In today's installment we talk about creating some custom content. Specifically, custom linetypes. I'm sure we can all agree that Civil 3D contains a lot of default "stuff" we can work with. I'm sure we would all also agree that there is ALWAYS a need to create more. :)
I remember having to create custom content to match a client's CAD standard, a city's CAD standard, an owner's directive and much more. The ability to quickly create custom content is very important. After the content is created, the ability to share it with others is even more important.
Because of this, I put together a brief 20 min recording showing how this can be done specifically with linetypes.
Today’s installment is all about making new connections. Specifically, connecting the worlds of Vault Professional and BIM 360 Docs. This is a long-awaited tool and has been requested since the retirement of Buzzsaw.
Using this tool, organizations using Vault Professional can more easily exchange files and collaborate with external stake holders. Additionally, the sharing of files can be configured such that it is almost completely automatic.
Click on the video below to see it works!
In the video, I spoke of the Autodesk Desktop Connector and was working under the assumption that is had previously been installed. If you are interested in learning more about Desktop Connector, you can find that information here: Autodesk Desktop Connector
In short, it is a location where we will actively post videos, workflows, information, tips and tricks… as it relates to using Autodesk’s BIM 360 platform.
Because our backgrounds are in the Infrastructure industry, our content will gravitate primarily towards civil related projects. Having said this, some of what we post will be industry agnostic and will have value for our friends in the Building industry as well. It is for this reason we created a second Blog. Our goal is to provide a resource that will complement our existing “Civil Immersion” project rather than risk diluting our civil focus by posting everything here.
Long story short, starting today, you will find us actively posting in BOTH locations.
Specifically, transferring an ASCII point file from one "Point file" format to another. In other words, I have an ASCII file containing survey points that are formatted as PNEZD (comma delimited) and I need them in a PENZ (space delimited) file format.
In the past, I would have accomplished this by importing the points into Civil 3D using the first point file format and then immediately turn around and export them into the second point file format.
The problem with this is, it is an entirely manual process that involves several steps. If only there were a better way. Fortunately, there is!!
Using the TransferPoints tool in Civil 3D, we can transfer an ASCII point file from one file format directly into another in a single step.
For those of you that know me, I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to throw anything away. I just can’t get past the angst that I might need (or be able to use) the discarded item(s) at some point in the future.
That is the catalyst for today’s installment.
In short, we will be reviewing how to create Regions in ReCap Pro. Using Regions, we can quickly cleanup / organize Point Cloud information. We do this by selecting a series of unnecessary points (as defined by our particular project needs) and rather than deleting them, we add them to a Region that can be hidden from view.
In doing so, these points are removed from our display but can be easily restored if they are ever required in the future.
Regions = A non-destructive approach to deleting. 😊
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.
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.
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.
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.
Today’s installment is another perfect example of a tool that says what it does and does what it says. :)
Essentially, it helps us create a Civil 3D profile from an ASCII file.
Civil 3D provides many tools to create profiles. Most of which involve creating it geometrically and/or using numeric values. Using the CreateProfileFromFile tool allows us to create the profile from values saved in an ASCII file.
This can be helpful in many situations including recreating a profile from printed plan sheets, creating a profile from manual markups, reverse engineering a design from construction documents and many more.
The format of the file is important. If you deviate from what is required it will not work. Fortunately, the format is simple and only has a few rules.
First, the file must be spaced delimited and contain a numeric PVI station value in the first column followed by a numeric elevation in the second column. There is also an optional third column that can contain a symmetrical vertical curve numeric value.
1. The first and last lines must not contain curve information. 2. The first line must provide the station and elevation for the first station. 3. Stations must be in ascending order. 4. No leading blank lines or headers. 5. No blank lines; Blank lines are read as the end of the file. 6. No blank spaces at the beginning or end of any line. 7. The last item must be the elevation for the last station.
