The release of Octave Forte 3DWorx Design Suite 25 (formerly CADWorx Plant Design Suite) is here, the latest iteration of our complete and easy-to-use plant design solution suite. Designed to streamline the plant design process for both greenfield and brownfield projects, this release introduces new enhancements and improvements to empower engineers and designers with unparalleled flexibility, productivity and precision. With Forte 3DWorx Design Suite 25, we’ve taken a significant step forward in delivering a comprehensive suite of tools for creating intelligent 3D plant designs. Built on a DWG-based platform, the software ensures compatibility, ease of use and seamless integration into your workflows. In this blog, we will explore the key highlights of this exciting release and how it can revolutionize your plant design projects.
Why Choose Forte 3DWorx?
Comprehensive and Intuitive
The Forte 3DWorx is a complete solution for intelligent 3D plant design. It supports DWG-based deliverables, making it accessible for engineers and designers accustomed to working with AutoCAD-based environments. This ensures a smooth learning curve and seamless integration into existing workflows.
Flexible and Scalable
Forte 3DWorx is designed with flexibility at its core, enabling users to create cost-effective deliverables quickly and efficiently. Trusted by thousands of corporations worldwide, the software empowers teams to meet project deadlines and stay within budget while maintaining the highest standards of design quality.
What’s New in Forte 3DWorx Design Suite 25?
This release introduces a number of enhancements that improve the stability, integrity and efficiency of your 3D models. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the new features and updates:
1. Configuration Enhancements
Blank/Invalid Spec Directory Message: Improved configuration management with clear error messages for invalid or missing spec directories, ensuring smoother project setup.
Metric/Inch Unit File Configuration (Available Out of the Box): A predefined OOTB template for Metric/Inch unit file configuration is provided, enabling users to begin new projects without additional setup.
2. Design Integrity Improvements
Locking Line Numbers from Geometry Modification: A powerful new feature that allows users to lock specific line numbers and safeguard piping system data and geometry. This ensures that designs remain intact after a 100% 3D model review, preventing unintended modifications and maintaining design integrity.
3. Enhanced Spec View Palette
Persistent Tree View Expansion: The Spec View palette now retains its expansion state, making it easier to navigate and manage project data, even when switching between main size, reduction size or specification selection.
Improved Component and Display Control: With refined control mechanisms, users can selectively show or hide specific component types (e.g., Socket Weld, Threaded) and display options (e.g., Tag, Optional). Enhancements to the "Show All" functionality improve clarity and usability.
4. LineView Palette Enhancements
Multi-Select in All Tabs: The Advanced Search and Locked Line tabs now support multi-selection, enabling batch operations like editing, isolating and managing components for improved efficiency.
Isolate and Invert Isolate Options: The LineView Palette now includes right-click context menu options to isolate or invert-isolate line numbers, streamlining model navigation and review processes.
New Combined “View All” and Refresh Icon: A new icon combines the 'View All' and 'Refresh' actions into a single, convenient function for enhanced performance during model review and editing.
5. Modeling Enhancements
P&ID View Palette Integration: Users can now initiate pipe routing directly from the P&ID View palette, restoring a popular feature from previous versions and improving workflow between P&ID and 3D modeling environments.
Bolt Placement on Splice Plates: Enhanced bolt placement functionality ensures accurate representation of real-world constraints, improving the precision of splice plate modeling.
Pipe Support Min/Max with Steel/Concrete Detection: The software now supports accurate placement of pipe supports according to manufacturer-specified lengths, while adhering to minimum and maximum length rules when the ‘Detect Steel/Concrete’ option is enabled.
Auto-Update Spindle Direction with TopWorks Orientation: This new feature ensures that spindle direction is automatically updated when TopWorks orientation changes, maintaining isometric accuracy throughout the design process.
6. Visualization Enhancements
Advanced Properties Export to Navisworks: Project collaborators now have complete visibility of Forte 3DWorx component properties, including custom properties for pipes, pipe supports, and structures, when models are viewed in Navisworks. This ensures consistency and transparency across platforms.
Seamless Integration with Navisworks and Revit: Forte 3DWorx now supports native file formats from Navisworks and Revit. This capability allows users to effortlessly review and collaborate on designs created with different software platforms, enhancing project collaboration and communication.
Expanded Export Properties for Quick Reviews: To facilitate rapid design assessments, the latest update includes piping specification properties in IFC and VUE file exports generated by Forte ReviewWorx (formerly CADWorx Design Review). This addition ensures that all necessary specifications are readily available for efficient review processes.
7. Isometrics Enhancements
Comprehensive PCF Outputs: The latest release enriches the PCF output by including detailed pipe schedule and material information for components. This enhancement ensures the accurate display of information in Isometric Bill of Materials (BOMs) and supports seamless data integration with third-party systems.
Butchi Babu Potnuru, Principle Product Owner – Forte 3DWorx, said: “This version is packed with features that streamline workflows and enhance control over designs. These enhancements empower users to design with greater confidence and precision.”
Manjula Pantula, Principle Product Owner – Forte 3DWorx, said: ”The latest release delivers powerful enhancements to palettes and modeling tools, designed to make your workflows faster and more intuitive.”
Interested in seeing it in action?
For a deeper dive into the functionalities and innovations packed in the latest version of Forte 3DWorx, we invite you to join the “What's New in Forte 3DWorx 25” webinar.