Civil Immersion

Calculating Topsoil Volumes in Civil 3D using Place Lined Material

It’s often necessary to compute the volumes of materials associated with corridor daylighting.  These materials may include things like topsoil, rip rap or seeded grass.  In today’s installment, we’ll look at a way to calculate material volumes like these using Civil 3D’s “Place Lined Material” option.

Place Lined Material represents a setting available on every daylight subassembly provided with Civil 3D.  Simply turning this feature on allows up to three slope dependent materials to be assigned to specified daylight links.  (Options include Fill Links Only, Daylight Links, and All Links.)

The next time you need to calculate topsoil (or other daylight related materials) associated with a corridor, try experimenting with the Place Lined Material option.  You may find that it provides an easy out-of-the-box way to apply and compute these material volumes. If you are interested, I’ve created a quick video below that will help get you started!

-Jeff

Tool for Tuesday: Creating Custom Linetypes in Civil 3D.

In today's installment we talk about creating some custom content.  Specifically, custom linetypes.  I'm sure we can all agree that Civil 3D contains a lot of default "stuff" we can work with.  I'm sure we would all also agree that there is ALWAYS a need to create more.  :) 

I remember having to create custom content to match a client's CAD standard, a city's CAD standard, an owner's directive and much more.  The ability to quickly create custom content is very important.  After the content is created, the ability to share it with others is even more important. 

Because of this, I put together a brief 20 min recording showing how this can be done specifically with linetypes.

Click on the video below to see it works!

-Jerry

Getting Started with Project Explorer for Civil 3D – Pt 2

In today’s installment we’ll take a deeper dive look at Autodesk’s new add-on for Civil 3D called Project Explorer.  (Project Explorer was made available as part of the 2021 AEC Collection.) 

We'll start by learning how to customize the appearance of design data using a feature called Layouts.   Layouts control both the arrangement of columns AND the formatting of the tabular data.  (They can also be saved, restored, and shared with other users.)  Next, we’ll explore ways to export civil data to a myriad of formats including external files (.html, .pdf, xlsx, .dwg, etc.) and dynamic AutoCAD tables.  We will also learn how to automate the creation of such deliverables using a feature called Object Sets.  Finally, we’ll take a tour of Project Explorer’s user preferences and customize the look and feel of the application to suit our needs. 

If you are interested, I’ve added a link to the recorded demonstration below…

If you are interested in reviewing “Part 1” of this presentation, it can be found here - https://youtu.be/MqnUslv8tT4

-Jeff

Getting Started with Project Explorer for Civil 3D - Part 1

In today’s installment we’ll take our first look at Autodesk’s new add-on for Civil 3D called Project Explorer.  Project Explorer represents a single, modeless dialog box that allows users to create, review, compare and report on content stored in a Civil 3D drawing.  Due to the amount of functionality Project Explorer offers, we are splitting this post into two parts!

In Part 1, we focus on Project Explorer basics:  Understanding the interface, Reviewing/Editing civil objects, as well as some keyboard shortcuts and best practices.  Many of the demonstrations are centered on workflows made easier using Project Explorer vs. traditional Civil 3D.  Everything you need to get started using the tool is included in this part.

In Part 2, (coming December 17^th) we’ll take a deeper dive look at the Project Explorer toolset and learn how to: Create/customize reports, Export content to vanilla AutoCAD, Automate repetitive tasks, and demonstrate additional shortcuts and best practices.

If you are interested, I’ve included a link to the Project Explorer Part 1 recording below…

Would you like to attend the Part 2 live session?
Click here to register!  We look forward to seeing you there!

-Jeff

Our Next 30 min. Workout Session is Thursday, Dec. 3rd!

At our next 30 min. Workout session we’ll be walking through a new add-on for Civil 3D called “Project Explorer”.  The Project Explorer represents a single, modeless dialog box where you can (among other things) view, edit and report on content stored within a civil model.  The Project Explorer is included with the 2021 AEC Collection.  That said, the installation media is also compatible with the 2020 version of Civil 3D.

This will be our first 30 min. Workout with a cliff-hanger ending!  The goal on December 3^rd is to demonstrate Project Explorer “basics” such that attendees can start using the tool immediately after the session.  We will then come back on Thursday December 17^th for a deeper dive exploration into what the Project Explorer has to offer!

If you are interested – CLICK HERE – to register.
We look forward to seeing you there!

-Jeff

“Civil 3D Test Drive” Recording!

Do you collaborate with firms that use Civil 3D to model roadway designs?  Have you wondered how Civil 3D workflows (surfaces, alignments, profiles, sections, etc.) might compare/contrast to the civil infrastructure software you currently use?  If you are interested, I’ve created a “Civil 3D Test Drive” recording that walks through the basics of using Civil 3D.

In less than two hours, I demonstrate a multitude of concepts including: Civil 3D interface, Surface creation & editing, Alignment creation & editing, Profile creation & editing, Offset Alignments & Profiles, Assemblies, Corridor modeling, Corridor targeting, Intersections, Superelevation, Cross Sections, Earthwork & Material calculations, and Automated sheet creation.

If you are interested in piloting Civil 3D on a future project, this recording will walk you through the basics of how the application works, how civil content is created, labeled, and stylized, and how the dynamic relationships between objects allow design modifications to update all affected objects, labels, calculations and sheets.

-Jeff

Using Civil 3D's Inquiry Tools to compute Who, What and Where

During today’s presentation, we explore Civil 3D's Inquiry Tools. 

Using these tools, we can quickly compute things like Elevation, Grade, Slope, Distance, Bearing and more directly from Civil 3D Objects.  These objects include Points, Surfaces, Profile Views, Profiles, Sections, Section Views and Corridors.  Why are these tools really helpful??  Many customers resort to creating labels or annotation to compute what these tools do automatically.

After being introduced (or re-introduced :)) to Civil 3D's Inquiry Tools, they could easily become part of your every day Civil 3D workflows.

Click on the video below to check them out.

- Jerry

Our Next 30 min. Workout Session is this Thursday! (Oct. 29th)

In this session we will be taking a look at Civil 3D's numerous "Inquiry Commands".  If you have not used them before, they can be very helpful in quickly determining things like Distance, Station, Elevation, Grade and so much more. 

In short, they are used to quickly interrogate Autodesk Civil 3D objects. You can then use the information extracted from the design model to aid in design, validation, and analysis.

The live session “30-Minute Workout - Using Civil 3D's inquiry tools to establish Who, What and Where” is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29th,  at 1:30 PM Eastern Time.  If you are interested in attending, please use the link below to register…

https://autodesk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ptocx9U-Rk6z61O9GtcPHQ

We look forward to seeing you there!

-Jerry

"Civil 3D: Tips, Tricks, and Unnatural Acts"

Autodesk University 2020 is rapidly approaching!  AU represents Autodesk’s premiere conference where attendees can learn from industry experts who solve real-world design challenges using Autodesk applications.  If you’ve ever attended an Autodesk University, I’m sure you’ll agree that you can learn things at AU that simply aren’t documented anyplace else!

Being a “physical” conference, AU attendance typically includes the cost of registration, travel, and expenses.  This year however, AU 2020 is being hosted virtually, and at NO CHARGE!  If you’ve ever had the desire to attend Autodesk University, this may be the opportunity of a lifetime.
CLICK HERE for more information about the conference, the classes and to register.

For those planning to attend, Jerry Bartels, Alan Gilbert and myself have recently put the finishing touches on an AU session called “Civil 3D: Tips, Tricks, and Unnatural Acts”.  The course consists of brand-new material designed to help you save time and make the most of your Civil 3D investment. If you have the opportunity, we would love to have you attend!

Autodesk University 2020 begins Tuesday Nov 17^th and runs through Friday Nov 20^th.
CLICK HERE for more information, and to register.

-Jeff

Unlocking the Power of Transparent Commands in Civil 3D!

Object Snaps are arguably the most important feature in the AutoCAD platform.  Their ability to “lock on” to precise coordinates represents the foundation on which all geometry is created, edited, and queried. 

Civil 3D also relies on Object Snaps to model civil infrastructure designs.  In addition, Civil 3D provides its own collection of engineering related snaps called Transparent Commands.  Using Transparent Commands, civil engineers can select from 20+ options including: Northing/Easting, Bearing/Distance, Station/Offset, Profile Station/Elevation, etc.  In today’s installment, we’ll explore Civil 3D’s collection of Transparent Commands as well as a few best practices for their application. 

The recording below walks through everything you'll need to get started using this powerful feature!

-Jeff