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.
EVOLVE
EVOLVE is a specialized construction preconstruction and fabrication software suite designed to help electrical and mechanical contractors automate detailing, simplify spooling, and manage shop operations through Revit-integrated workflows.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Design Master | EVOLVE |
|---|---|---|
| Website | designmaster.biz | evolve-it.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 | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, USA | Alpharetta, USA |
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.
EVOLVE
EVOLVE provides a specialized suite of tools built specifically for electrical and mechanical contractors who need to bridge the gap between design and the fabrication shop. By integrating directly with Autodesk Revit, you can automate the most tedious parts of the detailing process, such as hanger placement, conduit routing, and sleeve creation. This allows your team to move from 2D drawings to 3D models with significantly higher precision and speed.
Beyond just modeling, you can manage the entire fabrication lifecycle from a single interface. You can track materials, generate real-time spool drawings, and sync data between the office and the shop floor to reduce waste. Whether you are managing complex electrical systems or mechanical piping, the platform helps you ensure that what you model is exactly what gets built, reducing costly field errors and rework.
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.
EVOLVE Features
- Automated Hanger Placement. Place complex hanger arrays across your entire model instantly based on your specific engineering rules and clearances.
- Smart Spooling. Generate fabrication-ready spool drawings and sheets automatically from your Revit model to save hours of manual drafting.
- Conduit & Cable Tray Tools. Route conduit runs and cable trays with automated bends and alignments that follow real-world manufacturing constraints.
- Real-time Shop Tracking. Monitor the status of every fabricated part from the moment it is requested until it arrives at the jobsite.
- Parameter Syncing. Manage and update data across thousands of Revit elements simultaneously to ensure your schedules and tags stay accurate.
- Sleeve Automation. Detect penetrations and place wall or floor sleeves automatically, ensuring perfect alignment with your structural requirements.
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
EVOLVE 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
EVOLVE
Pros
- Drastically reduces time spent on repetitive Revit modeling tasks
- Seamless integration with existing Autodesk AEC Collection workflows
- Highly responsive technical support team with trade expertise
- Improves accuracy between the digital model and physical fabrication
Cons
- Requires high-level Revit proficiency to utilize fully
- Initial setup and template configuration takes significant time
- Premium pricing reflects its status as a specialized tool