Friday, July 28, 2006

What I Know Already

This blog will be most useful for people moving from one civil software package to Civil 3D. I'll assume a decent knowlege of AutoCAD for any readers out there.

Personally, I am coming from a firm where I used Eagle Point software extensively. I was an administrator, trainer and civil engineer all in one. Frankly, from the short time I've been playing with Civil 3D, the two packages don't even compare. Design and changes go much faster in Civil 3D. There are a few things I think Eagle Point is stronger in. For one thing, Civil 3D needs a 3RD party converter to work with survey data. Even if you have a plain old ASCII comma delimeted file, you can bring it in, but Civ3d won't read standard linework. Grrrrr.... Eagle Point also will generate Plan and Profile Sheets for you, which Civil 3D will not. Lastly, painful though it may be to use, Eagle Point does have Hydrolics and Hydrology capability. I've been told "it's on the way" for Civil 3D.

The #1 thing I like about Civil 3D thus far is the CONFLICT CHECKING! Oh, the hourse of my life I wish I could have back. Luckily, I can use that time to...oh...make Plan and Profile sheets.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Eagle Point Terminology VS Civil 3D Terminology

Sorry this is so ugly, but the table I had up earlier was worse. If you would like a nice formatted *.doc version of this information, email me.

Thanks!


Eagle Point Term or Command = Civil 3D Term or Command

*Survey Stuff*
NodePoint = Point
Surface model = Terrain Model or Surface Model
Node Attributes = Point Label Styles
Field Code = Description Key
Node SymbolS = Point Style
Field Code = Raw Description
Description = Full Description
Line of Attribute Text = Text Component
Job = Network
Linework = Figures
*Surface Modeling / Grading*
Flow Paths = Water Drop
Switch Diagonal = Swap Edge
Breaklines:
Include ~Standard Break
Exclude
Soft Break ~Non-destructive
Include (along nodes) ~Proximity
Void Region = Hide Boundary
Prismoidal Volumes = Volume Surface or Comparison
Contours:
Intermediate =Minors
Index =Major
*Roadway*
Subprojects ~ Sites
Design Profile = Layout Profile
Typical Section = Assembly
Original Ground Cross Section = Sample Line Section
Corridor Width = Swath Width
Alignment + design profile + typical section = Corridor
Slope Conditions and Condition Table = Subassembly
Query Cross Section and/or Step Through Modifications = View/Edit Corridor
Section
Format Library = Band Set
PT Code = Marker Point
“Create Surface Model From Road” = Properties>
Slope Projection Options = Grading Criteria
Catch Points = Daylight

*General / Other*
Lots = Parcels

Welcome

Share my journey of discovery as I learn Civil 3D by AutoDesk!