Chapter

Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

The plant design industry creates and communicates a vast array of information. Because the industry
consists of many facets of design, the industry requires a broad solution. AutoCAD Plant 3D, and
Navisworks are two separate software applications that work together to meet the requirements of a
broad solution. In this chapter, you learn about many of the general topics for plant design and the use
of AutoCAD Plant 3D to create plant designs that meet your design requirements and workflows.

Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
■ Navigate the Project Manager and explain the purpose of a project and where the drawings and
data are stored.
■ Open drawings within the context of the project from the Project Manager.
■ Identify the aspects of the user interface that are unique for plant design and the workflow for
creating and modifying a P&ID or 3D plant design.
■ Explain the philosophy behind the three methods of layering and explain the project setup options
for layers and colors.

Chapter Overview ■ 1-1

Lesson: Working in a Project

This lesson describes how to navigate the Project Manager, the purpose of a project, and where the
data and drawings for a project are stored.
Because a complete plant design project can be composed of many different drawings files, it is
important to be able to efficiently access and create the files while keeping them associated with
the project. The Project Manager is the central hub where you access all of the drawings. Along with
providing easy navigation to the various drawings, you can also use the Project Manager to set up
drawings, establish common project settings, import and export data, and create project reports.

Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■ Describe how AutoCAD P&ID and AutoCAD Plant 3D projects work with data.
■ Explain how data is organized in AutoCAD Plant 3D.
■ Describe the Project Manager user interface.
■ Explain the purpose of the Data Manager.

About Projects
A project in AutoCAD P&ID or AutoCAD Plant 3D is made up of a collection of drawings and other
forms of data. When collected together, these data sources interact within the larger context of
a project. When you work with any individual component of the project, such as orthographic or
isometric drawings, you do so from within the project rather than by directly opening these drawings
from outside of the project. This approach maintains the integrity of the relationships between the
components within the larger project. One of the primary reasons to use AutoCAD P&ID or AutoCAD
Plant 3D instead of AutoCAD is that AutoCAD P&ID and AutoCAD Plant 3D create not just a simple
drawing but data associated with drawings and the items in them.

Project Components
Some of the drawings that are used as components of a project are:
■ P&ID
■ 3D model
■ Orthographic
■ Isometric
Additional data that could be used as part of a typical project are:
■ Process information, such as stream tables.
■ Equipment and instrument cut-sheets.
■ Catalog and specs for piping.
■ Structural analysis, if required.

1-2 ■ Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Following is a diagram that illustrates how these components interact.

Project and Drawing Options

You can set options and other settings for the overall project or for individual components within the
project. You find most of these settings on right-click menus. Properties of the overall project affect the
project as a whole, and properties for individual components only affect those specific components.

Project right-click menu. Drawing right-click menu.

Lesson: Working in a Project ■ 1-3

 Data Organization
Data that is used in a project is organized in a system of default folders. These locations might
be different depending on what operating system you are using. If you work in a multiple user
environment, it is recommended that you store the data in a centralized network location. Following is
an example project folder structure:

Linked, Relative, and Absolute Paths

There are several ways to organize the files for a project. The most common way to do this is to store
them under a 'Projects' folder, with folders underneath corresponding to the projects that are being
worked on. A separate folder for templates can be created to store company or project standards.
All of these folders should be located in a place accessible to everyone working on the project. All of
the settings for the locations of these folders are located in the project settings described later on.
If you are confident that the project is not going to be moved or shared with someone in another
location, you can define the project's folders with absolute paths, which use the complete path to the
folder in the folder description. If there is the possibility of the project being moved or shared, it is
better to use the relative path option so that all of the project's subfolders are located relative to the
parent folder instead. This will keep the structure intact if necessary.
Once the project structure is set up, you can either copy or link existing drawings that need to be
used into the project. The Copy command makes a copy of the selected file and places it into the
project folder structure defined in the project settings. The link command creates a link, or shortcut,
in the project tree to the location of the drawing, but it does not move the drawing. Drawings that
are part of the project do not necessarily have to be in the defined project folders, although it is
recommended that you store them in a folder within the project.

1-4 ■ Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

The Welcome Screen
When you open AutoCAD P&ID or AutoCAD Plant 3D, you are presented with a welcome screen, which
shows items you have been working on. The welcome screen varies in what it presents, depending on
the situation. You can stop its display by clearing the check mark from the Show this window at startup
option at the bottom of the welcome screen. The Project Manager is located on the left of the screen.

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Lesson: Working in a Project n 1-5

 About the Project Manager
The Project Manager provides access to the project-wide settings and data, as well as individual data
components within the project.

Current Project
At the top of the Project Manager palette is the Current Project list, which shows the current project
and enables you to select from other projects. Hovering over any of the project names in the
dropdown displays a tooltip of the actual location of the project. Other options in the dropdown
enable you to create a new project or to open an existing project.

Reports and Publish

In the Project Manager, to the right of the Current Project list are the Publish and Reports commands.
These commands are accessible project-wide. The Reports command provides access to tools that
include:
■ Data Manager
■ Import/Export
■ Reports

1-6 ■ Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Project Panel
The Project panel displays a "tree-view" of the drawings in the project. The most common tab
used is the Source Files tab. The drawings shown in the Source Files tab are P&ID drawings and 3D
model files. If your project is composed only of P&ID drawings, then there is no reason to go to
the Orthographic or Isometric tabs because they have files associated only with the 3D part of the
program.

Folders are organized to suit a particular project's structure or needs. However, what you see in the
project manager tree view may or may not be a 1:1 representation of the actual folders and drawings
in a project. When a folder is created, the option: Create folders relative to parent folder storage
location is available. If checked, the folder will be created in the project manager and the project folder
structure. If not checked, folders will be created as virtual folders with aliases to documents stored in
them.
The three folders that are in the top level of the tree (P&ID drawings, Plant 3D Drawings, and Related
files) can either be used as is, or they can have additional folders created to store drawings or links/
aliases to associated documents underneath them. These subfolders should be structured to match
the project structure. Drawings, folders, and other items in the tree can be arranged as necessary by
using standard Windows techniques, such as dragging and dropping.
The Related files folder is a convenient place to put links to documents associated with the project,
such as cut sheets, spreadsheets, and so on. As mentioned above, the folder can have additional
subfolders added to organize these files.
The Project Manager takes advantage of the fact that what you see in the tree is just a representation
of the folder or drawing in the project. The drawing icons change based on what is happening to the
drawings in the project. Some icon changes could include the indication of locked or missing drawings.

Lesson: Working in a Project ■ 1-7

 Details/Preview/History Panel
The bottom panel of the Project Manager provides information about any one of the drawings
selected in the project panel. This panel toggles between basic drawing details, drawing preview, and
drawing history.
■ Details: provides basic details of the item selected, such as drawing location and size, the status of
the drawing and who created and worked on it last.
■ Preview: presents a thumbnail preview of the drawing selected.
■ History: provides a work history of the drawing. This enables you to track the status and notes
added to a drawing.

About the Data Manager

When you add items to a P&ID or to a 3D model, you are not just adding graphics to a drawing. Each
item added to a drawing can contain properties in addition to the graphical symbol in the drawing
screen. The Data Manager gives you another view into your project and the data in the project. You
use the Data Manager to create reports and import/output from your project data. You can also
change the data in the drawing by using the Data Manager.

The Data Manager information can be filtered to present:

■ Current Drawing Data
■ P&ID Project Data
■ Project Reports

1-8 ■ Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Exercise: Work in a Project
In this exercise, you open a project and examine the
various settings and data in the project. You then
explore project-wide options, and drawing-specific
settings.

Import a Project
In this section of the exercise, you import a project
and examine the various settings of the drawings and
data in the project.
1. Start AutoCAD Plant 3D.
2. If the Project Manager palette is not displayed, 6. In the lower section of the Project Manager,
on the Welcome screen, click Show Project examine the details of the drawing.
Manager.

3. In the Project Manager, for Current Project,

click Open.

7. Click Preview to preview the drawing.

4. Navigate to ..Plant Design\General Plant Design.

Open Project.xml.
5. In the Source Files tab, expand P&ID. Select the
PID001 drawing.

Lesson: Working in a Project ■ 1-9

8. Click Work History to view the history of the
drawing.

9. On the right side of the Project Manager, click

the Orthographic DWG tab. Examine the Ortho
data.

Project-Wide Options
In this section of the exercise, you examine project-
wide settings and data.
1. In the Project Manager, for Current Project,
click New Project to start the Project Setup
Wizard.
10. Click the Isometric DWG tab. Examine the
Isometrics data.

1-10 ■ Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

2. Examine the general settings available on the
first page of the wizard.

3. Click Cancel. Click Yes. You do not create a new

project in this exercise.
4. In the Project Manager, right-click Training
Project. Click Properties.

6. In the Project Manager, right-click Training

Project. Click Validation Settings.

5. In the Project Setup dialog box, examine the 7. In the P&ID Validation Settings dialog box,
settings and options available for the Project select some of the error reporting conditions
Details. When finished, click Cancel. and review the descriptions. When finished,
close the P&ID Validation Settings dialog box.

Lesson: Working in a Project ■ 1-11

8. At the top of the Project Manager, click Reports.
Click Data Manager. This gives access to the
database that is behind the drawings.

10. Close the Data Manager.

11. At the top of the Project Manager, click Reports
> Export Data. In the Export Report Data dialog
box, examine the Reports available.

9. Examine the data in the Data Manager.

12. Close the Export Report Data dialog box.

13. At the top of the Project Manager, click Reports
> Reports. From the Project Reports list, select
Equipment List. Examine the report data.

1-12 ■ Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

 6. Close the Data Manager.

14. Close the Data Manager.

Drawing Options
In this section of the exercise, you examine settings
and options for specific drawings in the project.
1. In the Project Manager, click the Source Files
tab.
2. Expand Plant 3D Drawings. Right-click the
Structures drawing. Click Properties.
3. Examine the Drawing Properties dialog box.

4. Close the Drawing Properties dialog box.

5. Right-click the Structures drawing. Click Data
Manager. The Data Manager is displayed. This
is a filtered version of the Data Manager that
shows only data from this specific drawing, and
not the entire project.

Lesson: Working in a Project ■ 1-13

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface

In this lesson, you learn how the AutoCAD Plant 3D commands are integrated into the standard
AutoCAD user interface.
AutoCAD Plant 3D is built on AutoCAD, and uses AutoCAD commands as a basis, with some AutoCAD
Plant 3D commands added to the ribbon menus, Properties palette, and right-click menus. The
approach is the same for both the P&ID and the 3D part of AutoCAD Plant 3D. Some of the commands
are for different types of items, whether they are in 2D or 3D. You can determine which set of
commands you wish to use through the Workspace command.

Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
n Identify how different workspaces are organized.
n Explain how ribbons integrate AutoCAD Plant 3D and standard AutoCAD commands.
n Describe how tool palettes are organized.
n State the data that is added to the Properties palette.
n Describe on-screen tools added to AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface n 1-21

 Task Specific Workspaces
In this section of the lesson, you explore how workspaces are integrated in AutoCAD P&ID and Plant
3D.

Workspaces Defined
The Workspace command allows you to set up and customize sets of commands so that they arrange
the interface to meet your specific need. AutoCAD P&ID and Plant 3D add several new workspaces to
standard AutoCAD:
n 3D Piping
n P&ID PIP
n P&ID ISO
n P&ID ISA
n P&ID DIN
n P&ID JIS-ISO
The primary difference between the P&ID workspaces is the palettes of symbols that are displayed.
These change based on the P&ID standard on which the workspace is based.

You change the workspace using the Workspace Switching command on the AutoCAD status bar.

Task Specific Ribbons

The main method of interaction in AutoCAD P&ID and Plant 3D is the ribbon. To make design creation
and editing easier, the commands for creating and editing a P&ID or 3D plant design are arranged into
ribbon panels grouped by task. The majority of these task-specific panels reside on the Home tab. The
panels displayed on the Home tab vary based on the active workspace.
P&ID Home Tab Panels

1-22 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

3D Piping Home Tab Panels

Isos and Structure Tabs

When the 3D Piping workspace is active, in addition to the panels on the Home tab, you have access
to the Isos tab and the Structure tab. The Isos tab contains the commands dealing with isometric
generation. The Structure tab has commands dealing with structural part generation in the 3D model
space.

Iso Tab

Structure Tab

You can drag a panel out of the ribbon and place it anywhere on the screen. This
enables you to have the commands on that panel available, even though you might
click on another tab on the ribbon.

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface n 1-23

 There are additional context tabs that appear when you are in an orthographic
drawing.

About Tool Palettes

Tool palettes in AutoCAD P&ID and Plant 3D contain items specific to the workspace you are working
in. The differences between the P&ID workspaces are primarily in the symbols available on the tool
palettes.

P&ID Tool Palettes

The P&ID tool palettes are divided into tabs. The symbols on each tab are grouped to be similar in
layout to the class definitions in the project setup. Additional custom symbols that are created for
use in a project can be added to these palettes. In addition, in a multi-user project, a set of common
tool palettes can be created. You change the palette that is displayed by clicking on the tool palette's
properties and selecting another palette.

3D Tool Palettes
In the 3D Piping workspace, the tool palettes are divided into tabs. Each tab contains a selection of
items from a piping specification. The Dynamic Pipe Specification tab contains the specific information
for the current pipe specification. To display a pipe specification, you select it on the Part Insertion
panel. Once selected, the tool palette will be populated with the different components in that
specification.

One additional tab has pipe supports. Out of the box, these are not comprehensive. However, you can
add additional piping items as required to the tool palette using the commands available in the pipe
spec viewer. Unlike P&ID tool palettes, you are free to add, remove, change, or reorganize the tool
palettes to suit your personal preference.

1-24 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Changing Tool Palettes
You can switch between the tool palettes that correspond to different workspaces by right-clicking the
title bar, and selecting the tool palette from the menu. While you can switch to a different palette at
any time, you will typically do this if you switch from working on a P&ID to working on a 3D model.
Switching to a different standard within the same P&ID is not typically done nor needed.

You can customize these tool palettes using standard AutoCAD customization
commands.

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface n 1-25

 About the Properties Palette
The Properties palette is a useful tool for viewing and changing properties of items that you select in
the drawing. It is recommended that you leave the Properties palette open and docked, so that as you
work with items you can view and access the properties of those items.

Accessing the Properties Palette

To access the Properties palette:
n Double-click the item.
n Right-click on the item. Click Properties.
n Enter properties on the command line.
n Press CTRL+1.
AutoCAD Plant 3D adds a section to the Properties palette specific to the item selected. For example,
if you are working on a P&ID and select a valve, a P&ID section is displayed at the bottom of the
Properties palette with P&ID properties. If you are working on a 3D piping drawing and select a valve,
a Plant 3D section is displayed with 3D properties of that object. The Plant 3D list of properties can
be quite long as there are a lot of properties involved with the 3D model, including but not limited to
pipe specs and part geometry.

1-26 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

On-Screen Tools
The following commands and options are available when you select or hover over an item in the
drawing window. These options vary based on the drawing type and item selected.

Grips
A single click on an item in the drawing window selects the item and displays any grips that are
applicable to it. These grips allow you to modify the item in specific ways. Following is a partial list of
some of the AutoCAD Plant 3D-specific grips available, depending on what item you have selected:
n Continuation grip
n Endline grip
n Substitution grip
n Add nozzle

Refer to AutoCAD Plant 3D Help topics for a more comprehensive list and explanation
of grips.

Following are examples of grips:

Shortcut Menus
Right-clicking an object displays an item-specific menu. This menu has the standard AutoCAD items, as
well as additional AutoCAD Plant 3D menu items relevant to the selected object. Because these menus
vary based on the drawing type and item selected, you can use this menu as a shortcut to the menu
item you need.

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface n 1-27

 2D Grid and Snaps
It is strongly recommended that you use the standard grid/snaps in P&ID at all times. This assists
in lining up items and making sure the layout is spread out and organized in a standard manner. If
your P&ID is imperial, the industry standard snap spacing is 1/8". It can be helpful to first layout
equipment on a 1/4" grid, and position text on a 1/16" grid.

Object Snaps
While the use of object snaps is nothing new, one thing you may find different is that the node and
near object snaps are enabled by default in Plant 3D. These object snaps are on by default because
of their benefit in connecting a pipe to an existing one, connecting to nozzles, or positioning piping
components on a pipe.

1-28 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Exercise: Explore the User Interface
In this exercise, you explore the various commands
that have been added to AutoCAD as part of AutoCAD
Plant 3D. You examine tool palettes, ribbons, the
Properties palette, and on-screen tools.

3. In the Project Manager, double-click the PID001

drawing to open it. One of the first things you
notice is the custom tool palette and ribbon
layout.

4. Examine the tool palette. Notice that by

default, AutoCAD Plant 3D defaults to a
workspace, tool palette, and ribbon for 3D
design.
The completed exercise

Tool Palettes and Ribbons

In this section of the exercise, you explore
workspaces, tool palettes, and ribbons.
1. Start AutoCAD Plant 3D.
2. Set General Plant Design as the current project
as follows:
n In the Project Manager, Current Project list,
click Open.
n In the Open dialog box, navigate to the
folder ..Plant DesignGeneral Plant Design.
n Select the file Project.xml.
n Click Open.

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface n 1-29

5. Examine the ribbon layout.

6. On the status bar, click Workspace Switching.

2. To dock the Properties palette, press CTRL, and

dock it on the side of the canvas.
7. Select the P&ID PIP workspace. Note: It is recommended that you keep the
Properties palette open while working in
AutoCAD Plant 3D.
3. Examine the P&ID data that is specific to the
vessel selected.

8. Examine the changes on the tool palette and

ribbon.

4. Select any other object in the drawing. Notice

that the data changes in the Properties palette
to represent the object selected.

Properties Palette
In this section of the exercise, you view data for
objects in the Properties palette.
1. To open the Properties palette, in the drawing
screen, double-click the vessel as shown.

1-30 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

On-Screen Tools
In this section of the exercise, you explore various
tools that you access directly on the drawing screen.
You explore:
n Grips
n Tooltips
n Context menus
n Grips in 3D drawings
1. Select the valve as shown. Notice the custom
grips. 5. Hover over any object in the drawing to display
a tooltip that provides information about that
object.

6. In the Project Manager, under Plant 3D

2. Hover over the grip as shown. Notice that drawings, double-click the Piping drawing to
you can substitute this valve with another open it.
component. 7. In the lower-left of the model, select the Pipe
Inline Asset.

3. Use the Move grip to drag the valve to another

location on the line. This also breaks the line at
the new location.

4. With the valve still selected, right-click and

examine the P&ID-specific commands available
on the context menu.

8. Click the Continue Pipe Routing grip.

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface n 1-31

9. To extend the pipe:
n Drag and click the pipe to the desired
length, or enter a value.
n Press ENTER to end the command.

When first starting work with AutoCAD Plant

3D, it is recommended that you select some of
the objects to become familiar with the custom
grips that are available.

1-32 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Lesson: Opening a Drawing

When you are working in Windows applications like AutoCAD P&ID and AutoCAD Plant 3D, you have
many different ways to open files. While you have multiple ways that you can open a drawing file, the
best way to access drawings is through the project manager. To realize the full benefit of projects and
the project manager, you must know how to open drawings within the context of the project and from
within the Project Manager.

Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
n Describe how AutoCAD P&ID and Plant 3D work with drawings.
n Describe how AutoCAD P&ID and Plant 3D work with drawings.

Lesson: Opening a Drawing n 1-15

 Opening Drawings

Opening Drawings
The best way to access the project and the drawings within AutoCAD P&ID or AutoCAD Plant 3D is
through the Project Manager.
From within the Project Manager, you open the drawings in the Project pane by:
n Using the right-click menu
n Double-clicking the drawing

Right-Click Double-Click

Drawing Icons
Drawings in the Project Manager display icons to represent their status. The two primary icons are
a drawing lock that represents that the drawing is currently open, and the second is a slash that
indicates the drawing cannot be found. In the following example, the PID001 and Equipment drawings
are open, and the Structures drawing cannot be found.

1-16 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Drawing History
If the project has been set up to prompt for work history when you open a project, a dialog box
displays when the drawing is open in the editor to allow you to enter work history information.

Lesson: Opening a Drawing n 1-17

 Renaming Drawings
Drawings can be renamed from the Project Manager. To do so, you right-click the drawing in the
Project Manager and select Rename Drawing. The Rename DWG dialog box is displayed and you enter
the new name. After clicking OK, the new name will be displayed in the Project Manager and the file
in the project will also be renamed.
The following illustration shows access to renaming drawings from the Project Manager.

The following illustration shows a drawing being renamed in the Rename DWG dialog box.

1-18 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Exercise: Open a Drawing in AutoCAD Plant 3D
In this exercise, you open and close drawings within
AutoCAD Plant 3D using various tools and options.

5. You can open a drawing by double-clicking the

drawing in the Project Manager. Under the
Plant 3D Drawings, double-click the Equipment
drawing.

The completed exercise

1. Start AutoCAD Plant 3D.

2. Set General Plant Design as the current project
as follows:
n In the Project Manager, Current Project list,
click Open.
6. You can open multiple drawings. With the
n In the Open dialog box, navigate to the Equipment drawing still open, in the Project
folder ..Plant DesignGeneral Plant Design. Manager, double-click the Structures drawing.
n Select the file Project.xml. 7. To view the open drawings, on the status bar,
n Click Open. click Quick View Drawings.

8. Quick View Drawings displays images of

all open drawings in the lower center of
the drawing screen. To close the Structures
drawing, with the previews displayed, click the
Close in the Structures drawing preview.

3. Right-click the PID001 drawing. Click Open.

9. A third option to close drawings is to use the

Application menu in the upper-left corner of
the AutoCAD Plant 3D application. Select Close
from the menu. This gives you the option to
close either the current drawing or all drawings.

4. To close the PID001 drawing without closing

AutoCAD Plant 3D, in canvas, click Close. This
returns you to the Welcome screen.

Lesson: Opening a Drawing n 1-19

Lesson: Managing Layers and Colors

Layers and colors are an important part of efficiently managing and interacting with the plant design
geometry. This lesson describes the layer palette and project setup options regarding layers and
colors. This lesson also explains the basic philosophy behind layering in a P&ID drawing, 3D model,
and 2D orthographic and isometric drawings.

Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
n Describe how layers are managed.

About Layers

About Layers
Layers and colors in AutoCAD Plant 3D are organized using two separate methods:
n 2D drawings use predefined layers in templates.
n 3D drawings can generate layers automatically during the design process based on automation
schemes.
Regardless of layer organization, it is recommended that you set the color of items to ByLayer. This has
several advantages including ensuring that objects of a particular color can be operated on by all the
options in the Layer palette.

2D Drawing Layers - P&IDs, Orthographic, and Isometrics

Layers in a 2D drawing are most closely associated with the organization, editing, and output of the
drawing into a final form, such as a DWF, PDF, or hardcopy. This means that the various objects on
the drawing are organized into layers associated with that general class of item. You use colors to
distinguish between the various objects so that you can tell each object at a glance. Depending on
the plotting options selected (ctb or stb) the color is also used to determine the line thickness of the
object on the output selected.
For example, on a P&ID, you organize the instrumentation onto an instrumentation layer, the
piping onto a piping layer, annotation onto an annotation layer, and so on. On an isometric drawing,
geometry may be on different layers based on the size of the pipe or fitting or other special
characteristics.

1-34 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

Layers in the 3D model files
In a 3D model file, layers are used to organize the various items in the model into easily manageable
groups. This enables you to manipulate the model during the design process and to select items, such
as piping, steel, or equipment, as needed. Because every project in 3D is different, there are fewer set
standards for 3D.
Most companies have standards for how they want designers to use the layers in 3D. Typical layer
organization in 3D might be as follows:
n Every piece of equipment is on its own layer, named after the equipment number.
n The various types of structural steel have their own layers (stairs, supports, handrails), unless
they are associated with a piece of equipment, in which case they are on a layer named after the
equipment with the structure type appended to it; for example, P-100A_Supports.
n Piping is a special case. You can set up an Automated Layer and Color Scheme depending on your
company standards. This enables you to automate the layers on which the piping and other inline
objects are placed to meet company standards. A typical standard for piping may be to have the
layer set to the line number, and the color of the layer set to the service of the line.
The following illustration shows access to the Layer and Color settings in the Project Setup dialog box.

Lesson: Managing Layers and Colors n 1-35

Exercise: Manage Layers and Colors
In AutoCAD Plant 3D, layers are used to both manage
items in a 3D model and organize how the final
drawings will be output in the 2D drawings. In
this exercise, you explore the various areas that
demonstrate where layers are set and used in an
AutoCAD Plant 3D project.

P&ID Layers
In this section of the exercise, you explore P&ID layers
in a template. 6. Close the drawing.
1. Start AutoCAD Plant 3D.
2. Set General Plant Design as the current project P&ID Symbol Layer Management
as follows:
n In the Project Manager, Current Project list, In this section of the exercise, you explore how layers
click Open. are used in P&ID symbol definitions.
In the Open dialog box, navigate to the
1. In the Project manager, right-click Training
n
folder ..Plant Design\General Plant Design. Project. Click Properties.
n Select the file Project.xml.
n Click Open.

3. To open and examine the layers in a template

drawing, click New Drawing.
2. In the Project Setup dialog box, expand: P&ID
DWG Settings > P&ID Class Definitions >
4. Select the PID ISO A1 - Color Dependent Plot Engineering Items > Equipment > Blowers.
Styles.dwt template. Click Open. Select Centrifugal Blower.
5. Open the Layers Properties Manager. Examine
the layers that are in this template.

1-36 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D

 3D Object Layer Management
In this section of the exercise, you explore how layers
are used in 3D object definitions.
1. In the Project Manager, right-click the Training
Project. Click Properties.
2. In the Project Settings dialog box, expand
Plant 3D DWG Settings. Select Layer and Color
Settings.

3. In Class setting: Centrifugal Blower, click Edit

Symbol.
4. In the Symbol Settings dialog box, notice that
this symbol color is set to ByLayer, and the layer
is set to Equipment.

3. In the Automated Layer and Color Assignment

section, examine the settings:
n Automation Schemes is set to Default.
n Assign Layer By is set to Line Number Tag.
5. Explore the settings for some of the other n Assign Color By is set to Nominal Diameter.
symbols.
6. Close all open dialog boxes.

3D Layers
In this section of the exercise, you explore layer
settings in a 3D template. 4. Under Assign Color By, select Service. Examine
the changes that are made to the Color
1. Click New Drawing. settings.

2. Select the Plant 3D ISO - Color Dependent Plot

Styles.dwt template. Click Open.
3. Open the Layers Properties Manager. Notice 5. Close the Project Setup dialog box.
this template only has a 0 layer.

4. Close the Layer Manager.

5. Close the drawing.

Lesson: Managing Layers and Colors n 1-37

3D Layers in a Drawing
In this section of the exercise, you open a 3D drawing
and examine the layers that have been generated.
1. In the Project Manager, under Plant 3D
Drawings, double-click the Piping drawing to
open it.
2. Open the Layer manager and examine the
layers.
Note: These layers were automatically created
while adding objects to the drawing based on
the automation scheme.

3. Close the drawing.

1-38 n Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD Plant 3D