For nearly ten years, Civil 3D has included tools to automate plan production. As an example, using ViewFrame objects, we can quickly create Plan and Profile sheets as well as Cross Section sheets.
Having said this, there are also times where creating sheets in a Grid style pattern is also important. For example, you have a large commercial project spanning numerous acres and you need to generate detailed grading sheets that cover the entire project. Currently, ViewFrame objects cannot easily be used to automatically generate a Tiled pattern of plan sheets.
Fortunately, we do not need to wait for ViewFrame objects to support a grid style approach to sheet construction because that functionality already exists in Civil 3D using a different tool. Ironically, this tool has been available since the first day Civil 3D was released. (2004 preview edition)
The tool is called MapBooks and can make short work of automatic plan production. It is also very intuitive and easy to use.
Check out the video below to see how it works.
-Jerry
Jerry this is an awesome tool. I looked in my templates and noticed there are several OOTB templates for MapBook. Did you use a OOTB one for this? I want to start showing this in my classes and presentations.
Posted by: Todd Rogers | 12/14/2016 at 05:48 AM