Intergraph® Process, Power & Marine (PP&M), part of Hexagon and the world’s leading provider of enterprise engineering software to the process, power and marine industries, today announced the new version of its next-generation 3D design solution, Intergraph Smart™ 3D 2016, will be available later this year. The announcement was made during the Intergraph Smart 3D Product Update at HxGN LIVE, Hexagon’s international conference being held at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Smart 3D 2016 boasts hundreds of user-requested enhancements and several innovative capabilities to further enhance user productivity. The enhancements to Smart 3D 2016 build upon the Smart 3D technology architecture to increase productivity, accelerate projects and give Intergraph’s valuable customers the competitive edge they require.

Here are some of the key features users can look forward to in the new version of Smart 3D:

• Improved design productivity across all design applications, especially in route applications: piping, HVAC, tray, conduit, duct bank and cable
• Improved data re-use capabilities including IP protection and preservation of design intent
• Improved change management productivity and quality with To-Do List improvements and piping specification updates
• Improved drawing generation productivity including faster, higher-quality extraction; configuration; and touch-ups
• Easier, more reliable and faster to move to existing projects

Linde head of engineering Ralf Bellaire said: "We are very much looking forward to what we will see in the new version (of Smart 3D). From the graphic user interface, increased stability and improved model data reuse, we are looking forward to applying the enhancements in upcoming projects."

Intergraph PP&M design and visualisation vice-president Tom Szoka said: "Smart 3D 2016 is the culmination of 2.5 years of development and is the most feature-rich release we’ve ever done. Clients will see greater end-user and administrative productivity and performance across the board.

"Particularly exciting are the enhancements around our core functions of pipe, electrical and HVAC design, data-reuse and the ability to use 3D Interop models in Project/As-built scenarios."

Smart 3D is the world’s first and only next-generation 3D design solution specifically tailored for plant, offshore, shipbuilding and the metals and mining industries, employing a breakthrough engineering approach that leverages real-time concurrent design, rules, relationships and automation.

Smart 3D is the most advanced and productive 3D design solution that effectively enables optimised design, increasing safety, quality and productivity, while shortening project schedules. Companies in these industries typically report a 30% improvement in overall engineering design productivity.