Civil 3D - Paving the Way

The I.II.I Consortium

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Paving the Way, created in 2005, is sponsored by the I.II.I (one to one) Consortium.

The I.II.I Consortium
We're the nation's leading provider of high-powered Microstation™, GEOPAK™, AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, and AutoCAD Civil 3D Implementation, Custom Training, and related Professional Services. We serve both public and private companies, as well as Federal, State, and Local agencies with real-world solutions for your computer aided design and drafting needs.

Whether you're looking for fully Managed Technology Services, on-site services, off-site services, training, technical support programs, or a Custom AutoCAD Civil 3D Template, we have solutions to meet your needs. A purchase of our Professional Services includes complimentary access to our Members Only portal where you'll find high definition video tutorials, written documentation, desktop sharing, and access to our knowledge base and growing community.

For more information, email Scott McEachron at scott.mceachron@121pcs.net

"Civil 3D - Paving the Way" Has Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:08:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

Click Here for a full menu of our Professional Services

As many of my friends have noticed, I'm in the process of rebuilding "Civil 3D - Paving the Way" to give me the opportunity to reach a more diverse audience, with a more diverse set of tools.

By moving the blog to a new domain, I'll be able to offer richer content and the opportunity to offer an open FTP site, video blogs (and podcasts), a video database of technical support solutions, and of course, regular posts.

You'll also notice a new name: "Paving the Way." My articles in the past have reached an audience I couldn't have possibly forseen - from NASA, to the DOT's, the Imagineers at Disney, designers, engineers, and technicians learning advanced design tools, students learning to draw for the first time, some of the largest firms in the world, and a guy outside of Oklahoma City starting a business in a trailer he rents by the month. By changing the name to simply "Paving the Way," I hope to continue to reach an audience across the globe, from all walks of life, that have, or are in the process of, Paving their own Way to success through hard work, dedication, and a little help from a guy with a decent blog.

This will be my final post on "Civil 3D - Paving the Way," I look forward to seeing you at our new home!

Cheers!
Scott

SRTM data and Google Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:52:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

Click Here for a full menu of our Professional Services

I've written about this in the past, but thought it was time to revisit the topic.

SRTM = Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, it's what drives the topo behind Google Earth.

On February 11, 2000, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission payload onboard Space Shuttle Endeavour launched into space. Leica made the EDM, Daimler Crysler Aerospace made the radars. With its radars sweeping most of the Earth's surfaces, SRTM acquired enough data during its ten days of operation to obtain the most complete near-global high-resolution database of the Earth's topography. A 10 day mission almost 9 years ago. How often is the data updated? It's not... for the most part. While the data may be more accurate than the standard DEM derived from a USGS QUAD, it's simply not practical for design use. The project was aiming to maintain an accuracy of 16 meters vertically.

Keep in mind, the STRM project had no ground control. Up and over every building, every highway, every house, every tree. Several algorithms were used to interpolate data in void areas (as well as other areas), but make no mistake, the areas were interpolated.

Google Earth offers us an incredible resource for downloading topo data, but be advised, while the availability of the data is significant for many reasons, the data has been massaged, interpolated, massaged again, and algorithmed to death.

Feeling rather geeky? Check out this article by Frank Clowes of Penn State University. At the bottom of the page, you'll also find a link to an SRTM kmz file for use in Google Earth that will give you direct access to the SRTM data. Keep in mind the formatting is a recognized USGS format.

Cheers

It's not a secret

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:18:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

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That MAP 3D and therefore Civil 3D can run into display issues working with FDO data; this is data you attach, not data you import - data you import is an entirely different story :)

You attach data, adjust transparency, plot, and see a black mass. This may be because the MAPPLOTTRANSPARENCY variable is turned off. To turn it on type MAPPLOTTRANSPARENCY and turn it on.

In some cases, the transparency still won't show, that could be due to your plot settings.

In any case, a service pack was released a short time ago, but the service pack has created another issue in some cases. When you switch to a 3D view, certain FDO based Display Manager layers may fail to display, but this apparently only occurs if you have AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 Update 1 installed. To resolve the issue, visit the page where the hotfix is posted.

Cheers

Change

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:44:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

Click Here for a full menu of our Professional Services

At the end of last week the firm I've spent the past several years with was forced to make a very difficult decision, and my position was dissolved.

I'm not sure how to begin to thank everyone for your calls, your e-mail, and your concerns; I've made so many friends in this business throughout the years - I feel exceptionally blessed.

Thank you all so much!

The next few weeks will undoubtedly bring change, but if I've learned anything over the years, change is good for the soul, and change can be managed. My e-mail won't change, my blog won't change, I'll still see you at Autodesk University, and I'll continue to do the only work I know how (well... not really, I'm decent with a 90lb. jackhammer and I can slump test concrete, but that's another story)!

Please don't hesitate to contact me - I'll keep you posted!

smceachron@gmail.com

Change is in the air

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:27:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

Click Here for a full menu of our Professional Services

A wise man once said, "I can't change the direction of the wind. But I can adjust my sails..."

AU Speaker Sessions

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:21:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

Click Here for a full menu of our Professional Services

My 6th year teaching at Autodesk University, what an honor! The following is a breakdown of my classes:

CV210-1P The Art of Implementing AutoCAD Civil 3D (Power Track)
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 at 1:00pm

Abstract: "Introducing Civil 3D into your production processes may seem like an overwhelming task; it's not. The software is well-documented and surprisingly simple to use. It’s quickly becoming the tool of choice for any land development project. As a direct result of this, the trained user base is growing exponentially. Civil 3D is not difficult to wrap your head around, but change is. Join Scott as he reveals the secrets to successfully implementing Civil 3D in firms of all sizes."

CV314-3 Three Sheets to the Wind: Plan Production Tools in AutoCAD Civil 3D
Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 3:00pm

Abstract: "The Plan Production tools in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008 were worth the wait! These tools are incredibly powerful, yet easy to use. This class will teach you to unlock the secrets of sheet production, so you can blow your competition away!"

The Art of Implementation

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:14:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

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The overall success of a Civil 3D Implementation depends on people quickly discovering for themselves what goals to set and what to do to achieve them. When approached from this standpoint, the work is more rewarding for the people involved.

There are three keys to a rapid results initiative:

1. Must be results oriented
2. Must be vertical
3. Must be fast

Results Oriented
Determine a single goal, and work toward producing a measurable result.

For example: You can’t define your goal as “Implementing Civil 3D.” The goal is too broad, and doesn’t resolve a business issue – don’t make change for change sake. Instead, set your sights on something like: “Increase productivity by 25% over the next 3 months.”

This results oriented approach is important for three reasons. First, it allows project planners to test whether activities in the overall plan will add up to the intended result and allows them to alter the plans as needed. Second, it produces real benefits in the short term. Finally, being able to deliver results is rewarding and energizing. Increasing or maintaining self-esteem and pleasure are strong motivators for engaging in learning experiences.

Vertical
Implementation plans typically unfold as a series of activities represented on a horizontal timeline (Gantt chart). By contrast, rapid-results initiatives encompass vertical slices of several horizontal activities running in tandem in a short timeframe – an effort including people from different teams within an organization (or even different organizations). This vertical approach is more of an exercise in creativity, but is necessary to foster the growth of out of the box thinkers. And when change happens, you’ll need out of the box thinkers.

Fast
Rapid results initiatives are intended to deliver quick wins. The short time frame fosters a sense of personal challenge and accomplishment.

Results Driven Implementation

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:56:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

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According to Daniel Gingras of Boston University, 60% of all software implementations fail. Failures not only have financial implications, but they demoralize employees. The problem is, the traditional approach to implementation shifts a teams’ focus away from the end result and toward developing time lines, recommendation, new technologies, and partial solutions. The intent is to assemble a blueprint that lays out the plan for achieving an ultimate goal. But when a project involves many people working for an extended period of time, it’s nearly impossible to predict all the activities and work streams that will be needed.

Two Schools of Thought
There are two schools of thought, or two frameworks for implementation:

1. The “Implementation Framework” (Assess, Plan, Solve, Confirm). When defined too rigidy, it can be identified by a Gantt chart.

2. “Guiding Principal” or Results Driven Incrementalism implementation

Implementation Framework
The Implementation Frameworks, the frameworks or Implementation Guidelines we see most often, have their merits, but they fail with the introduction of 3 variables:

1. Scope Creep
2. Change
3. Adult Learning

Scope Creep
Scope creep refers to uncontrolled changes in a project's scope. Typically, the scope increase consists of either new products or new features of already approved plans, without a corresponding increases in resources, time, or budget. As a result, a project team drifts away from its original purpose, it grows, and more tasks must be completed within the budget and schedule originally designed for a smaller set of tasks.

For example: The original scope may be to conduct Civil 3D training and begin a pilot project. However the budget and timeline will change, and scope creep will be introduced, if the necessary hardware isn't in place.

Change
The software will change, industry requirements will change, people will change. What works for you today, may not work tomorrow, and it’s nearly impossible to budget for, but it will happen, and often at the most undesirable time.

Adult Learning
You can alleviate some issues that are the direct result of scope creep and change through training and technical support, but studies have shown adults learn in three key ways:

1. Learn by doing
2. Learn in small chunks
3. Learn gradually

Confucius said: “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

The younger you are, the easier it is to learn. Younger students are more flexible, adaptable, eager and less afraid to make mistakes. There is a certain freedom to learn that comes with being young that regrettably, we lose the older we get. In an article entitled 30 things we know for sure about adult learning, Ron and Susan Zemke had some interesting observations regarding adult learning:

1. Adults learn by doing. Adults have a need for application of “how to” as the primary reason to begin a learning project. Regardless of media, straightforward how-to is the preferred content orientation.

2. Adults prefer single concept, single theory courses that focus heavily on the application of the concept to relevant problems.

3. Avoiding embarrassment - Adults have a lot more to lose in a classroom setting because of self esteem and ego. Making mistakes in front of peers is just not comfortable; adult learners seek to avoid embarrassment.

4. Adults prefer self-pace over group learning led by a professional. They select more than one medium for learning and they desire to control the pace and the start/stop times.

Results Driven Incrementalism
Robert G. Fichman and Scott A. Moses wrote a paper published in MITSloan Management Review - MIT's journal of
management research and ideas - they nailed it:

Results Driven Incrementalism, what some refer to as the Rapid Results Oriented Approach, benefits firms by promoting organizational learning via multiple, short-horizon goals; maintaining implementation focus and momentum by providing recurring visible results; and negating the common tendency to over engineer solutions — all of which speed the realization of business results and reduce the risk of implementation failure.

In essence: RDI means solving a business issue and realizing immediate benefits. Unlike Enterprise software, Civil 3D is a tool, and some firms have many tools to aid them in the task of Civil Engineering. There isn’t a “right tool” or a “wrong tool.” There’s a tool that works for you, one that works for me, and often, one required by our clients. But make no mistake. Effectively choosing your tools and the way in which you use them is largely an exercise in creativity. To force a firm to make a change in the tools they use, and to create a timeline for the implementation of that tool has only a 40% chance of working.

In a results oriented approach, we determine a single goal, and work toward producing a measurable result as quickly as possible.

For example: You can’t define your goal as “Implementing Civil 3D.” The goal is too broad, and doesn’t resolve a business issue – don’t make change for change sake. Instead, set your sights on something like: “Increase productivity by 25% over the next 3 months.” To that end, identify something you can do today, identify personnel to lead the effort, identify outside resources to leverage for support (a credible consultant with a proven track record, YouTube, discussion groups, books, web casts, white papers, users guides, Google), keep it simple and focused, and communicate your findings to the people you surround yourself with at the office.

Implementing Civil 3D using this methodology allows you to:

1. Minimize immediate costs and down-time
2. Receive benefits as soon as the implementation process begins
3. Begin adoption without having to "know it all"
4. Learn the system at your own pace.

Just Do It

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:22:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

Click Here for a full menu of our Professional Services

In the past few years of consulting with firms investigating an implementation of Civil 3D, one thing has become clear. Too often the task seems overwhelming and it's become too easy to simply give up and fall back into a comfort zone.

When I began to work with DCA (later Softdesk, and finally Land Desktop), I started with one thing I found painful - labelling lines. I was blown away by the fact that DCA could label lines for me automatically. As a matter of fact, that was my first job - labels, notes, text, dimensions.

My mentor (and I think every new hire should have one) created the drawings, I did the labels. when I *thought* I had completed the task, I sat with my mentor to study my digital files. Eventually, I was comfortable with labels and bored to tears; I wanted to draw the lines myself.

That was my next task - linework. Now keep in mind, I was well versed in AutoCAD at the time, but DCA offered what I thought were sweet options: Line by Direction, Line by Deflection, Line by Turned Angle, etc. I could draw the lines - I could use the commands, but the first time I had to plot a legal description, it actually gave meaning to the commands. So now I had a couple chores - draw AND label - "Wow!" I thought, "I need a raise!" Next I tackled parcels, and moved to subdivisions in no time.

I was comfortable getting in and out of the software, felt I knew my way around. I knew the ramifications of the decisions I'd make during production, and I needed something new - Terrain modelling. I had created contours on the board; in fact I felt I had plenty of stick time under my belt. But learning to model terrain in a digital world was a new ball game. Slowly but surely though, the tools I had at my disposal made sense. Not only could I maneuver my way around the software, but I knew how to react in the event I came across an unusual situation - I had learned to think outside the box.

The start of a Civil 3D implementation can be as simple as learning to create labels:

1. How do labels work and how do I modify them?
2. What happens if I explode them?
3. Can I create a line and curve table?
4. What happens if I "Export to AutoCAD?"

Tackle the simple things first. Steer clear of the things that won't make you money, embrace the things that will - but expect change. The software will change, industry requirements will change, people will change. What works for you today, may not work tomorrow - remember how to get back to the way you did it yesterday, but keep looking toward tomorrow. Perhaps most importantly - share what you've learned with your team. In a struggling economy, there is nothing to be gained by keeping your tricks to yourself.

Implementing Civil 3D is a process. And sometimes that process begins with the most mundane of tasks. Be realistic with your goals, minimize your immediate downtime and look for immediate profitability. Stay optimistic, focus on what you can do now, and maintain your passion.

As Carol Bartz once said, "You don't have to build a scaffold around an apple tree to bear the fruit - shake the tree."

343

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:22:00 +0000

This blog was moved in October of 2008. Click Here to read this post and join us at I.II.I Professional Consulting Services where we are continuing our efforts in Paving the Way for your success.

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A
Joseph Agnello, Lad.118 Lt. Brian Ahearn, Bat.13 Eric Allen, Sqd.18 (D) Richard Allen, Lad.15 Cpt. James Amato, Sqd.1 Calixto Anaya Jr., Eng.4 Joseph Agnello, Lad.118 Lt. Brian Ahearn, Bat.13 Eric Allen, Sqd.18 (D) Richard Allen, Lad.15 Cpt. James Amato, Sqd.1 Calixto Anaya Jr., Eng.4 Joseph Angelini, Res.1 (D) Joseph Angelini Jr., Lad.4 Faustino Apostol Jr., Bat.2 David Arce, Eng.33 Louis Arena, Lad.5 (D) Carl Asaro, Bat.9 Lt. Gregg Atlas, Eng.10 Gerald Atwood, Lad.21

B
Gerald Baptiste, Lad.9 A.C. Gerard Barbara, Cmd. Ctr. Matthew Barnes, Lad.25 Arthur Barry, Lad.15 Lt.Steven Bates, Eng.235 Carl Bedigian, Eng.214 Stephen Belson, Bat.7 John Bergin, Res.5 Paul Beyer, Eng.6 Peter Bielfeld, Lad.42 Brian Bilcher, Sqd.1 Carl Bini, Res.5 Christopher Blackwell, Res.3 Michael Bocchino, Bat.48 Frank Bonomo, Eng.230 Gary Box, Sqd.1 Michael Boyle, Eng.33 Kevin Bracken, Eng.40 Michael Brennan, Lad.4 Peter Brennan, Res.4 Cpt. Daniel Brethel, Lad.24 (D) Cpt. Patrick Brown, Lad.3 Andrew Brunn, Lad.5 (D) Cpt. Vincent Brunton, Lad.105 F.M. Ronald Bucca Greg Buck, Eng.201 Cpt. William Burke Jr., Eng.21 A.C. Donald Burns, Cmd. Ctr. John Burnside, Lad.20 Thomas Butler, Sqd.1 Patrick Byrne, Lad.101

C
George Cain, Lad.7 Salvatore Calabro, Lad.101 Cpt. Frank Callahan, Lad.35 Michael Cammarata, Lad.11 Brian Cannizzaro, Lad.101 Dennis Carey, Hmc.1 Michael Carlo, Eng.230 Michael Carroll, Lad.3 Peter Carroll, Sqd.1 (D) Thomas Casoria, Eng.22 Michael Cawley, Lad.136 Vernon Cherry, Lad.118 Nicholas Chiofalo, Eng.235 John Chipura, Eng.219 Michael Clarke, Lad.2 Steven Coakley, Eng.217 Tarel Coleman, Sqd.252 John Collins, Lad.25 Robert Cordice, Sqd.1 Ruben Correa, Eng.74 James Coyle, Lad.3 Robert Crawford, Safety Lt. John Crisci, H.M. B.C. Dennis Cross, Bat.57 (D) Thomas Cullen III, Sqd. 41 Robert Curatolo, Lad.16 (D)

D
Lt. Edward D'Atri, Sqd.1 Michael D'Auria, Eng.40 Scott Davidson, Lad.118 Edward Day, Lad.11 B.C. Thomas DeAngelis, Bat. 8 Manuel Delvalle, Eng.5 Martin DeMeo, H.M. 1 David DeRubbio, Eng.226 Lt. Andrew Desperito, Eng.1 (D) B.C. Dennis Devlin, Bat.9 Gerard Dewan, Lad.3 George DiPasquale, Lad.2 Lt. Kevin Donnelly, Lad.3 Lt. Kevin Dowdell, Res.4 B.C. Raymond Downey, Soc. Gerard Duffy, Lad.21

E
Cpt. Martin Egan, Jr., Div.15 (D) Michael Elferis, Eng.22 Francis Esposito, Eng.235 Lt. Michael Esposito, Sqd.1 Robert Evans, Eng.33

F
B.C. John Fanning, H.O. Cpt. Thomas Farino, Eng.26 Terrence Farrell, Res.4 Cpt. Joseph Farrelly, Div.1 Dep. Comm. William Feehan, (D) Lee Fehling, Eng.235 Alan Feinberg, Bat.9 Michael Fiore, Res.5 Lt. John Fischer, Lad.20 Andre Fletcher, Res.5 John Florio, Eng.214 Lt. Michael Fodor, Lad.21 Thomas Foley, Res.3 David Fontana, Sqd.1 Robert Foti, Lad.7 Andrew Fredericks, Sqd.18 Lt. Peter Freund, Eng.55

G
Thomas Gambino Jr., Res.3 Chief of Dept. Peter Ganci, Jr. (D) Lt. Charles Garbarini, Bat.9 Thomas Gardner, Hmc.1 Matthew Garvey, Sqd.1 Bruce Gary, Eng.40 Gary Geidel, Res.1 B.C. Edward Geraghty, Bat.9 Dennis Germain, Lad.2 Lt. Vincent Giammona, Lad.5 James Giberson, Lad.35 Ronnie Gies, Sqd.288 Paul Gill, Eng.54 Lt. John Ginley, Eng.40 Jeffrey Giordano, Lad.3 John Giordano, Hmc.1 Keith Glascoe, Lad.21 James Gray, Lad.20 B.C. Joseph Grzelak, Bat.48 Jose Guadalupe, Eng.54 Lt. Geoffrey Guja, Bat.43 Lt. Joseph Gullickson, Lad.101

H
David Halderman, Sqd.18 Lt. Vincent Halloran, Lad.8 Robert Hamilton, Sqd.41 Sean Hanley, Lad.20 (D) Thomas Hannafin, Lad.5 Dana Hannon, Eng.26 Daniel Harlin, Lad.2 Lt. Harvey Harrell, Res.5 Lt. Stephen Harrell, Bat.7 Cpt. Thomas Haskell, Jr., Div.15 Timothy Haskell, Sqd.18 (D) Cpt. Terence Hatton, Res.1 Michael Haub, Lad.4 Lt. Michael Healey, Sqd.41 John Hefferman, Lad.11 Ronnie Henderson, Eng.279 Joseph Henry, Lad.21 William Henry, Res.1 (D) Thomas Hetzel, Lad.13 Cpt. Brian Hickey, Res.4 Lt. Timothy Higgins, S.O.C. Jonathan Hohmann, Hmc.1 Thomas Holohan, Eng.6 Joseph Hunter, Sqd.288 Cpt. Walter Hynes, Lad.13 (D)

I
Jonathan Ielpi, Sqd.288 Cpt. Frederick Ill Jr., Lad.2

J
William Johnston, Eng.6 Andrew Jordan, Lad.132 Karl Joseph, Eng.207 Lt. Anthony Jovic, Bat.47 Angel Juarbe Jr., Lad.12 Mychal Judge, Chaplain (D)

K
Vincent Kane, Eng.22 B.C. Charles Kasper, S.O.C. Paul Keating, Lad.5 Richard Kelly Jr., Lad.11 Thomas R. Kelly, Lad.15 Thomas W. Kelly, Lad.105 Thomas Kennedy, Lad.101 Lt. Ronald Kerwin, Sqd.288 Michael Kiefer, Lad.132 Robert King Jr., Eng.33 Scott Kopytko, Lad.15 William Krukowski, Lad.21 Kenneth Kumpel, Lad.25 Thomas Kuveikis, Sqd.252

L
David LaForge, Lad.20 William Lake, Res.2 Robert Lane, Eng.55 Peter Langone, Sqd.252 Scott Larsen, Lad.15 Lt. Joseph Leavey, Lad.15 Neil Leavy, Eng.217 Daniel Libretti, Res.2 Carlos Lillo, Paramedic Robert Linnane, Lad.20 Michael Lynch, Eng.40 Michael Lynch, Lad.4 Michael Lyons, Sqd.41 Patrick Lyons, Sqd.252

M
Joseph Maffeo, Lad.101 William Mahoney, Res 4 Joseph Maloney, Lad.3 (D) B.C. Joseph Marchbanks Jr, Bat.12 Lt. Charles Margiotta, Bat.22 Kenneth Marino, Res.1 John Marshall, Eng.23 Lt. Peter Martin, Res.2 Lt. Paul Martini, Eng.23 Joseph Mascali, T.S.U. 2 Keithroy Maynard, Eng.33 Brian McAleese, Eng.226 John McAvoy, Lad.3 Thomas McCann, Bat.8 Lt. William McGinn, Sqd.18 B.C. William McGovern, Bat.2 (D) Dennis McHugh, Lad.13 Robert McMahon, Lad.20 Robert McPadden, Eng.23 Terence McShane, Lad.101 Timothy McSweeney, Lad.3 Martin McWilliams, Eng.22 (D) Raymond Meisenheimer, Res.3 Charles Mendez, Lad.7 Steve Mercado, Eng.40 Douglas Miller, Res.5 Henry Miller Jr, Lad.105 Robert Minara, Lad.25 Thomas Mingione, Lad.132 Lt. Paul Mitchell, Bat.1 Capt. Louis Modafferi, Res.5 Lt. Dennis Mojica, Res.1 (D) Manuel Mojica, Sqd.18 (D) Carl Molinaro, Lad.2 Michael Montesi, Res.1 Capt. Thomas Moody, Div.1 B.C. John Moran, Bat.49 Vincent Morello, Lad.35 Christopher Mozzillo, Eng.55 Richard Muldowney Jr, Lad.07 Michael Mullan, Lad.12 Dennis Mulligan, Lad.2 Lt. Raymond Murphy, Lad.16

N
Lt. Robert Nagel, Eng.58 John Napolitano, Res.2 Peter Nelson, Res.4 Gerard Nevins, Res.1

O
Dennis O'Berg, Lad.105 Lt. Daniel O'Callaghan, Lad.4 Douglas Oelschlager, Lad.15 Joseph Ogren, Lad.3 Lt. Thomas O'Hagan, Bat.4 Samuel Oitice, Lad.4 Patrick O'Keefe, Res.1 Capt. William O'Keefe, Div.15 (D) Eric Olsen, Lad.15 Jeffery Olsen, Eng.10 Steven Olson, Lad.3 Kevin O'Rourke, Res.2 Michael Otten, Lad.35

P
Jeffery Palazzo, Res.5 B.C. Orio Palmer, Bat.7 Frank Palombo, Lad.105 Paul Pansini, Eng.10 B.C. John Paolillo, Bat.11 James Pappageorge, Eng.23 Robert Parro, Eng.8 Durrell Pearsall, Res.4 Lt. Glenn Perry, Bat.12 Lt. Philip Petti, Bat.7 Lt. Kevin Pfeifer, Eng. 33 Lt. Kenneth Phelan, Bat.32 Christopher Pickford, Eng.201 Shawn Powell, Eng.207 Vincent Princiotta, Lad.7 Kevin Prior, Sqd.252 B.C. Richard Prunty, Bat.2 (D)

Q
Lincoln Quappe, Res.2 Lt. Michael Quilty, Lad.11 Ricardo Quinn, Paramedic

R
Leonard Ragaglia, Eng.54 Michael Ragusa, Eng.279 Edward Rall, Res.2 Adam Rand, Sqd.288 Donald Regan, Res.3 Lt. Robert Regan, Lad.118 Christian Regenhard, Lad.131 Kevin Reilly, Eng.207 Lt. Vernon Richard, Lad.7 James Riches, Eng.4 Joseph Rivelli, Lad.25 Michael Roberts, Eng.214 Michael E. Roberts, Lad.35 Anthony Rodriguez, Eng.279 Matthew Rogan, Lad.11 Nicholas Rossomando, Res.5 Paul Ruback, Lad.25 Stephen Russell, Eng.55 Lt. Michael Russo, S.O.C. B.C. Matthew Ryan, Bat.1

S
Thomas Sabella, Lad.13 Christopher Santora, Eng.54 John Santore, Lad.5 (D) Gregory Saucedo, Lad.5 Dennis Scauso, H.M. 1 John Schardt, Eng.201 B.C. Fred Scheffold, Bat.12 Thomas Schoales, Eng.4 Gerard Schrang, Res.3 (D) Gregory Sikorsky, Sqd.41 Stephen Siller, Sqd.1 Stanley Smagala Jr, Eng.226 Kevin Smith, H.M. 1 Leon Smith Jr, Lad 118 Robert Spear Jr, Eng.26 Joseph Spor, Res.3 B.C. Lawrence Stack, Bat.50 Cpt. Timothy Stackpole, Div.11 (D) Gregory Stajk, Lad.13 Jeffery Stark, Eng.230 Benjamin Suarez, Lad.21 Daniel Suhr, Eng.216 (D) Lt. Christopher Sullivan, Lad.111 Brian Sweeney, Res.1

T
Sean Tallon, Lad.10 Allan Tarasiewicz, Res.5 Paul Tegtmeier, Eng.4 John Tierney, Lad.9 John Tipping II, Lad.4 Hector Tirado Jr, Eng.23

V
Richard Vanhine, Sqd.41 Peter Vega, Lad.118 Lawrence Veling, Eng.235 John Vigiano II, Lad.132 Sergio Villanueva, Lad.132 Lawrence Virgilio, Sqd.18 (D)

W
Lt. Robert Wallace, Eng.205 Jeffery Walz, Lad. 9 Lt. Michael Warchola, Lad.5 (D) Capt. Patrick Waters, S.O.C. Kenneth Watson, Eng.214 Michael Weinberg, Eng.1 (D) David Weiss, Res.1 Timothy Welty, Sqd.288 Eugene Whelan, Eng.230 Edward White, Eng.230 Mark Whitford, Eng.23 Lt. Glenn Wilkinson, Eng.238 (D) B.C. John Williamson, Bat.6 (D) Capt. David Wooley, Lad.4

Y
Raymond York, Eng.285 (D)

Civil 3D and Change

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:07:00 +0000

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After 911 the FBI invested upwards of $200 million on new software, but the project failed (depending upon the source, the price tag climbs as high as $600 million). Originally the contractor largely in charge of creating the software set out to solve what seemed to be a single problem: Lower the time it takes to handle paperwork and input data. The new software, at least on paper, appeared to solve all the current paper shuffling problems - the fact that few had computers was apparently a secondary issue.

Scope Creep
It's undeniable, it's inevitable, and more often than not, can't possibly be planned for. I can give you a plan for "standardizing" your firm, but the minute I hand it over, it's already outdated and ineffective. Why? Scope Creep - the dynamics that make each firm unique will remain fluid. Your needs today will be different than your needs tomorrow.

Change
Human beings, by their very nature, learn, evolve, and change. In an effort to mold changes into a world we can wrap our heads around, we look for pre-packed ways to reach nirvana - the technology age has made us restless and impatient. Many consultants sell "Implementations," but few can help you adapt to change in the process.

Project Managers change, owners change, decision makers change, employees change, businesses change. The #2 reason for bankruptcies in America is lack of preparation in handling the unexpected, unpredictable, and undesirable (preceded only by illness). In effect, it's the inability to adapt to change that kills most firms.

So in a business that relies heavily on the creative process (and tools created by someone else), how do you wrap your head around moving ahead with new technology while keeping a pulse on your people as things - well - change? A little at a time. "Throw the baby in the pool" in our world, and the baby drowns.

Let the baby feel the water with a foot, then a leg. Diaper gets wet, baby cries, re-evaluate.

Setting Expectations
Your goal can't be using new software for newness sake - as if the word "new" meant "more money for my retirement." Your expectation should be increased profitability. And if that means rolling out Civil 3D for terrain modeling only, then so be it. Software is created by people, and as people mature, so do the tools we use. Therefore, software inadequacies, issues, bugs and bright spots alike are to be expected as software matures. Expecting anything else would be unreasonable.

The Role of the Consultant
A good consultant doesn't teach you Civil 3D, they teach you how to learn it. A good consultant doesn't teach you how to standardize or "implement" Civil 3D, they teach you to recognize and react to the impact of change.

No Place Like Home?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:27:00 +0000

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It's good to be back at the office... I'm not going to miss the waves crashing on the soft powder sand on some little known beach on a half deserted tropical island as I sip on my rum basking in the sun.

Nearly 30 years of work and I had never taken a 2 week vacation; what the hell was I thinking.

Bonbini

They Come in Pairs

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:01:00 +0000

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Subscription member? Have you checked out the Subscription Center lately? Notice these sweet additions:

HEC RAS Import/Export Extension for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009

Stage Storage Extension for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009

AutoCAD Civil 3D® - GENIO Import Extension

AutoCAD Civil 3D - PISTE Import Extension

Subassemblies for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009

Welcome additions!

Shortcutnode

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:35:00 +0000

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Because every office has that one guy...

Command: SHORTCUTNODE
Enter new value for SHORTCUTNODE <1>: 0

From Help:

You can remove the Data Shortcuts node from the Prospector tab of Toolspace. This can be useful if you want to prevent the use of data shortcuts.

Export to AutoCAD

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:24:00 +0000

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How can I share a Civil 3D drawing with someone using AutoCAD LT? It's a relatively common question as much of our design work must be shared with consultants that either can't afford Civil 3D, or it's simply serious overkill.

In this case, from the Civil 3D File menu, select Export to AutoCAD, and select the AutoCAD 2000 format. Don't save the drawing back - Export it.

Details:
I have a Civil 3D 2009 drawing with alignment and surface data references. The drawing has a base model attached as an xref, and I've cut an existing ground profile.

Export the drawing as an AutoCAD 2000 drawing and the following happens:

1. Alignments become simple lines and curves, the stationing becomes mtext.
2. The attached xref is bound, but can be exploded.
3. Profiles and profile views becomes simple linework
4. Linework that used to be a Civil 3D object (e.g. the alignment and the profile, etc.), takes on the component layer as defined in the object style - not the object layer. One exception to the rule, however. If you set an object layer to something other than "0" but you set a component layer to "0," the exported linework will pick up the object layer. If you assign a color other than "BYLAYER" to the component, the object layer is used, but takes on the component color. Notice the following. The profile view object layer is C-PROF (following NCS standards), but a color has been assigned.

When exported and opened in AutoCAD LT, all objects are on layer C-PROF but the Graph Title is color 32, and the Left Axis is blue. But this brings up an important point - if you plot bycolor (using ctb's), this might be an issue. But if you plot bystyle (using .stb's), this could be sweet.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 Update 1

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:51:00 +0000

AutoCAD® Map 3D 2009 – Surveying Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:04:00 +0000

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Autodesk has released a package of Surveying tools for MAP 3D, available from the Subscription site. The tools are sweet and I must admit, I was fired up for this release. Log into the Subscription Center, browse down the page and you'll find the link.

I'm happy with the tools, definitely, but getting them??? You might want to read this:

Read the ReadMe file as suggested, you'll find the button on the lower left of the page. It essentially says "Improved point data support, Surface creation capabilities, Additional Coordinate Geometry (COGO) commands, Import and export support for LandXML, Preview Application Programming Interface (API), and User documentation including User’s Guide and Developer’s Guide." Further, it says the AutoCAD MAP 3D Surveying Tools installer includes three files:

Survey.msi (5.45 MB)
setup.exe (420 KB)
readme.htm (40KB)

There is installation information as well, but it's fairly straightforward.

I selected the Download button in the lower right and received a thank-you for downloading map3d09_sw_survey_w053a_eng. I open the zip file to extract the contents, but I find something wrong - only 2 files enclosed, not 3 - the readme isn't included; I'm now a bit uncomfortable.

In any case, I downloaded and installed the tools on my Vista box, fired up MAP 3D, and found - nothing. I search for a toolbar - nothing; look in Help for something regarding the tools - nothing; Look for a new menu - nothing; change workspaces?? Nothing. I'm no longer uncomfortable, I'm downright frustrated. I tried running the install again, and there is an option to repair the install, but I'm still not seeing anything.

I was fairly unimpressed, so I walked away from the tools. I'm thinking to myself, they don't work OOTB, and I've got other things to think about - put myself in our clients shoes. I re-visited the tools this morning, it's been a couple weeks. I notice the package is now map3d09_sw_survey_w053ar4.zip. The zip has been updated. I opened it, it's still missing the readme file. I tried to uninstall the old tools, but forgot I had left MAP 3D open... you guessed it, I locked up the installer and had to "end the task."

Whatever...

I installed the new set, fired up MAP 3D, and wouldn't you know it - nada. Is it me? Is it Vista? Is it that the MAP Gods don't want me to use the tools? I open the CUI and find nothing. Nothing in Help, nothing in the menus, nothing on my desktop, no Survey installation folder, no shortcuts on the desktop, nothing, and I do mean, nothing.

And then I thought to myself: The Help files are typically .chm files, so I searched the installation directory for *.chm and wouldn't you know it - found survey_tools.chm.

Open the file.

One Degree Block

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:24:00 +0000

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A one degree block measures 1 degree in latitude by 1 degree in longitude, and each block has a unique number corresponding the lower right hand corner of the block. For example, degree block 32097 has a latitude of 32 degrees north and 097 degrees west at the southeast (lower right) corner.

Each degree block is divided in 64 sections, and each section measures 7.5 minutes by 7.5 minutes – thus the 7.5 minute QUAD. Sections or cells are numbered 01 through 64 as shown below:

Sometimes a seven character alphanumeric code is used to identify the sections of a one degree block. In this case, rows are lettered A through H beginning at the lower right hand corner, and numbered east to west from 1 to 8. The bottom right corner is A1, the upper left is H8.

Literally hundreds of sites offer free downloads of USGS QUADs as well as other types of freely distributed data and filenames are often in the xxyyyzz format.

xx = latitude
yyy = longitude
zz = section number or alphanumeric code of the one degree block

If a digital QUAD (typically downloaded as a .tif image) is collared, the original USGS collar with notes, distances, etc. is shown. If the QUAD is collarless, this information has been removed and the .tif image fits in the 7.5 minute by 7.5 minute square.

Backslash

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:45:00 +0000

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\

Seems simple enough. Add a backslash to a macro to pause for user selection. It's use would be something similar to the following:

*^C^C_-ATTEDIT;_y;;;;\;a;0;;

Add the macro to a toolbar and reset the rotation of attributes to zero all day long.

One problem - the backslash isn't properly recognized as a pause in AutoCAD based 2009 products.

Once a user selection is made, the command proceeds ignoring the rest of the macro. In effect, nothing after the \ is recognized.

AutoCAD 2009 Update 1 doesn't resolve the issue; sorry Russell. As a workaround, you might try this

nVidia Performance Driver for AutoCAD 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:38:00 +0000

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I almost hate to say this, but I've seen an increase in "undocumented features" relating to graphics with the release of the AutoCAD 2009 based products.

If you know Autodesk, you know they're constantly working to ensure you have the best class of tools on the market and I'm sure we'll be seeing updates soon. But until then, here are a couple things I've stumbled upon:

1. If you typically work with your Properties Palette open persistently, you may want to reconsider. I've seen closing the palette have an astounding effect on graphics performance - again, I'm referring to AutoCAD 2009 and related products only. I spent 4 hours in a call trying to resolve a serious display issue for a client, but in the end, that was the resolution - odd as it may sound.

2. When I hover over an object in AutoCAD 2009 on my ThinkPad T61p (3Gb RAM and 1Gb video), my hard drive crunches and AutoCAD thinks seriously before highlighting an object. Obviously a graphics issue, I set the SELECTIONPREVIEW variable to 0 and the crunching subsided.

3. I'm running Vista 32-bit and I've worked with the 3Gb switch both enabled as well as disabled. In most cases, you'll notice a performance increase in Autodesk products if you enable it, but it may be at the risk of introducing instability in display performance. In a nut-shell, the switch is turned off by Microsoft by default to protect you from unstable proprietary drivers.

With that said, be sure your system drivers are updated - that's the first question I'll ask if you call for support (the second question is: "Have you audited your drawing?"). nVidia has released an AutoCAD Performance Driver, I wouldn't hesitate to check it out, I've noticed a difference.

In terms of video cards, you typically don't want a gaming card. Appealing as they may sound, they're not built for CAD - and there is a distinct difference. Interested in knowing more? Check out this article.

Label Feature Line Elevations

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:31:00 +0000

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You can't currently label the elevation of a feature line anywhere along the feature line, but the work-around is relatively simple.

1. Create a bogus surface with a style that displays nothing.

2. Creat a line label style with a reference text component for a surface.

3. Create a curve label style with a reference text component for a surface.

4. Add feature lines to the surface as breaklines and label vertices all day long.

If the vertex elevations change, so will the spot elevations. If the vertices move, so will the spot elevations. Of course a surface is traingulated, so if you need to add a label at a location that wasn't included in the triangulation, simply add a vertex to the feature line at that location.

If you need points as opposed to labels, use the AutoCAD Point command to place a point at each vertex - replace the points with Civil 3D Point Objects.

Update:

Matt Anderson pointed out in a comment below that one alternate way of labelling a feature line is to label the starting or ending Z value of a segment. Matt's correct, however, it's worthwhile to note that using this method, the object snap Nearest would not yield accurate results.

MAP 3D Expressions

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:16:00 +0000

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There are several ways to attach/import/connect to data using MAP 3D 2009, and a host of methods to choose from in terms of labelling features. In the previous post Tommie has brought up a good question, "So now how do you truncate an elevation property for a contour in a shape file attached via FDO?"

In MAP 3D 2009, as long as the object data is a real number, then the result can be rounded as follows:
Round ( Elevation , 0 )

To enter the data as shown above, first select the Math Function Round. Replace [number] with the Property you are rounding, and replace [optional number of decimals] with the rounding factor - 0 will round to the nearest whole number.

Here's the catch Tommie: It doesn't work in MAP 3D 2008, as a matter of fact, nothing works - rounding doesn't work, RTOS doesn't work, LISP doesn't work period. In fact only one thing will get rid of the 6 extra zeros:

In the expression editor, type the following: (0+Elevation)

Where Elevation is the object data field. I think the lack of flexibility is - well - unfortunate.

In many cases though, I'd almost rather import the data and label objects based upon an annotation template. The following are just some of the expression goodies in my bag of tricks. By the way, again - these are defined in my MAP annotation template:

(strcat (rtos .LENGTH 2 2) "'") will produce the foot symbol.
(strcat (rtos .LENGTH 2 2) "' @ " (angtos .ANGLE 4 3)) will return length’ @ angle.
(rtos .Elevation 2 2) will round off a number to the nearest 2 decimal places.

ANGTOS converts a number to a formatted string representing an angle. The syntax is (and the rtos syntax is the same): (angtos expression mode precision).

Modes:
Mode 0 = Decimal Degrees
Mode 1 = Degrees Minutes Seconds
Mode 2 = Grads
Mode 3 = Radians
Mode 4 = Surveyor's Units

For example, if you need to label the bearing of a line using an annotation template, the expression would look like this:
(angtos .ANGLE 4 3)

And would yield this:
N 23d47'31" E

The Elusive Suffix

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:04:00 +0000

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Using a data connection, attach a shapefile to a drawing. Any of the object data can be labeled as shown below, but how can you add a suffix to the label? For example, if the acreages of parcels are included in the object data, it's more desirable to label "0.576 Acres" than simply "0.576."

Add an expression to the label:

Add the "Concat" text function:

Select "text property" and replace it with the object data property you wish to label:

Replace the "[date/time]" with the suffix needed. In my case, the word Acres as shown:

After the comma there is a space, a single quote, another space, and the suffix followed by another single quote.

Nice, but begs another question: What if the data was imported (MAP > Tools > Import) rather than attached, you danced the "attach and query" dance, and a text property was altered as shown?

Simply place your cursor to the right of the last word and type the suffix as follows:

, 'Acres'

Color Wheel

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:06:00 +0000

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You know how it goes - looks great on the screen, plots as a black mass. You could tweak your plot settings for a month - or you could plot the color wheel.

AutoCAD has shipped with a color wheel since the beginning of time. If you're not careful, you'll lose hours wondering why your fill patterns don't plot properly only to find the issue is with your device, not AutoCAD.

In the example below I've plotted a school district over a city map to compare to surrounding county data; effectively 3 layers of information that need to be displayed transparently over one another.

I plotted it, it was a black mass. When this happens, open the color wheel, plot it using the out of the box acad.ctb, and see how the plotter reacts. Then adjust your layer colors or .ctb accordingly.

My laserjet doesn't care what I send to it, it has a mind of its own. It doesn't care what AutoCAD sends to it, it doesn't care what driver I use. Red plots as a light fill pattern, green is darker, no way around it. You can tweak dithering, greyscale, and pen settings all day, and you may find the answer eventually. But by plotting the color wheel first, you'll find how your printer or plotter wants to respond to AutoCAD without investing a lot of time.

This obviously leads to another gem: Creating a transparent fill pattern in Civil 3D. Create a polyline around the area, export it as an sdf or a shapefile, connect to it, stylize it, make it transparent - and it eats very little memory.