6 Best 3D Modeling Tools for Multi-Disciplinary Engineering

3D Modeling |

The modeling and analysis of modern engineering plants and offshore platform structures present a high capital investment. Operational safety and efficiency rely heavily on accuracy and intelligent design. The design also needs to factor local operating conditions that is wind, current, seismic loads, heat etc. Having the right 3D software is important for integrated modeling, analysis and simulation.

Top 6 3D Modeling Tools for Multi-Disciplinary Engineering

Advanced software and 3D modeling applications help design engineers to create complex offshore structural systems, plant designs, piping layout etc. compliant with industry codes and standards. What are some of the best software for multiple engineering disciplines?

Popular 3D Plant Layout Software Tools

Smart® 3D – developed by INTERGRAPH CORPORATION
PDMS – Plant design & Management software developed by AVEVA PLANT
PDS- Plant design software developed by INTERGRAPH CORPORATION
AutoPLANT developed by BENTLEY
CADWorx developed by INTERGRAPH CORPORATION
AutoCAD plant-3D by Autodesk

Intergraph Smart® 3D FOR PLANTS:

Intergraph Smart® 3D is an advanced, data centric and rule-driven software. It has been designed especially for mission-critical requirements. It does a good job of breaking through challenges set by traditional technologies. SMART 3D provides an iterative environment and is popular among Engineering, Procurement, and Construction EPCs and owners alike.

Intergraph Smart 3D has a wide range of capabilities that are required to design plant, marine, and materials handling facilities. It also does a great job of maintaining the 3D as-built documentation. Data-centric technology, and a rules and relationship based algorithm, integrated reuse approach, and customized automation capabilities are some of the reasons why Smart 3D has gained high acceptance in the industry.

Key benefits of Intergraph Smart® 3D:

Real-time Concurrent Design
Automated Deliverables
Intelligent Rules and Relationships
Interoperability
Task-based Modeling

CADWorx® Plant Professional

CADWorx® Plant Professional is an engineering and piping design software that allows designers to create models quickly and easily. It is widely used for plant and piping design solutions. It is known for its scalability, interoperability and flexibility. CADWorx® helps create accurate models for the more complex projects – be it process plant piping, buried pipe, intra-plant pipe, transmission lines, or other piping systems.

Important features of CADWorx®

Designs complete models with steel and modeling capabilities
HVAC ducting and cable tray routines
Accurate piping design by referencing over 60,000 parametrically-driven components
Creates automatic isometrics from layouts, databases, or Isogen®
Detects clashes/collisions in the current or externally referenced models
Offers real-time design status and creates bills of material(BOM) in a variety of database formats

PDS®:

PDS® is a broad-range and smart computer-aided design/engineering application. PDS has been around since 1980 and is considered one of the pioneers in 3D design software. PDS is production driven and provides value by reducing the total installed cost of project. It is used by many renowned EPCs and owner/operators for their industrial design.

Important features of PDS®:

3D modeling that helps engineers designer better
Dynamic walk through for operations and maintenance personnel
Interference checking
Accurate material take-offs
Specification driven design and phased reviews

PDMS – Plant design & Management software developed by AVEVA PLANT:

PDMS (Plant Design Management System) is a popular software in the 3D CAD industry. It is easily customizable and supports multi-user and multi-discipline environment and is widely used for engineering, design and construction projects in offshore and onshore.

PDMS has modules for the design of equipment, piping, ducting, structure and cable trays. Visualization carried out using client-defined catalogues and specifications, in a full-colour shaded 3D environment, with the support of tools that ensure a clash-free design.

AutoPLANT developed by BENTLEY:

AutoPLANT by BENTLEY is a spec-driven, sophisticated 3D plant design and modeling application. It creates intelligent piping layout drawing, equipment, raceways, and isometrics in a single application. It is quite easy to use, customize, and administer.

AutoPLANT also provides interactive routing and placement in an intelligent 3D multi-discipline environment. Some benefits of AutoPLANT are a single streamlined application, high information mobility, scalability, and review and clash detection.

AutoCAD Plant-3D by Autodesk:

Built on the familiar AutoCAD platform, AutoCAD Plant 3D brings modern 3D design to plant designers and engineers. It has features like spec-driven design and standard parts catalogs to streamline the assignment of piping, equipment, and support structures. Additionally, integrated AutoCAD P&ID functionality and quick generation of isometric and orthographic drawings increase productivity, accuracy, and coordination.

Selecting the right software tool for your engineering project is an important decision. Our recently posted article informs you about the important criteria that can help you choose the appropriate software.

Some of these software also offer a trial package so you can verify the pros and cons for yourself. Ease of operation, interoperability, customization – these are some of the factors that will have a final bearing on your selection. However you don’t necessarily need to invest in a licensed software. Fortunately, you have reliable vendors like Rishabh Engineering who have invested in major licensed software tools. Find out how you can collaborate with us to optimize construction, maintenance, and operability with sophisticated engineering designs.

Looking for 3D modeling service providers with licensed version of latest softwares like AVEVA PDMS, Intergraph PDS, Bentley AutoPLANT and Intergraph CADWorx?

We provide CAD designing services for multi-disciplinary engineering fields with these licensed softwares
Call us now: 1-877-RISHABH (1-877-747-4224)
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