P&ID Software Features

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Extensive P&I symbol catalogues

The software contains extensive P&ID catalogues in accordance with the EN ISO, ANSI and ISA standards. The individual symbol catalogues can also be adapted and supplemented with new symbols, enabling companies to create or import individual symbol catalogues that meet company-specific requirements. Complete groups, consisting of equipment, lines and instrumentation, can also be stored as group symbols in the symbol catalogue.

P&ID Symbol and Catalog Configuration

Users can customise P&ID symbols, create new symbols, extend the catalogs, and create new symbol catalogs. Users can configure catalogs for specific projects or customers, and save these configurations for easy retrieval.

Intelligent P&ID Symbols and Lines

The symbols and process and instrumentation lines contained in M4 P&ID diagrams include important process information for downstream use, stored in attributes. Some equipment symbols also include intelligent connection points for connecting pipes, for example.

Intelligent symbol numbering*

The numbering of P&ID symbols in M4 P&ID can be customised to meet respective company requirements, ensuring that all existing numbering systems can be realised for individual components. Intelligent numbering can also be defined only for specific components or equipment types. Multiple labelling configurations can also be managed if they are required for different projects or customers.

Configurable Attributes

Symbol and line attributes can be edited or augmented in line with company requirements. Companies can decide whether attributes are to be freely definable or restricted to certain values.

Dynamic P&ID Creation & Editing

M4 P&ID contains dynamic tools for placing and moving symbols and groups of symbols. A configurable grid is available to aid in the accurate placement on the schematic.

Automatically Maintained Connections

Equipment placed on pipes, such as valves or controls, is automatically aligned. As users move symbols or groups of symbols, M4 P&ID automatically maintains connections, moving an entire piping system to the new position, for example.

Complete Piping Systems Design

In M4 P&ID, users can route process lines between connection points on their P&ID symbols to quickly create piping systems. Pipes are automatically aligned vertically and horizontally.

Configurable Schematics

Each process line contains information about its flow direction, which can also be visually indicated with arrows on the P&ID. Users can dynamically adjust line style, colour and thickness. Configurable branch, symbol, line and bore texts allow designers to add relevant process information.

Extensive Instrumentation Catalogs

M4 P&ID users have access to extensive catalogs of instrumentation lines and symbols, and can dynamically place and route components. Symbol texts can be edited at any time.

Real-Time Reporting

Users can generate configurable reports and parts lists at any time during the design process, displaying all the background information contained in the schematic.

Tools for Providing P&ID Details

M4 P&ID contains dynamic tools for adding details like line cross overs and flow direction arrows. Users can add pipe branch, symbol and line bore texts, as well as vendor, responsibility and pipe specification break symbols.

Configurable P&ID Attributes

Users can add or edit process line or symbol attributes at any time during the design process.

Photos and scans in drawings*

The R&I flow diagrams can also be supplemented with colour or monochrome photos or scans. This means that existing plans, photos, scans or other image documents can also be incorporated into the flow diagrams. Because they are saved inside the drawing this ensures easy access for the entire team. The individual graphics or photos can also be edited and adapted to the requirements of the individual drawing.

On and Off-Sheet Connections

Large P&IDs are often divided into sheet areas, or across multiple sheets. M4 P&ID users intelligently link these areas by adding on- and off-sheet connectors, which are graphically displayed on the schematic.

Multi-Sheet Reporting and QA

The information about these connection is also stored in the background, allowing users to generate reports and check P&ID consistency across multiple sheets.

Project-Based P&ID Working Sets

M4 P&ID users can collect several drawings with the P&IDs they contain in working sets, which then contain all the process information about a particular project.

Project-wide Reports and Parts Lists

Users can then run P&ID consistency checks across a working set and report on any issues found. Users can generate parts lists, line lists and from/to lists from entire working sets, or from individual drawings within the set.

P&ID Consistency Checks

Users can quality check their intelligent schematics at any time during the design process. The software checks for correct pipe connections; whether all equipment connection points have been used; whether process lines have been fully labelled; and whether there are any open pipes.

Issue Reports and Error Highlighting in P&IDs

The resulting issue report provides a quick overview. As users click on each error, it is graphically highlighted on the P&ID, allowing designers to immediately fix any problems.

P&ID Parts Lists, Line and From/To Lists

The information contained in each P&ID can be output in parts lists, line or from/to lists at any time. Users can configure these reports and save configurations for re-use in different scenarios. Reports can list total quantities or provide a detailed parts breakdown.

P&ID Data Export for Downstream Use

Users can preview, print, or place lists as tables on their P&IDs. P&ID data can also be exported to CSV for downstream use in Micrsoft Excel® for example.

P&ID Groups Saved as Symbols

In order speed up and part-automate P&ID creation for process engineers regularly creating similar schematics, M4 P&ID allows users to save parts of P&IDs as a special P&ID symbol. The special catalog provided also allows users to create different categories for their symbols groups.

Individual Attribute Retention

M4 P&ID can retain the attributes on individual symbols in a saved P&ID group. Users can edit these attributes as required after the group has been placed.

Project-Specific P&ID System Configurations

M4 P&ID allows users to save and load different system configurations, enabling designers to adapt their P&IDs to specific project or customer requirements.

Customer-Specific P&IDs

Users can configure P&ID line types and styles, symbol attributes, and line labels, for example, loading these configurations at any time during the design process to suit a particular client or project.

Complementary 2D Drafting Functionality

M4 P&ID provides an extensive set of 2D tools in support of P&ID creation. These tools make it quick and easy to create & edit P&ID symbols.

Ability to Add 2D Drawings and Details

Users can also add text, notes, or 2D geometry, and use line, geometry creation, dimensioning and cross hatching tools. Parts of a P&ID can be saved as a block for re-use in other designs.

Configurable DXF/DWG Interface

M4 P&ID provides an accurate DXF/DWG interface for easy data exchange and communication with customers and suppliers. It allows imported DXF/DWG data to be used as geometry on a P&ID, as well as P&IDs to be exported to DXF/DWG.

Project-Specific Export and Import Configurations

Users can configure the DXF/DWG interface for project or client-specific requirements. M4 P&ID supports all current versions of the DWG/DXF format.

Advanced configuration & administration*

M4 P&ID already provides extensive configuration capabilities in the FX package. In the Premium version, the software offers even more flexibility when installing the software in a multi-user environment or for central administration of catalogues. Get in touch with us and let us advise you on the possibilities.

* Only included in the M4 P&ID Premium package