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Tutorial 6 — Importing a Plant 3D Model

You'll need one or more .pcf exports (AutoCAD Plant 3D: generate an ISO or use the PCF export; most plant CAD tools can emit PCF).

1. Import the first line​

  1. Files 💾 → Import CAD Model → Upload .PCF File and pick the file.
  2. On an empty model it imports immediately; otherwise choose Start a new model.
  3. Read the Import Summary:
    • Counts — nodes, elements, and how many sections/specs/materials were created.
    • Assumptions — e.g. "Specification 'SPEC-600 (CL600)': design pressure 10.21 MPa ASSUMED from the CL600 flange rating — review". Everything auto-decided is listed here.
    • Supports — a table of every imported support (ANCH → anchor, others → vertical rests) with its node ID.
    • Tie-ins — where this line connects to other lines.

2. Review pass (5 minutes, always)​

  1. Specs tab — open each created spec: set the real design temperature (the import can't know it) and confirm the pressure.
  2. Support types — click each imported rest in 3D and set guides/line-stops to their true directions.
  3. Tie-ins — for each "continues to line X": either import that PCF too (next step) or click the tie-in node and anchor it (add imposed displacements if it's an equipment nozzle).
  4. ☑ Check Model — expect a pass; a "Tee at node N skipped" warning usually means the branch line is one of the not-yet-imported PCFs.

3. Assemble the connected lines​

  1. Upload the second PCF → choose Add to current model.
  2. The summary's tie-in section now reports "Connected to previously imported piping from …" — the lines welded together at their shared joints automatically (absolute plant coordinates make this work).
  3. Repeat for each line of the system. Sections/specs/materials deduplicate — no clutter from re-imports.

4. Solve​

Run All Cases. Large imported systems benefit from the workflow: Check Model → fix reported spools/connectivity (rare — imports handle fitting adjacency automatically) → run → governing case opens.

Things worth knowing​

  • Bend radii are derived from the file's geometry — LR elbows and 5D/10D field bends both come in correctly (check one in the node inspector).
  • Component weights (valves, flanges + gaskets + bolt sets, olets, nipples) are all applied — compare the Reactions sum against your line weight estimate.
  • Everything the importer wasn't sure about is in the summary — if the summary is clean and Check Model passes, the model is solve-ready.
  • Undo reverses an entire import in one step.

Reference: PCF Import documents the full record-by-record mapping.