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Technology Bulletin

e-vol 88, Winter 2010

By David Cruze,
AEC Solutions Engineer
Hagerman & Company


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Mapping Classes and Properties in AutoCAD® P&ID and AutoCAD® Plant 3D

AutoCAD Plant 3D has many features to increase productivity and minimize or completely eliminate coordination errors throughout the plant design process. In many Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) firms, P&ID’s and Plant 3D models are developed by different groups or disciplines.
 
In the past, this methodology caused errors in design such as mismatched sizing, specs, part/model numbers, etc. Each discipline would enter property values pertaining to equipment, lines, valves, instruments and many other components which were depicted differently depending on the type of construction or design documents (CD’s or DD’s). In most cases, P&ID’s used 2D blocks/symbols with attributed values while the model drawings used 3D objects with their own set of attributed values. Double entry of data like this takes the design effort longer while lending room for error and at times resulting in costly mistakes involving procurement.
 
We’re going to examine the P&ID Object Mapping feature, one of many available to increase productivity and rid the industry of such errors. Property values can be entered, modified, validated, and applied in both types of CD’s, regardless of the graphical representation required (2D or 3D respectively).
 
Here is a simple dataset we will use to examine this feature. Below is a P&ID (Figure 1.1) containing a tank, a pump, a process line and a gate valve.


Figure 1.1

Figure 1.2 shows a P3D model that has been started containing objects representing the Tank and Pump used in the P&ID.


Figure 1.2

As you can see, the equipment are graphically different in each drawing type but represent the same objects in the plant design requiring the associated data or property values to be identical. Let’s focus solely on the following property values applicable to the equipment; Manufacturer, Supplier and Model Number.

We will focus on additional values applied to the line and valve. Before routing the line and adding the valve to the P3D model, let’s take a look at the Data Manager of those items in the P&ID. Below is the Data Manager view of the line (Figure 1.3) and valve. (Figure 1.4)


Figure 1.3


Figure 1.4

 It is important to know P&ID and P3D utilize separate databases due to the underlying programming each module requires to function as intended. We want to ensure that the values entered for these properties in the P&ID are mapped (or linked) to the corresponding P3D objects. (All other properties for have been hidden for clarity in each DM view). This will ensure that when we add the P3D objects, the values will be acquired from the P&ID data.

 We first need to enter the Project Setup, found on the lower half of the Project Manager Split button.

While in the Project Setup (PS), we will map all the property data required for each class. When the PS opens, you will see a tree view on the left side of the dialog box. (Figure 1.5)


Figure 1.5

To get started, click on the plus icon beside Plant 3D DWG Settings in the left side of the tree view. We then click on P&ID Object Mapping (shown above). The dialog box is updated and split into three sections.

In the middle section (P&ID Classes), we can find the P&ID Object we want to map by drilling down through the classes and subclass nodes. First, lets drill down until we find and select “Primary Line Segment” in the middle panel. (Figure 1.6)

Once selected, you will see the right section (Plant 3D Classes) updated - allowing us to add, edit or delete Plant 3D classes as required. You will also notice the Property Mapping area below which allows us to map a property value from P&ID to P3D property of our choice.


Figure 1.6

If we select the Pipe under the P3D Class Mapping section, you will notice the edit and delete buttons become active. This allows for adding multiple classes, making changes to classes and subclasses as needed. (Figure 1.7)

So let’s focus our attention back to the Property mapping area. We need to set the mappings for our lines, valves and equipment. Click ok to close the dialog box and return to the previous screen. (Figure 1.6)
 
 
Figure 1.7

In the Property Mapping area, we have P&ID properties on the left side and P3D Properties we can map to via drop down boxes on the right side. Now we simply select in the property fields we want mapped and choose the P3D property to receive the value from P&ID. For the primary line, we want to map manufacturer, supplier, and model number and verify that size and spec are already mapped. (Figure 1.8)


Figure 1.8

The P3D Pipe class did not contain a model number property so I chose to map that value to the ItemCode as shown above. For the valve property mapping, we want to be sure to edit the P3D Class Mapping to include both gate-inline and gate-angle valve subclasses. This will ensure the values will be applied from the P&ID no matter which subclass is used. (Figure 1.9)


Figure 1.9

We do this by placing a check mark in the box by both valve subclasses. Now we return to the previous screen and map the following properties. (Figure 1.10)


Figure 1.10

Let’s pause a moment and look at the column entitled Validate with check boxes for each property. We can place a check mark in each property we want P3D to verify against the P&ID for mismatched data. If selected, and a Project Validation is performed, each mapped property value that isn’t identical between the two drawings is flagged as an error and informs you what each value is or should be between the two. This eliminates coordination errors and provides tools to quickly fix the issues.

Now we can map the equipment property values for both the Domed Roof Tank and the Horizontal Centrifugal Pump. Make sure and edit the P3D classes as required per the design. Again, the properties we want to map are shown below. (Figures 1.11 & 12)


Figure 1.11


Figure 1.12

Click Apply, and then Ok to return to the project drawing environment. Open the Equipment P3D model and open the P&ID Line list to route the pipe and to place the gate valve shown below. (Figure 1.13)


Figure 1.13

You can route the pipe by expanding the list, then RC on the line number and choose place item. Route the pipe from the pump to the front Vessel nozzle. Afterwards, go back to the P&ID Line list, RC on the gate valve and choose place item from the list. Insert the valve on the pipe and review the P3D Data Manager as shown below: (Figure 1.14 & 1.15)


Figure 1.14 (Pipe)


Figure 1.15 (Valve)

As you can see, all the mapped values from P&ID where applied to the P3D objects in the model. The P&ID Object Mapping is typically done up front in the Master Project Template, preventing one to have to go through the process on each project. This saves a large amount of time and only minor modifications may be needed on a per-project basis to maintain required mapping.

For more information on this feature and others like the Validation tools, please visit http://www.hagerman.com/Upcoming_Events/Webexes.asp to register for upcoming Plant 3D Webinar sessions (One hour long – free of charge). The next session is scheduled for December 2, 2010 and is titled P&ID’s & P3D’s Always Accurate. This session will focus on related topics to this article. Check the website for dates and times in your time zone.

 

This page last edited on Monday, February 14, 2011