Civil Immersion

Tool for Tuesday: “Group”

For those things that “just go together” like chicken and waffles. :)  

Often times when working on our models, we have several objects or pieces of geometry that just go together.  For example, we might have a cluster of trees, building footprint with annotation or Civil points within a particular area.

In each instance, there are a number of individual objects that logically could be looked at as a group.  In other words, I would rather move the cluster of trees rather than each one individually.  Or, I would like to adjust the location of the building as well as any MText I placed inside of it.

Because I do not want to have to remember to select every associated object/geometry for every operation I would like to apply to them, I need to find a quick and easy way to group them together.  This way, I get everything I need with a single click.

Traditionally, there are many ways to accomplish this from creating Blocks, organizing things on different Layers, Isolating objects…. But each one has pros and cons that could create new issues to worry about.

Fortunately for us, the AutoCAD folks have provided a quick and easy tool to help.  It is called GROUP and it is another example of a tool that “says what it does” and “does what is says”.  It also has some associated commands that make it even more powerful.  (GROUPEDIT, GROUPDISPLAYMODE, CLASSICGROUP…) 

Using GROUP we can better organize the geometry within our models and improve our efficiency when selecting objects.

Check out the video below to see how it works. 

-Jerry

Taking Advantage of Pasted Surfaces in Civil 3D

One of the more powerful Civil 3D surface modeling tools is the ability to paste surfaces. Using the paste feature, multiple surfaces can be consolidated into a single "composite" surface that retains a dynamic link back to the pasted originals.

There are many times when pasted surfaces come in handy. They can be used to generate a single set of contours from multiple surface models. Pasted surfaces can also simplify earthwork calculations by consolidating several proposed surfaces into an “overall surface”. Likewise, pasted surfaces are perfect for creating corridor daylight targets that span multiple surfaces. When it comes to this feature, you are only limited by your creativity. :)

If you are interested, I’ve created a quick recording that leverages pasted surfaces to label profile elevations spanning multiple surface models.

-Jeff

Tool for Tuesday: “Link Template”

Today’s tool is all about making connections.  In other words, when working on our project model, information may exist external to our .DWG that could provide value.  Gaining access to that information can give us better visibility into our project and help us make better design decisions.

Let me give you an example….

During the data collection process on a large site plan project (especially one that is heavily wooded) an Arborist might be retained by the project owner to record information about every tree on the site.  (i.e. Species, Condition, DBH, multi-stem, transplantable…)  To accomplish this, the Arborist visits each tree, applies a ribbon to the tree with a unique identifier number to the tree and documents (manually or electronically) the tree id and attributes.

When the arborist is complete, he/she provides the project owner a deliverable containing information about each tree.  Usually a Spreadsheet or Database format.

A survey crew (as part of their topographic collection) then collects the location of each tree and uses the Tree ID as the description of the point they collected.

When the survey crew is complete, they reduce their collected data and produce a topographic model showing the location of all of the collected trees.  Each tree is represented as a Civil 3D point and displays a Tree ID corresponding to the spreadsheet from the Arborist.

From there, an exhibit can be created by consolidating both pieces of information onto a single sheet.  (i.e.  Survey showing tree locations with ID annotation along with a corresponding Table of data from the Arborist)

I know what you are thinking…  To accomplish this, wouldn’t have been easier to have collected all of the information at one time?  Short answer, Yes.  However, because all Surveyors are not skilled Arborists and all Arborists do not have the equipment necessary to adequately capture tree locations, it is not unusual for the Project owner to rely on both.

So is that the end of the story?  Are we left with tree locations in one format and tree information in another?  If I wanted to create an exhibit showing all of the transplantable trees of a particular species, do I have to figure this out manually by going back and forth between both data sources?

Absolutely not!  Within Civil 3D we can connect both worlds of data using a Link Template and a little creativity.  In doing so we can slice and dice the arborist’s data to create exhibits and provide greater visibility into our data in a just a handful of clicks.

Check out the video below to see how it works.

 

-Jerry

Leveraging AutoCAD's Materials Browser to Add Realism to 3D Models.

AutoCAD is a perfect tool to create custom 3D content for use in InfraWorks 360.  In addition to its mature 3D modeling toolset, AutoCAD provides a large library of photorealistic materials, giving you complete control over the “fit and finish” of DIY components.  If your composition requires very specific materials not found in the library, AutoCAD also makes it easy to create your own materials from scratch.

In today’s installment, we’ll wrap up the 3D table project by exploring workflows to apply materials to each of the components.  We will also look at how to create custom materials and predictably map them to individual faces.  Finally, we’ll insert the finished DIY table into an InfraWorks 360 model.

If you are interested, I’ve created a quick recording that walks through everything…

(Note: This recording represents "Part 3" of a three part series.)

-Jeff

Tool for Tuesday: “MapAnnText”

It’s all about the Annotation…

When we bring GIS data into Civil 3D (or Map 3D) using the MAPIMPORT command, the GIS Data is converted into AutoCAD entities. 

(i.e. Polylines representing parcels, soil boundaries… Points representing trees, drainage structures…) 

This is a great thing however most of this GIS data also includes attribute information. 

Sure we can toggle MAPIMPORT to bring in the attributes as Object Data however it becomes embedded in the object and not visible on a print or plot.

That is where today’s tool comes in!!  To overcome this challenge, we are going to look at how to create special Map Annotation that will read this otherwise invisible Object Data and automatically generate visible/plotable Annotation.  At the same time, if any of this Object Data is updated, it is possible to automatically update special Map Annotation such that it remains current.

Check out the video below to see how it works.

 

-Jerry

Finish Strong Friday: Drainage Basin Delineation with Autodesk Infraworks 360

Infraworks 360 has many nice features that aid in the preliminary/conceptual design process.  One of these handy features is the Watershed tool.  It allows us to quickly delineate a drainage basin; even when we have little or no data to start with.  The Model Builder command within Infraworks can pull a preliminary surface from a USGS data source and allow you to immediately start your basin work.  The bonus is that we can bring our new basin directly into Civil 3D for continued analysis.

Check out the video below to see the Watershed tool in action.

-Alan

Using AutoCAD to Model Custom Content for Use in InfraWorks 360 - Part 2

If your InfraWorks 360 model requires custom 3D objects, you may want to leverage AutoCAD as a way to get what you need.  AutoCAD’s large collection of 3D modeling tools and intuitive interface make it a great choice to produce most any DIY InfraWorks content.

In today’s installment, we’ll continue our work modeling a custom table assembly for use in InfraWorks 360. This time we’ll dive deeper into AutoCAD’s solid modeling tools to create a 3D umbrella.

If you are interested, I’ve created a quick recording below that walks through the workflow.

Note: This recording represents "Part 2" of a 3 part series.

-Jeff

Tool for Tuesday: “Map Location Query”

In today’s tool, we look at how to perform a Location Query. 

Why is this important, let me give you an example…

When laying out proposed geometry within an existing wooded site, it is important to be able to quickly determine how many trees will be impacted as a result of the improvements.  In other words, existing trees within 50’ of either side of the road centerline could be negatively impacted during road construction and restoration.  (Especially if there is significant earthwork cuts or fills)

Some of these trees may be desirable, less than desirable or even considered Legacy trees which we can’t touch at all.  Knowing this, it is critical to know exactly which trees are being impacted such that that information can be factored into the design as soon as possible.

Thinking about how to accomplish this rapidly uncovers some significant challenges.  How do we create a 50’ buffer around an entire road network?  Is that even possible?  Once we have a representative buffer, how do we use it to isolate things like trees?  And once they are isolated, how do we generate a list?

At first, it sounds like something that will take us the better part of the afternoon to accomplish.  But as we look deeper into the Geospatial (Map 3D) tools embedded within Civil 3D we find we can complete the task in only a couple of mins.

Check out the video below to see how it works.

 

-Jerry

Using AutoCAD to Build a Custom Table for Use in InfraWorks 360

At times, the InfraWorks 360 models you build may require content that is so specific that you have difficulty finding exactly what you need searching the InfraWorks library or online.  (Examples might include commercial or street signage, lightpoles, concrete structures, outdoor furniture, etc.)  

So when this happens, what can you do?  Well, if you have access to AutoCAD, you can actually build these objects yourself.  In fact, AutoCAD has such a large collection of 3D modeling tools that you can probably create just about anything you may need.  In today’s post, we’ll explore a workflow that leverages AutoCAD to model a custom table for use in an InfraWorks 360 site plan.

If you are interested, I’ve provided a link to “Part 1” of the overall screen recording below…

-Jeff

Tool for Tuesday: “Map Import Properties”

Because sometimes the “Old Dog” doesn’t need to know a the New Trick!

In today’s installment, I am resurrecting a technique I began using more than a decade ago.  In short, within Civil 3D, we can convert .SHP file data containing attributes into AutoCAD Blocks with attributes in a single step.

Since the advent of FDO functionality within Civil 3D and Map 3D, most folks have relied on it entirely when working with Geospatial data.  It’s faster. It allows you to directly connect to the data itself.  It supports more file types….  FDO is just better.

Having said this, there are still times where doing things the “Old” way is desirable. 

(When I say “Old”, I mean using the MAPIMPORT command to convert geospatial information into .DWG objects.) 

For example, I have a .SHP file that contains Street Sign locations and attributes about each sign.  This includes, type, condition, notes, height… and more.  What I need is a .DWG that shows the signs as AutoCAD Blocks. 

Oh, did I mention that I also want the .SHP file attributes to automatically populate the AutoCAD Block attributes for each sign?  I need that too. :)   Think that FDO can help?  Unfortunately, FDO will be of no help to us here.

Sound impossible? (or at least really hard)  It’s not!  In fact, we can perform the operation in a single step.

Check out the video below to see how it works.

-Jerry