Industries
Planning in existing plants (brownfield) with AutoCAD Plant 3D
The plant is running, the documents are old, the modification has to fit the first time. We capture the existing plant by laser scan, recognize the pipes with EdgeWise and continue planning in AutoCAD Plant 3D directly on the existing plant.
With us you will find solutions for your tasks.
Typical plants
- Modification, extension or replacement of equipment during operation
- Plant rooms with many lines in a confined space
- Plants without up-to-date drawings or without a 3D model
- As-built documentation after the conversion
Typical planning tasks
- Scanning on siteFrom many positions; the plant keeps running in the meantime.
- Register and alignJoin the scans in ReCap into one point cloud and set the plant origin point once.
- Recognize pipesEdgeWise recognizes pipes and steel sections in the point cloud and passes them to AutoCAD Plant 3D.
- Continue planning and checkPlan new lines by piping spec against the existing plant, check clashes in Navisworks, output isometrics and orthos.
From our projects
What we have implemented in this industry so far – counted, not estimated.
| From our projects | Number |
|---|---|
| Projects | 57 (2021–2026) |
| Isometrics | 111 |
| Orthos (2D drawings from the model) | 160 |
| registered laser scans | 2,009 |
| pipes recognized with EdgeWise | 940 |
| Projects with setup or introduction of AutoCAD Plant 3D | 8 |
| Projects with 3D piping design | 38 |
| Projects with laser scanning | 57 |
Anonymized from our project records, as of 08.10.2026: industry, period and counted scope – without customer names. Quantities are counted files in the project folders.
Example From scan to Plant 3D model with isometrics
Existing plant rebuilt digitally: 24 scans, 55 recognized lines, 71 isometrics and 14 orthos – from the survey to delivery as PDF.
How we support you
3D laser scanning
Scanning, registration and, on request, modelling in AutoCAD Plant 3D – from a single source.
Scan project estimator
Estimate scan positions, days on site and registration in advance.
From laser scan to model
The procedure step by step – with the most common pitfalls.
Clash detection and plant origin point
Combine disciplines and find clashes with Navisworks.
Questions from practice in training and support
- Only the scan file imported – why is the result unusable? To the practice question
- Is the registration of the scans good enough? To the practice question
- Which insertion point when attaching the point cloud? To the practice question
- Navisworks becomes very slow with the point cloud To the practice question
All questions: Practice questions in the Infobase.
Your next step
Have your plant surveyed?
Frequently asked questions
What does brownfield mean?
Brownfield means planning in an existing plant – as opposed to greenfield, a plant on an undeveloped site. In an existing plant, the lines, steel structure and space already there determine what is possible.
Do I need a laser scan for every modification?
Not always. For a single line a manual survey is often enough. In cramped areas, with missing documents or many disciplines, the scan supplies reliable dimensions for everyone.
Can I get the point cloud without a model?
Yes. You receive the registered point cloud and can plan on it yourself. On request we model the existing plant in AutoCAD Plant 3D.
Before you go …
Don't miss any training dates, C³ invitations and news on AutoCAD Plant 3D and 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 ›.
Our newsletter only arrives when there's something important – concise and with tips from practice.
Terms, background and sources 1 term 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.