Best Way to Collaborate with Industrial Piping Design: Advanced Strategies with AutoCAD Plant 3D

DAIN SEO: Thank you for attending my session today. Today, I'm going to talk about best way collaboration on industrial pipe design using AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Before we start, here is the Safe Harbor Statement. The statement to reflects our best judgment based on currently known factors. Actual events or results could differ materially. So look through the Safe Harbor Statement as well.

So let's go ahead and begin today's session. To start, I'd like to introduce both the session and myself. This is the session introduction. First, through the session, you will learn about the project preparation process in AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Then, also cover efficient methods for creating libraries using Inventor. And next, discuss different collaboration methods for each discipline throughout the entire plan design process, internet server. And finally, explore approaches for data integration and management using AutoCAD Cloud Construction Cloud. It's called the ACC.

So in this session, you will cover the following key steps. First, why? Why we need 3D plant design using AutoCAD Plant 3D, and the benefits of doing so. And then, what?

You will explore what type of collaboration method exists and demonstrate various ways to collaborate on plant project. And lastly, how? We will look at how we can apply the workflow in the collaborative project. So by going through this process, we will gain a clearer understanding of the best approach for your current plant project.

So we are the speakers of this presentation. I'm Dain Seo, and I'm implementation consultant desk based in Seoul, South Korea. I graduated in architect design and now, I'm focusing on the providing digital transformation solution to clients in the manufacturing industry. So now, I'd like to introduce my co-speaker Junho. Over to you, Junho.

JUNHO KIM: Hello, I'm Junho Kim. I work at Autodesk Korea, in a tech SE role, providing technical support and solutions to customers. My goal is to help them effectively use Autodesk products and maximize their value in project.

I have spent 10 years supporting plant 3D, focusing on the plant industry and its unique challenges. I am passionate about helping customers, maximize their efficiency and effectiveness in plant project by leveraging the full potential of Autodesk products.

DAIN SEO: Thank you, Junho. Now, let's take a closer look at the challenge in the plant design. So plant engineering projects are inherently complex, requiring teams to handle detailed 2D and 3D design and various process, which often lead to significant challenges.

So such a scenario plant engineering service can streamline, operate, and then contribute to successful project completion. So this challenge is for lack of transparency. And then, there's a challenge for the budgeting and also getting high quality design.

And the fourth, quality assurance. And the last, lack of the collaboration and communication. So we are just thinking about how can we solve this challenge to serve the 3D model and the data management in the plant industry challenge.

As we see it, digital transformation is the fundamental rewriting of how an organization operates. At the surface, plant 3D may appear to be simple application running on top of the AutoCAD, but in reality, it's the calculated pipe design package that requires careful set up before the project starts.

So today, we are going to talk about the overall design workflow for industrial plant design and how we can collaborate with displaying the many documents that are guaranteed. So now, Junho will explain why we need to adapt AutoCAD Plant 3D to improve the current design process.

JUNHO KIM: Today, I will explain the workflow for design using AutoCAD Plant 3D. In this presentation, I will cover the entire process, including piping, structure, and equipment design. I will also introduce how to collaborate effectively by integrating other Autodesk solutions like Revit and Inventor.

In older plants, there are often no drawings. We call these places a brownfield site. Sometimes the drawings are hand-drawn or just images from scanned files. In many cases, the drawings are incomplete or too old. In this case, we use 3D scanning.

Autodesk does not sell 3D scanning equipment so we use equipment from companies like Trimble or Leica to do the scanning. After scanning, the data needs to be combined into one file. We also remove any overlapping or unnecessary parts.

Autodesk ReCap can be used to merge scanned data and remove errors. Some service scan equipment makers also provide software. But if you need to buy the software, you can consider using ReCap.

Now, let's talk about design. In plant project, we usually need to design for four areas in 3D. These are structure, equipment, MEP, and piping. After designing, we check if there are any clashes between the parts. This is not easy and takes a lot of time to finish. What is the best Autodesk solution for plant project and why?

I have supported plant project for 10 years and help customers with two main areas. If your project only focuses on piping design and making ISO drawings, then you can use AutoCAD Plant 3D. But if there are specialized teams and you need to create detailed drawings, then AutoCAD Plant 3D alone won't be enough.

You will need solutions that are specialized for each area. You need to decide which solutions to use based on what the final product will be. Lastly, let's talk about document management in plant design. There are too many documents to manage.

You need to manage this data related to piping, PFD drawing, and all other documents related to plant project. To manage these files, Autodesk has two solutions. They are Vault and Aces. If you combine these two solutions, you can manage your plant data even in closed networks and also collaborate perfectly during construction.

Autodesk has solutions that cover everything from design to operation, but learning all of them might feel too much. So I recommend using two main solutions, Inventor and Revit.

We can lead the project by collaborating across different fields. So I will explain the collaboration workflow in the design field today. Now, let's just see how AutoCAD Plant 3D can be used.

This is structure modeling function. You can use standard members to create frame. You can also create ladder easily because it uses AutoCAD functions.

You can use the utilize AutoCAD functions and you can also add a gate wall plate like this. If you know how to use AutoCAD, you can make a hole in the grate like this video. It is very easy using only AutoCAD polyline function.

Next, is equipment modeling. You can create models by combining shapes, and when you add the dimensions, the model updates automatically. And you can also then place the equipment where you need it.

After creating the equipment, you can add nozzle easily. And then you can model pipe in the correct fittings and add it automatically based on defined specs.

In the P&ID function, you can convert to AutoCAD drawings. Just select the object and choose the type, and it will change automatically. Then you can add tag to it.

By using AutoCAD P&ID, it becomes easier to create 3D models because the attributes are linked, so human errors can be reduced and the design time becomes shorter.

If there is missing information between the AutoCAD drawings and 3D design, there is a feature to find the problem. So we can call AutoCAD Plant 3D its smarter 3D solution and intelligence plant 3D solution.

Now, a question comes up. What if there is a special end that only our company uses, and the library we need is not available in Plant 3D? Plant 3D allows you to add two new data, like fittings or a variable.

Here is how to edit data that's connected. You created a Plant3D spec library, but you need a 3D model. This library is stored in the AutoCAD Plant 3D project database. The 3D model needs to be in DWG format, and saved as a block in AutoCAD.

The block is then stored in the AcDbDatabase. When you create a block, you enter each attribute to make it part of the library and the attributes are saved in the AcDbDatabase.

First, you need to prepare the 3D model in DWG format. In AutoCAD, create the model and save it as a block. Then, use the plant part convert command to recognize the center of the two valve holes. Once done, save the file.

Next, Plant 3D Spec Editor. Since you marked two holes, select number 2 and give it a name. Enter the size and other needed information. Then select the block file you saved.

Finally, save and add the valve to the spec sheet so you can use it. You have to do add like this. If the valve is not visible in the right part of AutoCAD Plant 3D, this method can help you add the valve to the palette and use it in your design. Add AutoCAD plant 3.

So you need to load the specification with the added developers in Plant 3D or refresh the specification to update them to the latest version. These are the basics of using AutoCAD Plant 3D. So why we need to use Revit and Inventor? Can we just use Plant 3D?

This question is common. Although plant solutions are similar, they have one name but are divided into different modules within that. This is because plant design is very complex and not a short term project. So let me explain why we need Revit and Inventor.

First, let's understand the official AutoCAD Plant 3D. AutoCAD Plant 3D is a 3D solution focused on piping. Users can define piping specs and use those specs to model pipes. It is the only AutoCAD solution that can create the ISO drawings.

Do you need ISO drawings for piping? Then you must use AutoCAD Plant 3D. It also gives you a piping bill of material. But there are some limits. Since AutoCAD plans really focus on piping, it is weak in structure and equipment design.

That's why you need Revit and Inventor. You can model piping in Revit and Inventor too, but you cannot create ISO drawings. That's why they don't have the function to define specs like AutoCAD Plant 3D. So they cannot do smart piping modeling.

Second, structural and MEP should be modeled in Revit, and equipment is Inventor's specialty. These tools allow you to create detailed, shop drawings. Plant 3D cannot make shop drawings. It only makes models, not 2D drawings, so you cannot get buildable material or a materials list for steel structures and equipment.

To get shop drawings for each area, you need to use Revit and Inventor AutoCAD Plant 3D is only the Autodesk solution that can create ISO drawings for piping.

This is Inventor's modeling. We can use automated Inventor model. You can change the position and you can change the shape as tile and dimension. So it is very useful to plan for project users.

And you have to make the hole. Then change the format to ADSK format, and you can import the Plant 3D. And you can also connect the piping using Inventor model. And you can also import to other vendors mechanical certificate data.

CATIA data and CREO data and STEP data, you can also import it to Inventor. And utilizing AutoCAD Plant 3D, you can make the shop drawing, like this. Next one is Revit.

Revit is a very popular solution in the architecture and structure industry. So we can make MEP and dot modeling. But AutoCAD Plant 3D doesn't make the dot and MEP, so we have to use the Revit. So I recommend the collaboration for plant design using Inventor and Revit. And then you can import to Revit file, to DWG file format.

If you need to do plant design, I recommend this workflow. By collaborating with these three solutions, we will gain the following benefits. You can perform specific specification-based 3D piping modeling, and its high flexibility allows you to create and modify easily, more so than any other tools.

You can import PCF files and extract them into ISO drawings. Additionally, it is the only Autodesk solution that supports the creation of ISO drawings for piping fabrication. Finally, you can reuse IFC files and import mechanical 3D CAD files from other vendors into 3D.

By utilizing this workflow, you will be able to experience the best project. Yes. Next, we will explain how to manage plant design data.

DAIN SEO: OK. I'm going to introduce just the data, how can we effectively manage and collaborate with each other through this AutoCAD Plant 3D.

So when drawing creatives using Plant 3D, and continuously generate and share across various disciplines and stakeholders, so therefore the collaboration method must adapt to this testing nature of the project and type of the work involved. So what is the data integration and how can we integrate our plant data so effectively?

When working on the project with Plant 3D, we can consider four different methods for data collaboration. So first, when we set up the Plant 3D project, you can choose between using SQLite or SQL Server database, and then, the option of using Autodesk PDM solution that's called Vault Professional.

And finally, we are having cloud service, Autodesk Construction Cloud, which we call ACC. Among the SQLite and SQL Data Server are the fundamental management options provided within Plant 3D. However, when using Vault or ACC, you will need to consider setting up the SQL Server or working with the cloud-based project.

So how can we collaborate effectively in Plant 3D? Which method is the best? The answer to the question depends on several factors: the size of your project, how many people you are collaborating with, and then what stage of the project you are.

And these criteria will determine the most suitable collaboration methods for your specific situation. So the answer to the question is depending on the several factors.

So if you are only designing page, creating the conceptual diagram, or working on the 3D model for the specific part of the plant, we just want one of the tour person. The simplest and most convenient method would be save your work locally on your PC, as commonly do.

But according to the SQLite organization, SQLite is not recommended for use scenario where multiple computers on the network need to access the same database simultaneously. So in this case, one or two people collaborated in one local office, saved this, all the 3D models, 2D drawings, and all the spec data, like such as piping, ISO, orthographic, and process.

And the whole thing is fine to them. But next, if there's getting more people, such as the bigger the project or they need to collaborate with outside the office, they must be using SQL database as well.

The plant design typically involves more than just one or two people. It requires collaboration among the multiple team members, additionally, there are situations when an external person or on-site worker needs to access the data. So this situation in Plant 3D allows you to use the SQL database server without requiring deep SQL knowledge.

By default, you are installed and using the code Express, and then project settings doesn't work previously stored in the SQLite, and now saving the database, providing more table management. However, in this case, it's common to rely on internal server, which can be limited when adapting to large scale plant design.

The first is a risk losing data. So local systems, depending on when's your backup, which means there's a higher chance for losing data due to how do you perform, or some mistake or other issue. In many cases, backups are not managed well.

And also, working together becomes harder when team members are in the different location. Sharing files, keeping track of the version, and communicating often involves sending files through the email or using network drive, which can be corrupted.

And additionally, it's hard to keep track on their changes, managing who is permitted to edit and know who edited. Well, since you have to manage the files by hand, error can happen, especially in the large project.

And finally, lastly, the project analysis is not possible. In the big project, it is important to monitor progress, data structure, and the schedule, but its basic system does not offer to complete project analysis. So now, we are thinking about additional programs, the Inventor.

If there's involved equipment modeling, such as the previous explained by Junho, or we are considering about the architect part or some of the aspect or some external third party through using Revit or some other software. But if we are using only Plant 3D, it's not available to save all the data in a SQL Server in a plant 3D.

So in this case, we are considering to use the data management, which is called Autodesk Vault Professional. So Autodesk Vault PDM software is installed on the user local server and managed through the MSSQL Server database. Now, we will look at the demo to see how the data is managed in Plant 3D with Vault, and how the collaboration can take the place. So now, we can open the Vault.

The Plant 3D project saved in the Vault, is the same like a different management as well. And when we open the project, we make sure it's not only open, we need to open the Check Out to bring from the server. So if there have some changes when we saved, we make sure to Check In as well to save the Vault server.

We can include some of the comments on that. And then we click OK. And there's a check in the server in a Vault. And additionally, if we want to create the ISO drawing, we just click the ISO style and generate the ISO drawing, it must be saved to the Vault server as well.

So you don't need to do duplicate work, save to local and save to server. We just automatically save in the server as well, and then collaborate with the other external person who works with you. So let's check the stuff I generated as well, the ISO drawing. And the file was generated and then stored in a Vault server as well.

So we can see similar properties in the ISO drawing as well. And then, let's look into the Vault, the final drawing. There was a generator like the same as the Plant 3D drawing. And we can see the user definition that comes from the AutoCAD properties as well.

So we can reflect both ways or one way to see the properties even if we don't open the 2D drawing. And we can make the short-cut to go directly to the folder as well.

And if we see this file in a Vault, some files-- there's a lot there because they're already released. So release the file. There's not allowed any access from the other side.

And we can change the state. So this side released, and we can sync. And those five are also locked. And if you see that some of the master file--

If you see a master file, that can show what kind of the drawings are referenced in the master file. So we will very quickly review what kind of the drawing's involved, and what is the progress on. And sometimes, if there's a drawing, which drawing was used as well.

And they said they have a very powerful function for the find, and we can search the text inside the drawing. So even there's not a contained even the name, we find the text indexing inside the drawing. So if you open, it can easily find this text, this E underbar 1001 equipment in a drawing as well.

So if we are giving some other permission to other people, there's a lot of permissions to give each person. So some people cannot access and they cannot see any folder, compared to the administrator.

So we are seeing some of these folders that are permissive. And there are modules that some models cannot access. And the short-cut as well, we can see.

And the Vault also provides the viewer of the Office, such as Excel or PowerPoint. We can review even without opening the file and the BOM. And sometimes the people who work external, there's a site or internal VPM, but she's not in the office. We can access the Vault client in a web server.

So it's just a very same way to connect, such as a Vault client as well. And then there's the history, what they're using, and there's what were used. Sometimes all the functions are the same as the Vault. Client.

So let's see what is a Vault professional. This is a server-based collaborator. What is the advantage? So when AutoCAD Plant 3D collaborates in a Vault, its advantage is the version control and file management, and centralized data management as well.

And the third one is the life cycle workflow and access control the permission. It's very important to manage if there's many people in the same server. And also, integration with other Autodesk products, such as Inventor and Revit and Naviswork as well.

And even we don't need to be online because the upfront access with the sync, because it's working the internal server. But they have a limitation as well. So first is the limited file viewer, and complex to set up the maintenance.

Also, there's a limited real-time collaboration because some people was working, and then there's not a save. They're not synced well. And lastly, limited collaboration with Navisworks. We cannot save directly when you convert from Plant 3D to Naviswork. So it is the limitation in the Vault Professional.

So how can we improve? There's a limitation to the vault. One of the solutions is we unload the cloud service. So this is the typical collaboration within Inventor, Revit, the outside of the AutoCAD Plant 3D.

But if we are using a cloud server, such as like cloud at ACC, we can connect, direct, maintain in a server with the Vault, and some of the team unload a cloud service. And then outside of the office, there's a third party under the cloud service as well.

But the only thing the inventory very deeply relates to this AutoCAD Vault Professionals, such as only the supplier who uses Inventor, unloads the Vault server as well. But the Vault server also can sync with the cloud server to Autodesk Construction Cloud as well.

So we are kind of doing some of the part. We unload the cloud server, and we are mainly managing all the project in Autodesk Construction Cloud. So let's see, how can this work in a AutoCAD ACC with the Plants 3D. So this is a video to open the AutoCAD Construction Cloud.

These are the very same way to using both as well. Let's take some of this pipe or erase some of the pipe as well. And there's also including a Check In, and we can add in comments. This way is very similar even using AutoCAD port or ACC.

So we open the drawing. It's very easy to see a preview in a web. It's the same with the AutoCAD Plant 3D as well. And this function has compared function. So we change the previous one from the modification. We can see what is the edit, what is removed, and what is modification.

So it is easily checked to what is the changes in the version in a web server. So it is very potential function in ACC well. And second, we can collaborate with the coordination if some people are using Revit and some people are using Plant 3D. So let's move to model coordination.

And we can make a model view. So one thing is Plant 3D, and second thing that we create is the Revit. And we can easily check what the model tree is, and where the clash comes up.

So we just click what is the Primary model, and then Clashed with. So there's an easy way to check how many clashes are in between two models. And let's see. OK, they have one clash. And then we're back to issue. And then, click the issue.

The generate created each thumbnail, and then we can generate a markup as well. And I just want to assign to who is the need to modification or review for the issue are we going to assign to. And then we collect the due data and start data as well. And then, leave some comments. Please check this clash, some of the level, and then send it.

And now, Junho easily can check the Plant 3D issue on his iPad or some iPhone as well. And the dielectric can check the issue that assigned it individually, and then see where the location is, and then what is the placement. And we can change the type of the progress to in a review.

And if I want to add some photo or video, I can click the photo and attach the photo in a issue. So easily check where the clash is and where we have to check, and then whether the checker's done as well.

So go back to the site side of the issue, the change in the review, and I will change the preview to the photo as well. So it's a basic work process in a collaborative in the model combination between a person on a site and then office.

So there are sets of many functions when you build in ACC using the plant project, but there's some more good effective ways to advantage in the ACC. So the first thing is real-time collaboration, and second is the cloud-based data storage and version control, and access control and the permissions, and cross-discipline the integration, such as they're using Revit or Inventor as well, and project analysis and reporting, and mobile and remote access.

Those are all the advantages to using ACC when there's a plant project, but they have some limitations as well. Because there's the only cloud-based data storage, so some people, some company, there's a very high security project, there's a competitor network dependency.

So we can picture compare the subjects like before data management and AutoCAD both and AutoCAD Construction Cloud. So those are a part of the collaboration and version control and data security access control, and file storage, offline access, and then cross-disciplinary integration.

Some people, in their situation, it's very important to local or a centralized server, it must be using the Vault. But we are allowed to use this AutoCAD cloud data server as well. We can allow to ACC. So look through all the features, and then let's see what is perfect in our project.

So this is the solution overview, how can we manage through this whole tire process. So AutoCAD Plant 3D, we are covering P&ID drawing, pipe design, isometric and structure design as well.

But Revit is an architect design structure, HVAC, or some structuring for the design. So they're working with together. And some of the parts of the equipment with the link that has to create the Inventor, and send it to the library in Plant 3D.

And we can collaborate as well with some of the Navisworks model review and crash detection, and some others as well. So there's a part of the include Inventor that we can store this in the local server using Vault Professional. There's the security area design and it comes library area.

We can consult also, AutoCAD Construction Cloud as well, so we can collaborate in model coordination and design collaboration. So it is a very generic design, a workflow using our Autodesk solution. So there's a yellow area that's only high level security design data as well.

But if you expand the solution overview to using all kinds of solutions, we can consider in future, if you need some 3D scanning or some of the layout design, or we are thinking about Digital Twin, then need to order Autodesk Tandem, or data management is the Datum 360, and VR Reviewing the Workshop XR.

So it depends on how we are considering future design transformation. So we have a lot of solutions. All the solutions are very centralized to the ACC and Vault, so we can consider linking to those or expand the solution overview app to create the 3D model in Plant 3D.

So we are thinking about what the best practice is. So the first data management is best for small teams working on a simple project locally or on shared drives, within limited collaboration and no need for advanced version controlling.

And second is the Autodesk Vault. Idea for medium or large teams that require strict version control, centralized data management, and integration with other Autodesk tools, but prefer to keep data on-premise for high security. And last one is, we are explained about Autodesk Construction Cloud, which is called the ACC.

It's perfect for teams that need real-time collaboration across locations, cloud-based storage, and advanced project tracking. So ideal for complex, multi-disciplinary projects requiring remote work and integration with other Autodesk products. So we explored, in a very short term, we are having more function and then we have a more strategy about using the whole entire workflow.

But this is a very limited and important thing we are dealing with in this presentation. So this is how our presentation is. So thank you for listening to our presentation. And that's all done to our presentation as well.