Release 8 Framework for Civil 3D 2021 Details

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The work on latest Release 8 of the Framework for Civil 3D 2021 seems to me to be a bit like our never-ending California Covid lock down. There were a bunch of silly stages all with hosts of picky and well-integrated details unlike the lock down rules in the Leaden State. Hopefully, our customers will never have to ever worry about that pile of codes ever again.

Our Framework for Civil 3D 2021 goals this time around include massive and surprising resource content additions. Sort of begs the question – What do you BBQ? We needed to include and support a production viable collection of new Bridge Projection Styles, but that was easily the least of it.

Think of this post as the last call in your favorite roadhouse…

“I got me a Texas Telly
I do love the guitar twang.
I got me a Texas belly
Oh Lord…
What’s that ___ he sang?”

Two Releases of the Framework for the Price of One

Customers who purchase the affordable Jump Kit Release 8 2020 the Autodesk official Civil 3D 2021 ship date and our upcoming Release 8 Framwork for Civil 3D 2021 ship day will receive a free upgrade to Jump Kit Release 8 for Civil 3D 2021. You may pick your favorite flavor of the Framework for Civil 3D like a Corona or a Dos Equis.

Out there in Civil 3D Land the managed content details matter.
Yup. This Release 8 requires a table of contents.

Release 8 Framework for Civil 3D 2021 Details



Release 8 Autodesk Civil 3D 2021

The Release 8 for 2021 is a significant upgrade and maintenance release for Release 8 customers.
By default Release 8 products ships in the NCS 6.0+ Layer scheme and/or the NCS 6.0+ AIA Layer scheme and do include Adaptive Layer and Linetype Standards support and backwards compatibility to the NCS 5.0+ Layer scheme.
Jump Kit library resources from Release 8 can be migrated back to Release 7 (NCS 5.0+) with Layer script adjustments.
Jump Kit and Jump Kit AIA library resources from Release 8 can be employed in Civil 3D 2020.4+ and Civil 3D 2019.4+.

All supplied Civil 3D resources are supplied in the new Civil 3D 2021.0 Object Model.

All the previously supplied Spreadsheet Tools from AddOns are included.


Release 8 2021 Changes

The Release 8 products include all resources delivered in the NCS 6.0 utility names layer system.
The Release 8 AIA products include all resources delivered in the NCS 6.0 AIA utility names layer system.
The Templates Only and Templates Only AIA trial products include only STB based templates and basic resources.

The updated Jump Kit and Jump Kit AIA resources include:

  • Classic Civil 3D template resources in STB and CTB
  • Reference (TREF) template resources in STB and CTB
  • Update of all Assembly drawings
  • Jump Kit Style Library Collection resources
    The numbering of resource folders has been updated to reflect the new Civil 3D Toolspace changes
  • Symbol Set Point Styles resources
  • Updates to Codes, Description Key Set, and Figure Db Spreadsheet Tools
  • Minor Updates to NCS 6.0 and NCS AIA 6.0 Layer Standard Spreadsheet Tools
  • Sandbox Civil 3D Projects for both STB and CTB with built-in support for Reference Templates
  • Updates to the supplied Framework Standards, Framework Installs, and Framework Cheat Sheet documentation PDFs

For both consistency and interoperability reasons all the supplied Release 8 Civil 3D Style Tool names, rules, and conventions are maintained.

By default there are no Description Key Sets and Point Groups in the basic Reference Template (TREF) .dwg and/or .dwt files supplied.


Compatibility and General Improvement Summary

Release 8 2021 Framework product Style library resources will run in Civil 3D 2021-2019 but will not run in previous Civil 3D releases.
Some Civil 3D program functionality is lost with the use in older Civil 3D 2020 and 2019 releases.

Jump Kit Style library resources from Release 8 can be migrated back to Release 7 with Layer script adjustments.
Jump Kit and Jump Kit AIA library resources from Release 8 can be employed in Civil 3D 2020.4+ and Civil 3D 2019.4+.

  • The AutoCAD DWG does not change in 2021 - All resource drawings are in the 2018 DWG format.
  • The Civil 3D object model is specifically new in 2021
    The Object Model does includes new Bridge Projection styles.
    All resource drawings are upgraded to the Civil 3D 2021 model.
  • The Release 8 for Civil 3D 2021 changes are focused on added new Style resources, Style fixes, updated product documentation, and support resources.
  • A major new upgrade of the supplied Jump Kit library Description Key Sets and Figure Db resources, new Description Key Set Tools, and new Figure Db Tools are included.

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Templates and Styles 2021.0

The update includes the addition of new Bridge Projection Styles and Label Styles for Profile Views. These support for Bridge interoperability workflows.

Many new Codes, Description Key Set, Figure Db and related resources are included.

For both consistency and interoperability reasons all the supplied Release 8 Civil 3D Style Tool names, rules, and conventions are maintained.

General Updates

  • All templates updated to 2021.0 Civil 3D Object Model
  • Minor fixes and updates to some Styles based on customer feedback

Reference Template Resources

New complete rebuild of the supplied Reference Template (TREF) example resources.
Reference Template Resources are supplied in addition to classic Civil 3D template resources.
Supplied examples employ the supplied Design and Survey template resources based on a Shared Resources common setup.

  • All Reference Template (TREF) resource drawings and templates updated to 2021.0 Civil 3D Object Model
  • Both STB and CTB detailed example Reference Template resources and templates are supplied
  • Basic Object Settings examples for Sewer and Storm supplied

General Marker Styles

  • Display System adjustments to appropriate Marker Styles

Description Key Set Styles

  • Many new Description Key Set resources drawing collections are added to the libraries
  • See the Description Key Set Resources section for details

Figure Prefix Dbs

Bridge Projection Styles for Profile Views

The Bridge Projection Style, Label Style, and Set resources supplied may differ by product.

Added Bridge Projection Styles, Label Styles, and Sets for the new Civil 3D 2021 Bridge Projection Feature.
These include new naming conventions. See the supplied Framework Standards PDF for details.

Bridge Projection Styles

  • Typical +NOPLOT and +INVISIBLE Styles for Bridge Projection Styles are supplied
  • Multiple Existing and Proposed condition Bridge Projection Styles for use in Profile Views are supplied
  • Styles for Types of Bridge construction including ROAD, RAIL, generic STRC (Structural), and more are supplied
  • The supplied NCS 6.0 Layer Standards resources support the capabilities for classified Concrete, Steel, and Wooden bridges in multiple NCS official Disciplines if required

Bridge Projection Label Styles and Sets

The typical Framework Label Style Library types and naming conventions are employed for each of the many types of Bridge Projection Label Styles.
Basic Bridge Projection Label Sets are supplied including No Labels, NOPLOT, Existing Bridge, and Proposed Bridge Label Sets.

  • Typical +NOPLOT and +INVISIBLE Styles for all the many Types of Bridge Projection Label Styles are supplied
  • All new Label Styles include the typical Framework Label Style Structure that includes Markers, Lines, and multiple Text Components to allow for easily display and publishing
  • Prototype Label Style Parents for both Profile View Dimension anchor point and Insertion point managed Label Styles are supplied for each Type
  • Dimension anchor based Label Styles are supplied in a default Top Down usage and configuration
  • Typical Civil 3D Label Style Defaults Label Property management method and practice is honored
  • Basic Label Styles with appropriate Civil 3D data behind content driven label content are supplied
  • Multiple forms of rotated Label Styles are included that allow different bridge geometries and conditions to be easily annotated
  • Functional and practical Dragged State support is included for the applicable Label Styles

New supplied Styles and Label Styles employ the classic NCS "C-" and "V-" Discipline Codes for Layer assignments
The supplied Layer Standards resources include potential support for other NCS official Disciplines which may be applicable for these Styles.

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Symbol Set 2021.0

Complete 2021.0 new build of all Civil 3D point styles.
Symbol blocks upgraded to the 2018 DWG format

Symbols Maintenance Spreadsheet Tool improvements

  • Added column support to generate block Redefinition scripts
  • Updates for new dwg resources and maintenance
  • Minor upgrades all supplied Insert and Update maintenance scripts.
    As per prior Framework mechanics the content paths in scripts need to be updated to customer download locations.

Added new Point Styles dwgs, resource symbol dwgs, script,and maintenance resources for UTIL Sized vaults

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Jump Kit Styles 2021.0

Complete 2021.0 new build of all Civil 3D Styles.
Resource drawings upgraded to the Civil 3D 2021.0 Object Model.

InstantOn and Jump Kit Reorganization

The addition of new Civil 3D Bridge Projection Styles required the renumbering of InstantOn and Jump Kit resource folders in the supplied collections libraries to continue to match the Civil 3D Toolspace display order.
Folder numbers below the Bridge Projection Style location in the Civil 3D Toolspace tree were updated.

Description Key Set Resources

Large new libraries of generic new Description Key Set resources are supplied.

Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools Resource Locations

  • The new Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools are supplied in the ..\Documentation\Description Key Sets folder in Layers Standards subfolders
  • The new supplied resources are supplied in the ..\Styles\Jump Kit\02_Description Keys folder in Layers Standards subfolders
  • Scripts for automated resource DWG generation from XML resources are supplied and a Spreadsheet Tools to create, edit, and maintain them is supplied

New Description Key Set resources support the supplied NCS Key-based Code system in tremendous depth and detail.
1000+ new and easily customized Description Key Sets are now supplied for all general and specialty civil engineering and surveyed types of projects.

These Description Ket Sets resources include:

  • New large library of editable ASCII text XML file resources in a managed set of library folders
  • New large library of editable Civil 3D DWG file resources in a managed set of library folders
  • See the Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools section below for details

Figure Prefix Db Resources

Many new Figure Prefix Dbs and XML file resources are supplied in addition to the previously supplied Figure Dbs.
The new Figure Dbs are integrated and matched to the new supplied Description Key Set resources.
Both double digit and single digit line code versions are supplied for each of multiple Layer Standards.

Figure Prefix Db Tools Resource Locations

  • The new Figure Db Spreadsheet Tools are supplied in the ..\Documentation\Figure Db folder in Layers Standards subfolders
  • The new Figure Dbs are also supplied in the ..\00_Resources\Survey folder in Layers Standards subfolders

New Figure Db resources support the NCS Key-based 4-digit Code system.
A dozen new and easily customized Figure Dbs for each Layer Standard are now supplied for all general and specialty civil engineering and surveyed types of projects.

Three types of Figure Dbs are supplied:

  • IOD-Basic - Line codes for many common NCS Key-based Codes with essential Structures
  • IOD-Super - A super set of Line codes for many Codes with essential Structures
  • IOD-Structure - Detailed Line codes for all Structures

The Figure Db resources include:

  • New Layer Standard libraries of editable ASCII text XML file Record resources
  • New Layer Standard libraries of editable Figure Db file resources
  • See the Figure Prefix Db Tool section below

The Figure Dbs Record codes intentionally employ a single basic Figure Style assignment with an appropriate NCS Layer assignment.

New Bridge Style and Bridge Label Styles

Added Bridge Projection Style, Label Styles, and Sets for the new Civil 3D 2021 Bridge Projection Feature.
These include new naming conventions. See the supplied Framework Standards PDF for details.

See the Bridge Projection Styles for Profile Views section for details.

Important Previous Style Library Improvements

Fixes and corrections were made to a few previously supplied Style Library resources.

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Assemblies 2021.0

The Release 8 for Civil 3D 2021.0 ships with 2021.0 updates to the Release 8 Assembly resources.

Complete 2021.0 new build of all Civil 3D Assemblies.
All resource drawings were upgraded to the Civil 3D 2021.0 object model.

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Project Datasets 2021.0

The Release 8 for Civil 3D 2021.0 ships with 2021.0 updates to the Release 8 Project Dataset resources.

Complete 2021.0 new build of project drawings for both the STB and CTB projects.

Reference Templates in Projects

The updated project resources allow you to update all the content with changes to the supplied Reference Template (TREF) resource files.

To update project Reference Template in supplied drawings in the Reference Template Tool you should remove the existing template Update, Purge Styles, and then the Add a new Reference Template.
Pay careful attention to the source folders of the Reference Template resources in the stack.
The Reference Template Tool currently does not support relative paths.

  • Single file Project-based Reference Templates are employed
    The InstantOn resources include separate examples with multiple Reference Template drawing resources.
  • Reference Template is in the project's ..\00_Resources\Templates\Reference folder
  • Projects intentionally employ generic (non-release specific) names for the Reference Template resource
  • Both CTB and STB versions of the standard Design and Survey templates are supplied in the ..\00_Resources\Templates\Reference folder

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Spreadsheet Tools 2021.0

Detailed and updated help and documentation for the new Spreadsheet Tools and usage is available in the Members section when logged in.

All on-line Spreadsheet Tools help pages were updated to reflect 2021.0 resource locations and Release 8 AddOn updates.

The Symbols Maintenance Spreadsheet Tool was updated. See the Symbol Set section above for details.

Significant improvements were made to the Civil 3D Codes Tool, the Description Key Set Tools, and Figure Prefix Db Tools.
Minor consistency addition updates to NCS 6.0 and NCS AIA 6.0 Layer Standards Tools.
Updates to resources libraries for various specific integrated Layer Standard versions are on-going and some new resources may be supplied in AddOns.

Updated Help On-line for Tools

  • See on-line help pages for updated Civil 3D Codes Spreadsheet Tool documentation.
    Improvement and corrections to Sheet resources and new on-line help is supplied.
  • See on-line help pages for updated Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools documentation.
    A wide array of new Sheet resources and new on-line help is supplied.
  • See on-line help pages for updated Figure Db Spreadsheet Tools documentation.
    A array of new Sheet resources and new on-line help is supplied.

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Civil 3D Codes Spreadsheet Tool

The Civil 3D Codes Spreadsheet Tool will produce a host of sorted and filtered Code data for use in the other related Spreadsheet Tools.
This functionality allows you to fully integrate both Design and Survey Codes systems into your Civil 3D customization.

Updates, additions, and improvements were made to the Civil 3D Codes Spreadsheet Tool previously supplied in an AddOn for Release 8.
See the Civil 3D Codes Tool page in the on-line help in the Members section for details and newly supported capabilities.

There were additions, fixes, and updates to Code details and new Filter columns and sort detail capabilities added to the Sheets in the workbook.

  • Previously supplied Sheets and Description Key Set resources are still supplied and continue to function with previously supplied resources.
  • New collections of prototype Description Key Set Sheet, XML File, and DWG resources for the many new potential Key Codes were added.
    Generic resources are intentionally supplied to simplify the application of user preferences for Point Style and Layer assignment.
    Generic resources include support for both double digit (##) and single digit (#) numeric line codes for use in common left and right scenarios.
  • Additional support for specific Layer Standards support is on-going and may be supplied in AddOns

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Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools

This is a major upgrade to the supplied Framework for Civil 3D Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools

Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools Resource Locations

  • The new Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools are supplied in the ..\Documentation\Description Key Sets folder in Layers Standards subfolders
  • The new supplied resources are supplied in the ..\Styles\Jump Kit\02_Description Keys folder in Layers Standards subfolders
  • Scripts for automated resource DWG generation from XML resources are supplied and a Spreadsheet Tools to create, edit, and maintain them is supplied

The updated Description Key Set Tools are optimized to produce Description Key Sets far faster and with more adaptive and flexible results.

Upgraded versions of the Description Key Set Tools can produce content to produce XML Import files compatible with the free downloadable Quux Software SINCPAC Description Keys tool and IMPORTDESCKEYS command.
These Quux Software tools employ a simple XML format to externalize Civil 3D Description Keys and Description Key Sets.

An updated NewDescKeySet production prototype Sheet and numerous production Sheets with pre-built XML files in a libraries are supplied.

  • Previously supplied Sheets and Description Key Set resources are still supplied and continue to function with previously supplied resources.
  • New collections of prototype Description Key Set Sheet, XML File, and DWG resources for the many new potential Key Codes were added.
    Generic resources are intentionally supplied to simplify the application of user preferences for either or both Point Style and Layer assignment.
    Generic resources include support for Existing and Proposed Sets with:
    • Both double digit (##) and single digit (#) numeric line codes for use in common left and right linecode scenarios.
    • No Point Styles or Layer assignments - Points are routed to the CURRENT layer
    • Choices of multiple common general NODE Layer assignments
    • Detailed (DETL) Layer assignments based on the supported Layer Standards
    • Detailed (DETL) Layer assignments based on the supported Layer Standards with relative Point marker Point Styles
    • Detailed (DETL) Layer assignments based on the supported Layer Standards with fixed Point marker Point Styles
    • Detailed Point Style assignments and DETL layer assignment may be supplied
    • Fixed (PSFD) scale Point Styles assignments may be supplied
    • Relative (PSRD) scale Point Styles assignments may be supplied
    • Common example (PSD) Point Style assignments may be supplied where appropriate.
      Note the supplied (PSD) scripts include usage of separate supplied dwt resources.
  • Additional support for specific Layer Standards support is on-going and may be supplied in AddOns

Resources for Multiple Description Key Sets

The use of multiple Description Key Sets and the Description Key Set Priority property in Civil 3D production drawings has long been a significant productivity tool.
The supplied Sheet content of the Description Key Set Tool are designed to maximize the employment of these important production Civil 3D capabilities for Point resolutions.

Production DescKeySet Sheets

Previously supplied Release 8 and Release 7 Spreadsheet Tool Sheets and DWG resource drawings are still supplied without changes.

Customer choice and application of custom Point Styles and/or Layer assignments is easier from the Sheet and XML file resources.

The supplied Sheets were constructed with the aid of the Codes Tool.
In other words, a Filtered list of Codes produced the Sheet list and various Format column details.

The Sheet naming convention is the same as the Framework Description Key Set naming convention.
See the Framework Standards PDF documentation supplied with your version of the product for the naming rules employed.

The Production Sheet content typically includes generic Description Key Sets:

  • Basic - A Key Set with properties set and Basic descriptions
  • Comp - A Key Set with properties set and Comp or Core descriptions
  • Pass - A Key Set with properties set and Pass descriptions

Both double-digit and single-digit line codes are supported
Sheet. XML, and DWG resources employ the "##-" or "#-" name convention.

New Sheet Creation Suggestions

It is strongly suggested that you create these 3 typical versions for each Sheet that you create before adding detailed additional properties to the Sheet and XML output file detail.
This consistent methodology will help you maintain the Description Key Set XML and resultant drawing file resources in the long term.
Edited copies of the Sheets will allow you to develop and maintain more effective and managed Description Key Set content with less work.

See the Points in Civil 3D section for more help, posts, and videos.

Updates to Previously Supplied Description Key Sets

New versions of these Sheets, XML files, and DWG resources drawings contain a consistent NCS 6.0 based Code content.
An attempt was made to create more generic and more easily customizable Description Key, Ket Set, and Figure Prefix Db resources.
The updated resources include:

  • Codes lists optimized to employ 4-character NCS 6.0 Key compliant Codes
    This allows users to more easily identify the purpose and usage of the supplied Codes.
  • Older 2-character NOT Key lists were generally replaced with updated 4-character Codes
    3-character Not Key lists may still be employed
  • More basic Structures Codes are included with more detailed Codes Lists are supplied in separate Structure resources.
  • Updated Codes lists are documented by additional Sheet Filters in the Codes Tool and in
    Production Sheets supplied in the Description Key Set Tools for Layer Standards

Updated New Production Sheets

  • IOD Basic - updated versions of the IOB Core resoures with NCS 6.0 Key based Codes
    The list of Codes included, added, deleted is documented in the Codes Tool Filter columns.
  • IOD Super - updated superset versions of the larger IOB Survey resoures with NCS 6.0 Key based Codes
    The list of Codes included, added, deleted is documented in the Codes Tool Filter columns.
  • Trees - detailed Keys for trees
  • Others - many other new and replacement NCS 6.0 updated versions of previously supplied Description Key Sets
    Based on both Codes List content and purpose not all previously supplied resources may be updated.

The Updated Production Sheets and resources allow customers to switch from old Code Lists to new Codes List with less effort and complication.

New Production Sheets

See the Framework supplied resource folders for current specifics and AddOn updates.
Many design and survey Codes Lists are gathered by Sheet to support the use of Adaptive Building Block Feature Line annotation from Corridors.

  • Airfields - detailed Keys for typical airport structures and design
  • Boundaries - typical political and project related boundaries
  • Buildings - detailed Keys for buildings
  • Easements and ROWs - detailed keys for easements and Right of ways
  • Ecologic - detailed Keys for many specialty ecologic features
  • Erosion - detailed Keys for erosion and erosion control
  • Flood Control - detailed Keys for flood control structures and design
  • Hazmat - detailed Keys for hazardous materials and contamination
  • InstantOn Basic - detailed InstantOn core Keys
  • InstantOn Super - a detailed superset of InstantOn Keys with extended Structures support
  • Monumentation - Set and Found
  • Pavement Markings - detailed Keys for pavement markings
  • Pavement Stripe - detailed Keys for pavement stripping
  • Pavement Words - detailed Keys for pavement words
  • Railways - a generic resources with common Keys for railways
  • Roadways - a generic resource with common Keys for roadways
  • Signage - detailed Keys for roadway and site signage
  • Structures - a large generic resources with all Key forms of man-made structures
  • Topo - detailed Keys for topo and grading
  • Traffic Signals - detailed Keys for traffic signals
  • Trees - detailed Keys for trees
  • USA Markup - detailed Keys for utility paint markup
  • Vaults Sized - detailed Keys for sized utility vaults
  • Vegetation - generic resources with common Keys for vegetation
  • Wetlands - a generic resources with common Keys for wetlands

Multiple variants of all Sheet, XML file, and DWG Description Key Set resources may be supplied.
Both new Sheets and Search and Replace text methodologies within the output XML files were employed in the construction and maintenance of resources.

See the details in the On-line Help and the current supplied content libraries.

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Figure Prefix Db Tool

See the Framework supplied resource folders for current Layer Standards support, specifics, and future AddOn updates.
Many design and survey codes based on the NCS Key-based 4-digit codes are included to support the use of Adaptive Building Block Feature Lines from Corridors.

  • Previously supplied Sheets and Figure Prefix Db resources are still supplied and continue to function with previously supplied resources.
  • New Layer Standard specific Figure Prefix Db libraries and versions of Figure Prefix Db Spreadsheet Tools are supplied.
  • New Super Sets of prototype Figure Prefix Db Sheet and database resources for the many new potential Figure Codes were added.
    Generic resources are intentionally supplied to simplify the application of user preferences for Figure Style and Layer assignment.
    Generic resources include support for both double digit (##) and single digit (#) numeric line codes for use in common left and right scenarios.
  • Additional support for specific Layer Standards support is on-going and may be supplied in AddOns
  • See the Figure Prefix Db Spreadsheet Tool online help in the Members section for the detailed documentation and usage

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