Water and Irrigation Overview
The Water tab in the Add Object panel provides tools for documenting irrigation systems, drainage systems, and water features.
Water and Irrigation OverviewThe Water tab groups every water object you can place on your plan into nine sections: Sources & Supply, Emitters & Heads, Distribution, Control, Manual Access (irrigation), Surface Collection, Conveyance & Discharge, Access & Maintenance (drainage), and Water Features. You reach it from the Add Objects panel: with the Select tool active and nothing selected, the right-hand Inspector shows Add Objects, where the Water tab sits alongside the other object categories. The Water tab is a schematic planning aid for documenting layout intent — it does not simulate pressure, flow rates, or hydraulic performance.
Path-based tools
Irrigation pipes, drip lines, cable runs, and drain pipes are placed by drawing a path: click to start, click to add waypoints, double-click or press Enter to finish. The length is calculated automatically.
Find the object you need
The Water tab is split into collapsible sections. Irrigation objects live under Sources & Supply (Source, Backflow, Regulator, Filter), Emitters & Heads (Sprinkler), Distribution (Pipe, Dripline), Control (Valve, Controller, Manifold), and Manual Access (Hose Bib). Drainage objects live under Surface Collection (Drain Inlet, Channel, Downspout), Conveyance & Discharge (Drain Pipe, Outlet), and Access & Maintenance (Catch Basin, Cleanout). A Fountain sits under Water Features.
Place a point object
Click a single-click object — such as Source, Sprinkler, Valve, Hose Bib, Drain Inlet, Catch Basin, or Outlet — then click on the canvas to place it. A small data-entry panel appears on the right where you can set the Name and confirm the Position before placing.
Draw a pipe or channel run
Pipe, Dripline, Channel, and Drain Pipe are drawn as multi-point paths. Click to set the start point, click to add bends, and double-click or press Enter to finish. After drawing, select the run to set its diameter (or width) and burial in the Inspector.
Edit a placed object
Click any placed water object with the Select tool to open its properties in the Inspector. The Water Feature panel shows a General section (name, type, layer, locked) and a Location section, followed by sections specific to the object — for example Spray Coverage for a sprinkler, or Burial for a pipe.
Place sources, valves, collection points, and outlets first, then connect them with pipe runs. Working from supply to endpoint mirrors how water flows and makes missing connections easy to spot.
Add a pond or water feature
The standalone Fountain object lives in the Water tab under Water Features. A full pond — with a custom footprint, edge treatment, and an optional fountain — is created from the Pond wizard in the Add Objects panel's Hardscape tab. The pond is placed as a parametric object visible in both 2D and 3D views.
The Water tab is a schematic documentation tool. It does not calculate real-world water pressure, flow rates, or hydraulic performance. Always confirm pipe sizing and system design with a qualified irrigation or drainage professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the irrigation and drainage objects?
Activate the Select tool with nothing selected to show the Add Objects panel in the Inspector, then open the Water tab. Irrigation objects are grouped in the upper sections (Sources & Supply through Manual Access) and drainage objects in the lower sections (Surface Collection through Access & Maintenance).
Where do I add a pond?
The Water tab offers a standalone Fountain object under Water Features. To create a full pond, open the Add Objects panel, switch to the Hardscape tab, and run the Pond wizard. It lets you set the pond shape, edge treatment, and an optional fountain. The pond appears as a parametric object on the canvas.
Does the Water tab calculate real water pressure or flow?
No. It is a schematic planning tool for documenting layout intent. It records pipe routes, component positions, diameters, and burial depths for plan delivery — it does not simulate pressure or flow performance. Consult a licensed professional for hydraulic sizing.
Can I mix irrigation and drainage objects on the same drawing?
Yes. The Water tab groups both, and you can place objects from any section onto the same drawing. Each placed object is editable independently through the Inspector.
Why don't I see the Water tab?
The Water tab is shown when your subscription tier includes it. If the tab is missing from the Add Objects panel, your current tier does not include water objects.