From the Ground Up

Point Cloud Civil 3D Extraction - LABS Project

If you keep an eye out on the Labs site you will have noticed that we have released a tool which can classify, create a Civil 3D ground surface and also extract linework.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/civil3d_pointcloud

 

It is a Labs project, i.e. it is not ready for full production use but we want your feedback.

 

I have been looking at this over the past couple of months as it came together and trying out a number of datasets which my friends at Leica, Faro and Topcon have supplied to me.  Big thanks to them for their time and use of their kit. 

AutoCAD Civil 3D has the the fullest connection to point clouds in the Autodesk range and can support many industry file formats.

Here is a sample of point clouds from those equipment manufacturers.

NOTE: These samples were done not necessarily for production use and quality can depend on the extra time used to scan for longer, more setups etc.

Leica

Tricky thing with this one was a line of parked cars along the road edge, the scan was shot from the park on the left side with only a couple of setups

 
 

 

Using the Labs tool to ground filter and create a surface

 

Nice and clean surface without cars in the way.

Faro

This one shows up better in grey scale

 

 

Result after the ground filter tool and surface created

Topcon 

This one has been done using their mobile scanner on a motorway, which is really the best way to scan without possession or traffic management in place.

 

 

 

Passing traffic, street lighting etc all removed after using the ground filter tool

.

Please give it a try and feedback via the Labs site.

Jack Strongitharm

12d Importer for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011–Now available

Now on subscription centre for download, the 12d import tool.

www.autodesk.com/subscription

Very similar user interface as the GENIO tool which is also on subscription.

 

Using this tool you can import geometry and surfaces into Civil 3D objects.

Using data-shortcuts, place all your 12d design into one drawing and share out the geometry and surfaces to other drawings and users.

Make a change in 12d, delete the content of that original design in the drawing and reimport and just hit save.  This will then update all Civil 3D objects in your project.

 

 

Jack Strongitharm

Storm and Sanitary Analysis UKIE - Overview video

 

Myself and Neil Brooker (our Map Guru) have put together a short video using the UK and Ireland version of SSA and the general workflow and localisation that has been implemented for our region.

Please excuse our basic drainage skills!!

You get the idea though.

 

The video is 23 minutes long so I have put this on this blog site so you can steam or download the file.

Also for those who are blocked from using YouTube at work.

Streaming video

Download MP4 video file (right click and 'save target as', 73mb)

Download SSA UKIE from subscription centre here

Jack Strongitharm

 

Civil 3D data in Revit A

Hi all,

Found som interesting information on sharing data between Civil 3D and Revit A.

Thought it might be of interest   

http://www.cadsoft-consult.com/blogs/civil/2010/07/can-civil-3d-revit-really-work-together-painlessly/

// Ove

Survey settings – “beginners notes”

 

Hi

Lately I have come across a few companies trying to achieve nice looking maps over existing conditions, using the new Survey tools in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

After some initial work they end up with Points and Linework on screen, but it might not look as they prefere.

As many of you are already aware there are a lot of Styles and Settings to get a nice looking map. Point Styles, Survey Figureline Styles, Linework codeset, Description keys….    and where do we find them?

I did a small guide for a company which helped out and I thought I could publish the brief notes from that below.  Please be aware that this is not a “step by step” guide, but it highlights some points a user might consider changing in their setup.  // Ove

 

 

General things to check

Layers

In general it is a good idea to create needed layers before assigning Styles and Codes to them.

 

Survey Search paths

In Civil 3D there are a number of search paths (for files stored outside the drawing) that affects all around Survey.

Survey Databases

The file path for the Survey databases can be placed anywhere.

If there is a need to move the place, or to connect to different databases, use right click on the row "Survey Databases" and select "Set working folder..."

Figure Prefix Database

The Figure Prefix Database contains settings for how Survey Figurelines should be created.

The database contains:

Linework Code Set

The Linework Code Sets contains information on how lines are created, what code attributes are used for Start/Stop a Survey Figureline and a lot more.

The information for Linework Code Set contains:

 

Create new Codes

When you need to add new codes to be used while doing survey you need to add the same to your settings in Civil 3D. They are Styles for Points and Linework (Survey Figurelines).

 

Create new Survey Figureline Style

Layers

Make sure Layer exist with Name, Color and Linetype

 

Survey Figure Style

Make sure Layer exist with Name, Color and Linetype

Found under Settings tab

Check all settings to make sure they have BYLAYER everywhere

Figure Prefix Database

Make sure Layer exist with Name, Color and Linetype

Found under Survey tab

 

Create new Survey Point Style

Layers

Make sure Layer exist with Name, Color and Linetype

 

Point Style

Make sure Layer exist with Name, Color and Linetype

Found under Settings tab

Make sure to set ALL Layers correct under the tab Display.

All Layers under Plan, Model, Profile and Section to correct Layer (See another existing Point Style for example)

Colors must be to ByLayer at all options (just an advise…)

 

(Point Label Style)

Make sure Layers exist with Name, Color and Linetype

Found under Settings tab

If you need Labels for the Symbol/Point to be presented in a different way (Position, color, text height etc) than the existing Point Label Styles you will have to set up a new Point Label Style

 

Description Key Set

Make sure Layer exist with Name, Color and Linetype

Found under Settings tab

Use Edit Keys (Right click) to add new (or change) Survey codes to the table

// Ove C

Autodesk Storm and Sanitary British English Version - Launch

As you may have seen from this blog I annouced an event at the London Thames Barrier on Thursday October 28th.

This event is the launch event for the British English version of Autodesk Storm and Sanitary which has specific methods for our location amongst other required elements in the software.

Come and find out more at the event

REGISTER HERE

 
 
Jack Strongitharm

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 - Subscription Advantage Pack

So if you missed it yesterday the Civil 3D subs pack is also now available ready to download.

 

Read some more and videos from our friends at support (Being Civil Blog)

Click here

Jack Strongitharm

 

 

Civil 3D and AutoCAD WS - Subscription Advantage Pack

So yesterday was announced and also made available the AutoCAD WS capability (aka Project Butterfly)

Very cool stuff where you can share online your drawing with others in a collaborative session where you can chat and decide on changes virtually.

There is the capability here to be sharing your design with others in the team which may not be in your office and marking up the changes required for example.

Civil 3D dwg's open in the product in their wireframe mode from what I have tried with no problems.

So give it a go.

 
Civil 3D drawing in AutoCAD WS

 
Here is the original in Civil 3D

 

Jack Strongitharm

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 - Update 1

 

Update 1 for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 has been released!

Download here

 

Jack Strongitharm

Autodesk Analysis Tools for Hydraulics and Hydrology in the UK - Event

Join us at The Thames Water Barrier on Thursday October 28th to hear how Autodesk analysis tools will help you plan and design urban drainage systems, storm and foul sewers. Integrating stormwater and wastewater analysis tools during planning and design will help improve overall project productivity and increase your engineering capabilities in the UK.

Aimed at those who work in civil engineering as engineers and planners, you will learn more about how Autodesk analysis tools can help you with; run off calculations; storage and pipe sizing; detention ponds and outlet structures and lots more.

Also will include a short session for existing users and a tour of one of the landmark civil engineering projects in London.

 

REGISTER HERE

 

Jack Strongitharm