In the snippet above, if a valve has SKEY = VAFG (Flanged Gate Valve), it matches VAF* and pulls the ValveFlanged symbol. If it has SKEY = VAMW , it falls back to the generic VA?? map and pulls the default Valve symbol.
If you open this file using a text editor (like Notepad++) or an XML editor, you will see entries that map SKEY patterns to specific block names:
The mapping workflow follows a strict hierarchy. If this chain is broken, your isometric drawings will either fail to generate or display generic, incorrect symbols (often defaulting to a simple box or a generic instrument bubble). autocad plant 3d iso symbol skey
If a component is displaying incorrectly on your isometric sheet, the culprit is usually an incorrect SKEY in the 3D model. Checking SKEYs in the 3D Environment Click on the component in your 3D workspace. Open the ( CTRL + 1 ). Scroll down to the Piping section. Look for the Iso SKEY and Iso TYPE fields. Fixing SKEYs Permanently (Spec Editor)
Navigate to your project folder and open IsoSkeyMap.xml using a text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code. In the snippet above, if a valve has
Reopen IsoSymbols.dwg . Ensure the center of the block rests exactly at 0,0 and that the flow direction aligns with the horizontal axis. Issue: Changes Do Not Appear on the New Isometric Drawing Cause: Plant 3D heavily caches spec data.
Navigate to your project directory: Your Project Folder > Isometrics > [Your Iso Style, e.g., Final_ANSI] . Open the file named . Step 2: Edit or Create a Block If you open this file using a text
| SKEY | Component Type | Typical 2D Symbol | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Gate Valve | Diamonds | | BV | Ball Valve | Solid Circle | | CV | Check Valve (Swing) | Circle with a line or hinge | | GL | Globe Valve | Butterfly shape | | DV | Diaphragm Valve | Double line | | FL | Flange (WN/SO) | Two short vertical ticks | | EL | Elbow 90° | Quarter circle arc | | TR | Tee (Reducing/Equal) | T-shaped branch | | RC | Reducer (Concentric) | Converging lines | | RE | Reducer (Eccentric) | Eccentric converging lines | | SG | Strainer (Y-type) | Diagonal line with circle | | TG | Thermometer | Circle with T | | PG | Pressure Gauge | Circle with P |
Mastering SKEY mapping eliminates manual isometric cleanups and draft edits, allowing you to generate automated, fabrication-ready deliverables directly from your 3D models.
Draw your component using simple lines and arcs. Keep it clean and centered around the 0,0 coordinate point.
The importance of SKEYs extends beyond Plant 3D itself. When you export an isometric to a —an industry-standard format used by fabrication software like Spoolgen and analysis software like CAESAR II—the SKEY values are included for each component. Correct SKEY mapping ensures that the data is interpreted accurately throughout the entire fabrication workflow.