This lab will walk students through an introduction to some advanced AutoLISP concepts and practices. Students will get a taste of reactors, VBA-style programming in AutoLISP, and advanced function and processes.

The Plant Expert Q & A provides you an opportunity to quiz product experts on implementation, configuration, and user questions. The panel has a wealth of product and industry knowledge to help you stay on track with using Plant 3D.

In this class we will demonstrate the basic customizations to create an orthographic template, and then follow this by demonstrating the process of creating, annotating, and dimensioning an orthographic drawing, and using the bill-of-materials tools. We will also demonstrate and discuss some tips and tricks for working with other models in AutoCAD Plant 3D software orthographic drawings.

Do you use AutoCAD software or any other AutoCAD-based product, and draw in 2D? Do you use another 3D product such as SketchUp or Rhino to draw your 3D objects outside of AutoCAD? If you’re interested in using 3D objects in your workflow but think it’s too complicated, don’t be afraid of the 3D dimension in AutoCAD. In this class, everyone can learn the basics of creating 3D objects with AutoCAD. We’ll show you how to use the tools in AutoCAD to make 3D objects that you can then use in AutoCAD or other Autodesk products.

Come pose your questions to a panel of industry and Autodesk experts. This panel has done setup and customization for users all over the world, and it is active on the discussion forums. This session will feature AutoCAD Plant 3D software. Due to time constraints, we may not be able to provide solutions to all problems, but we'll record the questions and post solutions on our blog. Here's last year's post and solutions: http://www.pdoteam.com/2016/12/pt15439-plant-3d-expert-q-a/

This class will cover the benefits of maintaining the connection between your AutoCAD Plant 3D software catalog, spec, and 3D models, and how to implement workflows to ensure your team’s ability to update model components from the specs and catalogs. We will explore in-depth how to establish and maintain a link between the AutoCAD Plant 3D catalog and spec. Also, we will cover how AutoCAD Plant 3D software establishes a link between the model and spec components and proper workflows for keeping this connection viable during the various types of changes typical to a plant design project. We will also explore the behavior of the PLANTSPECUPDATECHECK command and how you can use it to keep your models up to date with spec and catalog modifications.

This is a forum where you may submit questions to a panel. The panel members will divide the questions among themselves and present answers.

In this lab, you’ll go through the process of creating custom parts to use within your AutoCAD Plant 3D project drawings. This lab will demonstrate the recommended workflow to create custom parts that can be used in imperial, metric, and mixed metric projects. You’ll take 3D solids and convert them to usable AutoCAD Plant 3D parts, then add them in a catalog and spec, and finally use them within an AutoCAD Plant 3D model drawing to create orthographic and isometric drawings.

Are you lost when tasked with merging your AutoCAD Plant 3D model drawings with your AutoCAD P&ID drawings? If you’ve found yourself in this situation, then this is the class for you. In this class, we will go through the steps to map items in AutoCAD P&ID drawings to objects in AutoCAD Plant 3D. We’ll navigate through AutoCAD P&ID Object Mapping so that you can successfully select AutoCAD P&ID properties to AutoCAD Plant 3D properties.

Specialized toolsets for architecture, electrical, mechanical, plant design, and more are now included when you subscribe to AutoCAD software. How is the new, unified AutoCAD changing how you work? Now that you can access every toolset, what can you do that you couldn’t do before? Do you know that you can use AutoCAD MEP software to create cable tray, hanger, conduits, pipe fitting, and MvParts that you can use in AutoCAD Plant 3D software? Getting started with the parametric parts can intimidate a new AutoCAD MEP user, so this class will walk you through—from a beginner level until you know everything required to be an expert in content creation. By the end of the class, you will have the knowledge to create your own custom cable tray, hanger, and pipe fitting, which means that you will be able to make anything you need in AutoCAD MEP for AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Laser scanning and point clouds are quickly becoming essential tools in the engineering/design/construction workflow. This class will examine a real-world scenario that will show you how to achieve typically needed workflows from within Plant Design Suite 2015 software and Kubit PointSense Plant software. It will also show how to create intelligent piping models, including catalog piping and structural design, tie-in point extraction, clash reporting, isometrics, and equipment all from point clouds. This class will give you a solid foundation for how to turn your laser scanning into accurate construction drawings.

In this session we will look at the next generation of Collaboration for AutoCAD Plant 3D 2021 software in order to help you get started successfully. After an overview of Collaboration for AutoCAD Plant 3D features and services, we will touch on each of these topics: how to create and manage projects in BIM 360 software and minimal user permissions; how to share an AutoCAD Plant 3D project to BIM 360; how to manage other project tasks like backing up, archiving, and versions; differences involved in working in Collaboration for AutoCAD Plant 3D; new Collaboration for AutoCAD Plant 3D workflows; Collaboration for AutoCAD Plant 3D best practices and do’s and don’ts. We will show you the Autodesk Health Dashboard and the Collaboration for AutoCAD Plant 3D services to subscribe to.

Discover a stepwise approach to creating a digital plant asset. This course will showcase the journey right from concept to commissioning and maintenance of the plant. During this journey we will also cover the aspects of digital engineering of a plant, addressing the three Cs: coordination, collaboration, and communication—while at the same time integrating with time and cost, as well as managing asset information in real time.

During this panel discussion you can ask questions directly. The panel members will try to answer them directly.

ObjectARX technology is the premier API (application programming interface) that is supported by AutoCAD software, AutoCAD for Mac software, and the industry-specific AutoCAD software systems. If you need to access APIs that aren't exposed through AutoLISP programming language, if you want to create applications that are optimized for large data sets, or if you need to build efficient applications for Windows and Mac OS, ObjectARX technology may be the most effective API for you. This lecture will help you understand the basics of ObjectARX technology. We will discuss which development tools you need, how to interact with AutoCAD software, and how to create a very simple 'Hello World-esque' project. ObjectARX technology utilizes the C++ programming language, but this session does not require that you know C++. Prior AutoCAD software programming experience with AutoLISP programming language or Microsoft .NET is highly recommended. The second session of this series is a hands-on lab.

We can extend AutoCAD software in a number of ways, but many users are unsure of where or how to get started. In this lab you will create custom desktop icons, modify the ribbon and Quick Access toolbar, create and modify command aliases that you can use to start commands, and define tools and tool palettes to reduce repetitive drawing tasks. This lab will give you a solid foundation in some of the available customization features that AutoCAD software offers to help you become more productive when you return to your office.

ObjectARX technology is the premier API (application programming interface) that is supported by AutoCAD software, AutoCAD for Mac software, and the industry-specific AutoCAD software systems. If you need to access APIs that aren't exposed through AutoLISP programming language, if you want to create applications that are optimized for large data sets, or if you need to build efficient applications for Windows and Mac OS, ObjectARX technology may be the most efficient API for you. This session provides hands-on experience using Microsoft Visual Studio and Microsoft Visual C++ to create and build an ObjectARX technology project that can be loaded into AutoCAD software. Prior experience with C++ programming language is helpful, but it is not required. However, you should have experience with AutoLISP programming language or Managed .NET. This is Part 2 of a 2-part series.

AutoLISP programming language has been around for decades, yet there are many functions that often go undiscovered or forgotten by veteran AutoLISP programmers. While there are hundreds of AutoLISP programming language functions (thousands, if you count ActiveX), this class will focus on 21 functions that new developers often overlook and that veteran programmers often forget. All of the functions fit into 1 of several different themes, including function execution, object creation and manipulation, and error handling. We will also discuss loading LISP files, accessing variable values, and configuring contextual help.

Thanks to recent advances and enhancements to BIM 360 software, collaboration between software is now possible! We will navigate recent changes to Revit software, AutoCAD Plant 3D software, and Civil 3D software in BIM 360 that let us collaborate more efficiently than ever before. They are together at last! Explore workflows, successes, and pitfalls that we’ve encountered on our journey to join everyone together in the cloud!

Over the past 7 years, hundreds of Associated Engineering production staff members across our 23 offices have been using AutoCAD software’s Sheet Set Manager (SSM) to efficiently coordinate project drawing packages. Throughout that time frame, we have continually adapted and fine-tuned our Sheet Set Manager templates (and support files) to not only provide flexibility for utilizing internal, project, or client-specific CAD standards, but also for ensuring conformance and standardization for all AutoCAD (and AutoCAD software-based) software output. Sheet Set Manager can greatly impact productivity while reducing repetition, user frustration, project budgets, and schedules. Please join us for this class, as we will be discussing 6 “key” Sheet Set Manager strategies that have proven to successfully assist CAD managers, project CAD leaders, and production management through incorporating this powerful productivity tool throughout development, implementation, and ongoing support.