Robert Shear on Plant 3D

Autodesk is slowly introducing its new Plant 3D software, first through large-volume resellers, and then wider distribution in the spring. Even the 30-day demo version is limited to downloaders from Canada and USA. 

Senior industry manager Robert Shear told me that the AutoCAD add-on took three years to write from the ground up, with the help of some acquired technology. The quick way to distinguish between the company's two plant & process add-ons:

• P&ID -- 2D, connections, processes, etc (shipped last year).
• Plant 3D -- 3D, adds tanks, pumps, etc.
  
  (Plant and process, he says, is "anything measured in gallons.")

Mr Shear explains that Intergraph, Bentley Systems, and AVEVA target the high end of the market, and so Autodesk is competing with a lower price and fewer capabilities. Specifically, they are targeting retrofits, and the documentation existing plants, rather than new construction.

When I asked the price, I got "We'll get back to you on that" as an answer. Fewer capabilities means no analyses, although data can be coordinated through an API with external applications, like Pipestress. 

From my meeting with NTP Truboprovod in Russia, I understand that regional standards are needed to sell into international markets. Here Mr Shear indicated the software so far has standards for North America and Northern Europe, with Central Europe due soon. 

www.autodesk.com/autocadplant3d

Update

Pricing for Plant3D is US$8,995 for standalone license in USA, while Europeans get to pay a nice round e10,000.

Comments

[FirstName LastName]

30-Day Trial of AutoCAD Plant 3D is available globally for download at:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/mform?siteID=123112&id=13733705