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Manufacturers gathered to discuss AI, digital transformation, and the future of product lifecycle management.

On June 23-24, Hagerman & Company welcomed manufacturing leaders from across the Midwest to Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, Illinois, for an exclusive Autodesk PLM Workshop focused on helping organizations prepare for the next generation of digital manufacturing.

The two-day event brought together Autodesk experts, Hagerman consultants, and manufacturing professionals to explore how Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), engineering data, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way manufacturers manage information, streamline processes, and make better business decisions.

While every organization is at a different stage of its digital transformation journey, one theme was consistent throughout the workshop:

Manufacturers who organize and connect their engineering data today will be in the strongest position to leverage AI tomorrow.

From Disconnected Data to Digital Intelligence

The workshop opened with a keynote from Bassanio Peters, Senior Market Development Manager at Autodesk, who shared Autodesk's vision for helping manufacturers move from disconnected engineering data toward an intelligent digital thread.

Rather than viewing PLM as simply another software platform, the discussion focused on creating connected business processes that link engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations. These connected workflows not only improve collaboration and traceability but also establish the structured data foundation needed for future AI initiatives.

For many attendees, the conversation reinforced that digital transformation isn't about replacing existing tools—it's about connecting them.

Real-World AI in Manufacturing

One of the highlights of the workshop came from Sam Johnson, Director of Research & Development at Jasper Group, who shared how his organization is leveraging Autodesk Vault data alongside artificial intelligence to unlock valuable business insights.

Instead of theoretical discussions about AI, attendees heard practical examples of how structured engineering information can help answer questions faster, improve decision-making, and uncover knowledge hidden within years of engineering documentation.

His presentation demonstrated an important lesson:

AI is only as valuable as the quality and organization of the data behind it.

Understanding Digital Maturity

Throughout the day, attendees participated in discussions around digital maturity and where organizations typically encounter obstacles as they scale.

Hagerman's experts explored topics including:

• Connecting engineering and business systems
• Managing product data more effectively
• Preparing organizations for growth
• Building processes that support long-term digital transformation

These conversations helped attendees evaluate where their own organizations are today and identify practical next steps toward more connected operations.

Turning Engineering BOMs into Manufacturing BOMs

Josh Johnson demonstrated how Autodesk Vault PLM supports the creation and management of Manufacturing Bills of Materials (MBOMs), including the MBOM Editor capabilities.

For manufacturers that struggle to bridge the gap between engineering and production, the session showed how structured PLM processes can reduce manual work while improving visibility throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.

Strategy and Technical Learning—Side by Side

One unique aspect of the workshop was its dual-track format.

Business leaders participated in an executive workshop focused on planning successful PLM implementations, organizational alignment, and implementation strategy, while technical attendees joined an interactive hands-on lab covering BOM management and change management within Autodesk PLM.

This approach allowed each attendee to dive deeper into the topics most relevant to their role while encouraging conversations between technical and executive teams throughout the day.

Valuable Conversations Beyond the Classroom

Some of the most valuable moments happened between presentations.

Whether discussing implementation challenges during breaks, sharing experiences over lunch, or continuing conversations during the evening networking reception, attendees had numerous opportunities to connect with peers facing many of the same manufacturing challenges.

The optional second day provided private executive strategy sessions where organizations could meet one-on-one with Autodesk and Hagerman experts to discuss implementation planning, project roadmaps, and business objectives specific to their organizations.

Thank You to Our Speakers and Attendees

We'd like to thank everyone who helped make this workshop a success, including our guest speakers from Autodesk and Jasper Group, along with the many customers who shared questions, ideas, and experiences throughout the event.

Events like these reinforce the importance of bringing together industry experts and manufacturers to exchange practical knowledge—not just about software, but about building better business processes.

Looking Ahead

As manufacturers continue preparing for AI-driven workflows, the importance of well-managed engineering data, connected processes, and modern PLM strategies will only continue to grow.

Because of the strong interest and valuable conversations during the Illinois workshop, Hagerman & Company and Autodesk will bring the Autodesk PLM Workshop to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on September 1, 2026.

If you weren't able to join us in Itasca—or you'd like to bring additional members of your team—we invite you to attend. You'll hear many of the same strategic insights from Autodesk and Hagerman experts while having the opportunity to discuss your organization's unique challenges and goals.

Seats are intentionally limited to encourage meaningful discussion and one-on-one interaction.

👉 Register today to reserve your spot in Bethlehem.

If you've been running Inventor® for a decade, you probably don't open the Help menu much anymore. That's exactly the trap. The workflows that got you here were built for the Inventor of five or six releases ago, and they still work — but "still works" and "best available option" aren't the same thing. Some of the biggest time-savers in Inventor today aren't new commands at all. They're existing features that never made it into daily rotation, simply because there was never a reason to stop and look.

Below are ten capabilities that even seasoned users tend to skip — not because they're difficult, but because familiarity has a way of crowding out curiosity. Revisiting them can reduce file duplication, tighten collaboration, and squeeze more value out of software your team already owns.

1. Model States

Model States let you build multiple design variations, manufacturing configurations, and simplified representations inside a single part or assembly file, instead of maintaining a separate .ipt for every variant. A welded version, a machined version, and a simplified version for simulation can all live in one document, switching cleanly between configurations without breaking the file's identity. One of the best use cases for Model States is left-hand versus right-hand designs.

Recent Inventor releases have made the feature easier to manage day to day: Model States now use a native table editor (so you're not constantly punching out to Excel), a comparison tool highlights differences between states at a glance, and the browser now flags exactly which instances or features a given state affects. For teams still managing variants through duplicate files and copy-paste renaming, this is one of the highest-leverage features in the entire product.

2. AnyCAD

AnyCAD lets Inventor reference geometry from other CAD systems — SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo, STEP, and more — without converting it into a native Inventor file first. The link stays associative: when a supplier or partner updates their native file, those changes flow into your Inventor assembly automatically, no reinsertion or file-translation cycle required.

It's been a standard, no-additional-cost part of Inventor since the 2016 release, which means most teams already have access to it — they just haven't turned it on for a project. That matters more than it sounds like: in mixed-CAD supply chains, it's common for a meaningful share of an assembly's components to originate outside your primary CAD system. AnyCAD is built specifically for that reality, whether it's a supplier relationship, an acquisition that inherited legacy data, or simply a customer who works in a different tool.

3. iLogic

Many teams assume iLogic is reserved for advanced automation built by a power user with programming experience. In practice, some of the most useful iLogic rules are small: automatically naming files based on a part number, updating a custom iProperty when a parameter changes, selecting a standard component size, or generating a drawing template on save. None of that requires deep VBA or API knowledge — it requires deciding that a five-minute rule is worth writing once instead of repeating by hand for years.

4. Task Scheduler

Task Scheduler runs batch operations — updating files, migrating projects between versions, refreshing properties, and other maintenance work — on a schedule, so it happens overnight instead of during someone's billable hours. It's a straightforward way to reclaim engineering time that currently goes toward housekeeping.

A recent refinement worth knowing about: scheduled tasks can now disable iLogic rules and event triggers while they run, which prevents a batch job from accidentally firing design rules mid-update and producing unexpected results. It's a small change, but it removes one of the more common reasons teams avoided running unattended batch jobs in the first place.

Task Scheduler also helps with batch processing files in a Vault environment.

5. Design Accelerators & Generators

Design Accelerators cover shafts, gears, bearings, springs, and bolted and splined connections, with built-in engineering calculators that check bolt diameter, load, and strength against standard references — the kind of lookup that used to mean pulling out a machinery handbook. Recent releases have added specific bolt thread designation selection to the Bolted Connection Generator and two new spline standards (DIN 5481 and DIN 5482) to the Involute Splines Connection Generator, extending the tool's coverage for teams working to European fastener and spline standards.

For teams still modeling standard hardware and mechanical components by hand, this is one of the more direct paths to both speed and standardization — the components come from Content Center, and the associated holes and features stay linked to the parts that need them.

6. Frame Generator

Frame Generator dramatically cuts the time required to build structural frames: define the frame with line geometry, and Inventor handles member selection, miters, notches, and end treatments automatically, while keeping an associative BOM and cut list in sync as the design changes. Recent versions let you double-click an end treatment directly from the browser to edit it, and frame rotation can now be set to any angle from -360 to 360 degrees, either in the properties dialog or through dynamic input in the graphics window— both small conveniences that add up across a structural assembly with dozens of members.

7. Express Mode for Large Assemblies

Large assemblies don't require every component to load in full detail immediately. Express Mode defers the heavy lifting, opening assemblies faster and keeping the interface responsive, with full-fidelity geometry loading in only when you need to work with a specific component. For teams whose assemblies have grown well past their original scope, this is often the difference between a frustrating open time and a manageable one.

8. Design View Representations

Design View Representations save component visibility, color appearance, sectioning and camera orientation as a reusable snapshot — useful anytime you need to communicate the same view of a model to manufacturing, a customer, or an internal stakeholder without manually resetting visibility and orientation every time. Once set up, recalling a specific view becomes a double-click action instead of a five-minute reconstruction.

9. BOM Customization

Many teams accept Inventor's default Bill of Materials structure without adjusting it, which usually means downstream purchasing, ERP, and manufacturing documentation are doing extra translation work that the BOM could have handled natively. Customizing BOM structure, properties, and numbering to match how your ERP or PDM system actually consumes data can remove a meaningful amount of manual cleanup further down the pipeline.

One recent, easy-to-miss refinement: rows with a zero quantity in the BOM now render with distinct shading, making it much faster to spot phantom or leftover line items during a review — a small visual cue that saves real time on larger assemblies.

Additionally, the BOM can be used from either the assembly or drawing environment to populate iProperties fields of the design’s components. For example, a component material may not be known until the drawing is almost complete… at which point, the BOM can be used to set the component material and *push* that information back to the component’s iProperties.

10. Derived Components

Derived parts and assemblies let you reuse existing geometry while maintaining a live relationship back to the source design, rather than starting from scratch or copying files and losing that connection. That's especially valuable for standardized product families and platform-based designs, where a change to the base model should propagate to every derivative instead of triggering a round of manual rework.

One of the best use cases is using one raw-stock design to feed multiple machined configurations. The raw stock design can be derived in and used as a “baseline” for the subsequent machining operations of the various design configurations. Rough castings to machined variations relates all rough casting “raw stock” changes downstream to the subsequent machined files, allowing real-time checking for sufficient material, adequate sizing and proper machined feature alignment.

Why These Features Matter

On their own, each of these features offers an incremental improvement. Together, they add up to something bigger: less time spent on repetitive setup and file management, and more time spent on actual design work. Better organization, automation, reuse, and performance also produce cleaner data downstream — which matters for every team relying on Inventor output to feed PDM, ERP, and manufacturing systems without manual patching along the way.

Final Thoughts

Experienced Inventor users don't necessarily need more features — they need to get more out of the ones already sitting inside the software they've been using for years. A periodic review of underused capabilities, even a quarter hour spent revisiting release notes, can uncover meaningful productivity gains without changing software or disrupting a workflow that already works.

Take Your Inventor Skills Further

The features in this article are just the beginning. Our instructor-led Autodesk Inventor courses help engineers and designers build more efficient workflows, reduce repetitive work, and take advantage of capabilities they may have overlooked.

AutoCAD Civil 3D® 2027 introduces a collection of thoughtful improvements aimed at helping civil engineering teams work more efficiently rather than completely changing established workflows. In this session, Hagerman experts walk through the updates that are most likely to impact day-to-day production, highlighting new AI-assisted capabilities, collaboration enhancements, drainage design improvements, and modeling tools that can reduce repetitive work.

Key Highlights

• Autodesk AI Assistant: Learn how the built-in Autodesk Assistant can answer product questions, explain commands, and help users locate documentation without leaving Civil 3D. While still a technology preview, it offers a convenient way to find information faster.
• Enhanced Collaboration with Autodesk Forma: The presentation reviews Autodesk's cloud collaboration environment and how it supports sharing project information across teams and disciplines.
• Horizontal Regression Analysis: New best-fit alignment capabilities help designers analyze existing roadway geometry and generate more accurate alignments from survey data.
• Drainage Workflow Improvements: Updates continue to expand Civil 3D's integrated drainage capabilities, giving engineers additional tools for stormwater analysis and design while reducing reliance on separate applications.
• Feature Line Daylighting: New daylighting functionality for feature lines can simplify grading workflows and automate tasks that previously required more manual modeling.

Why These Updates Matter

Rather than focusing on flashy features, the 2027 release emphasizes practical productivity improvements. Many of the enhancements build on existing workflows, allowing organizations to adopt them incrementally while maintaining established standards. For CAD managers, this release also provides opportunities to evaluate where automation and AI can improve consistency without disrupting proven design processes.

Watch the Recording

Want to see these enhancements in action? Watch the full recording to see live demonstrations of each feature, understand where the new tools fit into real-world workflows, and hear practical guidance on which updates are worth adopting first.

If you have created many Block-Based Parts, you may have noticed after using PLANTPARTCONVERT that the folder in Windows where you store the parts has a lot of files. You can make your life a little more organized by developing a file management habit before the number of files gets way out of hand. I personally have two methods that I incorporate when creating custom parts:

1. If it is not manufacturer-specific, I will create a DWG file for each Block-Based Part that contains each individual size of said part.
   
2. If it is manufacturer-specific, I will have a DWG file for a specific manufacturer that contains every part and size that I will be using from that manufacturer.

For each DWG file you create, there will be a corresponding XML file, but for each individual part within that drawing file, there will be a PNG image file. If you look in your Windows folder, you will notice there are many more PNG files than any other file, and there lies the need for a little file management.

In this image, you can see a small portion of the files I am speaking of. There are 82 files currently. If I could show you the entire folder, you would only see 5 DWG files and 5 XML files. The remaining 72 files are all PNG image files, and a large number of them are identical, but for different sizes. My goal is to have as few files as necessary. Preferably as few as 1 image file per dwg, but as you can see with the Butterfly Valve, I have two different types of images: one for Lever and one for Wheel. With this one, I will only narrow it down to 4 files to maintain the two images. For a DWG that is manufacturer-specific, I may end up with more image files because there are more different parts, but I will still be able to redact all the sizes.

In this article, I am going to focus on modifying and reducing the Pressure Reducing Valves down to 3 files. It is the same simple process for each DWG file, so once you learn one, you can do them all. It is a manual process, which means it is best to do this as early in the process as possible, and to develop the habit of managing it every time you use the PLANTPARTCONVERT command. This will keep it from becoming an overwhelming task as well. I also think it is best to do this immediately after using PLANTPARTCONVERT and before creating the Block-Based Part in your Catalog. As a side note, your Catalog, in my opinion, should be a Custom Catalog and not the Out-Of-The-Box Catalog, but that is a discussion for another time.

FINE-TUNE THE PNG IMAGES

The first step is simply deleting duplicate image files and renaming the one you are keeping. My rule of thumb has been to keep the largest size of any image files. My assumption has always been that the larger size is a better quality, but I have never tried to test the theory. Whichever image file you decide to keep becomes the image you will see on the Tool Palette when using Plant 3D™.

I am deleting the PNG files for the three smaller sizes (3”, 4” and 6”) and only keeping the 8” version named PressureReducingValves.dwg_PressRedValve-8.png. Then I will rename that file by removing the size (-8) to a generic one size fits all PressureReducingValves.dwg_PressRedValve.png.

That is all there is to this first step. Clean up the number of image files and rename the one you are keeping. Unfortunately, if you do not take the next step, you will not get an image when creating your Block-Based Part, which means your catalog, specs, and tool palettes are going to have a few issues since none of the images the software is looking for can be found. That is where the next final step comes into play.

FIX THE IMAGE FILE NAMES IN THE XML

Open the XML file in an XML Editor. If you do not have an XML Editor, and you double-click the file, it will most likely open in your browser, where you have no editing capabilities. You can find XML Editor’s online for free; however, you can also use Notepad. To use Notepad, you will need to right-click on the XML file and go to Open with > Notepad.

I am using an XML Editor named FOXE to open the file PressureReducingValves.dwg.xml. In the Editor, I just need to locate each PNG file and rename it to the same file name that I used previously.

Save and Exit the XML File, and your mission has been completed. Rinse and repeat for any other images you would like to clean up.

CONCLUSION

As you can see in the image below, after performing these two steps on the 5 DWG files that I had in my folder, I went from 82 files to 19 files, and this was just a sample of files that I have on my system. It was a 77% reduction in files in this sample, making it much more efficient to work with and manage moving forward. As stated earlier, it is now my habit to do this every time I use the PLANTPARTCONVERT command before I create the Block-Based Part. It normally takes me less than a minute to complete the process to keep my life as a CAD Manager as simple as possible, which I believe is well worth that extra effort.

Take Your AutoCAD Plant 3D Skills Further

From custom content creation to advanced project workflows, Hagerman offers training and consulting services designed to help Plant 3D users improve productivity and maintain cleaner, more manageable projects. Explore our training schedule or contact us to learn more.

AutoCAD® 2027 introduces a collection of intelligent tools and workflow enhancements designed to help users create cleaner drawings, reduce rework, and collaborate more effectively. During this session, Hagerman Solutions Engineer Rick France explored the most significant updates, including AI-powered geometry cleanup, the new Autodesk Assistant, improved markup workflows, and expanded cloud-based project support.

Rather than focusing on a single feature, AutoCAD 2027 continues Autodesk’s broader effort to make drafting more efficient by helping users find issues sooner, access information faster, and maintain greater consistency across projects.

AI-Powered Geometry Cleanup

One of the most notable additions in AutoCAD 2027 is Geometry Cleanup. This AI-assisted capability helps identify common drafting issues such as gaps, misaligned geometry, and other inconsistencies that can easily go unnoticed during production. By automatically detecting potential problems, users can spend less time troubleshooting drawings and more time focusing on design work.

Meet the Autodesk Assistant

AutoCAD 2027 also introduces the Autodesk Assistant, an AI-powered assistant built directly into the application. Users can interact with the assistant using natural language prompts to locate commands, find information, and receive guidance while working. This conversational approach helps reduce time spent searching through menus or documentation and makes it easier to learn new functionality.

Better Collaboration with Markup Improvements

Collaboration remains a major focus. Enhanced markup capabilities allow teams to review, communicate, and resolve design comments more efficiently. By bringing markups closer to the drafting environment, users can spend less time managing feedback and more time implementing changes.

Cloud-Based Project Support

The session also highlighted Autodesk's cloud-based project management capabilities through Forma Document Management. Users can take advantage of features such as file checkout, connected references, and centralized access to project support files, including templates, tool palettes, and customization resources. These capabilities help teams maintain consistency while improving project accessibility.

Why These Updates Matter

Taken together, the enhancements in AutoCAD 2027 are designed to reduce manual effort, improve drawing quality, and streamline collaboration. Whether you're creating production drawings, reviewing project documentation, or supporting large teams, these new capabilities can help eliminate common bottlenecks and increase overall productivity.

Watch the Recording

Want to see these features in action? Watch the full recording to explore the demonstrations, learn how the new tools work, and discover practical ways to apply them in your own workflows.

Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to move faster, manage growing amounts of product data, and prepare for a future where AI plays a larger role in engineering workflows. Autodesk Inventor® and Vault™ 2027 continue that evolution by focusing on productivity, automation, connected data, and improved user experiences. While many of the enhancements are incremental, together they help engineering teams spend less time managing software and more time designing products.

Inventor 2027 Continues the Push Toward Smarter Design Workflows

Inventor 2027 introduces a variety of usability and productivity improvements designed to reduce repetitive tasks and streamline everyday design work. One of the most notable additions is the Autodesk Assistant technology preview, which brings natural-language interaction directly into Inventor. Engineers can ask the software to locate and modify parameters, update dimensions, and perform common tasks without manually navigating dialog boxes or parameter tables.

While still in preview, the Assistant provides a glimpse into how AI-powered workflows may simplify design tasks in future releases. Rather than searching for commands or editing parameters manually, users can communicate intent and allow the software to execute routine actions.

Small Improvements That Add Up

Inventor 2027 also delivers several enhancements that improve daily usability. Model Browser folders are now available at the part level, allowing designers to better organize complex feature trees. The Parameters dialog can remain on top while modeling, making it easier to adjust dimensions and review parameter changes without constantly opening and closing windows.

Additional workflow improvements include updates to BOM management, expanded slot creation capabilities, improved slot documentation tools, and better point cloud visualization support. These enhancements may seem modest individually, but they reduce friction throughout the design process and help teams work more efficiently.

Vault 2027 Focuses on Data Quality and Efficiency

On the data management side, Vault 2027 places a strong emphasis on improving how organizations manage engineering information. One of the most practical enhancements is the ability to update properties during the Copy Design process. Instead of creating a design and revisiting properties later, users can make updates immediately, including bulk property edits and data imported directly from Excel.

For organizations managing large vaults, several interface improvements make day-to-day navigation easier. Thumbnail sizes can now be adjusted for better visual identification of files, the property panel is resizable and remembers user preferences, and multi-sheet drawing navigation has been improved to reduce the time required to review documentation.

Better Connections Between Engineering Systems

Perhaps the most strategic enhancement in Vault 2027 is continued investment in connected data workflows. The Vault Connector helps bridge Vault Professional and Fusion Manage, enabling synchronization of items, BOMs, attachments, and mapped properties without relying on third-party middleware.

As organizations explore digital transformation initiatives, this type of connectivity becomes increasingly important. Engineering data no longer exists in isolation. Product information must flow efficiently between design, manufacturing, operations, and business systems to support informed decision-making and future AI initiatives.

Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

The most significant theme across both Inventor and Vault 2027 is not a single feature—it is the growing emphasis on data intelligence. AI-powered tools require structured, accurate, and connected information. Autodesk's investments in automation, usability, and data management help organizations build the foundation necessary to take advantage of emerging AI capabilities while improving productivity today.

Whether your team is focused on mechanical design, product data management, or broader digital transformation initiatives, Inventor and Vault 2027 offer meaningful enhancements that can improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and strengthen the value of your engineering data.

Watch the Recording

Want to see these new capabilities in action? Watch the full recording of our From Design to Data Intelligence: What’s New in Inventor and Vault 2027 presentation to see demonstrations of the latest features, workflows, and best practices.

One thing is always certain in projects: Changes. In AutoCAD® Plant 3D, changes are normally easy, even with existing entities. The exception to this lies with Tags. Tags are unique within the software, and changing Tags on existing entities can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, Autodesk has provided a free tool called The Tag Rebuilder to address this issue.

A prime example for the use of this tool and the one we will use in this article is the result of making changes to Pipe Line Numbers to an existing project, as described in another Hagerman article entitled AutoCAD Plant 3D/P&ID: Pipe Line Numbers. In that article, the Pipe Line Numbers are redefined in the project so that they use the same format in the P&ID’s, Models, Orthos and Isometric drawings. However, if those changes are made in a project that already has existing drawings, there are additional steps that need to be taken in order to rebuild the tags within the project, and that is where The Tag Rebuilder comes into play, working in conjunction with the Data Manager.

I have already made all the changes to the Pipe Line Numbers per the aforementioned article to an existing out-of-the-box project that contains two P&ID’s and two Piping Models. Now I want to update my drawings so that they will have the correct format. Each existing Plant 3D Project will need to be updated in this same manner. However, there is no guarantee that this will work in every scenario since I cannot test every project created that has been customized. Results may vary based on the complexity of the customization as well as the amount of data that has been applied. For instance, if I were to perform these steps on the Sample Project that comes with Plant 3D, I would get mixed results because not all the Services have been defined in the Model, and when validating the Sample Project, there are a lot of errors with Services and Line Numbers between the P&ID’s and the Model. In the event these steps do not work, the only solution is to manually fix the Line Number Tags one at a time.

Downloading the Tag Builder

Autodesk provides a great tool for updating the Plant 3D Tags, and it is supposed to work on both the Plant 3D side as well as the P&ID side. I have found that it works every time on the Plant side, and so far, it is the only method I have found that will work on the Plant 3D side. However, I have yet to have a successful result on the P&ID side in any version or any project that I have personally tried to use it on. Fortunately, I have found another method on the P&ID side that works.

Here is a link to the Autodesk Technical Support instructions and download. Once you have downloaded it, I will walk you through the instructions with screenshots for the Plant 3D update. Here is the link to the document: https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-update-the-tags-after-changing-the-tag-format.html

Updating the Plant3D Line Number Tags

For the Plant Side, I will walk you through the aforementioned document from Autodesk. After you click on the link above, download the Zip file PnPTagRebuilder 2017-2027.zip to your hard drive. It should be in your Downloads folder, but I suggest moving it to a location where you can find it more easily. For me, that is my S Drive on my network. The file name will most likely change in future versions, but so far that has been just changing to the latest version (ie: PnPTagRebuilder 2017-2024.zip to PnPTagRebuilder 2017-2027.zip).

Right-click on the zip file and select Extract All.

I want mine to have a shorter path, so I changed the location to the root of my S Drive and then selected Extract.

Once extracted, you will see several different versions. You must use the correct version in Plant 3D.

On the Source Files tab of the Project Manager, Open any Plant 3D Drawing. You must be in a Plant 3D Model with Piping to proceed.

First is an image showing the out-of-the-box Data Manager Pipe Run Component Line Number Tags.

At the Command Prompt, enter NETLOAD.

In the Choose .NET Assembly dialog box, locate the correct version of the PnPTagRebuilder.dll that you extracted above and open it. In my case, I am working in AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024, so I need the 2024 version of the routine.

In the Utility Warning dialog box, select OK.

At the command prompt, enter UpdateP3dTagValues.

You can do them all if you like by entering 0, but the more you do and the larger the project, the longer it will take. All you need for the sake of this article is Option 4 for Line Number.

Enter 4 for the Tag Format to rebuild and press ENTER. Once it has been completed, you will receive a message of how many tags were processed, letting you know it was successful.

You may need to select the Refresh button in the Data Manager, but you can see the results in the Data Manager under Pipe Run Component. This image shows a variety of components that have been updated on multiple drawings.

The Plant 3D Drawings should be updated and ready to go. Save and Exit your drawings and move on to the P&ID’s.

Updating the P&ID Line Number Tags

On the Source Files tab of the Project Manager, Open any P&ID Drawing. You must be in a P&ID Drawing to proceed.

First is an image showing the out-of-the-box Data Manager Pipe Line Group Tags.

As stated earlier, I have never gotten successful results from the Autodesk PnPTagRebuilder.dll with the P&ID’s. However, I still suggest you give it a go before moving on with the instructions below. Who knows? You may get different results than I have, or maybe the routine will be improved at some point and actually work on the Line Number Tags. It does appear to work on everything else. The only difference in the above instructions is the command for P&ID’s is UpdatePIDTagValues, and the option for Line Numbers is 5. If you try this and do not receive a message regarding the number of tags processed, then move on to the steps below.

In the Data Manager, set it to P&ID Project Data and select Pipe Line Group, and then select the Export Button.

In the Export Data dialog box, set it to Active node only. Enter the file name and location that you would like to save the Excel file to, then select OK. I am taking the default into My Documents.

Using Windows File Explorer, locate the Excel file you just created, right-click on it and Copy, then right-click and Paste so that you have two copies of the file.

Since I am doing this exactly like this article, the Pipe Line Group Tag Format was set up with two Sub-Parts, which equals ?-?. Modify one line in the Tag column to ?-? and then use Copy and Paste to modify every line in the Tag column to ?-?. Then save and exit Excel.

Back in the Data Manager in Plant 3D, still set to P&ID Project Data and Pipe Line Group, select the Import Button.

In the Import From dialog box, select the Excel file that you modified. Now select Open.

In the Import Data dialog box, select OK.

In the Data Manager, the entire Tag column is highlighted in yellow. Select the Accept All button.

In the Plant 3D – Excel Import dialog box, Select Update.

Once Successful, select Close.

Note that the Tag has been changed as well as the Line Number and Service. If the Tag does not equal ?-? then something went wrong, and you will need to Import the Excel file again. Some versions require that you open every P&ID drawing in the Project for this to work, but it will not work if the Tag is not ?-?.

Now follow the same procedure to Import the Excel file that you Copied – but Do Not Jump ahead without reading the next steps.

This time in the Data Manager, Select every entry in the Tag column and Reject just the Tag column. You can use your Shift key to select them all from top to bottom.

Now with Line Number and Service still highlighted in Yellow, but not Tag, Select Accept All. Then, in the Plant 3D – Excel Import dialog box,  select Update followed by Close once it is successful.

The P&ID Pipe Line Group Tags have now been updated to the new format in the entire project.

The P&ID’s are now updated.

Next Steps:

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Whether you're an architect, engineer, or BIM manager, working with Revit® cloud models on Autodesk Forma® Cloud (formally ACC) offers tremendous advantages — real-time collaboration, centralized data, and streamlined project delivery. But cloud-based worksharing also introduces new ways for things to go wrong. Even experienced Revit users can fall into habits that cause slow performance, synchronization failures, and worst of all, model corruption.

At Hagerman & Company, we work with AEC teams every day and see the same pitfalls come up time and again. Here's a rundown of the most common Revit cloud model mistakes — and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Opening Cloud Models the Wrong Way

The Mistake: Clicking File > Open to open an AFC workshared model — just like you'd open a local file.

Why It's a Problem: When you open a cloud model using the standard Open button, you bypass the proper AFC workflow entirely. This can lead to synchronization errors, detached local copies, and coordination breakdowns across your team.

The Fix: Always open AFC workshared models from the Home screen by selecting Autodesk Projects. This is the only supported method for cloud worksharing and ensures your local copy stays properly connected to the cloud central model.

💡 Pro Tip: Another recommendation if you have been in the model for a few days, refresh the model before opening it. Make this a standard part of your team's onboarding checklist, so no one defaults to old habits.

2. Not Syncing Frequently Enough

The Mistake: Going hours — or entire days — without synchronizing with the central model.

Why It's a Problem: Infrequent syncing means your local copy drifts further from the rest of the team's work. When you finally do sync, you're more likely to encounter conflicts, errors, or lost work. It also means other team members can't see your progress.

The Fix: Sync with Central regularly — at a minimum, every few hours, and always before stepping away from your workstation. Before leaving for lunch or ending your day, sync and relinquish your worksets so teammates can access those elements.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the Worksharing Monitor to keep an eye on who's syncing and how often.

3. Ignoring Workset Management

The Mistake: Leaving worksets disorganized, borrowing elements without purpose, or failing to relinquish worksets when done.

Why It's a Problem: Poor workset management creates bottlenecks. If team members hold onto worksets they're no longer actively editing, others are locked out. This kills productivity and creates unnecessary friction in collaborative workflows. Also, opening all worksets all the time can affect performance.

The Fix:

• Organize worksets logically at the start of the project (by discipline, floor, or system — whatever fits your workflow).
• Relinquish all worksets and elements when taking a break or ending your session.
• Avoid opening worksets that aren't needed for your current task.
• Open workset in views as needed.

4. Using Detached Mode for Collaboration Tasks

The Mistake: Opening the model in Detach from Central mode when you actually need to be working in the live cloud model.

Why It's a Problem: Detached mode prevents synchronization entirely. Any work done in this mode exists in isolation and cannot be pushed back to the cloud central model. It's appropriate for archiving or troubleshooting — not active collaboration.

The Fix: Reserve Detach mode for specific scenarios like model auditing, creating backups, or investigating issues. For all active project work, always open directly from Autodesk Projects on the Home screen.

5. Working Across Different Revit Versions

The Mistake: Some team members upgrade to a new Revit version mid-project while others remain on the previous version.

Why It's a Problem: Revit is not backward compatible. If even one person upgrades the cloud model to a newer version, everyone else must follow — or be locked out. This can cause serious disruption for ongoing projects with multiple collaborators.

The Fix: Establish a clear version policy before the project begins. All team members and external collaborators must use the same Revit version. Plan version upgrades carefully, ensuring all active project work is complete before making the switch. Use the AFC Home screen to confirm version alignment across your team.

6. Neglecting Model Health — Warnings, Bloat, and Corruption

The Mistake: Ignoring Revit warnings, stuffing the model with high-detail families, or failing to regularly purge and audit.

Why It's a Problem: A bloated, warning-riddled model slows everything down — opening, syncing, navigating. As errors accumulate, Revit becomes increasingly unstable and may eventually be unable to recover. According to Autodesk's own guidance, corruption can be introduced during editing sessions and silently compound with every save.

The Fix:

• Audit the model periodically — at least once a week, or more often on fast-moving projects. The Audit function clears problematic data and serves as an early warning system.
• Purge unused families and elements to keep file sizes manageable.
• Use Level of Development (LOD) standards so families are only as detailed as the current project phase requires.
• Review and resolve Revit warnings regularly rather than letting them stack up.
• Ensure at least 5 GB of free hard disk space is available on local machines — Revit needs room to write temporary files during sync operations.

7. Linking Models Incorrectly

The Mistake: Linking reference models through incorrect methods, or not understanding how AFC handles linked files.

Why It's a Problem: Linked models behave differently in a cloud worksharing environment than in a traditional file-based setup. Using the wrong linking method can result in broken links, coordination failures, or models that teammates can't resolve.

The Fix: Understand the specific linking workflows that AFC supports. When linking a Revit model hosted in AFC, use the proper AFC path rather than a local or network path. Assign linked models to dedicated worksets for easier management and troubleshooting. If a linked file causes issues, isolate it by closing its workset and reloading links one at a time.

8. Publishing Too Many Sheets at Once

The Mistake: Attempting to publish a large number of sheets simultaneously when printing or exporting from a cloud model.

Why It's a Problem: Publishing an excessive number of sheets in a single operation can significantly slow the process and cause errors — sometimes requiring you to start over entirely.

The Fix: Batch your sheet publishing into smaller, manageable sets. Prioritize and publish only what's actively needed, rather than bulk-exporting the full sheet set in one go.

9. Skipping Regular Revit Updates

The Mistake: Running an outdated version of Revit without the latest updates and fixes applied.

Why It's a Problem: Autodesk regularly releases updates that address known corruption triggers and stability issues. Skipping these updates means you're working with known vulnerabilities that Autodesk has already fixed.

The Fix: Keep Revit up to date by installing the latest available updates for your version. Check Autodesk Access for a list of the current updates recommended for your software, security, and licensing. This is one of the simplest steps you can take to protect model integrity.

10. Skipping Team Training on Cloud Workflows

The Mistake: Assuming that because team members know Revit, they automatically know how to work in a cloud worksharing environment.

Why It's a Problem: Cloud worksharing introduces workflows, tools, and behaviors that are distinctly different from traditional local or network-based models. Without proper training, even skilled Revit users will make the mistakes listed above — often repeatedly.

The Fix: Invest in targeted training for your team on AFC and Revit cloud workflows. Understanding why the rules matter — not just what they are — is what makes the difference between a team that struggles and one that collaborates efficiently.

At Hagerman & Company, we offer Revit and Autodesk Construction Cloud training designed for real-world AEC workflows. Our Solutions Engineers work alongside your team to implement best practices, troubleshoot issues, and help you get the most from your Autodesk investment.

Final Thoughts

Cloud-based Revit workflows are powerful, but they reward teams that are disciplined and well-trained. Most of the mistakes above aren't the result of carelessness — they're the result of habit, assumptions carried over from older workflows, and a lack of formal guidance.

The good news? Every one of them is preventable.

If your team is struggling with performance issues, sync errors, or model corruption in your cloud Revit projects, Hagerman & Company is here to help. From custom training and project model support to BIM Workflow Process Assessments, we help AEC firms build better habits and better outcomes.

Contact Hagerman & Company to learn how we can support your Revit cloud workflows.