The leading 3D design software tool is enhanced with new reference model data reuse and laser scanning capabilities for reducing design times and rework efforts

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 2 — (PRNewswire) — Intergraph® has released the new version of its industry-leading SmartPlant 3D® enterprise engineering design software with new capabilities for multiple 3D model referencing, enhanced model data reuse and laser scanning integration capabilities to further increase engineering design quality, productivity and accelerate project schedules.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081211/DECLOGO)

SmartPlant 3D is the industry's most advanced, most productive next-generation 3D design system for the process and power industries including automated design capabilities. Customers using SmartPlant 3D typically realize 25- to 35-percent initial increases in productivity.

"EPCs and other users of SmartPlant3D are constantly looking for ways to improve productivity and reduce project schedules and design errors.  The new release of SmartPlant3D offers several enhancements to address these issues,"  said Tom Fiske, Ph.D., senior analyst with ARC Advisory Group, a leading industry analyst firm, and the author of  its Process Engineering Tools (PET) Worldwide Outlook Market Analysis and Forecast through 2013, which ranked Intergraph the No. 1 vendor of overall engineering design software and process engineering tools.

Enhancements to the newest version of SmartPlant 3D include:

• Reference 3D capabilities – using Intergraph's proven SmartPlant Review technology, SmartPlant 3D now can reference external data from many sources for visualization, clash detection and routed systems connections. Supported formats include PDS, PDMS, SAT, DGN, DGN V8, DWG and VUE. This capability is very powerful when undertaking repeated 3D designs or for joint venture projects where multiple companies may be using different design products. Referenced 3D models can also be included in drawing and report generation.

• Enhanced model data reuse – SmartPlant 3D can copy 3D data within a model or to another model while maintaining relationships within the design. Entire units of a plant can be replicated with all associated intelligence, reducing valuable engineering design effort while accelerating project schedules.

• Laser scanning integration – integration with laser point cloud data ensures accurate measurements and placement of equipment while checking for interferences against the point cloud data. Clashes are automatically highlighted, allowing for easy edits and removal and saving time on designs and rework. Smart3D supports Leica, Z&F, Trimble, QuantaPoint and CSA laser data formats.

Patrick Holcomb, Intergraph Process, Power & Marine executive vice president, said, "As the world leader in enterprise engineering software, Intergraph is committed to its customers and the industry in continually advancing capabilities to its flagship 3D engineering and design solution.  The new enhancements will enable users to save even more valuable time and resources, increase productivity and accelerate project schedules."  

SmartPlant 3D, available in both Plant and Marine versions, is the 3D design solution within the SmartPlant Enterprise suite that provides full 3D design capabilities needed for the creation, safe operation and maintenance, and capital Project Life Cycle Management (cPLM) of process, power, marine and offshore projects.

About Intergraph

Intergraph is the leading global provider of engineering and geospatial software that enables customers to visualize complex data. Businesses and governments in more than 60 countries rely on Intergraph's industry-specific software to organize vast amounts of data into understandable visual representations and actionable intelligence. Intergraph's software and services empower customers to build and operate more efficient plants and ships, create intelligent maps, and protect critical infrastructure and millions of people around the world.

Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) and Security, Government & Infrastructure (SG&I).  Intergraph PP&M provides enterprise engineering software for the design, construction and operation of plants, ships and offshore facilities. Intergraph SG&I provides geospatially-powered solutions to the defense and intelligence, public safety and security, government, transportation, photogrammetry, utilities, and communications industries. For more information, visit www.intergraph.com.

© 2010 Intergraph Corp. All rights reserved. Intergraph and the Intergraph logo are registered trademarks of Intergraph Corp. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Intergraph