WisDOT Files Where to Guide

I don't recall if I blogged this yet.  Better twice than not at all. 

So you've downloaded all the files from:
ftp://ftp.dot.state.wi.us/transp/roads/civil3d/

• c3d_allusers.exe
• c3d_installdir.exe
• c3d_peruser.exe
• c3d_perusercontentbrowserlibrary.exe
• c3d_peruserlocal.exe

And you downloaded the entire directory WisDOTProjectTemplate, right?  Oh you haven't done that yet, probably because you are trying to work with the FTP site in Internet Explorer, when you really need to be working with it in Windows Explorer.   To switch views, from the browser, go to Page > Open FTP site in Windows Explorer.

Right-click the directory and select copy.

Paste the directory under C:\Civil 3D Project Templates. 

If you are on Windows XP I've got mixed news:

1)  You should probably think about moving to Windows 7.  Windows 7 is much better at handling the memory needed to run Civil 3D well.  Besides, Microsoft will stop supporting XP soon.

2) The good news is that the Wisdot exe files will slide right onto your system.

Ok - so for the rest of us who are on Windows 7, you'll need to do some tweaking to get the WisDOT files placed correctly.

Double click the exe from WisDOT.

Click Run

You need to browse each and every time for the correct directory.

• c3d_allusers.exe  needs to go to: C:\Program Data\AutoDesk\C3D 2010\enu\
• This folder contains:
• WisDOT intersection assemblies and underlying dlls.
• WisDOT Figure prefix database
• WisDOT design criteria XML files.
• Several Wisconsin-specific reports
• The SRV-to-PNTFLT.dvb mentioned in my last post
• c3d_installdir.exe must be extracted to: C:\Program Files\AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010\
• NOTE: You'll need to set this to C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010\  if you are on 64 bit system.
• This folder contains:
• Linetypes, font and supporting files
• Help files for WisDOT custom subassemblies
• c3d_peruser.exe gets extracted to: C:\Users\-user-\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\C3D 2010\enu
• NOTE:  This step will overwrite customizations to your c3d.cuix  file - I recommend keeping your own intact by renaming it before you copy.
• This folder contains:
• Plotter information
• Toolpalette files
• CUI file
• DGN setups
• c3d_perusercontentLibrary.exe goes to: C:\Users\-user-\Documents\Autodesk\
• Overwrite & merge the My Content Browser Library
• The WisDOT catalog file that will help make importing the subassemblies to your tool palette easier.
• c3d_peruserlocal.exe gets extracted to: C:\Users\-user-\AppData\Local\Autodesk\C3D 2010\enu\
• This contains all the WisDOT templates.
• Merge and replace when prompted.

By extracting everything local, no changes need to be made in Options to your profile.

You can network many of these items, such as plotter settings linetypes, fonts and templates.  However, DO NOT attempt to network the subassemblies themselves.  I've never seen it work properly.

These files only work in Civil 3D 2010 - not at all in 2011.  Some of the reports may not work correctly on 64 bit systems (such as the SEUpdate.dll).

If the contents of this blog post confuse you, please get help trying to extract these files to the correct place.    

I am available for consulting on these matters through my employer. 

Don't Install Civil 3D...

...until you take my quiz to see if you are ready!

This quiz is just for fun - but talks about some real issues people run into when implemeting Civil 3D.

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=are-you-ready-to-implement-civil-3d

Have fun.

FIXED: CAiCE SRV to Civil 3D 2010

This is a REPOST with fixed links.  My apologies to those who were unable to download due to the DVB file getting blocked by our server.  This repost has the files, but you will need to rename them after you save them to your harddrive.  The links won't expire!  w00t.

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This post would not be possible without Rick Larson of WisDOT's DVB file. Thanks, Rick for letting me scam your program and spread it over the world!

These instructions apply to Civil 3D 2010, (will post 2011 version VBA file when it becomes available.)

Download the 2010 version of WisDOT's converter tool from:
srv-to_pntflt - Right-click and hit "Save target".  Be sure to rename the txt file extension to DVB

A test SRV file to play with can also be downloaded if you need one:
exist -  Extension rename to SRV is needed.


1. At the Civil 3D command line type: VBALOAD
2. Browse for the DVB file.

3. Click Enable Macros.







4. At the command line, type in VBARUN





5. Select the line that ends with “ReadSRVFile”
6. Click Run.
7. Browse for the SRV file you wish to convert.
8. Click Open


The result is 5 new files that are created in the folder containing the original SRV.
• *.srv.bld
• *.srv.flt
• *.srv.obs
• *.srv.pnt
• *.srv.wea

Civil 3D only uses the flt and the pnt files. The pnt is a space delimited PENZD file which can be imported as points. The flt file is a breakline file which can be added to a surface definition.

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An example of how these can be used:

Since the point files tend to be large, we will not bother importing it as a survey file.

Create a surface.

Add the file using Point Files option under the surface definition.





Next, add breaklines.













Boom – you gotta surface.

Mastering Civil 3D 2011

I received my copy of Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 last week and had plenty of time to read it while proctoring some Autodesk Certification Exams. 

It is excellent.  I've been up to my eyeballs in Civil 3D for the last four years and I can honestly say that I never stop learning tidbits here and there from my Mastering books.   James and Scott did an awesome job creating fresh information and fine-tuning this encyclopedia of Civil 3D knowledge.

(Yes, guys I will put a glowing 5 star review on Amazon too!)


So, that leaves me with the question...do I pitch/recycle my first one?  All of my clients have upgraded to at least 2009, leaving the 2008 book as a mere memento of a time that I didn't know my ass from a negative slope grading object.

So I turned my 2008 book into a minibar:

Believe me, the first cut was hard.   For one thing I've always been taught to revere the printed word.  Second, cutting into Dana, James, Mark & Jason's  pivotal work felt a little bit like cutting up a high school yearbook. 

Despite this book desecration/minibar transformation, the world should know I have the deepest respect and admiration for the authors. 

BOTTOMS UP!

Super Helpful Help

Hey all!

I know, I know I should blog more often.  But it is summer and there are State Fairs to attend,  beaches to lay on and sunshine to absorb. 

Here's something I JUST noticed today... the help in 2011 knows object names and uses them to help you navigate procedures.  It picks the name of the object at the time you hit F1. 

For all I know, it's done this since 2005, but I'm just noticing it now.  It's cool.  It makes me feel safe and happy in the Help docs. 

Have a great week!