One of the new features for AutoCAD 2011 is the ability to make a layer transparent. Since Civil 3D 2011 is built on AutoCAD 2011, you can take advantage of this new tool. Think of all of that hatching we’ve done over the years- how awesome to make it transparent! (You can get Lynn Allen’s AutoCAD 2011 Tips and Tricks Booklet for more ideas on how to use new features.)
Here is a video overview of some of the other new features in AutoCAD 2011.
One idea I had was things like surface analysis. You need to make the Object Layer (that “master layer” that each civil 3d object gets placed on depending on the Drawing Settings) the transparent layer, it doesn’t work if you make a layer designated in the style transparent. If you don’t want all of your surfaces transparent, just make a new layer called, for example, C-TOPO-TRANS or something and manually swap the elevation analysis surfaces to that layer.
Here is my project…
I change the surface style to an elevation analysis, and it makes it impossible to see the image underneath.
I change my object layer to transparent…
And now I can get the best of both worlds- see my image and the analysis!
You can find my post listing some of the New Features for Civil 3D 2011 here, and a detailed listing of new feature descriptions in the Civil 3D 2011 Online Users Guide.
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Beautiful example!!
Posted by: Josh Modglin | April 21, 2010 at 07:18 PM
The analysis option looks so much better overlaid like that. Not only does it communicate the locations better (I love aerial imagery!) but transparency gives you the colors in such mild pastels, even against a white background, that the whole display is easier on the eyes.
I love it when I get new ways to make my drawings communicate!
Posted by: Earl Kubaskie | April 24, 2010 at 08:39 PM
Hi,
have you tried printing it? I was told that some internal variable needs to be changed before it's printed as above. We don't have Civil3D 2011 yet, but I'm still curious ;-)
Posted by: Wee Coconut | July 07, 2010 at 04:47 AM
What has changed from 2010 to 2011 I am getting terrible quality printing raster images in 2011 Civil 3d. Not sure what has happened loose resolution blurry same file but terrible results
Between 2010 and 2011
Posted by: Tom Rodgers | February 28, 2011 at 06:46 PM