2012

Bruce Trevena
Cadgroup Australia
info@cadgroup.com.au
10/12/2012
AutoCAD Plant 3D
System Tools & Variables
System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2
Contents

A. AutoCAD P&ID System Functions ....................................................................... 4
1. SLINEORTHO ....................................................................................................................... 4
2. VGRIPS .................................................................................................................................. 4
B. Plant 3D System Functions .................................................................................. 5
1. COMPRESSPROJECT ........................................................................................................ 5
2. PLANTAUDIT ........................................................................................................................ 5
3. PnPPURGELOCALUSERCACHE ..................................................................................... 6
4. PLANTSPECUPDATECHECK ........................................................................................... 6
5. SYNCSTYLESMODE ........................................................................................................... 7
C. Plant 3D System Variables ................................................................................... 8
6. PLANTCONNECTIONMARKER ........................................................................................ 8
7. PLANTCONTENTFOLDER ................................................................................................. 8
8. PLANTDEFAULTLAYER ..................................................................................................... 8
9. PLANTDYNTOOLPALETTE ............................................................................................... 9
10. PLANTGRIPEDITMODE.................................................................................................... 10
11. PLANTINSULATIONDISPLAY .......................................................................................... 10
12. PLANTINSULATIONMODE .............................................................................................. 11
13. PLANTLOCKPOINTOFSUPPORT .................................................................................. 11
14. PLANTOFFSETCONNECT ............................................................................................... 12
15. PLANTLOCKFADECTL ..................................................................................................... 12
16. PLANTMAXBENDANGLE ................................................................................................. 13
17. PLANTPCFUNICODE ........................................................................................................ 13
18. PLANTPIPESILHDISPLAY................................................................................................ 14
19. PLANTPLACEHOLDERDISPLAY .................................................................................... 14
20. PLANTPROPMISMATCHDISPLAY ................................................................................. 14
21. PLANTROUTEBEND ......................................................................................................... 15
22. PLANTSAVEDETAIL .......................................................................................................... 15
23. PLANTSLOPETHRESHOLDANGLE ............................................................................... 16
24. PLANTSPECNOTIFY ......................................................................................................... 16
25. PLANTSPECNOTIFYTIME ............................................................................................... 16
16. PLANTSPECUPDATECHECK ......................................................................................... 17
17. PLANTWELCOMEEANBLED ........................................................................................... 17
System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 3
18. PLANTWELCOMENEWPROJECT .................................................................................. 17
19. PLANTWELDDISPLAY ...................................................................................................... 18
D. Additional System Functions .............................................................................. 19
20. SQL Database Maintenance ............................................................................................. 19
21. Catalogue Builder ............................................................................................................... 19


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 4
A. AutoCAD P&ID System Functions
1. SLINEORTHO
Sets whether ortho is turned on when sline is activated and whether corner points
are implied
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 1
0
Does not turn on ortho when sline is activated. Corner points are not implied
1
Temporarily turns on ortho when sline is activated. Enforces strict
orthogonality. Corner points are implied

2. VGRIPS
Controls the display of vertex grips.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Drawing
Initial value: 0
0
Does not display vertex grips

1
Displays all vertex grips except the first and last points. Set VGRIPS to 1 to
alter sline arcs


Displays all vertex grips. Set VGRIPS to 2 if you want to enable grips on the
first and last points of a line so that you can shorten line segments

2

System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 5
B. Plant 3D System Functions

1. COMPRESSPROJECT
Compresses and defragments the cached drawing data that accumulates while project drawings
are modified.
Access Methods
Command entry: compressproject
Summary
Compresses the drawing data, which is constantly updated as you work on project drawings. To
optimize the data cache and improve the program performance, you can do a periodic project
compression.
For compression to succeed, the project cannot be locked by another designer. If the project is
locked, the compression process is halted.

2. PLANTAUDIT
Audits and repairs project data and drawing synchronization errors.
Access Methods
Command entry: plantaudit
Summary
If a Plant object is not found in the project database, it is erased from the drawing.
List of Prompts
The following prompts display if synchronization errors are found.
Updated cache connection data for part <handle>
Erased component <handle> not linked to project database


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 6


3. PnPPURGELOCALUSERCACHE

Running this executable purges your local cache.
Access Methods
Command entry: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2013\
PnPPURGELOCALUSERCACHE.exe

Summary

Plant 3D uses a local cache to hold drawing and object data. This is done to streamline graphic
performance. As the cache file increases in size and reaches a maximum, older contents are
deleted. Fatal errors, power outages and illegal procedures such as SAVEAS can lead to
corruptions in the cache file and it is good practice to purge this local cache from time to time
(once a week).

4. PLANTSPECUPDATECHECK
In AutoCAD Plant 3D, you can set spec update options to check for changes to a spec and
update it when they occur.
You are prompted to update the spec and the model when a change to a spec is detected.
You can select the parts or properties you want to update and set the time interval between
automatic updates.
To update a Plant 3D model with a changed spec
To set automatic spec updates
PLANTSPECUPDATECHECK
PLANTSPECNOTIFY



System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 7


5. SYNCSTYLESMODE
Sets how project drawings synchronize with the project database.
Type: Bitcode
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 42
The setting is stored as a bitcode using the sum of the following values:
1 Synchronize P&ID drawings when they are opened.
2 Synchronize open P&ID drawings when the project is modified.
4 Synchronize 3D Model drawings when they are opened.
8 Synchronize open 3D Model drawings when the project is modified.
16 Synchronize Ortho drawings when they are opened.
32 Synchronize open Ortho drawings when the project is modified.
Turn this variable off (0) to improve performance. Set all bits (63) to update P&ID, 3D Model, and
Ortho drawings when they are opened, and if the project is modified in Project Setup. The default
(42) synchronizes open P&ID, open 3D Model, and Ortho drawings if the project is modified in
project setup.


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 8
C. Plant 3D System Variables

6. PLANTCONNECTIONMARKER
Toggles the display of the disconnect marker.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
0
Hides disconnect markers
1
Displays disconnect markers
Turn this variable off (0) to improve performance.

7. PLANTCONTENTFOLDER
Displays the shared content catalog folder.
(Read-only)
Type: String
Saved in: Registry
You can use PLANTMODIFYSHAREDCONTENTFOLDER to set this variable.
Note
The Shared Content Folder applies to the installation of AutoCAD Plant 3D.
Default: C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2013 Content\

8. PLANTDEFAULTLAYER
Sets the piping layer to use when using automated layer assignments and the layer
cannot be determined.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
Sets the layer to use when the automated layer name cannot be determined. For example, if you
are naming layers by line number and change the line number to unassigned.
An empty value (setvar "PLANTDEFAULTLAYER" "") will use the current layer.


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 9


9. PLANTDYNTOOLPALETTE
Loads the dynamic pipe spec tool palette from the current spec.
Access Methods
Command entry: plantdynamictoolpalette
Summary
You can enable or disable the dynamic pipe spec tool palette.

List of Prompts
The Dynamic Pipe Spec Tool Palette is currently <enabled>.
PlantDynamicToolPalette [Enable/Disable]:
Enable
Displays the current spec in the tool palette.
Disable
Do not use the dynamic tool palette. You can create and customize a static piping
component tool palette using the spec viewer. This behavior is compatible with
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2011.



System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 10


10. PLANTGRIPEDITMODE
Controls whether inline fittings are constrained to move within the current pipe
segment or if they move to other connected pipe segments in the network.

Command entry: plantgripeditmode
Summary
You can control whether the inline fittings can be moved only within the current pipe segment or if
they can be moved along the connected network to other pipe segments as well.
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Grip editing constrains inline fittings to move within
[pipeSegment/pipeLine]
pipeSegment
Constrains movement of inline fittings to a single pipe segment. This mode is compatible with
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2010 behavior.
pipeLine
Allows movement of inline fittings to other pipe segments or to an open area in the drawing.


11. PLANTINSULATIONDISPLAY
Controls whether insulation is displayed on AutoCAD Plant 3D piping objects.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 1
0
Do not display insulation on piping
1
Display the insulation on piping


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 11


12. PLANTINSULATIONMODE
Controls whether insulation is displayed on AutoCAD Plant 3D piping objects.
Type: String
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: simplifiedFull
simplifiedFull
All components display insulation.
simplifiedPartial
Display tubing and fittings with insulation. Valves and flanges do not
display insulation. Recommend setting when creating orthographic
drawings.

13. PLANTLOCKPOINTOFSUPPORT
Locks the point-of-support on pipe supports.
When on (1), pipe supports that are copied or moved retain their point-of-support. The point-of-
support is where the pipe support connects to structure. For example, if the support is copied to
pipe that is lower in elevation, the support rod of a hanger support increases in height.
Not all pipe support types have a point of support. For example, hangers and stanchions have a
point-of-support.
This variable can also be set with the Lockpointofsupport option of plantpipesupportmove.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
0
Height of pipe support does not change.
1
Maintains the support point when copied or moved.


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 12


14. PLANTOFFSETCONNECT
Controls whether AutoCAD Plant 3D attempts to connect piping when snapping to a
pipe connection and using pipe offset while routing.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 1
0
Do not connect when snapping to a pipe connector
1
Connect when snapping to a pipe connector


15. PLANTLOCKFADECTL
Fades locked piping in the 3D model.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
0
Do not fades locked piping
1
Fades locked piping slightly
Turn this variable off (0) to improve performance.


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 13


16. PLANTMAXBENDANGLE
Specifies whether pipe bends can be used up to 90 or 180 degrees.
Type: Real
Saved in: Registry
Initial
value:
90
90
Specifies that bends over 90 degrees are not created.
91-179
Specifies that bends larger than 90 can be created.
180
Allows a return bend to be created .

17. PLANTPCFUNICODE
Creates Unicode PCF files.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
0
Creates ASCII compatible PCF files. This format is compatible with AutoCAD Plant 3D
2011 and earlier.
1
Creates Unicode PCF files to fully support multi-byte characters. This setting may not
be compatible with other programs.
Multi-byte characters are supported in ACSII PCF files using escape sequences, but this restricts
the number of characters supported and can affect formatting.


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 14


18. PLANTPIPESILHDISPLAY
Sets the display of the pipe silhouettes.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 1
0
Hides pipe silhouettes. If dispsilh is on, plantpipesilhdisplay is ignored and
pipe silhouettes display.
1
Displays pipe silhouettes
Turn this variable off (0) to improve performance.

19. PLANTPLACEHOLDERDISPLAY
Toggles the display of the Placeholder Part glyph.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 1
0
On
1
Off

20. PLANTPROPMISMATCHDISPLAY
Toggles the display of the property mismatch markers.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
0
Hides property mismatch markers
1
Displays property mismatch markers
Turn this variable off (0) to improve performance.


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 15


21. PLANTROUTEBEND
Creates pipe bends while routing pipe.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
0
Creates elbow fittings when routing.
1
Creates pipe bends when routing.
This variable can be set with the pipeBEnd option of plantpipeadd.

When plantroutebend is enabled, you set plantmaxbendangle to create bends over 90
degrees.


22. PLANTSAVEDETAIL
Sets the detail of the proxy graphics when Plant 3D objects are viewed in AutoCAD
or Navisworks without object enablers.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 1
0
Low detail. Sets proxy graphic detail to use lines. This setting reduces the
size of the DWG file when saved.
1
High detail. Sets proxy graphic details to use surfaces. Recommended
setting when the drawing is used in Navisworks.


System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 16


23. PLANTSLOPETHRESHOLDANGLE
Specifies the angle below which piping is treated as sloped.

Command entry: plantslopethresholdangle
Summary
You can specify the angle that identifies what piping is treated as sloped and what is not.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 5
1-45
On. Piping over this value is considered sloped. Piping over this value is
considered angled. The default angle is 5 degrees.
0
Off. No piping is sloped.


24. PLANTSPECNOTIFY
Checks for spec file updates when the drawing loads, and on a time interval.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 1
1
On. Checks for spec file updates when the drawing loads, and on the time
interval specified by the plantspecnotifytime system variable
0
Off. Does not check for spec file updates


25. PLANTSPECNOTIFYTIME
Sets the time interval that spec files are checked for updates.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 2
0
Checks for spec file updates only when the drawing loads
1-4
Sets the time interval (in hours) that spec files are checked for updates. The
first check is made when the drawing loads
System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 17


16. PLANTSPECUPDATECHECK
Checks for changes made to spec files that are in use in a drawing.
Access Methods
Command entry: plantspecupdatecheck
Summary
You can check for changes to a pipe spec that is used in a 3D model. If changes are discovered,
you can update the model.
NoteThis command can run automatically by setting
the plantspecnotify and plantspecnotifytime system variables.
See Also
Update a Spec in a Plant 3D Model

17. PLANTWELCOMEEANBLED
Displays the Welcome Screen
Setting to 0 will prevent the opening of Plant 3D Welcome Dialogue, a address the
issue of Plant 3D freezing on the Welcome Screen.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
1
On; You can create a project from the welcome screen
0
Off


18. PLANTWELCOMENEWPROJECT
Displays the New Project button on the welcome screen.
Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
1
On; You can create a project from the welcome screen
0
Off

System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 18


19. PLANTWELDDISPLAY
Toggles the display of connection markers.
Type: Switch
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 0
0
Hides connection markers such as weld and glue markers
1
Displays connection markers
Turn this variable off (0) to improve performance.




System Variables
AutoCAD Plant 3D 19
D. Additional System Tools

20. SQL Database Maintenance
PnPProjectMaintenance.exe

21. Catalogue Builder
AutoCADPlant3DCatalogBuilder.exe






























*Reference: AutoCAD Plant 3D 2013, Autodesk Inc. <http://docs.autodesk.com/PLNT3D/2013/ENU/>