from Civil to Inventor

The Autodesk enthusiast exile

Civil 3D – Part Builder Comments Please

Ok, Part Builder is not easy. Evan with a tutorial and a workflow, it’s still not easy.

There is at least 1 person in the community that has had trouble with the series outcome.  I need to know how everyone did.

Good, Bad, and otherwise.  Please offer us your comments.

If there is a bug in the procedure, I need to get it fixed for everyone else.

January 30, 2009 - Posted by | 2009, Part Builder | , , , , ,

12 Comments »

  1. Everyone

    Solution #1

    Make sure you have gone through the XML file and checked all the parameters, at lest to see that they have values.
    Someone had a key value missing that was killing the 3d part.

    To solve that particular problem, this was the solution:
    Open the part, edit the model parameter SBSTh ‘thickness’ and make it 6. It was 0.
    Then size parameters, edit configuration-> make sure SBSTh is still constant. Edit Values -> edit SBSTh and make it 6.. Hit colorful icon at top.
    Validate
    Create new BMP
    SAVE!!!
    Close – yes to any saves

    Open drawing and delete offending structure part from network list you are using.
    Then add part family…..etc

    That got the part going again.

    Comment by John Evans | January 30, 2009 | Reply

  2. I was wondering if you would be interested in doing some more parts or knew of anybody that offered this kind of service?

    Comment by Larry Richards | March 13, 2009 | Reply

    • Right now it’s a case by case basis. I’ll send you an email and see what you have in mind.
      If people want parts or whatever, they just need to ask.

      Comment by John Evans | March 16, 2009 | Reply

  3. John,

    I am having trouble with parts. The ranges are not editable, not on this part or any other part in the library. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

    Comment by Bill Johnson | April 2, 2009 | Reply

    • Bill,
      How about that email?

      Comment by John Evans | April 8, 2009 | Reply

  4. First let me say GREAT JOB on the part builder tutorial!
    I have been looking for some good part building info from someone who truly understands the process, and you have achieved that goal. I just finished the wing wall sloped and for the most part it was very complete and taught me allot. I also have had the pleasure of learning C3D from Rob Fisher and being from the panhandle we have a lot of the same circles. I came from a mechanical background and used Inventor in its very, very early days, switching to civil work when I moved to Fl.. As for feed back directions were clear and precise until I got to part 6 more explanation on what the xml syntax was all about and what each value meant would have been invaluable. I think some more screen shots would have been helpful when you started in on the xml editing (I got turned around on that area of looking for the “0 values”) and my model did not work until I found it. On part 7 of the variable slope I could not get my model to work at all by editing the xml file so I ended up opening it in part builder and changed the slope setting to list, added the variables and changed the visibility to on making my xml file look like yours. The only thing left open here is I am unable to pick the slopes in my parts list (could be because I am still using 2008) but it seams like you have come so far that it would be a shame not to add in how to add in pick variables in the parts list (just a suggestion) I am looking forward to seeing where you take all of this and will now be a faithful follower of your web site.

    Comment by Laura Ford | May 28, 2009 | Reply

  5. Laura,
    Thank you for your kindness. Rob is a good guy, and works real hard to take care of his class attendees.

    I am in the process of trying to dig up a bit more info. If I have to deliver a course at AU on this topic, I will push harder for more info. One of the site viewers has developed some more information, and I will try and compile it all together when I get the remainder of my info back (Hush hush and all that).

    I had no problem getting my slopes to list in the Part list.
    Send me the XML file for the structure so I can get a quick look. If that doens’t get it, then we’ll work from there.

    John
    civil2inventor[AT]cox[DOT]net

    Comment by John Evans | May 28, 2009 | Reply

  6. 1.I closed out a drawing with part builder… doing the Tutorial in the Autocad Civil 3D section. i can not for the life of me figure out how to bring back the “PART BROWSER” i see where you said it is only active for that one drawing.. well, how to i bring it back? When i go to “edit” my drawing.. i get a different drawing but no Part Browser.. is there a something i can put in the commandline?!?

    sorry.. i didn’t know this section was here… so i pre-posted my question about the “Part Browser” here.. : )

    Comment by Ismael | June 23, 2009 | Reply

    • Ismael,
      See my comment where you posted last. The Part Browser only coms through the Part Builder Interface.
      Go back through the Part Builder for any editing.

      Let me know if this is what you meant.

      Comment by John Evans | June 26, 2009 | Reply

  7. John,

    I just found this site and it was a big help. I’m having trouble with the plan view of my structure inserting in the correct position. The structure is shown 15 feet away from where it’s supposed to be. Any thoughts?

    Comment by Steve | March 3, 2010 | Reply

    • Steve,
      Thanks for the comment. I am guessing that it is the placement point.
      Everything in Part Builder is flaky. You really have to work with it alot to undertand its weaknesses.

      Civil 3D – Part Builder Part 5


      This is the article we discussed placement points. Check the plane it was assigned to.
      Get back to me and let me know.

      Comment by John Evans | March 3, 2010 | Reply

  8. […] Continue on to Overall Problems and Comments […]

    Pingback by Design and Motion | July 1, 2010 | Reply


Leave a comment

« Previous | Next »