In today’s installment of the 30 min workout, we look at several ways that Property Set Data (PSD) can be used in Civil 3D. We accomplish this by using PSD to solve a problem we were faced with.
i.e. Merging data collected by an Arborist and Surveyor into a single repository. (Civil 3D Points)
Along the way, we review the benefits of using Property Set Data over other forms of attribution, show a scenario where PSD tables and data are created automatically, and demonstrate how to add PSD to Civil 3D labels.
The session concludes with a brief discussion of the SHP Import/Export Utility. Using this tool, we can export the Property Set Data and Civil 3D Point Objects to a GIS file.
Sound like something that could help you? Check out the video below to see it in action.
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.
When using Civil 3D (or any AutoCAD based tool) there are multiple ways to automate repetitive tasks. Today we will be looking at two of them. These include Script files (.SCR) and simple LISP code (.LSP)
I chose these before jumping right to Dynamo or the Civil 3D API because Scripts and AutoLISP have been around for decades, there is a TON of information (sample code) online, and they are very easy to learn and use.
In short, wanted to leave you with something you could literally start experimenting with immediately after reading/watching the video.
In the 30 min presentation recording below, I walk through the creation of both interactive and fully automated tools. I also explore how these tools can be easily be applied to an entire folder of files using the Civil 3D Batch Save Utility.
Civil 3D allows users to create a multitude of dedicated civil objects. Everything from cogo points to alignments, profiles, assemblies, corridors, utilities, feature lines and more may participate in the design of a dynamic infrastructure model. Surprisingly, it’s very easy to develop label styles for such a wide variety of objects using a single dialog box.
In today’s installment, we’ll explore Civil 3D’s “Label Style Composer”. The Label Style Composer represents a collection of settings used to create (and edit) label styles for virtually ANY Civil 3D object.
If you’re interested, I’ve created a quick video below that walks through everything...
For more information on Creating Civil 3D Label Styles, please visit the links below…
This week I had the rare pleasure of presenting at a Civil 3D user group meeting. My session focused on time saving best practices when working with alignments and profiles. In approximately 30 minutes, we managed to explore more than 15 topics ranging from creation, to analysis, to stylization.
In keeping with our 30 min. Workout philosophy, I attempted to choose topics that both provide value and fall outside traditional Civil 3D training courses. My hope was to demonstrate some workflows the users may not have seen before. If you are interested, I’ve uploaded a recording of the session below…
Thank you so much to Michelle Hood for inviting me to present at JMT’s Civil 3D User Group Meeting!
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".
When placed along an alignment, Civil 3D sample lines slice through corridor models and identify the end areas used to calculate earthwork and structural material volumes. In places where alignments intersect, their respective sample lines may also intersect resulting in duplicate volume calculations. Fortunately, Civil 3D makes it easy to calculate average end area volumes at intersections using “match line” alignments.
In today’s installment we’ll explore a way to build custom alignments that serve as match lines for the sample lines used in volume calculation. Ensuring sample lines terminate along common linear segments eliminates the possibility of crossings and avoids overlap in volume calculations.
If you’re interested, I’ve created a video below that walks through everything…
In this 30 Minute Workout session, we will walk through some of the ways that surveyors and other field representatives can use the cloud document management tools available from Autodesk.
We start by showing how the Issues system can be used to assign work while in the office. Then we show how to use the same Issues to record evidence found in the field during a boundary survey. After showing how this data is immediately available to others in the office and field, we discuss another "outside the box" use for the Issues system.
In this 30 min workout session, we explore numerous ways you can navigate a Civil 3D model.
(Because there are WAY more tools than just the wheel mouse :) )
These include Walk, Fly, Drive and more. We also review several strategies where tools like Views and Model Space Viewports can be used to increase your productivity. Ever type Zoom or Pan at the command line? There are benefits to doing that as well!!
During our session, we will also look at a technique to locate a point in your project via. a property address.
Finally, because I still love what can be done with LISP, I walk through a quick technique to create a single line LISP routine to automate repetitive tasks.
In today’s installment, we’ll look at an approach that can make Civil 3D corridor targeting more “graphical”. By simply adjusting some object styles, users can predictably display corridor targets inside Civil 3D’s Section Editor. Once displayed, designers and engineers working within the Section Editor may easily review targets (and potential targets) in context with their corridor designs.
If you are interested, I've provided a video below that walks through everything! Note that this recording was made as part of our 30 min. Workout webinar series. If you'd like to attend these sessions live, click here to register!!
