Merging Civil 3D project files, directories, and data shortcuts

Last updated: 2015-04-17

This process describes the process for merging Civil 3D Project files, directories and Data Shortcuts into an existing project folder. This example shows the merging of a Civil 3D project from an external folder into an existing WisDOT network folder.
  1. Browse to an existing WisDOT project folder. (These folders are typically named with the project number) For example... N:\PDS\C3D\12345678 Ensure no one is working with any files in the folder before proceeding.
  1. Rename the project folder by appending "–merge" to the project number. For example... N:\PDS\C3D\12345678-merge

Info: Note: This folder will store the existing files until we are ready to merge. Do not copy files into here yet.

  1. Create a new empty project folder using the same name as the original folder. For example... N:\PDS\C3D\12345678 We will use this folder to transfer new files into.
  1. Browse to the <Civil 3D project folder> you wish to merge.
  2. Transfer the entire contents of the <Civil 3D project folder> into the empty <project number> folder you just created.

The Data Shortcuts Editor is used to re-path Civil 3D data shortcuts from one location to another location.

  1. Open Data Shortcuts Editor
    • Start Menu >> All Programs >> Autodesk >> Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 >> Data Shortcuts Editor

  2. Browse to N:\PDS\C3D\<project number>

Info: Note: Select the folder above the _Shortcuts folder

  1. View the data shortcuts in the Editor window. You will notice the path is pointing to the original location of the files. Take note of this folder path only up to and including the project number.

  2. Select Find and Replace... from the Edit menu

  3. Enter the <old folder path> in Find: and the <new folder path> in Replace with:

WisDOT only: Note: Only enter the part of the path up to and including the project number

  1. Click Replace All

  2. Verify the New path is correct in the Editor window and click the Save button.

Info: Note: You must click the "Save" button before exiting the Data Shortcuts Editor or you will lose any changes made.

  1. Exit the Data Shortcuts Editor.

Info: Files may be overwritten during a merge. Make an archive of the project folder if there is any question as to if files should be overwritten or not.

  1. Browse to the <project number> folder with the newly transferred files. For example... N:\PDS\C3D\12345678
  2. Move the entire contents of this folder to the "–merge" folder created at the beginning of this workflow. For example... N:\PDS\C3D\12345678  toàN:\PDS\C3D\12345678-merge

Warning: If the Confirm Folder Replace dialog appears, check Do this for all current items and click YES

Warning: If the Move File dialog appears, check Do this for the next XX conflicts and click Move and Replace

  1. There should now be an empty project folder. Verify there is nothing in it, then delete the empty folder.
  2. Remove the suffix from the merge folder and rename <project number-merge> to <project number>. For example... N:\PDS\C3D\12345678-merge toàN:\PDS\C3D\12345678