BIM on the Rocks

MassDOT Civil 3D Standards Posted

A few months ago, I posted that MassDOT Requires Submittals in Civil 3D Starting 1-1-2012.

MassDOT has now posted their Civil 3D template, assemblies, survey guidelines and other CAD standards to their website.

I had a quick look at the styles in the template. Here is a capture of some of the alignment styles that they’ve built. I am thinking back to my days doing consulting work and I’m a bit jealous. It’s great to have a starting point to match submittal requirements.

There is also a nice library of prebuild road assemblies.

In addition to MassDOT, you should also check out the information about other DOTs that are allowing or requiring Civil 3D. We’ve created some landing pages to help users locate important news, templates, design standards, screencasts and more.

Florida DOT (FDOT) Autodesk News

Wisconsin DOT (WisDOT) Autodesk News

Caltrans Autodesk News

MassDOT Requires Submittals in Civil 3D Starting 1-1-2012

I was reading one of our channel partner blogs, MicroBIM over at Microdesk, and saw the news: MassDOT will soon require Civil 3D files for project deliverables.

Rick Reid and the team at Microdesk worked with MassDOT on developing a new CAD standard to assist with the transition.

Rick posted a video version of his MassDOT CAD Standards presentation

MassDOT CAD Standard from Microdesk on Vimeo.

There is some more cool stuff coming online later this week, so we’ll revisit the roads, highways and department of transportation subject in a few days.

In the meantime, go check out the MassDOT youtube channel. Another great use of social media to keep the public informed and “tell your story”.

Suites, Rivers and the Good Old Days

Just a quick note to catch up on a few things:

1. This week was the release of the long awaited Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite. Suites pack a lot of value. I would hear a lot of conversation in the halls at Autodesk University about how you’d love to try Navisworks but can’t talk the boss into buying it. Or Civil Visualization is so cool, but you don’t have Max Design. Here is your chance to sell the boss on value!

The Ultimate Suite includes:

AutoCAD®
AutoCAD® Map 3D
Autodesk® Storm and Sanitary Analysis
AutoCAD® Civil 3D®
Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design
Autodesk® Navisworks® Manage

I’ll write a lot more about this over coming weeks as I work through creating workflow videos myself.

Jack has some Navisworks files and things you can play with- check out his post BIM for Infrastructure - in a box! on From the Ground Up.

2. Don’t forget to download Project River for Civil 3D and Map 3D. When I track stats on blog posts, the search “Civil 3D and HEC-RAS” or “CAD to HEC-RAS” is always one of the most common search terms. Project River is the next generation of Boss International’s former RiverCAD. Check it out and join the conversation. Download the program and learn more at: http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/civil3d_river/ 

3. Speaking of blog posts, I noticed last week that one of my most popular posts of yore turns five years old today. Parcel Rules- Explained on Civil 3D Rocks. (Civil 3D Rocks is proof that you have to take a lot of bad screenshots before you learn how to take good ones, so be kind if you dig around there.)

I don’t even know how to describe it… Project Galileo

You’ve heard me (and Lynda and her dinosaurs) talk about LandXplorer and how I think it can really change the way that we as Civil Engineers and Infrastructure professionals tell our story and develop our projects.

Now, the next generation of city modeling, geospatial data aggregation and conceptual design tools are upon us with Project Galileo. Download Project Galileo for free from Autodesk Labs here.

If you haven’t taken a moment to watch the Project Galileo preview video- do yourself a favor and have a look. Bring your everyday, boring geospatial data to life. Combine with building models if you have them, or make some from building footprints. Slap in some roads. Try this, try that. See how it looks when it all comes together. Tell a bigger story, go through more designs. I cannot think of a tool that Urban Planners, Civil Engineers, Public Works professionals, Landscape Architects need more than this.

Learn how to get started with Project Galileo through the Tutorials Playlist on Youtube (you can also download the videos and sample data here.)

Speaking of telling our story- have you seen this animation? I am not sure whether to laugh, cry or start a grass roots action campaign whenever I watch this video that depicts a typical conversation between a public works engineer and a citizen on a street that requires improvements. Not only is some of our logic about road improvements flawed, but notice how the loveable bear can’t seem to paint a good visual picture of what would happen in the theoretical project, nor does he have a good way of selling the citywide vision or showing alternatives.

Can You Use AutoCAD WS with Civil 3D?

Let’s say I am working closely with a member of my field crew or construction manager. They have my paper drawings, I could send them out with dwfs, but its really just becoming annoying trying to understand what they are talking about on the phone when you aren’t looking at the same thing… “Are you on page three? The bottom left? Which manhole? Well, look at the table….”

Then to compile all of their stuff once they get back in the office. All they really want to do is sit down, have a cup of coffee and have ONE MOMENT OF PEACE, but here you are up in their face.

What if you could try something different? When I first heard about AutoCAD WS, I will fully admit to having no idea what I would do with it. Then Arnab talked me into uploading some drawings for him and we played around. Suddenly, LIGHTBULBS people. LIGHTBULBS.

So here is a model I have in Civil 3D of a small commerical site. The trick is to save it with PROXYGRAPHICS set to 1. This may make your file size larger. What this setting does is it stores some object information in the dwg file itself so that anyone you pass the dwg to can use it without the object enablers**. AutoCAD WS works in 2D only and doesn’t understand Civil 3D objects with all of their information. That’s OK. For our field communication example, we don’t need to it.

I go to www.autocadws.com and create an account on my computer. I upload my file. Note I can also upload DXF, PNG, GIF, CTB, STB, SHX, TTF and JPG.

Once in WS, I can see the drawing. I click Share to send it to my colleague. They get an email notification.

If they are working on an iPhone or iPad, send them to www.autocadws.com/mobile to download the app.  Once they have it, they just click on the link and are taken in to the drawing right away.

Once they are in the drawing, I get a note saying they have entered the drawing! I can chat with them! I see them moving around and doing things- like adding dimensions and notes for me.

Or maybe the existing trees that I had on the plan had been removed. They can quickly delete them right then and there.

When we are done, I can download the drawing to continue what I need to do in Civil 3D.

The Civil 3D objects have remained intact through the process and I also have my colleague’s comments and edits!

Other ideas for using AutoCAD WS in the Civil Engineering World:

• Running a meeting over the web with a review agency during conceptual design
• Showing a client a site layout and getting their feedback in real time
• Working with the Landscape Architect or Electric Utility designer – sharing drawings, giving each other feedback, making notes…
• Your ideas? Try it!

**This may not work for every single Civil 3D object. Try it with your model and see what comes through. Typically, feature lines will not come through.

Join me at the AEC Virtual Event: 10-5-2010

I really haven’t been doing a very good job reminding you about upcoming events. I left my house sometime in mid-August for what appeared to be a “quick meeting in Utah”. Six weeks later, I find myself back in my office surrounded by piles and piles of unopened packages, inches of dust and an empty sugar-free Jolly Rangers bag. My kids have turned my workstation into a full time Reader Rabbit and Webkinz arcade. It’s time to get out my machete, tame my overgrown spider plant and get back into the normal routine.

The good thing about the AEC Virtual Event is that it is… virtual. It’s not like I am here saying- oh yeah, and don’t forget to fly to San Francisco tomorrow! You certainly could tell the boss it was in San Francisco, I won’t rat on you. Just be sure to pack your bikini and a fleece jacket, that SFO weather always surprises me.

Here are a few highlights of tomorrow’s event

(sign up at http://aec.experience.autodesk.com):

Stormwater Management Design Using AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 and Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis with Dana Probert, P.E. (that’s me!)

In this session, we'll design a storm water management system for a commercial site. We'll build upon data from the drainage planning study and show how to do a surface analysis and determine drainage catchments in Civil 3D®, model a pipe network in Civil 3D and then share the pipe network and catchment information with Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis. Once the system has been refined, we'll update the Civil 3D model. Join this session and learn how to do a surface analysis and determine drainage catchments in Civil 3D, design a drainage system in Civil 3D, share pipe network and catchment information with SSA, perform analysis in SSA, create Reports and update the Civil 3D model.

Communicating Design Intent with Visualization for Roads and Highways with Eddie Perlberg

Every design has a story to tell, and design visualization is the key to telling that story in a compelling fashion. Whether you are taking designs through review and approval processes or soliciting public comment, impressive design visualizations can make a difference. In this session, we'll use a road design project to show attendees to use AutoCAD® Civil 3D® along with Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design to validate designs, to communicate design intent to project stakeholders, to win more work for an organization.http://aec.experience.autodesk.com

Avoiding Detours in your Civil 3D Workflow with James Wedding, P.E.

In this session, we'll drive around the Civil 3D product and Subscription Advantage Pack to explore new tools and old tricks to making the most of your design software. We'll explore turning analysis, managing styles, sharing data, and improvements to point functionality. We'll also explore a grab-bag of James' favorite Civil 3D tools that you're probably ignoring. Join this session and learn how to perform simple turning analysis for your development projects, swap road design pieces on the fly without rebuilding the entire model, overwrite your Civil 3D styles from a managed template, share your design data using Autodesk's Project Butterfly and use the Drive tool to explore your site.

Take your Planning to the Next Level with AutoCAD MAP 3D with Michael Schlosser, P. Eng., GISP

Effective planning is essential to successful projects. Whether finding the best site for a new building; planning a new corridor for a transmission line or transportation project; or developing a master plan for a college campus, city, or utility network, it all starts with developing a thorough understanding of existing conditions and evaluating potential alternatives. Join Michael Scholosser, Autodesk's infrastructure subject matter expert, as he demonstrates how AutoCAD® Map 3D helps AEC professionals easily access, integrate, and analyze geospatial information to better plan and evaluate future projects. You will learn how you can access many types of geospatial data formats including information about existing roads, utilities, land use, and environmental impact. You will learn how to integrate that information with preliminary designs to better evaluate your project in a geographic, data-rich context. And you will learn how to conduct geospatial analysis based on this information to help inform critical design decisions much earlier in the process. Finally, you will learn how Map 3D can be used to develop the exhibits that are critical to building stakeholder approval for your projects.

 

Also check out:

The Power of BIM: Smoother Construction with Autodesk Navisworks

AutoCAD 2011: The Top 10 Things You Need to Know

Increase Productivity with CAD Interoperability

and tons more!

Civil Visualization Extension- Live on the Subscription Center!

The wait is over! Now is your chance to show me what you can do! I expect to see images and videos and LOTS of them, people!

I’ve uploaded a workflow demonstration for working with Civil 3D, Max Design and the Civil Visualization Extension to the Civil 3D Facebook Fan Page.

The Civil Visualization Extension is now LIVE on the Subscription Center for AutoCAD Civil 3D subscription customers and Autodesk 3DS Max Design Customers. (Formerly Dynamite VSP.)

For Civil 3D customers, you will need to install the 30 day trial of Max Design, then download and install the Civil 3D piece (it’s an exporter) then the Max Design piece (special content, civil-oriented user interface and more that runs inside Max Design.)

Once you have it all installed, read the detailed Using the Autodesk Civil Visualization Extension for 3ds Max Design and AutoCAD Civil 3D (pdf).

I also recommend Bruce Harfield’s class from Autodesk University 2009 where he shows a typical workflow from Civil 3D to Dynamite (Civil Visualization Extension). The whitepaper above is actually based on this class: Producing Compelling Visualization for Civil Engineering Project Proposals. There is a screencast you can watch online or download, and a podcast as well.

If you are not sure of your login information for the Subscription Center (or not sure if you are on subscription)- ask your CAD Manager or reseller.

www.autodesk.com/subscription

For more information about the Civil Visualization Extension, visit www.autodesk.com/civilvis.

It’s a Little Like Second Life mixed with BIM and a Flip Camera

I have to laugh when people are trying to explain an event or a new website and they say things like…

“It’s like a combination of Starbucks, Facebook and a box of crackers.” or “It’s like Twitter, only you access it through your microwave.”

I just signed up for the Autodesk Seize the Opportunity Virtual Event on April 19. It’s not just webcasts, but also a virtual conference complete with booths and exhibit hall. I didn’t do it last year, but from what I understand you “walk around” and interact with people at the booths.

Jerry Bartels will be conducting a session called On the Road to Success: Autodesk Solutions for Roads and Highways. The session is focused on using Civil 3D for a road project, but also incorporates tools from Map 3D and Navisworks to tell the entire story.

Another session that caught my eye was Better Planning for Better Designs with AutoCAD Map 3D.

If you are looking for an “in person” event, you can search for one near you here.

There is also a give away for a flip camera. That could be fun.

For every webcast, chat and booth you visit, or just for completing a quick survey, you'll earn points that qualify you to win a FLIP Video Camcorder.

• 25 points: Attend a webcast, chat or booth.
• 50 points: Complete our survey*.

Every 100 points you earn, enters you in our random drawing to win a new FLIP video camcorder.

*One survey per attendee.

Here is a list of sessions from the event on April 19, 2010. Register today!

On-Demand

Take Control with AutoCAD LT 2011 Software

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. PT (11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET)

Go Beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping with Autodesk Inventor 2011

Take Control with AutoCAD Electrical 2011

BIM for Buildings Renovation & Retrofits

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. PT (12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET)

See the Difference: Lynn Allen's AutoCAD 2011 Tips & Techniques

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PT (12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET)

Accelerate Mechanical Design with AutoCAD Mechanical 2011

Better Planning for Better Designs with AutoCAD Map 3D

Winning More Business with BIM for Construction

North Avenue Post Showcases Autodesk Smoke for Mac OS X (Ends at 10:15 PT)

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT (2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET)

3D Conceptual Design Using AutoCAD 2011 Software

On the Road to Success: Autodesk Solutions for Roads and Highways

Bringing Dragon Age to Life: Digital Actors in an Epic RPG (Ends at 12:15 PT)

12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT (3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET)

Getting to Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Buildings

How Click 3X Created Super Bowl E*TRADE Spots 'First Class', 'Lottery', and 'Girlfriend' (Ends at 12:45 PT)

Ready for the Excitement? Lots of News Coming 3/25/10

Tomorrow, March 25, 2010, we announce all kinds of fun things about the coming products. While it’s not exactly the type of geek frenzy that gets whipped up around that fruit company’s stuff, there are tons of great features that I know you will get excited about.

The day starts with:

Live Webcast on New 2011 Products at 12PM EDT (9AM PDT)

Carl Bass and Amar Hanspal will host an hour-long, live webcast featuring updates to the Autodesk product portfolio for the AEC, manufacturing, and general design industries. Arnab Ganguly, Sr. AEC Technical Marketing Manager, will showcase the great new features in the 2011 AEC products being launched tomorrow, demonstrating how Autodesk is continuing to innovate with BIM solutions that deliver real competitive advantage for our customers.

Register today at http://www.autodesk.com/webcast

AEC = Architecture, Engineering and Construction, which includes we civil engineers. Arnab will talk about products like Civil 3D, Revit Architecture, Map 3D, Revit Structure, Revit MEP, Navisworks, and more.

Arnab is on my team along with Karen and Lynda. 

At 1PM EDT, Dave Simeone and I will be hosting a select group of Civil 3D bloggers and discussion group regulars for a more detailed sneak peek of tools in Civil 3D. We’re allowing live tweeting and blogging!

I’ve made a twitter list of some of the attendees so that you can watch their reactions, and over the next few days I will link to anything they post, along with my own perspectives. (If you are attending and I’ve missed your name on my list, please let me know.)

Can’t Make it to AU? Try Virtual or Local Events!

Two new things this year to satisfy your hunger for knowledge.

Autodesk University Virtual

Sit at your desk and check out the keynotes, tons of classes for all discplines (including classes from Peter Funk, Rad Lazic, Matt Anderson, and Scott McEachron). AU Virtual Premier Pass is free for subscription customers, and each person who registers for the main AU event in Las Vegas gets 4 free premier passes to share with friends. Learn more about all of the options at the Autodesk University Virtual page. And be sure to check out the impressive list of classes at the AU Virtual class catalog.

Here’s a video of Lynn Allen talking about AU Virtual.

Autodesk University Extension

So this year, Autodesk is extending the benefits of AU by sharing classes and content from the event with Authorized Training Centers (ATC®). The result is a new worldwide initiative called Autodesk University Extension.

From December 4 – 11, 2009, there will be over 100 free training events, held in 35 countries hosted by over 90 Authorized Training Center sites, so chances are there may be an event near you! This is a great new opportunity to upgrade your skills and connect with peers and experts—without the cost of traveling to Las Vegas. Our program is free and we invite you to join us.

Autodesk University Extension Event

The Autodesk University Extension event combines expert-led class content from AU in Las Vegas with face-to-face interaction with local instructors and other users. At the event, you will receive:

• Free training, including classes recorded at AU in Las Vegas
• 90 days of free access to 350 classes recorded at AU, archived on AU Online, and available to you on-demand

Plus, you may purchase additional training and certification (where available) at significant discounts.

To find out what’s available, select a participating country and an Authorized Training Center (ATC) to view event details.