Like with most "upgrades" from an old version of DCA/Softdesk/LDD/C3D/whateverthe*%^theycallitnextime, I'm getting really frustrated with the change in data handling, the change in entity types, the change in location of familiar commands, and the seeming decrease in control over the data and how it is displayed.
I'm trying to create some points. I want to display the node (or what would have been a node in previous versions but is now a... I don't know wtf they call it now - a point) and the point number. I want to create these points in sequence at the vertices of a polyline. I want to specify a particular point number range, or the starting number of a range by which to designate these points.
I have found the command to create points along the polyline. Looks slick except for the more basic problems I'm having.
How do I:
1. Make it so that the point labels are a particular text style?
2. Make it so that the point numbers show up?
3. Set the default elevation to none ?
4. Set the size of the node/point symbol, whatever it is?
5. Set the current point number to a particular value?
6. Convince my employer (a govt agency) to scrap this autodesk crap and get Carlson or MicroSurvey?
The last one is just a shout in the wind. Being in a government agency, I know that a reputation as being "industry standard" and having an in-place vendor contract trumps efficiency and applicability to the work being performed.
I think that your best bet is to go through the Point Tutorials in C3D. It offers a tutorial on creating points, one on editing points and one on adding user defined properties. Good luck!!
Evan,
I have come to actually like C3d. But it takes total immersion to get fluent. Should a software require that? Well, no it shouldn't.
1. Make it so that the point labels are a particular text style?
Assuming you have created the Point and Point Label styles that suit you, go to Ribbon/ToolSpace/Prospector/Point Groups/_All Points and rt-click.
Click Properties/Information and set your desired styles.
I have had this not work before, and after the pts were inserted I had to change the styles.
2. Make it so that the point numbers show up?
The styles will control that.
3. Set the default elevation to none ?
Go to Ribbon/ToolSpace/Prospector/Point Groups/_All Points and rt-click.
Click Properties/Overrides/Point Elevation and set 0.00.
4. Set the size of the node/point symbol, whatever it is?
See #1.
5. Set the current point number to a particular value?
When you begin the routine to set the pts, a dialog box named "Create Points" should come up. Open the Point Identity heading. There you can assign the next Pt number.
6. Convince my employer (a govt agency) to scrap this autodesk crap and get Carlson or MicroSurvey?
I'm sure those two programs would be much easier and just as good.
I'm coming off a 12 hour day, so I hope what I said is right.
If you have to stay with C3d, just keep asking here and on the autodesk newsgroups. The answers are out there. You may just get Stockholm Syndrome like me and start to like it. :{:
-Steve
"You may just get Stockholm Syndrome like me and start to like it."
Good one.
I'm picturing Patty Hearst as a cad monkey:-)
Don
> Evan,
>
> I have come to actually like C3d. But it takes total immersion to get fluent. Should a software require that? Well, no it shouldn't.
>
> 1. Make it so that the point labels are a particular text style?
> Assuming you have created the Point and Point Label styles that suit you, go to Ribbon/ToolSpace/Prospector/Point Groups/_All Points and rt-click.
> Click Properties/Information and set your desired styles.
>
> I have had this not work before, and after the pts were inserted I had to change the styles.
>
I've been looking all over for the location of Point Label Styles. I figured there had to be some such thing, but they hide it well.
> 2. Make it so that the point numbers show up?
> The styles will control that.
>
> 3. Set the default elevation to none ?
> Go to Ribbon/ToolSpace/Prospector/Point Groups/_All Points and rt-click.
> Click Properties/Overrides/Point Elevation and set 0.00.
>
What if I want to preserve the elevations of some existing points converted from an earlier version? Will this command delete the elevations for those points?
> 4. Set the size of the node/point symbol, whatever it is?
> See #1.
I found that in the Point Settings under Toolspace. Curiously, the Point Label Styles didn't seem to be anywhere nearby in this part of the menu structure.
>
> 5. Set the current point number to a particular value?
> When you begin the routine to set the pts, a dialog box named "Create Points" should come up. Open the Point Identity heading. There you can assign the next Pt number.
>
Thanks!!! 4 others in my department have been looking for that for the several weeks we've had this overbloated archy-engineering software.
> 6. Convince my employer (a govt agency) to scrap this autodesk crap and get Carlson or MicroSurvey?
> I'm sure those two programs would be much easier and just as good.
>
Considering that we do no design, no construction staking, and almost no surface modeling, thereby not having a call to take advantage of any of the areas in which Autodesk products have actually been a step ahead of everyone else, either of those would actually be better.
>
> I'm coming off a 12 hour day, so I hope what I said is right.
>
You've been very helpful Steve. Between your answer and the others offered, I should be able to learn how to get done what I want to accomplish first thing tomorrow morning. I'm just finishing a 10 hr day and have another hour+ drive home, so I empathize with you're long day.
> If you have to stay with C3d, just keep asking here and on the autodesk newsgroups. The answers are out there. You may just get Stockholm Syndrome like me and start to like it. :{:
>
> -Steve
Stockholm Syndrome. I don't know about that. After using other programs that are just as good for basic CAD functionality but better at survey related functionality, I can't see myself becoming enamored with this program. it might be different if I were still creating large surface models or doing design work requiring high end 3D capabilities.
Thanks again.
Evan, I'll try to post some tips and tricks in the am when I get into the office.
The first thing that I tell new users is that Civil 3D is very different than anything that you've used in the past, and you absolutely must put aside any preconceptions about how the program should work.
The second thing to be aware of is that Civil 3D is marketed worldwide to all types of users in the survey - engineering - construction community. To accommodate all of those different users the software was designed to be very flexible. The way that this is done is through styles - you can find them in the settings tab on the Toolspace dialog. Everything that the software creates has a style which controls the layer, color, linetype, text style, size, display rotation etc. for that object. The problem for you is that you have to create or somehow get all of these styles before you can be really productive. There are people who will build a template drawing for you with styles to match what you want, or you can get them from other users.
I have been working on staff training and implementation of C3D within our company for several years now. In my experience a new user will not be fully productive for at least 6-12 months after they start using the software, and they will need expert support during that period. I spend a lot of my time on the phone answering questions from our CAD staff or looking at problem drawings.
The two biggest mistakes that I see are users who try to start using the program without investing in training, and people who try to force the program to work the way they're used to doing things.
As others have already said, there's lots of help out there. Check here, the Autodesk discussion group or the AUGI site. Talk to your reseller about classes. Get a copy of the Mastering Civil 3D textbook. Check CadPilot.com for pre-built C3D standards. Check Youtube for recorded how to's on specific topics.
Steve
Steve has it right, it has changed. At my work we are switching from land desktop to C3D and I am the only one who knows how to use it. We have 2009, I am familiar with 2010 and 2011 and each version has big changes. The biggest thing that I found is to use the toolspace settings tab as everything is controlled from there, and Google is your friend. Don't be afraid to ask the seemingly simple questions.
Another thing you could look into is some custom training on Civil 3D implementation...
Sometimes with Civil 3D, a few dollars spent up front getting training and you styles all set up is worth much more than beating your head against the wall for a few months...
And a lot less messy.
