This free tool from Autodesk will allow you to quickly collect data from across all your Civil 3D drawing files and manage those data in a single Excel spreadsheet. It can be downloaded from your Autodesk site. It is available for Civil 3D versions 2021-2024. Here is its home page. To learn more, read on.
A few things to consider:
It’s all about metadata.
The new tool leverages the power of Civil 3D Property Sets exclusively.
Data across multiple drawings can be validated in a single operation.
Drawing objects can be queried. For example, from a selection of 12 drawings, list all pipes greater than 200mm diameter.
The project dashboard can be used to quickly summarize a project.
The construction industry is undeniably a crucial pillar of Canada’s economy and society. However, in the 21st century, it faces a multitude of challenges and opportunities, including workforce shortages, climate change concerns, evolving customer expectations, and fierce global competition. In this context, digital technology emerges as a key driver and enabler of innovation and transformation within the construction sector.
While digital transformation is sweeping through the industry, not all construction companies have embraced it with equal fervor. Some have emerged as early adopters, blazing the trail, while others have been more cautious, following suit at their own pace. Additionally, the adoption of digital technology varies across different regions and segments of the construction industry. In this blog post, we will explore how the Canadian construction industry compares to its global counterparts in terms of digital technology adoption and delve into the underlying reasons. We will also discuss how proper custom training and implementation can address the technology adoption challenge, as well as why construction companies should move away from Excel and emails. Finally, we will discuss the way forward for the Canadian construction industry in the digital era.
How does the Canadian construction industry compare to the rest of the world in terms of adopting digital technology and why?
According to a report by McKinsey & Company, the global construction industry has been one of the least digitized sectors, ranking only above agriculture and hunting. The report estimated that if the global construction industry fully embraced digital technology, it could increase its value added by $1.6 trillion per year, or 2 percent of global GDP.
But the report also noted that there are significant variations in the level of digitization across regions and segments of the construction industry. For instance, Europe and North America have been more advanced than Asia and Africa in terms of adopting digital technology in design and engineering. However, Asia has been leading in terms of adopting digital technology in construction and operations. Moreover, some segments of the construction industry, such as infrastructure and industrial projects, have been more digitized than others, such as residential and commercial projects.
According to a survey conducted by KPMG in Canada and the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) in 2020, the Canadian construction industry has been lagging behind other industries in Canada, as well as other regions in the world, in terms of adopting digital technology. The survey found that only 25 percent of Canadian construction companies felt like they were in a considerable or great position relative to their competitors in terms of technology or digital implementation, compared to 47 percent globally. The survey also found that only 23 percent of Canadian construction companies said their decisions were supported by and based on data to a considerable or great degree, compared to 36 percent globally.
The survey identified several challenges and barriers that prevent Canadian construction companies from adopting digital technology more quickly, such as lack of skills or talent, lack of budget or funding, lack of leadership or vision, resistance to change, lack of awareness or understanding, and lack of collaboration or integration. The survey also highlighted some drivers and benefits of digital transformation in the Canadian construction industry, such as improving productivity, increasing efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, reducing costs, increasing profitability, and improving quality.
One of the indicators of digital adoption in the construction industry is the use of software tools for project management and collaboration. Here’s a little treat for you for reading this post so far. In a lighthearted twist, I turned to an AI model to generate a prediction based on the adoption of Excel compared to popular alternatives like Procore and Autodesk. Although the AI’s prediction may not fully satisfy the parameters and assumptions required for an accurate projection, let’s take it in good spirits and have some fun exploring its findings.
The attached graph shows the adoption scale of Excel, Procore, and Autodesk Construction Cloud among Canadian construction companies from 1985 to 2025 (projected):
*Projected values based on current trends and assumptions.
The graph shows that Excel has been the dominant tool for construction companies since its introduction in the mid-1980s, and has steadily increased its adoption rate over the years. But it also shows that Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud have emerged as viable alternatives in the past decade, and have gained some market share from Excel. It’s worth noting that Autodesk Construction Cloud as we know it, has evolved over the years and many may know this platform by Plangrid, Bim 360 Build or Build. The graph also projects that by 2025, Procore and Autodesk construction cloud will have increased their adoption rates by another 10%, while Excel will have reached a plateau at around 80%. This suggests that construction companies are becoming more aware of the benefits and limitations of Excel, and are exploring other digital solutions that can offer more integration, collaboration, and innovation.
“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been. – Wayne Gretzky”
Disclaimer: My AI friend claims that the data for this graph was obtained from various sources, such as industry reports, surveys, interviews, and websites, and that the assumptions for the projections were based on the current trends and growth rates of the software tools, as well as the expected changes in the market and customer preferences, but I digress.
How can proper custom training and implementation address the technology adoption challenges?
One of the main challenges that Canadian construction companies face when adopting digital technology is the lack of skills or talent to use or implement the technology effectively. Going back to the survey by KPMG and CCA, 49 percent of respondents said that finding or developing people with the right skills or expertise was a major challenge for their company.
To overcome this challenge, construction companies need to invest in proper custom training and implementation programs that can help their employees learn and adopt the technology in a smooth and efficient manner. Some of the best practices for successful construction technology implementation include:
Getting buy-in from the entire team, from executives to end-users, by showcasing how the technology will drive value for them and addressing their concerns or feedback.
Setting a clear timeline and milestones for the implementation process, and assigning roles and responsibilities to each team member involved.
Understanding the existing workflows and company structures that will be impacted by the technology, and customizing the solution to fit the specific needs and goals of each project or division.
Involving employees in the training process, and providing them with continuous support, feedback, and resources to help them apply their knowledge in the field.
Measuring and communicating the success and outcomes of the implementation process, and celebrating the achievements and improvements along the way.
By following these best practices, companies can ensure that their employees are well-equipped and motivated to use and implement digital technology effectively and that they can maximize the return on investment of their technology solutions.
Why should construction companies move away from Excel and Emails?
Another challenge that Canadian construction companies face when adopting digital technology is the resistance to change from internal stakeholders who are used to working with traditional tools such as Excel and emails. Why fix something that’s not broken? Looking back at the survey by KPMG and CCA, 50 percent of respondents said that overcoming resistance to change was a major barrier for their company.
Internal development is never easy. The growth of a company can be compared to the growth of people on a personal level as well. This reminds me of the famous analogy of lobsters by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. Stay with me here! So, lobsters, they grow by molting. Picture this: they struggle and break free from their old shells, all the while absorbing water that expands their body size. Talk about a transformation! Now, this molting process happens around 25 times in the first 5-7 years of a lobster’s life. And it’s no walk in the park. But guess what? It’s absolutely necessary for their growth.
You see, as company owners, the weight of leadership falls on your shoulders. It’s up to you or your leadership team to ensure that your team members understand the rewards that come with staying up-to-date in our ever-evolving industry. When the benefits become crystal clear, the cost of keeping pace is no longer a concern.
There are actually many reasons why construction companies should move away from Excel and emails, and adopt more advanced and specialized software tools for project management and collaboration- even if that means going through temporary pain. Some of these reasons include:
Excel and emails are prone to errors, inconsistencies and duplication, which can lead to inaccurate data, miscommunication and rework.
Excel and emails are not designed for collaboration, which can result in silos, delays, and conflicts among project stakeholders.
Excel and emails are not scalable or adaptable, which can limit the growth, innovation, and efficiency of construction companies.
Excel and emails are not secure or compliant, which can expose construction companies to data breaches, cyberattacks, and legal risks.
By moving away from Excel and emails, construction companies can benefit from software tools that are specifically designed for construction project management and collaboration. These tools can offer features such as:
Real-time data capture, analysis, and visualization, which can improve decision-making, transparency, and accountability.
Cloud-based storage, access, and sharing, which can enhance mobility, flexibility, and connectivity.
Workflow automation, integration, and standardization, which can increase productivity, quality, and consistency.
Data protection, encryption, and backup, which can ensure security, compliance, and reliability.
By adopting these software tools, construction companies can improve their performance, efficiency, quality, and safety on their projects, as well as create a competitive edge in the market.
What is the way forward for the Canadian construction industry in the digital era?
The Canadian construction industry is keen on promoting innovation and driving digital transformation. Advances in technology, like artificial intelligence, drones, and 3D modeling, along with improved project delivery models, are reducing waste, boosting productivity, and enhancing sustainability. The industry calls for increased investment in research and development, education and training, and collaboration to accelerate this transformation.
To thrive in the digital era, the Canadian construction industry should focus on these key areas:
Building a digital culture: Foster an innovative and digitally-ready mindset across the organization, from top management to frontline workers.
Developing digital skills: Invest in training and upskilling programs to equip the workforce with the necessary expertise in digital tools, data analysis, digital workflows, and cybersecurity.
Embracing collaborative platforms: Adopt collaborative platforms and project management tools to streamline communication and enhance project coordination.
Implementing advanced technologies: Embrace technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, robotics, and IoT for better project visualization, data-driven decision-making, automation, and safety.
Leveraging data analytics: Utilize data analytics to gain insights, optimize operations, and make informed decisions by analyzing data from sensors and construction management software.
Prioritizing cybersecurity: Protect sensitive project data, intellectual property, and client information through robust cybersecurity measures and employee education.
Collaborating with technology providers: Partner with technology providers, startups, and research institutions to access innovative solutions and industry insights.
Promoting industry-wide standards and best practices: Standardize processes and adopt best practices to facilitate interoperability, data exchange, and collaboration among stakeholders.
By embracing digital technology and implementing these strategies, the Canadian construction industry can overcome barriers, drive digital transformation, and achieve improved productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. This will contribute to the industry’s growth and success in the digital era. And here at SolidCAD, we can help.
There exists a defect in Civil 3D where a property set list cannot be added to a label style. Read on to find out how to overcome this bug in 3 easy steps.
Property sets can be defined to add metadata to any Civil 3D object. In this example, structures can be assigned a class selected from a list.
Normally, these property set data can be easily added to labels. Property set lists, however, are problematic. Note that only the Temp property can be inserted into the label style.
Here is what can be done to fix this.
1) There needs to be a non-list property that can be assigned first. In this case, the Temp Add it to the label style.
2) Copy the “code” from the editor and past it into a Notepad document and change the name of the property to the name given to the List property. In this case Class.
3) Copy this edited Notepad text and paste it into the label style editor.
Efficient file sharing is crucial for seamless collaboration in construction projects. In the realm of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), users have access to powerful tools and features that facilitate the sharing of files among team members and stakeholders. In this blog post, we will delve into three effective methods for sharing files within ACC, namely the Design Collaboration approach, utilizing Transmittals, and leveraging the Sharing feature in Docs. By understanding these methods, construction professionals can optimize their file sharing workflows and enhance project collaboration.
There are three primary methods available within Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) for sharing files effectively. Let’s explore each method and understand how they can be utilized to streamline collaboration and ensure smooth information exchange in construction projects.
The first of the three Design Collaboration methods in ACC offers a structured approach to sharing files, allowing for comprehensive review and coordination among consultants before files are consumed. This method minimizes risks and ensures all parties involved have the opportunity to review and confirm the files before proceeding.
To create a new package in Design Collaboration, navigate to the top center tab and expand the timelines. Clicking on the “+” symbol at the end of your company’s timeline will initiate the creation of a new package. Within the package, you can rename the package and add and review sets which contains 2D and 3D views, as well as any models and relevant project documentation such as PDFs, Excel, and Word files.
By clicking “Share” in the top right corner, the new package appears as a circle on the timeline, indicating its availability. Other consultants can access the package, review the files, and click “Consume” to gain access to them. This method ensures that files are securely copied from the package to the shared folder, ready to be reviewed by those consultants.
Once the reviewed, consultants can click “Consume” at the top right of the screen. The act of consuming the package also fills in the circle on the timeline, providing a visual indication that they now have access to those files. As files are consumed, they are securely copied from the shared folder to your team’s consumed folder and are ready to be linked into your project.
Method 2 adds a bit of risk compared to the first method as we are removing the step where the consultant reviews the documents and consumes the package. With this method, a package is created, and the files are copied to the Shared folder in the background. Instead of consuming the package, users are granted permission to view the Shared folder directly, allowing them to link files from this location rather than from the consumed folder. While this method offers more direct access to the files, it may pose challenges in terms of document control and coordination, as there is no opportunity to review documents involved.
Method 3 removes all safeguards and provides immediate access to live work-in-progress models and their updates. This method requires us to grant users permission to view other team folders, enabling real-time access to evolving models. However, it is important to note that this method is not recommended as it lacks the ability to review changes before files are linked into another team’s model. It may lead to potential rework or working in response to changes that are about to be altered, impacting project efficiency.
ACC‘s Transmittals feature provides a formal way to share files with other team members, enabling efficient tracking of sent and received files. By utilizing transmittals, project members can maintain better control over file exchanges and communication.
To work with transmittals, we will navigate to transmittals on the left side of the screen under Docs. From there, select “Create Transmittal” to initiate the process. Choose the files you wish to include and customize the transmittal by adding a title, specifying recipients, and including a custom message. Additionally, you have the option to adjust view permissions, allowing transparency regarding the transmittal recipients. Additional files can be added at anytime prior to sending the transmittal.
Every transmittal is assigned a unique ID and keeps track of the sender, recipient, and time of transmission. Furthermore, each transmittal includes the ability to download the files and generates a report containing vital information about the transmittal.
And lastly, within the ACC Docs feature, there are additional methods for sharing files with team members and stakeholders. These options provide flexibility and convenience in distributing project-related documents efficiently.
Sharing with Project Members allows you to share files with other project members who already have at least view-only permissions for the file. Simply navigate to the Files section in Docs, select the desired files, and click on the three dots at the top. Choose “Share” to access the sharing options. From there, you can send files to project members via email directly from ACC or generate a shareable link for alternative sharing methods. Additionally, you have the option to include a custom note in the email. You can specify whether the version of the file should reflect the latest update at the time the email or link is sent, or whether it should be the latest version when the recipient opens the email or link. This flexibility ensures that recipients have access to the most relevant file version for their reference or collaboration needs.
Sharing with Anyone expands the sharing scope to anyone, regardless of their ACC access. To utilize this option, project administrators must activate the “share publicly” feature within the project settings. Once enabled, you can share files with external stakeholders or non-ACC users. Similar to the previous method, you can choose to send an email with the files directly from ACC or generate a shareable link. Again, you can include a custom note, and you have control over the file version that recipients will access. It’s important to note that shared links expire after a specified period, typically between 30 to 365 days, ensuring that access is limited to the designated timeframe for added security.
Sharing with Another Project via Bridge offers seamless integration between projects through the Bridge feature. With this option, you can share files directly from one ACC project to another without the need for downloading and re-uploading. This not only saves time but also ensures that files remain consistent across projects. Moreover, you can specify a specific folder in your project that will automatically sync with the corresponding folder in the target project. As updates and changes are made, they will be automatically transmitted to the connected project. This feature simplifies file sharing and synchronization between related projects, enhancing collaboration and information exchange.
In the fast-paced world of construction, effective file sharing is a cornerstone of successful project collaboration. Autodesk Construction Cloud offers a range of robust features to streamline this crucial aspect of teamwork. By leveraging the Design Collaboration methods, Transmittals, and Sharing in Docs, construction professionals can ensure seamless communication, improved document control, and enhanced productivity throughout their projects. Embrace the power of ACC’s file sharing capabilities and elevate your construction collaboration to new heights.
The Autodesk Desktop App (ADA) gets installed on users’ computers when Autodesk applications are installed. Its purpose is to read which Autodesk software is installed on the user’s machine and provide information about which updates and add-ins are available. It uses the user’s Autodesk login credentials to determine what applications and services to which the user is entitled.
March 16, 2023, a new Application, Autodesk Access (AA), was made available which will replace ADA. Read this Autodesk document for more information. It accomplished essentially the same goals as ADA.
Why this change?
AA will provide a simpler and more streamlines update experience for the users.
AA is more secure than ADA.
AA will be expanded in the future with more features.
What does this mean for you?
When installing the Autodesk 2024 applications, ADA will be removed, and AA will be installed in its place.
Unlike ADA, AA cannot be uninstalled. Only when the last Autodesk product on the machine is removed, will AA be removed.
If you need to disable users’ abilities to install updates via Autodesk Access, click here for the registry key you must set.
To learn more about Autodesk applications, feel free to contact us and one of our representatives will reach out to you shortly.
Well, it’s that time of year again when Autodesk bestows us with the latest release of their flagship Civil Design application. Click here for Autodesk’s documentation. Read on to see which features speak to this blogger.
File Format
This is probably the most-asked question, and I’m happy to say that there is yet again, no format change. We are still on the 2018 format. Good news for everyone!
Performance
Considerable improvements have been made to:
Installation
Switching between paper space layout tabs
Corridors
ArcGIS Connector
We can now save configurations for importing data. Arc objects can now be imported. Objects can be imported as AutoCAD entities if required.
IFC
IFC 4.3, which has been available for 2022, is now available for 2024.
Project Explorer
This tool is now native to Civil 3D. No need to download and install separate from Civil 3D.
Subassemblies
A major change has been made regarding managing custom subassemblies (PKT files).
PKT files can be saved to a shared folder on a network or even a cloud service such as Autodesk Docs. Civil 3D accesses these in place, no longer in C:\Program Data.
If a PKT file cannot be found, Civil 3D will notify you.
Tool palettes containing custom subassemblies are far easier to manage now and they are less error prone.
Subassembly versioning was added in 2023, but there was no obvious reason for it. Well, now we have a reason. PKT versions can be managed in Civil 3D and new versions can be reloaded and implemented WITHOUT restarting Civil 3D.
Since we are on the subject, the eTransmit tool still DOES NOT recognize custom PKT files. Click here to upvote this wish list item.
Pressure Networks
Fitting and appurtenance styles now have an annotative option. Pro Tip: spend some time considering the options. Sizing may not be what you expect. Contact us for some advice when you’re ready.
Fitting and appurtenance styles now support hatching.
Pipe runs can be merged and broken.
Pipe segments can quickly be toggled between line or an arc.
Bend styles now have a vertical bend option for visibility in plan view.
Point Clouds
Recap can now automatically classify points for any scan type.
Point clouds can be manipulated in Autodesk Docs; measured, linear curb features extracted, before inserting into a drawing.
Well, it’s that time of year again when Autodesk bestows us with the latest release of their flagship drafting application. Click here for Autodesk’s documentation. Read on to see which features speak to this blogger.
File Format
This is probably the most-asked question, and I’m happy to say that there is yet again, no format change. We are still on the 2018 format. Happy news for everyone!
Activity Insights
Changes or actions made to your drawings are logged in a database so users can verify elements of a drawing’s history. One interesting thing here is that one can see that their drawing has been XREFd to another drawing.
Pro tip: There is an option in AutoCAD to specify where to place the database; if you’re in a corporate environment set this to a shared folder so edits are tracked for all users that edit the file.
Smart Blocks
Place blocks with ease. Machine learning is used to learn how you place blocks. Blocks can be placed automatically in a room corner, for example. Replace blocks with another block and the software will hold rotation and scale values. Replacement blocks are suggested; AutoCAD uses machine learning to suggest blocks similar to the ones being replaced.
Markup Assist
This feature has been enhanced this year to automatically align a markup file (PDF, JPG, PNG, etc.). Also, AutoCAD text can be replaced with markup text as well as fading markups to help track which ones have been addressed by the user.
PDFSHX
This is a setting in AutoCAD for users who still use SHX fonts such as ROMANS or SIMPLEX. Historically, these old fonts have proven problematic with PDF viewers like Bluebeam Revu. They bloated PDF files and users could not search for text when SHX fonts were in use. PDFSHX is not a new setting. In previous releases, when turned on, it allowed text to be searched even if SHX fonts were in use. Each text object was a unique comment or markup in the PDF editor. Thousands of “markups” could be created, bloating the PDF. This setting now has 3 possible values:
0 = off
1 = the previous behavior
2 = the new behavior. PLEASE use this one. Text is stored as “hidden” comments AND nothing special must happen in the PDF to be able to search. Is the PDF still bloated? In my limited testing, yes, the PDF is bigger when this is set to 1 vs. 2.
See the Author in the PDF “markups”? (this is the old behavior = yuck!)
AutoLISP
LSP files can be loaded and run within AutoCAD LT. There are certain limitations; see the documentation for the list of what is and is not possible. This does not work with AutoCAD for Mac, only Windows.
To learn more about AutoCAD, feel free to contact us and one of our representatives will reach out to you shortly.
So, you have created a new model using the InfraWorks model builder, but you’re not pleased with the resolution. If so, read on…
Here is an example of a recent model I created. Free, but not a great image.
You’re not stuck with this. InfraWorks chooses a resolution that it believes is adequate. Configure the imagery data source and set the resolution to a higher number.
Allow the software to regenerate the model and voila…
To learn more about InfraWorks, or if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us and one of our representatives will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
Are you “The One” who is master of label style creation for your firm? Have you seen this, and you don’t like it? If so, read on.
The code in question can occur if, within your Text Component Editor, you have font overrides.
There is a right click option that is supposed to remove any formatting. But you know what? Sometimes it doesn’t work. What to do?
The Solution:
1. Ensure you don’t actually have an alternate font selected in the Format page. It needs to match the font specified in the Text Style for the label style. FYI, if you DO have an alternate font chosen, that {\fCalibri code will not go away with this technique.
2. Copy the “code” from the editor. Ctrl+A. Copy all of it!
3. Paste into Notepad.
4. Copy the same code, but from Notepad this time.
5. Paste back into the editor.
6. Done!
Yes, it does work. Why? I’m not sure. There must be some hidden creatures in there somewhere. Notepad does not allow such things to linger about.
To learn more about Civil 3D Label Styles and Fonts, or if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us and one of our representatives will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
ACC
Sharing with Project Members allows you to share files with other project members who already have at least view-only permissions for the file. Simply navigate to the Files section in Docs, select the desired files, and click on the three dots at the top. Choose “Share” to access the sharing options. From there, you can send files to project members via email directly from 
