Chapter 2

Survey

The AutoCAD^® Civil 3D^® software supports a collaborative workflow in many aspects of the design process, but especially in the survey realm. Accurate data starts outdoors. A survey that has been consistently and correctly coded in the field can save hours of drafting time. Nobody knows the site better than the folks who were out there freezing in their boots, sloshing through the project location. Surveyors can collect line information such as swales, curbs, or even pavement markings and communicate this digitally to the data collectors.

Civil 3D can often eliminate the need for third-party survey software, because it can download and process survey data directly from a data collector. To enter data in a manner that is easily digested by Civil 3D, your survey process should incorporate the information from this chapter.

In this chapter, you will learn to:

• Properly collect field data and import it into Civil 3D
• Set up description key and figure databases
• Translate surveys from assumed coordinates to known coordinates
• Perform traverse analysis

Setting Up the Databases

Before any project-specific data is imported, there is a bit of initial setup that will improve the translation between the field and the office. For this chapter you will need to see your Survey tab in Toolspace. If you do not see this tab, click the Survey button on the Home tab ⇒ Palettes panel.

Your survey database defaults, equipment database, linework code set, and the figure prefix database should be in place before you import your first survey. You can find the location of these files by going to the Survey tab in Toolspace, and clicking the Survey User Settings button in the upper-left corner. The dialog shown in Figure 2.1 opens.

Figure 2.1 Survey User Settings dialog

It is common practice to place these files on a network server so your organization can share them. Change the paths in this dialog and they will “stick” regardless of which drawing you have open.

Survey Database Defaults

The Survey User Settings dialog contains these settings:

When you first set up your survey settings, it is a good idea to create a test database for setting the survey database defaults. To create the test database:

Figure 2.2 Survey Database settings

To delete your test database, you will need to close the database from the Survey tab. To do so, locate the database in the Survey tab. Right-click on it and select Close Survey Database. Using Windows Explorer, you can then browse to the working folder containing the database and delete it. There is no way to delete a survey database from within the software.

The Equipment Database

The equipment database is where you set up the various types of survey equipment that you are using in the field. Doing so allows you to apply the proper correction factors to your traverse analyses when it is time to balance your traverse. Civil 3D comes with a sample piece of equipment for you to inspect to see what information you will need when it comes time to create your equipment. The Equipment Properties dialog provides all the default settings for the sample equipment in the equipment database. On the Survey tab of Toolspace ⇒ Equipment Databases, right-click Sample and select Manage Equipment Database to access this dialog in Toolspace, as shown in Figure 2.3.

Figure 2.3 Equipment Database Manager

You will want to create your own equipment entries and enter the specifications for your particular total station. Add a new piece of equipment to the database by clicking the plus sign at the top of the Equipment Database Manager window. If you are unsure of the settings to enter, refer to the user documentation that you received when you purchased your total station.

The Figure Prefix Database

The figure prefix database is used to translate descriptions in the field to lines in CAD. These survey-generated lines are called figures. If a description matches a listing in the figure prefix database, the figure is assigned the properties and style dictated therein (see Figure 2.4).

Figure 2.4 Figure Prefix Database Manager

The Figure Prefix Database Manager contains these columns:

Remember that figure prefix databases are not drawing specific. The only reason a drawing is needed is to access the styles that the figures will use.

You'll explore these settings in a practical exercise:

Table 2.1 Figure settings

The Linework Code Set Database

The linework code set (Figure 2.5) lists what designators are used to start, stop, continue, or add additional geometry to lines. For example, the B code that is typically used to begin a line can be replaced by a code of your choosing, a decimal (.) can be used for a right-turn value, and a minus sign (–) can be used for a left-turn value. Linework code sets allow a survey crew to customize their data collection techniques based on methods used by various types of software not related to Civil 3D.

Figure 2.5 The Edit Linework Code Set dialog

Description Keys: Field to Civil 3D

Description keys bridge the gap between the field and the office. Unlike the linework code set and figure prefix database, which are each external files, description keys should be created and saved in your Civil 3D template. The description key set is a listing of field descriptions and how they should look and behave once they are imported into Civil 3D.

For example, a surveyor may code in BM to indicate a benchmark. When the file is imported into Civil 3D either through the Survey database or by point import from a text file (as you will do in Chapter 3, “Points”), it will be checked against the description key set. If BM exists in the list as it is in Figure 2.6, then the styles, format, layer, and several other parameters are set.

Figure 2.6 Description key set

To access your description key set, you will need to select Toolspace ⇒ Settings ⇒ Point ⇒ Description Key Sets.

Creating a Description Key Set

Description key sets appear on the Settings tab of Toolspace under the Point branch. You can create a new description key set by right-clicking the Description Key Sets collection and choosing New, as shown in Figure 2.7.

Figure 2.7 Creating a new description key set on the Settings tab of Toolspace

In the resulting Description Key Set dialog, give your description key set a meaningful name, such as your company name, and click OK. You'll create the actual description keys in another dialog.

Creating Description Keys

To enter the individual description key codes and parameters, right-click the description key set, as illustrated in Figure 2.8, and select Edit Keys. The DescKey Editor in Panorama appears.

Figure 2.8 Editing a description key set

To enter new codes, right-click a row with an existing key in the DescKey Editor, and choose New or Copy from the context menu, as shown in Figure 2.9.

Figure 2.9 Creating or copying a description key

Activating a Description Key Set

Once you've created a description key set, you should verify the settings for your commands so that Civil 3D knows to match your newly created points with the appropriate key.

In the Settings tab of Toolspace, choose Point ⇒ Commands and right-click CreatePoints. Select Edit Command Settings, as shown in Figure 2.10.

Figure 2.10 Right-click CreatePoints and choose Edit Command Settings.

In the Edit Command Settings - CreatePoints dialog, ensure that Match On Description Parameters is set to True and that Disable Description Keys is set to False, as shown in Figure 2.11.

Figure 2.11 Verify that Disable Description Keys is set to False.

It is not uncommon to have multiple description key sets in your template for multiple clients or external survey firms that you work with. If you have multiple description key sets, they are all active, but if a set has a duplicate key, the first one Civil 3D runs across will take precedence. For example, if one set uses FL for flowline but a second set uses FL for fence line, the second occurrence of the FL key gets ignored.

You can control the search order from the Settings tab of Toolspace by right-clicking on Description Keys Sets and selecting Properties. Figure 2.12 shows the Description Key Sets Search Order dialog box. Use the arrows on the right side of the dialog box to set the order. The set listed first takes first priority, then the second, and so on. Note that the listing in the Settings tab may not reflect the true listing in the properties.

Figure 2.12 The Description Key Sets Search Order dialog

The Main Event: Your Project's Survey Database

Now that you know how to get everything set up, you are probably eager to get some real, live data into your drawing.

First, set your survey working folder to your desired survey storage location. The Civil 3D survey database is a set of external database files that reside in your survey working folder. By default, this folder is located in C:Civil 3d Projects.

On the Survey tab of Toolspace, right-click on Survey Databases and select Set Working Folder, as shown in Figure 2.13.

Figure 2.13 Set the survey working folder.

In the current version of Civil 3D, this is a different, independent setting from the working folder for data shortcuts (as discussed in Chapter 18, “Advanced Workflows”). Most folks want this on a network location, tucked neatly into the survey folder for the project.

Keep in mind that the survey database is version specific. You can open a 2012 database in 2013, but once it has been converted, there is no going back.

To create a survey database, you can either right-click and select New Local Survey Database as mentioned earlier, or you can select Import Survey Data from the Home tab's Create Ground Data panel.

The contents of a survey database are organized into the following categories:

Import Events

Import events provide a framework for viewing and editing specific survey data, and they are created each time you import data into a survey database. The default name for the import event is the same as the imported filename. The Import Event collection contains the networks, figures, and survey points that are referenced from a specific import command, and provides an easy way to remove, re-import, and reprocess survey data in the current drawing.

Survey Queries

New to Civil 3D 2013, survey queries allow users to search for specific information within a survey database. You can use a query to locate and group related survey points and figures. For example, you may want all figures representing power lines in a query with survey points representing power poles. If you create a query containing your utilities, you can isolate specific figures and points to insert into another drawing.

The most powerful use of a survey query is when they are used in conjunction with a surface. When a query containing points and figures is added to a surface model, the figures are automatically added as breaklines. Figure 2.14 shows an example query that might be used for generating surface data.

Figure 2.14 Survey database query

Networks

A survey network is a collection of related data that is collected in the field. The network consists of setups, control points, noncontrol points, known directions, observations, and traverses. A survey database can have multiple networks. For example, you can use different networks for different phases of a project. If working within the same coordinate zone, some users have used one survey database with many networks for every survey that they perform. This is possible because individual networks can be inserted into the drawing simply by dragging and dropping the network from the Survey tab in Toolspace into the drawing. You can hover your cursor over any Survey Network component in the drawing to see information about that component and the survey network. You can also right-click any component of the network and browse to the observation entry for that component.

Network Groups

Network groups are collections of various survey networks within a survey database. These groups can be created to facilitate inserting multiple networks into a drawing at once simply by dragging and dropping.

Figures

Figures are the linework created by codes and commands entered into the raw data file during data collection. The figure names typically come from the descriptor or description of a point.

Figure Groups

Similar to network groups, figure groups are collections of individual figures. These groups can be created to facilitate quick insertion of multiple figures into a drawing.

Survey Points

One of the most basic components of a survey database, points form the basis for each and every survey. Survey points look just like regular Civil 3D point objects, and their visibility can be controlled just as easily. However, one major difference is that a survey point cannot be edited within a drawing. Survey points are locked by the survey database, and the only way of editing them is to edit the observation that collected the data for the points. This provides the surveyor with the confidence that points will not be accidentally erased or edited. Like figures, survey points can be inserted into a drawing by either dragging and dropping from the Survey tab of Toolspace or by right-clicking Surveying Points and selecting the Points ⇒ Insert Into Drawing option.

Survey Point Groups

Just like network groups and figure groups, survey point groups are collections of points that can be easily inserted into a drawing. When these survey point groups are inserted into the drawing, a Civil 3D point group is created with the same name as the survey point group. This point group can be used to control the visibility or display properties of each point in the group.

In the following exercise, you'll create an import event and import an ASCII file with survey data. The survey data includes linework.

1. Create a new drawing from the _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Imperial) NCS.dwt or _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Metric) NCS.dwt template file. If you did not complete the previous exercise, copy the file Mastering Civil 3D.fdb_xdef from the dataset to C:ProgramDataAutodeskC3D 2013enuSurvey. Note that this directory is hidden in Windows by default, so you will need to change the folder view options or type this path into the address bar of Windows Explorer.

2. From the Home tab, in the Create Ground Data panel of the Ribbon click Import Survey Data to open the Import Survey Data wizard.

3. Click Create New Survey Database.

4. Enter Roadway as the name of the folder in which your new database will be stored. Click OK.

Roadway is now added to the list of survey databases.

5. With Roadway highlighted, click Edit Survey Database Settings and verify the units are set to US Foot (or meter). Click OK to dismiss the dialog.

6. Click Next.

7. Set the Data Source Type pull-down to Point File.

8. Click the + on the right side of the Selected Files to browse to the import points.txt or import points_METRIC.txt file, which you can download from this book's web page.

9. Click Open and the name will be listed in the dialog, as shown in Figure 2.15.

10. Under Specify Point File Format, scroll through the list until you find PNEZD (Comma Delimited).

11. Highlight the format.

The preview will show that the correct data type is selected, as shown at the bottom of Figure 2.15.

Figure 2.15 Select the correct file type, file, and format in the Import Survey Data wizard.

12. Click Next to continue.

13. Click Create New Network.

Note that if you forget to create a network to place your points, you will not be able to manipulate this group apart from other points.

14. Enter Roadway 4-22-2012 as the name of the network. Click OK, and click Next to continue.

15. Set the Current Figure Prefix Database to Mastering Civil 3D. Set the Process Linework During Import option to Yes. Verify that your import options match what is shown in Figure 2.16. Click Finish.

Figure 2.16 The Import Options page in the Import Survey Data wizard

16. Save the file as RoadwayFigures.dwg to the same location as the rest of your downloaded example files.

You will need it in the next exercise.

The data is imported and the linework is drawn; however, the building is missing the left side. The following steps will resolve this issue:

1. Continue working in the drawing from the previous exercise. In the Survey tab, expand Survey Databases, and then select Roadway ⇒ Networks ⇒ Roadway ⇒ Non-Control Points.

2. Right-click Non-Control Points and select Edit to bring up the Non-Control Points Editor in Panorama.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the point list and notice the last line in the file describing point Number 34. You will be editing the description of this point.

4. Double-click your cursor on the description field. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move your cursor to the end of the description. Add a space and type CLS, as shown in Figure 2.17. This is the default Close Figure command.

Figure 2.17 Editing the import event to add the CLS command and close the building geometry

5. Click the Save button, and then click the green check box in the upper right of the palette to apply changes and save your edits.

6. Click Yes if you are asked to apply your changes.

7. While still working in Survey Databases ⇒ Roadway, expand Import Events, and select import points.txt (import points_METRIC.txt).

8. Right-click the import event, and select Process Linework to bring up the Process Linework dialog.

9. Click OK to reprocess the linework with your updated point description.

The building figure line and your drawing should look something like Figure 2.18.

Figure 2.18 After editing and reprocessing the linework

Under the Hood in Your Survey Network

Once you import survey data into a network, expand the branch to see how Civil 3D helps you make sense of it. In each network, data is organized by type, as shown in Figure 2.19:

Figure 2.19 A typical survey database network with data

Figure 2.20 Setups can be changed in the Setups Editor.

Traverses

The Traverses section is where new traverses are created or existing ones are edited. These traverses can come from your data collector, or they can be manually entered from field notes via the Traverse Editor, as shown in Figure 2.21. You can view or edit each setup in the Traverse Editor, as well as the traverse stations located from that setup.

Figure 2.21 The Traverse Editor

Once you have defined a traverse, you can adjust it by right-clicking its name and selecting Traverse Analysis. You can adjust the traverse either horizontally and/or vertically, using a variety of methods. The traverse analysis can be written to text files to be stored, and the entire network can be adjusted on the basis of the new values of the traverse, as you'll do in the following exercise:

1. Create a new drawing from the _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Imperial) NCS.dwt (_AutoCAD Civil 3D (Metric) NCS.dwt) template file.

2. Navigate to the Survey tab of Toolspace.

3. Right-click Survey Databases and select New Local Survey Database.

The New Local Survey Database dialog opens.

4. Enter Traverse as the name of the folder in which your new database will be stored.

5. Click OK to dismiss the dialog.

The Traverse survey database is created as a branch under the Survey Databases branch.

6. Expand the Traverse branch, right-click Networks, and select New.

The New Network dialog opens.

7. Expand the Network branch in the dialog if needed.

8. Name your new network Traverse Practice, and click OK.

The Traverse Practice network is now listed as a branch under the Networks branch of the Traverse survey database in Prospector.

9. Right-click the Traverse Practice network and select Import ⇒ Import Field Book.

10. Select the file traverse.fbk (traverse_METRIC.fbk), which you can download from this book's web page, and click Open.

The Import Field Book dialog opens.

11. Make sure you have checked the boxes shown in Figure 2.22.

Figure 2.22 The Import Field Book dialog

There is no linework in this file, as it is just traverse shots.

12. Click OK.

13. Save the drawing for the next exercise.

Still looking at the Survey tab of Toolspace, expand the network you created earlier and inspect the data. You have one control point in northwest corner that was manually entered into the data collector. There is one direction, and there are four setups. Each setup combines to form a closed polygonal shape that defines the traverse. Notice that there is no traverse definition. In the following exercise, you'll create that traverse definition for analysis.

Continue working in the drawing from the previous exercise.

1. Right-click Traverses under the Traverse Practice network and select New to open the New Traverse dialog.

2. Name the new traverse Traverse1.

3. Enter 2 as the value for Initial Station and 1 (if necessary) for Initial Backsight.

The traverse will now pick up the rest of the stations in the traverse and enter them in the next box.

4. Enter 2 as the value for the Final Foresight if necessary (the closing point for the traverse).

Your New Traverse dialog box will look like Figure 2.23.

Figure 2.23 Defining a new traverse

5. Click OK.

6. Right-click Traverse1 in the bottom portion of Toolspace. Select Traverse Analysis.

7. In the Traverse Analysis dialog, ensure that Yes is selected for Do Traverse Analysis and Do Angle Balance.

8. Select Least Squares for both the Horizontal Adjustment Method and Vertical Adjustment Method.

9. Set both the Horizontal Closure Limit and Vertical Closure Limit 1:X to 30,000.

10. Leave Angle Error Per Set at the default.

11. Make sure the option Update Survey Database is set to Yes.

The Traverse Analysis dialog will look like Figure 2.24.

Figure 2.24 Specify the adjustment method and closure limits in the Traverse Analysis dialog.

12. Click OK.

The analysis is performed, and four text files are displayed that show the results of the adjustment. Note that if you look back at your survey network, all points are now control points, because the analysis has upgraded all the points to control point status.

Figure 2.25 shows the Traverse1 Raw Closure.trv and Traverse 1 Vertical Adjustment.trv files that are generated from the analysis. The raw closure file shows that your new precision is well within the tolerances set in step 8. The vertical adjustment file describes how the elevations have been affected by the procedure.

Figure 2.25 Horizontal and vertical traverse analysis results

The third text file is shown in three separate portions. The first portion is shown in Figure 2.26. This portion of the file displays the various observations along with their initial measurements, standard deviations, adjusted values, and residuals. You can view other statistical data at the beginning of the file.

Figure 2.26 Statistical and observation data text file

Figure 2.27 shows the second portion of this text file and displays the adjusted coordinates, the standard deviation of the adjusted coordinates, and information related to error ellipses displayed in the drawing. If the deviations are too high for your acceptable tolerances, first check the instrument settings and tolerances in the Equipment Database. If everything is set correctly, you may need to redo the work or edit the field book.

Figure 2.27 Adjusted coordinate information text file

Figure 2.28 displays the final portion of this text file — Blunder Detection/Analysis. Civil 3D will look for and analyze data in the network that is obviously wrong and choose to keep it or throw it out of the analysis if it doesn't meet your criteria. If a blunder (or bad shot) is detected, the program will not fix it. You will have to edit the data manually, whether by going out in the field and collecting the correct data or by editing the FBK file.

Figure 2.28 Blunder analysis text file

Other Methods of Manipulating Survey Data

Often, it is necessary to edit the entire survey network at one time. For example, rotating a network to a known bearing or azimuth from an assumed one happens quite frequently. To find this hidden gem of functionality, go to the Survey tab of Toolspace ⇒ Survey Databases and right-click the name of the database you wish to modify, as shown in Figure 2.29.

Figure 2.29 The elusive yet indispensable Translate Survey Database command

Manipulating the Networkt

Frequently, surveys performed in assumed coordinate systems need to be adjusted to match a known coordinate system. Along with changing coordinate systems, the survey will probably need to be rotated to the correct orientation. Additionally, networks may need to be adjusted from assumed elevations to a known datum. In this example, the DWG you will be working with contains two known points from the desired coordinate system. The file you will import is initially in an assumed coordinate system. You will use the Translate command to move and rotate the network accordingly.

1. Open the file Translate.dwg (Translate_METRIC.dwg).

2. In the Survey tab of Toolspace, right-click and select New Local Survey Database.

The New Local Survey Database dialog opens.

3. Enter Translate in the text box.

This is the name of the folder for the new database.

4. Click OK, and the Translate database will now be listed under the Survey Databases branch.

5. Select Networks under the new Translate branch.

6. Right-click and select New to open the New Network dialog.

7. Enter Translate as the name of this new network.

8. Click OK to dismiss the dialog.

9. Right-click the Translate network, and select Import ⇒ Import Point File.

10. Navigate to the file translate.txt (translate_METRIC.txt), which you can download from this book's web page, and click Open.

The Import Point File dialog opens.

11. Verify that the Point file format is PNEZD (Comma Delimited).

12. Verify that Insert Survey Points option is set to yes.

13. Update the Point Groups collection in Prospector so that the points show up in the drawing if needed.

Points 1 and 47 from the newly imported network correspond to 10000 and 10001 from the actual coordinate system. This is all the information needed to perform a translation.

14. Make sure you are able to locate these points for the next steps by panning and zooming with your mouse.

It will also be helpful to turn on your node object snap.

15. Right-click on the name of the database and select Translate Survey Database, as shown earlier in Figure 2.29.

16. For the Base Point, enter 1 and press .

Civil 3D will pick up the assumed coordinate of this point.

17. Click Next.

18. For the Rotation Angle, click the Pick In Drawing button.

You will be prompted for an Initial Direction.

19. For Initial Direction, use the node Osnap to pick point 1 and then point 47.

You will then be prompted to specify a new direction.

20. Use the node Osnap to pick points 10000 and 10001.

The resulting rotation angle should be 45°.

21. Click Next.

22. In the Destination Point screen, click Pick In Drawing.

23. Use the node Osnap to select point 10000.

24. Click Next.

25. Verify your translation setup on the Summary screen and then click Finish.

26. Save and close the drawing.

The changes were made directly to the database and the network can be imported into any drawing.

---

Other Survey Features

Other components of the survey functionality included with Civil 3D 2013 are the Astronomic Direction Calculator, the Geodetic Calculator, Mapcheck reports, and Coordinate Geometry Editor. All of these features are accessed from Analyze ⇒ Ground Data ⇒ Survey.

The Astronomic Direction Calculator, shown in Figure 2.30, is used to calculate sun shots or star shots. For the obscure art of these type of observations, Civil 3D has all the ephemeris data built in, making this a very convenient tool.

Figure 2.30 The Astronomic Direction Calculator

The Geodetic Calculator is used to calculate and display the latitude and longitude of a selected point, as well as its local and grid coordinates. It can also be used to calculate unknown points. If you know the grid coordinates, the local coordinates, or the latitude and longitude of a point, you can enter it in the Geodetic Calculator and create a point at that location. Note that the Geodetic Calculator only works if a coordinate system is assigned to the drawing in the Drawing Settings dialog. In addition, any transformation settings specified in this dialog will be reflected in the Geodetic Calculator, shown in Figure 2.31.

Figure 2.31 The Geodetic Calculator

Remember those labels you added to your lines in Chapter 1, “The Basics”? Put them to work in a Mapcheck report. The Mapcheck report computes closure based on line, curve, or parcel segment labels.

1. Open the Mapcheck-start.dwg (Mapcheck-start_METRIC.dwg) file, which you can download from this book's web page.

2. Change to the Analyze tab, and select Survey ⇒ Mapcheck from the Ground Data panel to display the Mapcheck Analysis palette.

3. Click the New Mapcheck button at the top of the menu bar.

4. At the Enter name of mapcheck: prompt, type Record Deed.

5. At the Specify point of beginning (POB): prompt, choose the north endpoint of the line representing the east line of the parcel (the longest line in the file).

A red glyph will appear to represent the POB.

6. Working clockwise, select each parcel label one at a time.

Be sure not to skip the small segment in the southwest portion of the site.

In the northwest portion of the site, you will encounter a label whose bearing is flipped. You will use the Mapcheck Reverse command to fix this in your Mapcheck.

7. At the Select a label or [Clear/Flip/New/Reverse]: prompt, type R and then press to reverse direction.

The Mapcheck glyph will now appear in the correct location along the segment, as shown in Figure 2.32.

Figure 2.32 The Mapcheck glyph verifies your input is correct.

8. Select the last line label along the north of the parcel.

9. Press to complete the Mapcheck entry.

The completed parcel should have 12 sides.

10. Select the output view as shown in Figure 2.33 to verify closure.

Figure 2.33 The completed deed in the Mapcheck Analysis palette

The Coordinate Geometry Editor

The Coordinate Geometry Editor (Figure 2.34) is a powerhouse tool that makes creating and evaluating 2D boundaries easier than before. The functionality introduced with this feature supplants entering parcel data one segment at a time using the Line By Bearing And Distance command. Traverse analysis can be performed on manually entered segments, polylines, or COGO point objects without needing to define them in a survey database.

Figure 2.34 Your new best friend, the Coordinate Geometry Editor

Boundary data can be entered in the Coordinate Geometry Editor using a mix of methods. As shown in the first line of the traverse seen in Figure 2.34, you can use formulas to enter data. In the example shown, multiple segments with the same bearing have been consolidated into a single entry.

If a value is unknown, such as the distance in line 6 of Figure 2.34, you can enter a U. Civil 3D will calculate the unknown value when you generate the traverse report.

To enter data using points, use the Pick COGO Points In Drawing button to select the points in the direction of the traverse side. Note that the direction and distance are entered independently of each other, so you will need to repeat the selection for each column of the table. You can also copy and paste between columns.

If a line has been entered in error, the Coordinate Geometry Editor offers a variety of tools for fixing problems. To remove a line of the table, highlight the row, right-click, and select Delete Row, as shown in Figure 2.35.

Figure 2.35 Removing unwanted traverse data

Similar to the glyphs you saw in the Mapcheck command, the Coordinate Geometry glyph will appear in the graphic showing the side directions and point of closure, as seen in Figure 2.36.

Figure 2.36 Temporary graphics or “glyphs” to help you identify your boundary

When you want to run a traverse report, set the report type you wish to run from the top of the Coordinate Geometry Editor. If you have unknowns in your traverse, your only option will be to calculate the unknown values. Click the Display Report button to view the results of your entries. Depending on the type of adjustment you chose, your results should resemble Figure 2.37.

Figure 2.37 Traverse report created by the Coordinate Geometry Editor

Using Inquiry Commands

A large part of a surveyor's work involves querying lines and curves for their length, direction, and other parameters.

The Inquiry commands panel (Figure 2.38) is on the Analyze tab, and it makes a valuable addition to your Civil 3D and survey-related workspaces. Remember, panels can be dragged away from the Ribbon and set in the graphics environment much like a toolbar.

Figure 2.38 The Inquiry commands panel

The Inquiry Tool (shown in Figure 2.39) provides a diverse collection of commands that assist you in studying Civil 3D objects. You can access the Inquiry Tool by clicking the Inquiry Tool button on the Inquiry panel.

Figure 2.39 Choosing an Inquiry type from the Inquiry Tool palette

To use the Point Inverse option in the Inquiry commands, select the Point Inverse option as shown in Figure 2.40.

Figure 2.40 Point Inverse results

You can enter the point number or use the Pick In CAD icon to select the points you wish to examine.

The other Inquiry commands that are specific to Civil 3D are also handy to the survey process.

The List Slope tool provides a short command-line report that lists the elevations and slope of an entity (or two points) that you choose, such as a line or feature line.

The Line And Arc Information tool provides a short report about the line or arc of your choosing (see Figure 2.41). This tool also works on parcel segments and alignment segments. Alternatively, you can type P for points at the command line to get information about the apparent line that would connect two points on screen.

Don't Get Burned by AutoCAD Angles

Do not set base AutoCAD angular units to Surveyors Units. This setting may seem perfectly logical if you have been using base AutoCAD prior to using Civil 3D. However, this angular setting will end up confusing you more than helping you.

When looking for information about a line, use the Line and Arc tool mentioned in this section rather than the base AutoCAD LIST command. The Civil 3D Line and Arc tool (CGLIST) works on more object types and is not affected by rotated coordinate systems.

When entering angles in base AutoCAD, the full N50d10′10″E is needed to denote a bearing. In Civil 3D commands, N50.1010E will denote the same thing and is much faster to type. However, as every surveyor knows, there is a huge difference between 50.1010° and 50°10′10″.

A setting you will want to change in your Civil 3D template is the angular entry method for general angles, as shown here. This setting mainly affects the Angle-Distance and Bearing Distance Transparent commands. Check back in Chapter 1 for more information on template settings.

Keep your base AutoCAD angular units set to Decimal Degrees to help you differentiate when you are in base AutoCAD angular entry and the more surveyor-friendly angular entry in Civil 3D.

---

Figure 2.41 Command-line results of a line inquiry and arc inquiry

The Angle Information tool lets you pick two lines (or a series of points on the screen). It provides information about the acute and obtuse angles between those two lines. Again, this also works for alignment segments and parcel segments.

The Continuous Distance tool provides a sum of distances between several points on your screen, or one base point and several points.

The Add Distances tool is similar to the Continuous Distance command, except the points on your screen do not have to be continuous.

The Bottom Line