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.
EcoStruxure Machine Expert
EcoStruxure Machine Expert is a professional software solution for developing, configuring, and commissioning entire machines in a single environment to improve your engineering efficiency and reduce time to market.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Design Master | EcoStruxure Machine Expert |
|---|---|---|
| Website | designmaster.biz | schneider-electric.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Custom |
| Starting Price | $90/month | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 42 days 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 | 1836 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, USA | Rueil-Malmaison, France |
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.
EcoStruxure Machine Expert
EcoStruxure Machine Expert is your all-in-one engineering environment for designing and programming industrial machinery. You can manage every stage of the machine lifecycle, from initial logic configuration and motion control to HMI design and safety integration, within a single software suite. It simplifies complex automation tasks by providing a unified interface for Schneider Electric’s range of controllers and drive systems.
You can reduce your development time significantly by using pre-defined libraries and functional modules tailored for specific industrial applications. The platform helps you improve machine performance through advanced diagnostic tools and simulation capabilities that let you test your logic before physical deployment. It is designed for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and automation engineers who need to build high-performance, connected machines quickly.
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.
EcoStruxure Machine Expert Features
- Unified Configuration. Configure your logic, motion, HMI, and network settings within a single software environment to eliminate data duplication.
- Application Libraries. Access ready-to-use functional blocks and tested architectures to speed up your machine design and reduce programming errors.
- Collaborative Engineering. Work simultaneously with your team on the same project using integrated version control and multi-user support features.
- Advanced Simulation. Test your machine logic and motion profiles in a virtual environment to identify issues before commissioning physical hardware.
- Safety Integration. Program and configure your functional safety requirements directly alongside your standard control logic for better system integrity.
- Cloud Connectivity. Connect your machines to cloud-based services easily to enable remote monitoring and predictive maintenance for your customers.
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
EcoStruxure Machine Expert 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
EcoStruxure Machine Expert
Pros
- Single environment for logic, motion, and HMI
- Extensive libraries for common industrial machine functions
- Robust simulation tools reduce physical commissioning time
- Seamless integration with Schneider Electric hardware components
Cons
- High system requirements for smooth software performance
- Steep learning curve for users new to CODESYS
- Licensing process can be complex for small teams