Is there anybody out there that uses Civil 3D 2016 (or close) to exclusively survey draft? How well do you like it. How well does it deal with points, Cogo functions, map checks, etc? I have almost exclusively drafted with Carlson (both AutoCAD and Intellicad versions) and have a new work opportunity but I am trying to be talked into used Civil 3D only to draft with. Thank you all for your input.
Guy Townes, post: 388346, member: 11463 wrote: Is there anybody out there that uses Civil 3D 2016 (or close) to exclusively survey draft?
I do. Once you have the styles and settings all in order the field to finish and the surfacing are very strong, the point handling and cogo functions are okay. It's not a survey program, it's an engineering platform. And I stress that you must have the styles and settings smoothed out or forget it.
BTW, I do my control resolutions - and all raw data reduction - with StarNet, never with C3d.
Mark Mayer, post: 388353, member: 424 wrote: I do. Once you have the styles and settings all in order the field to finish and the surfacing are very strong, the point handling and cogo functions are okay. It's not a survey program, it's an engineering platform. And I stress that you must have the styles and settings smoothed out or forget it.
BTW, I do my control resolutions - and all raw data reduction - with StarNet, never with C3d.
I appreciate the response Mark. Glad to know that it is possible and doable.
Thats all I use. We switched from Landdevelopment about 2 years ago. There were a few tough days at first. It will take you an hour to do something that should take a minute, but once you figure it out, it only takes a minute the next time. . I've actually written down a few procedures that we don't do very often so once I figured it out, I don't spend an hour 6 months latter learning it again.
The only glitch I've found that annoys me is the traverse routine. It glitches and crashes and never works the same each time but we rarely close a travese much anymore.
As everyone has stated, once you have the point styles (the block that represents your point), descriptor key (field code for creating the point) and line codes (field to finish line work), it can run really smoothly. Also, you can set up object data so that you can add attribute data, assign coordinate systems for the work area (state plane) and create your own projections (isolated campus environment). Also, a big plus is setting up the alignment styles and profile styles so you can provide plan and profile views on construction or design topo (this requires having the surface style set up).
To truly has C3D set up really well, you need at least 2 days to go through everything, but once you do, you can have products that are produced to constantly look the same. There is a style for everything and can create multiple templates for different styles based on clients wants/needs.
I primarily use C3D for construction QA and design topos and enjoy the software.
I use C3D daily and like the others have stated, build your styles and USE them. The little amount of time it takes to build your styles will save you TONS of time in the end with editing and creating. Try not to get frustrated and end up just exploding the points so they "behave" the way you are use to. Civil3d is great but the best part, imo, is when the editing (revising) takes place, everything is dynamic and responds accordingly.
Good luck!
T. Nelson - SAM
David Livingstone, post: 388493, member: 431 wrote: but we rarely close a travese much anymore.
Do tell!
Bradl, post: 388496, member: 2848 wrote: As everyone has stated, once you have the point styles (the block that represents your point), descriptor key (field code for creating the point) and line codes (field to finish line work), it can run really smoothly. Also, you can set up object data so that you can add attribute data, assign coordinate systems for the work area (state plane) and create your own projections (isolated campus environment). Also, a big plus is setting up the alignment styles and profile styles so you can provide plan and profile views on construction or design topo (this requires having the surface style set up).
To truly has C3D set up really well, you need at least 2 days to go through everything, but once you do, you can have products that are produced to constantly look the same. There is a style for everything and can create multiple templates for different styles based on clients wants/needs.
I primarily use C3D for construction QA and design topos and enjoy the software.
"To truly has C3D set up really well, you need at least 2 days to go through everything, "
We must be really, really slow here!!
Jim in AZ, post: 388508, member: 249 wrote: "To truly has C3D set up really well, you need at least 2 days to go through everything, "
We must be really, really slow here!!
Same here. It took us much, much longer than 2 days to get C3D set up to our liking, and I'm still not sure its 100% to our liking.
Alan Chyko, post: 388512, member: 1145 wrote: Same here. It took us much, much longer than 2 days to get C3D set up to our liking, and I'm still not sure its 100% to our liking.
We're working on 3 years here and still finding things to fix.
Traverse closure? I didn't state the very well. First off, we aren't doing a lot of work that requires a traverse. Second, we use GPS a lot more. When I run a traverse, I check closure, its just a couple times a year event when it used to be a couple of times a month. Its so bad in Civil 3D I was using my HP48 to run my closures and then keying in coordinates in Civil3D. I think I've got it figured out, but in my notes I have a quote at one step "Civil3D will crash at this point" and it always does, but on the restrart you can continue.
I'll add another positive thing about Civil3D, I find the contouring and building a surface is much easier. I always thought the process was difficult in Landdevelopement. Like has already been mentioned, the changes happen to your surface right away, for example, you add a break line, the contours change at that moment so you can see the results.
It took me a couple of days to get productive with Civil3d but it was several weeks before I was comfortable.
Thanks for the replies guys. I definitely feel more at ease about the transition:D. I was thinking that using 3D as a stand alone was going to be very painful. Thanks again.
Trust me, it will be painfull for a couple of day. Learn a few new swear words, that will help the transition.
I was forced into civil 3d a little more than an month ago. At first it was a daunting task. But after figuring out the styles and the specifics of the software, after 3 weeks or so I have become as productive as before. And I am close to field to finish. Very good program once you understand the basics. Still a few quirks to work out on my end but all in all working very well.
Jim Frame, post: 388507, member: 10 wrote: Do tell!
And how!