SmartPluvia is a free online planner for automatic irrigation systems. From first login to a complete project with a bill of materials — here is the full step-by-step guide.

1. Create an account and your first project

Sign up at smartpluvia.com/app via email or Google. On the dashboard, click "New Project": enter a name (e.g., "Backyard Garden"), pick a plot template or start from a blank canvas. Every project is auto-saved to the cloud.

2. Draw the plot boundary (B key)

Press B or click "Boundary" on the toolbar. Click on the canvas to trace your property outline. Use built-in templates: rectangle, L-shape, triangle, trapezoid, U-shape, and more (7 templates). If you have a surveyor's DXF file, import it via "Import DXF".

3. Place sprinklers (S key)

Press S to open the nozzle catalog: 202 models from Hunter, Rain Bird, Gardena, and Toro. Choose a model, set the arc angle (90°, 180°, 270°, 360°) and radius. Click on the canvas to place. Pro tip: follow the head-to-head rule — sprinkler spacing equals throw radius.

Colored coverage circles show each head's spray zone. Overlapping areas are highlighted so you can verify uniformity.

4. Create irrigation zones (Z key)

Press Z and draw a boundary around a group of sprinklers. A zone is a set of heads that run simultaneously on one solenoid valve. The stats panel automatically shows total zone flow (L/min), precipitation rate (mm/h), and warns if the zone exceeds your water source capacity.

5. Route pipes (P key)

Press P for pipe mode. Select a diameter from the catalog (13 types: PE 25–50 mm, PVC). SmartPluvia automatically calculates hydraulics using the Hazen-Williams equation: pressure loss, flow velocity, and warns if the diameter is too small. Optimal routing is auto-generated using an MST (minimum spanning tree) algorithm.

6. Stats panel and AI analysis

The side panel shows real-time data: total flow, zone count, equipment list, and hydraulic parameters. Click "AI Analysis" — the AI engine checks your design for errors: suboptimal placement, missed areas, pressure exceedances, and coverage uniformity issues.

7. Generate BOM and export PDF

The "BOM" button generates a full bill of materials: nozzles, valves, pipes, fittings, valve boxes — with quantities and catalog numbers. The "Export PDF" button creates a document with the plan, zones, BOM, and hydraulic calculations.

8. Additional features

  • 3D view — inspect your design in three-dimensional perspective (Three.js)
  • Compass — orient the plot to cardinal directions
  • Templates — 7 plot shapes for a quick start
  • Marketplace — community-made projects you can use as a starting point
  • Collaboration — invite a teammate for simultaneous editing (Yjs CRDT)
  • Onboarding — interactive 6-step tour for newcomers

Get started now: open SmartPluvia and create your first irrigation project in minutes. Standard Generic PE/PVC pipes and fittings are a budget-friendly option for most systems.