AutoCAD Plant 3D Advanced

Configuration and Customization

Richard Frank
Software Engineer
PD234-1 Goals

Key Learning
Create parametric and block-based custom piping components.
Browse the catalog database and identify helpful details that are
not exposed through the standard interface.
Recover a drawing that has fallen out of synch with the project
database. Understand how it happens and what can be lost.
Customize and share your catalogs and piping specs.
Modify nozzle and piping support catalogs.
Create a Catalog and Component
Add Port Information to a Block

Create Block
Add Ports

Use plantpartconvert to add ports to a block. You can then add the ports
to the catalog. You can also use them as off-spec parts in the model.
Create a Block Based Component
Your Catalog Files

In the Shared Content Folder

C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2011 Content\CPak ASME

AUCustom.pcat
AUCustom (folder)
AUCustom\DWG\
5378d5ff-dc72-4046-949b-a88d64a1e61d.dwg
AUCustom\200\
ValveBody_5378d5ff-dc72-4046-949b-a88d64a1e61d_200.png

The DWG and PNG are created when you save your first component
size. There is one DWG for every part family, with each size saved as a
block inside the DWG.
Create a Piping Spec
Your Spec Files

AUSpec.pspx
AUSpec.pspc

The PSPX is a .ZIP file that contains XML files, including the Branch Table.
Create a Plant Project
Your Project Files
Modified after project creation:

Project AU\
Piping.dcf
PipingPart.xml

Plant 3D Models\
1-AU.dwg

After project creation, we added a 3D model. After adding components to the

model, the dwg and dcf are modified.
Plant Data - Three Islands

Catalogs Specs Data Manager

Graphics Material Project Setup
Nozzles Schedule 3D Model
Supports Branches P&ID
Structural Priority Orthos
Isos

Catalog Spec Project

Movement of data between islands is deliberate and is initiated by the user.
Within the islands, synchronization is automatic.
Plant Database - Three Types
Catalog (PCAT), Spec (PSPC), Project (DCF)

PCAT PSPC DCF

Plant Database - Format is SQLite
 Plant Database - Class Name and Table Name

Component class names match table names. Class tables (like Elbow, Pipe, Valve) are
never empty. They are created when the first component of that class it added.
Plant Database - PnPTables
Data Details - PnPTables

PnPTables defines class hierarchy (inheritance) and acts as the database

directory. When browsing the database, visit this table first.

Above, Elbow has a base table of PipeRunComponent. PipeRunComponent

has EngineeringItems. Finally, EngineeringItems has PnPBase.
MS Access - Import Plant 3D Data

You can use ODBC to import a plant database into MS Access to

produce reports that cannot be produced using Data Manager.
MS Access - Custom Queries

This report uses an Access Query to rollup Quantity for a bill of material
type of report. This report includes Group By and Count() for Totals from
the Equipment table.
MS Access - Custom Reports

This report totals length from the Pipe table.

MS SQL Server - Convert a Project

If you get a Disk Malformed error, consider migrating your project to SLQ
Server using PnPSQLServerConverter.exe.
MS SQL Server - Configuration and Backup

Convert a Project

When you backup a project, it is important to backup the SQL Server

database at the same time.
 Project Recovery - Database out of Synch

PLANTAUDIT deletes entities from drawings that are no longer in the project database.
AUDIDPROJECT deletes entities from the database that do not exist in the drawing.
 Auxiliary catalogs - ACAT

Equipment Nozzles
Pipe Supports
Structural

ACAT catalogs are not added to a spec. They are used when building equipment, adding
pipe supports, and creating structure. Supports and nozzles can be modified using the
Catalog Editor (CPak Common).
 Tips and Tricks

Details are in the class handout.

 Tips: Updating Spec Files

Date of PSPX

If you decline to update a spec when plantspecupdatecheck

runs automatically, you can change the date of the PSPX file.
Tips: Sharing Content

PCAT
PSPC and PSPX Spec Files
(rename to CS150.pspx.zip and clean xml) - optional

If Block Based Components:

Catalog Blocks (DWG matching part family id)
Plantpartconvert (DWG, XML, PNG) - optional

If using custom end types:

DefaultConnectorsConfig.xml
 Tips: Connectors Configuration

DefaultConnectorsConfig

Information that is set in Project Joint Setup is saved in DefaultConnectorsConfig.xml.

AutoCAD Plant 3D Advanced
Configuration and Customization

Questions?

Email richard.frank@autodesk.com
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 Additional Slides for Developers:
They will not be shown in class.
Create a Shape Standard for the Structural Catalog
Developer Material:
Plant SDK - Data Extensions
Developer Material:
Plant SDK - Database Access
Developer Material: