Promis-e

Anybody heard of this stuff, or used it? It looks pretty cool, somebody asked me about it but I've never seen it before. It could save a lot of time on wiring diagrams.

http://www.ecti.com/plcinfo.php

There have been a couple posts here about Promise.

I've used Promise up through the last release, but am now using AutoCad Electrical. To tell the truth, I prefer AutoCad Electrical. It doesn't manage projects as well as Promise, but is much more stable and easier to work with.

rdrast said:

There have been a couple posts here about Promise.

I've used Promise up through the last release, but am now using AutoCad Electrical. To tell the truth, I prefer AutoCad Electrical. It doesn't manage projects as well as Promise, but is much more stable and easier to work with.

Click to expand...

More stable? As in it causes crashes?

Not crashes, but with Promise, I've had the projects become corrupted... Losing cross-references, wire numbers being duplicated, symbols being deleted. Not often, but frequently enough to have to redraw at least a page every week or so.

A lot of my issues stemmed from the updates to the software; every update was a nightmare, and required days of crossing fingers and updating each and every project to the current revision of the software. Backing up ALL of your data is a must with Promise, often.

Promis-e is also marketed by Rockwell under the name RSWire, so the folk at Rockwell must like it.

My best advice, is seriously look around at all the competing packages you can, and if possible, demo each one for a week or two. Maybe just try to copy an old project you have in your archives. See which one works best for you, they are all a pretty hefty investment to make for something that doesn't work the way you need...

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=4255921 - AutoCad's own Entry
http://www.radicasoftware.com/ - Visio based Electra
http://www.elitesoft.com/web/electrical/eleccaddetails.htm - Runs on Autocad
http://www.elecdes.com/elecdes.htm
http://www.ige-xao.com/ige\siteigexao.nsf/mWebFrameSiteRubriqueHome?OpenForm&RU=PRODUCTS&LG=US - Stand alone, or runs on AutoCad

And, there are others.

Originally posted by rdrast:

I've used Promise up through the last release, but am now using AutoCad Electrical.

Click to expand...

How does AutoCAD Electrical compare to Promis-e? The big things I'm looking for are the full cross-referencing and the JIC/IEC symbol swap. Does AutoCAD handle these pretty well?

Keith

I do not like the way Promise-E wants to do things.

I prefer my own layout arrangements for the documentation, etc.

I never understood how the were able to get as popular as they became with what is basically a simple add-on.

I have seen several people have trouble with it's learning curve, but I din't think that it is real bad myself.

ACAD-E is great, but a little pricey.

AutoCAD LT is probably more then enough for most people.

Actually, I prefer a drawing board, but that is another fight.

I have used Unigraphics, and more complicated programs for control cabinets, switchgear, harnesses, and routing. Mostly on Locomotives and mining and construction equipment (6-10 high tires). They make for some impressive 3-D drawings, but major overkill for most.