Plant 3D Practical Knowledge
AutoCAD Plant 3D, AVEVA E3D and Smart 3D compared
Three programs for 3D plant design, three manufacturers. Here you will find what Autodesk, AVEVA and Hexagon say about their own software – with a source for every statement. This shows you quickly where the differences lie and which questions you should clarify for your project.
With us you will find solutions for your tasks. We have been an Autodesk ATCATC – Autodesk Authorized Training Center Training center authorized by Autodesk. A. Seitz Ingenieur GmbH has been an Autodesk ATC since 2011. Background and sources › since 2011 and teach AutoCAD Plant 3D. The information on AVEVA and Hexagon comes from their websites; we do not state prices of other manufacturers.
Three programs, different fields of application
All three programs design plants and piping in 3D, with piping specs, isometrics and bills of materials. AutoCAD Plant 3D is a toolset in AutoCAD. AVEVA E3D Design is the successor of AVEVA PDMS. Intergraph Smart 3D from Hexagon emerged in 2014 from SmartPlant 3D and SmartMarine 3D.
Comparison by criteria
Manufacturer information, sources at the end of the page.
| Criterion | AutoCAD Plant 3D | AVEVA E3D Design | Intergraph Smart 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Autodesk | AVEVA | Hexagon (Intergraph brand) |
| Basis and license | Toolset in AutoCAD, also in the AEC Collection [Q1] | Part of AVEVA Unified Engineering [Q2, Q3] | – |
| Predecessor | – | AVEVA PDMS, neither sold nor supported since 1 April 2024 [Q2] | SmartPlant 3D and SmartMarine 3D, merged into Smart 3D in 2014 [Q4] |
| Use according to the manufacturer | 3D plant design and piping design based on AutoCAD [Q1] | complex plants in process-intensive industries such as energy, chemicals and shipbuilding [Q3] | “mission-critical project requirements” [Q5] |
| Piping specs and catalogs | Spec Editor and catalogs in the project [Q1] | – | Smart Reference Data for catalogs and piping specs [Q5] |
| Isometrics | Isogen technology | Drawings and documents directly from the model [Q3] | Isogen isometrics [Q6] |
| Collaboration | Autodesk Forma (Cloud) | Teams at several locations working on the same project data at the same time [Q3] | – |
| Clash detection | with Navisworks | in the program across all disciplines [Q3] | – |
| As-built and laser scan | Integrate point cloud from ReCap | Import laser scans [Q3] | – |
“–” means: we found no information on this from the manufacturer. It does not mean that the program cannot do it.
When AutoCAD Plant 3D is a good fit
Questions you should clarify for your project.
- Your team works with AutoCAD and exchanges DWGDWG – AutoCAD drawing format AutoCAD file format for drawings and 3D models; AutoCAD Plant 3D and AutoCAD P&ID also save in this format. Background and sources › files with partners
- You want P&IDR&I – Piping and instrumentation diagram Flow diagram showing all pipes, valves, equipment and instrumentation of a plant (P&ID, Piping and Instrumentation Diagram). Background and sources › diagrams (AutoCAD P&ID) and the 3D model in one project
- You design in existing plants with point clouds from ReCap and check clashes in Navisworks
- You want piping specs to DIN ENDIN – German Institute for Standardization “DIN” before a number means that the standard is published in Germany by the German Institute for Standardization. Background and sources ›EN – European Standard European Standard, developed by CEN (general) or CENELEC (electrical engineering). Background and sources ›, project templates and training from a single source
Switching and project start
Before a switch, we clarify with you which standards you want to adopt: piping specs, catalogs, tags, title blocks and isometric style. This results in your project in AutoCAD Plant 3D – with ASEING PlantConfig Pro as the template and ASEING Piping Catalogs to DIN EN.
How we support you
Demo
30 minutes via Teams, free of charge: AutoCAD Plant 3D with piping specs and isometrics using your own example.
AutoCAD Plant 3D training
Live with an instructor, online or in Frankfurt – also for switching from other programs.
Licences through us
Autodesk software, training and support as a team – with one contact person in Frankfurt.
Project support
Project start, template and piping specs to your standard – remote or on site.
Are you choosing the software for your plant design right now?
Frequently asked questions
What is the successor of AVEVA PDMS?
AVEVA names AVEVA E3D Design as the successor. According to AVEVA, PDMS has been neither sold nor supported since 1 April 2024.
What is Smart 3D?
Intergraph Smart 3D is Hexagon's 3D plant design software. In 2014, SmartPlant 3D, SmartMarine 3D and SmartPlant 3D Materials Handling were merged into it.
Is there other plant design software based on AutoCAD besides AutoCAD Plant 3D?
Yes, for example CADWorx Plant Professional from Hexagon. According to the manufacturer it runs on AutoCAD or BricsCAD and works with DWG files.
Sources
- [Q1] Autodesk: AutoCAD Plant 3D toolset (part of AutoCAD 2027)
- [Q2] AVEVA: AVEVA PDMS – “superseded by AVEVA E3D Design”, neither sold nor supported since 1 April 2024
- [Q3] AVEVA: AVEVA E3D Design – product page
- [Q4] engineering.com: Intergraph combines SmartPlant 3D, SmartMarine 3D and SmartPlant 3D Materials Handling into Smart 3D 2014
- [Q5] Hexagon: 3D Design and Visualisation (Intergraph Smart 3D, Smart Reference Data, CADWorx)
- [Q6] Hexagon: help “Intergraph Smart 3D – Isogen Isometric Drawings”
- [Q7] Hexagon: CADWorx Plant Professional – on AutoCAD or BricsCAD
Checked on 05.11.2026. Trademarks belong to their owners.
Before you go …
Don't miss any training dates, C³ invitations and news on AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID.
Our newsletter only arrives when there's something important – concise and with tips from practice.
Terms, background and sources 5 terms on this page
Brief explanations for reference. They do not replace the standard or code itself.
- ATC – Autodesk Authorized Training Center
Training center authorized by Autodesk. A. Seitz Ingenieur GmbH has been an Autodesk ATC since 2011.
- DWG – AutoCAD drawing format
AutoCAD file format for drawings and 3D models; AutoCAD Plant 3D and AutoCAD P&ID also save in this format.
- R&I – Piping and instrumentation diagram
Flow diagram showing all pipes, valves, equipment and instrumentation of a plant (P&ID, Piping and Instrumentation Diagram).
Symbols and drawing rules: DIN EN ISO 10628-1 and -2. Identification letters for instrumentation: DIN EN 62424 or ISA-5.1.
- DIN – German Institute for Standardization
“DIN” before a number means that the standard is published in Germany by the German Institute for Standardization.
DIN was founded in 1917 as the Standards Committee of German Industry. If “DIN EN” or “DIN EN ISO” precedes the number, a European or international standard has been adopted unchanged as a German standard.
- EN – European Standard
European Standard, developed by CEN (general) or CENELEC (electrical engineering).
Every member country must adopt an EN unchanged as a national standard – in Germany as “DIN EN …”. Conflicting national standards are withdrawn.
Sources and origins
- Autodesk – Training and Certification (for ATC)
- Autodesk – DWG (for DWG)
- ISO – International Organization for Standardization (for R&I)
- IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission (for R&I)
- DIN – German Institute for Standardization (for DIN)
- CEN and CENELEC – European standardization (for EN)