Autodesk Plant Exchange

This is a question that many companies struggle with, each company will have to do its own due diligence to determine the best path forward for them.  Without knowing specifics about your own Plant software needs, we can’t give a blanket statement.

I think the best way for us to help you understand the software better would be for you to post your questions to the AutoCAD Plant 3D discussion forum, where we can go back and forth and drill down to the specific software needs of your company.

The discussion forums are here:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-Plant-3D/bd-p/371

Also, feel free to ask specific software questions here on Ask the Expert, and we will respond quickly and honestly.  

We can say this: from our own experience working on  Project X, we all agree that the software is at the cutting edge of what can be effectively controlled in a piping environment. AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi JMM,

Thanks for asking about pipe bends, as they are used in our work as well.

With AutoCAD Plant 3D, users can create a bend in catalog with a given radius and add it to their spec.  This custom bend must have its radius and included angle specified - this doesn't get set at runtime.  Also, currently Plant 3D does not support creating the straight tangents on each end of the bend.  You can specify the “part use priority” for the bends in Specs & Catalogs Editor to influence whether your router will use the bends or elbows as a default.  One final limitation that we’ve found is that you can’t make pulled or continuous pipe with Plant 3D - yet.

You can send any suggestions you have regarding future development of Plant 3D features to Autodesk improveplant3d@autodesk.com.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hello,

First, let us say we sorry you are experiencing problems with Plant 3d.

You seem to have a few problems on the go.  In order to best address these we would like to ask some simple questions to get a better idea of the scope and nature of the problems you are facing.

• What size are the xref’s and how many
• Are they attached or overlayed
• Can you be sure that they are CLEAN and are not causing some of the issues with their content (vendor supplied)
• Are you using 3D solids for the tubing
• Are  you modeling in rendered mode
• How are you going about splitting up the work areas into models, What method are you using?

 When we ran the ortho generation for Project X we limited the size of the GA to a manageable area that was broken down into sections throughout the plant.  We never tried to run more than ONE at a time as this would over task the computer and cause a crash.

There are also some performance adjustments that you can make to your overall set up that may help with the performance that you are seeing.  This is a link to a White Paper that outlines them.

http://download.yousendit.com/aHlRdFdTTk10d0UwTVE9PQ   as well as http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-Plant-3D/Please-Read-AutoCAD-Plant-3D-Performance-Improvement-Strategy/m-p/2747710/highlight/true#M1296

 Also, make sure to do the following often.

1.       Detach any unneeded xrefs

2.       Project audit (PLANTAUDIT AND/OR AUDITPROJECT) not the basic AutoCadd Audit

3.       After Audit, purge and save your models

4.       Keep individual models sizes in check. Usually no bigger than 10mb.

 Please provide an email in your response to these questions so that we can communicate more efficiently in order to further help you.

 I hope this answers your question. If not, feel free to follow up via the Plant Exchange or davetyner.com forums as we frequent both.

Thanks,

Good Luck!

Hi Greg.

All you need to do reload your piping specs is to:

Close the project.

Close Plant 3D.

Open Plant 3D 

Load the project.

I hope this answers your question. If not, feel free to follow up via the Plant Exchange or davetyner.com forums as we frequent both.

Thanks,

Good Luck!

Hi Catrina,

Hi Alejandro,

I think you are asking about how to convert an imperial catalog to metric. It's not possible to convert catalogs from imperial to metric.  We suggest turning on the "Toggle Size Display" on Plant 3D to display both imperial and metric sizes in the model while using parts from ASME catalog.

We hope this helps and if we misunderstood what you were asking, feel free to post another question.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Shaun,

During the process of creating the Ortho views, Plant 3D removes hidden lines. At this time (that we know of) there is no option to turn this off. If hidden lines are needed, they would have to be manually drawn in where desired.

We hope that this information is helpful, please ask if you need more clarification and we'll be happy to help.

Thanks,

Krusty Krew

Hi Robert,

Existing projects cannot be converted to different units.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Jessica,

Could you send me one of the drawings you're having trouble with in your project? My email address is:

jason.drew@d3tech.net

Thank you,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Irene,

Reducer components are segment breakers because in order to have different line sizes, the line has to be broken into two lines. This is what allows the lines to have different sizes, yet keep all other information. Inline components do not function this way, they are components that sit on the line and does not break it, therefore not allowing to the line to have different sizes on them.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Greg
Thanks for asking the Krusty Krew your question.
In Plant 3D this is referred to as a Break Point. The Break Point command is located by selecting the Isos ribbon tab then select Isogen Info. This will bring up the Create Isogen Information dialog. From the drop down, select Break Point.

Regards,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Greg,

Unfortunately the structural steel modeling in Plant 3D does not currently support coping into the web of the steel using the cut back member function.

Suggestions such as this can be sent in to Autodesk using the following address:

improveplant3d@autodesk.com

Regards,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Greg,

Because the Plant coordinates equal real world coordinates I wouldn't move the plant up 100' instead i would move the UCS while routing your underground pipe.

We hope this helps.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Jessica,

When a project is loaded, the last spec that was used is loaded and a .lck file is created making the spec file read only. Once a model is loaded and other specs are selected, .lck files are created for each. These files are being accessed by Autocad and cannot be deleted. This helps ensure the integrity of the spec and software since Autocad is actively connected and reading from the spec files. Plant 3D does not need to be shut down in order to edit and save a spec. By right clicking on the project name in the tree, the project can be closed which will unlock the spec files for editing.

Hope this helps out.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Lyndon,

There is no formal fix, patch, or upgrade that addresses dimension issues like you describe.  Can you send us some more information like; are you trying to xref in models and then updating ortho?  Step by step what you are doing to achieve this and some screenshots would be nice too. I will send you an email to the one you provided.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Patrick,

Question 1: Component priority is set in the Spec Editor. Load the spec in spec editor, scroll down to elbows and there is a column listed Part Use Priority. In this column for the elbows, there should be either be a small yellow triangle with a black exclamation point or a green dot. Double clicking the symbol will bring up the Part Use Priority window. Here each size can be selected and the use priority can be changed and saved. The number one part will be the default component when pipe for that size. Here is a link to check out.

Question 2: We haven't seen this problem. We will forward this issue to the development team.

We hope this helps.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Dear Jeff,

Unfortunately, no.  By design, each row in the database has to be associated with an actual, individual part in the drawing.  When you insert a block reference (aka placing an insert), you have not placed individual parts.  All you have done is reference the graphics of a block definition.

By exploding the block, you create the individual parts which can then be associated with datacache row.

Exploding is a requirement in both P&ID and P3D.

The Krusty Krew

Dear Glenn,

 Although Autodesk doesn’t currently have a dedicated place for people to upload their own custom content (specs, catalogs, etc.) you are welcome to email them to Peter Quinn, the Plant Solutions Senior Product Manager (peter.quinn@autodesk.com).  He will work with you to get your content posted for others to share!

 Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Jim,

Here is the best practice for exporting and importing Revit Structures.

Export

A note if the Revit model is very large with many elements, its advised to create multiple 3D views of the Revit model then export the view to DWG.  This will reduce the DWG file size and be more manageable in AutoCAD.

a.       Export from Revit Structure – From a 3D view, Use the Export>CAD Files>DWG Files tool.

i. Use the following options on the DWG Properties:

Layers and properties: Category properties BYLAYER, overrides BYENTITY

Colors: Index Color (255 Colors)

Linetype scaling: Paperspace (PSLTSCALE = 1)

Coordinate system basis: Project Internal

One DWG unit is: inch

Text treatment: Maintain visual fidelity

Solids (3D views only): Export as AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP objects

Prefer: AutoCAD Architecture objects

Note: Ensure that the “Export as AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP objects” or “Export at ACIS solids” is selected.

ii.      This file can now be used as External Reference in Plant 3D with normal functionality.

b.      Export from Plant 3D

Import

Import Plant 3D into Revit Structure

Any view can be used, but it is recommended that a ground level plan view be used.

a) Use the “Link CAD” tool in Revit Structure.  This will allow for incremental updates as the design progresses.

b) When Linking the Plant 3D file, use the “Auto – Shared Coordinates” option.

Reference Revit Model export DWG into Plant 3D

There are 2 scenarios that can be done to use export model DWG files from Revit.  The first would be to simply xref the Revit file into any Plant 3D model file.  This is useful during design efforts.  The second, as described below, will be for Revit models required for design and ortho creation.

In order to use any file in Plant 3D ortho function the file must be part of the project.  Because of the state of the software currently the best practice is to create an empty file with the Revit DWG file referenced in.

a) Create a new file through project manager

b) Xref the Revit DWG exported file as an attachment. 

Tip: If the position of the Revit model differs from the position of the plant, move the reference file to the correct position.

c) Save and close the drawing.

Update Revit File

Re-export the Revit model as describe above except overwrite the existing DWG file. 

The overwrite file will be updated in the reference file.  Ortho file views will need to be updated to show changes also through ortho update functions as found on the Ribbon or Project Manager. 

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Kevin,

Component priority is set in the Spec Editor. Load the spec in spec editor, scroll down to flanges and there is a column listed Part Use Priority. In this column for the flanges, there should be either be a small yellow triangle with a black exclamation point or a green dot. Double clicking the symbol will bring up the Part Use Priority window. Here each size can be selected if there are multiple options for that size and the use priority can be changed and saved. The number one part will be the default component for that size. Here is a link that might help.

Happy Spec Building!

The Krusty Krew

Hi Richard, 

The long descriptions sole purpose is to fill in the description on the BOM. There are a couple of ways you can change what the long description displays.

1. You can modify the spec by editing the long description field directly, and update the models with the newly modified spec.

2. You can create a description style by going to the Spec Editor --> Specs --> Layout and Settings --> Edit Long Description Style.  There you can create different styles for the Long Description (size) or Long Description (family).  Here is a link that can help with setting up the style: http://docs.autodesk.com/PLNT3D/2011/ENU/filesPSC/WS1a9193826455f5ff5bb0a1a512649144cfc-21c3.htm

Hope this helps you with your spec issues.

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Glenn,

Stereoscopic can only be used during the real-time walkthrough and not exported as an animation.  You can submit a suggestion to have this abilty on future releases. Suggestions such as this can be sent in to Autodesk using the following address:

improveplant3d@autodesk.com

Thanks,

The Krusty Krew

Hi Kartal,

There could be a couple of things causing this issue.

1.       Is this happening on one project or all projects?  If it’s happening on one project this would eliminate the issue being the software.

2.        Someone may have messed with the Isogen.fls file and it can’t find the files. Open the Isogen.fls file in notepad and check to see if all the settings are pointing to the right paths for the files.   

Project Name\Isogen\Final\Quick\Isogen.fls 

OPTION-SWITCHES-LONG                    \Isogen\Final\final.opl

DRAWING-DEFINITION                         \Isogen\Final\final.ddf

DRAWING-FRAME                                   \Isogen\Final\final.dwg

MESSAGE                      \Isogen\Final\Quick\Messages\<INPUT-FILE>.mes

PLOTFILE-PREFIX                                      \Isogen\Final\Quick\Drawings\

POSITIONED-TEXT                                   \Isogen\Final\final.pos

MATERIAL-LIST-DEFINITION                \Isogen\Final\final.mld

FONT-INFORMATION-FILE                   \Isogen\Final\final.fif

MATERIAL-LIST-DEFINITION                \Isogen\Final\final.mld

ALTERNATIVE-TEXT                                 \Isogen\Final\final.alt 

3.       It’s possible you don’t have full admin rights on your PC and Plant 3D is unable to write the temp files it needs to when it kicks off Isogen.

We hope this helps you out.

Thanks,