Steel connections in Plant 3D™

Introduction

Steel construction plays a central role in plant design. Especially in secondary steel construction, precise connections between profiles and beams are essential, which must be accurately represented not only statically but also in detail. Until now, however, users of Autodesk® Plant 3D^TM quickly encountered limitations: simple profiles and structures could be represented, but as soon as complex connections became necessary, a detour to Advance Steel^TM became unavoidable.

This will change fundamentally with the release of 25.1.1.1 of the new SuCri® Module 3 on October 15, 2025. For the first time, complex steel connections can be modeled directly in Plant 3D^TM – a feature previously unavailable from Autodesk® or third-party providers.

What was necessary so far

Previously, the workflow looked like this:

• Profiles, supports, and clamping systems were created in Plant 3D^TM.

• More complex connections were exported to Advance Steel^TM.

• In Advance Steel^TM, the assemblies were completed and drawings were derived.

• The model then had to be brought back into Plant 3D^TM as an XREF to keep the project up to date.

  
  

This was not only time-consuming but also error-prone. It also meant:

• additional license costs for Advance Steel^TM

• constant switching between different tools
  

• cumbersome data imports and exports
  
  

The new workflow with new SuCri^®Module 3

With new SuCri®Module 3, all of this is a thing of the past. The workflow is now possible entirely in Plant 3D^TM:

1. Creation of profiles, supports and clamping systems in Plant 3D^TM

2. Supplementation of the secondary components directly with Module 3

3. Production documentation via Module 4

This eliminates all detours via Advance Steel^TM. Plant 3D^TM becomes a fully-fledged platform for steel construction – without media disruption and without exports.

Which connections are possible?

The module integrates the Hilti-Extension as well as the Sikla-Extension:

• Hilti: I-, T-, X- and V-connections of profiles and beams

• Sikla: I-, T-, X- und V-connections and all connections that are possible with the corner connectors EV CC41-1 to EV CC41-5 to connect several profiles to a main profile

In concrete terms, this means:

• I-connections = end connection (EPD adapter, end caps)

• T-connections = connection to a main beam

• X-connections = cross connections

• V-connections = connection of two profiles

• Multiple connections (Sikla)
  
  

This means that for the first time, all common connection types for secondary steel construction are available in Plant 3D^TM .

Why this is revolutionary

With SuCri® Module 3 work in plant engineering changes fundamentally:

• No additional AAdvance-Steel^TM license required → cost savings and simpler IT structure

• No tool switching → everything stays in Plant 3D^TM, users no longer have to switch between programs.

• No data import or export → The entire process runs in a consistent database.
  

• Consistent workflow → From planning to drawing, everything remains in one system.
  

• Plant 3D^TM know-how is sufficient → No special knowledge in Advance Steel^TM is required, which reduces training and personnel costs.

  
  

Conclusion

SuCri® Module 3 is more than just an extension—it's a game-changer for all Plant 3D^TM users. By integrating Hilti and Sikla connections, both simple and complex designs can now be implemented directly in Plant 3D^TM.

This transforms Plant 3D^TM into a fully-fledged solution for steel and plant engineering. Users not only save time and money, but also gain efficiency, precision, and planning quality.

With SuCri® Module 3, a former limitation in Plant 3D^TM is finally removed—paving the way for a new generation of integrated plant design.

Link: Module 3 focus page

Link: SuCri product description