Civil 3D Code Set Style Sanity

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There I go and do it again. I bring up the rousing topic of Corridors and Code Set Styles. Last time I talked about Documented Civil 3D Subassemblies and other real world and powerful benefits of our Framework for Civil 3D production solution products for AutoCAD Civil 3D. If you do roadway design, our AASHTO Green Book Assemblies help you too.

The Codes and the Code Set Styles are important if you want to productively use AutoCAD Civil 3D in all civil engineering design situations. Don’t believe me?

Let’s Ask Autodesk

Here’s what Autodesk has to say about those Codes.

“…you must consider not only the geometric shape of the corridor model that will ultimately be created by the subassemblies, but also how the model is used for post-modeling design operations. These operations include:

  • Design surface modeling
  • Combining the corridor model with grading models
  • Earthwork and material volume analysis
  • Design visualization and rendering
  • Right-of-way acquisition
  • Slopestake reporting
  • Export to survey data recorders for construction stakeout
  • Plans production
  • Staged construction modeling

Nearly all of these operations depend on the codes assigned to points, links, and shapes in the corridor model.”

Whew! What a mouthful. That’s a bit overwhelming too.

Helpful Babel?

The techno babel of “post-modeling design operations” means publish to most of us in English.
They don’t simply say that because they know there’s more to it than plot in Civil 3D.

Publish or really Publish on Demand means the right civil engineering and survey model data put out in a suitable fashion to the right people.
At least publish means that to me.
See the Civil 3D training video - Better Deliverables in Civil 3D for telling examples from real world data.

Autodesk simply leaves you, the Civil 3D user, holding the bag.
But…you now have godlike civil design powers.

Out of thin air the unwary Civil 3D user is supposed to:

  • Understand the surrounding pages and pages of technical stuff
  • Come up with a complete plan that must include a host of integrated Styles (and naming conventions)
  • Execute that plan in exquisite and meticulous detail in multiple parts of the Civil 3D interface
  • and Learn how to build, edit and publish a corridor model in all the above list of ways

None of That is Supplied to You

Oh. Autodesk also religiously markets to and endlessly tells and implies to the boss that AutoCAD Civil 3D does all of this stuff out of the box.

BIM for Infrastructure…yada, yada, Yoda

Of course, AutoCAD Civil 3D really can do all of this. OMG!
What the boss paid Autodesk for doesn’t.

“Dave? Do our Civil 3D templates do that?”

All of that stuff just became your problem.
Go ahead. Raise your hand if you’ve stood in that line.
Maybe you still are standing there? You are not alone. Opportunity knocks.

Get Jump Kit and Get to Work

You may want to read and retweet the now infamous post: The Autodesk Myth at Autodesk University