Design Master Wish List
Welcome to the Design Master Wish List, where you can submit your ideas for improvements to the software.
195 results found
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Load Type Schedule Designation
Add a distribution schedule customization attribute that can be added to panel schedules as an additional column to show load type(s) that are connected to each circuit, preferably letter abbreviation designations for each load type. (Heating would be 'H', Lighting would be 'L', Motor loads 'M' etc...)
8 votes -
Inverter with Multiple Voltages
Allow the creation of UPS (or central inverter) to have multiple output voltages. We do a lot of tornado shelters where the backup power source is a central inverter. When using 277V lighting, we often need 120V backup power for other loads such as ventilation/exhaust fans and some plumbing loads to provide water for sinks/lavs. There is currently no good way to model an inverter with both 277V and 120V output capabilities.
1 voteOur recommended workaround is to model the single inverter as multiple inverters in DM.
Getting the total load on the inverter will require a little work with a main piece of equipment feeding the different inverters and likely some transformers to properly tie everything together.
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Match receptacle note locations for similar devices with equal rotation
Once receptacles are laid out and circuited, much of my time is then spent matching the note locations of the circuit numbers so that they dont end up on the wrong side of the wall. The "Match note locations" works well however I have to use this command individually on devices that are rotated the same way. It would be a HUGE time saver to "Match note locations for similar devices at same rotation". Most receptacles end up at a 0,90,180,270 rotation angle so being able to select the similar devices with that exact rotation angle and then match the…
3 votes -
Display Single Equipment Instance in List for Each Equipment Callout
The equipment list currently displays all equipment in a group. The list can be longer than necessary if there are multiple similar pieces of equipment in the list.
Add a "Display one row per unique equipment callout" toggle to the "Insert Equipment List". If multiple pieces of equipment have the same callout, they would be collapsed to a single row.
For the columns, if the information is same for all the equipment, the common information would be listed. If the information was different, the different values would somehow all be included in the column so that no information was lost.
3 votesThere are two workarounds currently.
1. Use “Edit Multiple” to uncheck the “Show in List” toggle for all but one of each type of equipment.
2. Create a group and move a single instance of each type of equipment to that group. Insert the list for that group.
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Change default circuit callout
Add an option for the default circuit callout inserted on the drawing when connecting a device to a panel. Currently it always lists the full circuit callout of panel name and circuit number (P-1).
1 voteThe solution in the current software is to circuit the device then use the “Modify Circuit Label” command to change the callout.
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Importing panel schedules from previous projects
We do a lot of repeat projects for clients and it would be nice to be able to import panel schedules (including circuiting and loading) from previous projects into a new project. These loads could be converted to fixed loads since the two projects would use different databases. This way we could better keep track of circuiting/loads and when the latter project are completed, the panel schedules would be more accurate.
3 votes -
Integrate functionality of DM into AutoCAD Electrical
This add-on would be great in AutoCAD Electrical, where each device that is added by DM would be smart components within AutoCAD Electrical.
2 votes -
Cut and paste devices between drawings and keep circuited
When cutting devices from one drawing file to another that is in the same DM database it will keep the devices circuited.
2 votes -
I would like to be able to select a circuit number and highlight a device and draw a homerun, i.e. dedicated circuits, equipment, etc.
This would avoid the more cumbersome 2 step process
1. circuit device
2. draw homerunDepending on the job there are can be lots of dedicated circuits and/or pieces of equipment...
1 vote -
1 vote
Here’s the best workaround with the current features that exist in the software:
Set the default to the option you will use on most panels in the project.
In the other panels, change the circuit description to the other value. Then use the “Move Circuits” command. Use the “Copy” button in that dialog to copy the description to the other circuits. When you copy, the selected circuit will increment down one each time. You can press the button multiple times to fill in multiple circuits.
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Fan coils and splits that are electrically fed via heat pump.
It would be nice if we could define a heat pump as a piece of equipment but have a second piece of equipment like a ductless split or fan coil either as a secondary part of that equipment that can be placed on a separate drawing (or a different part of the same drawing) or if we could link them in some way. The goal would be that once you circuit the heat pump, the same circuit would automatically be assigned to the fan coil which may or may not have an additional load. Then when drawing a homerun from…
2 votes -
Customization of circuiting callouts
In circuiting callouts, allow the dash to be replaced by a custom string.
Example: Default circuiting callout is L1A-1,3,5. Allow us to make it say L1A: 1,3,5 or L1A CKT 1,3,5.
8 votes -
Add a 'Find All Circuits on Drawing' command similar to the 'Find Circuit on Drawing'
This command would be invoked from the panel circuiting dialog box, and would highlight all circuits fed from a particular panel.
1 vote -
Import/Export Electrical Equipment Schedule Excel
It would be a huge time saver to be able to Export a project electrical equipment schedule into excel for quick data entry and then import back into DM/Autocad. Entering a large list of kitchen equipment can be tedious. Being able to do this in excel would be quicker. The import/export functionality could be similar to how DM handles the layers for the standards database. Alternatively, listing the equipment as a table with aligned rows/columns would be equally efficient.
2 votes -
Spaces in Feeder Callouts
Be able to display feeder callouts with spaces after commas, instead of having all the wire sizes right next to each other.
Current Callout:
2''C,2#3/0,#3/0N,#6GDesired Callout:
2''C, 2#3/0, #3/0N, #6G3 votes -
Multiple Fault Schedules
I would like the ability to break out individual fault current schedule entries into separate groups based on the service connection or other arbitrary criteria. For example, in a project with three electrical services, the distribution equipment fault current associated with one service could be scheduled separately from the other two services. Design Master currently schedules all fault current schedule entries together. On projects with multiple services and dozens of distribution equipment entries, a method of showing specific fault current calculations in separate schedules would be invaluable.
2 votes -
A copy function for identical floor plans in multi-level buildings would be a time saving idea to speed up drawing.
So that when I am working on a multilevel building all I would have to do is copy the floor plan from one identical level and placing it on the other matching levels then just rename the panels and circuit names, without duplicating the copied information on the original panels. Breaking its connection with the parent panel and giving a notification to reassign panel names.
4 votes -
Separate column in the feeder schedule for the service grounding electrode conductor.
The service ground does not get installed in the conduit with the service entrance conductors, so why is it shown just like all the other feeders where the equipment grounding conductor is installed with the feeder conductors. If you want the feature to show the GEC size, show it in a different column and show the feeder with no ground listed with the feeder conductors so its clear it is not in the conduit.
4 votes -
Subfeed breakers
Add specific support for subfeed breakers.
Be able to set the number of subfeed breakers on a panel (similar to how the number of poles is currently set on a panel).
Have the panel schedule update to document which breakers are subfeed. We likely would add a separator block between the branch circuit and subfeed breakers that you could customize. The default block would have a line across the schedule plus some text indicating branch circuit breakers above and subfeed below. You could then modify that as desired for your documentation purposes.
56 votes -
Improve combined homeruns
Be able to combine homeruns with different wire sizes.
Be able to combine homeruns from separate panels.
Be able to display a full wire callout for combined circuit homeruns, including calculating the conduit size required for all the wires.
14 votes
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