Improve Performance of Large Surfaces with a Data Clip Boundary

The increased availability of LIDAR data and other forms of large point datasets have brought new challenges to many Civil 3D users as they attempt to build surfaces from datasets containing millions of points.  Learn how to improve the performance of these large surfaces when you only need to build the surface in a small area by using a Data Clip Boundary.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Improve Performance of Large Surfaces with a Data Clip Boundary

Rotating Civil 3D Point Symbols Independent of Label Text

Point Symbols can be quickly and easily rotated in Civil 3D by using the Rotate Point grip. However, I am often asked if there is a way to rotate the point symbol without rotating the point label as shown below.

This tutorial will show you how to rotate the point symbol without rotating the label text.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Rotating Civil 3D Point Symbols Independent of Label Text

AutoCAD for the Mac, is it right for me?

By now you may have heard a lot of new, blog posts and general excitement about AutoCAD for the Mac, and you would expect to as this is big news that AutoCAD is now being developed natively for the Mac platform.  After years of AutoCAD being a Windows only product this is a significant change. 

However, the next logical question to ask is "what does this mean to me?"  Currently, only AutoCAD is available for the Mac.  So if you are a Civil 3D user you can only wait and see if at some point in the future there will be a version of Civil 3D for the Mac.  If you are an AutoCAD user and a Mac enthusiast, then this may be very exciting news and you should do some research.  First you should understand that AutoCAD for the Mac and AutoCAD for Windows are two separate products and there are some differences.  Jason Porter as written an informative blog post on this, AutoCAD 2011 for Mac! Don’t throw out your Windows system just yet!, and I would suggest that you check it out.  Autodesk also has published a technical document that covers the details of the difference.  These are some great places to start your research to find out if AutoCAD for the Mac is right for you.

AutoCAD for the Mac, is it right for me?

Using Mr. Sid Files in Civil 3D

If you have tried to insert a Mr. Sid Image into AutoCAD Civil 3D using the MAPIINSERT command (found on the Insert tab of the ribbon in either of the Geospatial workspaces) you may have found that Mr. Sid images are missing from the list of available image formats. But don’t give up if you need to insert and use that Mr. Sid image, there are two options for you to add this, and several other, image formats into the list.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Using Mr. Sid Files in Civil 3D

Using Points with User Defined Properties to Manage Measure Down Data

In this tutorial you will learn how to manage and label measure down information for points representing manholes and catch basins in Civil 3D.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Using Points with User Defined Properties to Manage Measure Down Data

Digit Grouping with Commas in Civil 3D

Sometimes it can be the little things in life that can make you happy, or that can annoy you and drive you crazy, depending on how they are going. And this little addition to Civil 3D 2011 certainly fits into this category, in a good way. Have you wanted to add a comma as the thousands separator to a label in Civil 3D? If so you are like me and found that this option simply did not exist. (with the exception of some involved work arounds) So we were left with large numbers looking rather ugly and cumbersome to read.

This finally changed in Civil 3D 2011 with the addition of Digit Grouping and Digit Grouping Symbol options in the Text Component Editor. This simply gives us the option to set the grouping format and symbol used on any number in our labels.
 
For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Digit Grouping with Commas in Civil 3D

Exaggerating a Surface in the Object Viewer or 3D Orbit

I am often asked if there is a way to exaggerate the vertical scale of a Civil 3D surface when it is viewed in the Object Viewer or with 3D Orbit. While neither the Object Viewer nor 3D Orbit have an option to change the vertical exaggeration or scale of an object, you can still accomplish the desired effect if you set up the Surface Style properly.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Exaggerating a Surface in the Object Viewer or 3D Orbit

Sharing Parcels in Civil 3D

Learn how to share Parcels in Civil 3D along with some tips to make labeling them easier and more efficient in this new tutorial.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Sharing Parcels in Civil 3D

Windows 7 and Civil 3D - Updated

Windows 7 is quickly becoming the operating system of choice for many people and Autodesk has continued to test the compatibility of their products with it since our initial post about the compatibility of Civil 3D with Windows 7 shortly after the release of the new operating system.  Based on this testing Autodesk has released a new list of products that are supported on Windows 7.

• AutoCAD 2010
• AutoCAD LT 2010
• AutoCAD Architecture 2010
• AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010
• Autodesk Inventor 2010
• Autodesk Inventor LT 2010
• AutoCAD Electrical 2010
• AutoCAD Mechanical 2010
• AutoCAD MEP 2010
• Autodesk Algor Simulation 2010
• Autodesk Vault 2010 (Client Only)
• Autodesk Vault Workgroup 2010 (Client Only)
• Autodesk Vault Collaboration 2010 (Client Only)
• Autodesk Vault Manufacturing 2010 (Client Only)
• Autodesk Productstream Professional 2010 (Client Only)

You will be happy to note that Civil 3D is now included in this list.  For more details you can read the tech doc from Autodesk.

I know of many people that are currently using Civil 3D 2010 on Windows 7 and the reports that I have heard are overwhelmingly positive.  So I think it is safe to say at this point that if you are purchasing a new computer, or even if you are not, that you should give Windows 7 serious consideration as your operating system.
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Windows 7 and Civil 3D - Updated

Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar

Lean how to get quick access to your favorite commands without digging through the ribbon to find them each time by customizing the Quick Access Toolbar.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar

2 Quick Tips for Improving Performance in Civil 3D

There are many different tips and tricks for improving performance in AutoCAD Civil 3D. This tutorial will cover two of the most important ones that you can implement quickly and easily.

For the complete tutorial, (and many others) follow this link...
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2 Quick Tips for Improving Performance in Civil 3D