Automating Tag Placement

A Closer Look

The Problem: Tagging things can be time-consuming. Even when the modeling is quick, placing and adjusting tags can really slow things down. Especially for drawings with a lot of them like post-tensioning design.

The Approach: A reusable logic that checks for tag clashes before placing new tags. It’s designed to be dropped into other tools where it makes sense, rather than being a standalone solution.

The Outcome: A faster and more efficient way to tag elements in tools, cutting down on repetitive work and reducing errors. It doesn’t replace the drafter entirely, but it gets a lot of the grunt work out of the way.

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Some companies already have tools that help drafters model things faster. Tools that help place reinforcement bars, lay out post-tension strands from other engineering software, and so on.

But even when the modeling is quick, tagging tends to slow everything down. Every element still needs to be labelled clearly, and in many cases, tagging ends up taking longer than the modeling itself.

That’s why anything that helps with tag placement can save a lot of time.

The problem is that automating tags is hard. Tags change from project to project, and drafting standards aren’t always consistent. There is no one size fits all solution that covers everything.

But in some specific cases, like column tags or post-tension layouts, you can build just enough structure around the problem to make tag automation worth trying. Especially if there is already a plugin or a script built around it.

That’s what this was. I built some logic that checks for clashes with existing tags before placing new ones. It’s not a full tool by itself, but it sits inside other tools and help automate tag placement where it can.

Of course, someone still needs to review and adjust the results. But it can save around 70% of the time spent on tagging. And that goes a long way when you’re trying to move quickly without sacrificing quality.