Paving the Way Forum: Recent Posts

Paving the Way Forum: Recent Posts http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Brought to you by I.II.I en Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:02:36 +0000 earlcenac on "parcels into Traverses" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/parcels-into-traverses#post-26 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:06:32 +0000 earlcenac 26@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Is there anyway to convert parcels into traverses without having to go around the parcels point by point to define the traverse? smceachron on "OnLive" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/onlive#post-25 Thu, 21 May 2009 22:10:56 +0000 smceachron 25@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I don't think a blog post would do this justice. This was published in MacWorld Mar 24, 2009: "OnLive has announced its online game service and “Microconsole” at this week’s Game Developer Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, Calif. The company promises “the most advanced games instantly” on almost any Mac or PC. It’s coming in Winter 2009 “in a variety of different pricing packages and tiers,” according to the company." "The OnLive Game Service is available in two different forms—either through a “MicroConsole”—only about the size of a deck of playing cards—that plugs into your TV and uses your broadband Internet connection, or through your Mac or a PC connected to the Internet and configured with a small browser plug-in available for download from OnLive’s Web site." Cloud computing, high speed internet, simple pc's or Macs demand loading data in real time. Sound like something your firm could use? Thousands of A|E|C firms spend billions of dollars each year replacing equipment. Why couldn't they use this technology today? They could... <a href="http://www.onlive.com" rel="nofollow">www.onlive.com</a> - check it out. smceachron on "Have you renewed your Subscription?" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/have-you-renewed-your-subscription-1#post-24 Thu, 07 May 2009 17:59:02 +0000 smceachron 24@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I'm hearing a lot of firms have opted to not renew many of their licenses under subscription. Partially due to unforeseen economic conditions, there are other reasons as well. I'm curious to hear your thoughts! Scott McEachron President, I.II.I Dallas/Fort Worth <a href="mailto:scottm@121pcs.com">scottm@121pcs.com</a> smceachron on "Topo notes" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/topo-notes#post-22 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:13:35 +0000 smceachron 22@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I can't decide if maybe we are having a language barrier, or I'm just a knucklehead - and it may be the latter. In any case, I guess I'm slightly confused. Items (manholes, trees, light poles) collected in the field have a raw description. When these points are imported into Civil 3D (or Land Desktop), we have the ability to apply Description Keys that will result in what we call a "Full Description." So - Raw description is what's collected in the field, a full description is what's shown in a drawing. The descriptions, however, are part of the point (as is the number and the elevation), they are not separate. You can choose to, or choose to not see these descriptions in the drawing. But regardless of which route you take, the descriptions always exist. You have an option of creating what we call external data references, and then labeling these data references automatically, but the references must exist in an external Microsoft Access Database. When objects are collected in the field, most data collectors will give you the ability to add attribute data (e.g the owner of a utility manhole) to a point, or a note to a point. But the attribute data and notes can't be automatically labelled by Civil 3D. If you need to add these notes, then that's a manual addition and can be completed in paper space or model space. I can't tell if you're talking about point Descriptions, or XDRef's, but I'm not sure even that matters. If the issue is with the masking, then turn off the masking in the style, and manually create a mask in model space where the visibility can be controlled via layer name - the mask shows up in one drawing, but not another - or in one viewport, but not another. If the issue is with the automatic sheet/match line generation, then I would ask if is it necessary to use the plan production tools to generate sheets. If you have less than 10 or so sheets, create your own match lines, with your own wipeouts and remove yourself from the mercy of the software. Objects can be moved from model space to paper space using the CHSPACE command, and can be copied through an x'ref using the NCOPY (nested copy) command. Alignment objects can't be labelled in paper space, there is not currently a way to select them through a viewport. So if this is what you're doing, my confusion is growing. HTH, Scott Joe on "Topo notes" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/topo-notes#post-21 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:31:48 +0000 Joe 21@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Nope, that's easy. And you have to let the program generate match lines for a plan profile sheet. I have notes that are referred to here at my office as topo notes. They're notes on objects that were picked up during the survey such as manholes, trees, light poles..... You place the notes on your plan view portion of the sheet. They pretty much border the plan viewport. what is happening is with the curvy road and the intersections my match line mask is covering some of my topo notes. I have topo notes that belong on sheet 1 but the mask portion over sheet 2 is covering up the last few notes. I was wondering if you could leave the mask on but bring certain objects to the front, or over the mask. Or even have some notes that only show up on specified sheets. I wish I could select objects from the "model" space on the sheets and draw or place notes on the paper space. Such as selecting an alignment in paper view and placing the station offset notes on the paper view that way there would be no over lap when I have multiple sheets for plans. smceachron on "Topo notes" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/topo-notes#post-20 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:51:18 +0000 smceachron 20@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Currently, match lines are unique for a given alignment - of course, if you let the program generate them. If you dig into the match line style, you'll see you have the ability to turn off the mask. I can't tell for sure by what you've written, but is this what you're looking for? Scott smceachron on "2010 Styles vs 2009 Styles" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/2010-styles-vs-2009-styles#post-19 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:48:55 +0000 smceachron 19@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I think you'll be fine with your 2009 styles porting into 2010. I haven't noticed any issues. Scott Joe on "Topo notes" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/topo-notes#post-18 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:23:58 +0000 Joe 18@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I might be missing something majorly obvious here, but I can not for the life of me get my topo notes setup correctly. I have a fairly complicated subdivision that consists of two roads. The main road curves multiple times and the second road is a U shape starting on the main road and ending back on the main road. I can get my alignment stations and offset notes just fine the style is "0+50 tree 12" 20.2'". My problem is is there a way to add the notes straight to a layout sheet so that the match line mask doesn't cover up some. Also is there a way to place match lines between two separate alignments and viewport sets and have the masks work on the sheets. mjung on "2010 Styles vs 2009 Styles" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/2010-styles-vs-2009-styles#post-17 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:33:17 +0000 mjung 17@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Has anyone looked into the differences between 2010 and 2009 styles? Can we use our 09 template and styles or do we need to start with a 2010 template and move our styles into it? freddy j on "FBK in 2010" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/fbk-in-2010#post-16 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:25:32 +0000 freddy j 16@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I hear ya! This will most definitely enable us to use Civil 3D for our survey dept. Fred Mitchell G&A TommieR on "FBK in 2010" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/fbk-in-2010#post-15 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:57:51 +0000 TommieR 15@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ So how cool is it that you don't have to take all three points on a curve shots in a row like the old LDD format? WTG Autodesk and Rob Todd!!! smceachron on "FBK in 2010" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/fbk-in-2010#post-14 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:44:47 +0000 smceachron 14@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ You can filter down the descriptions using description keys. Actually, using your example [b]TC1[/b] above, as long as you have a figure prefix TC in your Figure Prefix Database, you don't need the "B" or "BEG" or anything else for that matter, period. Civil 3D will begin a figure automatically if it finds the figure prefix in the database. First shot on TC1, nothing happens. Next shot on TC2, nothing happens. Third shot on TC1 - line is automatically drawn. You can even use the / as an "escape" during a sequence of shots - this would allow you take shots out of numerical order and still see correct linework. In the following example, i shot the midpoint of a curve first, then the PC, then the PT. But was still able to create an arc at the curb return. 15,5374.9371,5320.2997,0.00,BOC3 / [i](shoot BOC3 and escape - do not start a figure)[/i] 16,5374.9371,5368.6031,0.00,BOC3 H0.5 H2 RPN15 BC [i](shoot BOC3 - this will start a figure, then recall point 15 for the midpoint of an arc)[/i] 17,5390.9371,5368.6031,0.00,CL1 18,5406.9371,5368.6031,0.00,BOC1 19,5369.0793,5262.4419,0.00,BOC2 20,5369.0793,5306.1576,0.00,BOC3 [i](finally the last shot on the curb return)[/i] 21,5354.9371,5300.2997,0.00,BOC3 ([i]creates a line tangent to the curb return)[/i] 22,5354.9371,5284.2997,0.00,CL2 CPN12 hth, Scott freddy j on "FBK in 2010" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/fbk-in-2010#post-13 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:26:49 +0000 freddy j 13@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Thanks Scott. Does this mean my point description will now say B TC1? If I use the FBK file can I get my standard description of TC1? Hope things are going well for ya, let me know if I can do anything. Fred Mitchell G&A smceachron on "FBK in 2010" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/fbk-in-2010#post-12 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:14:03 +0000 smceachron 12@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Hi Freddy, The short answer: No, you don't have to convert the point file to a fieldbook. For example, if you have a text file with the following lines: 1,5000,5000,0.00,B BC1 2,5000,6000,0.00,BC1 3,6000,6000,0.00,BC1 And simply import the survey data as a point file (PNEZD Comma Delimited), the data will be properly read, and the linework will be properly drawn. The long answer: This is a significant step forward. In the past, it wasn't readily understood that you could run SVLINK and convert this "User-defined ASCII" file into an "Autodesk-Softdesk FBK with Linework." When the FBK was imported, the linework would be drawn properly. But with the advancements in C3D 2010, this is no longer necessary. You can now create survey data by importing a field book file, a landxml file, a point file (as above), or points from a drawing. The "Linework Code Set" holds the key to the linework creation tools, and the linework is always created based upon the description of the point. hth, Scott freddy j on "FBK in 2010" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/fbk-in-2010#post-11 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:10:17 +0000 freddy j 11@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Do we need to convert a point file to a FBK in 2010? I've seen some of the upgrades in coding and have cautious optimism. Fred Mitchell G&A smceachron on "C3D, NCS and the AIA Layer Guidelines" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/c3d-ncs-and-the-aia-layer-guidelines#post-10 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:19:03 +0000 smceachron 10@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I think that's the key - it's a "guideline," not a law. That reminded me of something else: I've seen firms use the "C" discipline designator for proposed work and the "V" for existing. I've also seen them split layers into "VF" for anything coming out of the field, and "V" (V is the discipline designator for "Survey") for anything done in the office. And that includes creating points. If the they are shot in the field - "VF," but if the were added by someone in the office - "V." You can tell then by the designator where the information came from. lpohlmeyer on "C3D, NCS and the AIA Layer Guidelines" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/c3d-ncs-and-the-aia-layer-guidelines#post-9 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:06:30 +0000 lpohlmeyer 9@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ I followed the NCS as a guide, with "sharing" in mind for roadway projects. I did keep the corr prefix because I control the visibility when plotting. In my street P&P I have a code set style just for plotting because they like to see the "pavement" shaded. So, having the ability to modify the corr layer properties came in handy. I did however, eliminate all the C- since our construction plans are for roadways only, with the occasional drainage structure included. smceachron on "Welcome to the Paving the Way Forum" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/welcome-to-the-paving-the-way-forum#post-8 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:57:13 +0000 smceachron 8@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Brian, John, Good to hear from you both, thanks! Scott jpostlewait on "Welcome to the Paving the Way Forum" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/welcome-to-the-paving-the-way-forum#post-7 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:34:35 +0000 jpostlewait 7@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Good luck Scott. John khakiboy on "Welcome to the Paving the Way Forum" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/welcome-to-the-paving-the-way-forum#post-6 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:23:42 +0000 khakiboy 6@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Looks good Scott. Hopefully this will take off for you. Brian smceachron on "C3D, NCS and the AIA Layer Guidelines" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/c3d-ncs-and-the-aia-layer-guidelines#post-5 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:56:41 +0000 smceachron 5@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Investigating an Implementation of the National CAD Standard (NCS) can be as simple as starting Civil 3D with one of the NCS templates that ships with Civil 3D. Civil 3D 2009 includes three Imperial templates with layer naming conventions intended to mirror the AIA CAD Layer Guideline (Metric templates of the same name are included as well): • _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Imperial) NCS Base • _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Imperial) NCS Extended • _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Imperial) NCS LDT In order to maintain “substantial conformance,” per the NCS, you need to follow the hierarchy as establish by the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines. The hierarchy consists of five components: 1. Discipline designator 2. One major group 3. Optional minor group 4. Second optional minor group 5. Optional status field <a href="http://www.121pcs.com/blog/images/AIA.png"><img title="AIA Layer Guideline" src="http://www.121pcs.com/blog/images/AIA.png" alt="AIA Layer Guideline" /></a> In the example above, the discipline designator AI refers to Architectural Interiors. Major groups are intended to describe building or construction systems, in this case walls. If you follow the NCS to the letter of the law, the major group layer names may not be modified, and user-defined major groups may not be introduced. The first optional minor group is intended to describe different major group types (full wall, half wall, etc.), and the second optional minor group is intended to describe the major group even further. The optional status field, in this case “N,” is a single character field that distinguishes the data contained on the layer according to the status of work or the construction phase (in this case “N” identifies the status of work as being “New). At first glance, some of the layers may not appear to conform to the NCS when taken literally. In fact, there is only a single major group (group with a major designator) of layers in earlier releases of Civil 3D (not Civil 3D 2009) that don’t conform to a literal definition of the standard: C-CORR*. Before modifying layer names beginning with C-CORR, think of the number of times corridors need to be shared with outside sources. Typically a corridor is created so that a surface representing proposed conditions can be extracted. When this is the case, the corridor layers are a moot point – they are seldom shared. If you decide (and it's just too simple to ignore) to go with the standard, be careful not to get too wrapped up defining layers for objects that may never be shared. Another thing to consider: Corridors are built to graphically design or describe a feature or features, such as a road. As C-ROAD is a proper name per the NCS (the Civil 3D 2009 templates use this as opposed to C-CORR, one can simply use the AutoCAD RENAME command to rename all corridor layers. The RENAME command won’t rename layers established as object layers, however. They will need to be renamed individually (but there are few of them). Per the layer guidelines, the minor groups are optional (though the NCS has provided a list of recommended minor group names), and user-defined minor group fields are permitted. They must contain four alphabetic and/or numeric characters and/or “~”, and must be fully documented on the NCS Compliance Disclosure Statement for the project on which they are used (read that again carefully, it effectively says - "free pass" to define layers to suit your needs, just be sure to follow the rules). Therefore, with the exception of layers “Defpoints” and “0,” each of the layers found in the NCS templates, do indeed conform to the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines as found in the NCS. Whether you're in North or South America, or overseas, check out the <a href="http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org/ncs/" title="National CAD Standard">AIA Layer guidelines</a> (low cost) or the very similar <a href="https://tsc.wes.army.mil/products/standards/aec/aecstd.asp">A/E/C CAD Standard</a> (no cost) if you're looking to standardize. Still at odds? Check out the list of <a href="http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org/ncs/adopters.php">firms that have adopted the standard.</a> Cheers! smceachron on "Google Earth 5 Released" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/google-earth-5-released#post-3 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:11:15 +0000 smceachron 3@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ To download the latest version of Google Earth, <a href="http://earth.google.com/" title="Google Earth">click here</a>. smceachron on "Welcome to the Paving the Way Forum" http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/topic/welcome-to-the-paving-the-way-forum#post-2 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:53:26 +0000 smceachron 2@http://www.121pcs.com/discussion/ Welcome to the Paving the Way Forum: Serving as your online community to increase your knowledge base, broaden your skillset, and pave the way for your success. Enjoy!