Civil Immersion

Accomplish more in a single command using Civil 3D’s Action Recorder

In today's installment, we look at another technique to help you avoid performing the same task multiple times. 

(Because our time is much better spent on things other than constantly reinventing the wheel. :) ) 

In the past we explored similar tools like writing scripts, creating macros, using simple LISP code, and more. 

Each technique has many Pros.  Unfortunately, they all have the same Con.  Each method requires the user to key in command information manually.

Wouldn't it be so much easier if these macros/automations could be created automatically by just recording us while we work?  The answer is definitely Yes, and fortunately for us, it is possible today using the Action Recorder.

Additionally, these recordings can be easily shared with other users by storing them in a central location where everyone has access.

Check out the video below to see it in action!

-Jerry

 

GIS data creation, manipulation, and analysis using Civil 3D

In this 30 min session we look at several ways we can import, analyze, edit and export GIS within Civil 3D.  This includes using GIS geometry / data as DWG objects as well as connecting to GIS files directly.  We even walk through a special form of DWG Attach such that drawing geometry can be queried and included in different files. 

The queried data can even be edited and automatically sent back to the original source DWG!

During the session, we walk through a practical example using a SHP file containing tree data.  Having said this, the same approach can be used with any GIS information.

Click on the link below to check it out.

- Jerry

Getting the most out of Civil 3D’s tool palettes

Tool palettes are one of the most powerful and versatile features in the Civil 3D / AutoCAD user interface.  Having said this, most folks only use tool palettes for simpler things like quick access to blocks, or inserting content preset to adhere to the company CAD standards. 

Tool palettes can be used for much much more.  This includes organizing commands into workflows, creating a training tool, launching lisp routines, hosting quick access to custom macros, providing an easy gateway to almost anything available in Civil 3D.

To make things even better, they can be created through simple drag and drop operations.  No extensive coding or CUI writing required!

Once defined, there are several ways to share tool palettes amongst users so no one has to "reinvent the wheel".

Click on the video below to check it out.

-Jerry
 

Next "30 Min Workout" is July 22nd!

Our next 30 min workout session is right around the corner.  Register here

In this installment we will walk through numerous ways to navigate your Civil 3D model. 

(Because there is way more that can be done besides just Pan and Zoom :) )

• July 22nd, 2021 - Taking Civil 3D model navigation to the next level 

Looking forward to seeing you there!!

-Jerry

 

Creating higher value geometry using the Map Cleanup tools in Civil 3D

During today’s presentation, we do a deep dive into the MapClean Tools within Civil 3D. 

Using MAPCLEAN, we can quickly analyze and correct geometric “issues”.  These include deleting duplicate objects, erasing short objects, extending undershoots, snapping clustered nodes and much much more.

We also explore several ways to select geometry, so we are sure we are working on exactly the entities we are interested in.  Along the way, we look at how the MAPCLEAN tools can address issues automatically as well as identify every issue allowing us the opportunity to address it or not.

If you have never seen/used MAPCLEAN before, you will learn how helpful each analysis option can be.  Additionally, learning to couple multiple analysis types together in a single operation can quickly make MAPCLEAN one of the most powerful tools in your tool belt.

Click on the video below to check it out.

-Jerry

The Autodesk Connector for ArcGIS

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.

Click on the video below to check it out.

 

-Jerry

AEC Collection – The Best Tool for the Job!

Recently, I had the opportunity to present a live demonstration focused on the advantages of using the AEC Collection for a civil site plan.  The goal of the session was to demonstrate how the many tools in the collection can work together to take a project from conceptual design through finished visualizations.  Fortunately, the session was recorded, giving us the opportunity to share it here!

If you have access to the AEC Collection and are using a small handful of tools, this presentation can help you take advantage of even more applications and increase the value of your investment.  If you are someone who leverages Civil 3D to accomplish most of your design work, this presentation will introduce you to many of the purpose-built, time-saving tools and workflows made possible using the AEC Collection. 

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

-Jeff

 

Finish Strong Friday: Utilizing Survey Monument GIS Data in Civil 3D

As many of you know, the Map 3D FDO tools for connecting to various GIS databases and file stores are very powerful and luckily-are included with Civil 3D.  Recently, I was talking with a customer about grabbing published survey monument data and bringing it into a Civil 3D project.  Based on this discussion, I thought this might be of interest to others who may not be completely familiar with the GIS tools available in Civil 3D/Map 3D; hence this post.

Check out the video below to see this in action.

-Alan

Tool for Tuesday: Custom Tooltips

Because we need the info!!

Today’s installment is about extending the usefulness of our rollover Tooltips.  Specifically, how to customize them so they show us exactly the information we are looking for.

For example, when hovering over a Block object, the Tooltip shows us the Color, Layer and Linetype currently assigned to the Block.  While these are helpful, showing the Block's name could also be very beneficial.

When hovering over a Viewport, the Tooltip shows us the Color, Layer and Linetype currently assigned to the Viewport.  Wouldn’t it be great if the Tooltip also reported the Viewport's Plot Scale and Lock status?

The great news is rollover Tooltips can be easily customized to show these kinds of information and more.  Additionally, they are not limited to only AutoCAD objects.  Any of our Civil 3D objects that support rollover Tooltips can be quickly customized to display additional or alternate information.

Click on the video below to see how to set it up!

-Jerry

Tool for Tuesday: VPSCALE

Today’s tool is all about the scale our model objects are displayed in our Layout Viewports.

While folks shouldn’t be scaling geometry from paper plots, as long as scales are still available, they will.  :)

Because of this, it is very important to ensure our models plot to scale.  This is typically done by establishing/setting a scale on each of our Layout Viewports.  Unfortunately, once the scale is set, it is not immediately obvious what the scale has been set to.  (would make for a great tooltip!!)

For the longest time, if I wanted to see what scale has been applied to my Layout Viewports, I would use the Properties Panel.  Until a couple of months ago.

Contained within the Express Tools that ship with Civil 3D is a tool designed specifically to list a Layout Viewport scale and it is incredibly easy to use.

Check out the video below to see how it works.

-Jerry