The Framework for AutoCAD Civil 3D employs a rule-based method to establish Layer Standards. We made significant improvements to that in our Release 6 upgrade last year. I’ve talked previously about our Layer Standards Spreadsheet Tools. Consistent Layer property assignments based on the classic Key System works to every Civil 3D user’s and their organization’s advantage. Better publishing and faster quality control are just a couple of obvious reasons to pay attention.
You might want to see this post on the Last Digit rule for how we approach the problem. It should be of no surprise to you by now that this is based on accepted industry standards. We’re just innovative about how we apply it for civil engineers and surveyors inside of AutoCAD Civil 3D.
The Utility of Color
The ability to quickly identify particulars on the screen by color plays a significant role in daily Civil 3D productivity. You see – no identity politics is actually involved. Color diversity is a good thing. Color identification is one reason we’ve always been avid supporters of style based publishing – STB. Color is truly liberated to always work for you. Some folks are still in chains. Let’s just say that behind the scenes we’re hard at work on breaking the terrible shackles of history.
Someone asked recently if we had a list of the standard colors employed for Utilities in the Framework. Obviously, the list is in the Layer Standards Tool, but that’s probably not so user friendly. We can fix that. Site Members have access to this type of useful resource every day.
Utility Color Ranges
Utility colors agree with typical APWA and USA Markup color shades where possible.
See the Last Digit Rules and screen background conventions for swaps of color ranges.
|
ACI Range |
Utility |
Key |
Second Utility |
Key |
|
20-24 |
Electric |
UTEL |
Steam |
UTST |
|
30-34 |
Sanitary |
UTSS |
Street Lights |
STLT |
|
40-44 |
Fiber |
UTFB |
- |
- |
|
50-54 |
Gas |
UTNG |
Fuel Oil |
UTFO |
|
50-54 |
Traffic Signal |
TRSG |
- |
- |
|
60-64 |
Cable |
UTCA |
TV |
UTTV |
|
110-114 |
Storm |
UTSD |
- |
- |
|
120-124 |
Telephone |
UTPH |
Communication |
UTCO |
|
150-154 |
Water |
UTWR |
- |
- |
|
172-194 |
Irrigation Water |
UTIR |
- |
- |
|
200-204 |
Recycle Water |
UTRW |
- |
- |
|
210-214 |
Industrial Waste |
UTIW |
- |
- |
|
220-224 |
General Utilities |
UTIL |
- |
- |
Most civil folks prefer these Keys and they are NCS compliant. If you are interested on the why of the utility Keys list here, you can download the Product documentation here and read up on the NCS. Basically, the AIA’s list of utility Keys is designed for inside of buildings. These civilized Keys are for our larger world of infrastructure. Download the Open Civilized Keys here. Of course, our Layer Standards Tool allows you to build templates that allow you to publish your work with either set on demand.
That’s a Pretty Useful Utility
Get all the managed resources based on industry standards not just some of them.