The PV Elite Inventor plugin is a specialized utility developed by Hexagon (formerly Intergraph) designed to bridge the gap between pressure vessel analysis and 3D CAD modeling . Reviews from professionals often highlight its value for workflow efficiency, while noting specific technical limitations. Core Functionality & User Experience
Workflow Integration: The plugin allows users to import models directly from PV Elite into Autodesk Inventor . This eliminates the need for manual recreation of complex vessel geometry in CAD .
Data Preservation: It reads .pvtp and .pvdb files, bringing over analysis data like flange classes and material properties .
Drawing Automation: Its primary use case is the rapid generation of General Arrangement (GA) drawings and fabrication plans by leveraging Inventor’s superior 2D drafting and annotation tools . Key Professional Insights
Efficiency Gains: Users report that using the plugin to validate models and generate drawings can reduce design time by up to 85% compared to starting from scratch . pv elite inventor plugin
Compatibility Constraints: A common critique is the rigid version requirements. The plugin is often optimized for specific annual releases of both software (e.g., PV Elite 2017 with Inventor 2017) .
Import Challenges: Technical reviews on forums like the Autodesk Community mention occasional import errors ("something went wrong") that may require specific add-in manager settings to resolve .
Alternative Approaches: Some engineers prefer using the Static Equipment Generator (SEG) tool for a more streamlined production of 3D digital prototypes directly from PV Elite access databases . Pros and Cons Summary PV Elite Inventor Plugin - Forums, Autodesk
The PV Elite Inventor plugin is a free add-in that bridges the gap between pressure vessel analysis and 3D CAD modeling. It allows engineers to import models created in Hexagon PV Elite directly into Autodesk Inventor Professional to streamline the creation of fabrication drawings and solid models. Core Functionalities The PV Elite Inventor plugin is a specialized
Direct Data Transfer: Leverages vessel geometry and analysis data (like weight and dimensions) from PV Elite to generate accurate 3D solid models in Inventor.
Automated Drawing Generation: Once imported, users can easily create 2D General Arrangement (GA) drawings, projection views (top, side, bottom), and isometric views.
Bill of Materials (BOM): The plugin can automatically populate Inventor's BOM table with component counts and properties like flange classes directly from the analysis model.
Property Inspection: Engineers can toggle model layers and inspect the specific properties of individual components (e.g., nozzles, flanges) within the Inventor environment. Technical Requirements & Installation References (Example)
To use the plugin effectively, specific file types and software versions are required:
Required Files: The plugin primarily reads .pbdv (database) files. To include analysis results (like weight), the .pvu intermediate file—generated after running the analysis in PV Elite—must also be present.
Compression Settings: By default, newer PV Elite versions compress files into a .pv format. For the plugin to work, you may need to disable compression in the PV Elite configuration menu or use the file extraction utility.
Compatibility: While originally optimized for the 2017 versions of both PV Elite and Inventor Professional, it is generally available to all users current on Hexagon maintenance. However, users of Inventor 2025 have reported compatibility issues, with some official recommendations suggesting the use of Inventor 2023 for full plugin support. How to Access
The plugin is typically available as a free download for licensed users through the Hexagon Smart Support portal under the Freeware Tools and Utilities section. PV Elite Webinar: Autodesk Inventor Plugin
Manual data transfer is notorious for typos—a 2-inch nozzle diameter typed as 20 inches, or a 0.5-inch corrosion allowance as 0.05 inches. The plugin transfers data bit-for-bit, eliminating these costly mistakes.