If you think about it, virtually every selected object in a Civil 3D model displays grips of one form or another. The more we know about how grips work, the more proficient we can be when modifying every aspect of a design. In today’s installment we’ll take a closer look at the concept of “grips”.
Grips have been a part of the AutoCAD platform since the early days. In their purest form, grips provide a quick way to modify geometry (and civil objects) “in-canvas”. In the 30 min. presentation, we’ll explore the many modification modes (and sub options) made possible using grips. We’ll also learn how to leverage multi-functional grips to access object specific tools right from the cursor. Finally, we’ll learn how to use grips in conjunction with the Dynamic Input mode to query (and edit) geometry and Civil objects using a “heads up” display.
If you’re interested, the video below will help you get started…
In 30 years, I have never worked on a civil project that did not require some interaction with GIS data. Whether it is referencing GIS data to get started, using GIS data to help make better design decisions or exporting as-built information to GIS at the end of a project, GIS is an essential part of civil projects.
Having said this, our ability to engage with GIS data hasn’t always been as easy as it should be. In some cases making a connection to the data could be challenging. In others, the GIS data required conversion to CAD geometry. In others, the performance may not have been what we expected. Or worse yet, what we thought was a “live link” was more dead than alive. 😊
At the end of the day, we all found ways to get our jobs done but always thought there really should be a better way.
The recent partnership between Autodesk and Esri is that better way!
New tools are being developed to create more seamless integrations between the worlds of BIM & GIS. One of these tools is the Autodesk Connector for ArcGIS. Using this tool, we can link solutions like InfraWorks and Civil 3D directly to ArcGIS online. Once linked, we can push and pull GIS data back and forth in ways that were never before possible.
Much has been accomplished as a result of the Autodesk & Esri partnership over the past couple of years. I am super excited to see how much more will be accomplished moving forward into the future.
The more information a Civil 3D model contains, the more value it provides at all stages of a project lifecycle. Typically, Civil 3D data may be thought of as the attribution associated with civil objects, or maybe user defined properties or property set data. Fortunately, Civil 3D can manage more than just attribution! Each entity in a Civil 3D model can reference virtually unlimited files and documentation. In today’s installment we’ll explore a concept called Reference Documents.
The Reference Documents feature can be found on the “Extended Data Tab” of the Properties Palette. Simply clicking the property allows you to link external files to most any selected object. Just imagine how valuable your Civil 3D models could be if they gave you direct access to the supporting documentation for every object in a design.
If you’re interested, I’ve created a quick video to help get you started...
When you think about it, practically every command requires some user input in the form of an Object Snap. Move from the END of this, Rotate around the INTERSECTION of this....
The problem is that typically, a handful of Object snaps become our "Go-tos". As a result, we attack most drafting and design challenges with only a subset of what is actually possible.
In today’s installment, we explore how to do more with Object snaps. This includes reviewing several very powerful (and underutilized) Object snaps, locating Object snaps in space, performing mathematical operations on Object snaps to compute other Object snaps, saving running Object snaps and more.
In fact, during this 30 min session, we’ll explore greater than 30 ways you can get even more out of Object snaps.
