E3D and SP3D: Advanced 3D Plant Design Solutions for Modern Engineering

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Introduction:​

Precise‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ 3D modelling plays a vital role in large-scale industrial endeavours such as the oil & gas, power, petrochemical, and infrastructure industries to keep the projects efficient, safe and under budget. Two of the main software tools in this domain are AVEVA E3D (Everything3D) and Hexagon's SmartPlant 3D (SP3D). Both the systems transform the plant design by offering the integrated instruments for modelling, visualisation, collaboration and data management. Thereby ensuring project accuracy from concept to construction.​

Introduction to E3D (AVEVA Everything3D):​

AVEVA E3D is a successor generation plant design tool that innovatively combines intelligent 3D modelling features with real-time visualisation and data connection capabilities. E3D is a comprehensive solution for engineers when it comes to piping, structures, and equipment design within a data-rich environment. E3D's cutting-edge visualisation engine, combined with its clash detection functionality, is what makes the tool extremely accurate for engineering coordination across disciplines. Besides, it can interact with AVEVA Engineering, AVEVA Diagrams, and AVEVA NET. To further know about it, one can visit the E3D Course. Thus, facilitates a seamless workflow throughout the plant lifecycle journey. E3D is the go-to solution for the industry.​

• 3D Modelling and Visualisation: Use up-to-date rendering to make exact and detailed plant layouts.
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• Laser Scanning Integration: Gives full support to the 3D laser point cloud data of brownfield and revamp projects.
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• Intelligent Clash Detection: Finds the interferences between the different components that are not yet constructed.
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• Spec-Driven Design: Gives absolute trust in the observance of engineering standards and specifications.
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• Integration with AVEVA Suite: Works without any stoppage with AVEVA's engineering and information management systems.​

Introduction to SP3D:​

SmartPlant 3D (SP3D), by Hexagon PPM, is an advanced and smart 3D designing tool that can be used for the purposes of plant, marine, and material handling facilities. The portfolio it offers is a full-fledged modelling environment that the design, engineering, and data management departments within a single company can utilise for their tasks. SP3D users can opt for the design of piping, structural, electrical, HVAC, and instrumentation, etc., by the usage of one central database reflecting the designs that are accurate and consistent across the disciplines. Its object-oriented database architecture is what the company talks loudest and proudest about. It is the main reason why their product is ensured to be the best in the field of design, changing all over the model. There is a huge demand for professionals with SP3D Training. Below are the important features of SP3D.​

• Rule-Based Design: Immediately and thoroughly checks design rules for correctness and uniformity.
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• Centralised Database: Keeps the design data safe and sound in one place, which is the single source of truth.
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• Multi-Discipline Integration: Help collaboration between different teams like piping, civil, electrical, and instrumentation.
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• Automatic Drawing Generation: Offers orthographic, isometric, and report outputs automatically from the 3D model.
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• Interference Checking: Helps in the identification of conflicts between the design prototypes, such as the equipment and structures, at the stage of designing.​

Comparison Between E3D and SP3D:​

In order to choose the proper instrument, the differences between the E3D and SP3D related to the issues of performance, use, and function should be clearly understood. Both software platforms are leading in the industry. However, in the area of visualisation and laser scan integration, E3D is more powerful. SP3D has more advantages in database management and automation.​

• Integration and Collaboration: The ability to integrate and collaborate is extremely important for the success of any new plant design project. Both E3D and SP3D offer collaboration-friendly atmospheres for teams of multiple disciplines. Hence, they are suitable for international engineering teams.
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• E3D Integration: It does not feel any pain to AVEVA Engineering, AVEVA Diagrams, and AVEVA NET. Hence, collaboration in real-time and design validation are doable. Due to its laser scanning integration, the engineers can literally go to the site to take the data for as-built in revamp projects.
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• SP3D Integration: Works with SmartPlant Foundation (SPF), which is used for data management, Smart Electrical, and Smart Instrumentation for cross-discipline engineering. Its rule-based design is a guarantee that the design data will be consistent throughout the entire project ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌lifecycle.​

Advantages and Applications:​

Both E3D and SP3D are primary tools in the fabrication and construction industries of oil & gas, petrochemical, offshore, power generation, and marine sectors. They support end-to-end design, from conceptual modelling to fabrication and construction.​

Advantages of AVEVA E3D:​

• Presentation is made easy with highly realistic visualisation and rendering.​
• The software is compatible with both types of projects, i.e., greenfield and brownfield.​
• Flexible customisation is possible through AVEVA scripting tools.​

Advantages of SP3D:​

• A centrally stored relational database ensures enhanced data integrity.​
• Effective drawing production and reporting functions are available.​
• It is the perfect choice for projects that require compliance with strict engineering rules.​

Conclusion:​

Both AVEVA E3D and Hexagon SP3D are digital plant design tools that will continue to exist in the future. Although‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ E3D excels in visualisation, user-friendliness, and laser scan compatibility, SP3D can, however, be recognised by its database-driven design and automation. The decision to use one over the other depends on the specifications of the project. E3D is a suitable instrument for the teams who are visual accuracy and integration are of great value. Going through the E3D Interview Questions can help you start a career in this domain. Whereas SP3D is the right choice for environments that require data control and multi-discipline coordination. In the rapidly changing digital engineering sector, these two instruments are, therefore, equally necessary to raise the productivity, collaboration, and design accuracy level. Consequently, enabling the industries to move forward to more intelligent, safer, and efficient ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌projects.​