E3d 3.1 — Aveva

AVEVA E3D Design (Everything3D) 3.1 represents the current pinnacle of 3-dimensional plant and marine design software. Building on its predecessor, PDMS, version 3.1 integrates advanced graphics, cloud connectivity, and multi-disciplinary collaboration tools to streamline the lifecycle of complex industrial assets. Core Capabilities and Innovation At its heart, E3D 3.1 is built on a data-centric architecture

. Unlike traditional CAD systems that focus on drawing files, E3D stores information in a central database. This allows hundreds of engineers—piping designers, structural engineers, and electrical drafters—to work on the same massive 3D model simultaneously without data conflicts. The 3.1 release specifically enhances the user experience (UX)

with a more intuitive ribbon interface and improved 3D rendering. This reduces the learning curve for new users and speeds up the modeling process for veterans. The integration of laser scan data

is another hallmark; designers can overlay "as-built" point clouds directly onto their 3D models, ensuring that new designs fit perfectly into existing brownfield environments. Efficiency and Automation Efficiency in E3D 3.1 is driven by Draw and Isodraft

modules. These tools automate the creation of 2D deliverables—such as orthographic drawings and piping isometrics—directly from the 3D model. This ensures "clash-free" designs where the physical components represented in the drawings are guaranteed to fit during construction, significantly reducing costly on-site rework. Furthermore, version 3.1 emphasizes interoperability

. Through the AVEVA Connect cloud platform, teams can share data across geographical boundaries. It also integrates seamlessly with other modules like AVEVA Engineering and AVEVA Diagrams, creating a "Digital Twin" that serves the asset from initial concept through to decommissioning. Impact on Industry

The shift to E3D 3.1 allows companies in the oil and gas, power, and marine sectors to compress project schedules and minimize risk. By providing a "single source of truth," it eliminates the silos between engineering disciplines. In an era where digital transformation is no longer optional, E3D 3.1 stands as an essential tool for delivering complex capital projects accurately and sustainably. PML (Programmable Macro Language) or how it handles clash detection

AVEVA E3D Design 3.1 is the latest major iteration of the industry-leading 3D design software used in process plant, marine, and power sectors. This version focuses on multi-discipline collaboration, improved modeling efficiency, and enhanced support for large-scale, complex assets.  Key Features and Capabilities 

Space Management Application: A new cross-discipline tool for creating functional, space, and area arrangements. It allows for volumetric representation and partial mass property calculations (weight, volume, area) for coordination in ship and large-scale projects.

Hull Structural Design: A dedicated application introduced in version 3.1 for marine-specific structural modeling.

Surface Manager: Features for importing surfaces from IGES, SAT, DML, and STEP formats, with built-in tools for repairing defects in third-party transfers.

Enhanced Draw and Model Integration: Version 3.1 combines features and canvas from the Model module directly into the Draw module to streamline the creation of annotated engineering drawings.

Support for Large Coordinates: Improved handling and modeling of large-scale coordinate systems for massive infrastructure projects. aveva e3d 3.1

Productivity Tools: Features like the Command Window for administrators to boost productivity, though users should use caution as changes directly modify the database.  Performance Benefits 

According to data from AVEVA, teams using E3D Design 3.1 can achieve significant efficiency gains:  40% faster delivery of engineering drawings. 15% reduction in total modeling time. 30% reduction in overall design time for EPC firms.  Core Modules 

Model: An interactive 3D design environment for all disciplines to work on a common model, enabling real-time clash detection.

Draw: Used to produce scaled, dimensioned, and annotated drawings directly from the 3D model data. IsoDraft: Specifically for producing piping isometrics.

Catalog: For defining and configuring project-specific standards and specifications.  System Requirements 

For optimal performance in version 3.1, the AVEVA Documentation recommends: 

3. Enhanced Clash Detection (Clash Manager)

Clash detection is where E3D 3.1 truly shines. The new Clash Manager runs in the background asynchronously. This means you can continue working while the software constantly monitors for hard clashes (e.g., a pipe through a beam) or clearance clashes (e.g., a valve too close to a handrail). The version 3.1 update adds "4D clash prediction," which considers construction sequence, warning you if a component installed in week 2 will be blocked by a component installed in week 5.

2.3. Modeling & Primitive Enhancements

• Parametric Components: New parametric templates for structural steel connections (bolted & welded).
• Piping Improvements:
  • Auto-routing with user-defined rules (slope, minimum bend radius).
  • Enhanced support for Jacketed Piping and Steam Tracing.
• Equipment Modeling: New wizard for rotating equipment (pumps, compressors) with standardized nozzles.

Interoperability and Collaboration

AVEVA E3D 3.1 is not a siloed tool; it is designed for collaboration.

• AVEVA Unified Engineering: E3D 3.1 integrates deeply into the AVEVA ecosystem, connecting 3D design with 2D schematics (AVEVA P&ID) and engineering data. This ensures that the 3D model is always aligned with the process engineering intent.
• Global Collaboration: The multi-user architecture allows teams located in different parts of the world to work on the same model simultaneously without overwriting each other's work.

3. Laser Scan Integration (Brownfield Projects)

E3D 3.1 excels in Brownfield (upgrade/revamp) projects.

• Lidar Compatibility: Users can import massive point cloud data from laser scans directly into the design environment.
• Clash Detection: The software can perform clash detection between new design elements and the existing scanned infrastructure, significantly reducing rework during the construction phase.

Review — AVEVA E3D 3.1

Overview

• AVEVA E3D 3.1 is a major release in the E3D (Everything3D) product line for plant and marine 3D design, focusing on improved modelling performance, collaboration, and data integrity for large, multidisciplinary engineering projects.

What’s notably improved

• Performance: Significantly faster model loading and navigation for very large models; reduced memory footprint for many workflows.
• Collaboration: Better multi-user workflows and concurrent design edits; improved conflict detection and merge behavior for shared models.
• Interoperability: Enhanced import/export options and improved support for common exchange formats, easing integration with legacy AVEVA tools and third‑party CAD systems.
• User workflow: Refined UI elements and context menus; smarter snapping and placement tools that reduce repetitive manual adjustments.
• Data integrity: Stronger model checking, rule-based validations and audit trails to help enforce engineering standards and catch clashes earlier.

Strengths

• Scalability: Handles very large plant/marine models more smoothly than earlier versions.
• Multi-user collaboration: Practical for distributed teams working concurrently on the same model.
• Standards & compliance: Good support for industry standards and project data governance.
• Automation & productivity: Useful productivity gains from improved modeling commands and template-driven workflows.

Weaknesses

• Complexity & learning curve: Still complex; needs experienced users/administrators and formal training to unlock full benefits.
• Hardware demands: Requires powerful workstations for peak performance in very large projects.
• Licensing & cost: Enterprise licensing and implementation can be expensive—best suited for medium-to-large organizations.
• Occasional bugs: As with complex releases, some workflows may need patches or configuration tweaks after deployment.

Who it’s for

• Large EPCs, owner-operators, shipyards and engineering teams that need enterprise-grade 3D plant/marine design, strong multi-user collaboration, and integration with AVEVA PLM and other engineering systems.

Practical recommendations

• Pilot on a representative large model before full rollout to validate performance and collaboration settings.
• Invest in user training and administrator setup to avoid misconfiguration.
• Allocate high-spec workstations and GPU resources for heavy modelling users.
• Keep a maintenance plan for updates/patches and coordinate with AVEVA support for known issues.

Verdict

• AVEVA E3D 3.1 is a compelling incremental upgrade for organizations running large-scale plant or marine projects: it improves scalability, collaboration, and data validation. It demands investment in training, hardware, and licensing, but delivers tangible productivity and governance benefits for enterprise deployments.

Developing features for AVEVA E3D Design 3.1 typically involves working within its modern, data-centric environment to enhance plant and marine design workflows. This version introduced significant architectural shifts, such as better integration with AVEVA Unified Engineering and the introduction of dedicated marine modules. Key Development Areas in Version 3.1

If you are developing a custom feature or plugin, focus on these primary functional areas introduced or enhanced in 3.1:

Marine & Hull Structural Design: Version 3.1 includes a brand-new Hull Structural Design application, which is a major development for the shipbuilding industry. It allows for early design and creation of 3D General Arrangements (GA) with output for Finite Element Analysis.

Space Management: A cross-discipline application used to manage space arrangements by purpose and location, allowing for early coordination directly in 3D rather than separate drawings.

Quick Draw Improvements: Enhancements to the Model module now allow you to combine Draw features directly within the 3D canvas, facilitating faster updates and drawing view types.

Large Coordinate Support: Developers can now leverage support for very large coordinate modeling, improving graphics and spatial map accuracy for massive projects.

Automation & Reporting: The Reporting with Search feature has been updated with a new interface for filtering element types, which can be hooked into for custom data extraction and automated lists. Common Custom Feature Examples

Many developers create tools to simplify repetitive tasks. Recent third-party and community developments for 3.1 include: AVEVA E3D Design (Everything3D) 3

3-Pick Modeling: Tools that allow users to define structural elements from point clouds with just three mouse clicks.

Automated Hole Management: Plugins to manage penetrations between cableways and structures, including automated "Hole" requests to the structural discipline.

External Interoperability: Features for seamless data exchange with Tekla Structures or exporting models to RVM files for review. Technical Requirements

For recent updates like 3.1.9 onwards, ensure your development environment meets these specific software requirements:

.NET 8.0 Runtime is required for newer builds to support AVEVA Point Cloud Manager integration.

Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64) (version 14.42.34433 or higher).

These tutorials provide practical examples of implementing structural and reporting features in AVEVA E3D 3.1: E3D 3.1 - Reporting with Search 9K views · 4 years ago YouTube · TDS Engr Solutions Pte Ltd Modeling Steel Structures in AVEVA E3D for Point Cloud 722 views · 1 year ago YouTube · quang tonthat

Integrated Design Environment: Features an intuitive, ribbon-style user interface that allows designers to switch seamlessly between disciplines such as Piping, Structural, and Equipment.

High-Density Laser Data: Supports native integration of high-density laser point clouds, allowing users to model "as-built" conditions directly within the 3D environment without needing external conversions.

Automated Drawing Production: The Draw module automatically generates 2D drawings directly from the 3D model, ensuring that documentation always reflects the latest design changes.

Clash Detection: Provides real-time clash detection to identify and resolve spatial conflicts early in the design phase, significantly reducing rework costs during construction. Key Version 3.1 Features AVEVA™ E3D Design 3.1 - Reporting strong multi-user collaboration

Quick keyboard & UI boosts (common actions)

• Use view sectioning to isolate work areas.
• Toggle component filtering to focus by discipline (piping, electrical, structures).
• Save view bookmarks for recurring review perspectives.