Civil Immersion

Importing a Point Cloud from ReCap Photo into InfraWorks

When using ReCap Photo to process drone imagery, you have the option of creating a 3D point cloud.  This point cloud can serve many purposes!  When added to an InfraWorks model for example, the cloud can be used to improve the accuracy of the existing ground surface.

In this week’s installment, we’ll look at how to import a point cloud from ReCap Photo into InfraWorks.  We will then use the “Point Cloud Terrain” feature to extract a bare earth surface that will provide additional detail and accuracy to a site model.   If you are interested, I've created a quick video that walks through a possible workflow...

NOTE: Point clouds created from imagery will produce surface elevations matching a site’s vegetation: grass, brush, crops, etc.  (Basically, the surface represents what the camera “sees”.)  Point clouds created from Lidar however, will provide the most accurate bare earth extraction as the laser used to collect the data is capable of penetrating vegetation.

-Jeff

 

Importing High Resolution Aerial Imagery from ReCap Photo into InfraWorks

Using today’s drone technology, it’s easier than ever to obtain current, high quality aerial imagery for most any project site.  The ease in which these images are created also means they can be “swapped out” frequently (even daily) as site conditions change! 

In our last session we looked at how ReCap Photo can be used to convert a collection of drone images into a high resolution orthographic aerial image.  In this week’s installment, we’ll look at how that orthographic image can be incorporated into an InfraWorks model.  If you are interested, I’ve created a video below that walks through the workflow...

-Jeff

Note: If you would like to review the ReCap Photo workflow used to create the image used in this example, please follow the link below…
https://youtu.be/W560LxggqeM

Updating an InfraWorks Visualization when an Attached Civil 3D Corridor Design Changes

Using InfraWorks to visualize a Civil 3D corridor design requires some initial prep work to attach and stylize the necessary design files.  That being said, the time spent to configure a connection is only required when a model is first imported.  Once a connection is made, any future design changes can be visualized within InfraWorks almost instantly!  To trigger an update, simply “refresh” the affected connections.

In this week’s installment, we’ll make some modifications to a connected Civil 3D corridor design and then explore how to synchronize those changes back to InfraWorks.  If you are interested, I’ve created a screen recording that walks through the process…

-Jeff

Moving Roadway Striping from Civil 3D to InfraWorks

In last week’s installment we learned how to import Civil 3D corridor models into InfraWorks.  Once inserted, corridors are converted into a series of coverage areas, each having assigned materials such as grass, concrete, asphalt, etc.  After seeing this workflow, you may wonder if it’s also possible to import Civil 3D geometry representing roadway striping.  The short answer is “Yes!” 

In this week’s installment we’ll explore an export/import workflow to convert Civil 3D linear features into InfraWorks coverage areas.  Even though coverages are typically associated with closed shapes, by simply changing one setting, they can also be a great tool for displaying and visualizing linear geometry!

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

-Jeff

 

Tool for Tuesday: SelectionMode - InfraWorks

Have you ever created a new Proposal from the Master Proposal and then had to add more objects to the Master Proposal later? Happens to me all the time and it drives me crazy!

I say this because the new objects do not automatically show up in the Proposal created from Master. There is probably a good reason that they shouldn’t. Having said this, when I need them, I can only think of reasons why they should. 😊

Fortunately, there is a pretty easy way to copy (or move) objects between Proposals. It involves Copy and Paste along with one setting (selection mode) that is a bit hidden. When used together, we can select objects in one Proposal, copy/cut them to the clipboard and then paste them into a different Proposal.

Click on the video below to see it in action!

 

-Jerry

 

Visualizing Corridor Models by Assigning Render Materials to a Civil 3D Code Set Style

The geometry of a Civil 3D corridor model is defined using coded points, links and shapes. The display of these entities is controlled using a code set style that matches code names to the appropriate Civil 3D styles.  In this week's installment, we’ll take a closer look at the links that make up a corridor model.  Links serve as the cross-sectional geometry of a proposed design and are typically used to define surfaces and hatch areas.  By making a couple edits to the code set style, links can also be used to assign render materials!

The assignment of these materials represents the "trick" to visualizing a Civil 3D corridor model within InfraWorks!  If you are interested, I’ve created a quick video below that walks through the workflow…

-Jeff

 

Tool for Tuesday: CTRL+D

Today’s installment is a tool that helps us duplicate objects within an InfraWorks model.

For example, you have a model that contains some trees and an empty space where you would like to add some trees.  Rather than creating new trees from scratch, you can select several of your existing tree objects and use CTRL+D to duplicate them.

A lot like CTRL+C & CTRL+V (copy & paste) rolled into a single operation.  :)

Unlike Copy & Paste though, you can see the duplicated objects as you place them.

Click on the video below to see it in action.

 

-Jerry

Repairing an InfraWorks Model by Deleting the TileCache

Sometimes a combination of workflows, software, and hardware can result in a corrupt file.  When an InfraWorks model gets corrupted, it may become unresponsive, or prevent you from making typical modifications.  If the corruption isn’t too severe, you may be able to repair the model by deleting the contents of the TileCache folder.

The TileCache holds the “processing information” for all data sources attached to the model.  It’s used to make InfraWorks operate faster when switching between views or proposals.  If the TileCache gets out of synch with a model, the model may start acting irrationally.  In today’s installment, we’ll look at a workflow that forces InfraWorks to rebuild the TileCache and hopefully repair a corrupt model.

If you are interested, I’ve created a screen recording below that walks through the process…

Please note that this technique isn't able to solve all InfraWorks model problems!  For more information on repairing and recovering InfraWorks models, please check out the following link…  https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/infraworks/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-recover-an-Infraworks-Project.html

-Jeff

Organizing and Reviewing InfraWorks Model Data using Subsets

When attaching data to an InfraWorks model, the content is sorted into feature classes.  If data sources leverage similar object types, (utilities for example) they will be consolidated into a single class.  Once consolidated, you may wonder if it’s possible to identify (or theme) specific content within an overall class.  In today’s session we’ll explore the concept of a “Subset”. 

Subsets allow us to organize feature class data into logical groups that can easily be selected, themed, or exported.  They are created by clicking the funnel icons found on the Model Explorer panel.  The members of a subset are then chosen using an expression.  In many ways, subsets represent a feature class within a feature class.

If you are interested, I’ve created a quick video below that demonstrates some ways that subsets can be applied...

-Jeff

 

Finish Strong Friday: Virtual Reality (VR) Creation Using the AEC Collection - VR Level 2

My Autodesk marketing colleague, John Sayre, just posted the next installment (VR Level 2) of his series on VR creation using the AEC Collection.  Things get a little more advanced in this playlist as John takes a land development project to VR and even begins adding some object animation within the experience.  The overall flow of data is pretty much the same as his previous playlist John Sayre - VR Level 1 with the exception of the initial drone capture/processing step using Autodesk ReCap.  The package created with these techniques can be experienced by several popular VR gear products, including the HTC VIVE and the Oculus Rift.  One thing to note:  If these "gear" options (Level 1 and 2) are a little more than you need and you'd like to take a look at the workflow for "Level 0", please refer to Jeff's blog post that walks through this at Jeff Bartels - Level 0 VR.

Here is John's playlist for the Level 2 VR workflow using a land development project:

-Alan