A Collection of productive functions
PlantExpressTools are a collection of CAD-related functions as well as project administration features. Since the list gets longer with every version, you will get a full overview on this page.
An overview of the functions
- Assemblies
- Coordinates
- Copy/Rename Project
- Selection List Ex-/Import
- Project Setup Ex-/Import
- Update Line Annotation
- DWG Export
- Create Lists
- Tag/Acquisition Update
- Calculated Properties
- Symbols Palette
- From/To
- Extended Assign Tag
- Selection List Update
- Check Nozzle Size
- Properties Palette
- PlantProjectManager
- Bolt Calculation
- Change Log
- PlantProjectCreate
- Rule-based block insert
Assemblies allow you to create logical groups for your P&ID Symbols and Lines and use Acquisition Rules between the P&ID objects and the Assembly.
Calculates X-, Y- (,Z-)values of P&ID objects for your drawing frame grid.
Allows you to copy or rename projects including all files within you project.
You can export all your Selection Lists of P&ID and 3D, modify them (e.g. with Excel) and import them back. This speeds-up your project setup significantly.
You can export your P&ID classes, properties and symbols, modify them (e.g. with Excel) and import them back. You can also create new classes, properties and symbols when importing.
Checks and updates the annotation of your line segments in P&ID, in case line annotations are not linked to their line segments anymore.
Exports P&ID and 3D drawing as standard AutoCAD DWGs with standard AutoCAD objects (e.g. Solids). This function will also purge the drawing and considers XREFs.
Generates lists in your P&ID drawing. For example, creating an equipment lists in your drawing.
Checks and updates your Tags and Acquisitions in case of changes in project setup.
You can create simple concatenation or complex mathematical formular for your Plant 3D properties. It can be best compared to Microsoft Excel formula. You can also calculate color, layer or hyperlink.
Provides a new experience to insert your symbols and lines by showing only the Symbols/Lines you have in your current project. Don’t worry about ex- and importing of tool palettes.
Creates additional From/To data for your Line Segments and Line Groups.
In addition to the properties which make the Tag you can add more properties which you may want to fill out while assigning the Tag.
With this function, Selection Lists will be automatically updated with data from an external source (e.g. a database or an Excel file).
Checks the size of a nozzle against the size of the line segment.
With the properties palette you can define your own tabs, groups, and properties you want to see and control the order of the properties.
PlantProjectManager is a replacement of the Plant 3D Project Manager. With PlantProjectManager you have many more features like creating version and revisions. It is also the central place for using other PlantTools functions.
The Bolt Calculation replaces the BoltSets of AutoCAD Plant 3D completely and comes with its own expandable bolt catalog. PlantExpressTools support BoltSets as well as the use of single bolt parts.
The Change Log function logs any change made to the properties of your P&ID objects (symbols and lines). The history can be viewed, searched, filtered, and restored.
See what customers say about the PlantTools
"PlantTools help our firm maximize the potential of AutoCAD P&ID/ Plant3D. With their data-extension, reporting, and automation capabilities, nearly any new idea or concept can be realized. PlantTools personalized customer support is also second to none."
"Nur wenn Lösungen zur 3D-Anlagenplanung wirklich auf die Bedürfnisse eines Unternehmens zugeschnitten sind, kann dieses das Maximum aus ihnen herausholen. Aufgrund unserer hohen Anforderungen hat CADSTUDIO ein neues PlantTool speziell für unser Unternehmen entwickelt: PlantSpecDriven! Wir brauchen hier nur noch das Hauptrouting zu machen. Die Elemente, die an der Hauptleitung zu platzieren sind, können wir über PlantSpecDriven einfach per Drag-and-Drop in die Leitung einsetzen, ohne uns bei jeder Armatur oder jedem T-Stück aufhalten zu müssen. Wir setzen die komplette Palette der PlantTools ein und verzeichnen im Gesamtablauf 25 Prozent Zeitersparnis, zu einem Großteil bei der 3D-Verrohrung. Auch die Fehlerquote sank durch die neuen Tools signifikant."
"The reason why we decided to take PlantTools into use was because of the fact that the “out of the box” Autodesk product did not have all functionality included that we need. Especially PlantLink saves us a lot of daily engineering time."
"Wir schätzen PlantLink sehr wegen seiner unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten zu externen und internen Datenbanken zu verknüpfen. Wir hatten diese Option schmerzlich in unserer täglichen Arbeit vermisst bis wir PlantLink entdeckt haben. CADSTUDIO bietet großartigen Support unter stetiger Weiterentwicklung der PlantTools. Die Umsetzungen von kundenspezifischen Programmwünschen steht ebenfalls im Vordergrund."
"I’m using the PlantTools (mainly the PlantExpresstools and PlantSync) because it is so easy to make selection lists and to get changes into existing projects that have to be changed with a short down time. Just create a selection list and import it into P&ID or Plant3D within seconds. Changes of settings and symbols can be done outside a live project and easy synchronised with the desired projects. The downtime of the projects is just seconds and multiple destination projects are possible. I’m saving a lot of time, and time is money!"
"Die Aktualisierung der Tags und Übernahmeregeln ist eine der vielen Funktionen der PlantExpressTools. Sie ist immer hilfreich wenn der Kunde oder Projektleiter während des laufenden Projektes z.B. die Rohrleitungsnummerierung ändert. Ohne die PlantExpressTools hätte ich hier schon öfters ein neues P&ID-Projekt beginnen müssen."
"I’m a new user of PlantTools for AutoCAD P&ID. I’m using PlantExpressTools mainly because of the assembly feature when tagging components. Great feature and I’m amazed why Autodesk didn’t include this feature. Good job CADSTUDIO!"
"Our corporate claim highlights our ability to translate state-of-the-art technology into profitable plants, laying the groundwork for our clients‘ commercial success. Due to our high requirements CADSTUDIO developed a new PlantTool especially for our company: PlantSpecDriven! We also use all other PlantTools in a very efficient way. We registered 25 % time-savings in our 3D piping and the error rate dropped to a minimum. We are very satisfied with the PlantTools, life is a lot easier in our daily work."
"In our workflow process, the PlantTools provides a bridge of the P&ID data to the Engineers. We’ve customized the P&ID program to include additional data for our reports, including line lists, valve lists, equipment and instrumentation lists, etc… With the use of the PlantDataManager, the Engineer has the ability to fill in all the necessary data values and the CAD tech imports the information (data) back into the P&IDs using the Import tool of the Add-on in Autodesk P&ID. This process saves us time and money and assures the final lists that are generated are accurate and correct."