Release 8 Details

Release 8 Specific Detailed Changes for Civil 3D 2023

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Framework Release 8 Details

Current Release 8 Detailed Changes and Updates

Last Update 5/2023

Release 8 changes affect all Framework products delivered for:

Autodesk Civil 3D 2024

Other Framework Release Details Links

Release 8 General Changes

Release 8 2024

Release 8 Autodesk Civil 3D 2024
All previous AddOns are included.

New Mini-Project Datasets

Spreadsheet Tools 2024

Release 8 Autodesk Civil 3D 2024

The Release 8 for 2024 is a upgrade release for Framework for Civil 3D Release 8 customers.
By default Release 8 products ships in the NCS 6.0+ Layer scheme and the NCS 6.0+ AIA Layer scheme and do include Adaptive Layer and Linetype Standards support.
Jump Kit library resources from Release 8 can be employed in Civil 3D 2023.2+.

The Jump Kit AIA library resources are no longer available. However, the Layer Standard conversion tools are included.

All supplied Civil 3D resources are supplied in the new Civil 3D 2024 Object Model.

The Framework for Civil 3D Standards documentation was updated to reflect on-going and proposed changes.

All the previously supplied Spreadsheet Tools are included in Jump Kit 8 2024 products.

All previously supplied Label Style Expression Set resources from AddOns are included in Jump Kit 8 2024 products.

Release 8 2024 Changes

The Release 8 products include all resources delivered in the NCS 6.0 utility names layer system.
The Release 8 AIA products were discountuned.
The Templates Only trial product includes both STB and CTB based templates and basic resources.

The updated Jump Kit resources include:

Classic Civil 3D Template resources in STB and CTB
Civil 3D Reference (TREF) Template resources in STB and CTB
Additions, updates, and edits to the Jump Kit Style Library Collection resources and structure
Improved Rail support that includes new and updated detailed Style, Label Style, and Set collection resources
Updates to the Assemblies Library resources
Updates and improvements to the Framework for Civil 3D Sandbox Projects for both STB and CTB
Framework for Civil 3D Standards documentation updates

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/or Point Groups in the basic Reference Template (TREF) .dwg and/or .dwt files supplied.

Compatibility and General Improvement Summary

Release 8 2024 Framework product Style library resources will run in Civil 3D 2024-2021 but will not run in previous Civil 3D releases.
Some Civil 3D program functionality is lost with the use in older Civil 3D 2024-2021 releases.

Jump Kit library resources from Release 8 can be employed in Civil 3D 2023.2+.

The AutoCAD DWG format did not change in 2024 - All resource drawings were updated in the 2018 DWG format.
The Civil 3D object model is specifically new in the Civil 3D 2024 Update
All resource drawings are upgraded to the Civil 3D 2024 model.

Project Templates Updates

The InstantOn download resources now include separate Civil 3D Project Templates.

Multiple versions of Civil 3D Project Templates that were previously supplied in Framework AddOns are now supplied.

Civil 3D Project Templates examples include:

A US_Blank template - all the Data Shortcuts in the project and no Project selection required in Civil 3D
Separate Design Only and Survey Only mini projects - require Project selection in Civil 3D
A complete 00-000 project template that includes both the Design and Survey mini project templates - requires Project selection

All the supplied Civil 3D Project Templates include Project folder customizations in XML files.

Layer Standards Update

All Layer Standards Updates may be employed in all Release 8 versions for Civil 3D versions 2024-2021.

Layer Standards resource drawings (.dwg), Layer Standard (.dws), and script (.scr) files are supplied.

All Layer Standards Spreadsheet Tools file names updated to end in 2024 where appropriate.

Layer Standards updates for NCS 6.0+ and NCS AIA 6.0+ improved Rail and Grading Optimization are included.

Added Keys for Rail and Grading Optimization

The following new NCS 6 Keys were added to support Civil 3D Rail and Grading Optimization.

BALL - Ballast
BEND - Bend
SLEP - Sleeper

New Layer States for Rail and Grading Optimization

New Release 8 NCS 6 and NCS AIA Layer States for both STB and CTB were added to support Civil 3D Rail and Grading Optimization.

GO is employed as a name prefix for Grading Optimization Layer States to act as a subset
Rail is employed as a name prefix for Rail Layer States to act as a subset

The new Layers and Layer States are not included in supplied Template resources for consistency.

Grading Optimization for Civil 3D Support

The Release 8 products and resources for Civil 3D 2024 support the Grading Optimization for Civil 3D interface and tools.

Layer Standards updates for NCS 6.0+ and NCS AIA 6.0+ include improved Grading Optimization integration.

Project Explorer for Civil 3D Support

The Release 8 products and resources for Civil 3D 2024 support the Project Explorer for Civil 3D interface, tools, templates, and potential resources libraries for the same.

A Project Explorer folder is included in the default ..\00_Resources folder for Project Explorer Reports.

Geotechnical for Civil 3D Support

The Release 8 products and resources for Civil 3D 2024 support the Geotechnical for Civil 3D interface and tools.

Layer Standards updates for NCS 6.0+ and NCS AIA 6.0+ include improved Geotechnical integration.

Subassembly Composer for Civil 3D Support

Added resource file support for the Subassembly Composer external Codes import and export .CSV file capabilities.
Updated the Subassembly Spreadsheet Tool for Subassembly Composer for 2024.

The external Codes resources include all the Codes found in all the Autodesk supplied .Net subassemblies.
See the ..\Documentation\Subassembly Codes folder and supplied Readme file for install details.

Templates and Styles 2024

The supplied Templates intentionally do not include Label Style Expression Set Styles included in the Jump Kit product resources.

For consistency the supplied Templates and Templates Only Templates resources do not include new Rail System resources by default.

The update includes the addition of:

Profile View Band Styles to support COGO Points and Alignment Proximity Bands.
New Alignment Cant Information Label Styles

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

There are new conventions and new Jump Kit product resouces supplied for new Label Styles.

General Updates

All templates updated to 2024 Civil 3D Object Model
Minor fixes and updates to some Styles based on customer feedback

Reference Template Resources

Reference Template Resources are supplied in addition to classic Civil 3D Template resources.
The supplied Templates intentionally do not include Label Style Expression Set Styles.
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 Civil 3D 2024 Object Model
Both STB and CTB detailed example Reference Template resources and templates are supplied

Symbol Set 2024

Complete 2024 build of all Civil 3D Point Styles resource drawings.
Symbol blocks supplied in the AutoCAD 2018 DWG format and upgraded to AutoCAD 2024.

Jump Kit Styles 2024

Complete 2024 build of all Civil 3D Styles.
Resource drawings upgraded to the Civil 3D 2024 Object Model.

Jump Kit Style Library folders were renamed to reflect current Toolspace display order.
All folders below 16_Mass Haul Views were increased by 2 to include reordered 17_Rail and 18_Rail Turnout folders.

Profile View Band Styles

Added new Profile View Band Styles to support COGO Points and Alignment Proximity Bands.
A variety of common COGO Points Profile View Band Style configurations are supplied.
A variety of common Proximity Profile View Band Style configurations are supplied.

Jump Kit products include additional Proximity Profile View Band Styles separate from the basic collections supplied in Template resources

Rail System Improvements

A major update to the Jump Kit's Rail related resources is included.

Additions, Updates, and Fixes to previously supplied Cant View Styles
New Cant View Styles are supplied to improve support for Equilibrium Cant display in Cant Views
Additions, Updates, and Fixes to previously supplied Rail Alignment Label Style collections
These include new Other Labels and Station label Label Style types in separate collection resource drawings
Additions, Updates, and Fixes to previously supplied Rail Profile Label Style collections
These include detailed Label Style support for Tangents, Tangents (as Dims), Circular Vertical Curves, and Parabolic Vertical Curves, etc.
New Alignment Cant Information Label Styles
Added new Rail Turnout Styles, Rail Turnout Label Styles for all types , and Label Set collections

For consistency the supplied Templates and Templates Only Templates resources do not include the detailed Rail System resources by default.

Misc Jump Kit Style Updates

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

Assemblies 2024

The Release 8 for Civil 3D 2024 ships with updates to the Assembly resources.

Complete new 2024 build of all Civil 3D Assemblies.
All Subassemblies in all Assemblies were previously updated to the current version of the Civil 3D 2019 dll.

All Subassemblies were previously renamed to employ prefix codes to improve the ease of use with new Civil 3D Targeting tools and filters.
The supplied Assembly resources open and run in Civil 3D 2024, Civil 3D 2023, and Civil 3D 2022.
Resource maintenance script files were updated.

See the Subassembly Composer for Civil 3D Support details for improved support and documentation for Subassembly Codes.

Project Datasets 2024

The Release 8 for Civil 3D 2024 ships with updates to the Release 8 Project Dataset resources.

Complete 2024 new build of project drawings for both the STB and CTB projects.

To fully support Windows 10 and Windows 11 compatibility the default Sandbox project location was previously changed to:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Civil 3D Projects.
All included Reference Template (TREF) and project-based File Dependent References target this default Civil 3D install location by default.

Reference Templates in Projects

The default project-based Reference Templates were updated to include Sandbox Project coordinate systems and proper plot resources.

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

The updated project resources allow users 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 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 Civil 3D Reference Template Tool currently does not support relative paths.

The contents of STB and CTB Framework Sandbox Projects differ.
More project drawings and resources are included in the STB project.

Projects Updates

There were improvements and edits made to drawings, project data, and structures of the supplied Sandbox Projects.

Dated example drawings were removed and replaced with new drawing content to minimize the Sandbox Project size and maximize usability.

Consistency updates were made to project drawing Layer States, Sheet Set files, and other Sandbox Project data.

All drawings in all supplied Sandbox projects were checked and updated with corrected references in the Autodesk Desktop Connector's Reference Explorer tool.
Supplied template Description Key Sets and resources were updated, fixed, and improved
All the Subassemblies in all Assemblies in all versions were previously updated to support the current stock 2019 dll
All the Subassemblies were updated to support prefix naming conventions
Assemblies were physically relocated and more logically grouped in the drawing
Subassembly properties were updated to adjust some potential example Corridor build results for consistent behaviors
Reference Template (TREF) versions of the ExampleCorridors drawing are now supplied for Sandbox Projects

The ExampleCorridors Drawing

All supplied versions of the standard example drawing (ExampleCorridors.dwg) were updated for both Templates Only and Jump Kit Sandbox projects.

Data References and Data Shortcuts

Project DREF management plays an important role in Civil 3D production use.
Improvements were made to the Projects to clarify typical Civil 3D project DREF usage and current Civil 3D production practices.

Updated appropriate publication and working drawing examples to employ Data Reference (DREF) Corridors
Updated and fixed the Project Folders XML for example Project Data Shortcuts (DREF) folders
Moved most Alignment Data Shortcuts to appropriate Project Folders to reduce Toolspace clutter
Moved most Profile Data Shortcuts to appropriate Project Folders to reduce Toolspace clutter
All the supplied Data Shortcut XML files were updated to reflect the current Project file property details
Added Rail Alignment and Rail Profile sample drawings and project Data Shortcut (DREF) resources

Grading Examples

Supplied an improved commercial Site Plan suitable and set up for use with Grading Optimization for Civil 3D.
The parking lot layouts include Vehicle Tracking parking spaces and/or DWF IREF versions of the same.

Supplied a new XML Existing surface resource file.

Updated the project Surface DREF employed.

Medians Intersection Examples

A set of Medians with Turn Lanes Intersection example drawings are included.
The Corridor Turn Lane design include Horizontal Curve Alignment and Vertical Curve Profile conditions.
Connected Alignments and Profiles are employed to produce the Curb Returns geometries and Corridor Regions.
Supplied Set of Assemblies resources were employed and modified to construct the basics of the Medians Intersection.

See the Turn Lanes and Medians Project Dataset for more in depth Civil 3D project resources.

Pipe and Pressure Pipe Updates

Rebuild and update of the supplied Pipe Network resources
Moved Pipe Network Data Shortcuts to appropriate Project Folders
Rebuild and update of the supplied Pressure Pipe Network resources
All the supplied XML files were updated
Removed dated and/or unnecessary files and folders
Updated appropriate working examples to employ a Data Reference (DREF) Corridor

Rehab Corridors

Three separate Rehab scenarios are supplied - most with ordered process drawings.

The Rehab Corridor examples intentionally produce minor slope Corridor resolution errors that may be optionally corrected.

Renamed all example files to align with the appropriate Project Alignment names
Removed unnecessary Data References and Features from the examples for clarity
Removed a previously supplied Rehab Intersection example

Civil 3D Update Assembly Display Issues

Civil 3D 2024 does not usually produce the Civil 3D Assembly upgrade resolution issue that was common in earlier releases of Civil 3D.

All Subassemblies in all Assemblies were previously updated to the current version of the Civil 3D 2019 dll
Updated the Subassembly names employed in Sandbox Project's Assemblies to employ predicate based naming conventions to improve Corridor Targeting behaviors and filtering.
All Assemblies were updated to Civil 3D default Subassembly Group names and default subassembly names with the new predicates
Unnecessary Assemblies were removed from all examples
Data Reference (DREF) Corridors were employed where appropriate and maximize project consistency

Civil 3D 2024 is not as particular about resolving Plan view Assemblies in upgraded drawings if upgraded with the Civil 3D Batch Save Utility.
The applied Assemblies all function properly in Corridors and Intersections regardless of this display resolution issue.
To fix failed Assemblies:
Select the Assembly; Go to the Construction tab; Select a subassembly; Right click and pick Rename; Add and remove any text character to the end of the subassembly name; Click Apply or OK; Civil 3D will update the Plan view display.

Mini-Project Datasets

The Framework for Civil 3D includes additional smaller Civil 3D Project Datasets focused on specific Civil 3D workflows and mechanics.
The new Project Datasets are not available for all releases and/or flavors of the Framework. They are available for the default NCS 6.0 in STB at the minimum.

To fully support Windows 10 and Windows 11 compatibility the default Sandbox project location is:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Civil 3D Projects.
All included Reference Template (TREF) and project-based File Dependent References target this install location by default.

Turn Lanes and Medians Project

The Medians Project Dataset explores Civil 3D Project Data Reference (DREF) method and practice to fully support Multiple Baseline Corridor design options.
Multiple design options are supplied including two shared design options and a separate grading Datum surface the employs a separate Set of Assemblies.
The project also explores use of Corridor Frequency Models to help produce faster deliverables annotation in Civil 3D.

The Corridor naming convention employed is documented with a PDF included in the dataset.
The project explores the Corridor creation and construction of a complex 4-way Intersection with Turn Lanes and Medians with lots of nuanced Alignment and Profile design control.
The project explores the use of managed DREF (Data Reference) design control to employ multiple design, region, and assembly options in Multiple Baseline Corridor design and development.

The Medians Project:

Project named Medians-8-<Civil 3D Release>
The project employs a Reference Template (TREF)
The project employs multiple shared Data Reference (DREF) sources for the design control
Includes an initial Intersection with Median and Turn Lane design with Offset Alignment, Slope controlled Offset Profiles, and Curb Return design control and complex targeting
A Grading Corridor produced with Generic Pavement Subassemblies that employs the same design control to resolve a construction Datum surface
A second design option that resolves the same Intersection with a different Baseline Plan and different Set of Assemblies
Multiple example Corridor Frequency Models to resolve output Surfaces, Points and Labels, and validate and adjust the Region design control
Sample DREF Corridors and Feature Line annotative output is employed to produce Label Style Expression Set (LSES) Segment Label annotation for the design
By default, static extracted Corridor Feature Lines are employed to generate the Segment Label locations
Code(s) based Property Set Labels with variable Elevation truncation and optional Height of Curb Labels are employed

See the Civil 3D Turn Lane and Median Corridors post and video series for topics and details related to the Medians Project Dataset.

The dataset is tested and validated with the Autodesk Desktop Connector Reference Explorer tool.

See the Blog Videos page for videos and posts on Turn Lanes and Median Corridor topics and details.

Label Style Expression Sets Project

The Label Style Expression Set (LSES) Project Dataset explores the usage and mechanics of Framework for Civil 3D Labels in multiple grading annotation scenarios.
Included scenarios include typical and atypical Surfaces, multiple design Corridors for Ponds, Roads, and Parking Lot grading projects.

The Dataset explores the use of Framework Label Style Expression Set (LSES) resources with Variable and/or Fixed Truncation combined with Code(s) Property Set Label Style annotation to generate production deliverables annotation from these common Civil 3D grading scenarios.

Label Style Expression Sets Project:

Project named LsEs-8-<Civil 3D Release>
Employs multiple shared Data Reference (DREF) sources
Employs a Reference Template (TREF) and multiple Label Style Reference Templates
Example drawings employ either or both Variable or Fixed Truncated Contour LSES Labels
Current Layer, Variable Truncation, and Code(s) Property Set LSES Labels are typically employed
A Parking Lot example with LSES Labels produced on a live Corridor Model and Dynamic Corridor Feature Lines
A Roadway example with LSES Labels produced on a DREF Corridor Model and Dynamic Corridor Feature Lines
A Pond example with Surface Variable Truncation Spot Elevation and Contour LSES Labels produced on a DREF Corridor Model
A Site Design example with Surface Variable Truncation Spot and Contour LSES Labels produced on a complex DREF Surface Model produced by Grading Optimization

All Label Style Reference Template Style collections may be easily replaced with other supplied Label Style Expression Set (LSES) Style collection resource drawings.

The Dataset drawings may therefore be employed to develop LSES Label Style resource collections for customer production use.

The dataset is tested and validated with the Autodesk Desktop Connector Reference Explorer tool.

See the Blog Videos page for videos and posts on Label Style Expression Set topics and details.

Spreadsheet Tools 2024

Help and documentation updates for the Spreadsheet Tools and usage is available in the Members section when logged in.

All on-line Spreadsheet Tools help pages were updated to reflect 2024 resource locations and Release 8 Layer Standards AddOn updates.

Layer Standards NCS 6+ and NCS 6 AIA Spreadsheet Tools

The following new NCS 6 Keys were added to support Civil 3D Rail and Grading Optimization.

BALL - Ballast
BEND - Bend
SLEP - Sleeper

New Release 8 NCS 6 and NCS AIA Layer States for both STB and CTB were added to support Civil 3D Rail and Grading Optimization.

GO is employed as a name prefix for Grading Optimization Layer States to act as a subset
Rail is employed as a name prefix for Rail Layer States to act as a subset

The new Layers and Layer States are not included in supplied Template resources for consistency.

Updated Help On-line for Tools

See on-line help pages for updated:

Layer Standards for STB and CTB Spreadsheet Tools documentation.
Improvement and corrections to Sheet resources and on-line help is supplied.
Standard Keys for NCS 6 documentation.
Layer States documentation.
Civil 3D Codes Spreadsheet Tool documentation.
Improvement and corrections to Sheet resources and on-line help is supplied.
See on-line help pages for updated Description Key Set Spreadsheet Tools documentation.
A wide array of Sheet resources and on-line help is supplied.
See on-line help pages for updated Figure Db Spreadsheet Tools documentation.
A array of Sheet resources and on-line help is supplied.