Looking for software to help with drawing piping diagrams

GGross

I do most of my design work with computers, but I still hand draw all my piping diagrams. these are presented to contractor customers and could be much better and more professional looking. The only one I have tried so far is hydrosketch and the free trial has not convinced me to purchase. This is for professional use, recommendations in any price range are welcome.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

If I'm not mistaken, all the drawings in Caleffi's idronics journals use Hydrosketch. What don't you like about it?

Steve Minnich

I use HydroSketch almost daily. It took a little while to get used to, but I’ve got it down now. The drawings I provide from HS are very professional. 

Steve Minnich

There’s also Visio, Sketch-Up, and Taco’s program. 

hot_rod

The drawings in idronics are done by Siggy in in AutoCad.

All the Caleffi stencils are available for free and work in Visio.

Steve Minnich

hot_rod said:

The drawings in idronics are done by Siggy in in AutoCad. All the Caleffi stencils are available for free and work in Visio.

Have you used AutoCad? 

hot_rod

Steve Minnich said:

hot_rod said:

The drawings in idronics are done by Siggy in in AutoCad.

All the Caleffi stencils are available for free and work in Visio.

Have you used AutoCad? 

I have not, it is a fairly expensive program, beyond my pay grade also. I think our design engineer in Milwaukee has it, but only a one user version. He sure doesn't need me playing around in the program

Steve Minnich

I was just curious. I’m happy with Siggy’s software but have been playing around with Visio every now and then. 

EBEBRATT-Ed

I used to use Visio and liked it once I got used to it (I am far from an expert in it)

I used it mostly for shop drawings

Sheet metal fittings, brackets etc

jumper

Been hearing bad things about AutoCad for decades.

hot_rod

jumper said:

Been hearing bad things about AutoCad for decades.

Bad, as in?? It's been around for about 50 years, still seems to be the go to program for designers worldwide. Is there any program that doesn't have glitches, idiosyncrasies?

GGross

I think I will look into Visio. Thanks for everyone's recommendations

Steve Minnich

One thing that I really like about Visio is that it’s easy to import OEM equipment and components. It makes for a better presentation when you provide a drawing that’s specific to the project. 

gennady

AutoCAD. Great company? Not really. I purchased one MEP seat for $5K, years ago. Suddenly, the license had expired. Renewal is another $5K. Really?

jumper

hot_rod said:

jumper said:

Been hearing bad things about AutoCad for decades.

Bad, as in?? It's been around for about 50 years, still seems to be the go to program for designers worldwide. Is there any program that doesn't have glitches, idiosyncrasies?

So bad that some used different software to "drive" AutoCad to produce drawings required by authorities. Company did some effective salesmanship. When not required people in drafting business avoided that firm's clutches.

ChrisJ

AutoCAD isn't a company it's a software made by Autodesk and I use it almost every day.

I spend most of my time in Fusion360 which is also made by Autodesk.

mattmia2

Autocad is very powerful but something you have to use a lot to make learning to use it worth it. Visio is much more intuitive for occasional use. Google's drawing program and Libre Office's drawing programs are also ok for occasional use.

ChrisJ

I'm sorry I've spent the whole day sick and miserable.  I should've been clearer in my response.

I use AutoCAD and Fusion360 but I do not do plumbing.   I do a lot of shop drawings as well as 3d modeling, designing etc.    I'm not sure what's an easy tool for plumbing / HVAC.    I can easily model pipes, valves etc in Fusion but I'm not so sure that's the route someone should take just doing that.

GGross

@mattmia2

What is the google drawing tool called? Might be worth a try as well

mattmia2

It is just called "Google Drawings". It is one of the google tools that is part of a google account like google sheets or google docs. I haven't tried to import Visio shapes, I have only used it for simple block diagrams but it is intended to compete with Visio and I wouldn't be surprised if it can import Visio shape libraries.