Accessing Civil 3D surfaces

Last updated: 2021-06-29

Total video time: 5:20

Exercise files: srfc-accs-data-begin-c3d20.zip

Start with 12345678\Design\Surfaces\Surf-Ex .dwg

srfc-accs-01.mp4 5:20

Accessing surfaces from Home Ribbon

Context Ribbon > Home tab > Create Ground Data panel > select Surfaces dropdown

  1. Create Surface creates a surface with no definition.
    1. In the dialog box you can control the surface type and properties.
  2. Create Surface with a file; DEM, Point Cloud, TIN, etc.

Accessing surfaces from Toolspace

  1. Toolspace > Prospector tab > right-click Surfaces
    1. Create surface options
    2. Export file options. This will export all surfaces in surface area.
  2. Toolspace > Prospector tab > expand Surfaces > right-click Exist
    1. Edit properties and styles, rebuild, work with Snapshots, delete, or use other basic AutoCAD tools.
  3. Toolspace > Prospector tab > expand Surfaces > expand Exist
    1. Create or edit Masks
    2. Create or edit Watersheds
    3. Expand Definitions
      1. Add data to define the surface; boundaries, adding breaklines to a surface, creating a surface from contours, DEM file, drawing objects, edits, import point files or point groups, or survey queries.

Accessing surfaces from Context Ribbon

  1. Left-click surface in file > opens Context Ribbon (opens tools specifically for the surface)
    1. Label & Tables tab
      1. Add Labels; Slope labels, Spot elevations, or Contour labels
      2. Add Legend, tables.
    2. General Tools tab
      1. Inquiry; add points to check elevation or distance.
      2. AutoCAD properties of objects
    3. Modify Tools tab
      1. C3D Surface properties or edit surface styles.
      2. Add Data, same tools listed as Toolspace Definition.
      3. Edit Surface dropdown > Paste Surface is an important tool used with WisDOT surfaces.
    4. Analyze Tools tab
      1. Waterdrop and Catchment Area (basic analysis of waterflow over a surface)
      2. Create a Volume Dashboard
      3. Visibility Check
      4. Analyze tab dropdown
        1. Check for Contours Problems
        2. Stage Storage for potential ponds.
    5. Surface Tools tab
      1. Drape an Image
        1. Extract from Surface dropdown
          1. Create Cropped Surface, if surface is too large
          2. Extract an Object; triangle lines, border, or contours lines
          3.  Export to DEM
    6. Launch Pad tab
      1. Create a Profile
      2. Data Shortcut
      3. Grading Tools
      4. Quick Profile to troubleshoot an area