Civil 3D – Existing Pipe Network Tip

We often do not create any Pipe Networks to represent the existing utility mains in a project.  There is usually limited information on the correct depth of the utilities, even with a utility spot.  The best we can hope for is to draw the main in the plan view based on paint markings, and draw the crossings in our profile manually based on an approximate depth after a phone call to the respective agency.

On a recent design, not knowing the depth of the existing utility mains was a problem.  We have Force Main and Water Main running along and under a dirt road that will be paved.  Everyone is concerned that vibratory packing will cause a problem.  So they potholed the lines.

Now I have 3D point locations along 2 mains.  A pipe network would be best, so that it is easy to bring into my profile, and can be managed by styles. This presents a nuisance since the locations are on top of the pipes, and there are a lot of locations; that’s a lot of pipe edits.

Here is what I came up with.  Again, not rocket science, but I hope that it will help someone else. 

• Style the points so that it is easy to discern them from others. 
• Make the style respond to the elevations. 
• Create a 3D polyline from point to point
• move the polyline down the HALF (see below) the respective inner diameter plus one wall thickness.  I used he move command.
• Make sure the Pipe style prepared as desired, and the correct pipe size is in the Parts List.  Don’t forget the wall thickness
• Create Pipe Network from Object
• Add the network to your profile

Half the diameter

The reason for this is that the Create Pipe Network from Object will use the elevation of the 3D polyline for the CENTERLINE of the pipe.  If you move the polyline down a full diameter, then the pipe will be created too low.  I mean to tell you that is a lot of edits. 

Civil 3D – Some Basic Gradings Terms

Gradings are wonderful things.  Problematic as they may be, they have been quite useful, even back in LDD.  The new Gradings have a host of settings and features that carry with them new terminology that is sometimes confusing.

In light of studying preparing for the Grading Lab I will assist with, I thought it would be nice to explain some of the terms that are often hard for new users to get a grasp of.  It’s not that they are inappropriate, but they all start to sound the same to a new guy.

Gradings, Grading criteria, Grading Criteria Sets, Grading Groups…..  See what I mean?  Today we’ll take a brief tour of these terms.

Terms

 Grading – This is a 3D object that all the fuss is about. 

This It is built on a frame of feature lines (rough interpretation) and autonomously projects its own set of faces, based on instructions that it was assigned.  This instruction set known as a Grading Criteria, is stored within the Grading object, allowing the object to follow it’s instruction no matter what changes to its environment occur.  Objects created by Gradings can be as simple as a single Grading building pad, or complex grade scenarios, such as a littoral shelf detention pond, that might contain numerous Gradings.

 Grading Style – The style applied to the Grading that controls its appearance.

This can be found in the Grading section of the Toolspace Settings Tab.

Autodesk University – 2009 Handouts

Ok.  Autodesk just sent out a email, ad hopefully you got it.  It appears as though there have been a few changes since I attended 2 years ago.  I have revised the last AU post, but am adding this for any that already read it.

No Handouts, No Agendas

“AU will not be providing attendees with printed personal agendas. Be sure to print yours and bring it to the show. Be sure to print your class handouts as well. AU will not be providing printed handouts except those for hands-on labs.
Handouts will be available for printing starting November 17. To print the handouts, go to AU 2009 Class catalog, search for the class, click on the Session ID link, and then under Class Materials near the top of the class details page, click the handout links. Some classes have additional documents or samples, so be sure to print all of them. “

…per the ’News you can use for AU’ email received this afternoon

Sorry folks.  It appears as though cost cutting has us by the chucks again.  Print Everything out!!!!  Handouts, agendas, maps, and anything you can’t live without.

Don’t forget that if you want a solid breakfast, you’ll have to bring that too.

Backpacks

I remember the 2005 guys had these beautiful laptop bags, wheels and all.  The shoulder bags we received the following 2 years were progressively less useful.  Pretty, tough, nice, but I I can’t get a laptop in it, I really can’t use it.  ..and don’t mention those mini-computer things… If it won’t run Civil 3D and Inventor, no thanks.

This year I am really happy to announce that there will be BACKPACKS again.  I hope they are as nice as the ones from 2005….or better. (pic was taken from the Autodesk sales site)  I don’t mind printing my stuff out so much now.

I am still miffed about Breakfast.

AU 2009 – Get Ready

This has been revised since originally posted due to the lack of handouts this year.

One week out folks!  Get your stuff prep’d and hang on tight.

I missed last year, and don’t know exactly what to expect because they changed things dramatically over the 2 years I did attend.  I expect the core things to be similar though.

For those that have never been, or who are still not sure about the event, here are a few things to remember:

Don’t wait till Vegas

Get it, buy it, pack it, prepare it NOW.  Once you get there, it’s too late.  Nothing in Vegas is affordable.  There are thousands of people like us there every day, and need just one thing… and will often pay dearly for it.  No one there will cut you a break.  Toiletries, Snacks, Smokes, Currency.  Get it before you leave.

Study up on the event, and make sure you are prepaed for your classes.

AU preview guide

General Check in

Have the cabbie to take you to your hotel first.

Lugging all your luggage around to AU check in will be the biggest drag (no pun intended).  Get in with a group going to same hotel, and share the fare. Get to your hotel and set up first.  If you get in early, then ask the concierge if they can hold you luggage until check in.

Immediately scoot over to the conference check in. 

You will receive all manner of things from them, including some special event announcements.  Get this over with before the rest of the herd shows up.

Make sure all your information is correct

Do you have all the ribbons and stuff?  Are you supposed to attend subscription events?  If so, you better have your registration stuff properly taken care of. The registration area should have a booth with Autodesk employees that have computers and phones.  Press them to fix your problem.

Inventor – Edge Selection Tip

I was labeling this frame detail and remembered how frustrating it was when i couldn’t get disconnected Balloons to reconnect with an arrowhead.

The trick is the selection priority.  By default, edges are selected during the placement of the Balloons. However when the Balloons are disconnected due to placement needs, the Selection priority takes over for the reconnection.  If the method is set to Part Priority, then the arrowhead cannot reconnect to an edge, but the dot takes over to connect to the surface of the part.

  

So if this happens, simply change the selection priority to edges again.

Now, the edges become the priority, and the arrowhead edge configuration will reappear, and attach as desired.

Civil 3D – 2010 Assembly Link Tip

An associate contacted me recently regarding how to move 2 sets of train tracks through a single corridor, while keeping the ability to deviate the overall width.  The example I received had the sets of tracks identically elevated and on a single bed.  I decided to go a bit overboard, and add vertical and horizontal control.

Above you can see that I mocked up something real fast.  2 separate alignments, and 2 respective profiles.  I wanted to create a open area in the middle to add a freight depot.  I used the profiles to help me adjust the grades for the buildings.

The Assembly

Here is the first half of the solution.

I’ll list the steps below the example image, and then I’ll discuss some important items afterward.

AUGI World – Why should I buy a CAD card?

My latest article was published in AUGI World Magazine!

This one was a summary of 3 months of study and research, because someone told me “that’s just the way it is”.  Well the evidence did not support the statement, and I wanted facts.  I really enjoyed writing it, and I hope everyone enjoys reading it.

Page 28

AUGI Low-Res Link

AUGI Hi-Res Link

AUGI World Magazine location

Autodesk University – 2009 Shave Shaan’s Head

I’m not much into general news and things, and don’t blog about all the stuff going on, but I do like AU.

We lost events like AEC overrunning the TAO nightclub, and holding the bartenders hostage in exchange for 20 cases of Absolute and Heineken; and don’t forget the Blueman group.  I wrote about it in the past , yes, and I’M STILL UPSET. And what about breakfast ?!!

Anyway, we need some entertainment venues, so I offer the next best thing.

Shaan Hurley Bald.  Ok…It ain’t the Blueman Group, but it should still be fun.

http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2009/11/shave-my-head-at-autodesk-university-2009-for-a-good-cause.html

Shaan needs money and 2000 Twitter followers for charity. I need to laugh.  Go to his link and help me get some entertainment this year.

Civil 3D – SAP Roundabouts

Back to SAP – Point Clouds

Previously I discussed being invited to watch a preview of the Civil 3D 2010 Subscription Advantage Pack, and had been quite surprised at the features.  We discussed the Point Clouds, and today we’ll peek at the Roundabout Layout.

Roundabout Layout

This was cool.  Dana Probert showed us how easy it was to start the tool, pick incoming alignments, preset standards, and a variety of options to include, like offsets, widths, standardized markings, etc.  The configuration pages were huge, but most had presets available, making it easy to run through typical layouts.  Yes, that’s paint and signage shown in the image, and it updates well.  All the additional alignments are created automatically.

The edits were probably the best part.  The incoming alignments were edited, and the Roundabout would keep up.  Dramatic changes with no tip-toeing at all (Civil users know exactly what I mean).  This thing is sick. You can even add incoming alignments after the fact. There no vertical profiling at this time, but perhaps in the future it will be available. For now you just have to add that yourself.

This was my favorite part of the SAP.  Sadly I have no roundabout designs before me, but I’ll be a lot happier to tackle them in the future.

AU 2009 – Twitter Channel

If you are going to AU, or just interested on keeping up with things, follow the Autodesk University twitter feed at AU_Online.

http://twitter.com/AU_Online

This year they are planning various things for the AU twits, including some fun things.  If you suddenly see 20% of the population run in the direction of the vender expo area, it’s probably AU twitter, and someone announced a ‘blue light special’. 

Log into your Autodesk University profile, and in the edits select the twitter setup button. 

Be sure to include the tag #AU2009 it in your tweets.

Community AU Twitter scan

If you don’t have a profile (and don’t want to set it up), you can still watch all the AU tweets using a tag scan.  I could see all AU_Online tweets, but not the rest of the community. Here I am using twhirl to illustrate.  It took me awhile to figure it out. 

Just go to search, and swap over to tweetscan, then scan for #AU2009.  The list will come up.

Then check the Add to home and Notify boxes.

Now on your home box, you’ll see them, even if you don’t follow the author.  Pretty sweet.

 

I still have not figured out what to do with Facebook, but twitter has become part of my daily life.  I’m looking forward to how it will shake out this December.

Now, if I can just figure out how to get this functionality on my WM6 phone…