hsbDesign for AutoCAD v29.0.10: The Intelligent MEP Design Engine for AutoCAD

hsbDesign for AutoCAD v29.0.10 is a powerful, domain-specific plugin that transforms standard AutoCAD into a highly productive environment for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) design, with a primary focus on HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and Plumbing/Piping systems. It adds a layer of intelligent, rule-based automation to the drafting process, enabling engineers and drafters to create accurate, code-compliant designs, perform automatic sizing calculations, and generate detailed documentation—all within the familiar AutoCAD interface. This version represents a mature toolset for professionals in building services engineering.

Core Philosophy: Smart Objects, Not Just Lines
The fundamental advantage of hsbDesign is its use of intelligent, parametric objects. Instead of drawing lines and circles to represent ducts or pipes, users insert intelligent duct, pipe, and fixture objects that “know” what they are. These objects carry data (size, flow, material) and connect logically, allowing the software to automate downstream tasks like clash detection, sizing, and bill of materials (BOM) generation, which are tedious and error-prone when done manually.

Key Functional Modules & Capabilities:

1. Intelligent HVAC Ductwork Design

  • Parametric Duct Objects: Draw rectangular, round, and oval ductwork as intelligent objects. Systems automatically recognize connections, branches, and fittings (elbows, reducers, tees).

  • Automatic Duct Sizing: Calculates optimal duct dimensions based on airflow rates, selected sizing method (e.g., equal friction, velocity), and pressure drop constraints, ensuring an efficient and balanced system design.

  • Fitting Library & Management: Includes extensive libraries of standard duct fittings, with automatic or manual insertion.

2. Comprehensive Plumbing & Piping Design

  • Domestic Water & Sanitary Systems: Design cold/hot water supply, wastewater, and vent systems with smart pipe objects. Automatically assigns slopes for drainage pipes per code.

  • Fire Protection & Gas Piping: Includes tools for sprinkler system layout and gas line design.

  • Automatic Pipe Sizing: Sizes pipes based on fixture units (for sanitary systems) or flow rates and pressure loss calculations (for supply systems).

3. Automated Isometric Drawing Generation

  • Single-Line Isometrics: A standout feature that automatically generates clean, annotated isometric drawings (ISO) of piping systems directly from the 2D plan, saving countless hours of manual isometric drafting.

  • BOM on Isometrics: Automatically adds a bill of materials with item numbers directly onto the isometric drawing.

4. Productivity & Documentation Tools

  • Schedule & Report Generation: Automatically creates schedules for equipment, ducts, pipes, fixtures, and valves, with data extracted directly from the drawing objects.

  • Collision Checking: Performs basic interference detection between different MEP systems within the AutoCAD model.

  • Symbol Libraries: Provides vast, industry-standard libraries of HVAC and plumbing symbols and equipment blocks.

hsbDesign for AutoCAD v.29.0.10
hsbDesign for AutoCAD v.29.0.10