which one best software for making instrumentation drawings
The choice of software depends on your experience level, project complexity, and budget. Below are some of the best and easiest tools for creating instrumentation and control drawings:
AutoCAD Electrical
Best for: Detailed P&ID, loop diagrams, and control wiring
Ease of Use: Medium (requires some learning)
Why?
- Industry-standard with pre-built symbols for instrumentation
- Supports loop diagrams, panel layouts, and wiring schematics
- Automation tools reduce repetitive tasks
Paid (Subscription-Based)
SmartDraw
Best for: Quick P&ID and basic control drawings
Ease of Use: Easy (Drag & Drop)
Why?
- Pre-built templates for P&ID, process control, and wiring
- Web-based, no installation required
- Good for beginners and fast documentation
Paid, with a free trial
Microsoft Visio
Best for: Basic P&ID, flowcharts, and block diagrams
Ease of Use: Very Easy (Drag & Drop)
Why?
- Comes with predefined shapes for instrumentation
- Easy integration with other Microsoft Office tools
- Best for quick documentation, but limited for complex logic diagrams
Paid, but more affordable than AutoCAD
AutoCAD P&ID / Plant 3D
Best for: Process industries, large-scale projects
Ease of Use: Medium to Advanced
Why?
- Specialized for P&ID with auto-updating data
- 3D piping integration for large industrial plants
- Good for compliance and standards (ISA, IEC, ANSI, etc.)
Paid (Part of AutoCAD suite)
Lucidchart (Online Alternative to Visio)
Best for: Basic control and instrumentation drawings
Ease of Use: Very Easy
Why?
- Web-based (no installation required)
- Drag & drop symbols for instrumentation and control
- Good collaboration features for teams
Free version available, paid for advanced features
EPLAN Electric P8
Best for: Electrical & Instrumentation wiring diagrams
Ease of Use: Advanced (for professionals)
Why?
- Database-driven design for wiring and panel layouts
- Automates wiring numbering & cross-referencing
- Best for detailed documentation in industrial automation
Expensive (Best for large companies, not beginners)
OpenPlant PID (Bentley Systems)
Best for: P&ID for large-scale industrial plants
Ease of Use: Medium (Requires training)
Why?
- Best for large process industries (oil, gas, power plants)
- 3D integration with other Bentley software
- Ensures compliance with international standards
Paid (Enterprise level, best for big projects)
Which One is Best for You?
Requirement | Best Software |
---|---|
Beginners & Fast Drawings | Visio, Lucidchart, SmartDraw |
Standard Instrumentation Drawings (Loop, Wiring) | AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN |
P&ID for Process Plants | AutoCAD P&ID, SmartDraw, OpenPlant PID |
Advanced Automation & Control Panels | EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical |
Conclusion (Best Easy Software for Beginners & Professionals)
- For Beginners & Quick Drawings: Visio, SmartDraw, Lucidchart
- For Industrial-Grade Instrumentation & Wiring: AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN
- For Process Industries (P&ID): AutoCAD P&ID, OpenPlant PID
If you are new, start with Visio or SmartDraw for easy learning. If working on industrial projects, go for AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.