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Templates are useful for creating quick drawings and diagrams. Some options on the market offer 24/7 live support, while others limit support requests to email only or business hours only. Technical and customer support are crucial for any type of software program. Free trials offer a no-commitment, behind-the-scenes look at the functionality of the program, while customer reviews on websites like Capterra or G2 compile honest feedback from actual customers. To gauge the usability of a program, sign up for free trials and read online reviews.
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However, even if you’re an established professional, you may prefer a program that’s easy to navigate. These are often the best choice for students, instructors and beginners. Many piping design programs are designed to be very intuitive if you can navigate a Microsoft Word document, you can easily use the tools. Many programs integrate with commonly used business tools like Slack, Jira, Salesforce, Microsoft Office and others. If you need the ability to easily share diagrams and drawings, look for software that offers collaboration. Some programs also allow you to draw your own symbols. This will allow you to change the size and color of the symbols. in the majority of piping design software programs.įor complete control over your designs, look for symbols that are in vector format. The extent of the available symbols will vary from tool to tool, but you can expect to see the basics - ball valves, hoses, connectors, compressors, etc.
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Piping design software will come equipped with symbol libraries to make your designs clear, consistent and comprehensive. Tools with 3D modeling capabilities may have a higher cost, but you’ll have the benefit of creating more detailed diagrams.
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What level of detail do you need from your diagrams? Both 2D and 3D designs will get the job done, but many professionals prefer the look and feel of 3D. However, each program will be different, so it’s important to know your priorities. Pipe design software typically comes with some, if not all, of the following features.
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