Irrigation design software can mean a layout drawing tool, a hydraulic network model, a specialist calculator or a combination of these. Start with the result you need to hand to a grower, installer or customer. A clear requirement is more useful than a long feature list.
Tenselo focuses on water-engineering calculators and design reports. Its public catalogue includes crop water demand, drip laterals, centre pivots, pipe hydraulics and pump sizing. The application is currently in private beta; public subscriptions and trials have not opened.
Do you need calculations, CAD drawings or both?
A calculation answers a defined question, such as the friction loss at a chosen flow and bore. A CAD layout records where equipment and pipework go. A connected network model can evaluate how pressures and flows interact across the system. Decide which of these deliverables your project needs and check the specific software's scope.
Is Tenselo an alternative to IRRICAD?
For individual irrigation calculations, Tenselo is an option to assess against the tasks in its calculator catalogue. If you need drawing-led, connected-system design, compare that requirement separately. IRRICAD's product information describes its graphically based Standalone design package and its Link plug-in for AutoCAD and BricsCAD.
Do not assume that a calculation report replaces a construction drawing or that two tools with similar names support the same workflow. Before changing software, demonstrate the required drawing exchange, network analysis, product data and output formats on an actual project. This guide is not a claim of complete feature equivalence or file compatibility.
Match the software to the irrigation task
| Task | What to check | Tenselo reference |
|---|---|---|
| Crop demand and irrigation run time | Active area, peak water requirement, delivery rate, operating hours and losses. | Demand and run-time example |
| Orchard or vineyard drip design | Row lengths, emitter spacing, actual bore, elevations and the selected emitter's pressure range. | Orchards, vineyards and slopes |
| Pipe hydraulics | Flow, internal diameter, friction method, fittings, equipment loss and elevation. | Pipe-sizing worked example |
| Centre or center pivot design | Area, supply flow, operating time, sprinkler package, pressure and machine constraints. | Centre-pivot worked example |
| Pump and irrigation retail work | Operating zone, required flow and head, then current pump curves and operating limits. | Pump duty and sizing |
Use a representative project to evaluate the workflow
Bring a small, completed project whose inputs and outcome you understand. Keep the same assumptions when comparing tools; changing the diameter, efficiency or operating zone makes a comparison misleading.
- Record the operating case. Note which zones run together, the available water supply and the required outlet pressure.
- Enter traceable inputs. Keep site levels, pipe dimensions, emitter data and equipment curves with the calculation.
- Check one result independently. Use a transparent calculation or a reviewed reference case with the same assumptions. A plausible answer alone is not validation.
- Inspect warnings and limits. Check what happens when a pressure, flow or product falls outside the applicable range.
- Review the handover. Confirm that another person can identify the inputs, selected equipment, method and outstanding checks.
The public worked examples provide reproducible arithmetic for this discussion. They are educational examples, not exported Tenselo application results or proof that a project has been approved.
Which reports and bills of materials do you need?
A calculation report, bill of materials and installation drawing answer different questions. Confirm each required output in the particular calculator and subscription plan you intend to use.
Tenselo's published plans include PDF reports. The Centre Pivot Design catalogue entry specifically lists a machine selection and design report, span schedule, sprinkler package, pump duty, energy and bill of materials. That description does not mean every calculator produces a bill of materials.
For procurement, check quantities, units, selected product identities and items that need separate design or supplier confirmation. For customer handover, check the project description, input assumptions and warnings. If you require CSV, editable spreadsheets, CAD exchange or an accounting integration, ask for a demonstration of that exact export or connection before relying on it.
Australian metric units and calculation methods
Choose a workflow that makes units visible at input and output. Tenselo's public irrigation examples use metres, millimetres, hectares, litres per second, litres per hour and kilopascals. Keep flow units consistent when moving from individual emitters to a zone or pump duty.
For pipe calculations, establish whether the method is Darcy–Weisbach or Hazen–Williams, what diameter is being used and which losses are included. For a drip lateral, check that the model accounts for flow falling after each outlet. The pipe hydraulics overview explains the distinctions and links to worked examples.
A metric interface does not by itself establish compliance with an Australian standard. Check the applicable method, scope, current product information and project requirements. See Tenselo's methods and limitations.
What does irrigation design software cost, and can I trial Tenselo?
Compare the calculators you need, user access, report outputs and total subscription cost. A plan that covers routine pipe and pump work may differ from one that includes specialist irrigation design.
Tenselo's pricing page lists indicative Australian-dollar prices including GST, monthly and annual billing options, and the scope of each plan. Irrigation Pro lists centre-pivot and sprinkler-package tools alongside vineyard and orchard drip design. Check the current plan details rather than assuming all tools belong to the entry plan.
Tenselo is in private beta. Subscriptions and trials are not open to the public yet. A 14-day free trial is planned when Tenselo leaves beta testing. You can read the public guides now and register your interest to hear when trials open.
Is there a free irrigation calculator on this website?
The explanations and static worked examples are free to read. They do not execute a live project calculation. Project calculations run in the separate account-based Tenselo application.
Can I use it offline or replace my existing drawing software?
Do not assume offline operation or drawing-file compatibility from the public calculator descriptions. If either is essential, include it in your demonstration request and retain your existing workflow until the requirement is verified.
Prepare a useful demonstration request
Describe your industry, irrigation type and required deliverables. Include a non-confidential example of the calculation you want to perform, the units you use and any required report or file format. For existing designs, remove customer-identifying details before sharing an example.
Contact Tenselo with those requirements, or start with the irrigation calculator catalogue. A successful evaluation should show that the software handles your work and makes its assumptions clear.