AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Object Enabler will not stay installed

Issue: 

In the workflow where AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 models are viewed in Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2022, the Plant 3D Object Enabler (OE) 2022 needs to be installed so that Navisworks can correctly display the 3D pipes and equipment without reverting the display to wireframe objects.

After a new AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 deployment that includes either the available Plant 3D 2022.1.1 or 2022.1.2 Update, it was noticed that after the Plant 3D 2022 OE was installed the models in Navisworks still showed as wireframe objects.

Note: Any related .nwc file was deleted before opening the Plant 3D model in Navisworks, according to this article.

AutoCAD Plant 3D Master.dwg from the default Sample Project for Plant 3D 2022 when opened in Navisworks Manage 2022 without the Plant 3D 2022 Object Enabler.

The same Master.dwg when opened in Plant 3D 2022 shows the 3D models correctly.

The Autodesk_AutoCAD_PlantOE_en-US_2022_install.log located at %temp% shows that the OE has installed normally.

But the Programs and Features (that opens with Start > Run > appwiz.cpl) shows that the Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Object Enabler is not installed, after refreshing the listing of installed applications.

Causes:

The install log for the Plant 3D OE showed that the installation was completed, but the installer has apparently uninstalled the OE when either the Plant 3D 2022.1.1 Update or Plant 3D 2022.1.2 Update has been installed before the Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Object Enabler.

Solution:

When this occurs, Autodesk recommends these steps:

• Uninstall  AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022.
• Then install the Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Object Enabler.
• Then install the AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022.1.2 Update

This works fine for one workstation, or perhaps two. But for one or two dozen workstations this procedure is not practical.

Two workarounds for the above procedure have been proven to work.

• Workaround one.

Without uninstalling Plant 3D, stop the installer for the Plant 3D 2022 Object Enabler at 95% using the Task Manager...

...like this:

• Workaround two.

Download and install the French language P3D 2022 OE installer from here:

Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2022 Object Enabler

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/downloads/content/autodesk-autocad-plant-3d-2022-object-enabler.html

French (Français)

AutoCAD_Plant_3D_2022_Object_Enabler_French_Win_64bit_dlm.sfx.exe (exe - 103MB)

Note: Before opening Navisworks to test the French Object Enabler, rename or delete any existing .nwc file before the French P3D OE was installed.

Also, notice that the French P3D 2022 OE installation now appears in the listing of installed applications, whereas the English version did not appear.

Notice that the 3D models show as solids in Navisworks Manager 2022.

About the Author

Sr. Technical Support Specialist, Manufacturing<br><br>Bob Felton has been supporting Autodesk products for over 25 years including core AutoCAD, P&ID, Plant 3D, AutoCAD for Mac, AutoCAD Mechanical, and Vault. His background is in graphics with an Applied Sciences degree and ten years manufacturing experience drafting, as well as technical illustration, image editing, and even patent drafting.

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