Carlson Connect for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011

In the words of England Dan and John Ford Coley:

"Hello, yeah, it's been awhile. Not much. How 'bout you?"

Anyways, I was recently told that Carlson Connect was made available for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011. Click on the title of this post to get to the download page.

Be Better! ...Connect with others.

Civil 3D 2011 Update 1

Update 1 has been released for Civil 3D 2011. It includes all previous Hotfixes for Civil 3D 2011, AutoCAD Update 1.1 and Map Update 1.

This update addresses over 50 Civil 3D specific issues.

As always read the Readme file that accompanies the Update.

Be Better! ...Enhance things.

If Importing Google Earth Surface Stops

I was recently contacted by a few Civil 3D users that were attempting to import a Google Earth surface into their drawings. The importation process would stop at about 49%. I made the following video to address their issue.

Be Better! ...get the settings sets.

Working with DGN files in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011

James Wedding. Autodesk Civil Engineering Technical Specialist, has posted a video describing Civil 3D 2011's ability to work with and create dgn files in the following scanarios...

1. needing to work with legacy .dgn data
2. work with design teams using other applications/platforms
3. submit to an agency requiring dgn

If you have ever found yourself wondering how best to address those needs you should view this video.

Be Better! ...work well with others.

Civil 3D 2011 Hotfix

On June 17th there was a hotfix released that addresses a few items including:

• Creating a feature line from a closed polyline with assigned elevations no longer causes the program to exit.
• Help now appears as expected when running Civil 3D as AutoCAD 2011.
• Datasets containing large numbers of control and non-control points now open and import more quickly.
• Figure prefix databases will now match lower case figure names.
• You can now create parcels from multiple objects selected in a DGN underlay.
• Application Product Interface changes are included that improve:
1. Point group import functionality
2. Custom draw issues with second command instances in localized Japanese builds

Most of the fixes relate to Survey, but a few do not. This should help.

Be Better! ...fix things.

Optimizing Performance with AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011

Last year's version of this video was one of the Civil 3D YouTube videos that I referred to most often. It is great to see that the "Optimizing Performance with AutoCAD Civil 3D..." was updated for 2011.

This 15 minute video offers many tips and processes to increase the performance of Civil 3D. Additionally, metrics are sometimes provided to put the potential gain into perspective.

Covered topics include...

• Subassemblies
• Profile Views
• Label Styles
• Surfaces
• Corridors
• Layouts
• Proxygraphics
• Event Viewer and Tooltips
• Data Management

I am sure that I will be watching this many times and referring to it in my interactions with users.

Be Better! ...plan to perform optimally.

AutoCAD Raster Design 2011 Object Enabler

The AutoCAD Raster Design 2011 Object Enabler is now available for download here.

This will allow objects created in AutoCAD Raster Design 2011 (once available) to be accessed outside the Raster Design environment.

There is a 32-bit and 64-bit version.

Be Better!

The Civil Visualization Extension is Available

As of today, those with AutoCAD Civil 3D on subscription will be able to download "The Civil Visualization Extension" (previously know as Dynamite VSP).

This extension provides a process to take Civil 3D surfaces and corridors and easily incorporate them in 3ds Max Design in order to create compelling visualizations.

There are two plug-ins in this extension. "The Civil 3D Exporter" allow us to export the data we select, and the "3ds Max Design Plug-in" does the magic. These plug-in work for the 2010 and 2011 versions of these applications.

If you do not own 3ds Max Design, a 30 day trial can be download from the Subscription Center as well.

Be Better! ...visualize things well.

The Autodesk Seize the Opportunity Virtual Event

On Monday, April 19th, Autodesk is hosting a virtual event showcasing the 2011 products. Various sessions we be presented by Autodesk speakers.

The Civil session will be from 11:30 am-12:oo pm PDT and is titled:
"On the Road to Success: Autodesk Solutions for Roads and Highways"
and will be hosted by Jerry Bartels, a GREAT civil presenter.

The sessions that day will include sneak peaks at some of the upcoming product before they are available.

Registration is required. Please vist the event page by clicking on the title of this post for more information and to register.

Be Better! ...attend important events.