DDS CAD 20 - 21 Problem

[RadoB]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have already contacted the support team in the Czech Republic, from whom I purchased DDS-CAD, but I have not received a satisfactory answer. I am experiencing problems with version 20.2.0 as well as the new version 21.0.0.

When I draw an HT-type pipe on the ground floor and a KG-type pipe in the foundations, and then run the calculation, the program automatically applies the pipe type from one floor to all the others — even though I do not want this and it is not checked in the contextual menu. Because of this issue, version 21 is completely unusable for me, and version 20.2.0, which I paid for under the subscription, is also unusable. Therefore, I refuse to pay the upcoming invoice, as the product is defective — meaning it cannot be used in practice.

Furthermore, I am trying to find out why there is no support for the full range of KG and HT fittings as they are actually available on the market, for example HTDA, HTAM, HTU, HTUG, HTED, HTEP, HTDSW, and so on. Without complete fittings, I am unable to prepare proper project documentation as required.

I also request instructions on how to create parametric sanitary objects, and how to define the pipe slope in a water distribution system.

These are questions I have had ever since I started using DDS-CAD, and the answer has always been: “It will be solved in the next version.”
Could you please specify in which version this will actually be fixed? How long am I expected to wait and keep paying for something that is not functional until it becomes usable?

I also have ArchiCAD from you, but if my requests are not addressed, I will cancel that subscription as well and switch to Revit, where everything works as it should.

And one more question — what exactly has been improved, changed, or added in version 21 regarding plumbing systems, compared to the previous version, for which I am paying? The so-called AI feature, which is incapable of answering anything useful except suggesting what I should eat for lunch, cannot be considered a relevant improvement.

Best regards,

Operating system used: Windows 11 23H2

[Laszlo Nagy]

This is a user-to-user forum, not an official Graphisoft Support site.

Did you talk to your local DDS-CAD reseller about these issues?

[RadoB]

I talked to both the local dealer and the support team — and then silence. They know about it, and that’s it. So I’m wondering if anyone else is having these issues, or if I’m the only one using it for water and sewage projects. But over the last six months, the software has become completely unusable, and nobody seems to care. I just want people to know, so if anyone is considering using this program, they should stay far away — because all you’ll get is an annual invoice, but don’t expect any support.

[brzmidobrze]

hello,

overall there is no improvements in sanitary / mechanical in v21 - only few changes in electrical (not essential) and few changes in workflow (marginal)

https://www.graphisoft.com/plans-and-products/ddscad/information-ddscad-users-about-mep-designer

I have been in similar situation, without support from local team, but I do electrical in this product - not sanitary / hvac. I recommend you DDScad Meister facebook group, there is mainly electrical people, but if you want to talk with anyone that really uses this product - it's good adress.

I helped myself by finding old manual to v13, that significantly helped me in understanding processes happening into software. If you want to non disciplinary specific help, you can write to me directly - I will try my best because I mastered electrical module quite well. Electrical piping works same way. I can share with you my experience and notes.

Honestly I doubt it's good moment to buy DDS. But if you do smaller projects, there is no more products with perpetual license 🙂 maybe it will be profitable to master it and keep it.