CET Hacks: Typical Development
February 2026 Webinar Recap
CET Hacks: Typical Development
This webinar, which was hosted by Alexandra Tseffos (The Design POP) and Kari Anderson (Techbox Collective), dealers and manufacturers took a deep dive into how Favorites (.cmfav) and published typicals are actually used in real-world workflows. Poll results showed that 65% of designers regularly create their own Favorites, while 74% prefer accessing manufacturer typicals as downloadable Favorites. Manufacturer typical libraries were rated highly important, reinforcing that well-built, accessible typical content directly impacts efficiency. Live discussion made one thing clear: designers value typicals as strong starting points — but only when they’re current, no specials, and easy to manipulate inside of our design tools.
The conversation also exposed consistent friction points in typical development and product data workflows. 88% of attendees rely on Edit Graphics to apply materials when symbols lack built-in finish options, and 68% often complete specification work outside of CET (Spec/Worksheet/dealer business system). Lead times are primarily sourced from manufacturer websites or reps, highlighting an opportunity for stronger specification tool integration. Across the board, attendees asked for consistent categorization, render-ready typicals with standard finishes, reliable COM functionality, and improved export accuracy between CET and other specification tools like Spec & Worksheet.
The takeaway: well-developed, up-to-date typicals aren’t just helpful — they’re a strategic advantage that saves time, reduces rework, and can build trust when created and maintained accurately.
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