New technology automates steel takeoffs from structural drawings to help fabricators estimate projects faster
Munich – ALLPLAN, a global provider of design-to-build solutions for the AEC industry, including leading structural steel detailing and fabrication software and part of the Nemetschek Group, today announced the launch of Steel Genie by ALLPLAN, an AI-powered estimating solution designed to automate steel takeoffs and generate estimating-ready structural models directly from structural drawings.
Steel Genie transforms traditional estimating workflows by automatically analyzing structural drawing sets, detecting key structural members, and generating quantities and estimating-level 3D models in minutes. By eliminating manual counting and measurement, the platform allows steel fabricators and estimators to evaluate project scope faster and prepare bids more efficiently.
Automating Steel Takeoffs from Structural Drawings
“Steel estimating has long been a manual, time-intensive process,” said Sunil Pandita, CEO of ALLPLAN and Chief Division Officer Planning & Design at the Nemetschek Group. “Steel Genie introduces automation to this process, allowing estimators to quickly generate takeoffs and visualize project scope so they can focus on strategic bidding decisions.”
Steel Genie uses artificial intelligence to analyze structural drawings and identify key design parameters. These include size, length, weight, moment connections, camber, and shear studs. It then detects structural members such as beams, columns, joists, and braces to automatically generate material quantities and estimating-ready models.
The software also includes its own connection engine based on the AISC Design Guide and exports estimating data into downstream workflows used by steel fabrication teams.
Connecting Estimating with Downstream Detailing and Fabrication
Steel Genie integrates with the broader ALLPLAN ecosystem, allowing estimating workflows to connect with downstream detailing and fabrication processes. Estimating models and quantities generated in Steel Genie can support later stages of the project lifecycle, including detailed modeling and production planning.
“Steel Genie represents a major advancement in how fabricators approach estimating,” added Sunil Pandita. “By combining AI-driven drawing detection with estimating-ready models, Steel Genie helps teams evaluate projects faster while maintaining confidence in their quantities and structural scope.”
Early customer feedback highlights the impact of the new technology
“Steel Genie is an industry-changing tool for structural steel takeoff,” said Steven Tillery, Vice President of Preconstruction & Business Development at Steel Service. “Even during testing, we’ve seen how it can dramatically accelerate estimating.”
Steel Genie by ALLPLAN is available now for steel fabricators, estimators, and detailing teams seeking to automate steel takeoffs, improve estimating efficiency, and gain a head start on downstream detailing workflows.
For more information or to schedule a demonstration, visit Steel Genie.