Plant 3D Practical Knowledge
AutoCAD Plant 3D: software for plant design
AutoCAD Plant 3D is Autodesk's software for 3D plant design and piping design based on AutoCAD. 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 ›, pipes according to piping specs, steel structures, isometrics, orthos and bills of materials are created in one project with a shared database.
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What is AutoCAD Plant 3D?
AutoCAD Plant 3D is a toolset from Autodesk and part of AutoCAD. It comes with AutoCAD P&ID for P&IDs. Both work in one project: lines, valves and equipment are stored once in the project database and appear in the P&ID, the 3D model, on isometrics and in lists. Anyone who knows AutoCAD will quickly find their way around.
- For engineering offices, plant builders and operators who design or modify plants and pipes
- For new and existing plants – with a point cloud from the laser scan
- For projects 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 › and to ASMEASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers US engineering society. Its codes for piping, flanges and pipe dimensions apply in many plants worldwide. Background and sources ›, depending on piping spec and catalog
AutoCAD Plant 3D training · AutoCAD Plant 3D service provider for your project
What AutoCAD Plant 3D can do
The most important functions for designing plants and pipes.
P&ID with AutoCAD P&ID
Symbols, lines and instruments as objects with properties and tags. Validation and lists directly from the project database.
Pipes according to piping specs
Pipes, fittings, flanges and valves come from the piping spec. When routing, Plant 3D places matching components and warns when the piping spec changes.
Steel structures and equipment
Steel sections to DIN and other standards, stairs, ladders and railings. Vessels, pumps and heat exchangers parametric or from manufacturer models.
Isometrics and orthos
Fabrication isometrics with bill of materials, cut list and welds as well as plans and sections are created from the 3D model and updated after changes.
Reports and bills of materials
Lists of pipes, valves and equipment from the project database – with Report Creator in your own layout.
Comparing P&ID and 3D model
The P&ID and the 3D model are in the same project. Plant 3D shows what from the P&ID is not yet in the model and where the two differ.
Point cloud and existing plant
Integrate laser scans as point clouds and continue designing in the existing plant.
Collaboration via the cloud
Several sites and partners work in the same project – via Autodesk Forma (until March 2026 Autodesk Construction Cloud with Autodesk Docs and BIMBIM – Building Information Modeling Planning, building and operating with a digital model that contains not only the geometry but also the properties of the components. Background and sources › Collaborate Pro).
Data exchange and clash detection
PCFPCF – Piping Component File Text file with which AutoCAD Plant 3D passes piping data to the isometric generator and to other programs. Background and sources › for fabrication and pipe stress calculation, IFCIFC – Industry Foundation Classes Open exchange format for building and plant models (BIM), standardized as ISO 16739. Background and sources ›, handover to Navisworks for clash detection and model review.
Piping design in AutoCAD Plant 3D – the workflow
- Create the project from a templateProject structure, properties, tags, title blocks and layers are defined before drawing starts. Ready-made in ASEING PlantConfig Pro.
- Provide piping specsPiping specs and catalogs to suit standards, materials and manufacturers. Preliminary sizing with the Piping Spec Calculator, no piping design calculation.
- Draw the P&IDIn AutoCAD P&ID with line numbers, valves and instruments. Validation finds open ends and missing data.
- Build the 3D modelPlace steel structures and equipment, route pipes according to the piping spec and check them against the P&ID.
- Issue the documentsGenerate isometrics, orthos, bills of materials and lists – recreated after every change, without redrawing by hand.
Template: ASEING PlantConfig Pro · Piping specs: ASEING Piping Catalogs, Piping Spec Calculator, Catalog Checker
Honest limits
What AutoCAD Plant 3D does not provide on its own.
- No stress or strength calculation in the program: AutoCAD Plant 3D creates a PCF file for the calculation program. To make sure it is read in correctly there, you only add a few details.
- You build piping specs and catalogs to match your standards and manufacturers yourself – or you obtain them ready-made from a provider, e.g. as ASEING piping catalogs.
- Template, tags and title blocks to company standard have to be set up once – that saves time in every project afterwards.
Frequent questions from practice
From our training courses and support appointments.
- Create a new project based on the company template project Go to the question
- Warning when components from another piping spec are connected Go to the question
- Catalog changed, but nothing arrives in the project Go to the question
- Keep large piping models manageable Go to the question
- Create an IFC file from the Plant 3D model Go to the question
All questions from training and support: Questions from practice in the Infobase.
How we support you
AutoCAD Plant 3D training
Live with a trainer, online or in Frankfurt: steel structures, equipment, pipes, isometrics and orthos.
Video course Plant 3D Usage
Modeling with AutoCAD Plant 3D in short lessons – for learning and reference.
Project support
Specialists for plant design and CAD when peaks occur in the project – remotely or on site.
Licences through us
Autodesk software, training and support as a team – with one contact person in Frankfurt.
Go deeper into the topic?
Self-test exercises
For studies, vocational training and induction – with a solution to expand.
Exercise 1 Where does a flange in the 3D model get its material and its order text from?
Show solution
From the piping spec with which the line is routed. The piping spec accesses the catalog, which contains dimensions, material and description.
Exercise 2 What does the comparison between P&ID and 3D model show?
Show solution
Which lines and components from the P&ID are not yet in the model and where model and flow diagram differ.
More exercises and a guide to the modules in your studies: For teaching and education.
Frequently asked questions
Is AutoCAD Plant 3D a separate program?
AutoCAD Plant 3D is a toolset from Autodesk and part of AutoCAD (as of 2027). It also includes AutoCAD P&ID. It is also included in the AEC Collection. You can obtain licences through our partner – see “Obtain Autodesk software through us”.
Does AutoCAD Plant 3D calculate pipelines?
No. AutoCAD Plant 3D designs and documents pipelines; it does not include a stress or strength calculation. For the calculation, you pass the line as a PCF file to a calculation program. Our Piping Spec Calculator provides preliminary sizing, no piping design calculation.
Are there piping specs to DIN EN for AutoCAD Plant 3D?
Piping specs and catalogs must suit your standards, materials and manufacturers. Ready-tested catalogs to DIN EN are available as ASEING Piping Catalogs; you check your own catalogs with the Catalog Checker.
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Standards status for this page 3 standards · researched October 2026
| Standard | Contents | Current edition | Replaced / successor |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIN EN ISO 10628-1ISO – International Organization for Standardization “ISO” before a number denotes a worldwide standard of the International Organization for Standardization in Geneva. Background and sources › | Diagrams for the chemical and petrochemical industry – Part 1: Specification of diagrams | DIN EN ISO 10628-1:2015-04 | replaces DIN EN ISO 10628:2001-03 |
| DIN EN ISO 10628-2 | Diagrams for the chemical and petrochemical industry – Part 2: Graphical symbols | DIN EN ISO 10628-2:2013-04 | replaces DIN EN ISO 10628:2001-03 |
| DIN EN 62424 (VDE 0810-24) | Representation of process control engineering requests in P&I diagrams and data exchange between P&ID tools | DIN EN 62424 (VDE 0810-24):2017-12 | replaces DIN EN 62424 (VDE 0810-24):2010-01 |
Researched at DIN Media, ISO, IECIEC – International Electrotechnical Commission International Electrotechnical Commission in Geneva: worldwide standards for electrical engineering and for instrumentation and control. Background and sources › and ASME, as of October 2026. Before binding use, please check the current edition with the standards publisher. Overview of all standards: Plant Engineering Infobase · Standards status.
Terms, background and sources 10 terms on this page
Brief explanations for reference. They do not replace the standard or code itself.
- 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.
- ATC – Autodesk Authorized Training Center
Training center authorized by Autodesk. A. Seitz Ingenieur GmbH has been an Autodesk ATC since 2011.
- 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.
- ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
US engineering society. Its codes for piping, flanges and pipe dimensions apply in many plants worldwide.
ASME was founded in 1880. Well-known codes: B31.3 (process piping), B16.5 (flanges), B36.10M and B36.19M (pipe dimensions).
- BIM – Building Information Modeling
Planning, building and operating with a digital model that contains not only the geometry but also the properties of the components.
- PCF – Piping Component File
Text file with which AutoCAD Plant 3D passes piping data to the isometric generator and to other programs.
- IFC – Industry Foundation Classes
Open exchange format for building and plant models (BIM), standardized as ISO 16739.
- ISO – International Organization for Standardization
“ISO” before a number denotes a worldwide standard of the International Organization for Standardization in Geneva.
ISO was founded in 1947. Its members are the national standards bodies; for Germany, this is DIN.
- IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission
International Electrotechnical Commission in Geneva: worldwide standards for electrical engineering and for instrumentation and control.
IEC was founded in 1906. IEC standards adopted in Europe are called “EN IEC …” or “EN 6xxxx”.
Sources and origins
- ISO – International Organization for Standardization (for R&I, IFC, ISO)
- IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission (for R&I, IEC)
- Autodesk – Training and Certification (for ATC)
- DIN – German Institute for Standardization (for DIN)
- CEN and CENELEC – European standardization (for EN)
- ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers (for ASME)
- buildingSMART International (for BIM, IFC)
- Autodesk – AutoCAD Plant 3D Help (for PCF)