AutoCAD Civil 3D is the building information modeling solution (BIM) for civil engineering offered by Autodesk. It was designed for digitally exploring the physical and functional characteristics of a project, before it's built. It can create coordinates, data-rich models, that allow to analyze a project in the earliest stages of design.

One of the great things about it is that it allows an entire project team to work from the same up-to-date model, and stay coordinated throughout all the phases of the project. It includes all the functionality of AutoCAD Map 3D and offers the tools to migrate designs across to GIS systems for asset management.

There are various features offered by this software for surveyors, such as fully functional land survey processing capability, automatic creation of Survey figures and points with symbols, full surface modeling toolset, or importing, viewing and styling Point Cloud data.

Design engineers also have several features that they'll find very useful, including horizontal and vertical road alignment tools, standards-based highway design tools, customizable highway superelevation, junction design wizard, create 3D road models with parametric templates, interactive cross-section editing environment, mass haul diagrams, earthworks and material volumes, intelligent grading objects and many others.

Harnessing AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 (Autodesk)
by: Phillip J.(Phillip Zimmerman) Zimmerman
publisher: Autodesk Press, published: 2010-10-12
ASIN: 1111137919
EAN: 9781111137915
sales rank: 144923
price: $54.88 (new), $49.99 (used)

HARNESSING AUTOCAD CIVIL 3D 2011, introduces readers to Autodesk Civil 3D 2011, the very latest release of this software. Strategically developed exercises printed within the book are supported by over 600 pages of online text emphasizing industry best practices. Online material is available with the access code within the book. This powerful learning tool contains all the information you need to learn the fundamentals of this widely used civil engineering program, all in a single resource. This book includes straightforward explanations of program functionality, as well as exercises that demonstrate how its concepts fit into civil engineering design. Included in this new edition are Superelevation Calculator and Editor, cross section sheets as layouts, curve widening by Design Criteria or Design Rules and drawing Project Association. The processes for performing all of the tasks required to create Civil 3D objects are clearly shown, so that readers will develop a solid foundation in the subject matter. Along with its associated software, this book delivers the type of functionality required to teach all phases of planning, civil engineering, and surveying in any civil engineering course.

The software allows to create surfaces from traditional survey data such as points or breaklines. It offers large data sets from aerial photogrammetry, laser scanning or digital elevation models. A surface can be used as a reference for creating intelligent objects that maintain dynamic relationships to the source data.

The rules-based tools can be used to lay out sanitary and storm drainage systems. It allows to break or join existing pipe networks and structures using graphical and numerical input. The software allows to process earth volumes more easily between existing and proposed surfaces with the composite volume or average end are methods.

The corridor modeling allows to use horizontal and vertical geometry, together with cross selectional components, to help creating a parametrically defined, dynamic 3D model of roads and other transportation systems.

Some of the new features that come with this software include survey tools, visual analysis tools (line-of-sight tools, such as point-to-point and sight distance along a corridor), support for 64-bit operating systems, corridor editing enhancements, Point Clouds, roundabout layout (including signage and striping), superelevation improvements or transportation design enhancements.

Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011
by: Scott McEachron
publisher: Sybex, published: 2010-08-05
ASIN: B003Z0CR0I
sales rank: 184210

The only comprehensive reference and tutorial for Civil 3D 2011Civil 3D is Autodesk’s popular, robust civil engineering software, and this fully updated guide is the only one endorsed by Autodesk to help students prepare for certification exams. Packed with expert tips, tricks, techniques, and tutorials, this book covers every aspect of Civil 3D 2011, the preferred software package for designing roads, highways, subdivisions, drainage and sewer systems, and other large-scale civic projects.

• This is the official, Autodesk-endorsed guide to Civil 3D, the leading software for designing large-scale civic systems such as highways, subdivisions, and sewer systems
• Covers all the key concepts, the software interface, and best methods for creating, editing, displaying, and labeling all elements of a civic engineering project
• Features in-depth, detailed coverage of surveying, points, alignments, surfaces, profiles, corridors, grading, LandXML and LDT Project Transfer, cross sections, pipe networks, visualization, sheets, and project management
• Includes what students need to pass the Civil 3D 2011 Certified Associate and Certified Professional exams

Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 is a complete course in the real-world application of Civil 3D as well as the ultimate study guide for certification.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 - Point Cloud Enhancements
Learn about point cloud enhancements in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011

AutoLISP was first implemented in AutoCAD v2.15, in the form of "Variables and Expressions." There are many ways to increase your productivity when using AutoCAD and writing your own AutoLISP programs can be an easy one to implement. This feature, built right inside AutoCAD, offers an amazing amount of utility without requiring any programming experience.

Variables and expressions provide the ability to create parametric menu macros and scripts. This article will discuss some of the AutoLISP expressions and how they can be used at the AutoCAD command line.

All AutoLISP expressions are enclosed in parentheses. A valid expression must begin with an open parenthesis and every open parenthesis must be balanced by a closing parenthesis. Otherwise, the AutoCAD LISP interpreter (that portion of AutoCAD that evaluates and executes the AutoLISP functions) will respond with an error message. If you ever see the response "1>" or "(_>" after trying an AutoLISP expression, AutoCAD is telling you that you omitted one or more closing parenthesis.

At its simplest, you can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using simple numbers and arithmetic operators directly from the AutoCAD command line:

Command: (+ 1 2 3)

6

Command: (* 2.5 2)

5.000000

Command: (+ (* 3 2) 4)

10

In AutoLISP, the operator precedes the values being operated upon, much like Reverse notation of the early Hewlett Packard calculators. Notice also that AutoLISP evaluates from the innermost parentheses outward. You can use an AutoLISP expression to provide the response in the middle of an AutoCAD Command prompt:

Command: CIRCLE

Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 5,5

Specify radius of circle or [Diameter]: (/ 10.0 2.0)

In the beginning, these examples might not appear very useful, but AutoLISP is a powerful programming language built within AutoCAD, that brings supercomputer power to your drafting needs. With AutoLISP any repetitive task can usually be automated to reduce time or improve accuracy.

Barry R Bowen has been an AutoCAD user since the first version arrived on the scene. Barry has written AutoLISP programming articles for CADalyst and Cadence magazines and has been an AutoCAD/AutoLISP instructor in the continuing education programs at Memphis State University and State Technical Institute in Memphis.

Barry is the Vice Chief Manager of SoftDraft LLC which has been an AutoCAD Registered Application Developer for over twelve years. SoftDraft, LLC develops low cost Architectural/Engineering/Construction software applications for 2D and 3D, which work inside all versions of AutoCAD®. Most software applications feature an intuitive graphical user dialog interface, which results in a short learning curve and no expensive training classes to attend.

http://softdraft.info/autolisp/

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