Autodesk AutoCAD Plant-Vault Projects

CAD System Manager Manual

Contents Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Plant 3D System Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 4

Network Requirements ....................................................................................................................................... 4

SQL Server Requirements ................................................................................................................................... 4

Vault Requirements ............................................................................................................................................. 5

About Plant Projects in Autodesk Vault .............................................................................................................. 6

How is a Plant-Vault project different ................................................................................................................ 7

Do's and Don'ts of Plant-Vault projects .............................................................................................................. 8

DO’s .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8

DO NOT’s ................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Vault Replication ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

Vault permissions in a Plant-Vault project ........................................................................................................ 9

Example Vault roles and Plant project capabilities: .................................................................................... 9

Autodesk Vault User role setup for Plant projects ..................................................................................... 10

SQL Server and Database Management ............................................................................................................ 11

Configure SQL Server for Vault Projects ....................................................................................................... 11

Autodesk Vault uses a separate SQL Server Database ............................................................................. 11

SQL Server Roles................................................................................................................................................. 11

Moving or Renaming the Project Master Database ................................................................................... 11

FAQ: Using a Server-Based Database ............................................................................................................ 12

Reference Configuration Documents ............................................................................................................ 12

Plant Database Cache settings options ........................................................................................................ 12

Program installation and Deployment (Plant) ................................................................................................ 14

Plant-Vault Project Workflows ................................................................................................................................ 15

General Information .............................................................................................................................................. 15

Creating a Plant-Vault Project............................................................................................................................. 15

Converting a project to a Plant-Vault Project ................................................................................................. 16

Detach project from Autodesk Vault.................................................................................................................. 18

Detaching a project from Vault work flow. ................................................................................................... 19

Deleting an AutoCAD Plant 3D/Vault project ................................................................................................... 19

Move a Plant Vault project to a different server ............................................................................................ 21

Migrating Plant 3D Project to a Newer Version .............................................................................................. 21

Managing a Plant-Vault Project configuration ............................................................................................... 24

Customising Projects ......................................................................................................................................... 24

Vault Project Settings ....................................................................................................................................... 24

Managing Shared Content in Vault .................................................................................................................... 25

Drawing Templates ............................................................................................................................................ 25

Tool Palettes ........................................................................................................................................................ 25

Managing Plant Shared Content in Vault ..................................................................................................... 26

Commands for Project Management ................................................................................................................. 27

Commands not supported in Plant-Vault Projects .........................................................................................28

References and Additional Resources................................................................................................................... 29

Overview

Plant 3D System Requirements

The recommended system requirements for AutoCAD Plant 3D are below. Refer the Autodesk

Knowledge Network article “System requirements for AutoCAD Plant 3D 2017” for the latest details.

System requirements for AutoCAD Plant 3D 2017

Operating

System

Microsoft® Windows® 10

Microsoft Windows 8.1 with Update KB2919355

Microsoft Windows 7 SP1

CPU Type 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 64-bit (x64) processor

Video 1360x768 (1600x1050 or higher recommended) with True Color.

125% Desktop Scaling (120 DPI) or less recommended.

Memory 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)

Disk Space Installation 8 GB

Media (DVD) Download and installation from DVD

Plant 3D and P&ID 2017 will require the installation of Vault Client to enable Vault Server License

access. Refer to the deployments section for more details.

Network Requirements

For the purposes of a replicated environment it is recommended that the network latency does not

exceed 100ms. If speeds are slower than this discuss the options to manage this with Autodesk.

SQL Server Requirements

For full details on SQL Server system requirements and recommendations refer to this article:

Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2012.

Plant 3D and P&ID 2017 SQL Server database requirements support SQL Server 2012 (2014 and 2016

are not supported at this time).

Both SQL Server and SQL Server Express (2008 R2 or later) are supported. If you do not pre-install

SQL Server, SQL Server Express is installed when you install Autodesk Vault Server.

Configure SQL Server for Vault Projects ; FAQ: Using a Server-Based Database

Vault Requirements

The Vault version must be a newer version than the products accessing Vault. For example AutoCAD

2016 can access a Vault 2017. But an AutoCAD 2017 should never try to access a Vault 2016.

Note: Refer to the Autodesk Vault Administrator Manual for more information.

About Plant Projects in Autodesk Vault

When you first open a plant project from the Vault using the Project Manager, a local workspace is

created and files are copied from the Vault. Additional users create a separate local workspace.

IMAGE 1: PLANT-VAULT PROJECT SYSTEM SCHEMATIC

The project database in the local workspace is updated ( ) as you save files in the working folder.

The project master database is updated when you check in files to the Vault.

If you create a plant project in the Vault, you can benefit from the following Vault-enabled features:

• Local workspace - You no longer keep your working files on a network share. You modify

Vault projects files in your local workspace folder and synchronize them to the Vault.

• Check-in and check-out document management - The Project Manager is fully integrated

with Autodesk Vault. The Project Manager prompts you to check out files as you work.

• Automatic file versions - You can view or restore the previous revision of a file.

• Master project database - Vault projects use SQL Server for the project database. The master

database is always synchronized to match the files that are checked in to the Vault.

• User authentication and access control - Administrators can manage access to a Vault project

using the Autodesk Data Management Console. You can easily set up user accounts and

assign roles for each Vault.

How is a Plant-Vault project different

Files need to be checked in and out from Vault

File versions are controlled automatically in Vault (no more lost work).

All files and folders are stored locally when being accessed (increased speed).

Multiple Offices and teams can work seamlessly on the same project.

Do's and Don'ts of Plant-Vault projects

Plant-Vault projects are a great solution to some typical design office issues. To ensure that the

robustness of the project and to avoid project corruptions or data loss the following rules should

always be adhered too.

As the Plant-Vault project administrator you will most likely be the user’s first point of contact when

they are not sure of the correct process to follow. It is always best practice to adopt a policy of “If in

doubt ask”.

DO’s

Manage all Project files from within the Plant Project Manager.

Check all files in when finished being edited to ensure that all files are backed up and replicated

properly.

Regularly Check-in files

Open files read only if you don’t intend to edit them now

Xref Plant Drawings only from the same project.

Ensure that the paths recorded for files in the Vault database and the Plant Database are the same.

Refer to the Autodesk Knowledge Network for the latest information and Help files.

DO NOT’s

Do not use Autodesk Vault Client to work with plant projects. Except for certain administrative tasks,

use the Project Manager to manage plant projects and files in Vault.

Do not use File explorers to change Plant-Vault files or folders

Do not assume that an action “Should be OK”

Do not work in “Offline Mode” in AutoCAD Plant

Do not Xref files that are not stored in a Vault project.

Do not move or delete files in the local workspace (this disconnects the Vault and Plant database

paths).

Vault Replication

Vault projects can be replicated between multiple Vaults. The master project database SQL Server

must be accessible from all workstations.

Note: In a Multi-Office environment it is strongly recommended that you perform project

management tasks (for example: creating the project) from a location that has a LAN connection to

the master project database. Because all workstations must have access to the master project

database, performance from the remote office (WAN connection) is limited when you perform

administrative tasks.

For information on setting up the vault replication see Replication.

Vault permissions in a Plant-Vault project

User or Group permissions in Vault will affect the user’s ability to perform certain tasks.

It is generally better to manage user access via Groups in Vault.

Plant projects are created in a Vault using the Project Manager. Plant projects are then created in the root folder of

the selected Vault and assigned a PlantProject category. You must have Administrator rights to create

the first Plant project in Vault this facilitates the initial automatic Vault setup. Additional projects in the same Vault

only require Document Manager (Level 2) to be created. No other special preparation is required to create a plant

project in the Vault.

Example Vault roles and Plant project capabilities:

Document Consumer - read-only access

Above plus Data Manager (Level 1), Document Editor (Level 1) - add files and folders

Above plus Data Manager (Level 2), Document Editor (Level 1) - create projects and delete files and

folders

Above plus Content Center Administrator - project setup

Autodesk Vault User role setup for Plant projects

Commands Autodesk Vault Roles

Browse files (read-only) and refresh from the Vault Document Consumer

Add folders

Add drawings and related files

Check in, check out, and undo check out

Get a file revision

Synchronize to the Vault

Document Consumer

Document Editor (Level 1)

Document Manager (Level 1)

Revise files Document Consumer

Document Editor (Level 1)

Document Manager (Level 2)

Create additional projects Document Consumer

Document Editor (Level 2)

Document Manager (Level 2)

Manipulate project structure:

Move files and folders

Rename files

Remove files

Rename folders

Remove folders

Document Consumer

Document Editor (Level 1)

Document Editor (Level 2)

Document Manager (Level 1)

Document Manager (Level 2)

Project setup (modify settings) Document Consumer

Document Editor (Level 1)

Document Editor (Level 2)

Document Manager (Level 1)

Document Manager (Level 2)

Content Center Administrator

Create initial project (first plant project)

Add projects to the Vault

Audit plant project (plantauditVaultproject)

Administrator

For more information see Learn about Autodesk Vault Roles.

SQL Server and Database Management

Configure SQL Server for Vault Projects

Set up the project master database for a Vault project.

A Vault project requires Microsoft SQL Server to host the project master database.

The project master database is like a non-Vault project database that uses SQL Server. One

important difference is that a Vault project master database is updated only when a file is checked

in to the Vault. A non-Vault project updates the project database as you work.

Note: A file-based (SQLite) database is maintained as you work with a Vault project in the local

workspace. The master project database is updated from the working folder when you synchronize

up (or check-in files) to Vault.

Autodesk Vault uses a separate SQL Server Database

Autodesk Vault also uses SQL Server. But the Vault does not use the same SQL Server database as

the AutoCAD Plant 3D project master database. The master project database can be hosted on a

different SQL Server or in a different server instance.

If you do specify the same server and instance that the Vault uses, the master project database is

not backed-up with Autodesk Vault.

SQL Server Roles

SQL Server user logins and roles for the project master database are separate from Autodesk Vault

users and roles.

Autodesk Vault roles are created using the Autodesk Data Management Server Console. You can use

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio to set up project master database server logins and roles.

The user creating the master project database must have Create Any Database service permission.

After the database has been created, the database public role is granted Control permission.

For more information see FAQ: Using a Server-Based Database.

Moving or Renaming the Project Master Database

If you need to move or rename a project master database, you can edit (for example: using Notepad)

the database link DLK files in the local workspace. Before you can edit the files you need to use

Autodesk Vault Client to un-hide and check out the DLK files.

Note: Similar to the DCF files for a SQL Server project. With Vault, the DCF files are a local, SQLite

database copy of the master SQL databases. The DLK files are XML format files that point Plant 3D to

the MS SQL Server (server name, connection info / strings, etc.)

FAQ: Using a Server-Based Database

The default database is file-based (SQLite). You can, instead, choose to use a server-based database

for improved multi-user performance and reliability. If you choose this option during project setup,

keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Installing - Before setting up the project, you must install Microsoft SQL Server Express or

Microsoft SQL Server on the machine that will host the project database. To download and

install SQL Server Express, refer to the Microsoft web page here:

http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database.

• Verifying - Make sure that the database is set up and running reliably. During project setup,

you can also test the connection.

• Configuring the server to allow remote connections - By default, SQL Server 2008 Express is

not setup to allow remote connections. To enable remote connections, use the SQL Server

Configuration Manager. You perform this procedure on the server machine only.

Autodesk Knowledge Network: Configure SQL Server for Vault Projects

Reference Configuration Documents

“Plant_Project_Sqlserver_And_Vault_Configuration” - Link

This document describes setting up Microsoft SQL Server for a plant project database with

additional setup considerations for Autodesk Vault. This document also describes database link files

(DLK and DCF).

"Microsoft SQL Server Configuration for Autodesk AutoCAD® Plant 3D and AutoCAD® P&ID" - Link

This document is the extensive guide for the configuration of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (Express,

Standard, or Enterprise) for use with Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D and AutoCAD P&ID projects

irrespective of using Autodesk Vault Plant project or normal Plant project.

This document covers starting from installation of MS SQL server, configuration for remote

connection, security rights including project administration and maintenance tasks.

Plant Database Cache settings options

In some cases where network latency is high project database synchronization can cause

performance to degrade. The following may help to improve performance in some circumstances.

Note: System administrators should test these settings in a secure environment before applying to

production teams as results may vary.

General:

Typically Plant is fetching each database row in the drawing and being synchronized from the server.

Significant performance degradation may be reported during Plant Vault check-in operations when

accessing master SQL Server database via a high latency network. Performance degradation is

proportional to the number of records in the project database. To minimise the impact of this

behaviour the following AutoCAD system variables may be modified for Plant.

PLANTVAULTLOCALCACHE

Enables local persistent cache for Plant master database associated with Plant Vault project. Local

persistent cache is built on “as-needed” basis and can avoid costly roundtrips to the server.

Note that Plant is not building the whole cache at once. The performance should improve while

cache is populated.

• Turns on/off caching of the master database on a client machine

• Turning on this variable will improve performance of sync operations for high latency

networks. Vault project must be reopened in order to turn on the effect of this setting.

• Default value is OFF

PLANTVAULTDROPLOCALCACHE

Clears the master project database local cache

• If enabled, Vault master database local persistent cache will be forcefully dropped each time

the project is opened. At the beginning of the session user will see slowness that should

become less while cache is building.

• The Default setting is off (0) to improve start-up performance.

o 0 = Do not clear the local cache for the master project database

o 1 = Clears the local cache for the master project database when the project opens

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Notes

Off Off Default setting.

Database latencies are small

Off On Plant master database persistent cache will be dropped each time the

Vault project is opened.

On Off This should improve performance of subsequent project opens since

cache is not build from scratch. Potential drawback is that persistent

cache may accumulate errors. Performance should be similar to Off, Off.

May mitigate performance issues when opening projects, drawing open,

etc.

On On Plant master database persistent cache will be dropped each time the

Vault project is opened.

At the beginning of the session user will see slowness that should

become less while cache is building.

Relatively small projects, with high latencies.

Program installation and Deployment (Plant)

Deployment and installation of Plant for a Plant-Vault environment is not different to a non-Vault

project environment. The Plant application has the Vault functionality built in.

It is required if Vault 2017 is being used that Vault Client be installed on all users workstations to

allow the Plant to acquire the appropriate Vault license.

When a user first logs into Vault from within Plant, the user may be asked to specify the Vault

License server details (this should only occur once).

Note: if the Vault add-in fails to acquire a license and locks Plant, first check the correct ‘locale’

settings are correct. Refer to this article - Error: Vault 2017 Crash on start up

Project Login:

When working with Vault projects, AutoCAD Plant 3D prompts you to log in. This login is to the Vault

system. Autodesk Vault log-ins are maintained for the duration of the drawing session unless you

explicitly log out. Windows Authentication can be utilised to simplify the login process. This must be

configured in the Vault server.

The “Automatically Log in next session” box is ignored in Plant. When a Plant project is closed the

user is logged out and when reopened the user will be required to log back in to Vault. If the current

project (in project manager) is changed to a non-Vault project the user is still logged into Vault. If

the Vault project is then opened again no login is required.

If you are still trying to improve performance, talk with your Autodesk Support team to assist you.

There are changes and improvements that occur routinely, they will be in the best position to advise

you of any useful information. Ask specifically about the “Vault DLK Modification Instruction

(MARS)” and “Plant 3D PnPUpdateBatchSize variation” changes.

Plant-Vault Project Workflows

General Information

It is generally recommended that you perform project management operations (create project,

remove drawings, project setup) from a workstation that has a LAN connection to the Plant master

database.

When Checking-In a large number of files to Vault, turning off the creation of Visualisation

attachments will speed up the check-in process. Files missing the DWF can either be created later

via other tools (i.e. job processor) or alternatively they will be created when next check-in by a user.

Creating a Plant-Vault Project

Creating a new project is essentially the same as creating a standard Plant project, except that you

need to specify which Vault and which Plant database to be connected.

Note: A folder in Vault is required before stating this process. This is where the project files will be

stored under the project name.

Additional steps required to create a new Plant-Vault Project

1. Start to create a new project as normal.

2. In the First page of Project Setup Wizard, after entering a project name (1), tick the “Create

this project in Vault:” box (2). If you are not already you will be prompted to login to Vault, be

sure to login to the correct Vault database. Finally you will be aske wich Vault Folder to crete

this project, This will already need to have been created by a Vault Administrator.

3. The next Plant-Vault setting is on page 5, where you specify the Plant Database connection

details. This is the same setup as a non-Vault Plant project that uses SQL Server. Be sure to

select the correct SQL Server required for the Plant-Vault projects.

Enter the server name (1) and click Test Connection. If the connection is made, continue to

the next step.

Enter a database name prefix (2), click the Test Name button.

Specify login details (3), either Windows or SQL authentication. If the latter, also specify the

user name and password.

Note: The Vault folder structure previously specified (4).

Converting a project to a Plant-Vault Project

If you need to move an existing project into to Vault this can be done following this work flow.

Note: During the convert process the project will be copied to the Vault local workspace.

1. In AutoCAD Plant, login to Vault as a user that can create a new project (for example:

Administrator, Content Center Administrator, or Data Manager 2).

2. Open the non-Vault project that you want to convert to a Vault project.

3. At the Command prompt, enter PLANTPROJECTTOVAULT. The Vault Project Setup dialog box

displays.

4. In the local working folder location box, specify the root working folder for the converted

Vault project. The location must be different from the non-Vault project.

This may already be determined by company policy. To configure this in Vault refer to this

Autodesk Knowledge Network article: How to configure the working folder for AutoCAD Plant

3D projects with Vault

5. If the project database is using SQL Server, do the following:

a. In the Server name box, specify the server name. You can specify the same host and

server instance (AUTODESKVAULT) that the Vault server uses, but you are not required

to do so.

b. Enter the SQL Server credentials for the plant master database.

6. Click Start. The project is converted to a Vault project and synchronized up to the Vault from

the working folder.

Detach project from Autodesk Vault

In the event that there is a need to detach the Vaulted Plant project, it is possible and a

command has been built into AutoCAD Plant. Be aware that a detached project cannot be

reattached (or converted back) to a Vault project. A detached project reverts to a fully localised

project. This means that updates in the detached project cannot be synchronized with the Vault

project anymore.

Once you detach a project from Vault, a copy of the project of the Vault project will be created

and saved in the Vault User workspace. The default User workspace is by default

%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Plant Vault Projects. The project copy has no connection to SQL

Server or the Vault once detached. However there is still a copy of the project in Vault and this

would need to be removed by a Vault Administrator. The original SQL Server project also still

exists on the servers and these would need to be removed by the various system administrators.

Trying to reconnect or open the SQL or Vault project databases may be problematic. The reason

for this is that the detached copy of the project has the same name as the Vault project and is in

the Vault working folder. Vault cannot check-out the project because it conflicts with the

corresponding project copy that is saved in the same location. To resolve this, you need to

rename the detached copy of the project, then the original Vault project can be opened from

Vault.

To rename a project refer to the procedure on Autodesk Knowledge network: How to rename a

project in AutoCAD Plant 3D respectively AutoCAD P&ID

Detaching a project from Vault work flow.

1. In AutoCAD Plant, login to Vault as a user (for example: Administrator, Content Center

Administrator, or Data Manager 2)

2. From Plant Project Manager, right click on the Project > Vault > Detach from Vault.

Deleting an AutoCAD Plant 3D/Vault project

To delete the project, first you need to check the below points:

• No project files checked out

• The project is not ‘released’ in Vault. In a case where any files or folders in a project

are in a ‘released state’ the project will not be completely removed from Vault. To

resolve this ensure that all files and folders are changed to a not released state (make

a revision of the file or folder first).

• Autodesk Vault user login being used has adequate permission

• It is recommended that Vault Project management be done on the Master Vault server

(when replicated)

To delete the whole Vault project with all data you have to do this on two sites:

• Vault Client

• SQL Server Management Studio

Delete a project from Vault Explorer:

• Expand the "Project Explorer ($)" folder

• Select the project to be deleted from the sub folders

• Right click the selected folder and select from context menu "Delete"

The project and all documents will be removed from Vault.

Delete a project from SQL Server Management Studio:

• Open SQL Server Management Studio

• Switch to the node "Databases" and select successively each of your 5

databases

▪ <individual project prefix>Piping

▪ <individual project prefix>PnID

▪ <individual project prefix>Ortho

▪ <individual project prefix>Iso

▪ <individual project prefix>Misc

• Open the contact menu (right click) and select "Delete"

Move a Plant Vault project to a different server

In the case that there is a need to move a project to a different Vault with a different SQL Server,

there are 2 options to achieve this. For detailed instructions refer to Autodesk Knowledge Network

Article: Move a Plant Vault project to a different server.

Migrating Plant 3D Project to a Newer Version

If you attempt to open a Plant Project that was created in a previous version of Plant 3D, you will be

prompted to migrate the project to the version you are currently using. The same occurs in the case

of a Plant 3D project in Vault.

To migrate a project, you will need to have the same permissions as required to create a project.

Reference AKN Articles:

• About Migrating Projects and Drawings - Link

o To migrate a project – Link

o To migrate a drawing – Link

Process:

1. Recommendation: Open the Project in the Plant 3D version that it was created and “detach

from Vault” to create a back-up of that version before migration.

2. Open the project as normal in the new version of Plant 3D

3. “Project Requires Migration” wizard will start automatically after the project is synchronised.

Click on Next to Start.

4. Verify that all the check conditions are met, then click the “Begin Project Migration” button.

.

5. The Project will be prepared for migration. This is a background process as it prepares all the

local files for migration (e.g. all design files will be checked out and the project locked).

6. The actual migration process starts, click Next.

7. You have the option to create a project backup at this stage (path required). If you have

manually backed-up previously you can un-check the box to skip the file backup.

Specify a path or uncheck the box then click Next.

8. The Files are migrated. There is a notice provided when it is complete.

9. When the files are migrated, there is a log created. This can be accessed from the dialog be

for closing by clicking on the finish button.

The project will be opened in your Plant 3D interface, continue to work as normal.

Managing a Plant-Vault Project configuration

The Project configuration is stored in Vault and is subject all the roles and security setting of the

Vault.

When a user opens a Vault project, the project configuration files and setups are downloaded to the

local working folder. This makes working in the Plant-Vault environment very fast but has some

draw backs.

Whenever the project configuration is needed to be modified if there are users working with the

project this can cause potential issues as the setup version stored locally may become out of sync

with Vault.

Best practice is to ensure that all users are no longer in the project and have check in all files.

Customising Projects

Project spec sheets and some Iso style files require that you use Autodesk Vault Client to check in

and check out files.

You cannot check out and check in piping specs using the AutoCAD Plant 3D Spec Editor. Instead,

project administrators check out PSPX and PSPC files in the Spec Sheets directory using Autodesk

Vault Client.

Note: Spec sheets that are in-use (for example: by the dynamic tool palette) are not updated with

PLANTREFRESHFROMVAULT. To update locked project files that are not checked out by you, you can

close and reopen the project with the Refresh all Changed Files from Vault option selected.

To modify Iso Style files directly (for example: edit IsoConfig.xml), you can check out and check in

files using Autodesk Vault Client.

Basically, anything that is not editable within Project Setup or the user interface must be checked

out, edited in the local workspace, and checked back in through the client.

Note: After the 2017.1 update, you can now check-out / check-in spec sheets directly from Plant 3D

Project Manager.

Vault Project Settings

Vault projects are identified with a “PlantProject” category in the root folder.

Project files have an alphabetic (A, B, C) revision format by default. You can use Autodesk Vault

Client to set a numeric (1,2,3) revision scheme for the “PlantProjectFile” file category.

Managing Shared Content in Vault

Plant 3D and P&ID use the ‘Shared Content’ folders to store common data and resources. The default

shared Content folders are in the root of C drive.

• e.g. C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2017 Content\...

The Shared Content folder can be moved, and Catalog folders can be move separately if desired. For

more information, see Migrate Specs and Catalogs.

Spec files are installed under the shared content folder (for example: C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2017

Content\\Specs) and to the default project folder. If you create a project, spec files are copied from the

shared content folder to the new project.

Note: After the 2017.1 update, you can now check-out / check-in spec sheets directly from Plant 3D Project

Manager.

By default, spec files are project specific with each project including its own spec files. If you want

to share spec files between projects, you can change the spec file folder using AutoCAD Plant 3D

Project Setup. For more information see Set Plant 3D Paths.

Catalog files are not part of a project.

You can set AutoCAD Plant 3D to check periodically for changes to a spec file. When you add a part to

a piping model, the model retains all the information, even if you remove the part from the spec file.

Drawing Templates

The drawing template (DWT) files can be either shared from a project, network or Vault directory or

alternatively on each user’s workstation. The project’s PipingPart.xml points to the DWT, and this

path can be either local or network. Out of the box it is where all the other ACAD DWT files ‐

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2015\R20.0\enu\Template\...

Tool Palettes

Similar to the standard drawing templates the tool pallets files are also stored in the users profile

(C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Plant 3D

2015\R20.0\enu\Support\ToolPalette).

The Plant and other enterprise tool palettes can be moved to a common network or Vaulted location

for users to access. Using Vault provides the advantages of the files defaulting to read only and

commonality across sites but will require the users to have Vault locally installed.

To use Vault for tool palette sharing copy the required tool palettes (Refer to procedure below) to

the Vault Local working folder and upload all the files to Vault using the Vault Client. To get the tool

palettes on the users work station use Vault client to download the files to the user’s Local

workspace. To make the palettes available in AutoCAD or Plant 3D, add the local working folder

palette location to the Plant profile options.

Removing the plant tool palettes from the default location will save any confusion with users

looking for the correct palette to use.

User will still be able to create and customise tool palettes in the default location but will not be

able to modify the Vault shared tool palettes due to Vault security features.

For instructions on sharing tool palettes by a network folder refer to this article: Sharing Tool

Palettes On A Network For AutoCAD P&ID

Managing Plant Shared Content in Vault

Plant Shared Content may be added to Vault to take advantage of the additional security and

accessibility that is available when using Vault.

Note: This is not a plant 3D project function and requires the users to have Vault client to be able to

access the files stored in Vault.

For detailed instructions on making the Plant Content available in Vault refer to this article:

Managing Plant 3d Catalog Content in Vault

Commands for Project Management

Note: Underlined headers are links to Autodesk Knowledge network articles.

PROJECTMANAGER

You can create a consistent working environment for all project team members. Assemble files by

linking or copying them to the project. You can also preview drawings, examine work history,

customize project settings, and perform other project-related tasks. You can create or view

orthographic output on the Orthographic DWG tab and isometric output on the Isometric DWG tab.

NEWPROJECT

You can specify basic settings as you create a new project with the Project Setup wizard.

OPENPROJECT

The Open dialog box is displayed, where you can find and select the project.xml file you want to use.

PLANTGETSTARTED

Opens a window that helps unfamiliar users access basic functions directly from the buttons

provided in the window.

PLANTAUDITVAULTPROJECT

Audits for consistency between the local folders and the Vault.

PLANTPROJECTTOVAULT

Migrates a non-Vault project to the Vault.

PLANTREFRESHFROMVAULT

Updates the working folder from the Vault.

PLANTSYNCHRONIZETOVAULT

Updates the Vault from the working folder.

PLANTVAACEXPLORER

Displays the Autodesk Vault Client (Vault explorer).

PLANTVAULTATTACHRELATED

Attaches a non-project file from the Vault as an external reference.

PLANTVAULTDATABASE

Specifies the plant database server to use for a particular Vault server. After you replicate a Vault

and the plant database, you can specify which plant client database to use for each Vault server.

PLANTVAULTDROPLOCALCACHE

Clears the master project database local cache.

PLANTVAULTLOGIN

Log in to a Vault for the drawing session.

PLANTVAULTLOGOUT

Disconnects from the Vault.

PLANTVAULTRECONCILEPROJECT

Updates synchronization data in the plant master database (SQL Server).

Updates the file versions in Vault to match the file versions in the Plant master SQL database. Can

run while all users are in the project. Use this command if there is a drawing(s) that display the red

arrows beside the drawing name and a refresh from Vault does not take care of it.

Commands not supported in Plant-Vault Projects

The following commands do not work in Plant-Vault projects at the time of publishing this

document. This may change in the future as Plant is improved and developed.

• PLANTDEFINECALCULATEDPROPERTIES

• PLANTXDBMANAGER

You can run these commands, but the changes will only be saved in the local SQLite database cache.

No other users will see the changes when they sync or refresh from Vault. The settings will be lost

when the local workspace is cleared. Note, if you use calculated properties and add a new property,

it will write into the master SQL database for Plant, but the calculated property configuration itself

will not. Even though the other users will see the new properties, those properties will never fill in

with calculated values.

References and Additional Resources 1. AutoCAD Plant 3D – Getting Started Videos

a. All Videos - Link

b. Vault Project – Link

c. YouTube Plant 3D Playlist - Link

2. AutoCAD Plant 3D Help

a. Vault Projects in AutoCAD Plant 3D – Link

Note: Refer to Tasks section for basic workflows.

b. Configure Vault for Plant Projects - Link

c. Configure SQL Server for Vault Projects - Link

2. To rename a Local Plant project - Link

3. AutoCAD Plant 3D: How to clear the recent projects list - Link

4. Managing Plant 3D Catalog Content in Vault - Link

5. About Migrating Projects and Drawings - Link

a. To migrate a project – Link

b. To migrate a drawing – Link

6. Migrate Specs and Catalogues – Link

7. White Paper: Migrating AutoCAD Plant 3D Projects, Specs and Catalogues - Link

8. Sharing Tool Palettes on a Network For AutoCAD P&ID - Link

9. Autodesk University Class: Cracking Vault with AutoCAD Plant 3D and AutoCAD P&ID - Link

10. Autodesk University Class: Workshare with AutoCAD Plant 3D and Vault Professional: Setup,

Synchronization, and Replication - Link

11. Autodesk Knowledge Network Article: AutoCAD Plant 3D: Long drawing save time with WAN

SQL Server based project - Link

12. Book: Database Explained BOOK (engl.) / AutoCAD P&ID + Plant 3D – Shop Link

13. Autodesk Knowledge Network Article: Error: Vault 2017 Crash on start-up - Link

14. Autodesk Vault Administrator Manual – Box Link

15. Vault DLK Modification Instructions – Box Link