Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015
Autodesk Official Press

The most complete resource for learning AutoCAD Civil 3D Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D is the ultimate guide to the new standard in civil engineering software. With combined experience in both civil engineering and Autodesk Civil 3D, authors Cyndy Davenport and Ishka Voiculescu guide you through the ins and outs of the program, from the fundamentals to the little–known tricks that make a big difference. The book focuses on real–world applications in professional environments, and presents topics and ideas not found anywhere else. Lessons begin simply, with an overview of the software and interface, and then gradually progress to more complex topics. AutoCAD Civil 3D is the standard software for civil engineering and design. From surveying and mapping, to design, to documentation and analysis, the program offers expanded capabilities and complementary workflows, allowing easy integration with InfraWorks, Revit Structure, and more. The ability to complete a project within a single suite means increased productivity and continuity, which translates into quicker turnaround, better–designed structures, and streamlined project management. The savvy civil engineering professional must be well versed in the program′s full functionality as it expands throughout government agencies and private companies. This book features in–depth coverage of topics including: Surveying, points, and alignments Profiles, corridors, and grading LandXML and LDT project transfer Visualization, sheets, and project management The book also features downloadable datasets that enable you to access the lessons most relevant to your needs, and includes an objectives map to help you prepare for the Civil 3D certification exam. For the civil engineering professional hoping to remain relevant in a changing industry, Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D is the ultimate resource.

Introduction xxiii

Chapter 1 • The Basics 1

The Interface 1

Toolspace 7

Panorama 35

Contextual Ribbon Tab 36

Civil 3D Templates 37

Starting New Projects 38

Importing Styles 41

Command Settings 44

Creating Lines 46

COGO Line Commands 46

Direction-Based Line Commands 49

Re-creating a Deed Using Line Tools 54

Creating Curves 55

Standard Curves 56

Best Fit Entities 62

Attach Multiple Entities 64

Adding Line and Curve Labels 65

Using Transparent Commands 66

Standard Transparent Commands 67

Matching Transparent Commands 68

The Bottom Line 69

Chapter 2 • Survey 71

Setting Up the Databases 71

Survey Database Defaults 72

The Equipment Database 75

The Figure Prefi x Database 76

The Linework Code Set Database 78

Configuring Description Keys for Point Import 79

Creating a Description Key Set 82

Creating Description Keys 82

Activating a Description Key Set 86

Understanding the Survey Database 87

Working with Survey Networks 95

Other Methods of Manipulating Survey Data 103

Other Survey Features 106

The Astronomic Direction Calculator 106

The Geodetic Calculator 106

The Mapcheck Report 107

The Coordinate Geometry Editor 108

Using Inquiry Commands 112

The Bottom Line 115

Chapter 3 • Points  117

Anatomy of a Point 117

COGO Points vs Survey Points 118

Creating Basic Points 119

Point Settings 119

Importing Points from a Text File 123

Converting Points from Non-Civil 3D Sources 127

A Closer Look at the Create Points Toolbar 131

Basic Point Editing 139

Graphic Point Edits 139

Panorama and Prospector Point Edits 140

Point Groups: Don’t Skip This Section! 141

Changing Point Elevations 147

Point Tables 148

User-Defined Properties 149

The Bottom Line 153

Chapter 4 • Surfaces 155

Understanding Surface Basics 155

Creating Surfaces 157

Creating a Surface with Point Groups 159

Adding Breaklines 160

Adding Boundaries 164

Additional Surface Creation Methods 172

Surface from LandXML Files 172

Surface from DEM Files 175

Surface from GIS Data 179

Surfaces from Polylines 182

Refining and Editing Surfaces 186

Surface Properties 186

Manual Surface Edits 192

Surface Analysis 201

Elevation Banding 201

Slopes and Slope Arrows 206

Visibility Checker 208

Comparing Surfaces 209

TIN Volume Surface 210

Labeling the Surface 214

Contour Labeling 214

Additional Surface Label Types 217

Point Cloud Surfaces 220

Importing a Point Cloud 220

Working with Point Clouds 223

Creating a Point Cloud Surface 224

The Bottom Line 226

Chapter 5 • Parcels 227

Introduction to Sites 227

Think outside of the Lot 227

Creating a New Site 232

Creating a Boundary Parcel 234

Using Parcel Creation Tools 236

Creating a Right-of-Way Parcel 240

Adding a Cul-de-Sac Parcel 242

Creating Subdivision Lot Parcels Using Precise Sizing Tools 245

Attached Parcel Segments 245

Parcel Sizing Settings 246

Parcel Sizing Tools 248

Editing Parcels by Deleting Parcel Segments 258

Best Practices for Parcel Creation 260

Forming Parcels from Segments 260

Parcels Reacting to Site Objects 261

Constructing Parcel Segments with the Appropriate Vertices 266

Labeling Parcel Areas 268

Labeling Parcel Segments 272

Labeling Multiple-Parcel Segments 272

Labeling Spanning Segments 275

Adding Curve Tags to Prepare for Table Creation 276

Creating a Table for Parcel Segments 278

The Bottom Line 280

Chapter 6 • Alignments 281

Alignment Concepts 281

Alignments and Sites 281

Alignment Entities 282

Creating an Alignment 283

Creating from a Line, Arc, or Polyline 284

Creating by Layout 291

Best Fit Alignments 296

Reverse and Compound Curve Creation 302

Creating with Design Constraints and Check Sets 304

Editing Alignment Geometry 308

Grip Editing 309

Tabular Design 310

Component-Level Editing 311

Understanding Alignment Constraints 313

Changing Alignment Components 317

Alignments as Objects 318

Alignment Properties 318

The Right Station 322

Assigning Design Speeds 325

Labeling Alignments 327

Alignment Tables 331

The Bottom Line 335

Chapter 7 • Profiles and Profile Views 337

The Elevation Element 337

Surface Sampling 338

Layout Profiles 347

The Best Fit Profile 360

Creating a Profile from a File 361

Editing Profiles 362

Grip-Editing Profiles 362

Editing Profiles Using Profile Layout Parameters 363

Editing Profiles Using Profile Grid View 365

Component-Level Editing 367

Other Profile Edits 368

Profile Views 372

Creating Profile Views during Sampling 372

Creating Profile Views Manually 372

Splitting Views 373

Editing Profile Views 383

Profile View Properties 383

Profile View Labeling Styles 396

Profile Labels 398

Applying Labels 398

Using Profile Label Sets 401

Profile Utilities 402

Superimposing Profiles 402

Projecting Objects in Profile View 403

Creating a Quick Profile 406

The Bottom Line 407

Chapter 8 • Assemblies and Subassemblies 409

Subassemblies 409

The Tool Palettes 409

The Corridor Modeling Catalogs 411

Adding Subassemblies to a Tool Palette 411

Building Assemblies 412

Creating a Typical Road Assembly 413

Subassembly Components 422

Jumping into Help 423

Commonly Used Subassemblies 425

Editing an Assembly 428

Creating Assemblies for Non-road Uses 432

Specialized Subassemblies 437

Using Generic Links 438

Daylighting with Generic Links 441

Working with Daylight Subassemblies 442

Advanced Assemblies 448

Offset Assemblies 448

Marked Points Used with Partner Subassemblies 449

Organizing Your Assemblies 451

Storing a Customized Subassembly on a Tool Palette 451

Storing a Completed Assembly on a Tool Palette 452

The Bottom Line 453

Chapter 9 • Basic Corridors 455

Understanding Corridors 455

Recognizing Corridor Components 457

Baseline 457

Region 457

Assembly 457

Frequency 457

Target 458

Corridor Feature Lines 458

Rebuilding Your Corridor 466

Tweaking Corridors 467

Working with Corridor Feature Lines 470

Understanding Targets 477

Using Target Alignments and Profiles 477

Editing Sections 483

Creating a Corridor Surface 487

The Corridor Surface 487

Corridor Surface Creation Fundamentals 488

Adding a Surface Boundary 491

Performing a Volume Calculation 498

Building Non-Road Corridors 499

The Bottom Line 503

Chapter 10 • Advanced Corridors, Intersections, and Roundabouts 505

Using Multiregion Baselines 505

Modeling a Cul-de-Sac 508

Using Multiple Baselines 509

Establishing EOP Design Profiles 510

Putting the Pieces Together 512

Troubleshooting Your Cul-de-Sac 515

Moving Up to Intersections 518

Using the Intersection Wizard 520

Creating Intersections Manually 531

Troubleshooting Your Intersection 538

Finishing Off Your Corridor 540

Using an Assembly Offset 543

Understanding Corridor Utilities 551

Using Corridor Utilities in Practice 552

Using a Feature Line as a Width and Elevation Target 554

Tackling Roundabouts: the Mount Everest of Corridors 560

Drainage First 561

Roundabout Alignments 561

Center Design 569

Profiles for All 570

Tie It All Together 572

Finishing Touches 572

The Bottom Line 576

Chapter 11 • Superelevation 577

Preparing for Superelevation 577

Critical Stations 577

Design Criteria Files 579

Ready Your Alignment 583

Super Assemblies 583

Applying Superelevation to the Design 589

Start with the Alignment 589

Transition Station Overlap 591

Calculating Cants for Rail 596

Preparing for Cants 596

Creating a Rail Assembly 597

Applying Cant to the Alignment 599

Superelevation and Cant Views 600

Using a Superelevation View to Edit Data 602

The Bottom Line 604

Chapter 12 • Cross Sections and Mass Haul 605

Section Workflow 605

Comparing Sample Lines and Frequency Lines 605

Creating Sample Lines 606

Editing the Swath Width of a Sample Line Group 610

Creating Section Views 613

Creating a Single-Section View 614

Creating Multiple Section Views 618

Section Views and Annotation Scale 621

Calculating and Reporting Volumes 625

Computing Materials 625

Creating a Volume Table in the Drawing 627

Adding Soil Factors to a Materials List 628

Generating a Volume Report 630

Adding Section View Final Touches 631

Adding Data with Sample More Sources 631

Adding Cross-Section Labels 632

Using Mass Haul Diagrams 635

Taking a Closer Look at the Mass Haul Diagram 635

Create a Mass Haul Diagram 636

Editing a Mass Haul Diagram 638

The Bottom Line 639

Chapter 13 • Pipe Networks 641

Setting Up a Pipe Network 641

Understanding Parts List—Waste Water Systems 642

Planning a Typical Pipe Network 643

Using Part Rules 645

Putting Your Parts List Together 652

Creating a Waste Water Network 656

Establishing Pipe Network Parameters 657

Using the Network Layout Creation Tools 658

Creating a Storm Drainage Pipe Network from a Feature Line 667

Editing a Pipe Network 669

Changing Flow Direction 670

Editing Your Network in Plan View 671

Using the Pipe Network Vista Effectively 673

Editing Using the Pipe Networks Contextual Tab 674

Editing with the Network Layout Tools Toolbar 679

Creating an Alignment from Network Parts 682

Drawing Parts in Profile View 684

Editing Pipe Networks in Profile View Using Grips 685

Removing a Part from Profi le View 687

Showing Pipes That Cross the Profile View 688

Adding Pipe Network Labels 690

Creating a Labeled Pipe Network Profile with Crossings 691

Using Pipe and Structure Labels 694

Creating an Interference Check 694

Creating Pipe Tables 697

Exploring the Table Creation Dialog 698

The Table Panel Tools 701

Setting and Using a Pressure Pipes Network 702

Pressure Network Parts List 702

Creating a Pressure Network 707

Using Design Checks 717

Understanding Part Builder 719

Part Builder Orientation 721

Understanding the Organization of Part Builder 721

Exploring Part Families 723

Adding a Part Size Using Part Builder 724

Sharing a Custom Part 728

Adding an Arch Pipe to Your Part Catalog 728

The Bottom Line 729

Chapter 14 • Grading 731

Working with Grading Feature Lines 731

Accessing Grading Feature Line Tools 731

Creating Grading Feature Lines 733

Editing Feature Line Information 738

Labeling Feature Lines 763

Grading Objects 765

Creating Gradings 765

Using Gradings for Interim Surfaces 772

Finishing Touches 774

The Bottom Line 779

Chapter 15 • Plan Production 781

Preparing for Plan Sets 781

Prerequisite Components 781

Using View Frames and Match Lines 782

The Create View Frames Wizard 783

Creating View Frames 791

Editing View Frames and Match Lines 794

Creating Plan and Profi le Sheets 797

The Create Sheets Wizard 797

Managing Sheets 804

Creating Section Sheets 809

Creating Multiple Section Views 809

Creating Section Sheets 814

Drawing Templates 815

The Bottom Line 818

Chapter 16 • Advanced Workflows 821

Data Shortcuts 821

Getting Started 823

Setting a Working Folder and Data Shortcut Folder 823

Creating Data Shortcuts 826

Creating a Data Reference 828

Updating References 835

Sharing Data with a Non-Civil 3D World 844

Delivering DWG Formats 844

Using LandXML 846

The Bottom Line 849

Chapter 17 • Quantity Takeoff  851

Employing Pay Item Files 851

Pay Item Favorites 852

Searching for Pay Items 855

Keeping Tabs on the Model 859

AutoCAD Objects as Pay Items 860

Pricing Your Corridor 862

Pipes and Structures as Pay Items 867

Highlighting Pay Items 873

Inventorying Your Pay Items 875

The Bottom Line 878

Chapter 18 • Label Styles 879

Label Styles 879

General Labels 879

Frequently Seen Tabs 880

General Note Labels 895

Point Label Styles 898

Line and Curve Labels 902

Single Segment Labels 902

Spanning Segment Labels 903

Curve Labels 905

Pipe and Structure Labels 907

Pipe Labels 907

Structure Labels 909

Profi le and Alignment Labels 913

Label Sets 913

Alignment Labels 915

Advanced Style Types 931

Table Styles 932

Code Set Styles 934

The Bottom Line 944

Chapter 19 • Object Styles 947

Getting Started with Object Styles 947

Frequently Seen Tabs 950

General Settings 952

Point and Marker Object Styles 954

Creating Linear Object Styles 958

Alignment Styles 960

Parcel Styles 962

Feature Line Styles 963

Creating Surface Styles 963

Contour Styles 964

Triangles and Points Surface Styles 968

Analysis Styles 971

Creating Pipe and Structure Styles 975

Pipe Styles 975

Structure Styles 983

Creating Profile View Styles 987

Profile View Bands 994

Creating Section View Styles 998

Group Plot Styles 999

The Bottom Line 1004

Appendix A •The Bottom Line 1005

Chapter 1: The Basics 1005

Chapter 2: Survey 1007

Chapter 3: Points 1010

Chapter 4: Surfaces 1013

Chapter 5: Parcels 1016

Chapter 6: Alignments 1019

Chapter 7: Profiles and Profile Views 1023

Chapter 8: Assemblies and Subassemblies 1026

Chapter 9: Basic Corridors 1027

Chapter 10: Advanced Corridors, Intersections, and Roundabouts 1030

Chapter 11: Superelevation 1032

Chapter 12: Cross Sections and Mass Haul 1034

Chapter 13: Pipe Networks 1036

Chapter 14: Grading 1039

Chapter 15: Plan Production 1041

Chapter 16: Advanced Workflows 1045

Chapter 17: Quantity Takeoff 1046

Chapter 18: Label Styles 1048

Chapter 19: Object Styles 1051

Appendix B • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015 Certification 1055

Index 1059

Cyndy Davenport has been working in the land development industry for 27 years in the capacity of design, technology management, implementation, training, and support. Cyndy is a regular speaker at Autodesk University and blogs at c3dcougar.typepad.com. Ishka Voiculescu is an engineer at the City of Austin Public works and has extensive experience using the Autodesk Suite products for planning, design, and visualization. He is a member of various engineering groups, an active forum contributor, and blogs at civildigest.com.