# Introduction

**3D SymbolDesigner** enables customers to create symbols graphically for plant design software such as Intergraph® SmartPlant® 3D, without requiring programming knowledge.<br/>
**3D SymbolDesigner** is designed to support customer symbol development activities, including an interactive graphical design environment and export to a range of data formats, for example Visual Basic projects and Excel bulk-load sheets for Intergraph SmartPlant 3D.<br/>
**3D SymbolDesigner** is based on an open, scalable architecture. Symbol data and symbol variants are stored in Excel files and can be edited with Microsoft® Office or external automation software.

## Symbol examples

Piping symbol in different variants with an operator symbol.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th><p>In SymbolDesigner:</p></th>
      <th><p>In SmartPlant 3D:</p></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image1.png" width="376" height="292"></td>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image2.png" width="378" height="293"></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Piping symbol with an additional operator symbol.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th><p>In SymbolDesigner:</p></th>
      <th><p>In SmartPlant 3D:</p></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image3.png" width="376" height="292"></td>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image4.png" width="377" height="294"></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th><p>Piping symbol in SymbolDesigner:</p></th>
      <th><p>Operator symbol in SymbolDesigner:</p></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image5.png" width="376" height="293"></td>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image6.png" width="376" height="293"></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

This symbol was exported by SymbolDesigner with the insulation aspect included:

<table>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image7.png" width="369" height="286"></td>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image8.png" width="369" height="286"></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th><p>Piping symbol in SymbolDesigner:</p></th>
      <th><p>Operator symbol in SymbolDesigner:</p></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image9.png" width="376" height="292"></td>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image10.png" width="376" height="292"></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th><p>These symbols in SmartPlant 3D:</p></th>
      <th></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image11.png" width="376" height="292"></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th><p>Flow direction arrows:</p></th>
      <th></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><img src="./media/2_image12.png" width="377" height="293"></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>