3D Texas

Utilizing The third dimension

2006-11-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, ok. I know it's been a while since my last post. My apologies. However I'm still here plugging away at Civil 3d. Recently I've been playing with the pipe networks. It's a good tool but I was having a hard time seeing what was really going on with the pipes. I would be in model space doing the work then grab some pipes with a crossing and go to object viewer and twist rotate to my hearts content. In addition I was panning back and forth between the profile and the plan view, this takes to much time and effort. Needless to say, it got old.

Then it finally dawned on my why am I not using the multiple viewports in model space? I typed in vports selected three viewports.

Now I can set a plan view, profile view and a 3d view of the area I'm working in and they all update with the new information with less effort on my part trying to see whats going on.

Ok, I'll try to post more than once every 6 months.

Quick tip of the day: Field Updates.

2006-06-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

When do you want your fields to update? save, regen, plot, etc. I personally prefer either save or regen. So how do you get it to update during these commands? You need to change the FIELDEVAL system variable. At the command prompt type FIELDEVAL.

Code: Action

0: Not Updated

1: Updated on open

2: Updated on save

4: Updated on plot

8: Updated on use of ETRANSMIT

16: Updated on regeneration

New C3D Commandments

2006-06-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

First I want to say, I'm really not trying to be negative or poke fun at C3D. While a lot of my posts are in regards to some of the bugs of late, I do plan to add some tips instead of always pointing out the flaws. However, time just keeps slipping, slipping into the future (just try and get the song out of your head now). My posts are just some of the new things I have not seen reported on the Discussion Board or on any other Blogs for that matter and I think it needs to be reported. I truly want this Blog to be helpful and fun for the Autodesk and C3D community.

That being said, here are some new commandments that should be integrated into your regularly scheduled program. This is EXTREMELY important if you have a underpowered machine in relation to the new minimum requirements as put forth by Autodesk.

The Gospel According to Mark

commandment # 123546.124

commandment # 123546.125

Try either of the above and you will likely cause your own demise. Don't even think about it if you are underpowered. If you happen to do either of the above, time between actual performance of the above tasks and crash may vary. Good Luck, and God Speed!

Don't say I didn't warn ya!

P.S. Thanks for visiting and feel free to drop me a line.

If it walks like a DUCK....

2006-05-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

Shoot it.... Ok at least turn it off.

Is your drawing so jumpy that you cant draw or do anything? I'm sure you've already checked to make sure that snap and grid are turned off. If its still jumpy make sure you have turned off the DUCS (Dynamic UCS). there is a button for it on the bottom of your Autodesk screen right between OTRACK and DYN.

Autosave = Crash & Burn

2006-05-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

There is a great string of messages on the Autodesk message board regarding the unprovoked crashes caused by C3D '07. And No supprise, we've been have been having the same problem at our office.

Quick and Dirty Solution:

Change Proxygraphics from 1 to 0.

I fear this will cause much grumbling and nashing of teeth as we transfer files to other professional on other and older systems.

Yoohoo! Oh Waiter! Oh Waiter! Yes, May I have 1 Service Patch, with a side order of HotFix, well done. Thanks.

Also check out David Dixon's blog for a great post on now you see it now you don't. AKA: The Rolling Blackout

EDITED: 5-26-2006

I failed to mention that an aditional solution would be to turn off the autosave feature and just make sure you save often.

Type options at comand line, select Open and Save Tab. Under File Safety Precautions. Deselect Automatic save.

Mark

New Independent Blog

2006-05-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

I've found another end user of Civil 3d that has started their own blog. David, Great site I look forward to reading more of your input. You can check him out at http://dca2civil3d.blogspot.com

I'm currently working on a corridor and will be posting some detailed instructions on creating a complex corridor with multiple assembles, transitioning curbs, center turn lane and bus pull outs. I'll be posting tips from that adventure soon so stay tuned.

Also Check out the new and improved Sheet List Table. I'm trying to get someone at our office to post on that one as well. Also if you have any input on C3D 07, Good, Bad and downright ugly. Please feel free and share. If it's something that will benefit all I'll be happy to post it here.

Wondering Where XML Command has gone?

2006-05-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

We finally got the upgrade to Civil 3D 07 yesterday and have been enjoying learning all the new functions and finding the old ones. However, one of the first things that we've noticed is, under the General Menu in 06 you had an import and export land XML. Well one of our projects here in the office required an import so we go to the General Menu in 07 and low and behold Import and Export Land XML has vanished. We searched all the menus and couldn't find it. We finally had to resort to typing in the command that is used in o6 to find if it is still there.

To Import Land XML type: landxmlin at the command prompt
To export Land XML Type: landxmlout

May be we will get the pull down back in future updates.

Untill then welcome to CUI's!

2006-04-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

I've decided to create a blog to track my progress and development with autodesk Civil 3D, as well as share my experience and knowledge with you. I am not a trainer , I don't work for a company that sells autodesk, I'm an end user like most of you. I felt that this would be a good way for me to share my experience as an autodesk user that puts the product through its paces. Like most of you I'm New to the Civil 3D package, and I'm really looking forward to digging into the 07 version. I am a Civil Designer with Baker-Aicklen and Associates out of Round Rock, Tx. A little history of my experience and some of the Austin area projects I've worked on. La Frontera business park and shopping center Round Rock, Tx, Samsung EDS, Applied Materials bldg 34, Motorola (freescale) Parmer campus as well as expansions to their other campuses , Tokyo Electron, St. Edwards Apartments, AMD as well as many other smaller projects. I guess this will be it for the first post. I hope you enjoy! and please fell free to give me your input.