If you work in industrial plant design (oil & gas, power generation, chemical processing, or pharmaceuticals), you know that piping is the circulatory system of the facility. But what holds that system in place against gravity, thermal expansion, vibration, and pressure surges? Pipe supports.

While 3D modeling of pipes and equipment gets most of the attention, designing and managing pipe supports is notoriously tedious, error-prone, and often left as a "final scramble" before isometrics are issued. That’s where comes in. What Is PlantSpace SupportModeler? PlantSpace SupportModeler is an add-on module to Bentley’s PlantSpace Design Series (which runs on top of MicroStation and integrates with OpenPlant Modeler ). It is not a stand-alone tool. Its sole purpose: to automate the 3D modeling, placement, modification, and documentation of pipe supports.

However, if your piping design volume is low, or if you rely on external structural sub-contractors who work in other formats (like Tekla or Revit), the interoperability overhead might outweigh the benefits. For large EPCs and heavy industrial projects, though, it’s a secret weapon.

Deducted points for learning curve and licensing complexity. But once mastered, indispensable. Have you used PlantSpace SupportModeler on a project? Or struggled with manual support design in other tools? Share your experience below.