or antivirus software can sometimes interfere with activation and update checks. Email software@earthretention.com with the product, version, error message, and relevant screenshots so the team can help identify the issue.
“In my twelve years working in the MSE wall industry I have worked with many SRW/MSE proprietary as well as commercial software, but I assure you that VESPA/AWALL is by far the most complete tool to design and estimate a modular retaining wall, decreasing design turnaround time and increasing productivity.”
— Miguel Souffront, PE
MG-ELCOR, Inc.
“None of the programs on the market today bridge the gap between civil grading plans, the retaining wall design program, shop drawings, and final quantities like AWall and Vespa.”
— Chad Clark, PE
Earth Retention
“Vespa has been a great solution for our retaining wall design needs. With all the block and grid information preloaded, and the ability to add any new combination, Vespa has increased productivity and design accuracy.”
— Tom Sims, PE
Longleaf Engineering, LLC
“Vespa has it all: a user-friendly retaining wall drawing component, an accurate analysis package, and concise reporting tailored to your needs.”
— Michael Bernardi, PE
