P&ID integration with 3D model and point cloud
The Importance of P&IDs in Industrial Plants
P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) are among the most critical technical documents in industry. They are used in the design, construction, and maintenance of industrial installations – refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial facilities.
These diagrams illustrate pipelines, valves, process equipment, and control and measurement systems. They act as a roadmap of the facility, allowing engineers and operators to understand the operation of the entire system. P&IDs are essential for planning upgrades, conducting maintenance, and ensuring safety.
P&IDs serve as a common language for engineers across disciplines. They enable designers, contractors, and maintenance teams to work from a single, consistent set of information.
The Problem: P&IDs Often Do Not Reflect Reality
In practice, P&ID documentation is rarely fully up-to-date. Changes in the installation – valve replacements, added pipeline sections, or modifications to control systems – are not always reflected in the diagrams.
Common causes include:
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limited time and resources,
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dispersed responsibility across teams,
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documentation maintained on paper or in inflexible PDF/CAD files.
As a result, there are significant discrepancies between the diagrams and the actual state of the facility, increasing the risk of errors, delays, and issues during audits and compliance checks – particularly in critical situations, when a component needs to be redesigned quickly due to a failure.
Solution: P&ID Integration in WebPano
The new P&ID integration feature in WebPano allows P&ID diagrams to be linked with spatial data – either a 3D model or a point cloud.
Additionally, P&IDs can be updated based on 3D scanner data, ensuring that the documentation always reflects the real state of the plant.
How It Works in Practice
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3D Laser Scanning – the installation is measured using laser scanning technology, creating a detailed point cloud.
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Data Import to WebPano – the data is uploaded to the online platform, where it can be viewed and analyzed.
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P&ID Updates – diagrams are recreated or corrected based on the point cloud.
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Integration – P&ID elements are linked to the corresponding parts of the 3D model or point cloud. Users can perform this linking themselves in WebPano or order it as a service from 3Deling, depending on their team’s needs and resources.
This allows a valve or pump symbol on the diagram to serve as a direct reference to the real object in the plant.
Integration also works when only a point cloud is available, which is significantly less expensive than a full 3D model, while scanning the facility in advance provides data for rapid design in emergency situations.
Why P&ID Integration with 3D Data in WebPano Is Better Than Traditional Methods
Traditional P&ID updates are done manually in CAD or PDF files. This process is time-consuming, prone to errors, and difficult to verify.
The WebPano approach combined with 3D scanning offers:
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Data Objectivity – the scan reflects the actual state of the installation.
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Centralized Online Access – all team members work from the same data.
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Information Integration – schematic documentation is directly linked to the 3D model or point cloud
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Change Transparency – every update is visible and easy to document.
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Remote Updates –thanks to 3D scan data and the WebPano platform, diagrams can be updated without physical presence on-site.
Business Benefits
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Safety – up-to-date P&IDs reduce the risk of accidents and operational errors.
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Reduced Downtime – planning upgrades and maintenance is easier with reliable data.
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Better Cost Management – accurate information supports CAPEX and OPEX planning.
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Audit and Compliance Support – documentation meets regulatory requirements.
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Clear Communication – designers, contractors, and operators work from a single, consistent dataset.
P&ID Integration in Practice
The benefits of P&ID integration in WebPano can be seen in the following video, which demonstrates both scenarios – using a 3D model first, followed by a point cloud only:
Moving Towards Digital Twins
P&ID integration in WebPano is a step toward building full digital twins of industrial installations. Up-to-date diagrams linked with spatial data provide a solid foundation for implementing monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process optimization.
Conclusion
P&ID integration in WebPano solves a key industry problem – outdated P&ID documentation. Linking P&IDs with 3D models and point clouds creates accurate, interactive, and easily accessible documentation.
This solution supports daily engineering work and business processes: from safety, through cost management, to regulatory compliance. Industrial facilities gain confidence that their documentation keeps pace with reality and supports informed decision-making.
