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Electrical Design Software

Electrical Design software is designed to design and build electrical equipment. Electrical 3d design software is used by electric engineers throughout the process of modelling, documenting, and estimating future electrical systems for an organization. Autocad electric design is also used to reorganize current systems that might need updating, while also staying in compliance with industry standards. Browse our catalogue to find the best Electrical Design software for your organization in Canada.

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Analysis platform for the design, simulation, optimization, and automation of generation, distribution, and industrial power systems. Learn more about ETAP
ETAP electrical engineering software is the #1 suite for model-driven Design, real-time Operation, and intelligent Automation of electrical power systems. Core modeling tools allow you to quickly and easily create, configure, customize, and manage your electrical system model; build 3-phase and 1-phase AC and DC network one-line diagrams and GIS views with unlimited buses and elements including detailed instrumentation and grounding components. https://etap.com/products/etap-digital-twin Learn more about ETAP

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
2D and 3D CAD software with design automation and electrical toolsets, plus web and mobile apps.
CAD software used for precise 2D and 3D drafting, design, and modeling with solids, surfaces, mesh objects, documentation features, and more. It includes features to automate tasks and increase productivity such as comparing drawings, counting, adding objects, and creating tables. It also comes with seven industry-specific toolsets for electrical design, plant design, architecture layout drawings, mechanical design, 3D mapping, adding scanned images, and converting raster images. Learn more about AutoCAD

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM tool to bring your design teams together and connect your entire product development processes on one platform.
Cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM tool to bring your design teams together and connect your entire product development processes on one platform. Learn more about Fusion 360

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
ANSYS SpaceClaim is a multipurpose 3D modeling application providing efficient solutions to common modeling tasks.
ANSYS SpaceClaim is a 3D CAD solution designed to help engineers and analysts create parts, auto surface mesh data, and recreate fixtures. The platform enables professionals to remove geometry problems associated with various 3D CAD operations, such as design or concept modeling, repair of translated CAD files, general model defeaturing, and complete model editing. It also lets administrators parameterize CAD files and prepare models for 3D printing using a unified interface. Learn more about Ansys SpaceClaim

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
ArcSite is the leader in mobile drawing and drawing-based takeoff, data collection, and estimate solutions.
ArcSite is the leader in mobile drawing and drawing-based takeoff, and estimate solutions. With ArcSite, you can easily create beautiful, professional-looking drawings on an iPad, Android tablet, or Windows device in just minutes. You can then automatically generate a takeoff, calculate cost and margin, and even produce a winning proposal, all while working in the field, or anywhere you want to work. ArcSite can help you win more business, save time, and improve collaboration with your team. Learn more about ArcSite

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
CAD solution that helps businesses create 3D or 2D figures and variants of configurable products using direct and parametric modeling.
Creo is a 3D CAD solution that helps you build better products faster by accelerating product innovation, reusing the best of your design and replacing assumptions with facts. From initial concept to design, simulation, and analysis, Creo provides designers with innovative tools to efficiently create better products. Thousands of leading manufacturers worldwide use Creo's CAD, IoT, and Augmented Reality capabilities, in the cloud and on the desktop, to turn their ideas into reality quickly. Learn more about Creo

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Easy electrical design software with hundreds of built-in templates, tools & symbols. Draw and print to any scale. Import & edit Visio.
Make any electrical design or schematic using SmartDraw's built in templates, tools and symbols. Includes industry standard symbols and the ability to draw and print to any scale. Import Visio files and stencils. Easily create wiring diagrams, circuit designs, logic diagrams, block diagrams, residential & commercial wiring plans and so much more. Learn more about SmartDraw

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
CAD tool with industyry specific library for documenting electrical control systems.
Electrical designing solution designed to help engineers modify electrical controls to create drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematics. Key features of the platform include customer and supplier collaboration, project management, wire numbering, component tagging, real-time error checking, coil and contact cross-referencing, report generation, and more among others. AutoCAD Electrical also enables professionals to compare two versions of a drawing on a unified interface. Learn more about AutoCAD Electrical

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Solid Edge provides industry-proven electrical design tools, built by engineers for engineers, to simplify electrical design.
Solid Edge helps you overcome electromechanical design challenges with a dedicated solution for electrical design, enabling true co-design collaboration across electrical and mechanical domains. Based on industry-leading technology, our products are trusted and proven around the world. Learn more about Solid Edge

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic is standalone electrical schematic software that efficiently defines complex systems with an intuitive
SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic is standalone electrical design software that provides an intuitive interface to efficiently define complex electrical interconnections. The software automates tasks like contact cross-referencing and terminal drawings to accelerate electrical schematic development. SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic is available in Standard and Professional versions, with the Professional edition offering additional tools for schematic creation, design reuse, collaboration, and integration with 3D CAD. Both packages include extensive component libraries to optimize design reuse. Learn more about SolidWorks Electrical Schematics

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Install engineering CAD solution designed to help you complete your electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic projects.
Electra E8: The Easiest to use Electrical CAD Software on the planet. Create circuits 300-500% faster, generate terminals and bills of materials in a blink! Learn more about Electra E7

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
EPLAN Electric P8 supports your electrical controls design for machines and plants in an integrated and fast engineering system.
EPLAN provides software and service solutions in the fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering. We develop one of the worlds leading design software solutions for machine and panel builders. "Efficient engineering" is our focus: EPLAN is the ideal partner to streamline challenging engineering processes. No matter whether small or large enterprises, we strive to enable our customers to apply their expertise more eciently. Learn more about EPLAN Electric P8

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Ansys Cloud Direct’s powerful, easy-to-access HPC cloud solution will change the way you think about simulation unlike other simulation
Access Ansys Cloud Direct anywhere, anytime to obtain endless simulation capabilities compatible with most Ansys solvers. Engineering simulation has long been constrained by fixed computing resources available on a desktop or cluster. Ansys Cloud Direct provides access to on-demand, cloud-based computing resources, including both interactive workstations and HPC clusters, for faster, high-fidelity results offering greater performance insight. Learn more about Ansys Cloud Direct

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Ansys HFSS is an electromagnetic simulation solution that can design and simulate high-frequency electronic products.
Ansys HFSS is a 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation software for designing and simulating high-frequency electronic products such as antennas, antenna arrays, RF or microwave components, high-speed interconnects, filters, connectors, IC packages and printed circuit boards. Engineers worldwide use Ansys HFSS software to design high-frequency, high-speed electronics found in communications systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), satellites, and internet-of-things (IoT) products. Learn more about Ansys HFSS

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Lightweight and easy-to-use CAD drawing viewer software that opens large drawings within seconds and has function drawing compare, etc.
DWG Fastview Plus is lightweight, fast and simple with its familiar and compact interface. It is more than just a viewer for it has advanced measurement and dimensioning tools to enhance project team's communication and secure data exchange when sharing drawings with others. It has good performance as followings: Get accurate information like distance, angle, and area from 2D drawings in quick and intuitive ways. Produce clear and concise measured drawings with advanced dimensioning tools Learn more about DWG FastView Plus

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
SEE Electrical is a leading solution in Engineering design software. Its numerous functions and attractive price make it a great choice
Electrical design software is a powerful tool that can automate all of this. It allows electrical engineers to use professional CAD drawing software to design integrated systems in a fraction of the time normally required when creating the process by hand. IGE+XAO Group has been a software publisher designing, producing, selling and ensuring the maintenance of a range of Computer Aided Designand PLM software for 32 years with 90,000 licenses installed. Learn more about SEE Electrical

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
ElectricalOM is electrical design and cable sizing software compliant with BS7671 and British Standards for electrical installations.
ElectricalOM Designer is an electrical design and cable sizing solution that enables users to perform circuit calculations, generate schematic diagrams, design CAD plans, run cable sizing analyses, and conduct discrimination studies. ElectricalOM incorporates data from various manufacturers to maintain information accuracy throughout the design process. ElectricalOM Designer generates reports and outputs that enhance electrical contractors' and consultants' deliverables. Learn more about ElectricalOm

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
The leading high-end CAE solution for electrical engineering and automation projecting tasks.
cofaso is a wieldy branch solution which is developed for design engineering. There are no hided or complex menus. Context-sensitive and simple operating, use of tree views for better project structuring. cofaso provides a working environment meeting user's needs with professional user interface. Fast and effective working in the graphic editor is made possible by intelligent user guidance. Learn more about cofaso

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Modular solution for electrical cable, schematics, and control panel design.
E3.series is a electrical engineering environment supporting advanced requirements for electrical documentation, cabinet and wire harness design and manufacturing outputs. E3.series facilitates an efficient and accurate design and manufacturing process for electrical and fluid planning, cable planning, wire harness and cabinet layout. Its object-oriented architecture provides an integrated and consistent design approach to help eliminate errors, improve quality and reduce design time. Learn more about E3.series

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
HxGN SDx provides cloud- and web-based data-centric software as a service for asset lifecycle information management.
HxGN SDx is a modular cloud- and web-based data-centric SaaS asset lifecycle information management (ALIM) solution from Hexagon that creates a digital twin of industrial facilities to improve project execution, operations, and maintenance throughout the asset lifecycle. The software connects engineering data to operations for a seamless handover, leverages predictive analytics to optimize performance, and helps reduce costs, risks and inefficiencies for owners and operators. Learn more about SDx

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
An ETAP integrated engineering and project management software for electrical engineering.
An ETAP integrated engineering and project management software for electrical engineering. Learn more about AVEVA Electrical

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Electronic circuit simulation software, designed for use in Power Electronics.
PSIMs power electronics simulator delivers unbeatable simulation speed while producing high quality system-level results. Even with no prior experience, PSIMs friendly user interface means easy implementation and seamless adoption in any environment. PSIM and its add-on modules provide robust systems level design and simulation across multiple areas including: Motor Drives, Motor Control Design, Digital Control, Renewable Energy, and much more! Learn more about PSIM

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
WSCAD ELECTRIX is an electrical design software for building automation, electrical installation and machinery, and plant engineering.
WSCAD ELECTRIX is our most powerful Electrical Design Software that allows electrical engineers, designers, & technicians to create, modify, analyze, and optimize electrical systems and circuits. With intuitive interfaces and advanced features, WSCAD software can streamline the entire design process, from schematic diagrams & circuit layouts to panel designs & bill of materials (BOM) creation. Users can quickly generate accurate designs, and create reliable and efficient electrical systems. Learn more about WSCAD ELECTRIX

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Plant design and automation solution that offers DWG file-based tools to create 3D plant models and collaboration capabilities.
CADWorx Plant is a design and automation solution built on AutoCAD. It offers DWG file-based tools to create 3D plant models and collaboration capabilities, resulting in greater efficiency across project teams. Learn more about CADWorx Plant

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management
Architectural CAD software that provides 2D-CAD drafting tools to help users optimize drawing tasks on Adobe Illustrator.
BPT-Pro adds various CAD functions to the Adobe Illustrator toolbox, including dimensioning, scaling, angle, and annotations. It allows users to measure objects with high accuracy. The bilingual software indicates the measurements of any shape or segment, like vertical, horizontal, oblique, and free-curved lines. It features an information palette that displays multiple information in real time, including object coordinates, width and height, length and dimension, etc. Learn more about BPT-Pro

Features

  • CAD Tools
  • System Design Tools
  • Symbol Library
  • Compliance Management

Electrical Design Software Buyers Guide

Electrical design software is the name given to software solutions that have been created to assist electrical engineers with the creation of electrical diagrams, as well as the preparation of layouts for circuit boards. This allows professionals working in this area to create new electrical layouts or restructure existing layouts to improve performance or so that they follow a more logical pattern. On top of this, the software may be used to create system flowcharts or to create and store documents, such as performance reports.

Many software solutions in this category will provide users with a built-in library containing different wires, buttons, and other electrical components. These can be used to create diagrams and animations, so that plans can be made and shared with others or so that existing electrical circuits can be understood more clearly. The best electrical circuit design applications will also allow system layouts and designs to be saved and reused in the future.

In many cases, software will include some built-in computer-aided design (CAD) features, or options to integrate the program with third-party 3D CAD software packages. Outside of these core features, electrical planning software of this kind can also be used to check compliance with industry regulations and to serve as a central repository for other useful information, such as commonly used symbols, key documents, and a list of electrical components. There may also be options for sharing designs through the software or communicating with other electrical engineers in real time, which can enhance collaboration.

The various features associated with electrical design software and the intended uses mean that solutions in this category are often compared to electrical contractor software and building information modelling (BIM) software. Indeed, electrical design solutions can function alongside these tools—or even be integrated with them—and for more basic needs, electrical design solutions may remove the need to acquire those other packages.

While precise features will vary from one solution to the next, there are a set of core features that define the software, as well as some common features, which are seen in the majority of apps of this kind. With this in mind, acquiring a good electrical design solution will allow most users to:

  • Design electrical diagrams, including blueprints, flowcharts, and context diagrams
  • Examine diagrams or schematics, and make sure they comply with industry regulations and safety standards
  • Create, store, and manage important documents, including performance reports
  • Save system layouts generated through the software and reuse them in the future

What is electrical design software?

Electrical design software describes a category of software solutions that have been specifically built to assist with the creation of electrical diagrams, the preparation of circuit board layouts, and a variety of associated tasks. Software of this kind is most commonly used by electrical engineers, and professionals working in similar roles, but can be useful to anyone with needs related to electrical design, diagram creation, and electrical compliance.

Ultimately, the purpose of this software is to facilitate the core work of electrical engineers, including the creation of new circuit layouts, the restructuring of existing layouts, and the production of flowcharts. Electrical design or electrical drawing software also allows electrical engineers to share their designs and diagrams with other professionals working in this field, while many solutions will include a number of other built-in, real-time communication tools. This then allows for improved collaboration and greater clarity when working together on shared projects.

Diagrams are often created using various computer-aided design (CAD) features and a built-in library of the most common components and symbols that facilitate circuit design and amendments. In addition to those primary functions, electrical circuit design software will usually serve as a centralized repository for important information, including documents, performance reports, and a list of components and electrical parts. The software can also be used to carry out calculations related to circuits.

What are the benefits of electrical design software?

The benefits of electrical engineering software for Canadian businesses are mostly centred around the objectives of making electrical systems easier to understand, while making electrical diagrams easier to create, store, access, and reuse in the future. Nevertheless, it can be important to explore some of the specific advantages associated with acquiring this software in greater depth, as this can help to highlight the true value of the software. Some of the most significant benefits include:

  • Visualization of electrical systems: one of the primary benefits associated with electrical CAD software is the ability to visualize electrical systems. This allows electrical engineers to view existing electrical systems—or plan out hypothetical electrical systems—and see them clearly. Visualization is aided by a variety of options that are included within most software solutions of this kind. For instance, it will almost always be possible to see a visual diagram, which includes the various electrical components and utilizes common electrical symbols in order to aid understanding. However, many solutions will go further, providing tools for creating 3D models so that systems can be visualized as they would really appear, as well as animations so that the diagram can be more easily understood. Aside from assisting electrical engineers, this visualization component can make it easier for electricians and similar professionals to explain concepts to those who do not have specialist knowledge or expertise in this area.
  • Efficient diagram creation: acquiring high-quality electrical planning software can greatly enhance the overall efficiency of diagram creation. One of the reasons for this is the inclusion of an in-built library containing common symbols, components, and other features of electrical diagrams that can be added and removed. Furthermore, the ability to save diagrams and reuse them, or use them as a starting point for a new diagram, can also help to reduce the total time spent on this activity. The very best solutions may even be able to automatically complete diagrams through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. This improved efficiency can help to boost overall productivity and allow more time to be spent on practical work.
  • Customizable electrical models: through the use of electrical design software, electrical engineers are able to create fully customizable diagrams and models, and these can then be exported and used to inform other processes. Most software will provide options for users to create symbols and add them to a built-in library, and these can also be used for the creation of circuits, layouts, flowcharts, and other visual diagrams. Moreover, existing diagrams can be loaded into the software or accessed from a built-in repository, then edited or adjusted. The process for creating these electrical diagrams can also be customized with many of the best packages, allowing new keyboard shortcuts to be added or providing options to import saved components.
  • Built-in collaboration tools: another benefit that is sometimes overlooked when utilizing electrical design software is related to its ability to enhance collaboration between electrical engineers, or between engineers and those working in other roles. Many of the best solutions will include built-in communication tools, allowing users to communicate and share ideas in real time. However, even beyond this, diagrams and electrical layouts can be easily shared, allowing a second engineer to cast their eye over a circuit and offer their own insights. Of course, this also means that the software can play a valuable role in training and coaching activities, with trainers or coaches using the software to design problems before asking those who are learning to come up with a viable solution.

What are the features of electrical design software?

The features of electrical design software are intended to assist electrical engineers with a variety of tasks, including the creation of electrical diagrams, the planning of electrical systems, and the restructuring of existing systems. Beyond this, the software will usually allow users to collaborate more effectively with other professionals working in this field and can help to centralize important information, so that it can be easily accessed in the future. Here are some of the most common features of electrical design software:

  • System design/CAD tools: create diagrams and electrical systems through built-in tools. Many of the best systems will include a combination of easy-to-use design features and more advanced CAD tools. Examples of some of the electrical diagrams that can typically be created through the use of software of this kind include blueprints, system flowcharts, context diagrams, and entity-relation diagrams. These can be created with the use of an in-built library of components and symbols. Many solutions will provide drag-and-drop functionality or provide support for keyboard shortcuts, and this can help to make electrical system design as efficient and user-friendly as possible.
  • Document management: create, store, edit, and otherwise manage a variety of important documents that are relevant to the work of an electrical engineer. Aside from the aforementioned electrical system diagrams, the document management component of software in this category can be used to store performance reports, client instructions, compliance documents, and much more. Most solutions will provide built-in search functionality that allows users to find a specific document or even specific words or phrases within all of the stored documents. There may also be options to send documents to other people, while it may also be possible to set up access permissions so that certain documents can only be viewed by those who are authorized.
  • Collaborative tools: communicate with team members, colleagues, other electrical engineers, or professionals working in other fields through a variety of communication tools. This can include a messaging system, live chat, support for video calls, and other real-time and time-delayed communication options. Best-in-class solutions will allow users to access previous communications, which can be invaluable for collaborative efforts, allowing advice to be referred back to, or questions to be answered in full. This helps to facilitate teamwork and the sharing of ideas, which can be important for achieving the best possible results. The electrical design software can also serve as a logical central location for managing relevant communications and for reaching out to other professionals.
  • Parts management: maintain an internal database, containing information about electrical components. For each component, technical specifications can be added, and it is often possible to add customisable notes, which can explain where and when the component is most likely to be used. Depending on the nature of the business using the software, it may also be possible to add pricing information or links to suppliers who are able to provide that component or part. For users with more basic needs, this can essentially serve as a list of components and parts, and these parts can be inserted into diagrams. For those with advanced needs, it serves as a central repository for important information that can be valuable for all electrical engineers using the software.
  • Symbol and design library: create, manage, and access a library containing commonly used electrical symbols and ideograms. This library can be continually added to, amended, and referred to in the event that a user is unsure about what a particular symbol means. Beyond this, the built-in library feature can also be used to save electrical designs. These saved designs can then be imported back into the software, used as a starting point for a new design, or deployed as teaching material for training and coaching activities.
  • Compliance management: analyze electrical diagrams or schematics and assess whether or not they comply with established safety protocols, industry regulations, business standards, and wider legislation. The visualization tools provided by electrical drawing software can make it easier to pinpoint potential problems, highlight those problems to decision-makers, make adjustments to plans, or restructure existing systems to make them fully compliant. This helps users create high-quality solutions based on an understanding and awareness of compliance issues, and the very best options on the market may also be able to automatically detect problems through the use of artificial intelligence. In some cases, alerts can also be set up, drawing attention to possible issues and suggesting potential fixes.

Using the Capterra electrical design software directory, buyers can sort through the available options, filtering them based on the features they offer, as well as the features that are not included. This can significantly speed up the process of finding the right software because the search can begin with users only seeing options that are likely to be relevant.

What should be considered when purchasing electrical design software?

When purchasing electrical design software, there are many different considerations that need to be carefully worked through because buyers need to find the ideal solution for their needs rather than simply finding the best all-round option. A great way to go about this is to think about some of the top priorities, ask a series of questions, and use the answers to form a buying decision. Some examples of good questions to work through include:

  • Does the software provide integration options? It can be important to explore whether software being considered for purchase provides integration options, allowing it to work in conjunction with third-party applications. Some of the main tools that may be beneficial for integration purposes include electrical contractor software, calendar applications, and various communication tools. This then has the potential to boost time management and communication options, resulting in improvements to business outcomes. However, beyond this kind of direct integration with different third-party applications, it is also worth considering the file formats that are supported by the software and whether or not files created in external CAD software can be imported into the application. This can be especially important when trying to introduce a new electrical design solution into an existing work ecosystem.
  • How much does electrical design software cost? The issue of cost is important when acquiring any software, but it can be especially important when investing in software that is going to be integral to day-to-day work, and this is the case with electrical design solutions for electrical engineers. At the most basic level, it is worth comparing the price of different products and trying to ascertain which option delivers the best value for money while delivering on all key requirements. Yet, considerations need to go further than this, as there can be less obvious costs that start to add up in the longer term. For example, how much will it cost to set up the software and store the data? How much will it cost to train all electrical engineers in an organization to use the software? Are there subscription fees attached to the software? Is there likely to be a need to upgrade to a premium version or to buy new updates? Once all of these factors are taken into consideration, it becomes easier to compare the total cost of ownership. Nevertheless, it may still be worth paying more in return for a more complete or more user-friendly package.
  • Can the software perform calculations and analysis? System design for electrical engineers goes beyond simply placing the right components in the right place on a diagram. There are often complex calculations that need to be made, and circuits may need to be analyzed to see if they can be improved or further optimized. With this in mind, it can be worthwhile to spend some time exploring the capabilities of different solutions on the market and evaluating what they have to offer in this area. High-end applications will often make use of artificial intelligence capabilities in order to carry out calculations in real time, flag any potential problems, and make intelligent recommendations for steps that can be taken to enhance an electrical system. It is also a good idea to look for an option that can display relevant information in a user-friendly way so that the information can be easily understood.
  • Does the software support 2D and 3D drawings? It is always worth taking the time to explore the kinds of electrical diagrams and drawings that can be created and imported into a chosen software solution. Some of the more basic solutions will only provide support for two-dimensional diagrams of electrical circuits, which may be sufficient for those with more simple needs in this area. However, the best options will provide support for three-dimensional diagrams, which can then be rotated and explored in more detail. The use of three-dimensional drawings can be especially important when trying to teach concepts or explain some of the more complex ideas. Support for the creation of 3D diagrams can also assist with the creation of physical 3D electrical models.
  • What collaboration features are included? A final consideration for buyers looking for the best electrical design software is to explore the range of collaboration and communication features provided by different options on the market. Even those with relatively simple needs should look for a solution that allows diagrams and documents to be easily saved and shared with others, and it is useful if notes can be added to diagrams in order to explain decisions or share thought processes. However, those with more advanced needs should look to options that either integrate with messaging, email, and video calling solutions or include options for this kind of communication directly through the software. Many electrical engineering projects require input from multiple people, and quality communication features can make teamwork easier while reducing the need to move between different applications.

The most relevant electrical design software trends also need to be taken into account before committing to a purchasing decision, because understanding these trends can help to shape an eventual buying decision. Professionals need to know that the software they invest in has been designed with a knowledge of relevant trends, as this will help to ensure the software remains useful in the future. A good example of how an awareness of trends can save money was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 Capterra research shows that 52% of Canadian remote workers have turned to digital tools. With electrical design, key trends include:

  • Increased need for mobile access: Electrical engineers are likely to require access to electrical design software wherever they are. Mobile accessibility may be essential to provide access to key tools, like electrical design software, to users working remotely or in the field. Some software packages will provide their own mobile app, which will offer many of the same features as the desktop software, while it may be possible to access cloud-based solutions entirely through a mobile web browser. In all cases, however, the software needs to have been designed with an awareness of this trend in mind because mobile phones and tablets use smaller touchscreens, meaning displays need to be optimized, and the interface needs to be user-friendly on these devices.
  • Support for 3D printing: One of the more interesting trends for electrical engineers and their employees to be aware of is the growth of 3D printing. There are a number of potential benefits associated with the use of 3D printing within roles of this kind, including the potential to reduce costs, minimize waste, and reduce environmental damage. Some solutions are already beginning to implement options to turn computer-aided designs made in electrical design software into 3D printed objects. Ultimately, this can result in electrical models being accurately reproduced in 3D so that they can be fully understood and shown to decision-makers. In the future, there is also the potential that software of this kind will be able to be used to print components for use within real electrical systems.

Sources:

The features highlighted were identified based on their relevance and the percentage of products in Capterra's directory that offer them. The following sources were used for this document:

  1. Productivity when working from home: 7 insights from Canadian employees - Capterra Blog (Date accessed: Monday, July 4, 2022)