AutoCAD Plant 3D Customer Success Plan Best practices guide to successful Plant 3D project start-up

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Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 3

Plant 3D Project Kick-off Timeline Example ................................................................... 3 Planning ................................................................................................................... 4

System Requirements ................................................................................................. 4 Product Deployments .................................................................................................. 4 Pilot Projects & Testing ............................................................................................... 4 Autodesk Training and Consulting ................................................................................ 5 Project Kick-off ........................................................................................................... 5

Support .................................................................................................................... 6 Project Setup Checklist ............................................................................................ 7

General Settings ......................................................................................................... 7 P&ID DWG Settings .................................................................................................... 8 Plant 3D Drawing Settings ........................................................................................... 9 Isometric Drawing Configuration .................................................................................10

Specs and Catalog Content ....................................................................................11 Spec Sheets ..............................................................................................................11 Catalogs ...................................................................................................................11 Catalogs + Specs .......................................................................................................11

Reports ..................................................................................................................12 Network Infrastructure..........................................................................................12

Database and File Servers ..........................................................................................12 AutoCAD Profile Paths (Multi-user environment) ...........................................................12

Project Collaboration with Autodesk BIM 360 Team .............................................12 Additional References ............................................................................................12

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Executive Summary

Ensuring success for projects with AutoCAD Plant 3D requires careful planning and project team coordination. There are many activities and tasks that must be completed prior to using Plant 3D out-of-the-box. Training, project configuration, catalog / spec creation, etc. are all topics that require time and effort from the project team time before starting a project. This document outlines these tasks that should be addressed before beginning work with Plant 3D on a live project. By following the checklist and recommendations this will help ensure successful project kick-off and production.

Plant 3D Project Kick-off Timeline Example

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Planning

Define project scope Estimate time to complete Project Setup Checklist starting on page 7

System Requirements

Review: System requirements for AutoCAD Plant 3D

Product Deployments

Ensure the following software is deployed on all CAD workstations:

Microsoft office 2010 – 2016 or Office 365 MS Office is used for import / export to Excel and Catalog Builder functions

Latest version of AutoCAD Plant 3D

Always install the latest version of AutoCAD Plant 3D to ensure you have access to the latest feature enhancements and updates.

All Service Packs and Hotfixes are installed or included in the deployment

AutoCAD updates AutoCAD Plant 3D updates

Service Packs & Hotfixes can be located through the Autodesk Desktop App or the Autodesk Download Finder website

Pilot Projects & Testing

It is recommended to run a pilot project to test configuration from the checklist, catalog parts / specs, and isometric drawings. We also recommend creating a “master” test project containing all standard configuration settings and customizations.

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Autodesk Training and Consulting

AutoCAD P&ID Essentials (basic training for designers) AutoCAD P&ID Advanced (admin training for project configuration) AutoCAD Plant 3D Essentials (basic training for designers) AutoCAD Plant 3D Advanced (admin training) Project Setup and Configuration Specs and Catalogs

Autodesk Enterprise Priority Support Customers

Visit with your Customer Success Manager about training: Autodesk Consulting

Autodesk Subscription Customers

Learn about working with an Autodesk Partner for training: Work with an Autodesk Partner

Project Kick-off

Ensure all project team members have received proper training All items on project setup checklist are complete

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Support We recommended designated (or dedicated) in-house support staff for AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID. This could be the BIM Model Coordinator or Pipe Design Lead working with Power Users to support the underlaying project team members. When issues are encountered, the end-user will contact the local Plant 3D “Power User” of their team. If the problem is unable to be resolved it can be escalated to the project leader or administrator who will then submit a support cases as needed to Autodesk Support using their Autodesk Account portal using the guidance on this page: Autodesk Account Management: Submitting & Viewing Support Requests

Project Manager

BIM / VDC Design Team

Leader

Plant 3D Power User

Designer

Engineer

Spec Writer

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Project Setup Checklist The checklist below contains a list of Project Setup tasks for the configuration of an AutoCAD Plant 3D or AutoCAD P&ID project. The hyperlinks will open corresponding topics within the Autodesk On-line Help website.

General Settings

Database Setup

Information only section; shows SQLite or SQL Server properties. Note: Use SQL Server for any network, multi-user projects Refer to the SQL Server section for more information

Drawing Properties / File Name Format (applies to 3D drawings, Orthos, and P&IDs)

Add custom properties as required Configure file name format string (optional)

Paths

Configure project paths as required

Project Details

Project general properties Drawing Work History prompts General paths Custom properties Tool palette group associations

Project Reports (for P&ID drawings only)

Control Valve List Document Registry Equipment List Instrument List Line List Line Summary List Nozzle List Specialty Items List Valve List

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P&ID DWG Settings

Review: AutoCAD P&ID Advanced Configuration Guide

End Connections

Modify P&ID end connection symbols

Line Settings Review line settings, gaps, standoff distance, line grips, etc.

Data Manager Configuration

Create custom views as required

P&ID Class Definitions / Symbols

Create P&ID object class definitions Modify existing symbols / create new or custom symbols Converting existing AutoCAD blocks

Note: converting existing AutoCAD blocks directly within a project P&ID drawing will only convert the block into a P&ID symbol for that drawing. To convert blocks for use with the entire project, refer to the task above for creating new or custom symbols for use on P&ID tool palettes.

Layers / Colors / Linetypes

Define Property Lists

Service abbreviations Pipe Specs list Instrumentation Abbreviations (ex. PI, FT, etc.)

Tag Annotations

Line number tag configuration (should match 3D pipe line tag config) Valve tag format Instrument tag format Equipment tag format Text Styles

P&ID Drawing Template (DWT File)

Title block and border

Common Reports

Bills of Materials Line list Equipment List Tie-in List Drawing Index Specialty Item List Instrument List Valve List

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Plant 3D Drawing Settings

Export and Import Settings

Add custom configuration as needed for data export and import with discipline teams (ex. Instrument tag list, nozzle list, etc.)

Data Manager Configuration

Add custom Data Manager views as needed for viewing / sorting data in a specific way

Piping and Equipment class property definitions

Add new properties as needed for each class (Equipment, Fasteners, Pipe Run Components)

Piping Connection Settings

Add any new end types that are required Configure any new simple joints that are required Configure any new compound joints are required Adjust settings in DefaultConnectorsConfig.xml as required Test all joint types in a test model to verify they work as expected

Selection List Properties

Service (Under P3d Line Group) Instrument prefixes (ex. PI, FT, FC, etc.)

Ensure all tag formats are configured:

Pipe Line Group Tag Examples: <Size>-<Service>-<Spec>-<Line Number> <Size>-<Service>-<Spec>-<Line Number>-<InsulThk><InsulType> <Size>-<Service>-<Spec>-<Line Number>-<Tracing>

Pipe run component tags Valves Instrument items Equipment Specialty items

P&ID to Plant 3D object property mapping (optional)

Pipe line properties Valve properties In-line assets:

Valves Fittings Specialty items Reducers

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Isometric Drawing Configuration

Review: Isometric Configuration (Advanced) De-mystifying AutoCAD Plant 3D isometrics – configuration reference

Iso Styles

Iso title block and drawing border Attribute mapping for title block (service, spec, insulation, etc.) Iso table configuration (BOM, cut list, weld list) Iso symbol keys (SKEYs) – IsoSymbolStyles.dwg & IsoSkeyAcadBlockMap.xml

Iso Themes

Dimensions Small bore Continuations Vent / drain

Iso Testing

Create preliminary pipe runs with fittings, instruments, etc. Run iso sheets and ask drawing checker to verify:

Symbol output / representation Dimensions Annotations Title block properties

Orthographic Drawing Configuration

Ortho title block / drawing border Drawing layers Annotations / text styles BOM table setup

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Specs and Catalog Content Review: Introduction to Specs and Catalogs

Spec Sheets

Gather new and existing spec sheets (digital or hard copy) for the project Existing AutoCAD Plant 3D specs (migrate as needed from older versions) Re-create or re-build:

AutoPLANT specs CADWorx specs

Batch assign Long Descriptions as required to match standards (Size & Family) Configure Part Use Priority for parts the show conflicts Configure Branch tables

Catalogs

Establish a common, shared folder on the network for part catalogs Ensure all parts are available in the out-of-the-box Plant 3D catalogs

or Content Packs on Autodesk Exchange App Store: Pipe run components Instruments Specialty items Fasteners Bolt sets and gaskets Pipe supports Nozzles Placeholder parts Structural steel shapes

Create list of all missing parts or parts that need to be manually created for the

catalogs (3D block based or Python scripted)

Create / build new custom catalog(s) containing the required parts using Catalog Builder or manually through Catalog Editor

Test custom parts and fittings (including any custom end types and joint / connections that are required)

Test isometric SKEYs for custom parts to verify proper representation and dimensioning (see related: Iso testing)

Catalogs + Specs

Review: How to add a custom property to a catalog component Add new custom properties to catalogs and specs as needed

Shared Content Folder

Configure common folder for Catalogs Note: Per workstation setting through user interface (PLANTMODIFYSHAREDCONTENTFOLDER) or set path variable in Windows Registry

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Reports

Report Creator

Configure new report data queries as needed

Report Designer

Create new report layouts as needed to match company / client standards Configure data fields Configure data grouping and sorting Test report output

Network Infrastructure

Database and File Servers

Windows Server for hosting project files and folders Microsoft SQL Server

How to configure Microsoft SQL Server for AutoCAD Plant 3D projects

Hosting projects with Vault Server (optional) Configure new or existing Vault Server Configure Vault roles and permissions

SQLite Databases – Use only for testing / setup purposes on a local machine

SQLite is not intended for multi-user projects running on a network Review: AutoCAD Plant 3D Projects: SQLite versus SQL Server

AutoCAD Profile Paths (Multi-user environment)

Tool palettes for P&ID symbols AutoCAD Profile (for shared tool palettes)

Project Collaboration with Autodesk BIM 360 Team

With the release of Plant 2018 customers now have the option to share projects to the cloud and invite team members to collaborate, regardless of physical location. BIM 360 Collaboration requires an internet connection and an Autodesk BIM 360 Team hub.

Review the following: Collaboration Workflow documentation How to activate your subscription to BIM 360 Team Project Collaboration for Plant Design

Additional References Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2018 On-line Help Tips and Tricks for the AutoCAD P&ID Administrator