How to Get Started with SDS2: Demos, Packages, Training, and Support

SDS2 is steel detailing software for detailers, fabricators, and engineers, and the fastest way to get oriented is to book a demo, compare the three packages (Drafting, Modeling, Ultimate), and then use the training, webinar, and support resources that match your role. This guide walks through each of those steps in the order you'd typically need them, based on what SDS2 publishes on its own site.

Step 1: Book a demo

SDS2's homepage lists Book Demo as a primary call to action, positioned alongside Compare Packages. If you're evaluating the software for a team, the demo is the entry point the vendor itself directs you to before you commit to a package.

What to prepare before the demo, so you get useful answers:

• Your project types — structural steel, miscellaneous steel, stairs and rails, or connections. SDS2's stated coverage spans all of these, so naming yours focuses the walkthrough.
• Your current toolchain — which BIM, CNC, or ERP systems you already run. SDS2 says it connects with existing office and shop software and machines, so this determines which integrations matter to you.
• Your deliverable — 2D shop drawings, a 3D BIM model, or both. This is the single biggest factor in which package fits (see Step 2).

Step 2: Compare the three packages

SDS2 publishes three tiers. The distinction is not "small vs. large" — it's what kind of output you produce.

SDS2 labels Ultimate as its most popular option and describes it as "everything you need to get the job done."

How to choose:

• If your team only produces drawings and doesn't need a 3D model, Drafting covers that.
• If your team builds and coordinates a BIM model but doesn't issue drafting deliverables, Modeling covers that.
• If you need both drawings and modeling — the common case for a full detailing shop — Ultimate is the only tier that includes both, since Drafting and Modeling each exclude the other's core capability.

Note that the site does not publish prices for any tier. Use Compare Packages and the demo to get commercial terms.

Step 3: Explore integrations before you commit

SDS2 states that it integrates with your existing office and shop systems from design through fabrication, specifically naming:

• BIM integration
• CNC machines
• ERP systems

The site frames this as a "unified experience" across automation and connectivity. If your workflow depends on a specific machine or ERP platform, confirm that exact connection during the demo rather than assuming it — the homepage describes the categories, not a named partner list.

Step 4: Get trained

SDS2 offers two training channels:

• Training programs — described as a way to "unlock the full potential of SDS2 for your team," which suggests team-level onboarding rather than only individual self-study.
• Webinars — a library of live and on-demand sessions, positioned as time-saving tips and tricks.

For a new team, a practical sequence is: on-demand webinars first to build baseline familiarity, then structured training for the workflows specific to your package tier.

Step 5: Know where to get support

SDS2 lists a Customer Support channel for "quick assistance and expert solutions," with a Contact Support / Get Started path. This is the route for issues that come up after you're live, as opposed to the pre-sales demo path.

Step 6: Stay current on releases

SDS2 2026 is the current release, described as focusing on brand new features, powerful automation, and customized control, with more detailing speed and design versatility than prior versions. SDS2 also runs a monthly newsletter covering product updates, releases, features, training events, and webinars — the lowest-effort way to track new versions without checking the site.

One practical note from the site itself: the newsletter signup form loads from an external tool (HubSpot), and SDS2 warns that if a "please wait" message persists, your browser has blocked the external form. If that happens, allow the form to load or use a different browser.

Quick reference: which resource for which need