Turn legacy PDF and CAD P&IDs into connected engineering data
Most legacy P&IDs were created for humans to read, not for software to reason over. Novek reconstructs the engineering knowledge locked inside static drawings into an explicit, source-traceable engineering graph.
Start from existing PDF, scanned/image-based or CAD P&IDs. Novek reconstructs the engineering information represented in the drawing rather than requiring an existing intelligent engineering model.
Why static engineering drawings resist automation
A static P&ID is rich with visual meaning to a human engineer, but completely opaque to software. Downstream systems—such as SmartPlant P&ID, digital twin engines, HAZOP software, and AI agents—require explicit objects, typed properties, and directional relationships.
Visual Lines vs. Process Networks
Dumb CAD and raster drawings represent pipes as disjointed 2D vectors. Software needs to know source nozzles, destination equipment, inline components, and flow direction.
Flat Text vs. Typed Engineering Classes
Generic OCR extracts strings of letters and numbers without knowing if XV-101 is an emergency shutdown valve, which line it isolates, or which SIS interlock controls it.
Cross-Sheet Disconnections
Process streams span dozens of drawings. Off-page connectors (OPCs) must be resolved to understand multi-sheet unit topology.
What Novek reconstructs from static P&IDs
Every component, connection, attribute, and operational relationship is extracted and unified into an intelligent data model.
Equipment & Vessels
Extracts equipment tags, types, nozzle schedules, design parameters, and associated design conditions.
Piping & Process Lines
Reconstructs line numbers, pipe sizes, specs, insulation, heat tracing, and flow direction arrows.
Inline Valves & Actuators
Identifies manual, control, safety relief, check, and ESD valves with actuator types and fail positions.
Instruments & Control Loops
Classifies transmitters, indicators, DCS/PLC interlocks, controllers, and signal line topologies.
Tags & Symbology
Extracts ISA 5.1 and client-specific tags, matching symbols against project legend sheets.
Design Properties
Captures operating pressures, design temperatures, materials of construction, and service descriptions.
Ports & Connections
Maps flanged, threaded, welded, and socket connections with exact nozzle and component port matching.
Process Topology
Builds a complete directional graph of upstream and downstream process flow across the plant unit.
Off-Page Connectors
Resolves cross-drawing continuation lines and OPC references to stitch multi-sheet packages.
What the connected engineering data can power
Build once. Export to any downstream engineering platform or AI context pipeline.
Intelligent P&ID Migration
Direct imports into Hexagon SmartPlant P&ID, AVEVA, AutoCAD Plant 3D, and DEXPI-oriented authoring tools.
Digital Twins & Asset Systems
Structured engineering topology feeding operational digital twins, asset hierarchies, and enterprise EAM/CMMS databases.
AI Engineering Agents
Deterministic topology graphs allowing industrial AI agents to query connectivity, isolation points, and signal loops without hallucinating.
HAZOP & Safety Studies
Instant isolation path analysis, interlock verification, and safety loop validation directly from structured topology.
Master Line Lists & Tag Registers
Automated extraction of verified piping line schedules, instrument indices, and MTO registers linked to source drawings.
DEXPI XML Interoperability
Vendor-neutral ISO 15926 / DEXPI data exchange models preventing vendor lock-in for owner-operators.
Complete source traceability for engineering sign-off
Engineering teams cannot deploy black-box data. Every single object, property, and connection generated by Novek retains a direct chain of custody back to the original source drawing.
For PDF or image-based drawings, source references resolve directly to the relevant sheet number and pixel coordinates. Click any field to inspect the source crop.
Legacy P&ID Digitisation FAQs
What types of legacy P&ID drawings can Novek process?
Novek processes vector and scanned PDF drawings, TIFF/PNG raster scans, exported CAD drawings (DWG/DXF/DGN conversions), and multi-sheet drawing packages accumulated over decades. The source does not need to already exist as an intelligent CAD model.
How does Novek reconstruct connectivity from static drawings?
Novek combines computer vision with domain-specific engineering rules to recognize equipment, nozzle connections, piping runs, inline valves, flow direction arrows, and instrument signal lines. It stitches these elements into a unified topological graph rather than just performing flat OCR.
How is source traceability maintained for audited drawings?
Every generated node, tag, attribute, and connection retains a persistent link back to its exact bounding box coordinates and page number on the original drawing sheet. Engineers can click any extracted property to view and verify the original source crop.
What downstream formats can the digitized data be exported to?
Novek exports structured data in DEXPI-aligned XML (ISO 15926), SmartPlant P&ID compatible tables, line lists, master tag registers, instrument indices, CSV/Excel spreadsheets, and directly via GraphQL or REST APIs for digital twins and AI agents.
Does Novek require client-specific legend training?
Novek includes out-of-the-box support for major industry symbology standards (ISA 5.1, ISO 10628, DIN, PIP) and automatically ingests client-specific project legend sheets to recognize custom symbols, line styles, and tagging conventions.
Have legacy PDF or CAD P&IDs you need to make usable by software?
Bring a sample drawing package. We will demonstrate how Novek reconstructs your legacy P&IDs into structured, source-traceable engineering models.