Installation and Configuration

The AutoCAD Plant 3D installation and configuration includes:

SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 or later (including Express) can be used to support server-based projects.

A vault project requires Microsoft SQL Server to host the project master database.

Product Help Installer

Information in help is accessed from an Autodesk website by default. If you prefer to use a local source you can download the help installer here: https://www.autodesk.com/plnt3d-helpdownload.

Language Packs

Language packs for AutoCAD Plant 3D are packaged and installed with the product. Unlike AutoCAD alone, they are not available as a separate download. In AutoCAD Plant 3D, an option to Download Language Packs is not listed in the Help menu.

Migrate P&ID Symbols

Note: This section applies only to projects that are migrated from 2010 (or earlier) projects.

When you migrate from an older (2010 or earlier) project, some P&ID symbols are reset to the default.

Occasionally, migration requires that a symbol is reset to the default in the newer version. If you have modified a P&ID symbol in the prior version, your P&ID symbol customizations can be lost.

You can find the migration settings files that specify which blocks and styles are reset to the default in the program folder (for example, C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2026\PLNT3D):

PnIDMigrate2010to2011.xml - migration settings from a 2010 (or earlier) project
PnIDMigrate2009to2010.xml - migration settings from a 2009 (or earlier) project

These files contain the block names that are reset during migration.

Advance Steel XML Export and Spec Conversion

Advance Steel XML export and third-party spec conversion requires the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 and later.

Migrate Custom Settings

To copy the menu customizations from earlier versions, use the Transfer tab in the CUI (Customize User Interface) editor. Do not use AdMigrator.exe.

The Migrate Custom Settings dialog box is disabled during first launch.