Getting started with the knowledge base

The material in this knowledge base is intended for people working on WisDOT highway design and construction projects. To support this audience, the following items apply to the content:

WisDOT focus

• WisDOT resource files and customizations are used. These resources are available to everyone and can be found here.
• WisDOT project structure, file naming standards, and object naming standards are used. The best attempts are made to keep material up-to-date with current standards. Some material will be out-of-date with current standards. WisDOT naming standards are kept current at FDM 15.5.3 attachments
• The majority of content relates to AutoCAD Civil 3D. There is content relating to other add-ons and software.
• There is a blend of generic training and documentation that applies to any usage of AutoCAD Civil 3D and content that is specific to highway design and construction as approached by WisDOT.

Best practices

In situations where best practices have been identified, content has been developed with the following focus:

• Live connections: Workflows that support live data connections are preferred to those that use copies of data.
• Managing data edits: Workflows that allow for easier editing of data after creation are preferred to workflows that may be faster or simpler initially, but are more difficult or time-consuming to edit data later on.
• One powerful method: Often there are many possible ways to solve a problem in engineering software. When best practices identify one workflow as superior or more flexible across more scenarios, that workflow is taught rather than teaching multiple methods for the following reasons:
  • Once learned, it is easier to simplify workflows to simpler situations rather than attempt to use simple workflows that aren't appropriate to complex design situations.
  • Simplistic workflows apply to fewer situations or have drawbacks that new users may be unaware of.

Role-based Training courses have been developed for new users to cover basics and common workflows. Information for new Civil 3D users cover helpful items to complete the training courses successfully.

There are many topics that are not in the training courses. Once complete with new user training, the C3DKB is searchable for more focused topics.

Tip: Demonstrations and exercises are provided throughout the C3DKB. It is strongly recommended that users do the demos and exercises along with instructors. The best way to learn it, is to do it.

Click on the green headings to expand or collapse a single sub-topic.

Click on the "expand/collapse all" button to the right of the print button to toggle between states.

Files and objects

File names are bold. wisdot16.dwt, ProjectID\BaseData\Surf-Ex.dwg

Object names are bold and italic. 25-prop, Int-12-BB-NW-CG

Commands

Commands have a grey background.

Button clicks/keystrokes have an outline. Ok Enter Erase Existing Entities Esc

Command line text looks like this: Offset Enter 12 enter

Drilldowns are a path of clicks and right-clicks that lead to a command. Drilldowns look like this: Home tab > Create Design panel > Alignment dropdown > Alignment Creation Tools, Right-click modelspace > Options... > Open and Save tab

Important concepts

Important concepts are in color with an icon.

Requirement: Requirements are green with a check mark. Requirements are items that must be followed and often refer to the FDM.

Warning: Warnings are red with a stop sign. They identify steps and workflows that should be avoided.

Tip: Tips are yellow with a light bulb. They aren't necessary, but they are a good idea and can save time.

Info: Infos are blue with an i. Infos often are reasons why a step is used or provide more explanation.

Prerequisite: Prerequisites are orange with an exclamation point in a triangle. They identify topics that should be understood before learning the current topic.