Design Master
Design Master provides specialized electrical and HVAC engineering software that automates complex calculations and drafting tasks directly within AutoCAD and Revit to streamline your entire building design process.
EPLAN Electric P8
EPLAN Electric P8 is a consistent, integrated, and fast engineering software system for the planning and design of electrical engineering for machines and plant systems.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Design Master | EPLAN Electric P8 |
|---|---|---|
| Website | designmaster.biz | eplan-software.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Custom |
| Starting Price | $90/month | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2001 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, USA | Monheim am Rhein, Germany |
Overview
Design Master
Design Master offers a suite of engineering tools specifically created for electrical and HVAC professionals who work in AutoCAD and Revit. Instead of jumping between separate spreadsheets and drafting programs, you can perform complex calculations like load analysis, short circuit studies, and duct sizing directly within your design environment. This integration ensures your schedules and drawings stay synchronized automatically as you make changes.
You can choose between specialized modules for electrical, HVAC, or plumbing needs depending on your project requirements. The software is designed for MEP engineering firms and individual consultants who need to increase accuracy while reducing the time spent on repetitive drafting tasks. By automating the technical math, you can focus more on high-level design and less on manual data entry.
EPLAN Electric P8
EPLAN Electric P8 offers you a comprehensive solution for designing electrical control systems and automation projects. You can create high-quality schematics, manage master data, and generate automated reports for production and service. The software supports various engineering methods, from manual creation to standardized, template-based design, allowing you to adapt the tool to your specific project requirements and company standards.
By using this platform, you can significantly reduce your design time while improving documentation quality. It integrates your electrical engineering with other disciplines like fluid power and 3D cabinet design through the EPLAN Platform. You can easily share data across your entire value chain, ensuring that your manufacturing and maintenance teams always have access to the most up-to-date project information.
Overview
Design Master Features
- Integrated Electrical Calculations Perform short circuit, voltage drop, and arc flash calculations instantly as you place components in your drawings.
- Automated Panel Schedules Generate and update panel schedules automatically, ensuring your documentation always matches the latest version of your design.
- One-Line Diagram Tools Create dynamic one-line diagrams that stay linked to your floor plans to eliminate coordination errors between views.
- HVAC Load Calculations Calculate heating and cooling loads directly from your building geometry to size equipment accurately without external tools.
- Duct and Pipe Sizing Size your ductwork and piping systems based on flow requirements and pressure drop limits with built-in automation.
- Revit Integration Enhance your BIM workflow with specialized tools that add advanced engineering data and calculations to standard Revit elements.
EPLAN Electric P8 Features
- Automatic Reporting. Generate comprehensive reports like bill of materials, terminal diagrams, and cable schedules automatically based on your schematic data.
- Macro Technology. Save and reuse standardized circuit segments to speed up your design process and maintain high engineering standards.
- Multi-User Operation. Collaborate with your team on the same project simultaneously while keeping all data synchronized in real-time.
- Global Standards Support. Design your projects according to international standards like IEC, NFPA, or GOST with built-in support for multiple languages.
- Data Portal Integration. Access over a million device data sets from leading manufacturers directly within your design environment to save time.
- Error Checking. Run automated logical checks to identify short circuits or missing connections before your design ever reaches the shop floor.
Pricing Comparison
Design Master Pricing
- Short circuit calculations
- Voltage drop analysis
- Automated panel schedules
- One-line diagram generation
- Photometric lighting levels
- Equipment and wire sizing
- Everything in AutoCAD tier, plus:
- Native Revit parameter syncing
- Advanced arc flash analysis
- Feeder and branch circuit sizing
- Customizable shared parameters
- Enhanced Revit schedule control
EPLAN Electric P8 Pricing
Pros & Cons
Design Master
Pros
- Significant reduction in manual calculation errors
- Excellent technical support from knowledgeable engineers
- Seamless integration with existing AutoCAD workflows
- Automatic updates to schedules save hours
- Highly specialized for NEC compliance standards
Cons
- Initial setup requires significant time investment
- Interface feels dated compared to modern apps
- Learning curve for customizing specific block libraries
EPLAN Electric P8
Pros
- Extensive automation capabilities for generating project documentation
- Massive library of manufacturer parts via the Data Portal
- Highly customizable to fit specific company engineering standards
- Seamless data exchange with other EPLAN platform products
Cons
- Significant learning curve for new or occasional users
- Higher price point compared to basic CAD tools
- Requires powerful hardware for large, complex projects