Ok I think I am making some headway, I unchecked the db_denydatareader and db_denydatawriter in the "Admin" login properties and just left db_owner and public checked. I was confusing all...

the application instructions are vague (surprise surprise) and read as:

Setting up MS SQL Server to be used for EMCAT3 – ENTERPRISE

1.Create a database on the server named: emcatdb.

2.Create a user...

I connected as new user with SSMS, and nothing shows up under the tables tab, but when I right click to create a table, I get sql server error 229...

Under the database/Admin/properties, the user has every single role membership checked off, and all of the owned schemas checked except guest, which is not allowed. (I reverted to shotgun effect)

Under...