Civil 3D Tips & Tricks

1. Get to the point! Drag out point label & visit Properties Palette, set Leader Attach
Opt="Point" to move arrowhead to node.

2. Merge survey databases? Export each to Survey LandXML. Import LandXML's to new
survey db - Do not process linework on import

3. On Survey Tab, Double-click on point numbers or figure names in Preview area to zoom
to the respective objects.

4. Force a carriage return? The \P code will create a forced carriage return within point
description labels.

5. Some Map3D dialog boxes missing? Add C:\program

files\autodesk\autocad2015\map\support\en-us to Support File Search Path.

6. Creating a point style? On Marker Tab, Rt-Click within "AutoCAD Block Symbol area" &
select browse to use a DWG for marker.

7. Convert multiple splines to 3D polylines? Use PEDIT & select "Multiple" option, select
splines, set precision.

8. Using COGO Editor & want to enter Azimuths? Use this format N 125 23 45 (Represents
an Azimuth of 125D 23' 45")

9. Wanting placeholder sheet set fields to appear empty (as opposed to "----") on your
titleblock? Set value to %%

10. Straighten a skewed sample line? Select sample line, Rt-Click & choose "Make
Orthogonal" from the menu.

11. Patch large hole in surface? Trace edges of hole as 3D polyline & then add to surface as a
"show" boundary.

12. Lowering FACETDEV system variable creates smoother "section view" pipes in profiles &
cross sections.

13. In Prospector open site, Rt-Click Feature Lines & select Properties. Style hierarchy controls
feature line elevs at crossings.
14. Zoom to Feature line. In Prospector, Rt-click feature line & choose "Select". Click on
screen & press Z Enter O Enter.

15. Quick & dirty earthwork! Use REPORTSURFACEVOLUME command to access "classic" Civil
3D earthwork calc tool.

16. Style swap! Rt-click style (in use) on Settings Tab & select "Replace with" to replace all
instances of style in DWG.

17. Convert 3D to 2D polylines? Use CONVERT3DPOLYS command. (visit Modify Tab &
expand Design Panel to find button).

18. Export surface as GeoTIFF. Select surface & choose "Export to DEM" from Ribbon. When
naming file, change file type to GeoTIFF.

19. High speed test drive! The Drive Tool speed control "slider" stops at 90mph. Keyboard
entry allows unlimited speeds.

20. Want vertical curve labels below curve? In Label Set, change value in "Dim anchor opt"
column to "Distance below".

21. Client demanding polylines? AECEXPORTTOAUTOCAD converts Survey Figures to

flattened polylines while retaining arcs.

22. Editing corridor in Section Editor? CTRL+Click components to edit using grips. Click
"Update Corridor" when finished.

23. In Panorama "Events" tab, open View menu & select "Newest first" to see most recent
events at top of list.

24. Getting to the point! Use "Zoom to Point" tool within Transparent Commands Toolbar.
(Type 'ZTP also works.)

25. Use Measure Alignment to insert points? Set Prompt for Descriptions to "Automatic-Obj"
to add STA value to descriptions.

26. Prospector says point group needs updating? Rt-Click & select "Show Changes" to review
pnt #'s to be added/removed.
27. Rt-Click Label Style & pick New to create a child style (variation). Child can have children
too! (just sounds wrong!)

28. When creating C3D data "from objects", type X to select entities within an XREF.

29. Only need a single leader line? Assigning Arrow Head Size=0 in Dragged State will
eliminate "landing" from leader.

30. Use Vault to manage your project data? Set SHORTCUTNODE = 0 to hide the "Data
Shortcuts" tree in Prospector.

31. The SELECTSIMILARSA command will select all subassembly parts of the same type.

32. In Prospector, Right-Click on a point group & select "Export Points" to export point data
to a file.

33. Use CreateSurfaceFromGISData (found in Surfaces menu) to convert directly from .shp
file to Civil 3D surface.

34. Parcels created using "Free Form Create" can be modified using the Slide Line Edit tool.

35. Drag crest/sag label below profile? CTRL+Click on label, in Prop Palette, change Dim
Anchor Option to "Below".

36. Need strikethrough text icon? Launch MTEXT, Rt-Click in editor & under "Editor Settings"
click the Show Toolbar toggle.

37. Only 1 monitor? Rt-Click the title bar of large palettes (like Panorama) & select
"Transparency" to see through them.

38. Data referencing a profile will also create a reference to the parent alignment.

39. Working with a large surface? Assigning a "border only" surface style can significantly
reduce file size.

40. Need more info? Select most any Civil 3D object & Rt-Click & choose "Inquiry" for quick
access to the Inquiry tool.

41. Rather have a polyline? Select a Line or Arc & Rt-Click & choose "Convert to Polyline".
42. Move point label components independently! Select point - Hover over top grip & choose
"Toggle sub item grips".

43. Select cogo points & use right-click menu to adjust datum, or have points acquire
elevation from a surface.

44. CREATENEWSURVEYFIGURE command creates custom survey figures from point shots.
(Insert from database to DWG when finished.)

45. When auto sizing parcels, minimum area defaults to Sq. Ft. -- To use Acres, enter Xacre
(where X = # of acres)

46. An icon for the Map Task Pane has been added to the Home Tab. Expand the Palettes
panel to find it!

47. Working in older DWG & viewcube is "out-of-sync" with coordinate system? Choose
"top" view from in-canvas menu to fix!

48. Create point & figure groups on the Survey Tab to easily share specific content with other
DWGs.

49. Control draworder of parcel styles! Rt-click parcel group in Prospector & select
properties then visit Composition tab.

50. Double-click a survey database on the Survey Tab to open it in read-only mode.

51. Use Prospector to edit corridors! Expand Corridors branch & choose BL, then edit region
properties in tab view below.

52. The font & formatting of the curve numbers in a Curve Table is controlled by the label
style assigned to the tags.

53. Edited Description Keys AFTER inserting points? Select points, Right-Click & choose "Apply
Description Keys" to update!

54. Make quick changes! MATCHPROP works with several Civil 3D styles. Try it with
alignments, surfaces, profile views, etc.

55. Labels can be applied to many Civil 3D features when they are XREF'ed. Try it with
surfaces, pipe networks, etc.
56. Launch LISTUSEDPOINTNUMBERS to quickly identify point numbers that are
"populated" in your database.

57. Use LISTAVAILABLEPOINTNUMBERS command to see unused numbers in point database.

58. Like using Reverse Polish Notation to enter your calcs? Use RPNCALC command to
access a dedicated calculator.