Recently we adopted new layer names similar to the NCS layers already built in to Civil 3D templates. We had to make a few modifications of course, one of those being XREF layer names. We decided it was best to have XREF layers start with “X-” and end with a standard four-letter abbreviation. This enabled us to more easily sort XREF layers. To really make this successful, we also had to make it a standard practice to rename external reference names. Let me show you why. Read more »

I started reading a new blog called Digging Into Civil 3D by trainer and author Rick Ellis.

Rick has been involved with the Civil/Survey/Mapping industry and Autodesk products since the early 90s in a variety of roles ranging from a Civil designer and CAD Manager to a trainer, consultant and author.

I’ve taken a number of Civil 3D and Map 3D classes taught by Rick including one at Autodesk University 2008. He is an excellent teacher and writer.

Check out his blog at diggingintocivil3d.blogspot.com.

Civil 3D has some great tools for creating 3D models of ponds and swales. This document will show you how to use many of the tools provided in Civil 3D to create ponds/swales in 8 basic steps.

Download Tutorial (PDF – 3.66 MB)

Recently I was asked to create a grid that labels the Northings & Eastings on a map. There are a couple of ways you could do this: 1) If you have Civil 3D, create a point style that labels the Northing & Easting. 2) If you have AutoCAD create a block that displays the Northing & Easting with fields.

If you have Civil 3D, the point-style method works the best but today I am going to show you how to use fields to make this happen. Read more »

Today is the last full day at AU. Tomorrow morning I have a couple of classes, and then it’s all over.

What a day it has been! I took classes that gave in-depth instructions on developing pipe structures in Civil 3D, utilizing Map 3D to make drafting easier, editing pipe networks in LandXML, and setting up an multi-user project in Civil 3D without Vault. Read more »

Murph has written an excellent post on creating contours from shape files with elevations. I have been using this method for a while now. In fact I have written scripts and macros to automate importation of contour data into my drawings. Read more »

Earlier I wrote about the NOTES command in Civil 3D 2008. This time I want to take it a step further. Read more »

Previously I wrote about using AutoLISP to create selection sets. While these are great, especially for use in scripts and macros, they are kind of clunky to use if you need a quick selection set. Here are a few quick and easy ways to create selection sets. Read more »

I like using the INSPECT (or AECINSPECT) command in Civil 3D 2008 instead of Express Tools XLIST. Read more »

There are some useful inquiry commands in Civil 3D 2008 & 2009. Similar commands used to be available in Map 3D, but from what I hear (and in my experience) they have stopped working. Read more »

I like the NOTES command in Civil 3D. I found out about it from Map 3D and Murphs Law. Read more »