IMAGINiT Civil Solutions Blog

Elevation Editor in Civil 3D

Jeff Morris | Sr. Applications Expert

The Grading Elevation Editor is a vista within the Autodesk Civil 3D Panorama, used to edit the elevations and grades for feature lines, lot lines, or survey figure segments. It has many great features with its primary function being able to modify elevations or slopes of multiple, consecutive geometry/elevation points.

Within the Elevation Editor one can change the Grades Ahead, Grades Back and Elevations, but not the Stations and Lengths. But one can leave the vista open and graphically change the stations and lengths through grip editing the feature line (or lot line or survey figure). As the geometry changes, the values update in the Elevation Editor Vista.

Within the Elevation Editor however, it is difficult to associate the row one is working in with the physical line in the drawing.

The tip is to leave the Elevation Editor Vista open and set focus back in the drawing. When this is done, the feature line will still highlighted, all the vertices and elevation points (if any) will be marked with visible grips. By deselecting the line (by hitting Escape key), the grips will clear and the triangular and circular symbols will remain, signifying vertices (PI) and Elevation Points respectively.

Now, when one goes to a row in the Elevation Editor, only that symbol will graphically appear in the drawing, the others will clear. If one selects multiple rows (which need to be consecutive), the corresponding symbols will graphically appear.

Conclusion

The Grading Elevation Editor is a great tool to modify and manipulate elevations and grades for feature line, lot line, or survey figure segments. One has a tabular view of how modifications to one segment will affect the adjoining segments. While ordinarily, it may be difficult to visualize in the drawing which segment is being manipulated, by using the tip demonstrated above, users can utilize the tool to a greater extent and with less difficulty.

Civil 3D 2018.2 Top Features (IMHO)

Kevin Breslin | ISD Professional Services

Despite the age of Autodesk Civil 3D (since 2004!), I’m happy to say that it’s still maturing and new and useful features and enhancements are being developed with each new release.  As seen here with the Autodesk Civil 3D 2018.2 version, the program is continuing to improve and not only are issues addressed, but new features are being added.

In this post, my intent is to highlight the specific features that pique my personal interest, and I believe will be widely appreciated by users. 

Note: This is not a complete list of everything included in the 2018.2 release.

New Pressure Network Content

One of the slowest to be developed aspects of Civil 3D is without doubt, the Pressure Pipes. From very limited creation abilities, layout, editing, labeling, etc. one of the most noticeable issues is the very minimal collection of content, especially for Metric parts.  In the 2018.2 release, Autodesk has added some much-needed content.

Metric Parts:

Imperial Parts:

Subassemblies:

This is a mixed bag of new content and content that was previously released with the Civil 3D 2017 v1 release.  While not entirely new content, it collectively adds up to an impressive list of Subassemblies, many of which are intended to meet specific regional design criteria (e.g. Caltrans, Clark County), as well as some specialty design needs too (e.g. Dam, Infiltration Trench, Driveway). 

Note: There are specific steps you will need to take to add the new Subassemblies to your Tool Pallet (see HERE for details)

BasicBenchTargetElevations
BasicBenchTargetOneElevation
BasicBenchWithOverExcavation
Berm
BioRetention
CaltransB3RetainingWall
CaltransCurbs
ChannelDrain
ClarkCountyBasicDaylight
ClarkCountyConcreteBarrierType2
ClarkCountyCurbE1
ClarkCountyExtrudedCurb
ClarkCountyGuardrailType31
ClarkCountyRainGardenNoCurb
ClarkCountyRainGardenV
ClarkCountySidewalk
ConditionalHorizontalTarget2
ConditionalMarkedPoint
CrossGutter
CurbAndGutterCurbRamp
CurbEmbPipe
CurbOffsetPipe
CurbWallRadius
Dam
DitchWithBermInFill
Driveway
EvenSlopeDitch
GabionWall
InfiltrationTrench
LaneWithMarkedPoint
MultipleBench_Depth
MultipleBenchWithPipes
ParkingAdjacentToRoad
PermeablePavement
PipeTrenchAdjustDiameter
PipeTrenchMultipleLayers
PipeTrenchMultipleLayers2
RailDoubleTrack
RailPlatform
RailSingleTrack
ReinforcedConcreteCribWall
RockRetainingWall
RolledCurb
ShoulderBacking
ShoulderIntersectLeft
ShoulderIntersectRight
ShoulderParabolicDaylight
ShoulderRoundedTarget
ShoulderVariesExtensions
SideSlopeCutDitch
SidewalkSlopesAndBase
SimpleCutWithLanding
SimpleTunnel
SimpleTunnelOpenBottom
SLOCityCurbs
SLOCountyCurbs
SlopeDitch
SoundWall
StructuralSteelPlateVehicularUndercrossing
ValleyGutter
ValleyGutterSimple
VegetatedFilterStrip
VegetatedSwale

See HERE for more details about the 2018.2 new features.

ImportLandXML vs LandXMLIn: What is the Difference?

Bryant Quinney | Applications Expert

From time to time, when typing in commands (verb-first or context-first), you will receive variations of commands that seem similar. One such instance is the import of LandXML files. So, what is the difference?

 

First, ‘ImportLandXML’ is meant for vanilla AutoCAD users to use data contained in an XML file such as points, parcels, contour lines. The objects that are created are not intelligent Civil 3D objects, but are instead ACAD points and polylines. This is helpful solely for visualization purposes, and not to derive intelligent design elements from them such as profiles. NOTE: Users of Revit with Site Designer plugin also make use of this command as well, but with a result more similar to the way Civil 3D generates the data. This is not covered in this post.

When using ‘ImportLandXML’, you are prompted to select the file you wish to import, after which the Import LandXML Data dialog box appears:

In the window, you can select the data you wish to import as well as choose settings by which the command handles the data. Point data comes in using the current PTYPE AutoCAD settings (see image).

The points inserted by the command are ACAD points set at their respective Z elevations. From a Revit perspective, the surface model extents can be defined by the combined boundaries of parcels contained within the XML. Contours from the surface are generated as polylines and set at their defined Z values. The desired contour interval can be set in this dialog box. The Defaults button brings up a separate window that is more directed at Revit, setting layer defaults and styles.

When using the ‘LandXMLIn’ command, it is assumed within Autodesk Civil 3D. The command allows the same data (and much more) to be imported to native Civil 3D objects. Points with label styles, surface objects, alignments, parcels, etc. are imported and organized in their respective locations within the Prospector hierarchy. If the ‘ImportLandXML’ command is used, this collection will be empty.

The Import LandXML dialog box is different, allowing you to select a site in which to import alignments and/or parcels.

The settings tab brings up a distinctive Civil 3D-style window through which you can set the desired parameters for the import.

Once the data is imported, the essence of Civil 3D is realized through the usage of Styles and any defined Description Keys.

So, the differences are very telling. In the Autodesk space, ‘LandXMLIn’ is for Civil 3D usage, while “ImportLandXML’ is for vanilla AutoCAD and Revit.

Database Connectivity in Map 3D on a 64-bit Workstation

Bryant Quinney | Applications Expert

Before the wide adoption of 64-bit machines, users could easily connect to .mdb (Microsoft Access) database files within the Map 3D Task Pane (this applies to Civil 3D as well). You could connect to, view, and edit linked database entries directly inside Map 3D without having to launch the Microsoft Access software. You can, again, have that functionality by taking some particular steps to regain connectivity.

First, you need to ensure that you install the 64-bit version of the Database Engine at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13255. Make sure the correct version (64-bit) is chosen, if prompted, as well as the correct language, then click Download. Install the file that has been downloaded (AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe) after having exited the Map 3D or Civil 3D programs first.

Once the install is complete, you can now access (no pun intended) your attached database or set up a new connection using the usual procedures in the ODBC connections in Control Panel.