Being Civil

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 New Feature: Round-Tripping Data Between AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 and 2014

One of the cool new things in Civil 3D and other AutoCAD based programs is the ability to, how we call it, "round-trip data" between different versions. If you remember, it was said numerous times before that Civil 3D is not backward compatible program, meaning that the drawings once saved in a new version were automatically upgraded and there was no easy way back. Now this is about to change. The reason I did not want to mention it earlier in our introduction to Civil 3D 2014 is that it comes with some caveats. Please be patient.

This (long) post will try to describe the behavior of certain features when an AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 drawing is edited and saved in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 and then subsequently re-opened in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014.

Quick Tip: Optional Parameters Units

You may have noticed that some parts retain certain measurments in Imperial units even if they are a Metric part in a Metric catalog. For example the Minimum Curve Radius will display as inches even with a Metric part. These are even "greyed out" in the part properties which makes it even more confusing.

This is because these units are being controlled by the AeccPartParamCfg.xml file that is typically located here:
 
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D 2013\enu\Pipes Catalog\Aecc Shared Content

Look for the line calling out the parameter you want to edit and change the units. Example:

<AeccDfParameter name="MCR" desc="Minimum Curve Radius" context="MinCurveRadius" index="0" datatype="Float" usage="Double_Distance" unit="in" visible="True" internal="True"/>

Once edited this should populate within Civil 3D. Please note that this a "shared" file and is shared between the Imperial and Metric folders so you will need to change it back if need be.

Hope this helps!

Gravity Pipe Networks: Always Being Pushed Around

Being married and a father of 5, I can sympathize with Civil 3D gravity pipe networks, they are always being pushed around. Many differnet things are telling pipes and structure what to do, just like in my life. Rule Sets, Structure Constraints, Alignment referneces, and Surface references can all impact the way these parts get drawn.

Rule Sets can of course affect where the pipe enters and exits a structure, thus having a ripple effect on the structure model itself. Alignment and Surface references can affect things like Rim Elevation and sometimes have a ripple effect on the pipes. Another thing that can easily be forgotten is the Structure constraints. These can have a ripple effect back to everything else. The better you understand what effects what, the easier it is to tweak to get the desired results.

Both the Rule Sets and  references are pretty well documented and understood, so let's focus on the Structure constraints. For example, lets take the stock Concentric Cylindrical Structure and determine why we cannot "shrink" this part to less than 6" (72") in height with a pipe size of 18" connecting. Let's take "Concentric Structure 48 dia 24 frame 36 cone 8 wall 10 floor" and pick it apart.

You will need to take into account all of the constraints set in Part Builder to full understand what is holding us back and also give us clues as to make adjustments for it to fit. Looking at the parameters we have:

Floor Thickness 10.000"
Frame Height 8.000"
Barrel Pipe Clearance 6.000"
Cone Height 36.000"

Now taking that information into a formula that determines the drawn structures height we take:

Pipe Diameter 18"
+ Pipe wall thinkness 4"
+ Cone Height 36"
+ Frame Height 8"
+ Barrel Pipe Clearance 6"

18+4+36+8+6 = 72"

Given these parameters it is not physically possible to get a shorter structure in and maintain the 18" connecting pipe. If shorter structure is required, you can easily modify the Cone Height to something like 24". This will give a full 12" of play in placing your structure.

This is just a quick example of what may be controlling the sizes. Be sure to keep the constraints as well as rules and references in mind when designing your networks. Hope this helps!

MSSCRIPT.OCX Error

We seem to be getting quite a bit of inquiries lately regarding this msscipt.ocx related error message when working with pipe networks. It is not limited to Civil 3D and also manifests itself in AutoCAD MEP.

This is a Microsoft file and error caused by the file, that has little to do with Civil 3D and Autodesk products. In the research I have done I have found that apparently this file affects the ability for applications to work with XML files. A quick search on the internet reveals this file affects a number of different scenarios outside of Autodesk products.

The following is a typical list of suggestions we offer to users who have encountered this issue:

Install the script control: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/184739 

The version of Internet Explorer (IE) 7, IE8, and IE9 may be preventing it from operating, you could try to uninstall it and reinstall it.

Try these steps:

1. Go to Start All Programs Accessories.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and choose "Run as administrator."
3. Enter the command: Regsvr32 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\msscript.ocx You can copy and paste this by right-clicking in the command prompt window to do the paste.
4. Click OK on the message that says the file registration succeeded.
5. On the keyboard, hold down the WINDOWS key and then hit R.
6. In the Run window, type REGEDIT and then click OK.
7. Find the following folder: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\(0E59F1D2-1FBE-11D0-8FF2-00A0D10038BC)\1.0\0\win32
8. Right-click the win32 folder and choose "Permissions."
9. Make sure the administrator group has full control.
10. With the win32 folder selected, make sure the (Default) key at the right is set to the following path with no quotes around it: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\msscript.ocx
11. Close the Registry Editor.

If you are lucky, one of these suggestions will resolve the issue and the msscript.ocx error will go away. However I have noticed that some users may need to resort to an operating system reinstall in order to rectify the issue.

Pressure Pipes, Follow Surface, and the Resulting Segments

By now many of you have had time to "play around" with the new Pressure Pipes functionality, and to also get a good feel for how in works within Civil 3D 2013. You may have noticed and used the Follow Surface command in the profile editing contextual ribbon. This handy tool will allow you to force your pressure network to follow the specified surface at a specific depth. It works just as expected, and much like the old workflow (feature line>elevations from surface>lower feature line>create pipe network from object) many people used to simulate pressure networks with gravity systems.

After the network has "followed" the surface you will see that the network will be segmented to reflect the new vertical path that the follow surface command produced. These segment lengths are specified in the catalog and can be changed based on your requirements.

If you need to change this just open the Content Catalog Editor (START>PROGRAMS>AUTODESK>AUTOCAD CIVIL 3D 2013>CONTENT CATALOG EDITOR) and open the SQLITE file that contains the pipe. Typically found here:

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D 2013\enu\Pressure Pipes Catalog\Imperial

Find the Cut Length column and edit accordingly. Your new networks created after this edit will reflect this new Cut Length next time you run this command.

 

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 New Feature: Introduction to the Pressure Pipes Catalog

In exploring the new features of Civil 3D you may have noticed that there is a little utility included with the product that allows you to edit the default catalog. As you may or may not know, the catalog is contained in a SQLITE file in the same location you would look for garvity systems on a default install:

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D 2013\enu\Pressure Pipes Catalog

Opening this file you will see all the available parts in the catalog on the left. Clicking on each one will show the available parts in the widnows on the right. Notice that there are some values missing from the columns. These can easily be manually added and customized as necessary. Simply double clicking in the cell and adding the value will do the trick. This will allow you to add information such as manufacturer, coating SDR, schedule, etc. as you see fit. All edited information will be available to be pulled by Civil 3D label styles once edited.

You may also find that inner Diameter is missing from the pressure pipes in Civil 3D. If this is something that you require in your labels and design, a quick and simple edit is all that is needed in order to have them display.

 

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 New Feature: Pressure Pipes

In many user's eyes this is the biggest new feature that was added with the release of Civil 3D 2013. Although in the past we were able mimic pressure pipe design using the existing catalog, Civil 3D is now equiped with the necessary tools to design these networks.

Pressure networks share much of the same "feel" as gravity networks we all know and love. Similarities such as parts contained in a catalog, and populating a parts list. Layout is also very similar, meaning you will be prompted with similar options to associate the network with: surface, alignment. When actually laying out the network you will notice that will be constrained based on the available angles in the parts list. The "compass" as it is called will guide you with your available layout options.

You will also be greeted with some editing options in Profile as well as a new Ribbon displaying the profile view options.

Notice that you can perform both a Design and Depth Check on the network to ensure the design is meeting requirements.

Although this is just a brief introduction, I am sure many of you out there are excited to see this coming with the release of 2013. For more information and videos, please visit Civil 3D 2013 New Features.

How the Cover & Slope Pipe Rule Works

When working with pipe rules, specifically the cover & slope rule, you may be surprised with the end results after drawing your network, or applying the rules. There is quite a bit going on in the background when this rule gets applied, so after this is understood you may have a clearer picture of the results that are shown in your design.

When run, the cover & slope rule performs the following steps:

1. Upstream invert elevation is set based on the cover at the structure.
2. Downstream invert elevation is set based on cover at the structure.
3. Slope is checked:
• Minimum slope violation: upstream invert elevation is held>minimum slope applied
• Maximum slope violation: Flagged as violating maximum slope
4. Cover is check along entire length; 1/3 rule is applied:
• If a violation is found within the first 1/3 of the length, downstream invert is held, upstream invert is lowered.
• If a violation is found within the middle 1/3 of the length, pipe is lowered to satisfy minimum cover at low point, slope should remain the same
• If a violation is found within the last 1/3 of the length, upstream invert is held, downstream invert is lowered.
5. Slope is checked again:
• If minimum slope is violated, upstream invert is held. Downstream is lowered to achieve minimum slope
• If maximum slope is violated by constraints within the structures or by a user’s edits, violation is flagged and slope remains unchanged.

As you can see quite a few operations are happening in the backgrouns when this rule is run. Please note the underlined steps above in which maximum slope violations will just be flagged. These will not be altered by the rule, and will need to be manually edited if there are any violations detected. Hope this helps!