AutoCAD Plant 3D

[#1]

Just to follow on from my question yesterday.

1. Xrefs: Since models will be coming from different sources, will the
normal AutoCAD Xref command work in Plant 3D 2011 without the need to add
the drawings to the project first.

2. Can custom fittings be created and then added to the spec so that they
come out in Isogen, for example basket strainers, steam traps etc.

3. Is it easy to globally change a pipe spec on a model. For example say you
model the pipe in Std Steel pipe and it changes to XS Steel pipe is it easy
to change the existing model to the new spec without having to model it
again.

4. Since Plant 3D has just been released and is in catch up phase with the
other products will you be releasing new features as they are developed or
are you going to wait for one release per year.

Thank you for your patience.

[#2]

Hi Patrick,
I will answer your question as follows:

1. We cannot comment on future releases in this forum but we can invite you to take a look at our 2011 beta release at http://beta.autodesk.com/ to see what we are working on and new functions

2. Yes you can add new objects based on what is already in the catalog with copy and paste method. Once copied you can change the dimensional and decsriptive information including the field "Iso Symbol Definition" where you can name the ISOGEN class and SKEY.

3. Its very easy to change Size, spec, linenumber, insulation, etc. just by pick the objects then invoking AutoCAD's properties UI and changing the required fields like Spec.

4. Our plan will be to follow AutoCAD's release schedule.

Mike G (Autodesk)

[#3]

Hello Mike, thanks for your answers. Just a few comments.

1. I would have thought that having to add the Xref's to a project was a
mistake that would be fixed up and not a new feature. I just needed to know
I would be able to xref in other drawings without the need to add them to a
project first.

2. In CadWorx you were able to create an object in AutoCAD solids and then
add this to the spec. In the spec you specified what the overall length and
weight was. When you brought this into the piping model it brought in the
AutoCAD solid model you had created but it now has intelligence and comes
out in Isogen. Very useful for creating objects that were not in any
catalogue like steam traps, flow meters, hose couplings, tundish, basket
strainers etc.

3. Excellent.

4. The Xref problem is a prime example that should have been fixed up
straight away and an update issued. When you are the guy having to do work
arounds it gets very frustrating.