White Papers > Overview of PlantTools and BIM360/ACC

Due to the push from Autodesk to use BIM also for AutoCAD Plant 3D we get more and more questions from customers if PlantTools can be used for BIM projects. Because of that, we describe the current state of the adaptation of PlantTools with BIM360/ACC projects.

Things to consider when working with BIM360/ACC projects

Although Autodesk is pushing for BIM, there are several issues when using AutoCAD Plant 3D with BIM360/ACC.

1.Performance

Be aware that all project data (project files, project data, and drawings) must be received and sent through the Internet when using BIM360/ACC. This applies to EACH CAD machine using AutoCAD Plant 3D. Just think about a project where you have drawing sizes of 5 to 50 MB.

2.Double Tags

Since every one on the project works with a local copy of the project, you can create the same Tag as your colleague. The Tags of the first person who checks in the drawing will be be stored on BIM360/ACC. The second person checking in the drawing will get an warning about double Tags. The Tags will automatically get a '?' to avoid double Tags. However, so resolve the double Tags, you have to open the drawings again and assign a new Tags. And hopefully, there is no one else who in the meantime created Tags too. Then you start over again.

3.Data/Database access

When you open a BIM360/ACC project the data from the AWS (Amazon Web Services, this is where Autodesk stores your project databases) is downloaded/updated to your local project into SQLite databases. When you work on your drawings your local database will be updated. When you check in a drawing, the difference between your local data and the databases on AWS will be determined and then transferred.

There are two things to consider:

1. If you want to create a report with AutoCAD Plant Report Creator you must open the project first in AutoCAD Plant 3D to ensure, that your local databases are up-to-date. Only then your report will have the latest data.

2. If you want to use the database for any other purpose than with AutoCAD Plant 3D you must also open the project in AutoCAD Plant 3D to have the latest data available.

And this point "Data/Database access" leads to the adaptation of PlantTools.

4.Project accessibility

Only since Plant 3D 2023 it is possible to access BIM360/ACC projects and download them. This is implemented in PlantReporter and PlantDataManager. However, it required to have Plant 3D 2023 or hight be installed and activated on the same machine as PlantReporter/PlantDataManager.

PlantTools

Starting with PlantDataManager and PlantReporter 6.1.0.2575 (26.08.2023) we were able to refresh work with BIM360/ACC projects. And with PlantLink 6.4.0.3019 (07.04.2023) and PlantSpecDriven 6.3.0.3019 (07.04.2023) these PlantTools where able to handle their own configuration files.

More and more PlantTools and Functions are adapted to work seamlessly with BIM360/ACC projects.

Short Overview

Detailed Overview