Autocad Plant 3d Iso Symbol Skey Now
While closely related, these two fields serve distinct functions: Iso Symbol Type and Skey - Autodesk Community
An SKEY is a unique, hard-coded or user-defined string attribute embedded within a Plant 3D part ( .pcat or .pcf ) that the IsoConfig.xml file reads to determine which block to insert and how to orient it during isometric generation.
: This XML file acts as a translator. It maps a specific SKEY (e.g., ) to a corresponding AutoCAD block name (e.g., IsoSymbolStyles.dwg
: If you are doing manual isometric drafting alongside your 3D work, remember you can use F5 to quickly toggle between isometric planes. autocad plant 3d iso symbol skey
Which are you configuring? (e.g., Final_Basic, Production, Stress)
<SymbolDef Inherit="GAV"> <Skey>GAV_300LB</Skey> <BlockName>Gate Valve 300</BlockName> </SymbolDef>
Below is a reference list of the most common standard SKEYs used in AutoCAD Plant 3D spec generation: Valves ( VA** ) Component Description End Connection Ball Valve VAGL Globe Valve VAGA Gate Valve VACK Check Valve VABF Butterfly Valve Flanged/Wafer VASW Gate Valve Socket Weld VABW Ball Valve Fittings & Flanges Component Category Specific Type EL90 EL45 TEFB Flanged Base / Flanged TESW Socket Weld FLFL Flanged (Weld Neck/Slip-on) FLBL REBW Butt Weld (Concentric/Eccentric) Pipe Supports ( SP** ) Component Description SPGN General Pipe Support SPAG Anchor Support SPGD Guide Support 3. How SKEYs Map to 2D Blocks While closely related, these two fields serve distinct
Enter the correct four-character code (e.g., Type: VALVE , SKEY: VABF ).
The first two letters of an SKEY typically indicate the component family, while the last two provide specific details. For example:
AutoCAD Plant 3D is a specialized CAD application tailored for designing process plants, piping systems, and related industrial facilities. Within Plant 3D, the ISO drawing environment (producing isometric piping drawings) is a critical deliverable: isometrics communicate pipe runs, fittings, valves, welds, and fabrication details to fabrication shops and construction crews. A small but essential part of generating accurate, consistent isometric drawings in Plant 3D is the ISO symbol “SKEY” (Symbol Key) — a metadata-driven identifier used to map piping components to standardized graphical symbols on isometric outputs. Understanding SKEY and its role helps engineers, designers, and CAD administrators ensure correct symbolization, maintain drawing standards, and automate downstream deliverables such as spool drawings and material take-offs. Which are you configuring
When you run a Quick Iso or Production Iso, the engine reads the component's SKEY.
The transition from a 3D model to a 2D isometric drawing follows a strict data pipeline:
: SKEY mapping supports wildcards like ? and * . For example, EL?? can match both ELSW (socket weld elbow) and ELBW (butt weld elbow). File Architecture
Together, the Symbol Type and SKEY point directly to a specific 2D block block stored in your project's isometric configuration files. 2. Deciphering SKEY Naming Conventions
An SKEY of ELBW tells Plant 3D that the component is an El bow ( EL ) with B utt W eld ( BW ) end connections. How SKEYs Map 3D Models to 2D Iso Graphics