Civil Immersion

Using Grips to Make “Hands-on” Design Modifications in Civil 3D

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…

-Jeff

Linking Reference Documents to Entities in a Civil 3D Model

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...

-Jeff

 

Making Powerful Selections using Civil 3D / AutoCAD

If you’ve ever taken a formal training course to learn an application like Civil 3D, you know there’s never enough time to explore EVERYTHING the application can do.  (Not to mention all the features and tools included with Map 3D and AutoCAD.) Typical courses cover the “need to know” functionality to get you up and running using the application.  The remaining features, tools, and shortcuts are then learned over the course of years using Civil 3D in production.

To help fast track some of the on-the-job learning, we’ve started a new bi-weekly webinar series called “30 min. Workout”.  Each session is designed to demonstrate features and functionality not typically shown during traditional classroom training.  This week we launched the series by exploring the many ways the AutoCAD platform allows us to select objects.  When you think about it, most commands require object selection.  The more selection methods you know, the more efficient you can be using virtually every command! 

If you are interested, I’ve included a link to a recording of the session…

-Jeff

 

Adding Intelligence to InfraWorks Models using the Extend Schema Tool

Historically, the default schema used by InfraWorks was “fixed”, having a predefined number of feature classes and attributes.  This limited the number of unique features (and data) InfraWorks was able to consume and represent.  As a result, it was a challenge to manage multiple utility types or leverage extended attribution.

Today, InfraWorks 2020 includes a new Extend Schema Tool that makes it easy to create custom feature classes having virtually unlimited attribution.  By opening up the schema, designers now have much more control over the organization of attached content while also increasing the value of data analysis and visualization.  In today’s installment, we’ll use the Extend Schema Tool to create a custom feature class (with attributes) and then explore some ways to take advantage of the rich attribution.

If you're interested, I’ve recorded a video that walks through everything…

-Jeff

Smooth the Appearance of Sectioned Civil 3D Pipe Networks using FACETDEV

On occasion, sectioned pipe network components may appear “faceted” when displayed in a Civil 3D profile or section view.  In today's installment we’ll look at a quick way to smooth out the appearance of these objects using a system variable (unique to Civil 3D) called FACETDEV.  FACETDEV is short for Facet Deviation.

FACETDEV controls how much the display of a sectioned object can deviate from its true curved shape.  The lower you set FACETDEV, the closer the geometry will match the actual curve.  That said, there is a trade-off.  Setting it too low may impact drawing performance, so try not to be overly aggressive when assigning a value.  It’s important to note that this system variable is stored within the drawing, so assigning FACETDEV in a template file would apply it automatically to all future drawings.

If you are interested, I’ve created a quick video below that demonstrates the use of FACETDEV…

-Jeff

More information about FACETDEV (and its companion system variable FACETMAX) can be found here – https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/civil-3d/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2017/ENU/Civil3D-BestPractices/files/GUID-F6294C44-36B8-433C-ACBC-6D4414AB2B5E-htm.html

Display Multiple Civil 3D Section Views within a Single Grid

Many times, when creating Civil 3D section views, each view will have its own grid.  In today’s installment, we’ll learn how to display a single grid that multiple section views can share. 

Typically, section view grids are configured and displayed within the Section View Style.  The trick to creating a “unified grid” can be found by visiting the Group Plot Style.  Selecting the Display Tab within a Group Plot Style, you’ll find a series of grid components that apply to the overall sheet.  By configuring and displaying these components, a single unified grid can be displayed that is shared by multiple section views.

If you're interested, I’ve created a quick recording that walks through the process…

-Jeff

Using InfraWorks Tooltips to Open Files

Quite often, InfraWorks tooltips are used to display the data associated with objects in a model.  Because these tooltips are HTML based however, they can do a lot more.  In today’s installment, we’ll explore a way to use InfraWorks tooltips to open files. 

For a tooltip to open a file, you’ll need to provide the filename (and file path) and a description using the following HTML syntax… <a href= "Path/Filename"><font size="4">Description</font></a>  This is a relatively simple example that will produce a text label called “Description” that opens a designated file when clicked.  By incorporating a little creativity (and a few more HTML tags) you can create much more elaborate tooltips.

By leveraging this technique, an InfraWorks model can act much like a “kiosk”, providing a graphical representation of an overall site that users can navigate to open associated files.  Everything from CAD models, to parts lists, to maintenance schedules could be accessed by simply hovering over the objects in a model!

If you’re interested, I’ve created a quick video below that walks through a possible workflow…   

-Jeff

Allow ANY Stakeholder to View & Markup Civil 3D Drawings!

On occasion you may need to collaborate with stakeholders who don’t have access to Civil 3D.  Fortunately, Civil 3D makes it easy to share designs with anyone using only a web browser.  In today’s installment, we’ll explore the concept of Shared Views.

Shared Views allow engineers and designers to publish Civil 3D drawings to the cloud where they can be accessed via. a hyperlink.  Simply clicking the link makes it possible to review and provide comments on a civil design without the need for specialized CAD software or training.

Shared Views are considered “temporary”;  as such, they are assigned a 30-day expiration date.  This provides stakeholders time to comment on drawings before the views expire.  (If necessary, an additional 30-day extension can be applied.)

Using Shared Views, stakeholders never have access to the actual CAD drawings.  They cannot download or edit design files.  A Shared View is simply a cloud-based environment that allows them to view a design and provide comments where necessary. 

If you are interested, I’ve created a quick video below that demonstrates some possible workflows…

-Jeff

 

Simplifying Civil 3D Corridor Modeling using Contextual Tools

Most Civil 3D courses teach students to create and edit corridor models using the Corridor Properties dialog box.  This dialog box represents a “one-stop-shop” for creating baselines, regions and surfaces. It is also used to assign targets and frequencies; and if you Rt-click on the entries, you can access even more tools for adding, removing or splitting components.

That said; if this dialog box the ONLY tool you use for corridor modeling, you’ll soon find that as models become larger and more complex, so also does the dialog box, which can make it cumbersome to edit proposed designs.

Today, we’ll look at some alternative ways to build corridor geometry that do not involve the Corridor Properties dialog box.  These techniques can help simplify your workflows and allow you to take your corridor modeling skills to a whole new level!

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

-Jeff

If you are interested in how Offset/Return alignments and profiles are created, please visit these links…
Creating Offset Profiles & Connected Alignments - Pt. 1  - https://youtu.be/8Nu1_L91JLU
Creating  Offset Profiles & Connected Alignments - Pt. 2 - https://youtu.be/kP_tcWLGwvA

Exploring 3D Modeling using AutoCAD

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of teaching an AutoCAD course at a small school in northern Thailand.  Part of the training included some 3D modeling.  Typically, when I teach 3D modeling, I give students small inexpensive objects (usually toys) and ask them to model the objects using the commands they’ve learned.

In today’s installment, I thought we would model one of those objects because it’s a great way to explore some of the many 3D tools available in AutoCAD.  Please note, that as we go through this we are not looking for the “fastest” way to create the object.  Our goal is to explore as many tools as possible.  Hopefully, along the way, you’ll see a command or two you haven’t tried before. 

If you are interested, I've created a quick video below that walks through everything...

-Jeff

Would you like to work along with me?  Download the image I used here - https://autode.sk/2KlaIAb