Preparing AutoCAD Plant 3D Projects for Meridian Enterprise

AutoCAD Plant 3D projects are complex, comprising a central project file (.xml), drawing files (.dwg), and various supporting data files (.xml, .dcf, .dcfx, etc.). Within the Meridian AutoCAD link, these supporting files are referred to as “parts” of the project data, distinct from the drawings themselves. It’s important to differentiate these from Meridian’s hybrid document parts or mechanical assembly parts. Due to this inherent complexity, AutoCAD Plant 3D projects require specific initial preparation before they can be effectively managed within Meridian.

A crucial aspect for full functionality is the configuration of property synchronization. This is detailed in the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Configuration Guide. For users also employing the Meridian Asset Management Module with AutoCAD Plant 3D, the specialized AutoCAD Plant 3D link included with that module is recommended over the basic version. This advanced link offers enhanced capabilities, including the ability to link AutoCAD Plant 3D drawing tags—beyond the standard Asset Management Module tags—to Meridian documents and to manage synchronization states effectively. To activate this tag functionality, consult your system administrator regarding the AcadPnIDConfig registry setting, as outlined in the Meridian Asset Management Module Administrator’s Guide. Furthermore, configuring the synchronization of these drawing tags requires administrator assistance with settings in the AssetSettings section of the AutoCAD link within the vault configuration, also detailed in the Administrator’s Guide.

Steps for Project Preparation

To ensure a smooth workflow, follow these steps to prepare your AutoCAD Plant 3D project for Meridian:

1. Import the Project: Begin by importing your project using the Meridian Assembly Import Wizard. Detailed instructions for this process can be found in the Importing assemblies section.

2. Create Synchronization Rules File: In the project folder within your Meridian vault, create a file named MeridianLinkSearchRules.txt. The configuration for project file synchronization is described in the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Configuration Guide.

3. Open Project in AutoCAD Plant 3D: Launch AutoCAD Plant 3D and open the project.xml file directly from the Meridian vault using the Project Manager. To activate the BlueCielo ribbon interface, open any drawing within the project.

4. Attach Custom Rules: On the BlueCielo ribbon, click the “Attach Custom” button. This action will bring up the “Select documents description file” dialog box.

5. Select Search Rule File: Navigate to and select the MeridianLinkSearchRules.txt file you previously created in the vault. The AutoCAD Plant 3D link will then establish a reference from the project file to this search rule file, classifying it as an “AcadPnID Custom Part.” It subsequently utilizes the rules defined within this file to locate all other associated project files and create references from the search rule file to them. If the search rule file is not locked, the link will append a [Log] section to its end. This log details all files found and linked to the search rule file, allowing you to verify that every project file has been correctly linked within Meridian.

6. Close Project: Once you have confirmed all files are correctly linked, close the project in AutoCAD Plant 3D.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your AutoCAD Plant 3D projects are properly prepared and integrated with Meridian Enterprise, facilitating efficient document management and data synchronization. This preparation is key to leveraging the full capabilities of the Meridian AutoCAD link for complex engineering projects.