• *DETAILING SOFTWARE** is computerized software (programs) that aid a detailer in the completion of preparing structural or miscellaneous steel erection drawings or detailed shop fabrication drawings. There are many detailing programs available on the market today, the most notable of which is AutoCAD. There are, however, several add-on programs that can be added to work in AutoCAD in making the detailing work faster and more efficient, such as SDDCP and DetailCAD. These two are primarily 2D programs in nature that work via AutoLISP programs.

There are also 3D modelling programs that also are used in detailing work. A couple of these programs include TELKA Structures and SDS/2. These programs involve the inputting of beams, columns, bracing, ladder, stairs, rails, and miscellanous pieces as members into a model of the structure, then automatically detailing these into 2D generated drawings (erection and shop). But these programs can do more than only creating drawings. They can also process connections per the job setup in the program, generate bolt lists (shop and field), advance bills of material for advance ordering purposes, as well as CNC data that can be transferred to and used by the shops' equipment to cut material, punch holes, make copes & miters in material. The cost of these programs vary by brand, as well as their functionality.