Duplicate Tag Error but Can't find duplicate in data manager

[brownleeD9G9T]

I'm using Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022.  This is the same issue as this post; https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-plant-3d-forum/a-unique-tag-that-doesn-t-exist/td-p/11633637

I can't assign the tag I want because it says it is a duplicate but I can't find a duplicate in the data manager for the PID project data.  I tried typing "dbo.PnPTagRegistry" into the command line, from solution of linked same issue, and it was not recognized.

The error message popup is as follows:

"Another asset in the project has the same tag which has not
been saved, Cannot merge with that tag.
Please enter a unique tag."

@Ole_Dahl 

@damijan.a 

[Michiel.Valcke · Accepted solution]

The tag probably has not been cleared from the database properly. This can happen in case of a software crash or faulty save procedure for the dwg/project.

In the case of an SQLite project you can use a program such as SQLite Expert (there's a freeware version for personal use) to check the database and manually remove the tag from the list. Before you do this, make sure you have a backup of the project, and that you're 100% sure there is no component in any of your project drawings with that tag. 

For P&ID check the procespower.dcf (you can find it in the project folder) and find and remove the tag in the PnPTagRegistry tabel

Open the project in Plant 3D, do a projectaudit afterwards and see if that fixed the issue.

[brownleeD9G9T]

I'll try and get our IT department to let me install that.  If this is a known issue will autodesk try and fix it?  The other issue like this is from 2022.

I've only been using autodesk stuff for a couple of years but they seem to take a very hands off approach to support.  The people on here seem to know more than the people from autodesk resellers I've had contact with.  When I reached out to autodesk they tell me to contact our reseller.  The reseller tells me to use the forum.  Do you work for Autodesk or do they just rely on there advanced users to deal with us not so advanced users?

[Michiel.Valcke]

Autodesk has several support lines. These are a mix of forum posts and solutions, extensive help files and direct support from autodesk and/or its resellers for technical issues, or training programs through its world wide network of recognized training centers. 

As a rule of thumb, these support lines will try & help you find the cause of an issue or guide you to a solution. But they will not be used (and should not be used) as a replacement for training. Neither will these support lines 'do the work for you'. 

Very often a reseller will also have a training center with certified trainers. and they often provide technical support because that is a way in which they can differentiate themselves from the competition. Also because they are more regional and probably closer to your sector/location, you should be able to communicate with them more directly and freely than with Autodesk. If you are unhappy with the support your reseller is giving you, maybe think about changing resellers or letting your software coördinator know that you need more specialized support/training than they are currently (capable of) offering.

That being said, Plant 3D is a very specific and complex software. Which often goes unnoticed since it is built on the very well-known and documented platform that is AutoCAD. But there are not that many Plant 3D experts around and most can be found or contacted through these forums, where they try to give advice free of charge. There are quite a few resellers that can sell Plant 3D, but that do not have a qualified technical support officer for this software specifically.

You can get help directly from an Autodesk agent if your reseller cannot help.
https://www.autodesk.com/support/contact-support
You can also contact an autodesk agent directly from within the software (v2025):

If you want to see a list of resellers and/or training centers near you:
https://www.autodesk.com/partners/locate-a-reseller

the online help files can be found here:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/PLNT3D/2025/ENU/

And for the rest we just try to fill the gaps in this forum, unfortunately we also don't know everything. 🙂 

[h_eger]

@brownleeD9G9T ,

1. the ‘error’ (which is not an error but improper processing such as a crash of AutoCAD Plant 3D) is already fixed in the current version of Plant 3D 2025.

2. as far as Autodesk support is concerned, it depends on the language in which you submit the support request. Yes, there are certainly differences in support behaviour, but I am not aware of this.

3. yes, I also explain to my customers that the probability of finding a solution to a Plant 3D problem in the forum is very high because everyone involved does this in their free time and there is already a concentrated competence.

[brownleeD9G9T]

I appreciate the help.  It worked just like you said.  Thanks!

[damijan.a]

Dear h_eger,

I am currently not using version 2025 because of potential backward compatibility issues with some participants in same projects who still use version 2022. But just in case I switch to last version, would you maybe know how this "error" was fixed in last version?

As far as I understand this is/was happening due to project database being changed and saved to cloud immediately after changes being made while drawings are saved / checked in at a later time, and if crash happened between the two events, ghost tags were made.

Is project database now checked in at the same time as drawings with concerned elements are checked in? Is using SQLite for faster changes in multiple drawings still safe to use as currently I am occasionally using it to e. g. change the data in 60 or so P&ID drawings at the same time, which is way faster than opening every file and type in the same change.

Thank you and best regards 🙂

[h_eger]

@damijan.a ,

Where does your information about compatibility issues between AutoCAD Plant 3D versions 2018-2025 come from?

If you have found any, please contact me by 21.01.2025 as we will not be able to fix the bugs for the next Plant 3D version after that.

[damijan.a]

I am not using 2025, hence I said potential backward compatibility issues. I cannot afford losing time and data because of potential issues, that's why I am staying on 2022 until the specific collaborated projects finish. 

I do know a couple of colleagues had problems with custom parts like valves and measurements not being available in 3D when they switched from 2021 to 2024/2025. We lost a whole day trying to figure what to do, as one of them couldn't even model pipelines because elbows weren't available...

But thank you for the answer on how the ghost tag issue was solved in 2025.