This book contains 19 chapters and two appendices:
Chapter 1, “The Basics of AutoCAD Civil 3D,” introduces you to the interface and many of the common dialogs in AutoCAD Civil 3D. This chapter looks at the Toolbox and some underused Inquiry tools as well. We also explore various tools for creating linework.
Chapter 2, “Survey,” looks at the Survey Toolspace and the unique toolset it contains for handling field surveying and fieldbook data handling. We also look at various surface and surveying relationships.
Chapter 3, “Points,” introduces AutoCAD Civil 3D points and the various methods of creating them. We also spend some time discussing the control of AutoCAD Civil 3D points with description keys and groups.
Chapter 4, “Surfaces,” introduces the various methods of creating surfaces, using free and low-cost data to perform preliminary surface creation. Then we investigate the various surface edits and analysis methods. We wrap up the chapter with a look at point clouds and their use.
Chapter 5, “Parcels,” describes the best practices for keeping your parcel topology tight and your labeling neat. It examines the various editing methods for achieving the desired results for the most complicated plats.
Chapter 6, “Alignments,” introduces the basic AutoCAD Civil 3D horizontal control element. This chapter also examines using layout tools that maintain the relationships between the tangents, curves, and spiral elements that create alignments.
Chapter 7, “Profiles and Profile Views,” looks at the sampling and creation methods for the vertical control element. We also examine the editing and element level control. In addition, we explore how profile views reflect the required format for your design and plans.
Chapter 8, “Assemblies and Subassemblies,” looks at the building blocks of AutoCAD Civil 3D cross-sectional design. We discuss the available tool catalogs and show you how to build full design sections for use in any design environment.
Chapter 9, “Basic Corridors,” introduces the basics of corridors—building full designs from horizontal, vertical, and cross-sectional design elements. We look at the various components to understand them better before moving to a more complex design set.
Chapter 10, “Advanced Corridors, Intersections, and Roundabouts,” looks at using corridors in more complex situations. We discuss building surfaces, intersections, and other areas of corridors that make them powerful in any design situation.
Chapter 11, “Superelevation,” takes a close look at the tools used to add superelevation to roadways. This functionality has changed greatly in the last few years, and you will have a chance to use the new Axis of Rotation subassemblies that can pivot from several design points.
Chapter 12, “Cross Sections and Mass Haul,” looks at slicing sections from surfaces, corridors, and pipe networks using alignments and the mysterious sample-line group. Working with the wizards and tools, we show you how to make your sections to order. We explore Mass Haul to demonstrate the power of AutoCAD Civil 3D for creation of the Mass Haul diagrams.
Chapter 13, “Pipe Networks and Part Builder,” gets into the building blocks of the pipe network tools. We look at modifying an existing part to add new sizes and then building parts lists for various design situations. We then work with the creation tools for creating pipe networks, and plan and profile views to get your plans looking like they should.
Chapter 14, “Storm and Sanitary Analysis,” is a first look at the hydrology and hydraulic design tools included with AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012. We introduce the new catchment objects in AutoCAD Civil 3D and the best workflow to export data to this analysis tool.
Chapter 15, “Grading,” examines both feature lines and grading objects. We look at creating feature lines to describe critical areas and then using grading objects to describe mass grading. We also explore using the basic tools to calculate some simple volumes.
Chapter 16, “Plan Production,” walks you through the basics of creating view frame groups, sheets, and templates used to automate the drawing sheet process.
Chapter 17, “Interoperability,” looks at the various ways of sharing and receiving data. We describe the data-shortcut mechanism for sharing data between AutoCAD Civil 3D users. We also consider other methods of importing and exporting, such as XML and DGN.
Chapter 18, “Quantity Takeoff,” shows you the ins and outs of assigning pay items to pipes, corridor codes, blocks, and areas. You learn how to set up new pay items and generate quantity takeoff reports.
Chapter 19, “Styles,” is devoted to object and label styles. We start by examining what makes a good AutoCAD Civil 3D template. You learn to navigate the Text Component Editor and how to master style conundrums you may come across.
Appendix A, “The Bottom Line,” gathers together all the Master It problems from the chapters and provides a solution for each.
Appendix B, “AutoCAD Civil 3D Certification,” points you to the chapters in this book that will help you master the objectives for each exam.