Integration of XTEN-AV with SmartDraw

In the fast-paced AV industry, creating accurate, visually rich diagrams is critical to successful system design and implementation. From rack elevations and floor layouts to detailed signal path diagrams, every drawing must align with real-world specifications. As AV projects become more complex, AV professionals are seeking ways to combine the intelligence of automation platforms with the flexibility of graphic-based design tools.

XTEN-AV, the leading AV design and automation software, now offers seamless integration with SmartDraw, a widely used visual diagramming tool. This integration bridges the gap between powerful AV-specific workflows and advanced visual design capabilities. The result is faster design cycles, better collaboration, and more professional documentation.

In this blog, we’ll explore how the integration between XTEN-AV and SmartDraw works, what it means for AV professionals, and how it enhances your Signal Flow Diagram Software experience.

Table of Contents

Why Combine XTEN-AV and SmartDraw

Both XTEN-AV and SmartDraw are strong tools in their own right. XTEN-AV is purpose-built for the AV industry, offering real-product libraries, signal validation, automated documentation, and cloud-based collaboration. On the other hand, SmartDraw is known for its intuitive user interface and powerful diagramming features, commonly used in architecture, IT, and process design.

By combining the automation and AV-specific intelligence of XTEN-AV with the visual creativity and layout control of SmartDraw, AV teams can:

Create visually refined diagrams
Customize layouts with precision
Share diagrams across departments with standard formats
Retain technical accuracy and real-time project data

This integration streamlines the design-to-presentation workflow for integrators, consultants, engineers, and sales professionals alike.

Key Benefits of the Integration

1. Enhanced Signal Flow Visualization

Signal flow diagrams are central to any AV design. They outline how audio, video, control, and network signals travel between components. With XTEN-AV’s backend intelligence and SmartDraw’s layout tools, users can create signal diagrams that are both accurate and aesthetically clean.

For example, you can start a project in XTEN-AV, using real products and validated connections, then export the diagram to SmartDraw to fine-tune spacing, add design notes, or insert branding elements. This improves the visual impact without compromising accuracy.

2. Real Products Meet Visual Precision

XTEN-AV gives users access to a vast library of AV devices, including displays, processors, amplifiers, control systems, and extenders. Each product includes detailed technical data and port configurations.

When you export a design to SmartDraw, this metadata remains intact. You are not just creating a visual mock-up—you are presenting an exact representation of how the system will function. This eliminates the disconnect between engineering and presentation documents.

3. Professional Documentation for Proposals and Clients

In many AV firms, there is a divide between technical and sales teams. Sales may need presentation-ready documents, while engineering requires detailed signal path diagrams.

XTEN-AV’s integration with SmartDraw solves this. Engineers can build technically sound signal flows using XTEN-AV’s Signal Flow Diagram Software, then sales teams can open those same files in SmartDraw to refine them for client presentations. The result is alignment across teams and a more professional appearance in proposals.

4. Improved Collaboration and Workflow

SmartDraw supports sharing and editing in cloud environments, allowing users to collaborate on diagrams across departments or locations.

By integrating with SmartDraw, XTEN-AV users can:

Share diagrams with non-technical stakeholders
Gather feedback or annotations from clients
Collaborate on final layouts before deployment
Export diagrams in universally accepted formats like PDF, PNG, or Visio

This flexibility removes friction from design reviews and approvals, keeping projects on schedule.

How the Integration Works

The XTEN-AV and SmartDraw integration is simple and intuitive. Here’s a step-by-step look at the workflow:

Step 1: Design in XTEN-AV
Start by creating your AV system design in XTEN-AV. Use the drag-and-drop interface to add devices, connect signals, and assign routing logic. Validate your signal paths and finalize the technical layout.

Step 2: Export to SmartDraw
With one click, export your design to a SmartDraw-compatible format. XTEN-AV converts the diagram into a SmartDraw file while preserving all device labels, connections, and layout structures.

Step 3: Edit and Enhance in SmartDraw
Open the file in SmartDraw to refine the visual layout. You can:

Adjust object spacing
Modify fonts and styles
Insert logos or branding
Add room elements or structural layouts
Annotate with notes or installation steps

Step 4: Finalize and Share
Export the finished diagram as a PDF or image to include in your proposal, client packet, or documentation set. You can also share the SmartDraw file directly with colleagues for collaboration.

Use Case Examples

Corporate Conference Room Design

An AV integrator uses XTEN-AV to design a 4K video conferencing system for a corporate client. After validating all HDMI and network paths in XTEN-AV, they export the diagram to SmartDraw to add branding, a floor plan overlay, and customized signal labels. The result is a polished presentation-ready document that helps win the client’s trust and approval.

Broadcast Studio Integration

A broadcast engineer creates a signal flow diagram for a live production studio using XTEN-AV. After validating all 12G-SDI and IP streams, the diagram is exported to SmartDraw where the design team adjusts it to fit printed posters and wall-mounted instruction boards for technicians.

Classroom AV Upgrade

For a university AV upgrade, XTEN-AV is used to model AV-over-IP distribution. After verifying signal compatibility, the team exports the file to SmartDraw and overlays it with the building’s blueprint. This aids both the installation team and university IT staff during deployment.

Best Practices for Using XTEN-AV with SmartDraw

Keep technical validation in XTEN-AV. Use XTEN-AV’s powerful automation tools to ensure your design is functionally correct before focusing on visuals.
Use SmartDraw for presentation polish. Customize visual style, layout, and annotations for client-facing materials.
Maintain version control. Save both XTEN-AV and SmartDraw files to ensure traceability between design and presentation.
Collaborate across teams. Let engineering and sales teams work together—one builds the logic, the other perfects the look.
Export final formats clearly. Provide both editable and static files for installers, clients, and management.

Final Thoughts

Integrating XTEN-AV with SmartDraw opens new possibilities for AV design professionals. It brings together the precision of AV-specific Signal Flow Diagram Software and the creative flexibility of a leading diagramming platform.

With this integration, your AV designs are not only technically flawless but also presentation-ready—empowering your team to win more projects, reduce errors, and deliver with confidence.

If you want to streamline your AV workflow from concept to client approval, the XTEN-AV and SmartDraw integration is the smart move.