Release 8 Details

Release 8 Specific Detailed Changes for Civil 3D 2025

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Framework Release 8 Details

Current Release 8 Detailed Changes and Updates

Last Update 4/2025

Release 8 changes affect all Framework products delivered for:

Autodesk Civil 3D 2026

Other Framework Release Details Links

Release 8 2026.0

Release 8 Autodesk Civil 3D 2026.0

Misc Jump Kit Style Updates

Mini-Project Datasets

Spreadsheet Tools 2026.0

Release 8 Autodesk Civil 3D 2026.0

The Release 8 for 2026.0 is an 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 2023.3+.

The NCS 6.0 to AIA NCS 6.0 Layer Standard conversion tools are included.

All supplied Civil 3D resources are supplied in the latest Civil 3D 2026.0 Object Model.

Release 8 2026.0 Changes

The Release 8 products include all resources delivered in the NCS 6.0 utility names layer system.
The NCS 6.0 to AIA NCS 6.0 Layer Standard conversion tools are included.
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
Jump Kit Style Library Collection resources and structure
Upgrade rebuild of the Assemblies Library resources
Updates to the Framework for Civil 3D Sandbox Projects for both STB and CTB
Framework for Civil 3D Standards documentation updates

The Jump Kit Style Library resource folder and structure, Style Library drawings, and Style support resources were renumbered to reflect the many changes to the Toolspace:

Most previously supplied Style Library folders, drawings, and resource files were renumbered
Removed folders previously retired from the Toolspace
Added new Channel and Pond folders and Civil 3D Styles
Added a new folder for the Underground Storage

Framework products include Civil 3D Style support for new Drainage Analysis Features:

Civil 3D Style resources are supplied for new Channel and Pond Features
Consistent and typical Framework Styles (+Invisible, +NOPLOT, etc) are supplied with component routing to common NCS Layers
Detailed and specific Framework Styles are supplied with component routing to common NCS Key Layers (UTSD, STRC, TOPS, BOTS, etc.)
The Underground Storage Feature does yet support Styles

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 2026.0 Framework product Style library resources will run in Civil 3D 2026.0-2023.3+ but will not run in previous Civil 3D releases.
Some Civil 3D program functionality is lost with the use in older Civil 3D 2025-2023 releases.

Jump Kit library resources from Release 8 can be employed in Civil 3D 2023.3+.

The AutoCAD DWG format did not change in 2026 - All resource drawings are supplied in the 2018 DWG format.
The Civil 3D object model is specifically new in the Civil 3D 2026.0 Update
All resource drawings are upgraded to the Civil 3D 2026.0 model.

Project Templates Updates

The Jump Kit InstantOn download resources include a collection of separate Civil 3D Project Templates.

Multiple versions of Civil 3D Project Templates are 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 example 00-000 Project Template that includes both the Design and Survey mini project templates - The template requires Project selection

The supplied example Civil 3D Project Templates include customizations of the Project folders in supplied XML files.

Drainage Analysis Preview

The Release 8 products and resources support the optional Drainage Analysis Tech Preview for Civil 3D 2026.0.

Both the Jump Kit and Templates Only products include Civil 3D Style support for new Civil 3D Features:

New Civil 3D Style resources are supplied for new Channel Features
New Civil 3D Style resources are supplied for new Pond Features
Consistent and typical Framework Styles (+Invisible, +NOPLOT, etc) are supplied with component routing to common NCS Layers
Detailed and specific Framework Styles are supplied with component routing to common NCS Key Layers (UTSD, STRC, TOPS, BOTS, etc.)
The new Underground Storage Feature does not yet include Civil 3D Style support
The new Underground Storage Feature only supports Layer assignment

Use of the new supplied Drainage Analysis Channel and Pond Styles intentionally does not require changes or edits to the supplied Layer Standards or Layer States.

The Adaptive Building Block Layer resources included in Jump Kit include optional Layer collections and script resources to provide more custom Layer details as required.

Project Explorer for Civil 3D Support

The Release 8 products and resources for Civil 3D 2026.0 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 the storage of Project Explorer Templates and Reports.

Grading Optimization for Civil 3D Support

The Release 8 products and resources for Civil 3D 2026.0 support the Grading Optimization for Civil 3D interface and tools.

Geotechnical for Civil 3D Support

The Release 8 products and resources for Civil 3D 2026.0 support the previous Geotechnical for Civil 3D interface and tools.

Subassembly Composer for Civil 3D Support

Resource file support for the Subassembly Composer external Codes import and export .CSV file capabilities.
The Subassembly Spreadsheet Tool for Subassembly Composer was updated for 2026.0.

The external Codes resources include all the Codes found in all the Autodesk supplied stock .Net subassemblies.

Layer Standards Update

All Layer Standards Updates may be employed in all Release 8 versions for Civil 3D versions 2026.0-2023.3+.

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 2026 where appropriate.

Templates and Styles 2026.0

The supplied Template resources 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 Rail System resources by default.

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 Drainage Analysis Styles.

General Updates

All templates updated to 2026.0 Civil 3D Object Model
All templates updated to include new Drainage Channel and Pond Styles
Updates to a few Styles based on customer feedback

Style Library folders and drawings were renumbered to include the new Channel and Pond Styles.

See the Drainage Analysis details.

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 2026.0 Object Model
Both STB and CTB detailed example Reference Template resources and templates are supplied

See the Drainage Analysis details.

Symbol Set 2026.0

Complete rebuild of all AutoCAD Symbol blocks supplied in the AutoCAD 2018 DWG format.

Complete rebuild of all Civil 3D Point Styles resource drawings to Civil 3D 2026.0.

Updates to the supplied Symbols Spreadsheet tools and update script resources.

Jump Kit Styles 2026.0

Complete rebuild of all Civil 3D Styles, Label Styles, and Sets.
Resource drawings upgraded to the Civil 3D 2026.0 Object Model.

The Jump Kit Style Library resource folder and structure, Style Library drawings, and Style support resources were renumbered to reflect the many changes to the Toolspace:

Most previously supplied Style Library folders, drawings, and resource files were renumbered
Removed folders previously retired from the Toolspace
Added new Channel and Pond folders and Civil 3D Styles
Added a new folder for the Underground Storage

Framework products include Civil 3D Style support for new Drainage Analysis Features:

Civil 3D Style resources are supplied for new Channel and Pond Features
Consistent and typical Framework Styles (+Invisible, +NOPLOT, etc) are supplied with component routing to common NCS Layers
Detailed and specific Framework Styles are supplied with component routing to common NCS Key Layers (UTSD, STRC, TOPS, BOTS, etc.)
The Underground Storage Feature does yet support Styles

See the Drainage Analysis details.

Misc Jump Kit Style Updates

Updates were made to a small number of Style Library resources.
All supplied Profile Styles were checked for Model 3D Chain visibility in the new Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) and Docs Model Viewer

Assemblies 2026.0

The Release 8 for Civil 3D 2026.0 ships with a release upgrade to the Assembly resources.

Complete new 2026.0 Update build of all Civil 3D Assemblies.

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 2026, Civil 3D 2025, and Civil 3D 2024.
The supplied 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 2026.0

The Release 8 for Civil 3D 2026.0 ships with updates to the Release 8 Project Dataset resources.

Complete 2026.0 new build of project drawings for both the STB and CTB projects.

To fully support 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 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 Jump Kit 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.
Remember that the Civil 3D Reference Template Tool 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 Sandbox project.

Projects Updates

All Sandbox Projects

All supplied Project drawings were updated to the Civil 3D 2026.0 Object Model
All the supplied example Sheet Sets and files were updated
All the referenced Sheet Set resources in all Sandbox Projects were updates to reflect current 2026 resources

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

See the Drainage Analysis details.

The ExampleCorridors Drawing

All supplied versions of the standard example drawing (ExampleCorridors.dwg) were updated for both Templates Only and Jump Kit Sandbox projects.
The supplied default Jump Kit Sandbox project employs Reference Template resources and includes an additional (ExampleCorridors RT.dwg) drawing.

Mini-Project Datasets

The Framework for Civil 3D includes additional smaller Civil 3D Project Datasets focused on specific Civil 3D workflows and mechanics.
The Project Datasets are available for the default NCS 6.0 in STB at the minimum.

To fully support 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 different 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 Medians Project explores the Corridor creation and construction of a complex 4-way Intersection with Turn Lanes and Medians with nuanced Alignment and Profile design control.
The Medians 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's 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's Reference Explorer tool.

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

Spreadsheet Tools 2026.0

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

See on-line help pages for updated Civil 3D Codes Spreadsheet Tool documentation.
Improvement and corrections to Sheet resources and on-line help is supplied.