As hard as it is for me to admit, there are some things that you just can't build a Civil 3D model to handle. Take for example Traffic Control Plans. These are the plans we put together to show how lanes will be closed, where flaggers will be positioned, and how construction will be phases. There are a lot of notes, details, tables and hatching.
You'll certainly build a corridor for your road improvements, and if you are really slick you can get code set styles to deliver nice linework, but the actual configuration of signage, barriers and traffic arrows will probably be done with AutoCAD blocks and labeling. Since both AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Civil are built on AutoCAD, you're in luck.
A few years back when I first saw dynamic blocks, I thought "Those are cool. But they seem to be most useful for architects". That's not true at all! It just so happens that most of the examples they show at the big roadshows and online demos seem to be architectural. Well, I am here to debunk the myths and show you how Civil Engineering plans can leverage dynamic blocks, too.
The image below shows a dynamic block for some lane striping and arrows. The block has been defined to include stretching parameters and rotation parameters- so that you can make it as long as you need and have it come in at any angle.
In this short clip, I used a tool palette loaded with a hatch pattern, a few attributed blocks and several dynamic blocks. My favorites are the orange cones that stretch!
The blocks used in this post were created by Philip Blaich of LiveMore Co. and can be purchased for a very reasonable price (about $20 for one user) from his website I've been very impressed with the quality of these blocks- they've provided me with a lot of inspiration for building my own library for things like Erosion Control devices. I'm glad I grabbed a set for myself.
Learn more about using code sets for linework creation:
The Civil Side: Making Corridors Work for You - May 2008
Learn more about composing your own dynamic blocks:
Creating Dynamic Blocks in AutoCAD 2006 (and above) Webcast
Other AutoCAD webcasts on tables, fields, tool palettes, and more.
Autodesk University 2008 Classes on Dynamic Blocks (will require login):
Hands-On Introduction to Dynamic Blocks in AutoCAD® (Handout Only- but its very good)
The Dos and Don'ts of Dynamic Blocks - Revealed! (Handout and Screencast)
There is also an Autodesk Discussion Forum dedicated to dynamic blocks- take your ideas and seek feedback to other people like yourself.
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Hi Dana. Thanks for this post. Very useful especially those dynamic traffic cones!
Harold
Posted by: Harold Alberto | March 07, 2009 at 03:06 AM