Following are the new features in AutoCAD P&ID 2013 and AutoCAD Plant 3D 2013. You can also view the AutoCAD Plant 3D 2013 New Videos here.

 

P&ID Features

Improved how P&ID components move and stretch to meet a designers expectations. You now have a live preview reporting results before you finalize a stretch or move command.

In this drawing, the left view shows what happens if you use STRETCH on a normal AutoCAD line: the line detaches from the tank. The right view shows stretching the schematic line, moving the tank, and keeping the nozzle attached. The dotted lines represent the new live preview of potential results as you move the cursor before finalizing the command.

The following changes make stretching faster and more intuitive:

• Live preview shows what will occur before the stretch is completed.
• Inline components remain inline after any stretch action.
• End of line assets remain at the end of lines.
• Tags retain their associations and attachments.
• Lines and signal lines are automatically re-routed (note that SLINEORTHO must be on (=1) to include orthogonal lines).
• Illegal changes are rejected.

 

Plant 3D Features

3D Modeling Features

• Pipe Supports
• Pipe Bends
• Valve Operators
• Stub-Ins, Tapping, and Reinforcement Pads
• Instrumentation and Custom Parts
• Isometrics
• Plant SDK

Specs and Catalogs

• Valve Operators
• Catalog Builder
• Component Creation
• Bolt Mapping

Pipe Supports

• Pipe supports are easier to place and customize.

• Dynamic input is now available for pipe supports. You can also retain point-of-support height when you move or copy pipe supports along sloped piping or to pipe at a different elevation.

• You can now set pipe support dimensions in the properties palette. The pipe support tool palette updates from a new pipe support spec.
• For more information, see Create and Modify Pipe Supports and PLANTPIPESUPPORTADD in product help.

Pipe Bends

• You can now create pipe bends.
• For more information, see Create Piping Bends and PLANTEDITBEND in product help.

Valve Operators

• You can now specify many more operator types in the 3D model.

• For more information, see Place Valves and Modify Operators and Override Valve Operator Dialog Box in product help.

Stub-Ins, Tapping, and Reinforcement Pads

• You can now specify an offset (for example: BOP alignment) when you create a stub-in.

• You can add reinforcement pads using the substitution grip of a weld dot.

• You can tap into blind flanges, end caps, and eccentric reducers.
• For more information, see Create and Modify Welds and Stub-Ins and Tapping a Blind Flange in product help.

Instrumentation and Custom Parts

• Creating custom components is now easier with improved support for blocks and instrumentation.
• For more information, see Create Instrumentation and Custom Components in product help.

Isometrics

• You can now display a preview of your isometric style before saving changes in Project Setup.
• For more information, see Live Preview in product help.

Plant SDK

• Developers can now create piping in the 3D model using new APIs. Sample code is provided to create the pipe line shown above.
• Download the Plant SDK from the Developer Center here: http://www.autodesk.com/developautocad.

 

Specs and Catalogs

Valve Operators

You can now override the default operator with a parametric operator shape in the model. You are no longer required to specify a default valve operator in the spec. If you do prefer to specify a default operator in the spec, it is now easier to do.

You can specify a valve operator in the spec sheet using the new valve operator shape browser. You can also copy size assignments to other valves, including to valves in a different spec.

For more information, see Edit Valve Operators and Create New Component Dialog Box in product help.

Catalog Builder

You can use the Catalog Builder to create many components at once. Load the catalog builder from the tools menu in the Spec Editor.

For more information, see the Catalog Builder User's Guide.

Component Creation

More options are available to create components in the catalog editor. Support for pipe supports and instruments has been improved. There are now fewer shape restrictions; you can also specify any parametric shape for a component.

Bolt Mapping

You can set bolt length ranges and increments in a catalog. You can also override flange thickness in the 3D model.

For more information, see the Bolt Length Mapping Dialog Box.