Once sequestered in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) antechambers, professionals in civil infrastructure can now render and refine hyper-realistic, “living” mock-ups in Autodesk® Civil 3D®’s digital environment. These models are alive insofar as they can be modulated through interoperability with other systems and disciplines involved in an architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) effort.
However, Civil 3D relies on applied Building Information Modeling (BIM)–a computer process that captures real-time model data, shareable by cloud technology–to connect civil designers to their AEC team. This means Civil 3D users must also purchase Autodesk’s BIM Collaborate or Collaborate Pro to maximize the efficacy of their creative decisions.
Whereas BIM was conceived for Revit® (Autodesk software specialized for architects), Civil Information Modeling (CIM) is BIM explicitly developed for civil-infrastructure designers.
CTC Software recognizes this distinction, providing CIM Suites and our Corridor Productivity Pack™ to Civil 3D users. From mapping a prototype to forwarding the deliverable, the Civil 3D add-ins included in CTC Software’s collections give civil designers a chance to enjoy the full benefits of a streamlined workflow.
Top CIM Project Suite Add-In: Label Genie
Extensions available with the CIM Project Suite™ are oracles possessing CIM magic, garnering data to conduct predictive analyses and automate Civil 3D actions related to grading, sheet production, corridors, pipe networks, and surveying.
The Label Genie™ is one such medium. Answering the call of Civil 3D users, the Label Genie resolves the onerous “Add Label” mechanism for identifying multiple drawing elements. The traditional method forces a user to label one element–a building block for a Civil 3D model (e.g., a parcel)–at a time.
Not only does the Label Genie eliminate this repetitive ritual by automating labeling en masse within a single Civil 3D draft but also over various DWG (i.e., “drawing”) files, as well as across layouts and their frames. And the Label Genie is useful for simultaneous automatic annotation pulled from Civil 3D or AutoCAD. Moreover, Label Genie can store “scenarios” for future repeat labeling.
Top CIM Manager Suite Add-In: Layer Boss
CTC Software’s CIM Manager Suite™ extends the enchantments of CIM to AEC production management specialists. This Suite’s cluster of tools, like those in the CIM Project Suite, is powered by automation, allowing Civil 3D users to mechanize the formation and revision of styles, layers, and line types.
A standout add-in in the CIM Manager Suite is the Layer Boss™. Designers who implement the Layer Boss can establish and regulate Civil 3D layers by way of an external spreadsheet. Upon exportation from a typical or pre-configured DWG file, an extrinsic spreadsheet will be generated. The Layer Boss expedites the ongoing management of layer properties and settings as users update that sheet, which, in turn, modifies the layers within the Civil 3D platform.
Top Corridor Productivity Pack Add-in: Link to Mark Point
In addition to our CIM Suites, CTC Software further streamlines your Civil 3D workflow with our Corridor Productivity Pack (CPP). The CPP consists of a dozen pre-arranged corridor subassemblies originating from the Civil 3D Subassembly Composer. These subassemblies can be customized to fit your needs.
The Link-to-Mark-Point is a popular CPP subassembly add-in that links points specified on a Civil 3D path. These points mark significant sites; for example, when a drafter sketches a road in Civil 3D, they can indicate where there are turns or fluctuations in the road’s height. Adopting the Link-to-Mark-Point subassembly allows a Civil 3D user to draw lines from point to point, ensuring road connection while maintaining the designer’s intended silhouette.
These Add-Ins Are the Tip of the Iceberg for Transforming Your Civil 3D Workflow
You don’t have to settle when designing in Autodesk Civil 3D. Take advantage of CIM magic, automation, and pre-enacted corridor content with CTC Software’s profusion of add-ins that simplify Civil 3D workflows.
The CIM Project Suite and CIM Manager Suite introduce the effectiveness of tools specially made for civil-infrastructure modeling in Civil 3D. Our Corridor Productivity Pack builds on the precision of these add-ins by giving designers ready-made subassemblies for increased efficiency in the conception of models living within Civil 3D.
Less legwork equals more earnings in your pocket. Check out our ROI calculator to see how these sets of Civil 3D add-ins will save you time and money.
