AUTODESK recently released its latest version of AutoCAD, the Plant 3D 2022 Toolset, which brings a 74% productivity gain compared to basic AutoCAD.
That’s according to Chelsey Turner, Segment Marketing Manager (Infrastructure) for local Autodesk distributor, WorldsView.
She said the new version achieves this with more efficient creation and editing processes of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s) and 3D models, as well as faster extraction of piping orthographics and isometrics.
The upgraded toolset also incorporates highly requested new features, including synchronising project settings and isometric dimension customisation.
The toolset allows for collaboration on plant design models across project teams, while maintaining compliance requirements. Collaboration projects can now support the new Autodesk Construction Cloud, and piping insulation can be displayed in the Autodesk View of Building Information Modelling (BIM) 360.
AutoCAD commands and industry-standard symbol libraries (including PIP, ISA, ISO/DIN and JIS) help deliver faster P&ID drafting, and specified user-defined rules means possible errors are quickly identified by scanning P&IDs for data consistency.
3D plant models are quickly created using parametric equipment modelling, structural steel libraries and project-specific piping specifications (with industry-standard piping catalogues).
The toolset features parametric equipment templates for faster plant layouts, and for structural modelling to accurately lay out structures, stairs, ladders and railings (with industry-standard steel sections of AISC, CISC, and DIN).
Turner said customised piping specifications that meet exact project requirements can be created, allowing for increased 3D modelling flexibility.
Orthographic annotations show the real-world co-ordinates when a 3D model is externally referenced with a non-origin insert point.
Users can create industry or project standard piping isometric drawings, as well as extract piping orthographic drawings, directly from the 3D model. In turn, orthographic drawings can be updated while the model is being updated.
After defining project report formats, data can be directly pulled from the 3D model to automatically populate reports. Plant BIM model documentation also works across other industry disciplines.
Supplementary fixes, such as the simple automatic login to Vault, which allows project folder properties to be updated, has benefitted many AutoCAD users.
“Autodesk has corrected industry issues in the Plant 3D 2022 release, while adding valuable and customisable features. We believe that this toolset will serve our customers with more efficient and flexible workflows,” Turner said.
