Export ACAD DWG files

Last updated: 2023-11-01

Option 1 - Standard procedure

This workflow is intended for an existing surface file that has no other objects in it.

  1. Open drawing file <Project_ID>\base\Surf-Ex.dwg
  2. Prospector tab > Surfaces > Exist > Right-click > Surface Properties...
    1. Information tab
      1. Surface style = EX Border
  3. Left-click select the border of the Exist surface
  4. Surface Data Reference: Exist contextual ribbon > Surface Tools panel > Extract from Surface dropdown > Extract Objects
    1. Property - Border: selected
    2. OK
  5. See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt
  6. Exported file name and location: const\CD-BaseData\<Construction_ID>-Surf-Ex-Bndry.dwg

  7. Close Surf-Ex.dwg without saving.

Option 2 - Alternative workflow - Create a new temporary DWG file for export

This workflow may be used when there is additional information in the surface file and it may be easier to create a temporary file to export the existing surface border.

  1. Application menu icon > New
    1. Select C:\WisDOT\Stnd\C3D20XX\Templates\Begin-dwg\survey-start.dwt
    2. Open
  2. Data reference the existing surface used during design.
  3. Prospector tab > Surfaces > Exist > Right-click > Surface Properties...
    1. Information tab
      1. Surface style = EX Border
  4. Left-click select the border of the Exist surface
  5. Surface Data Reference: Exist contextual ribbon > Surface Tools panel > Extract from Surface dropdown > Extract Objects
    1. Property - Border: selected
    2. OK
  6. Save the temporary file (example: const\Surf-Ex-Bndry for export.dwg)
  7. See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt
  8. Exported file name and location: const\CD-BaseData\<Construction_ID>-Surf-Ex-Bndry.dwg
  9. Delete temporary dwg

Typical source file: ProjID\base\Topo-Ex.dwg

Export the existing topography file used for the project's design and plans production.

See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt

Exported file name and location: const\CD-BaseData\<Construction_ID>-Topo-Ex.dwg

Typical source file: ProjID\base\Uti-Ex.dwg

Export the existing utility file used for the project's design and plans production.

See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt

Exported file name and location: const\CD-BaseData\<Construction_ID>-Uti-Ex.dwg

Information included in this submittal are proposed physical features of the roadway which may include but are not limited to:

  • edges of pavement
  • shoulder edges
  • curb and gutter
  • barriers

Typical source file: ProjID\dsgn\edgeline\Pavt.dwg

Export the proposed roadway features used for the project's design and plans production.

See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt

Exported file name and location: const\CD-Design\<Construction_ID>-Pavt.dwg

Information included in this submittal are proposed structure geometrics which may include but are not limited to:

  • structure roadway widths
  • sidewalk
  • parapets
  • abutments
  • wingwalls
  • piers
  • footings

  • does not include reinforcement details, piling locations, and girders

Warning: This export provides 2D representation of the approximate location of proposed structure(s). These graphics are for general reference and are not to be used for construction staking or structure layout.

Export the proposed structure horizontal features used for the project's design and plans production.

See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt

Exported file name and location: const\CD-Design\<Construction_ID>-Struct.dwg

Consult with the person preparing the Traditional Right-of-Way plat or TPP to ensure the correct file(s) is exported.

Information included in this submittal is as follows:

  1. Project right-of-way lines. This is a combination of the existing and proposed (FEE) right-of-way lines
  2. Permanent Limited Easement lines
  3. Temporary Limited Easement lines

Option 1 - Existing and proposed right-of-way linear objects are stored in a single dwg file

Typical source file: <Project_ID>\rw\dwg\Ult-RW.dwg

Export the existing and proposed roadway right-of-way features used for the plat and plan production.

See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt

Exported file name and location: const\CD-RW\<Construction_ID>-Ult-RW.dwg

Option 2 - Existing and proposed right-of-way linear objects are stored in separate dwg files

Existing Right-of-Way

Typical source file: <Project_ID>\rw\dwg\ERW.dwg (Exiting right-of-way)

Export the existing roadway right-of-way features used for the plat and plan production.

See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt

Exported file name and location: const\CD-RW\<Construction_ID>-ERW.dwg

Proposed Right-of-Way

Typical source file: <Project_ID>\rw\dwg\PRW.dwg (Proposed right-of-way)

Export the proposed roadway right-of-way features used for the plat and plan production.

See Export Civil 3D files to AutoCAD format #xprt

Exported file name and location: const\CD-RW\<Construction_ID>-PRW.dwg

This workflow will export a Civil 3D drawing to a DWG with only AutoCAD objects in it. This is required because some software packages can import AutoCAD DWGs, but they cannot import Civil 3D objects.

  1. Open DWG file to export. Files needing to be exported to AutoCAD DWG can be found in FDM 19-10-43.5 Categories of Digital Data Exchange in Table 43.3
  2. App Menu > Export > Export Civil 3D Drawing
    1. Export to file type: AutoCAD DWG
    2. External DWG references: Detach
    3. Files to export:
      1. Either Current Drawing Only or Selected drawings in source folder can be used. If a Civil 3D project folder contains multiple DWGs to export, the process can be run for multiple files at once.
    4. Include sheets: unchecked
    5. Export Setting dialog
      1. Export file type: AutoCAD DWG
      2. DWG file version: 2010
      3. Export feature lines as: 3D

      4. The label background scale factor for export sheets: Not used

    6. Source folder: Only used if Selected drawings in source folder is selected.

    7. Destination folder: Select appropriate subfolder in ConstData

    8. Export

File selection and naming

  1. The selection method for ACAD export is based on user preference. To minimize the number of times the tool is opened for a given project, use the following options:
    1. File to export:
      1. Selected drawings in source folder: checked
      2. Include drawings in subfolders: checked
    2. Source folder: Civil 3D project folder
  2. Then select and export the appropriate Civil 3D DWGs for each appropriate subfolder in the ConstData folder. The design surfaces for ProjectID\ConstData\CD-Design\CD-Surface is the example shown in the above image. Repeat for each folder used by project data.
  3. File naming standards for ACAD DWG exports can be found in WisDOT-C3D-ConstDataPack-Meta.docx. Using the Construction ID as a prefix and following file naming standards in WisDOT-C3D-ConstDataPack-Meta.docx will minimize file renaming.