Learn the leading civil engineering software, fast and in full color

If you need to learn the core features and functions of AutoCAD Civil 3D now, this is the book for you. AutoCAD Civil 3D Essentials uses full-color screenshots and tutorials based on real workflows to teach you the fundamentals of this industry-leading civil engineering software. Award-winning instructor Eric Chappell has been using and teaching Civil 3D since its first release, and his to-the-point explanations of crucial Civil 3D topics mean that you'll learn what you need to know quickly and efficiently. In each chapter, you will progress from guided tutorials to open-ended civil projects, and can download before and after project files to check your work or jump directly to the section of the book you need. AutoCAD Civil 3D Essentials will have you designing, implementing, and documenting civil engineering projects in no time.

As an Autodesk Official Press book, AutoCAD Civil 3D Essentials is approved as a study guide for Civil 3D certification exams. The proven skills-based approach of this guide focuses on enabling you to fully leverage the capabilities of this powerful software. Here are a few of the skills you will learn as you work through this comprehensive book:

• Working with field survey data, point data, and stakeout data
• Modeling terrain and boundaries using surfaces and parcels
• Using profiles, alignments, corridors, and quantities
• Creating construction documentation and project visualizations

Chapter 1 Navigating the User Interface 1

Getting to Know the Civil 3D User Interface 2

Working with the Application Menu 3

Exercise 1.1: Use the Application Menu to Open a File 4

Working with the Ribbon 5

Exercise 1.2: Use the Ribbon to Launch Commands 7

Working with the Toolspace 8

Prospector Tab 8

Exercise 1.3: Explore the Model with the Prospector Tab 9

Settings Tab 10

Exercise 1.4: Explore the Drawing Settings with the Settings Tab 10

Survey Tab 11

Toolbox Tab 11

Using the Drawing Area 11

Using the Command Line 12

Using Panorama 12

Exercise 1.5: Explore Panorama 13

Using the Transparent Commands Toolbar 13

Exercise 1.6: Use Transparent Commands to Draw Like a Civil Engineer 14

Using the Inquiry Tool 14

Exercise 1.7: Use the Inquiry Tool to Answer Questions 15

Chapter 2 Leveraging a Dynamic Environment 17

Connecting Objects and Styles 17

Exercise 2.1: Apply Styles to Objects 19

Connecting Labels and Label Styles 22

Exercise 2.2: Apply Label Styles to Labels 24

Connecting Objects to Objects 26

Exercise 2.3: Explore Object Relationships 26

Connecting Objects to Labels 28

Exercise 2.4: Explore the Relationship Between Objects and Labels 28

Appreciating the Richness of the 3D Model 29

Building Information Modeling 30

GPS-Guided Machine Control 30

Construction Simulation 30

Visualization 31

Sharing Data in a Dynamic Environment 31

Exercise 2.5: Share Data Using Data Shortcuts 32

Chapter 3 Establishing Existing Conditions Using Survey Data 35

What Is Survey Data? 36

Creating a Survey Database 37

Exercise 3.1: Create a Survey Database 38

Importing Survey Data 39

Exercise 3.2: Import Survey Data 39

Automating Field-to-Finish 41

Linework Code Set 43

Exercise 3.3: Apply a Linework Code Set 43

Point Styles 44

Point Label Styles 44

Description Keys 45

Exercise 3.4: Configure and Apply a Description Key 45

Figure Prefix Database 47

Exercise 3.5: Apply a Figure Prefix Database 47

Point Groups 49

Exercise 3.6: Create and Apply Point Groups 50

Editing Survey Points 53

Exercise 3.7: Edit Survey Points 54

Editing Survey Figures 56

Exercise 3.8: Edit Survey Figures 56

Creating Additional Points 57

Exercise 3.9: Import Points and Create Points Manually 58

Chapter 4 Modeling the Existing Terrain Using Sur faces 61

Understanding Surfaces 62

Creating a Surface from Survey Data 63

Exercise 4.1: Create an Existing Ground Surface 63

Using Breaklines to Improve Surface Accuracy 65

Exercise 4.2: Add Breaklines 67

Editing Surfaces 70

Adding Boundaries 71

Exercise 4.3: Add Boundaries 72

Deleting Lines 73

Exercise 4.4: Delete Lines 73

Editing Points 75

Exercise 4.5: Edit Points 75

Displaying and Analyzing Surfaces 76

Analyzing Elevation 76

Exercise 4.6: Analyze Elevation 76

Analyzing Slope 78

Exercise 4.7: Analyze Slope 78

Performing Other Types of Analysis 80

Exploring Even More Analysis Tools 80

Annotating Surfaces 81

Exercise 4.8: Annotate a Surface 81

Chapter 5 Designing in 2D Using Alignments 85

Understanding Alignments 85

Creating Alignments from Objects 86

Exercise 5.1: Create Alignments from Objects 86

Creating Alignments Using the Alignment Creation Tools 89

Exercise 5.2: Create Alignments Using the Alignment Creation Tools 90

Editing Alignments 92

Editing Alignments with Grips 92

Exercise 5.3: Experiment with Alignment Grips 92

Editing Alignments Using the Alignment Layout Tools 95

Exercise 5.4: Apply the Alignment Editing Tools 95

Editing Alignments Numerically 97

Exercise 5.5: Edit Alignments Using Alignment Grid View 97

Exercise 5.6: Edit Alignments Using Component-Level Editing 98

Applying Design Criteria Files and Check Sets 99

Applying Design Check Sets 100

Exercise 5.7: Apply a Design Check Set 100

Applying Design Criteria Files 102

Exercise 5.8: Apply a Design Criteria File 103

Chapter 6 Displaying and Annotating Alignments 105

Using Alignment Styles 105

Exercise 6.1: Apply Alignment Styles 106

Applying Alignment Labels and Label Sets 107

Exercise 6.2: Apply Labels to Alignments 108

Using Alignment Label Sets 110

Exercise 6.3: Leverage Alignment Label Sets 110

Editing Alignment Labels 111

Exercise 6.4: Edit Alignment Labels 111

Creating Station/Offset Labels 112

Exercise 6.5: Create Station/Offset Labels 113

Creating Segment Labels 114

Exercise 6.6: Create Segment Labels 115

Using Tag Labels and Tables 116

Exercise 6.7: Create Tag Labels 117

Creating Tables 118

Exercise 6.8: Create a Table 119

Chapter 7 Designing Ver tically Using Profiles 121

Creating Surface Profiles 122

Exercise 7.1: Create a Surface Profile 122

Displaying Profiles in Profile Views 123

Exercise 7.2: Create a Profile View 123

Creating Design Profiles 124

Exercise 7.3: Design a Profile 124

Editing Profiles 126

Exercise 7.4: Edit a Profile with Grips 126

Exercise 7.5: Edit a Profile Using the Profile Layout Tools 129

Exercise 7.6: Edit a Profile Using Profile Grid View 131

Exercise 7.7: Edit a Profile Using Component-Level Editing 132

Using Design Check Sets and Criteria Files 133

Exercise 7.8: Apply a Design Check Set 133

Exercise 7.9: Apply a Design Criteria File 134

Chapter 8 Displaying and Annotating Profiles 139

Applying Profile Styles 140

Exercise 8.1: Apply Profile Styles 140

Applying Profile View Styles 142

Exercise 8.2: Apply Profile View Styles 142

Applying Profile View Bands 144

Exercise 8.3: Apply Profile View Bands 144

Applying Profile Labels 146

Exercise 8.4: Apply Profile Labels 146

Creating and Applying Profile Label Sets 148

Exercise 8.5: Apply Profile Label Sets 148

Creating Profile View Labels 149

Exercise 8.6: Apply Profile View Labels 150

Projecting Objects to Profile Views 152

Projecting Linear Objects 153

Projecting Blocks and Points 153

Exercise 8.7: Project Objects to Profile View 153

Chapter 9 Designing in 3D Using Corridors 157

Understanding Corridors 157

Understanding the 3D Chain 158

Understanding the Assembly 158

Understanding Assembly Insertions 159

Understanding Corridor Feature Lines 159

Understanding the Corridor Surface 160

Creating an Assembly 160

Exercise 9.1: Create an Assembly 161

Creating a Corridor 162

Exercise 9.2: Create a Corridor 163

Applying Corridor Targets 164

Understanding Surface Targets 164

Understanding Width or Offset Targets 164

Understanding Slope or Elevation Targets 165

Enabling Target Behavior 166

Exercise 9.3: Apply Subassemblies That Can Use Targets 166

Assigning Targets 168

Exercise 9.4: Assign Targets 169

Creating Corridor Surfaces 171

Exercise 9.5: Create a Corridor Surface 172

Chapter 10 Creating Cross Sections of the Design 177

Using the Section Editor 177

Exercise 10.1: View and Edit with the Section Editor 178

Creating Sample Lines 181

Exercise 10.2: Create Sample Lines 182

Creating Section Views 184

Creating Individual Section Views 184

Exercise 10.3: Create Individual Section Views 184

Creating Multiple Section Views 186

Exercise 10.4: Create Multiple Section Views 186

Sampling More Sources 187

Exercise 10.5: Sample More Sources 188

Chapter 11 Displaying and Annotating Sections 193

Applying Section Styles 193

Exercise 11.1: Apply Section Styles 194

Applying Section Labels 195

Exercise 11.2: Apply Section Labels 196

Controlling Section Display with Code Set Styles 198

Exercise 11.3: Apply Code Set Styles 199

Applying Labels with Code Set Styles 200

Exercise 11.4: Apply Labels with Code Set Styles 201

Applying Section View Styles 202

Exercise 11.5: Apply Section View Styles 202

Applying Section View Bands 204

Exercise 11.6: Apply Section View Bands 205

Applying Group Plot Styles 207

Exercise 11.7: Apply Group Plot Styles 208

Creating Section View Labels 209

Exercise 11.8: Create Section View Labels 209

Chapter 12 Designing and Analyzing Boundaries Using Parcels 213

Understanding Parcels 214

Understanding Parcel Objects 214

Understanding Sites 215

Creating Parcels from Objects 216

Exercise 12.1: Create Parcels from Objects 216

Creating Parcels by Layout 218

Using the Lot Line Tools 219

Exercise 12.2: Create Parcels Using the Lot Line Tools 220

Using the Parcel Sizing Tools 222

Exercise 12.3: Create Parcels Using the Parcel Sizing Tools 222

Using Parcel Sizing and Layout Parameters 225

Exercise 12.4: Create Multiple Parcels 227

Editing Parcels 229

Editing Parcels Using Grips 229

Exercise 12.5: Edit Parcels with Grips 229

Editing Parcels Using the Edit Geometry Commands 230

Exercise 12.6: Edit Parcels with the Edit Geometry Commands 231

Editing Parcels Using the Parcel Layout Tools 233

Exercise 12.7: Edit Parcels with the Parcel Layout Tools 233

Chapter 13 Displaying and Annotating Parcels 235

Applying Parcel Styles 236

Using Parcel Styles to Control Appearance 236

Exercise 13.1: Apply Parcel Styles 236

Applying Parcel Style Display Order 238

Exercise 13.2: Control Parcel Style Display Order 238

Applying Parcel Area Labels 239

Exercise 13.3: Apply Parcel Area Labels 240

Creating Parcel Segment Labels 241

Exercise 13.4: Label Parcel Segments 242

Editing Parcel Segment Labels 244

Applying Segment Label Styles 244

Exercise 13.5: Apply Parcel Segment Label Styles 244

Editing Parcel Segment Labels Graphically 245

Exercise 13.6: Edit Parcel Segment Labels Graphically 245

Creating Parcel Tables 246

Creating Area Tables 247

Exercise 13.7 Create an Area Table 247

Creating Parcel Segment Tables 249

Exercise 13.8: Create a Parcel Segment Table 249

Chapter 14 Designing Gravity Pipe Networks 251

Understanding Gravity Pipe Networks 251

Understanding Structures 252

Understanding Pipes 252

Exploring the Pipe Network 253

Creating Gravity Pipe Networks 254

Creating a Pipe Network from Objects 255

Exercise 14.1: Create a Pipe Network from Objects 255

Creating a Pipe Network by Layout 257

Exercise 14.2: Create a Pipe Network by Layout 257

Drawing a Pipe Network in a Profile View 260

Exercise 14.3: Draw a Pipe Network in Profile View 260

Editing Gravity Pipe Networks 262

Editing Pipe Networks Using Grips 262

Exercise 14.4: Edit a Pipe Network Using Grips 263

Editing Pipe Networks Using Editing Tools 265

Exercise 14.5: Edit Pipe Networks Using Editing Tools 265

Editing Pipe Networks Using Properties 267

Exercise 14.6: Edit a Pipe Network Using Properties 267

Editing Pipe Networks Using the Pipe Network Vistas 269

Exercise 14.7: Edit a Pipe Network Using the Pipe Network Vistas 269

Chapter 15 Designing Pressure Pipe Networks 271

Understanding Pressure Pipe Networks 271

Understanding Fittings, Angles, and Appurtenances 272

Understanding Pressure Pipes 272

Exploring the Pressure Network 273

Creating Pressure Pipe Networks 274

Creating a Pressure Network from Objects 274

Exercise 15.1: Create a Pressure Network from Objects 275

Creating a Pressure Network by Layout 276

Exercise 15.2: Create a Pressure Network by Layout 277

Editing Pressure Pipe Networks 279

Editing Pressure Networks Using Grips 279

Exercise 15.3: Edit a Pressure Network Using Grips 282

Checking Design and Depth 283

Exercise 15.4: Check Design and Depth 283

Editing Pressure Networks Using the Plan Layout Tools 284

Exercise 15.5: Use the Plan Layout Tools 285

Editing Pressure Networks Using the Profile Layout Tools 286

Exercise 15.6: Use the Profile Layout Tools 286

Chapter 16 Displaying and Annotating Pipe Networks 289

Displaying Pipe Networks Using Styles 290

Applying Structure, Fitting, and Appurtenance Styles 290

Exercise 16.1: Control the Display of Structures 292

Applying Pipe Styles 294

Exercise 16.2: Control the Display of Pipes 295

Annotating Pipe Networks in Plan View 297

Renaming Pipes and Structures 297

Exercise 16.3: Rename Pipes and Structures 297

Creating Labels in Plan View 299

Exercise 16.4: Create Plan View Labels 299

Editing Labels in Plan View 299

Exercise 16.5: Edit Plan View Labels 300

Annotating Pipe Networks in Profile View 301

Creating Labels in Profile View 302

Exercise 16.6: Create Profile View Labels 302

Editing Labels in Profile View 303

Exercise 16.7: Edit Profile View Labels 304

Creating Pipe Network Tables 305

Exercise 16.8: Create a Pipe Network Table 305

Chapter 17 Designing New Terrain 309

Understanding Grading 309

Understanding Feature Lines 310

Understanding Sites 310

Understanding Feature-Line Geometry 311

Creating Feature Lines 312

Exercise 17.1: Create Feature Lines 312

Editing Feature Lines 313

Using Edit Geometry Commands 314

Exercise 17.2: Edit Feature Lines with Geometry Commands 315

Using Edit Elevation Commands 316

Exercise 17.3: Edit Feature Lines with Elevation Commands 318

Understanding Grading Objects 320

Understanding Grading Criteria 321

Understanding Grading Groups 322

Understanding Grading Objects and Sites 322

Creating Grading Objects 322

Exercise 17.4: Create Grading Objects 323

Editing Grading Objects 325

Exercise 17.5: Edit Grading Objects 326

Chapter 18 Analyzing, Displaying, and Annotating Surfaces 329

Combining Design Surfaces 329

Exercise 18.1: Combine Surfaces 331

Analyzing Design Surfaces 335

Using Surface Analysis 336

Exercise 18.2: Analyze Surfaces 336

Using Hydrology Tools 339

Exercise 18.3: Analyze Hydrology 339

Using a Quick Profile 340

Exercise 18.4: Analyze Using a Quick Profile 341

Calculating Earthwork Volumes 342

Understanding Earthwork Volumes 343

Using the Volumes Dashboard 343

Exercise 18.5: Analyze Earthwork 343

Labeling Design Surfaces 346

Exercise 18.6: Label a Design Surface 346

Appendix AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2015 Certification 349

Index 353