Are you designing a pond with a sloped bottom? If so, you may be interested in this technique.
To watch the short video demonstrating the complete quick step-by-step process, click here.
Author: SolidCAD
Infraworks: Custom Assemblies
It’s relatively easy to create a custom component road assembly within an Infraworks model. But how does one save that custom assembly for use later? Read on to find out!
The answer depends on how you’d like it to be shared:
- Export for use in other existing models.
- Save for use when new models are created.
Saving the Assembly
First, to save a custom assembly, simply right click the component road and choose Add to Library. Choose a station to copy and give the new assembly a name. The new assembly will appear in the style palette.
Choose a station to copy and give the new assembly a name. The new assembly will appear in the style palette.
Export for Existing Models
The individual assembly cannot be exported, but the catalog can. Select the catalog, in this case, Custom, and click to export to a JSON file.
The JSON file can then be imported into a different existing model using the import button. The assembly will be available in the styles palette.
Save for Future Models
There is no “tool” for this, but if one copies the appropriate files from and to the correct locations, then it works just fine. The custom assembly files can be found in the model’s folder path.
…model.files\unver\Content\Styles\Component\ . Possibly in a Custom sub-folder.
There will be 2 files for each assembly. A PNG image and a ACItem file.
Copy these two files to the Infraworks standard folder. Feel free to create a sub-folder here to place your custom assemblies. This folder will appear within Infraworks.
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\InfraWorks\Resources\LocalLibrary\Styles\Component\
The JSON file can then be imported into a different existing model using the import button. The assembly will be available in the styles palette.
Civil 3D: PPK Extension
Many of our customers desire the ability to transform Civil 3D data between coordinate systems. This was challenging or impossible…until now! Read on…
It is available for Civil 3D 2019-2022. Read more about this extension here.
The Autodesk® PPK Survey Extension 2022 for Civil 3D® provides an interface for importing GPS data (in RINEX format) for analysis, reporting, and converting it to coordinate geometry points in an Autodesk Civil 3D drawing. Once installed, users can access the Autodesk PPK Survey Extension 2022 for Civil 3D commands via the Autodesk Civil 3D Toolbox.
Under COGO Points Transformation Tools:
- Coordinate System Transformation
- Vertical Datum Transformation
Under GNSS Data Processing:
- Post Process Kinematic Survey
Autodesk Desktop Connector Update
We are excited to share with you the highlights of the latest Autodesk Desktop Connector update!
Enhancements are:
- Folders Shared using Autodesk Drive are now visible on the desktop when using Desktop Connector.
- When using Autodesk Collaboration for Civil 3D, an XML configuration file can be used to prevent a drawing’s reference template file from being uploaded when saving or dragging and dropping the drawing to Autodesk Docs.
- AutoCAD 2022.1 will no longer create bak, dwl, dwl2 files when the dwg was opened from the workspace. For AutoCAD releases prior to 2022.1, Desktop Connector will add dwl and dwl2 files to the ignore list so they will no longer be uploaded.
- In Autodesk Drive web, ‘My Data’ cannot be renamed or deleted. To match that behavior, Desktop Connector has removed those commands when right clicking on ‘My Data’.
- Unnecessary “Checking Latest Version” dialog showing up during AutoCAD dwg compare workflow.
There have been significant changes to folder sharing. If you have folders shared, it is recommended to educate yourself on the new behavior.
The new behaviour is outlined here and here.
For more information, visit this link.
CIM Project Suite 22.0.3 Released
We are pleased to announce that our partner CTC Software released Civil 3D CIM Project Suite, version 22.0.3. It is now released and can be accessed on the CTC website.
Below are release notes:
| 22.0.3 | 9/17/2021 | CIM Project Suite | Auto Grader | Bug Fix | Fixed an issue where “split points” in parent feature lines were causing an error. Fixed an issue where creating parallel child lines with a specified station range caused unexpected results. Fixed an issue where inward and outward offsetting was giving unexpected results. Fixed an issue where perpendicular child feature lines were not creating at the user-defined station values. Misc. user interface improvements. |
| 22.0.3 | 9/17/2021 | CIM Project Suite | Corridor Mapper | Bug Fix | Fixed an issue where corridors with disabled regions were causing the app to fail. Fixed an issue in how the app dealt with corridors containing previously mapped targets. |
| 22.0.3 | 9/17/2021 | CIM Project Suite | Corridor Splitter | New Features | Added interactive region selection and graphical highlighting, providing a much more intuitive app workflow. |
| 22.0.3 | 9/17/2021 | CIM Project Suite | Earthwork Processor | Bug Fix | Fixed an issue where the region offset command would not work on very small region objects. |
| 22.0.3 | 9/17/2021 | CIM Project Suite | Label Genie | Bug Fix | Fixed an issue where pipe networks could no longer be labelled. |
| 22.0.3 | 9/17/2021 | CIM Project Suite | Pipe Planner | Bug Fix | Fixed an issue where part elevations were not updating in the app after applying changes to the drawing. Fixed an issue where part elevations were not updating when importing external spreadsheets. Fixed an issue where pipe lengths for the pipe depth at interval property were not calculating correctly. Fixed an issue where parts of the same name, but in different pipe networks, were not allowed by the app. Fixed an issue where the structure rotation angle was incorrectly rounding. |
Create Easy Surface Statistics Labels with Dynamo
In this blog, our Civil/Infrastructure Technical Product Specialist, Jae Kwon, will cover how a Civil 3D user can use an automatic way to create surface statistics labels with Dynamo.
Instead of Civil 3D users manually labelling surface statistics for his surfaces with a manual process, they can explore an automatic way using Dynamo. Let’s take it further below by comparing the existing manual method versus the Dynamo Solution.
Existing Manual Method
The existing method by the user was the following:
- Open the surface properties, navigate to the statistics tab, right click and “copy to clip” the contents
2. Paste the info into notepad and rearrange the text to get the desired format
3. Copy-paste the info into an Mleader pointing to the surface.
This method works, but there is a lot of manual formatting involved every time, and this has to be repeated every time there is a surface update.
Also, we cannot create a surface label style for this kind of label since there are no statistics properties we can pull from the surface labels (spot elevation, contour and slope).
Now, let us look an automatic solution to this via Dynamo.
Dynamo Solution
First, we get the user to select the surface they want to label with a simple drop-down list. This may be done through either the Surfaces node from the Civil 3D Toolkit (shown below) or a UI package like Data Shapes.
Next, we extract the statistics with the Surface TerrainStatistics node.
The statistics can then be formatted with various text manipulation nodes. But where can we inject this text where one of the surface labels can access it? The answer is surface description! For most of us, the surface object’s description field goes largely unused, and it serves as the perfect place to store the statistics data.
When a spot elevation label that shows the surface name and description is used, it looks something like this:
Just a general note: The surface statistics can also be stored on the surface as a property set.
If the surface undergoes any changes, we can update the statistics data stored in the descriptions (and the property set) by simply rerunning the same Dynamo script with a click of a button.
Conclusion
Dynamo has become the primary tool for many power users to automate various tasks in Civil 3D because it is so easy to put together.
We saw how surface statistic labelling may be done with Dynamo including:
- Extracting and formatting surface statistics
- Storing the formatted data in the description and/or property set
- Accessing this data with any one of the available surface label styles
- Easily updating the data by simply rerunning the Dynamo script
If you need a solution to any Civil 3D project, we would be glad to help and find a specific Dynamo solution for you. Reach out to us at info@solidcad.ca
Autodesk Desktop Connector Update – February 13, 2023
We are pleased to share with you the highlights of the latest Autodesk Desktop Connector update!
New Feature and Enhancement:
- Autodesk Construction Cloud drive now supports the View Online capability in Desktop Connector
Resolved Issues
- Users will experience faster performance when Opening DWG files that exist locally
- Changes to how files are marked read-only which will significantly reduce occurrences of “File in use” category of errors
- Improved messaging to provide better awareness when a file is opened if the file is locked by another user
- Improved messaging in workflows which will result in files being sent to the recycle bin
- When DWG files are opened from the Desktop Connector workspace, transient files (ex. bak, dwl, dwl2) will no longer be created
- Desktop Connector will ignore activity initiated by Sophos anti-virus (SavService)
For more information, visit here.
Assign Point Layers by Note Column with Dynamo
In this vlog, our Civil/Infrastructure Technical Product Specialist, Jae Kwon, will demonstrate how to assign point layers by Note Column with Dynamo application.
Autodesk Dynamo is a programming environment that requires no programming experience. Dynamo enables designers to create visual logic so they can explore a wide range of parametric conceptual designs using logic, simple data and analysis without the need to create a physical prototype.
This vlog will cover a demo of:
- Problem to solve
- No out of the box solution available
- Dynamo script breakdown
- Dynamo player, script run and result review
Whelan Construction
Success Stories
Whelan Construction
Whelan Construction is a general contracting and construction management organization that specializes in end-to-end construction services. They serve Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Squamish-Lillooet regions and specialize in Institutional, Healthcare, Light Rail, Airport, Renewable Energy and Building Performance Upgrade projects in the region of $1,000,000 to $25,000,000.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Whelan Construction has Irish roots. Founder, Brian Whelan, emigrated to Canada in 2013 and—from one west coast to another. Brian has successfully led the construction of $400,000,000 worth of projects including airport, healthcare, residential, institutional, marine, pharmaceutical, light industrial, retail, and commercial projects.
How Autodesk Construction Cloud has helped start-up Whelan Construction win bids over competitors
The Challenge
As a start-up company, Whelan Construction faced challenges in identifying the right solutions and systems that would ensure a smooth and consistent workflow process to deliver end-to-end construction services for all stages of a project.
Outside of the solution requirements, one of the biggest challenges that Whelan Construction’s founder, Brian Whelan had experienced, was selecting a suitable project and field management software package for a small to medium sized construction company, a package that seamlessly connects the field and office.
The Solution
Given Autodesk’s extensive product portfolio, SolidCAD helped Whelan Construction to determine the right software solutions that goes together with their needs and the construction industry’s best practices requirements.
With Autodesk Construction Cloud, specifically, Autodesk Docs, Build, AutoCAD, and PDF solution Bluebeam, Whelan Construction now has a common environment for all project-related data all while helping to manage projects with minimal resources and complete project entries in one platform.
Bluebeam allowed project partners to be able to mark up and collaborate on the same documents in real-time. While, Autodesk Docs + Build, one of the industry’s leading solutions made it easy for Whelan Construction’s team to work with other project stakeholders, have connected workflows, increased transparency, and track construction progress throughout the entire lifecycle of their projects.
Moreover, Whelan Construction took one-on-one training with SolidCAD on the Docs + Cost Management component of the Autodesk Build to connect project management and field execution data to cost activities to understand root causes and scope cost impacts.
The Outcome
- Whelan Construction is now able to ensure projects stay on track; improve collaboration and reduce miscommunication, potential errors, and rework. With the ability to track all issues in one place and reduce costly rework, Whelan Construction can now keep projects on schedule all while being able to manage project data and project bids.
- Aside from that, they can now develop very detailed proposals with an ability to give the preview on designs and project development stages as required, providing them a competitive edge when winning bids.
As a result, Whelan Construction was able to apply the skills obtained from training to compile professional and successful bids.
SolidCAD continues to be a resource in helping Whelan Construction grow as a construction company in this competitive market.
Testimonial
SolidCAD has been fantastic in providing my new company with support for Autodesk Docs and Build, Bluebeam, and AutoCAD. Ian was great to deal with when organizing the right package and considering the most economical plan for a small start-up construction company. Andrew went above and beyond and provided classroom sessions for Autodesk Docs and Build. He has been brilliant and treated our company like partners, so much so that I now have three licenses on the books. I started using AutoCAD R14 a long time ago and have always trusted Autodesk products. This was one of the reasons I chose Autodesk Docs and Build, one for reputation, and two the turnkey management services that the product does is fantastic.
I would highly recommend using the SolidCAD team.
-Brian Whelan, Construction Manager at the Whelan Construction
Products & Services Used
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PG Design Studio
Success Stories
PG Design Studio
PG Design Studio specializes in delivering projects using a collaborative Integrated Project Delivery approach. They pride themselves on working closely with clients, developers, stakeholders, builders, sub-trades, procurement specialists and project consultants through all stages of the project, delivering well-coordinated, efficient building designs.
PG Design Studio strives to deliver strong project concepts, innovative ideas, and strategies that fit the specific requirements of each site, client, and program. They focus on addressing human, urban, geographical, environmental, functional, and practical considerations, with a unique architectural style, resulting in the construction of many award-winning projects.
Project Profile
Challenge
PG Design Studio is unique because they are often the developer, architect, and construction company all in one. With a wide range of services and diverse internal teams, they require seamless collaboration between different departments and various software solutions. PG Design Studio was looking for a platform that can be easily integrated into their existing workflow, easily share project related data, and provide them an all-inclusive portfolio of products that would help them from design to construction.
In addition, with such a large team, that works both remotely and on-site, they were experiencing challenges on finding a product with the right type of cloud-based features. They required a cloud-based solution that would let their teams access project data from multiple devices and locations at anytime.
Solution
PG Design turned to SolidCAD to purchase and implement Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) into their existing workflow. The ACC solution provided them a common data environment for all project-related information, connected their workflows, and therefore helped them meet their need for an all-inclusive product. The project data was also stored on PG Design’s other enterprise technology solutions such as Microsoft and Autodesk AEC Collection more specifically, Revit, which was successfully integrated with the ACC solution.
The nature of the cloud-based platform also gave them the ability of easy, flexible access from multiple devices for everyone involved in the project.
Outside of SolidCAD helping them with the implementation of ACC products, SolidCAD continues to provide ongoing training and implementation support and has been a special resource to many of their projects. Particularly, SolidCAD has built a tool to help PG Design mass import 10 years of old projects from their local services to BIM 360 to ensure their data is now in one central location.
Results
- In the end, PG Design Studio, was able to streamline their technology spend with the integration of Autodesk and Microsoft. Project teams both internal and external now have access to all key project data in a single location. With the centralization of this information, they can deliver higher quality in less time with reduced risk on all projects. That was also positive reflected in their project KPIs when it came down to reducing risk, maximizing efficiency, and increasing profits.
PG Design Studio chose SolidCAD due to their strong and long-lasting relationship with the company. Over the last 8 years they have been confident that whenever they required software, support, or training, SolidCAD was there to help and cater to all their unique needs.
Testimonial
“In today’s AEC industry, many of us are always looking for ways to be more efficient. The SolidCAD team is support we can rely on, especially when it comes to achieving our goals. Thanks to SolidCAD, our ability to make new technologies a norm allows us to stay ahead of the game. Autodesk Construction Cloud helps us connect our project teams and data in real-time, from the design phase through construction, supporting informed decision-making and leading to more predictable and profitable outcomes.“
– Mladen Tubin, BIM Manager at PG Design Studio
Products & Services Used
- Autodesk AEC Collection
- BIM 360 Products
- BIM 360 Design (now Collaborate Pro)
- BIM 360 Coordinate (now Collaborate)
- BIM 360 Build
- BIM 360 Cost (BIM 360 Build and Cost now Autodesk Build part of ACC)
- SolidCAD Training services
- Revit
- BIM 360 products
- Custom Tool
- SolidCAD Development scope and built a tool to mass import 10 years of old project from their local service to BIM 360 (this included the project setup and files)
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