Being Civil

How Do I Know What Version is Installed?

With the release of Update 1 for Civil 3D 2010, an issue was presented to me that I had to actually dig for to find the answer. How do you know what version of Civil 3D 2010 you are running? Follow the link to find out why the question was raised, as well as what the answer is.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 Update 1 Released

Today, we released Update 1 for Civil 3D 2010, which can be downloaded here. Follow the link for a list of issues resolved with this update:

Extracting Contour from Surface (Feature Line from Contour)

I was minding my own business today trying to troubleshoot this issue with a break in a contour line…but that is the issue for some future post if I ever figure it out (tips from you guys are very welcome). Then in the middle of my desperation IM from my colleague Seth came asking if we know how to turn contour into Feature Line. Off course, we immediately thought “Explode”. But there is more elegant way to do it which briefly crossed my mind (backflash from playing with with exporting points from surface). How about if we use Extract Objects command? To illustrate I selected my surface and from Contextual tab that appeared on top my Extract Objects command appeared.

 

Windows 7 Support

We have been getting quite a few questions about this, and even a few requests for support.  Please keep in mind that Windows 7 is not supported at this time. 

I like to be on the cutting edge of technology as much as the next guy, but Windows 7 is not officially released yet, and won’t be for a few months.  Civil 3D 2010, on the other hand, was released back this spring.  There is no way our Development Team can design and test on an OS that was still in Beta form at the time of it’s released.

So remember, if you do choose to install on Win 7, we won’t be able to provide support on issues related interoperability. 

That being said, how about that new Windows Taskbar?  :)

Error importing TIN from Land Desktop

Creating surface from TIN is very easy process unless there is a problem with .tin file or when .pnt file is missing. I’m sure some of you out there have seen this message when trying to create new surface by importing TIN file.

This is typically the case when a surface is created in Land Desktop and the same data is used in Civil 3D. In order to import TIN file and create surface from it, this file must be accompanied by .pnt file and exist in the same directory. So, try to locate the .pnt file with the same name as .tin file and place it in the same directory as .tin file or ask your contractor to provide you one.

As an alternative, the entire project can be imported from Land Desktop via Insert tab > Land Desktop or (IMPORTLDTDATA).

Order! Order!

I know its been a couple weeks since I last posted.  With the Holiday, vacation, and then adopting a Doberman, things have been a “tad” busy.  But it’s great to be back into the normal daily routine. 

Today is a quick one.  A customer asked a great question last week.  “What order is the Assembly built when the Corridor is created?” 

On the Construction Tab of the Assembly Properties, you will see a list of all of the Subassembly parts.  During the Corridor build, Subassembly parts are built from the top down.  Why is this important?  Well, it may not be for most Assemblies, but here is an example of where the order is important.  When using a Marked Point and Link to Marked Point, you must make sure that the Marked Point is higher on the list.  As long as you create the Assembly this way, the list will be correct.

Tips: Section View label display and Plot to PDF missing symbols

I got few minutes and just wanted to share a couple of useful tips with you. The tip number 1 is showing why centerline band labels shows wrong data that looks like it’s using metric units while the rest of the drawing is in feet. Situation looks like in the figure. Grid shows range between 90–110 feet while band label shows 33.15:

 

You are Invited! Autodesk Assistance Program Networking Event in Waltham, MA

Meet, greet, and learn.

Join Autodesk, the Boston Society of Architects, and Microdesk for a networking event at the Autodesk Gallery Boston on Trapelo Road.

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Time: 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Location: 1560 Trapelo Rd, Waltham

In partnership with the Boston Society of Architects and Microdesk, Autodesk is hosting a networking event for job-seeking architects, engineers, and designers in the Boston Area. Meet potential employers in your field, network with peers and learn more about how you can benefit from the Autodesk Assistance Program.

Please RSVP to autodeskAAP@fleishman.com by Friday, July 17, 2009.

Registration is limited.