Opening DWG files with Civil 3D

It depends what program you have set as your default for a dwg.

If I double-click on a dwg, it opens in Carlson Survey, the way it should be  😉

Others may have it setup for C3D

Others may have it setup to open in straight ACAD - or something else

I open the application and then navigate to the drawing file OR open the application and drag/drop the drawing file into the application.

I haven't double clicked a drawing in years. Typically because I had multiple versions of CAD on my machine and didn't want to "break" something inadvertently. Currently I'm only running C3d 2023 so it wouldn't be an issue but I'm not comfortable double clicking drawing files because of that.

In my experience, double clicking a drawing file has taken WAY longer to open rather than just opening the application and then the drawing file.

It depends what program you have set as your default for a dwg.

If I double-click on a dwg, it opens in Carlson Survey, the way it should be  😉

Others may have it setup for C3D

Others may have it setup to open in straight ACAD - or something else

I have mine setup for Dwgtrueview. 

I just don't like using DoubleClick. Too many false ones. 

I have to first open a blank drawing in Civil3d then set our custom profile and then I just drag the file in from the start page. The IT gurus won't let me change the default profile to the ones we use. It is so annoying not having admin rights anymore.

When I double click a *.dwg file in explorer; it opens in the trial version of Carlson and wants me to jump through all kinds of hoops...

I avoid it like the plague!

I have to first open a blank drawing in Civil3d then set our custom profile and then I just drag the file in from the start page. The IT gurus won't let me change the default profile to the ones we use. It is so annoying not having admin rights anymore.

wow...

that's just stupid.

keep tabs on the time you waste asking for their permission to do stuff...

Multiply by the number of people under the same stupid controls

present for the next meeting...

post your results.

wow.

@jitterboogie 

I'm sure there's a good reason the bureaucrat's want to control us...

There is no proper etiquette for opening a drawing of course. People will use whatever option they are comfortable with using. If I were ranking my preferred method, my list would look like this:

1. Sheet Set Manager
2. Start tab
3. Open Xref from right click options
4. Double click drawing file in explorer
5. Open command

I added number five only because that was originally included. I honestly have not used the open command in years, or even a decade. I would say I use SSM about 80% of the time. 

Does anyone have advice or words of wisdom about how to maintain a drawing while working in it? 

I had a manager who wanted the drawing to have all the same layers turned on and off whenever he returned to a drawing. His approach was to do it by memory but I had a tough time maintaining the discipline and tried to make use of the saved view function. 

What about logs and task notes in the drawing, does anyone actually make use of that or is it just an idea that gets put on the template and overlooked?

Civil 3D is so deep, I have been been generating drawings and deliverables with it for a couple years now and still feel like the basics are often hidden behind walls of bells and whistles that are much easier for expert level users.

He wants the same layers on and off every time, or he wants them the same when he returns to a particular drawing? I would use the layer states manager in either case.

If it's the former, set a layer state, give it a name, and save it where you can always access it. It will have a las extension, and you can use the restore option to revert the layers.

If it's the latter, I would just set a temp layer state before I start working, then again restore it back as I was leaving the drawing. 

This seems extreme to me. I have OCD tendencies, but I've never asked to have my layers in an exact state.

I don't know what you mean by log and task notes in a drawing. 

I had a manager who wanted the drawing to have all the same layers turned on and off whenever he returned to a drawing.

I 2nd the "Layer States" recommendation and note that this person was your (overly controlling) manager.

I wholly approve of CAD Standards - there are tools (templates, styles, F2f, etc.) that make them practical. If you rely on user memory it's a losing battle.