CTC CIM Project Suite™ User Guide
CIM Project Suite User Guide
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Contents
Overview .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Installation and Configuration ............................................................................................................................................. 4
License Activation and Management .................................................................................................................................. 4
Cloud Shared or Free Trial License ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Trial Licensing ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Cloud Shared Licensing ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Network Floating Licensing .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Changing Licensing at Any Time ........................................................................................................................................ 13
How to Use ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14
Feature Line to Alignment ................................................................................................................................................. 15
Survey Sweeper ................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Point File Converter ........................................................................................................................................................... 18
Parts Swapper .................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Pipe Planner ....................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Pipe Designer ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Auto Grader ....................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Earthwork Processor .......................................................................................................................................................... 39
Corridor Cleanup ................................................................................................................................................................ 43
Corridor Mapper ................................................................................................................................................................ 44
Corridor Splitter ................................................................................................................................................................. 50
Corridor Merger ................................................................................................................................................................. 52
Label Genie ........................................................................................................................................................................ 53
Clash Seeker ....................................................................................................................................................................... 56
Data Wizard ....................................................................................................................................................................... 62
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Sheet Generator ................................................................................................................................................................ 71
Getting Help ....................................................................................................................................................................... 81
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Overview
Autodesk® Civil 3D® users will find great value in the CIM Project Suite. With tools for grading, sheet production,
corridors, pipe networks, and surveying, users of all levels will benefit. Firms of any size, performing all types of
infrastructure projects will see their productivity increase with the CIM Project Suite.
The CIM Project Suite is all about taking tedious tasks in Civil 3D and automating them through intuitive workflows and
interfaces. All objects created and edited by the CIM Project Suite are native Civil 3D objects. No proprietary objects are
created by the CIM Project Suite, ensuring that drawings created with the assistance of these apps are totally
compatible with any Civil 3D user that may not have the CIM Project Suite.
Installation and Configuration
The standard workstation installation requires little more than running the setup program. For more information
regarding topics such as automating workstation installations and preconfiguring workstation settings, please refer to
the CTC CIM Suites Installation and Configuration Guide document.
License Activation and Management
The productivity tools provided with light background colors are free tools that run without any special licensing. The
productivity tools provided with dark background colors are premium tools which require licensing.
Unless initially preconfigured by the system administrator, the first time any of the licensed tools are launched, the
Product and License Information dialog will appear which requires specifying the kind of license that is to be used:
One of the choices must be made and configured correctly using the “Apply” button in order to proceed with using the
tool.
The selected licensing will automatically apply to all of the tools that are included in the suite which require licensing. So
once the first tool has configured the licensing, the other premium tools will automatically be licensed as well.
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Cloud Shared or Free Trial License
The first choice for Cloud Shared or Free Trial License should be selected if your organization has a CTC Software online
account and either have purchased cloud shared licenses, or have acquired a trial license for the account.
If your organization does not have a CTC Software account, the link on this form will allow you to create one.
The first time you try to use a cloud shared or trial license, you may be asked to login to CTC’s portal. You may not be
asked to login if you are already logged in from another tool, such as CTC’s HIVE™ product.
Trial Licensing
Trial licenses allow you to use the software (including premium tools) without any purchased licensing for a limited time,
typically 14 days. The software will generally be fully functional during the trial, with a few exceptions where
functionality may be limited during a trial.
Any standard Internet connection is required to use trial licensing.
Once you’ve been granted a trial license, the status at the top of the dialog should look like this:
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Cloud Shared Licensing
Cloud shared licensing allows you to get a license from CTC Software’s cloud license server, requiring only a standard
Internet connection. The licenses must be purchased and configured by your organization for their CTC Software
account.
With cloud shared licensing you can also “borrow” a license, which will temporarily apply the license to your computer
and will thus allow you to continue using the software even when you don’t have a reliable Internet connection.
However, while the license is borrowed, it will be one less license that’s available to other users in your organization.
For regular (non-borrowed) licensing, all you do is select Cloud Shared or Free Trial License option and connect to CTC’s
cloud services with your login.
Once you click the Apply button and are successfully logged in, the tool will connect to the online licensing engine, verify
your account has been allocated a license for this product, and return a success message.
When successfully applied, the status at the top of the screen will update. For example:
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Borrowing a Cloud Shared License
IMPORTANT: For normal use of the software, where you have a standard Internet connection, you DO NOT need to
borrow a license. Borrowing a license is normally only needed when you know you will need to use the software at a
time when you won’t have a reliable Internet connection. While you have a license borrowed, that is one less shared
license available to all other users.
NOTE: Borrowing is only available for purchased cloud shared licenses. Borrowing is not available for trial licenses.
IMPORTANT: In the event your computer is lost, stolen or damaged (e.g. a hard drive crash) an administrator CAN
NOT recover a borrowed license. In that case, the license will be unavailable to all users until the borrow period has
naturally expired. As such, you only want to borrow a license for the barest minimum amount of time needed.
Begin by opening the Product and License Information screen. From here, click the ‘Borrow…’ button to the right of the
Cloud Shared choice to begin the process of choosing the length of time to borrow a Cloud Shared license.
The date selector should appear:
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Confirm the date selection and click the Borrow License button. A success message should appear.
Returning a Borrowed Cloud Shared License Early
To return the license early, in the Product and License Information form, find the Return Early… button and click it.
A prompt will appear confirming that the license should be returned.
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Click the Yes button, then you should see:
The license status should now show a ‘not borrowed’ message.
Network Floating Licensing
When choosing the “Network Floating” choice, the CTC Network Floating License Server software must be installed and
configured by a system administrator on a computer connected to your office LAN or WAN. The installation and
configuration of this server software is described in the CTC CIM Suites Installation and Configuration Guide document.
IMPORTANT: Using network floating licenses on a remote Civil 3D workstation which is using a software VPN
connection to the company network is not recommended. This typically includes workstations that need to start up VPN
client software in order to connect to the company network. Because software VPN connections are generally less
reliable, the quality of maintaining the license after starting the software is in jeopardy and cannot be ensured. If the
remote Civil 3D workstation is to use network floating licenses, then a hardware VPN connection is strongly
recommended. If a hardware VPN connection is not available, the best practice is for the remote workstation to use a
borrowed license (discussed below) instead.
Your system administrator will need to tell you the path (computer name or IP address) of the license server computer,
which you must enter on this screen.
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Once you have set the server name (or IP address), click the “Apply” button. This will verify the settings by attempting
to check out a floating license for this suite. If the server can be contacted correctly and a license checked out, the
following dialog will appear:
At this point, the status at the top of the Product and License Information screen should show that a network floating
license has been acquired.
Borrowing a Network Floating License
IMPORTANT: For normal use of the software, where you have a connection to the network with your license server,
you DO NOT need to borrow a license. Borrowing a license is normally only needed when you know you will need to use
the software at a time when you won’t have a reliable connection to your network. While you have a license borrowed,
that is one less shared license available to all other users.
IMPORTANT: In the event your computer is lost, stolen or damaged (e.g. a hard drive crash) an administrator CAN
NOT recover a borrowed license. In that case, the license will be unavailable to all users until the borrow period has
naturally expired. As such, you only want to borrow a license for the barest minimum amount of time needed.
Begin by opening the Product and License Information screen. From here, click the ‘Borrow…’ button to the right of the
Network Floating choice to begin the process of choosing the length of time to borrow a network floating license.
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The date selector should appear:
Confirm the date selection and click the Borrow License button. A success message should appear.
Returning a Borrowed Network Floating License Early
To return the license early, in the Product and License Information form, find the Return Early… button and click it.
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A prompt will appear confirming that the license should be returned.
Click the Yes button, then you should see:
The license status should now show a ‘not borrowed’ message.
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Changing Licensing at Any Time
Licensing can also be changed at any time using the “Suite Licensing” option from the application menu in any premium
tool.
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How to Use
All tools are launched from the CIM Project Suite Ribbon tab or command line strings.
o Feature Line to Alignment FL2A
o Survey Sweeper SDSW
o Point File Converter N.A. (launched from Ribbon or desktop Icon)
o Parts Swapper PARTSWAPMULT
o Pipe Planner
Edit/export parts PIPESEDIT
Import parts PIPESIMPORT
o Pipe Designer PIPEDES
o Parts Tagger PARTSTAG
o Auto Grader AUTOGRADER
o Earthwork Processor:
Create earthwork sets EARTHPROC
Offset subgrade regions REGIONOFFSET
o Corridor Cleanup CORC
o Corridor Mapper
Setup Targets CMAP_SETUP
Auto Map Targets CMAP_AUTO
Rename Layers/Subassemblies CMAP_RENAME
Layers from Subassemblies CMAP_LFS
o Corridor Splitter CORS
o Corridor Merger CORM
o Label Genie LABELGENIE
o Data Wizard
Set Up Legend DATAWIZARD
Legend from Template LEGENDTEMPLATE
Update Legend LEGENDUPDATE
o Sheet Generator
Plan Viewshapes VIEWSHAPES
Profile Views (native) AeccCreateMultipleProfileView
Networks to Views UPDATEPROFILEVIEWPARTS
Adjust Profiles ADJUSTVIEWS
Move on Profiles MOVEONEPROFILEVIEWS
Profile Viewshapes PROFILEVIEWSHAPES
Create Layouts CREATELAYOUTS
Update Layouts UPDATELAYOUTS
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Feature Line to Alignment
The tool consists of one dialog box. Detailed descriptions of all features are explained below.
Name: Name of the Alignment to be created
Alignment Type: Select from one of the Alignment types.
Starting Station: Starting station of the Alignment
General Tab
Site: If desired, Site in which the Alignment will reside
Alignment Style: Object Style to control Alignment display
Alignment Layer: Layer on which Alignment will reside (from Object Layers)
Alignment Label Set: Label Set Styles for the Alignment
Profile Options – Create profile: Option to create a Layout Profile
Profile Options – Name: Name of the Profile to be created
Profile Options – Style: Object Style to control Profile display
Profile Options – Label Set: Label Styles or the Profile
Conversion Options – Reverse Direction: Option to switch the stationing direction from default. Note: low
station will be at the end that is closest when selecting the Feature Line. Unlike the out-of-box tool for Polyline
conversion, this tool does not prompt the user with a direction arrow prior to the dialog box opening.
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Conversion Options – Erase Existing Entities: Option to erase the Feature Line at the time of Alignment and
Profile creation
Design Criteria Tab
Note: this functionality is the same as the out-of-box tools for Polyline conversion.
Starting Design Speed: Design speed for Alignment
Use Criteria-based design: Option to use an external XML file to check design parameters are meeting
specifications.
Use Design Criteria file: Option to use external file containing design specifications
Use Design check set: Option to use design check set from definitions within the drawing
NOTE: Alignment Type option is only available in version 2018 and newer.
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Survey Sweeper
This tool will delete selected Survey Points and Survey Figures in the current drawing AND it’s corresponding Survey
Database. The point of this tool is to alleviate the tedious process required to delete Survey Points and Figures in the
Survey Database. For this tool to function, the user must have a drawing open containing Survey Points and/or Survey
Figures, as well as the Survey Database from which the drawing’s Survey Points or Figures originated. The Survey
Database must be opened for editing.
The user will be prompted to select Survey Points or Survey Figures to be deleted. After selection and initiation of the
command, a message will display the number of Survey Points and Figures to be deleted. The user can then click Yes or
No. Items will then be deleted from both the drawing and the Survey Database.
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Point File Converter
This tool converts survey point files (.csv, .txt, etc.) from one code list to another, allowing field work in one code list,
and CAD processing in another. Through a simple Excel “translation file” that spells out the code conversions, the tool
will read the conversions and apply them to one or more point files. Line work codes, prefixes and suffixes, Field Code
Delimiters and Field Code Escape codes are all accounted for. Users can create as many Translation Files as needed, then
simply point to them when running this tool.
Interface
Point File Converter is a standalone tool that can be launched from within Civil 3D, or the desktop icon that installs. The
following dialog box is used to perform the conversions.
Translation File: Excel spreadsheet that spells out the conversions. More details below on creating these.
Open Sample Translation File: opens a same Excel spreadsheet with the proper formatting required the tool to
function.
Column to convert: column to perform the conversion on, in the specific point files.
Ignore comments after Field Code Escape: if checked, all text after the Field Code Escape character specified in
the Translation File will be ignored in the conversion.
File(s) to convert: files on which to perform the conversion
Save as: option to save the converted file as either comma- or tab-delimited.
Save to same location(s): will save converted files in same location as source files
Save to: option to save converted files to a different location
Prefix/Suffix: text applied to the filename of the resulting converted files
Report codes not specified in the translation file: for text strings found in the source files (only in the specified
column) that are NOT found in the Translation File, a report will generate if this is checked.
Translation File
The following is the Sample Translation File provided. The order of columns, as well as the use of only one header, is
critical to the tool’s functionality. The header names can be changed, but not the order.
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Old Code: Survey or Linework code to be converted
New Code: Survey or Linework code to convert to
Old/New Prefix/Suffix: alphanumeric prefix/suffix that may be adjacent to a given survey code
o EXAMPLE 1: to convert XYZ1 to ABC1, XYZ2 to ABC2, and so on, the columns should look like above.
o EXAMPLE 2: to convert XYZ1 TO 123A, XYZ2 to 123B, and so on, the columns should look like below:
Old/New Feature Code Delimiter: as noted in the Civil 3D Linework Code Set, this is the character to
differentiate between multiple survey and/or linework codes. Item 3 below corresponds with these columns. If
you want
o EXAMPLE 1: for a description of TOC PC B, the delimiter is a <space>
o EXAMPLE 2: for a description of TOC.PC.B, the delimiter is a “.”
o The Civil 3D Linework Code Set is specified in the Survey User Settings of the Survey tab in Toolspace. To
use a space, be sure to type the characters <space>, as shown below.
Old/New Field Code Escape: as noted in the Civil 3D Linework Code Set, this is the character after which text is
ignored when imported into Civil 3D. This corresponds to item 4 above.
o EXAMPLE: for a description of TREE 16 /DEMO, the “DEMO” text will not be observed in Civil 3D and
won’t be converted in Point File Converter if the “Ignore comments after the Field Code Escape” box is
checked. These comments will also not be considered in the report created after file conversion.
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o The Civil 3D Linework Code Set is specified in the Survey User Settings of the Survey tab in Toolspace.
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Parts Swapper
This tool allows for the swapping of multiple Pipe Network parts, both Structures and Pipes, for alternatives. Users can
simultaneously select parts in Plan, Profile View, or by Pipe Network name. Parts will be swapped similar to the native
Swap Parts command but allow it to be performed on multiple parts at a time. Parts can also be swapped from one
family to the next, allowing for the current part size to be retained while switching it to a different family. The tool will
prompt users to select Pipes or Structures in Plan or Profile View manually or by pipe run. The dialog box below will then
launch.
By Selection: method to allow interactive selection of additional parts in the drawing, including selecting by pipe
run
Select Parts: click button to interactively select parts in the drawing
By Entire Network: allows selection of parts by entire Pipe Network
Parts to Swap: list all structures and pipes that will be swapped
Clear Selection: will clear selected parts from the Parts to Swap list
Parts List: current list from which to select replacement Structures and Pipes
Replacement Structure: Structure to replace selected Structures
Replacement Pipe: Pipe to replace selected Structures
Retain Size: If checked, will allow selection of part family and not specific part. Parts Swapper will then swap the
part to the corresponding size of the selected family. If there isn’t a matching size, user will be prompted with
option to specify.
NOTE
If a user selects parts from multiple Pipe Networks, an error message will display stating this, and all parts will
not be selected.
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Pipe Planner
Load pipe networks in an in-app spreadsheet or export to Excel. Edit properties and perform analyses in the spreadsheet
then push changes back to the pipe network in Civil 3D. Create customized manhole schedules, pipe depth reports, and
detailed QTO, all through one intuitive interface.
Included Functions
1. Edit/Export Pipe Networks: primary function where users can add any number of pipe networks, parts and
properties to a spreadsheet interface. Full customization of property and part order are possible. Users can then
edit properties in the spreadsheet and apply the updates to the drawing or choose to export the custom-built
table to external spreadsheets.
2. Import Spreadsheet: function where users can import an external spreadsheet into the current drawing. Part
IDs in the spreadsheet will match up with those in the drawing and editable parameters will be updated upon
importing.
Workflows
Many workflows are possible with Pipe Planner. Below are some common ones and the general steps to complete them.
Details on specific functionality are found below.
Edit pipe networks via a customizable in-app spreadsheet
1. Run Edit/Export Pipe Networks and choose desired pipe network(s)
2. Add parts to be edited from left table to middle
3. Add properties to be edited from right table to middle
4. Use manual editing, clipboard copying and press-and-drag options to edit properties
5. Click OK or Apply to write changes back to the drawing
Export pipe networks to spreadsheets to perform analyses, then sync changes back to Civil 3D
1. Run Edit/Export Pipe Networks and choose desired pipe network(s)
2. Add parts to be exported from left table to middle
3. Add properties to be exported from right table to middle
4. Choose export options in bottom left, creating new or exporting to pre-configured sheets
5. Perform analyses and edits in external spreadsheet as desired, changing pipe properties and geometry
as necessary
6. Save spreadsheet
7. Run Import Spreadsheet and browse to external spreadsheet
8. Select desired sheets to be imported
9. Verify parts and properties to be updated
10. Select Import to write values from spreadsheet to current drawing. Note that new parts cannot be
created, only edited.
Export pipe depth reports, structure schedules and other reports to external spreadsheets
1. Run Edit/Export Pipe Networks and choose desired pipe network(s)
2. Add parts to be exported from left table to middle
3. Add properties to be exported from right table to middle. Note, for pipe depth reports, the number of
created property columns will depend on the pipes’ geometry and the parameters specified in Option of
the app.
4. Choose export options in bottom left, exporting to new or pre-configured sheets
Import external spreadsheets to update pipe networks in the current drawing
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1. Run Import Spreadsheet and browse to external spreadsheet
2. Select desired sheets to be imported
3. Verify parts and properties to be updated. Note that ID fields in the spreadsheet must match up with ID
fields in the drawing for the part to be updated.
4. Select Import to write values from spreadsheet to current drawing. Note that new parts cannot be
created, only edited.
Interface and Definitions
Running Edit/Export Pipe Networks will launch the following dialog box:
Select Network: pipe networks in the current drawing. Upon selection, parts and properties from that pipe
network will appear in the left and right tables
Template options (top right of dialog box)
o Option to save out templates to reuse in other drawings or in the future
o If saved to the path specified in Options, templates will appear in the dropdown.
o Template in dropdown can be loaded to update Pipe Planner
o All parts and properties, where possible, will be saved to the template. If any parts or properties don’t
exist in the selected pipe network(s) they will be ignored.
All, Structure and Pipe tabs: view structures and pipes together in one list or in separate views. This does not
affect what will be exported or written to the drawing when OK/Apply is selected.
Left Table: shows all parts available in the selected pipe networks.
o Use the arrow buttons to add and subtract properties from the right table to the middle.
o As parts are added from the left table to the middle table, they are removed from the left.
o Click headers to control sorting
o Add selected parts to middle table
o Add all parts to middle table
o Pick parts from drawing to be added to middle table
o Remove selected parts from middle table
o Remove all parts from middle table (if on structure or pipe tab only they will remove)
Middle Table: all parts and properties that can be edited and/or exported to external spreadsheets. Parts and
properties are inserted into this table so that users can work with them or export.
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o Formatting is based on settings in Options
o Right-click options available to remove one or more rows or columns.
o Double-click headers to sort
Right Table: shows all properties available in the selected pipe networks.
o Use the arrow buttons to add and subtract properties from the right table to the middle.
o As properties are added from the right table to the middle table, they are removed from the right.
o Use filter field at the top to trim the list of properties showing.
o Categories can be minimized for easy browsing.
o Greyed-out rows are read-only
o Calculated fields – Pipe Property: Pipe depth at Interval is a unique property that will calculate depths
along pipes based on their reference surface and tabulate the lengths within specified depth ranges.
Settings in Options control behavior of this property. Note that depending on the number of pipes in the
middle table and the value of the settings specified in Options, calculation and population of these
values in the middle table can take some time.
o Catchment – Structure Properties: This is only available in Civil 3D 2022 and beyond and is based on
connected catchments to structures. If there are any catchments connected to structures their
properties will show up in the middle table when these properties are added. If there are no catchments
attached to the structure no values will appear.
o Add selected properties to middle table
o Move selected rows in the middle table up
o Move selected rows in the middle table down
o Remove selected properties from middle table
o Remove all properties from middle table, except ID (if on structure or pipe tab only those types of
properties will remove)
o Description Property: if edited and applied to the current drawing, and the new value matches another
part name in the parts list for that pipe network, a SWAP PART function will be performed. If the new
Description property does not match any parts in the parts list, the Description field will simply be
updated for that part in the drawing. This should be how users change part sizes, not attempting to
change Inner Diameter properties, or similar.
Export Options
o External spreadsheet path: set a path and spreadsheet to export the middle table to. If the spreadsheet
doesn’t exist at the time of export, one will be created based on the path and name in this field.
o Create new or write to existing sheets: dropdown to control whether the middle table will export to
preconfigured sheets in the specified spreadsheet or create new ones. If Write to existing sheet is
chosen sheet names will appear in the dropdowns to the right.
o Structures sheet: When write to existing sheet is chosen, option to specify the sheet to write to for
structures (note, this will read “All” if the Structure/Pipe on separate tabs is disabled)
o Pipes sheet: When write to existing sheet is chosen, option to specify the sheet to write to for pipes
(note, this will be disabled if the Structure/Pipe on separate tabs is disabled)
o Starting Cells: starting cell where the top left cell of the middle table will insert. If Include headers is
enabled this cell will be where the leftmost header inserts. Click the ellipsis button (…) to interactively
select the starting cell.
o Include headers: option to include headers in the export
o Structure/Pipe on separate tabs: option to separate structures and pipes onto separate tabs in the
export. Note, the current tab selected (All, Structures, Pipes) in this dialog box does not have any effect
on how the data is exported.
OK and Apply: writes all data (for editable fields only) from the middle table back to the drawing, accounting for
any edits the user may have made in the middle table.
o If multiple fields are added to the middle table that are related (for example, pipe end invert and pipe
end crown) the rightmost property will control when writing to the drawing. In other words, Pipe
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Planner writes properties from the middle table starting with the leftmost column and ending with the
right when updating the drawing.
o After the drawing has been updated the middle table will refresh if any of the values are affected by the
updating of related values.
o Clicking OK will close the dialog box afterwards, Apply will keep it open.
Export: exports middle table data based on the properties specified in the dialog box for export options.
o No formatting from the middle table will be carried to the spreadsheet except for bolding of headers.
Formatting can be specified in an existing spreadsheet and when Pipe Planner exports to it only values
will be exported, not formatting.
Running Import Spreadsheet will launch the following dialog box. This function is for updating of pipe network parts
only. It will not create new parts or networks. Parts are updated by matching the ID field in the spreadsheet with those
in the drawing. This is the “handle” of the object and is something Civil 3D manages in the background. When exporting
spreadsheets, simply leave the ID field alone.
Spreadsheet path: browse to external spreadsheet to be imported into Civil 3D.
Refresh button: Option to refresh the results table if something has changed in the referenced spreadsheet
Select Sheets: option to choose which sheets in the selected spreadsheet should be imported into the current
drawing.
Results table: shows all parts to be updated from the selected spreadsheet.
o New parts will not be created, only existing parts updated.
o Properties highlighted in green are ones to be updated, meaning the value found in the spreadsheet is
different than that found in the current drawing.
o Rows highlighted in red contain IDs (or parts) that are not found in the current drawing. Parts with valid
ID matches can still be updated from the import, but red highlighted rows will be ignored.
o Columns highlighted in grey are read-only properties and will not be updated from the spreadsheet,
even if they are different values from those in the current drawing.
Import: clicking import will update the drawing and all parts shown in the table to match the new values
displayed.
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o Red highlighted rows will be ignored since there is no matching ID in the current drawing.
o New parts will not be created, only existing parts updated.
o For Description properties that have changed, if the new value matches another part name in the parts
list for that pipe network, a SWAP PART function will be performed. If the new Description property
does not match any parts in the parts list the Description field will simply be updated for that part in the
drawing.
Clicking the Options button in either function will launch the following dialog box:
Remember the size and position of main window: controls main dialog box behavior
Pipe Planner templates path: Default path of where templates are saved to and opened from
Formatting: controls appearance of middle table and import results values. Note, these formatting settings do
not export to external spreadsheet.
Pipe depth calculations: these parameters control behavior of the properties Pipe depth at interval for pipes
o Measure from: the distance that pipe depth is measure to (from the pipe’s reference surface to this
value)
o Range Increment: controls the value of the pipe depth ranges in the middle table
o Sample interval: determines how often Pipe Planner will calculate depths along the length of pipe.
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Pipe Designer
This tool allows for the design of Pipe Network runs within Civil 3D using a spreadsheet editor. The parts can be modified
by elevations or slopes. Options for slope interpolation, rule-based editing, and minimum pipe cover are also available.
The tool will prompt users to select Pipes or Structures in Plan or Profile View. The following dialog box will then launch.
Reselect: allows interactive selection of additional/alternate Parts in the drawing.
Reverse: provides the ability to reverse the order without having to go into the drawing
Zoom: allows users to select a window target for a new view state.
Undo: Undoes the previous action within the Tool. Will not undo edits applied to parts.
Redo: Redoes the action undone within the Tool. Will not undo edits applied to parts.
Method: affects whether network parts will be designed by slope input or by elevation input. Values that cannot
be edited will have a gray highlight over the cell.
o Edit Slopes: allows users to modify the slope of all selected Pipes. Pipe end elevations are not editable.
1. Match Inverts: will force all Pipes to join at the invert of the Pipes and incorporate the value
from the Drop column.
2. Match Crowns/Obverts: will force all Pipes to join at the crown/obvert of the Pipes and
incorporate the value from the Drop and Factor columns.
o Edit Elevations: allows users to modify the elevation at both ends of the Pipe.
o Crown/Obvert Loading
1. For crown matching method only, both Drop and Factor play into the calculation of end
elevation of the outgoing pipe, based on the following formula:
outgoing.pipe.elevation.1 = incoming.pipe.elevation.2 – Drop +
Factor*(outgoing.pipe.dia – incoming.pipe.dia)/drawing.conversion.units
2. When Pipe Designer is launched in Match Crowns method, OR when Match Crowns method is
initially selected, these values determine which property will be controlling, and which
calculated. Changing these values after the fact will not change the design unless the method is
toggled to Match Inverts and then back to Match Crown. Choosing constant drop will set drop
values as specified, then calculate the resulting factor. Choosing constant factor will set the
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factor values as specified, then calculate the resulting drop. This only applies to structures with
pipes of differing diameters. Both Drop and Factor can be changed after initial load.
Pipe Run Editing
o Apply Rules: option to apply rules assigned to selected parts to the entire pipe run loaded in Pipe
Designer. Rules will be applied to the Pipe Designer spreadsheet first, not to the parts in the drawing
themselves. To apply changes resulting from rule application select Apply or OK.
1. Rules will be assigned in the spreadsheet in a top-down manner, starting with the first part in
the pipe run and ending with the last.
2. Right-click options for applying rules to specific parts is also available
3. If multiple rules are found in a part’s rule set they will be applied from the bottom up within that
rule set
4. Rule sets must be assigned to the selected parts to have any effect
5. Rules that do not affect the slope or elevations of parts will not have any effect in Pipe Designer
6. If cover-based rules are applied, cover is checked at pipe ends only, unless additional locations
are specified in Options, as described below
7. If a structure is set to Lock Invert, as noted below under Structures, and a rule would lower that
structure invert, the structure invert will lower to the extent required to meet the rule
requirements
8. Option not available for Edit Elevations method
o Interpolate Slope: option to calculate a constant slope between specified parts. The invert elevations of
the first and last specified parts will hold constant and a constant slope will be calculated.
1. If a structure is set to Lock Invert, as noted below under Structures, and an interpolation would
lower that structure invert, the structure invert will lower to the extent required to meet the
rule requirements
2. Option not available for Edit Elevations method
o Set to Min Cover: option to set all pipes to a specified minimum cover over pipes. This will ignore slopes
and edit part elevations to minimize pipe cover.
1. Cover is checked at pipe ends only, unless additional locations are specified in Options, as
described below.
2. If Method is set to Edit Slopes, Drop will be held constant while minimizing pipe cover
3. If Method is set to Edit Elevations, Drop is allowed to vary to minimize pipe cover
Part Behavior
o Pipes
1. Invert: sets the pipe end elevation column Invert
2. Crown/Obvert: sets the pipe end elevation column Crown/Obvert
o Top of Pipe: sets the pipe end elevation column Top of Pipe Structures
1. Sump: allows structure sump values to be edited and makes invert values calculated
2. Invert: allows structure invert values to be edited and makes sump values calculated
3. By right-clicking on a structure cell, users can also switch this setting for a single structure. If the
global setting is toggled, all per-structure overrides will be erased
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Options
o Remember the size and position of main window: controls main dialog box behavior
o Highlight Rule Violation: based on the rules assigned to the part, values will be highlighted red when
rules are violated
o Precision: set the precision value for numerical cells. If “Use drawing precision” is selected, units will be
red from the current drawings setting in AutoCAD UNITS
o Supplemental cover checking: applies to Apply Rules and Set to Min Cover functionality. When using a
Cover Only, a Cover and Slope rule, or the Set to Min Cover, by default only the pipe ends are accounted
for unless additional options are specified here.
1. Pipe Center: checks cover at pipe center
2. Intervals along pipe: checks pipe at specified intervals
o Columns to Display: choose which columns are displayed. Users can also right-click on columns to
cut/paste them and change the order. The Structure and Pipe columns are locked.
1. Structure Column
Structure: rename the selected Structure (optional)
Description: structure description
Part Size Name: structure part size name
Invert: structure invert. Editable if Structures setting above it set to Invert, or structure
row is right-click and Lock Invert is selected.
Rim: structure rime elevation
Build: calculated difference between rim and invert
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Sump: adjusts/displays the sump value of the Structure. This value represents the
difference in elevation between the Structure invert and the lowest Pipe invert
connected to the Structure. Positive values are in the negative-Z direction.
Drop: adjusts/displays the difference in elevation between upstream and downstream
pipe crown or invert, depending on which method is selected above. Positive values are
in the negative-Z direction.
Station and Offset: station and offset of structure, based on it’s reference alignment
Vertical Deflection: deflection measured between two pipes connected to a structure.
Does not account for horizontal deflection, only a difference between pipe slopes.
2. Pipe Columns
Pipe: rename the selected Pipe (optional)
Description: pipe description
Part Size Name: pipe part size name
Invert/Crown/Top 1: adjusts/displays the invert of the Pipe relative to the Structure in
the same row of the spreadsheet as the Pipe being adjusted
Slope: adjusts/displays the slope of the Pipe.
Invert/Crown/Top 2: adjusts/displays the invert of the Pipe relative to the Structure in
the row of the spreadsheet below the Pipe being adjusted.
Length: displays the length of the Pipe (not editable). Accounts for the pipe rule, “Set
Pipe end location”.
Diameter: displays the diameter of the Pipe (not editable)
Min/Max Cover: as calculated in the part itself, the minimum and maximum cover along
the length of the pipe. Note that these fields will only update once table edits have been
applied to the parts in the drawing.
3. Rules Columns: Contain data for both structures and pipes
Rule Set: the rule set applied to the pipe or structure in that row.
Status: report rule set violations appear here.
Right Click (Structure or Pipe Column)
o Zoom to Plan: adjusts drawing view state to zoom to the selected Part in plan view.
o Zoom to Profiles: adjusts drawing view state to zoom to the selected Part in Profile View. If the Part
exists in multiple Profile Views, the user may choose which to zoom to.
NOTES
If a user selects parts from multiple Pipe Networks, Parts that are not continuously connected, or Parts from a
mix of Plan and Profile View, an error message will display stating this, and all Parts will not be selected.
The flow direction and start and end of Pipes, as defined during initial creation of the Pipe Network Parts, has no
effect on Pipe Designer. Pipe Designer edits pipes in the direction of the selection path defined when launching
the tool.
Structure Rim elevation may be modified by Pipe designer, such that it no longer follows the Reference Surface
of the Structure. This may occur when a Structure Invert is specified that creates a Structure that is too shallow.
In these cases, the tool will prompt the user.
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Parts Tagger
This tool provides an interface to push user-defined values for Grate, Cover, Frame, Material, Reference Alignment, and
Reference Surface to multiple Parts in a single command. These fields exist in full-function manhole Structures in the
out-of-the-box Parts Catalog and both Structures and Pipes can be assigned a single Reference Alignment and Surface.
These fields can be used in Civil 3D Labels or Tables to automatically display information like the casting type used on a
manhole and stationing and offset locations. These fields can be found in Structure or Pipe Properties of most Parts.
The point of this tool is to replace the tedious process of manually entering these values in Part Properties. Because
these values can be pushed to many Parts at once, things like Manhole/Pipe Schedules or detailed Labeling are much
quicker.
Clear Selection: remove previously selected structures from selection
Add All Structures: add all Structures in the drawing to the selection list
Add Structures Interactively: allows interactive selection of Structures in the drawing
Select by Network: allows selection of multiple Parts by Pipe Network
Structures Tab
1. Structures Selected: number of structures slated to have one or more values assigned to them
2. Properties fields (Material, Frame, Grate, Cover, Surface Adjustment Value, Sump Depth, Reference
Surface, Reference Alignment, Description)
Users can enter any value desired to be populated to selected structures
If <Do Not Modify> is selected, there will be nothing added to that field of the selected
Structures
3. Manning Coefficient: choose from a dropdown (if all selected pipes have an equivalent list value), or
manual entry (if all selected pipes have a string type field). Will be greyed out if the Manning Coefficient
field for all selected pipes is not of the same type and/or list of values.
Pipes Tab
1. Pipes Selected: number of Pipes slated to have one or more values assigned to them.
2. Properties fields (Reference Surface, Reference Alignment, Description)
Users can enter any value desired to be populated to selected structures
If <Do Not Modify> is selected, there will be nothing added to that field of the selected Pipes
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NOTE
If selected Structures do NOT contain one or all of the fields, there will be no effect
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Auto Grader
Create site grading models that are dynamic and stable at the same time. Define “parent” feature lines through native
methods, then create Grading Families to both generate and update “child” feature lines. “Parent” lines can be anything,
but might include gutter lines, pond tops, or right-of-way lines in subdivisions. Plug in distance, slope, and surface-
targeting parameters to create back/top of curb, pond benches, or side and back of lot feature lines. When “parent”
lines change, refresh Grading Families to automatically update “child” lines. Breaklines are automatically added to
surfaces. Layer and Style assignment is automated through user settings.
The main dialog below is where users manage grading families for different portions of the drawing.
The following form will launch when the Surface boundaries button is selected. Surfaces in the drawing appear here if
they are selected in any of the grading families in the main form. Auto Grader will create 2D polylines based on a best fit
assumption of where the surface boundary should be placed. This polyline will be added to the surface as a
“destructive” boundary, allowing users to make edits manually to fine tune the boundary. Boundaries will update when
running a grading family if the update option is selected below.
Load previously-saved template
Save grading family to a template
Control build order of families
Add or delete grading family
Edit grading family
Copy grading family
Destination surface
for family breaklines
Breakline
Settings
Run specific
family
Family
type
Run all families (from top down)
Create new surface
Manage surface boundaries (see
below)
Surface name
Update options:
Don’t create a surface boundary
Create and update surface boundaries as
contributing grading families are run
Create, but do not continue to update boundaries
as contributing grading families are run
Destination layer for boundaries
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Upon creating a new family, the option to choose from a parallel, perpendicular or template insertion family will be
available. Parallel families will create 3d parallel offsets of parent feature lines and launch the following family editor
dialog. Common uses are grading curbs, ponds, berms, or anything where there’s a concentric relationship between the
parent and child feature lines.
If a perpendicular family is created the following dialog will display. This family type will create child feature lines
perpendicular to the parent feature lines. It will also edit existing feature lines that intersect the parent feature lines.
Common use cases include grading of side lot lines in residential projects.
Anchor for
child feature
line. Can be a
parent or
previous child
Select parent feature lines by
filter or selection. Can offset the
full length of the parent feature
lines or a station range
Set layer, style and site of child
feature lines
Add, delete, or copy family child.
Each row creates a feature line
Change the build order of child
feature lines
Method to
define
child
feature
line
Side to
offset child
feature line,
relative to
anchor
Depending on
method, parameters
available to define
child relationship to
anchor
For surface targeting
methods, settings to
control frequency of
resultant child
feature line
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Grade existing Settings:
If a template insertion family is created the following dialog will display. This family type will insert user-defined feature
lines along parent feature lines.
Select parent
feature lines by
filter or
selection. Can
apply to full or
partial station
ranges.
Set layer, style and site
of child feature lines
Add, delete, or copy
family child. Each row
creates a grade break
Change the build
order of child feature
lines
Grade
break
name
Method to
define
child
feature
line
Depending on
method, parameters
available to define
child relationship to
parent
For surface targeting
methods, settings to
control frequency of
resultant child
feature line
Create new feature
lines by station interval
and side relative to
parent feature lines
Option to grade user-
created child feature
lines
Option to create a
parallel child
feature based on
the points defined
by this row
Fuzz factor for an existing feature line to be
considered as child in this family
Method to measure distance parameter specified in
child definition
Option to edit PIs in the child feature lines that do not
land at defined child grade breaks
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Feature line intersections:
Child Settings form will be available for Distance at slope and Distance to relative elevation methods.
Insert child templates at
feature line intersections
(see below)
Insert templates along parent feature lines at
intersections of parent and other feature lines
meeting filter criteria below.
Insert templates along parent feature lines at
midpoints between intersections of parent feature
and other feature lines meeting filter criteria
below.
Proximity fuzz factor to determine whether an
intersection is considered valid.
Filter criteria to control which intersections with
parent feature lines are considered.
Set layer, style and site
of child feature lines
Add, delete, or copy
family child. Each row
creates a new template
insertion instance
Change the build
order of each row
Name of
template
insertion
instance
Option to
select
template
feature
line in dwg
Template
feature
line base
point
Parameters to
define the
insertion behavior
of the template
feature line
Select parent
feature lines by
filter or
selection. Can
apply to full or
partial station
ranges.
Insert child templates
at station intervals
Method to
insert
template
feature
line
Rotation
of
template
feature
line
Child
settings
to
control
behavior
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Calculate slope/elevation from: option to choose how child template insertion elevations will be calculated.
Note that the template insertion northing and easting values will still be calculated from the parent feature
line(s).
o Parent feature line station: calculate slope/elevation based on the grading family parent feature line(s)
o High/low/mean point of adjacent feature lines: calculate slope/elevation by this method:
1. Looking along the parent feature line to find the first upstream and downstream crossing
feature lines that meets the fuzz factor in Feature line intersections and the selected Adjacent
feature lines site.
2. Based on the option chosen here, find the high, low or mean elevation point from the two found
upstream and downstream feature lines.
3. Use the grading child parameters to calculate the template insertion elevation.
Launching Options from the main dialog will bring up the following dialog with specific controls for app-wide behavior:
Notes about Auto Grader behavior
Auto Grader creates native Civil 3D feature lines and is “aware” of the feature lines it created compared to user-
defined feature lines using AutoCAD XDATA.
Feature lines created and edited by Auto Grader are not dynamic to the parent feature lines. Users must run a
grading family again to update the child feature lines based.
Auto Grader will add feature lines (both parent and child) to selected surfaces with the breaklines settings
specified. Users can make additional edits to the surface and Auto Grader will continue to only “manage” the
breakline sets defined in grading families.
Save position and geometry of the
Auto Grader dialog box settings
Default path of where grading families
are saved to and opened from
Default formatting settings for newly
created families
Default child feature line frequency
settings for surface targeting methods
App-wide precision displayed setting.
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Grading family templates are of the type .ag, but follow the industry standard JSON file format. These templates
can be edited in a notepad editor if familiar with JSON file editing.
Parent feature lines from one family can be based on child feature lines from another. However, one should be
aware of the build order on main dialog when updating grading families. The dependent family should be set
below the independent family.
The family preview is a visual representation only and is not to scale.
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Earthwork Processor
Generates detailed earthwork definitions by creating earthwork sets. Provide an existing and proposed surface, as well
as polylines or feature lines to represent varying subgrade depths across the site. Earthwork Processor will then
generate a dynamic subgrade surface, accounting for topsoil stripping, and providing cuts and fills per subgrade region.
When designs change, refresh the Earthwork Set and everything will be updated. Results can be labeled, shaded,
inserted in AutoCAD tables, and exported to Excel.
Definitions
Run: create/update surfaces and volumes.
Run All: create/update surfaces and volumes for all earthwork sets.
Proposed: user-defined proposed grade surface.
Existing: user-defined existing grade surface.
Subgrade Regions: user-defined polylines or feature lines representing different subgrade depths. Can be
selected in drawing manually or referenced through object property filters.
Subgrade Depth: depth of each subgrade region. Read from the elevations assign to the region polylines and
feature lines. Can be overridden which, upon running earthwork set, will update the elevations of the region
objects. Values entered cannot be negative values, depths are relative to comparison surfaces.
Cut/Fill Factors: user-defined multipliers affecting cut and fill volumes.
Area: area of region(s) to be calculated.
Cut/Fill Volumes: calculated volumes based on region objects and surfaces. Earthwork set volumes are based on
summing the individual region volumes.
Cut/Fill: calculated volume between cut and fill prior to applying stripping.
Net: calculated volume difference between cut, fill and stripping, if applied.
Stripping Depth: optional stripping depth to be applied to each set. If specified, an additional stripping surface
will be created by earthwork processor. NOTE: If stripping depths don’t coincide with proposed region areas,
create a secondary earthwork set with different region objects representing the existing subgrade. Use the
results of subgrade surface in this earthwork set in the primary set as the existing surface.
Stripping Volume: calculated volume based on difference between existing and stripping surfaces.
Label: option to insert mtext labels. Parameters displayed in labels based on settings in Options.
Shading: option to apply surface shading to the final earthwork surface. This assigns an elevation analysis in
surface properties. Details are specified in Options.
Totals: summed totals of all earthwork sets.
Create new earthwork set.
Delete selected earthwork set.
Delete selected earthwork set and associated objects (surfaces and labels).
Change build order of selected earthwork set.
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Copy selected earthwork set.
Save selected earthwork set to external template.
Create earthwork set from external template.
Create AutoCAD table from selected earthwork sets (settings in Options).
Export selected earthwork sets to Microsoft Excel (settings in Options).
Subgrade regions, as defined above, must not overlap with one another since they are used as breaklines in surfaces. To
assist with this, utilize the Create Regions function. Through filtering and/or manual selection, this function will create
offset objects based on previously drawn objects.
Definitions
Offset: horizontal distance to offset selected objects
Inward: direction, relative to the source object, to offset new objects
Delete existing entities: option to delete the selected objects to be offset
By filter: number of objects to offset found through filtering
Selected: number of objects to offset found through manual selection
Filter properties: various filtering methods to include or exclude different source objects to be offset. Note that
if a property is left blank for both include and exclude, no objects will be found. If a value for exclude is specified,
all objects NOT meeting that criterion will be found.
Launching Options from the menu bar will open the following dialog:
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Earthwork sets default paths: path opened when saving/opening earthwork set templates
Default Cut/Fill factors, stripping depth: value used for newly created earthwork sets
Table precision: numeric precision of values displayed in the main dialog
Region naming: option to use object layer or object name as the name template of new subgrade regions
Display total row: option to toggle totals row at the bottom of the main dialog
Create surface folders for each earthwork set: automatically create a surface folder for all earthwork processor
surfaces
Surfaces tables: options to specify unique surface styles and breakline settings to each earthwork processor
surface. (Each of these surfaces are defined in the section below.) If match default is selected for an earthwork
set it will follow the app default. If match default is selected for the app default, it will follow the current
drawing’s settings.
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Shading: options to specify surface shading to be applied to earthwork surfaces, allowing differentiation
between different cut/fill ranges. This will assign an elevation analysis to the Earthwork surface for each
earthwork set if shading is checked on in the main dialog. A style with elevations displayed must also be
assigned to the earthwork surface in this dialog.
Label and Excel/Table sections: formatting options for MText labels and Excel/Table creation.
o Choose which parameters display
o Double click on the parameter in the list to specify formatting or rename
o Set the order of parameters
Decimal character, Digit grouping symbol, Digit grouping: global formatting settings for Labels, Excel exports
and Table creation. Does not apply to main dialog displays.
*NOTE: Label must be checked on for a given subgrade region or set to be created/updated.
Earthwork Processor behavior:
This app calculates volumes based on a prescribed workflow of surface creation for each earthwork set. Each
time an earthwork set is run these operations run and the following surfaces are created and/or updated.
1. Create subgrade depth surface by adding region objects as breaklines. This is an auxiliary surface used
only to create the subgrade surface.
2. Create subgrade volume surface comparing depth and finish grade surface.
3. Create subgrade TIN surface by pasting in subgrade volumes surface. This represents the variable depth
subgrade surface and is used to calculate earthwork volumes.
4. Create optional stripping surface by pasting in existing surface, then lowering surface points by
specified stripping depth, per subgrade region.
5. Create earthwork volume surface comparing subgrade TIN surface and existing grade surface (stripping
surface if stripping depths are specified). This surface is what provides the volumes in the main dialog.
All surfaces and labels will be updated when an earthwork set is run. Users can make changes to region objects,
earthwork set inputs, and finish and existing grade surfaces and Earthwork Processor will take care of the rest.
If manual surface edits to Earthwork Processor-created surfaces are performed outside of the app, then the
earthwork set that created those surfaces is run, the manual edits will be overwritten.
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Corridor Cleanup
Corridor Cleanup will remove Corridor Targets from selected Corridors, Baselines and Regions. The point of this tool is
to alleviate the tedious process of removing targets from one or more regions.
Selected Corridors and Regions: Users can check/uncheck desired Corridor, Baselines, and/or Regions requiring
Target Removal
o When a given row is highlighted, the screen will automatically zoom to that item (disable this feature by
unchecking the box next to the magnifying glass
Corridor Targets to Remove: Users can check/uncheck Target types to be removed in the lower portion of the
dialog box
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Corridor Mapper
Corridor Mapper will allow for corridor targets to be automatically assigned by mapping subassemblies to layers, styles,
objects names, or mirrored from other subassemblies. Manual drawing selection of targets can also be used within
Corridor Mapper. Users can define a “mapping” for a given corridor then simply create target objects and Corridor
Mapper will automatically assign those targets to the appropriate subassemblies based on the previously-defined
mapping. This tool completely replaces the native target mapping dialog box with a much more dynamic and powerful
option.
Included Functions
1. Set up targets: primary function where user links layers, styles, object names and other subassemblies to
subassemblies to automatically assign targets to corridors
2. Auto-map targets: Once target mappings have been defined, user can select the Auto-map command to
automatically assign newly-drawn target objects to the corridor
3. Rename layers & subassemblies: Automatic renaming of layers to the name of selected subassemblies, and
vice-versa
4. Layers from subassemblies Automatic creation of new layers, the names of which are based on the names of
selected subassemblies
Workflow
1. Run Set up targets to map layer, style, object name and other subassemblies to subassembly names of a given
corridor. Objects meeting the specified properties will then automatically be assigned to the appropriate
subassemblies as corridor targets. The mapping defined in setup will be saved to that corridor, even if the
drawing is closed and reopened. If the corridor had targets assigned previously through the native Civil 3D
functions, Corridor Mapper will prompt the user with options.
2. As new target objects are drawn on previously mapped layers, styles or object names, users simply need to run
Auto-map targets and the tool will automatically assign newly-created target objects to the appropriate
subassemblies.
3. As users continue to draw new target objects, the Rename layers & subassemblies and Layers from
subassemblies functions can be utilized to aid in the process of defining additional target mappings.
Interface and Definitions
Running Set up targets will launch the following dialog box:
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Corridor filter dropdown: corridor to receive target mappings (dropdown or select in drawing)
Baseline filter dropdown: select a single baseline within the selected corrido to show only subassemblies within
that baseline
Region filter dropdown: select a single region within the selected baseline to show only subassemblies within
that region
Surface tab – left side
o List all subassembly parameters allowing surface targets, based on filtering options
o Select one or more subassembly parameters to receive a target assignment
o Type in manual test filter to further limit the list
o # column: number of subassemblies found with identical parameter names. Will be 1 unless all the
column values for a subassembly matches another.
Surface tab – right side
o Default Surface for new Subassemblies: option to specify surface that will automatically be assigned to
newly added subassembly instances. Users will not have to return to this tab and continue to assign
surface targets if all surface-targeting subassemblies should always receive the same surface target.
o List of surfaces available to be assigned as a target. Option to filter by manual text.
Width/Offset tab – left side
o List all subassembly parameters allowing width/offset targets, based on filtering options. Includes option
for manual text filtering based on subassembly name.
o Subassembly defaults: option to specify default properties for newly added subassemblies. Will not
change properties of existing subassemblies.
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o # column: number of subassemblies found with identical parameter names. Will be “1” unless all the
column values for a subassembly matches another.
o Method:
Reference: assignment of targets via layer, style, and object name
Mirror: assignment of targets via mirroring of another valid subassembly
o Select: option to manually select targets in the drawing
o If Multiple Targets: option to specify how it handles multiple found targets
Nearest: targets nearest found object based on horizontal distance
Farthest: targets farthest found object based on horizontal distance
o Total Targets: list total number of target objects assigned, based on both reference targeting and
manual drawing selection. Click the number to display the following. User can delete manually selected
targets from this dialog box.
Width/Offset tab – right side
o Included object types: option to include/exclude certain object types from consideration when assigning
targets through Reference method (layers, styles, object names)
o Include xref layers, styles and objects: option to include xref drawings as eligible targets
o Auto-Map: automatically assigns layers or styles to subassemblies if their names match
o Layer tab
List of layers in current drawing
Checking layers will assign eligible targets on those layers to the selected subassemblies on the
left side of the dialog box
Option to manually filter layer list by text input.
o Style tab
List of in-use styles that are assigned to valid target objects
Checking styles will assign eligible targets with those styles to the selected subassemblies on the
left side of the dialog box
Option to manually filter style list by text input
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o Object tab
Option to assign target objects by object name
Type in one or more filter strings
Use commas to separate multiple strings
Use * to specify prefixing or suffixing
Click to assign the found objects as targets to the subassemblies selected in the left side of
the dialog box
Click to read value from selected objects in drawing
Slope/Elevation tab: all behavior is the same as the Width/Offset tab except:
o If Multiple Targets: option to specify how it handles multiple found targets
Nearest: targets nearest found object based on elevation
Farthest: targets farthest found object based on elevation
Flattest: targets object resulting in the flattest slope for the subassembly
Steepest: targets object resulting the steepest slope for the subassembly
Upon confirmation of the above dialog box, the following confirmation will prompt the user. If Yes is selected, targets
will be assigned based on specified target mapping. If NO is selected, the user will be returned to the primary target
mapping dialog box.
Initiating the Rename layers & subassemblies function will launch the following:
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Rename Subassemblies: will rename the subassembly(ies) based on the selected layer from the list.
Workflow:
1. Select the Layer
2. Click “Rename Subassembly”
3. Select Subassembly(ies) from drawing
4. ENTER to exit the selection process
5. Subassemblies will be renamed to match the name of the layer that was selected
Rename Layer: Will rename the selected Layer from the list based on the Subassembly that is selected.
1. Select the Layer
2. Click “Rename Layer”
3. Select Subassembly from drawing
4. Layer will be renamed to match the name of the Subassembly that was selected.
Initiating the Layers from subassemblies function will launch the following:
Reselect: will allow additional subassemblies to be selected from drawing
Magnifier: icon will zoom to subassembly, can also right-click zoom
Red X: will remove that subassembly part
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Prefix and Suffix: uses custom naming or will insert the main assembly name
Preview pain displays new layer name to be created
Select color and line type for newly created layer(s)
Check box whether or not to plot new layer(s) created
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Corridor Splitter
This tool allows a single Corridor to be split into two Corridors. All original corridor properties, including targets,
frequencies, surfaces, and more, will remain intact.
The user can select which Regions and Baselines will belong to which corridor. Users have additional options to rename
the new corridor names, as well as the baseline and region names.
Once initiated, the tool will prompt the user to select a corridor, then to select regions to be split into the new corridor.
Regions can be interactively selected, with selected regions turning from blue to green when clicked.
Clicking enter at any point will launch the dialog box:
Corridor: name of the selected Corridor to be split
Baselines/Regions: list of Baselines and Regions to be split
o Double-click the Baseline/Region name to rename
Start/End Station: station values from selection Corridor
<Corridor Names>: toggle Baselines and/or Regions to dictate which new Corridor they will belong to.
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o Click edit button to rename the corridor
o Click the green selection button to interactively select regions in the drawing
Zoom/highlight: selecting any number of rows will highlight the region in the drawing
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Corridor Merger
Corridor Merger will combine multiple Corridors into one. All Corridor Baseline and Region definitions will merge into
one Corridor, including Assemblies, Station Limits, Frequency, Targets, and Overrides.
Once initiated, the tool will prompt the user with the following dialog box:
New Corridor Name: Users can specify a new name for the merged Corridor.
Code Set Style: User can select a Code Set Style. The default style will be as specified in the current drawings
Corridor Settings.
Merge Identical Baselines: Baselines from Corridors selected that contain the same Alignments and Profiles, will
be merged into one Baseline. The Corridor Regions for these merged Baselines will become Regions under the
single, merged Baseline. When unchecked, Baselines and Regions from selected Corridors will stay intact in the
new merged Corridor, even if some of the Baselines contain the same Alignment and Profile. Note that Mid-
Ordinate values for Frequency settings will revert to default settings when Baselines are merged.
Delete Existing Corridors: When checked, all selected Corridors, and associated Corridor Surfaces, will be
deleted after Corridor Merger is executed.
Corridors to be Merged: By default, every Corridor Selected will be checked on. Users will have the option to
uncheck Corridors and remove them from the Corridor merge.
Surfaces: A list of Surface definitions found in selected Corridors will appear. Users can decide which Surface
definitions to transfer to the newly created merged Corridor and define a new name as well. Note that the full
Surface definitions found in the Corridor Surfaces and Boundaries dialog boxes will be transferred, but additional
Surface edits, as found in the Surface Properties > Definition, tab will not be transferred to the new Corridor
Surface.
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Label Genie
Automatically label your sheets and drawings with both Civil 3D and AutoCAD annotation. Choose anchor objects
through property filters, then insert 100s of labels at once on surfaces, feature lines, polylines, pipe networks, points,
alignments, blocks, and more. Works on multiple drawings and layouts at the same time. Users have detailed control of
label insertion, including offsets, rotation, scaling, styles, and more. Labeling can occur in plan views, or profile and
section views where applicable. Both AutoCAD and C3D labels can be populated with basic object fields, user defined
properties or property sets. Save labeling templates for quick repeat on other projects or drawings.
Label objects in the
current drawing
Check this box to
remove labels from
previously selected
Anchor objects only.
Save, load templates
to repeat labeling
scenarios
AutoCAD or Civil 3D
label type
Anchor object for labels
Anchor point on anchor
objects
.
View to label: plan,
profile or section,
where applicable
Limit and orient
labeling by layouts
and/or viewports.
Layouts are excluded
from xref drawings.
Report number of
anchor objects found
Browse to and add
additional drawings to
be labeled. These
drawings can be open
or not.
Include objects in
external references to
be labeled. Labels will
not be placed in the
xref, but in the host
drawing. Uncheck to
only consider objects
in the host drawing(s).
Depending on label
type, secondary object
from which labels read
data. i.e., surface spot
labels require a
surface. Cannot be an
xref object.
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Notes about Label Genie behavior:
Label Genie will simultaneously add and update labels
Label Genie assigns XDATA to label objects it creates, allowing the app to update labels
Label Genie has no affect on labels created by other means
For a label to be updated it must match criteria specified for the following parameters. If these don’t match
those used to originally create the label, Label Genie will not update it. This allows multiple label scenarios to be
applied without interfering with one another.
o Label Type
o Anchor objects and filter properties
o Anchor point of anchor object and associated properties
Labeling templates are of the type .lg, but follow the industry standard JSON file format. These templates can be
edited in a notepad editor if familiar with JSON file editing.
When labeling additional drawings, the current state of the drawings may affect Label Genie’s ability to add
labels. To ensure proper behavior, ensure drawings are saved and don’t have any processes running in them.
For labels created by Label Genie that have a user-defined dragged state applied, Label Genie will not change
the dragged state properties of the label object but will move the label anchor point if warranted.
See below for all the different label combinations, including limitations in certain situations.
Label parameter that
will be populated with
chosen data contents.
For C3D labels, label
components will be
populated here.
Available anchor object
properties to add to
labels, including user-
defined properties and
property sets.
Label formatting
(options vary with label
type)
Add and update labels
once all parameters are
set
AutoCAD Fields will be
created when
possible, including
when anchor objects
are in the current
drawing and the field
type is available in the
native field interface.
|counter| variable
inserts incrementing
numbers for each
label instance.
Option to override Civil
3D label types with
custom text.
For select label types,
non-zero offsets will put
label in a dragged state.
When updating labels
with Label Genie, user-
defined dragged states
will be left intact.
WCS will orient to dwg
world coordinate
system. View applies
when layouts are
chosen, and will orient
to the sheet. Object will
orient label to anchor
object.
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Pl = Plan View
Pr = Profile View
Xs = Section View
*Not supported when projected
to profile and section views
**No support for xref objects or
property sets
3D Polyline*
Alignment
Assembly
Block*
Feature Line*
Hatch
Line and Arc
Parcels
Pipe Network
Point (Cogo, Survey)*
Polyline
Surface Contours
Survey Figure*
Alignment - Station Offset
Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl
Blocks
PlPrXs Pl Pl Pl PlPrXs PlPrXs Pl Pl PlPrXs Pl
Dimension
Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl
General Note
Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl
Line and Curve
Pl** Pl** Pl** Pl**
Spiral
Pl
MultiLeader
PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs
Multiline Text
PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs
Pipe Networks (Parts Lists)
PlPr
Profile View - Station Elevation
Pr Pr Pr Pr Pr
Profile View - Depth
Pr Pr Pr Pr
Section View - Offset Elevation
Xs Xs Xs Xs Xs
Section View - Grade
Xs Xs Xs Xs
Singleline Text
PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs PlPrXs
Surface Slope (one point)
Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl
Surface Slope (two point)
Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl
Surface Spot
Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl Pl
Surface Contour
Pl
Label Type
Anchor Object
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Clash Seeker
Clash Seeker is a set of tools that will assist with running checks for object collisions, creating reports of said collisions,
and updating and managing objects within the clash reports. Clash detections can happen on a wide array of object
types in the active dwg file. Once the clash set has been defined and run in the dwg, the results can be reviewed within
the Clash Seeker interface or exported to an xlsx file or saved as a Table and placed within the dwg. When there are
changes made to the site or profiles or alignments, these clash reports can be updated based on the current state of the
drawing to reflect the changes made. Clash Set settings files can also be saved out of Clash Seeker and used again for
different drawings or projects.
Summary of Functions
Clash Seeker is made up of one main command and two update functions.
The Clash Seeker icon found on the General panel within the CIM Project Suite ribbon tab. Clicking this icon will launch
the main user interface where the clash sets, and early reports will reside.
The UPDATECLASHPOINTS command runs an update on the clash sets in the dwg without opening the Clash Seeker
window and then updates the COGO points placed in the dwg to help locate the clashes found.
The UPDATECLASHTABLE command runs an update to the clash sets found in the dwg without opening Clash Seeker and
then updates the Table(s) placed in the dwg with the latest clash set results.
The image below is a quick rundown of the Clash Seeker interface and where various tools are found with a brief
description on what they do.
Setting up Clash Sets
To set up a clash set, click the plus sign to add a row, then specify which object types to be clashed using the Source 1
and Source 2 columns.
Add/Remove Clash Sets
Save and Load Clash Settings
files
.
Options for sorting and
viewing objects shown the
results
Export results to Tables,
Excel, and as Cogo Points.
Color Coded Results based on
status.
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Next to each object type, there is a browse type icon. Click this to open the object selector widow. This window will
assist with how objects in the dwg will be selected. Use this window to manually select the objects or create a selection
filter to find objects by layer, description, object type, etc.
The final step is to define the clash set settings. In the Settings column there is another browse type icon. Click it and the
settings appropriate to the current clash set will appear. This window will change based on what two object types are
selected.
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Create as many clash sets as needed. If a mistake was made during this process, each setting can be edited until they are
correct. If one or more need to be removed, select the set(s) and click the red x.
Clash Reports
To run a clash set, click the Run button next to the desired clash set or click the Run All button at the bottom. Depending
on the number of objects found in each clash set, this process may take a few minutes. There will be a warning reminder
and a progress bar at the bottom indicating which clash set is currently being processed.
NOTE: If objects have been selected for a clash, but they are turned off when the clash set is run, they will automatically
be filtered out of the clash report. For any object to be clashed against, they must be visible in the dwg at the time the
set is run.
Once a clash has been run and there results to view, there are a few different tools to use to gain insight on the clash.
Each time the clash set is run, the Status will update based on when each clash result was found or updated. First time a
clash set is run they are all marked as New. Anytime after that, an existing clash found is considered Active. Clash results
can be manually changed to Reviewed or Approved for tracking purposes. Clashes that were once new or active that
were resolved by edits to the drawing will automatically get marked as Resolved after the next run.
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At this time, clash reports can be created by exporting the results to MS Excel, or inserted into the drawing as a Table. In
addition to this, each clash result can be marked with a COGO point that displays information about the clash. Settings
for creating these reports is found in the Options button shown here.
Results shown for
select clash set.
Use magnifying glass
to zoom to the clash
point.
Click Lightbulb to
highlight the objects
involved in the clash.
Clash Type is
controlled in the
Settings.
Distance depends on
the Clash Type and
Settings defined.
Clash Settings
Template file path.
Options for
controlling thr
precision based on
DWG settings or
manual entries.
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Creating Clash Settings
By default, the clash sets and clash reports live inside of the DWG file and will be remembered each time that file is
opened. To be able to use the same settings in another dwg, they will need to be saved to a ‘.csk’ file. Select all the
individual clash sets and click the Save icon. The General Tab in Options will provide ability to set a default template
path, use this before saving the settings.
To load the settings into another project, click the Open Folder icon.
After loading the settings into another DWG, they will come in the same as when originally created. Be sure to open
each sets object selection window and click the refresh button to ensure that the selections are correct prior to running
the clash.
Updating Clash Reports
To update the clash reports or tables or COGO points, there area couple ways to accomplish this. First is to open the
Clash Seeker app, re-run specific clash sets or click Run All. Then use the create table, or export to excel or create COGO
points commands. There are a couple of built in update tools that do not require opening Clash Seeker.
Export Settings to control the fields
and position upon export to MS
Excel or CAD Tables.
If inserting to a CAD Table, custom
Table Styles can be defined here.
Adjust additional report and table
graphics here.
Export Settings to control the fields
and position upon export to MS
Excel or CAD Tables.
Custom Styles can be used per
company standards.
Adjust additional point and text
graphics here.
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In the command line, type UPDATECLASHTABLE and press enter. There will be a prompt to select a table that was
created from Clash Seeker. Select a table and press enter. Clash Seeker will run in the background to re-run that clash
set and update the table accordingly. There will be a progress bar that appears to indicate the app is working.
The UPDATECLASHPOINTS command will update all COGO points placed for a particular set of clash results. Type
UPDATECLASHPOINTS into the command line, press enter. There will be a prompt to select a COGO point that was
generated using Clash Seeker. Once selected, press enter. Clash Seeker will run in the background to re-run that clash
set and update the COGO points accordingly. There will also be a progress bar to indicate the app is working.
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Data Wizard
Data Wizard is a toolset that creates AutoCAD and spreadsheet tables from AutoCAD and Civil 3D entities. All types of
tables, legends, lists, key maps, and quantity takeoffs can be created with Data Wizard. These entities can reside in the
current drawing, in external references, additional drawings, or limited to a viewport in the current drawing. Once tables
are set up, running the update table command will refresh a table based on any changes that may have taken place in
the drawings. Templates can also be saved out to external files to quickly recreate custom tables on other projects.
Summary of Functions
Data Wizard consists of three main commands:
Tables should be initially set up and created using the Set Up Table command. Once tables are created, they can be
updated using the Update Table command to reflect the latest changes in the source drawings, or to update the applied
template. If the settings file is saved during setup, it can be used in the From Template command to create tables
without going through the Set Up Table wizard again.
Setting Up Tables
Set Up Table command should be used to define all details for creating a table. Running this command opens the main
user interface.
Sets up the data sources and
entities for creating tables
from scratch.
Loads a previously saved
template and creates settings
using that template.
Updates a previously created
table.
Include entities in
current drawing and
its external
references.
Loads a previously
saved
template.
Limit entities to
selected Layout and
Viewport. If a
Viewport is
selected, graphics
objects will also be
sized based on its
assigned scale.
Include other
drawings to load
data from. Cannot
be selected when
limiting to
layout/viewport.
Save template at
any time during
the process for
later use.
Include
paper
space objects will
ignore all viewport
objects, must
have limit to
layout selected
.
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It should be noted that users can either select to limit the objects to a layout or a viewport, or to source the objects from
other drawings, but not both. When limiting to a layout, all viewports in that layout will be considered, unless a viewport
is explicitly selected. The checkbox to include partially visible objects controls whether the objects should be entirely
visible in the viewport(s) to be listed or not. This works in a similar manner to window or crossing selection in AutoCAD.
The checkbox to include paper space objects will be available only when selecting limit to layout and will ignore all
viewport objects.
In the next step a list of all supported AutoCAD and Civil 3D entities is presented. At this point, none of the source
drawings are queried to get the objects, so the quantity columns will be empty. If values in these columns are
immediately desired, the “Refresh” button should be pressed. Otherwise, the objects will be queried when the user
presses next.
Once the drawings are queried, the “Total Items” and “Filtered Items” columns will be populated. The “Total Items”
indicates the total number of objects found in the source drawings, and the “Filtered Items” is the number of objects
passing the filter criteria; these criteria include the Layer property checkboxes on the top of this page and the individual
filters applied to each object type.
Layer filters applied to all
objects.
Object-specific filters.
Objects passing layer and
object
-
specific filters.
All objects.
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Note that depending on the object type, the filters that are applied to it will vary. As an example, Hatches are only
filterable by layer, layer description and hatch pattern. For an object to pass these filters, all criteria must be satisfied.
That is, the non-empty filters are combined using the “and” operator.
Users can also use common Windows search wild cards to input filters. For example, to eliminate Points with “ B” and “
E” after the raw description, in the exclude column for Raw Description this would be entered: * B*,* E*.
Users can also eliminate objects with similar properties using the Weed Duplicates fields. For example, if there are many
Point that begin with TRC, followed by a number value, but only one of these TRC points should be included, one can
enter a “weeding” string.
On the third screen users see the results of filters selected on the 2
nd
screen. Each of the grid rows can be expanded to
show all groups and the number of objects in them. The quantities shown are those summed up for all objects falling
into the specific group. For example, expanding the Hatches row shows all the groups that contain hatches with
matching patterns and layers.
The items displayed in the grid depend on the criteria specified in the Filter settings. If either the Separate items or
Separate items with summary was chosen, the grid will display every instance matching the filter. If Combine like items
was chose, then a “representative” object will appear in the grid.
Weed out all duplicates whose Raw
Description begins with “trc”, “trd”…
Exclude objects who’s Layer
description contains “no plot”
Include only objects who’s Layer
name contains “symb”.
Grouping: Combine similar items or
create a separate row for each instance.
Number of object groups.
Total number of considered objects.
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The following rule set describes the grouping each of the objects, and how Data Wizard identifies a given object as
unique. The same criteria are used to give each object group a unique name.
Blocks: Block Name, Layer
Cogo and Survey Points: Raw Description
Multileaders: Style Name, Layer
Lines, Polylines, 3D Polylines, Features Lines, Survey Figures, Parcel Segments, Alignments: Linetype, Layer
Hatches: Pattern, Layer
Solids: Layer
Parcels: Style Name, Site
Clicking on Data to Extract button opens a dialog where user can select headers to include in table.
Additional data includes attributes, user defined properties, object data and property sets. The availability of additional
data columns depends on their availability in source drawings and the type of the object in question. To illustrate, if
user-defined properties are found for Cogo Points when querying the source drawings, they will be available to include
as columns in the table using Additional Data dialog.
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The final step of the wizard provides the user with options for text capitalization, graphics cell sizes (AutoCAD tables
only), output type, and data organization and sorting. The Data Sorting dialog can be used to apply a one-time sorting to
each object type based on the selected column. Users can also reorder columns or rows using drag-and-drop at any time
during this process.
The data columns will be populated with the information read form each of the objects within a group. If the column is a
summable quantity (such as length or area), the displayed data will be the sum over all the objects within that group.
Otherwise (such as columns for Style Name or Additional Data), the column will list the common value if it is the same
for all group members, or “(Varies)” otherwise.
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Pressing “Finish” in this step creates the tables. If AutoCAD table is selected, the user will be prompted to select the
insertion point of the table. Depending object and table styles, the result would be something like this.
It should be noted that to create detailed legends with Data Wizard like the one below, that Styles, Layers, Descriptions,
Codes, Block Definitions, and more all play a part. All this content must be organized in such a way that Data Wizard can
extract it and tabulate it. For example, if block sizes are not drawn to standard sizes, the resulting legends may look
undesirable. If Layer Descriptions, Styles Descriptions, or whatever information is used to create tables is not
standardized, then the outputs from Data Wizard will not be standardized.
Apply one-time
data sorting.
Table style.
Browse to spreadsheet file
to export to.
Choose an existing table to
use its style.
Options to include custom
Title, Object Types,
Headers, and Object
Column.
Minimum size for graphics
cells. Also controls Line
objects sample length, and
Hatch sample dimensions.
Additional scale factors for
Symbol size, Linetype Scale,
or Hatch Scale. Recommend
setting to 1.
Option to combine columns
for different data types. Only
available for Excel exporting.
Capitalization options
for data formatting.
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Below is an example of a spreadsheet output.
When creating Excel spreadsheets, the number of columns can be minimized by only showing the columns that contain
data for each object type. This option is at the bottom of the 4
th
screen. For this purpose, the headers need to be
repeated for object type.
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Creating Tables from Saved Templates
Instead of going through all the steps that were illustrated in the previous section, if a previously saved template with
desired settings exists, the From Template command can be used to utilize that template to create tables quickly.
Updating AutoCAD Tables
Once the AutoCAD tables are created, Update Table command can be used to update the table using the same or
updated templates. Running this command first prompts the user to select an existing table. Once selected, the user will
be presented in a dialog to select a previously-saved template.
If allowed by AutoCAD, the update command may be able to load the last template used to create this table, in which
case the template text box reads “<Read From Table>.” Note that extremely detailed templates cannot be saved in the
table due to the limitations of extended data sizes. In these cases, a template must be selected before updating the
table. Either way, the user can override this template by selecting another template file.
Notes:
If working with Cogo or Survey Points, and the Point Style Size option is set to “Use size relative to screen”, this
will be incompatible with Data Wizard. Data Wizard will instead use the “Use size in absolute units” option, with
a Feet value equal to the Percent value specified in the “relative to screen” option. This only applies to objects
who’s Point Styles are set to “Use size relative to screen”.
When referencing objects from xref or additional drawings and creating an AutoCAD table with graphics in it,
Layers referenced in those objects will be imported into the current drawing. The source drawing definitions of
those Layers (color, linetype, etc.) will be used to define the newly-created Layers in the current drawing, and
NOT any potential Layer Overrides that may exist on the Xref version of that Layer in the current drawing.
Parcel object data extraction limitations
Override the template with
another template file.
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o Cannot extract from xrefs or additional drawings, only current drawing.
o Cannot extract native fields, Parcel Address and Parcel Tax ID. However, use of User-defined properties
for this data type can be used.
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Sheet Generator
Sheet Generator is a multi-function, workflow-based solution for the creation and editing of Plan/Profile, Plan/Plan, or
Profile/Profile sheets. Users can set up and modify plan sheet layout along Alignments. Profile Views can then be
automatically adjusted to match plan view station ranges. Sheets can be automatically created with full integration into
Sheet Set Manager. Finally, and most importantly, edits to plan and profile configurations can then be made in
Modelspace, and the changes pushed to all previously-created layouts and Viewports, saving lots of time in manual
sheet editing, and preventing sheet recreation.
Sheet Generator is an alternative to the native Viewframes toolset in Civil 3D. It replaces all functionality provided and
adds additional functionality such as updating of sheets after they’ve been created, Profile View buffers, superior Profile
elevation range , smart plan view matchline placement, profile matchlines, and non-Civil 3D object management in
Profile Views.
Definitions and Initial Configuration
To properly use Sheet Generator to your organization’s standards, some simple setup is required and definitions
understood, including creation of some or all of the following blocks and files.
VIEWSHAPES – Polylines created in plan and profile that represent the shape of Viewports created in sheets. The
tool will create these, but this term is referred throughout the functions.
PRINT AREA BLOCKS (PLAN AND PROFILE) – User-defined Blocks that links the Viewshape placement in Plan or
Profile to the Viewport placement on sheets. These must be created and placed in the Plan and Profile Print
areas within the standard Layout template. The insertion point of the block must be the midpoint of the left
edge.
MATCHLINE BLOCKS – User-defined Block for plan or profile that contains the matchline, stationing, sheet name
and sheet, number, as desired.
MASKING BLOCKS – User-defined block for Profile Views that will mask data sources past the matchline. This is if
additional overlap stationing for Profile Views is desired, but data (surfaces, pipes, etc.) is not to be shown in this
area.
SHEET TEMPLATE – User-defined DWT file containing predefined Layouts with titleblocks, Viewports, Print Area
Blocks, and other relevant sheet information.
Workflow Overview
Sheet Generator is a series of separate functions that should follow this workflow. Upon scope changes, users can back
up to any stage of the workflow, edit plan or profile configurations, then go through the remaining workflows to update
all sheets. The order of buttons in the Ribbon represent the workflows, from left to right.
1. Layout plan views along an Alignment by creating Plan Viewshapes.
2. Create multiple Profile Views using this shortcut to the native Civil 3D command.
3. Add Pipe Networks to Profile Views as desired.
4. Adjust Profile View station and elevation ranges to match plan views and sheet size.
5. Automatically adjust non-Civil 3D objects placed on Profile Views en masse.
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6. Create initial Layouts from Plan and Profile Viewshapes.
7. Make desired changes at any stage of the workflow to accommodate project changes.
8. Automatically update Layouts according to project changes.
FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Plan Viewshapes
Creates Polylines and Print Area Blocks in plan view, based on selected Alignment and pre-defined Print Area Block. The
following dialog launches upon initiation of the command.
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FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Profile Views
Native tool to create Multiple Profile Views. The button is in the Ribbon for convenience. See Autodesk Help for
assistance.
The value for Distance Between Matchlines above should be specified in the Multiple Profile Views dialog box:
FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Networks to Views
Simple function that adds all Pipe Networks within a specified perpendicular distance of an alignment, to selected Profile
Views. This tool will only add parts that are within or partially within the Profile View Station range. Native tools will add
the entire Pipe Network to every Profile View, which greatly affects Civil 3D performance. This tool should always be
used in place of the option to add Pipe Networks at the end of the Multiple Profile Views native function.
The function is command line-based:
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FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Adjust Profiles
Adjusts Profile View station ranges to match plan Viewshape stationing, including the option to add station overlap to
the start and end of Profile Views. Also adjust Profile View elevation ranges to be justified on chosen data sources. The
following dialog launches upon initiation of the command:
FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Move on Profiles
Moves non-Civil 3D objects (MText, Polylines, etc.) drawn in Profile Views to account for adjustment of Profile View
station and elevation ranges in the previous function. If moving the object would result in it falling outside the current
Profile View station range, the object will be moved to the adjacent Profile View.
The function is command line-based:
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FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Profile Viewshapes
Creates Polylines and Print Area Blocks for profiles, based on selected Profile Views and pre-defined Print Area Block.
This function behaves similar to the Plan Viewshapes function, but serves to properly position Profile Views within
Viewports once the sheets are created. Profile Views can be live in the drawing or XREF’d. The following dialog launches
upon initiation of the command.
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FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Create Layouts
Creates Layouts based on Plan and/or Profile Viewshapes and Print Area Blocks, and a user-defined Layout that has been
set up in the current drawing with Plan and Profile Print Area Blocks and North Arrow Block inserted. New drawings will
be created and sheets placed into a sheet set. The following dialog launches upon initiation of the command.
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FUNCTION OVERVIEW: Update Layouts
Updates previously-created plan/profile sheets based on Viewshapes and Print Area blocks created. User can make any
manual or automated edits (per previous functions in this tool) to Modelspace Print Area Blocks and Viewshapes, and
“push” those edits to all layouts. (This is the main point of this entire toolset). User must choose Block and Layer names
requested in this function that correspond with those created in previous functions. This function needs to be run within
the drawing that the Layouts were created. Sheet Set data will also be updated per these changes. The following dialog
box launches upon command initiation:
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Getting Help
A variety of help and resources is accessible right within the applications:
Help: directs you to our help page.
Videos: launches YouTube playlist of videos for that specific application
Support: launches webpage to fill out support request to communicate with tech support personnel
About: provides information about current app, as well as direct access to download the latest release
