PlantSpecDriven lifts the workflow from P&ID to 3D to a new level unknown to Autodesk® AutoCAD® Plant 3D™ users. It not only speeds up the transition from P&ID to 3D but also checks for inconsistencies along the way, keeping you informed about the status of your project.

How does it work in a P&ID?

In your P&ID drawing, you draw your lines and assign spec and size to them. If you now insert a P&ID symbol, PlantSpecDriven will search for suitable catalog data in the given spec, size, and other filter criteria. If only one suitable catalog data is found, the catalog data will be assigned automatically. If multiple possible candidates are found, the user has to select one catalog dataset.

Optional flanges can be inserted automatically as P&ID symbols with catalog data, but it doesn’t stop here.

As another option, PlantSpecDriven can also add so-called not-placed objects, or NPOs, to the P&ID symbols. This function allows adding gaskets, collars, bolts, and others. These objects are, of course, not visible in the P&ID drawing but will be stored in the database, further complementing the Bill of Materials.

Changes to spec and/or size will check and update the assigned catalog data where necessary. Part of this process is a feature called AttributeFlow. This feature propagates spec and size to connected lines, factoring in various criteria when to stop the AttributeFlow.

All that leads to the possibility of creating a Bill of Materials from your P&ID symbols, including attached fastener-like objects and their catalog data.

Some customers even go so far as to insert P&ID symbols like couplings, nipples, and tees in their drawings to create a Bill of Material, which is actually used for the procurement process of the project.

Since you can also use PlantSpecDriven for P&ID only, this gives you a pretty accurate estimation of your project costs.

Of course, you can define which properties data from your spec you want to see in your P&ID symbols.

Assigning catalog data to a P&ID symbol can also change the symbol if needed.

How does it work in 3D?

From the PlantSpecDriven tree shown above, you route your lines and insert the P&ID symbols in 3D. Simply right-click on a line or a symbol and use Insert. The tree shows a colored circle in front of the text, informing you about the status of an object.

You can also use the status to filter the tree:

Inconsistencies can be shown just for one object but also for the whole project. In addition, you can filter the tree for any inconsistencies.

Besides checks, like tag or catalog data between P&ID and 3D, you can define your own checks of what you would like to have checked between P&ID and 3D.

You can define what inconsistency is and what inconsistency is not. In addition, you can also define what type of “repair” function is allowed for resolving an inconsistency. For example, if the tag in the P&ID and 3D differs, you probably want to be able to copy the tag from the P&ID to your 3D drawing or vice versa. But if your workflow is rigorous from P&ID to 3D, you may allow copying from P&ID to 3D only.

 

PlantSpecDriven is needed for each Plant 3D license because it is running constantly in the background.

This is a 14-day trial version.

Note: This app uses a custom installer (and not the standard App Store installer).