Do we ask the right questions about Autodesk Civil 3D and how we use it?
By definition…Probably not.We human beings tend to not ask questions about what we believe we already know how to do. We rely too much on habit. We could call this the human autopilot. The autopilot works 95%+ of the time. Our brains spend a good deal of invisible time behind…
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Posted by
Tench Tilghman
Oct 08, 2026
Tags Implementation, customization, Project Management, CAD Standards, DREF, TREF, development, project template
Many people out here in Civil 3D Land wait for the first Autodesk Civil 3D update to migrate to a new Civil 3D release. Maybe there is a reason for that. Fancy that? The Autodesk Civil 3D 2027.1 Update hit the street this week. 2027.1 Update packs a bunch.
As is the norm for many recent Civil 3D release cycles, there are probably more important and/or significant…
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Posted by
Tench Tilghman
Aug 06, 2026
Tags Civil 3D 2027, XREF, IREF, DREF, Upgrade, Update, Data Shortcut Manager, Data Shortcut Editor, Fix Broken References
There are three mission critical and distinct process concepts to attend to in modern model-based design.
Our iteratively built model and the managed data behind on which that model depends allow us to produce the published results that we need to produce our deliverables.There are rules, systems,…
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Posted by
Tench Tilghman
Jul 09, 2026
Tags dynamic model, XREF, IREF, DREF, TREF, Project Management, project template, Civil 3D 2027
We grind away at some nuanced and significant improvements to the Framework for Civil 3D Standards documentation that we supply with both our Templates Only and Jump Kit products. We promise customers will see this work real soon now. We await the next Autodesk Civil 3D 2026.2 Update that is due out any day now. Hoorah.
Historically,…
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Posted by
Tench Tilghman
Nov 06, 2025
Tags CAD Standards, Update, customization, Multiple Baseline Corridors, video, Standards, Implementation, DREF, Civil 3D 2026
Most of the people we talk to everyday are advanced Civil 3D users, CAD Managers, and organization Project Managers and Principals who try to get work out the door and keep the wheels on the bus. Many of these folks are literally rebuilding the Civil 3D Magic Bus while it rolls down the road.
That is truly an act of daring do. That is also something we all must do.
Around…
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Posted by
Tench Tilghman
May 29, 2025
Tags Civil 3D, feature line, alignment, surface, DREF, XREF, IREF, parcel, Project Management, benchmark, heuristic