What's New in AutoCAD Plant 3D 2026 Toolset

Learn about new features in this release of AutoCAD Plant 3D 2026 toolset. For technical details, see the release notes.

Updates

2026.2 Highlights

.NET 10 Compatibility

AutoCAD Plant 3D 2026.2 introduces updates based on .NET 10, which may cause compatibility issues with other products.
  • The corresponding AutoCAD 2026.1.2 Update must also be installed.
  • For Vault projects, the corresponding Vault 2026.4 Update must also be installed.
Important: If other AutoCAD 2026-based products are installed on the workstation, such as Autodesk Civil 3D, the AutoCAD Mechanical toolset, or Autodesk Advanced Steel, you must install the latest available updates for those products to maintain cross-product compatibility.

Validate 3D Model to P&ID Checks for Drawings

In addition to validating projects, 3D model to P&ID checks can now be applied when validating drawings. Validation errors for 3D model to P&ID checks now display in the Validation Summary when validating one or more drawings.

When validating only P&ID drawings, the corresponding 3D models can also be validated to identify inconsistencies. Similarly, when validating 3D models, the associated P&ID drawings are included in the validation.

Validation Performance Improvements

Validation performance has been significantly improved, especially for rules that do not require opening drawings during validation. In these cases, validation can be performed using the project database without opening DWG files.

Duplicated Tag Checks for Collaboration Projects

Duplicated tags can now be checked against the cloud when assigning tags for collaboration projects. This helps identify conflicts earlier and reduces the risk of duplicate tags being introduced before drawings are checked in.

When a tag is confirmed, it is reserved in the cloud, preventing other users from using the same tag until the changes are committed.

A new system variable, PLANTCOLLABORATIONONLINE, controls whether duplicate tags and auto-generated tag values are checked or synchronized with the cloud in collaboration projects.

  • Assign Tag Dialog Box - When duplicated tag check is enabled and a matching tag already exists in the cloud, an error message displays immediately, prompting you to enter a unique tag.
  • Auto-generate Tag Synchronization - When enabled, auto-generate tag values are retrieved from the cloud, ensuring consistent tag numbering across multiple users in the same collaboration project.
Note: Tags are committed to the cloud when drawings are checked in. Until then, reserved tags help prevent conflicts between users.

2026.1 Highlights

Spec Editor Enhancements

This release brings key improvements to the Spec Editor, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in managing specs, editing properties, and filtering catalog items.

Spec Tab

The Spec drop-down list is now scrollable when the menu overflows. The Open Spec and New Spec options are always visible and pinned to the bottom when scrolling through specs in the drop-down list.
A new "Remove from Spec" option has been added to the shortcut menu when clicking one or multiple parts in the Spec sheet. You can also remove parts by pressing Delete on your keyboard. After removing parts from the Spec in the Spec Sheet, the selection automatically moves to the next item.

Branch Table Tab

Edit the spec description from the Branch Table tab, just as you do in the Spec tab. Changes made in the Spec tab or Branch Table tab can be synchronized between the two.

Part List Tab (Property Editor Dialog Box)

Click any cell in the part list table within the spec or catalog property editor dialog boxes to enter an edit mode and make changes. You can also make changes in the cell using shortcut keys such as Ctrl, Ctrl+A, Shift, Enter, Tab, Esc, Delete, and arrow keys.

Additionally, you can select multiple cells, and use the Enter or Tab key to switch between edit and selection modes, or the Tab or arrow keys to switch between different cells in selection mode.

You can edit one or multiple cells simultaneously. When clicking any Size cell in the part list table, the whole row is selected. Moreover, you can copy one or multiple rows and paste them into an Excel spreadsheet, including property headers when copying the whole table.

Catalog Browser

You can now filter multiple sizes in the Size tab. After enabling the property filter in the Size Tab, size check boxes display in the list when you expand the Size column. You can select one or multiple size check boxes to filter results.
Note: The checkbox selection only applies to the Size column in the Size tab.

In addition to clicking the Remove from Catalog option from the shortcut menu, you can also remove parts by pressing Delete on your keyboard.

Other Improvements

In addition to free typing, you can now select values from drop-down lists for pressure class and schedule properties:
  • In the Spec and Catalog tabs from the main interface.
  • In the Spec and Catalog property editor dialog boxes.

2026 Highlights

P&ID Enhancements in Visualization and Mapping

P&ID dialog visualization and child class mapping have been improved for a better user experience and ease of use.

Project Enhancements

Several project-related functionalities now offer improved and extended capabilities.

3D Modeling Enhancements

Recent enhancements in 3D modeling for improved editing, substitutions, previews, and performance.

Ortho Enhancements

The Ortho Generation dialog box now includes options to speed up the ortho generation process and new features for displaying equipment nozzle directions.

Collaboration Workflow Enhancements

Enhance your project coordination with the latest collaboration workflow features in AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Spec Editor Redesign

The redesigned Spec Editor offers a modern interface and advanced features for streamlined spec and catalog management.