AutoCAD Plant 3D – Managing a Complete Site over Multiple Projects

Contents Set up an AutoCAD Plant 3D Project ............................................................................................................................. 3

Setting up the main site project. ............................................................................................................................... 3

General Settings ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

Project Details ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

P&ID DWG Settings ................................................................................................................................................... 5

Paths ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Export and Import Settings ................................................................................................................................... 5

Data Manager Configuration ................................................................................................................................ 5

P&ID Class Definitions ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Plant 3D DWG Settings .............................................................................................................................................. 6

Export and Import Settings ................................................................................................................................... 6

Paths ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Link other AutoCAD Plant 3D Projects Into the Main Site Project ............................................................................ 8

Creating the Sub Project ....................................................................................................................................... 8

Getting the P&ID’s and Models into the Sub Project ............................................................................................. 10

Set sub project specific properties to not interfere with the main project. ........................................................... 13

Project Details ..................................................................................................................................................... 13

Plant 3D Class Definitions Properties .................................................................................................................. 14

Set up reports based on the main project and the subprojects. ............................................................................ 14

Report Settings .................................................................................................................................................... 14

Edit Query ........................................................................................................................................................... 15

SQL Server ............................................................................................................................................................... 16

Vault ........................................................................................................................................................................ 17

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SQL Server The decision to use SQL Server is driven by the number of users modifying project data at one time. The default database type, SQLite is valid for up to 2 TB per file, so the project file size is not the issue. Because the SQLite database is a single file, successful read/writes depend on fast access. When more users access the database at one time, they have a higher chance of hitting the database at the same time (or close enough).

Due to network configurations, server performance, computer performance, network loads, and a host of other factors, a precise number of users cannot be given. However, through experience with various clients, most people start to see performance degradation with between 6 - 10 users.

If you know you will have more than 10 active users, you should implement SQL Server Express or SQL Server.

You must also use SQL Server if you plan to use Plant 3D with Vault.

Database Types SQL Server – An enterprise-level product offering from Microsoft that includes a database server with administration tools for replicating databases between sites, and other advanced features

SQL Server Express – A free product offering from Microsoft that includes a database server without advanced administration tools. You can still configure backups.

SQLite – An open source file-based database used by developers world-wide. The database engine is fast with good performance.

Versions AutoCAD Plant 3D has been run with SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, and SQL Server 2012.

Articles on setting up SQL Server Express and creating backups are available here:

http://www.pdoteam.com/series/plant3d-on-sql-express/


Vault Autodesk Vault (http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-vault-family/features ) is document management software that integrates with many products in the Autodesk portfolio. In 2014, Vault became integrated into the Plant Project Manager.

Vault should be used in the following conditions:

• You have multiple sites that need to share data • Your Plant project structure contains all external references. • You can use SQL Server or SQL Server Express.

Vault allows you to store the drawing data in a central location, and have satellite offices check in/out drawings on an as-needed basis. Currently, all xrefs must reside within the project structure, as Plant uses it’s own working directory for Vaulted projects.

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