Knowledge Article: What is a PLS and the difference between generic and specific content?
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Stabicad
Context: What is a PLS?
PLS stands for Product Line Sheet. It is a file containing the parametric data of a complete product line from a specific manufacturer (such as Dyka PVC, Legrand cable trays, or Wilo pumps). Each manufacturer-specific PLS contains not only dimensions but also commercial data such as article numbers and ETIM/GTIN classifications, as well as technical and calculation data (for example, the pressure on a valve in a specific position). PLS files are available in almost all categories, including electrical, fire protection, heating, piping systems, ventilation, sanitary, and sprinkler.
The difference: Generic versus Manufacturer-specific
- Generic content: These are undefined, generic elements. They do not represent orderable items, cannot be ordered, and do not contain specific product information. This content is primarily used in the early stages of a design.
- Manufacturer-specific content: In contrast to generic content, this allows you to work with orderable items from real manufacturers. This provides an exact, dimensionally accurate model in your Revit model or CAD drawing. This model instantly contains all the information crucial for coordination, clash detection, installation, and final delivery.