Spec Editor 2026

[laurenz.fraatzK3UL6]

Hello,

I would like to see the 2025 Spec-Editor back.

In the current version, I am missing feedback on whether the catalog or the pipe class has been saved.
In addition, the component filtering is no longer as nice as before. I can only filter one column.

And in the German version, the handling of decimal separators is unfortunately quite buggy.
Regards Laurenz

[jed_freeman]

the loss of component filtering makes 2026 mostly unusable. 

[autodesk_student_soft_2024]

The Spec Editor interface has been virtually the same since version 2.010. The first major hurdle came in version 2.018, with the serious issue of multiple tabs when exporting to Excel. Now, in version 2.026, there are new obstacles.

[jed_freeman]

the more votes this thread gets the more likely Autodesk will listen.

[g_palitzschXFCSS]

Compared to the 2024 version, the property editor has become very complicated to use (e.g., changing cells; copying to multiple cells; no display of the row you are currently in).

[g_palitzschXFCSS]

Custom properties are apparently listed as mandatory fields. As a result, entries that have been made cannot be deleted.
We request that this be changed. Custom properties do not usually need to be mandatory fields.

[ken.fauver]

I suppose it's one of those 'be careful what you wish for' deals.

What happened to "Property Overrides", Size Range: and Reducing size range filters?

[damian_willcox]

Hello, 

Plant 3D's 2027.1 update released today.

The Spec editor Part Category column is available, along with Spec Size Filters (size range, reducing range, as well as excluding sizes you do not want), and spec property overrides with a more extensible list than previously. (and right click filter support is back)

You can filter multiple columns in the filter row, as well as use it in tandem with the search field to further refine as needed (or use search and out relevant details in there eg "90 LR 150")

The Save feedback issue is logged, and the team will be looking at that also. We'll have the team test out the decimal handling, but any added details there would be great.

The Spec Editor updates introduced a number of new improvements (drag and drop from catalog to spec, better multi selection and editing support, and continuity between the specs and catalogs in terms of editing and catalog browser, etc) , but also has more refinements needed - it was a larger project, but we also didn't want to wait years to release it. You can use the earlier Spec Editor as needed, but the team also greatly appreciates the feedback and is continuing to improve things. Thanks everyone.

[laurenz.fraatzK3UL6]

Thank you for the information! I installed the update right away and tested it.

Compared to the 2026 version, the Spec Editor has improved significantly! 🙂

e.g. the decimal number handling now works exactly as expected.

I'm really happy to see that our feedback has been heard by the development team.

If I could make one more wish, it would be to bring back the typical AutoCAD save feedback:

The asterisk (*) in the file name should disappear after saving.

Another thing I would personally like to see (just my personal preference):

The return of the two tabs in the Catalog Browser, as they were in the 2025 version:

"Part Family Properties" and "Part Size Properties"

In my opinion, this made the interface much clearer and easier to understand, especially for beginners.

Regards, Laurenz

[jed_freeman]

thank you Autodesk for listening!!!

I tried it out and it is so much better than v2026 with these improvements.

[damian_willcox]

Thanks so much for trying it out so quickly, @laurenz.fraatzK3UL6 and @jed_freeman !

The team will look into better save/* feedback Laurenz and thanks for the added comments around simplifying the Catalog editor - much appreciated! And glad decimals are working now - the team mentioned the fix was also in after I replied last.

Thanks again!

-damian

[ken.fauver]

Looks good. Thanks for the update.