Data Collection using a 3-D Template

[rdawson]

I would like to collect data on curb and gutters by only shooting one point (say the flow line) and apply a 3-D template, assembly, etc and have C3D generate the geometry for the back of curb, front of curb and the edge of pavement.

In a previous field to finish software we were able to define template and have it apply to the one shot that we took along the gutter line.

Does anyone o=know of a way to do this with C3D 2012?

[odoshi]

Templates are now called Assemblies in Civil 3D. To go from Survey Points to running an Assembly down your shots would require several intermediate steps and objects.

Ex: Survey Points connected with a Figure or Polyline

Polyline/Figure converted to Alignemnt/Profile

Define Assembly for section view

Apply Assembly to build Corridor...

The best bet may be to create a 3D figure based on your shots, then use the Offset Figure command to go left/right and up/down.

Then you have your breaklines for your surface.

Regards,

Mike

http://www.whitemountaincad.com

http://civildisobedience3d.wordpress.com

[rdawson]

I was afraid that would be the answer but I was hoping for a better solution. Thanks for your reply.

[Jeff_M]

I think something like this may be what you are looking for:

Link to Help file

[rdawson]

Spoiler

I appreciate this. I looked at the H and V offsets but I was thinking the offsets had to be input for each shot but thanks to your help it appears they just need to be input at the beginning and that they will be applied at each shot until the line ends,

[Jason.Hickey]

What data collection software are you using? I only know of one that would create the figures (so to speak) "automatically" and it's not mainstream at all. 

It is possible to do what you are trying to do using some very fancy coding, but you'll have to specify the offsets explicitly, and in my opinion, the work involved makes it not worth the effort, plus I don't get peace of mind on my surveys knowing that my field crews are assuming that a curb and gutter are poured uniformly when they're collecting data. Here's how the points would be coded if you were shooting the flowline of an 18" curb and gutter:

101,5000.00,5000.00,100.00,BC1 BEG H1.0 V0.1666666 H-0.1 V0.5 H-0.6 V0.0

102 5000.00,5100,00,100.00, BC1

103,5000.00,5200.00,100.00,BC1

104,5000.00,5300.00,100.00,BC1 SO

This offset figure is defined by the first line - BC1 BEG begins the figure BC1, the first H1.0 V0.1666666 defines the edge of pavement (offsetting the flowline to the right) - the following two define the top face of curb and the back of curb. The problem is that some very popular survey data collection packages do not allow that much information to be stored in the description. There's a lot to keep straight there, I think it would be much quicker to walk it and shoot the points (especially for my peace of mind) - but that's just me.

[Jason.Hickey]

Looks like Jeff just gave you the link faster than I could type 🙂 

No, you don't have to do it for each point - once you start the offset, it runs until you use the SO command or end the figure.

[rdawson]

we are currently using SDC and its a great product but I am trying to eliminate it and use C3D

I think the "fancy coding" is the best solution yet however another issuse just came up. We have the different lines on different layers. By using the method above all of the lines lines will come in on the same layer which means we will have to manually change layers.

If any one else has any better ideas lets hear them.

Thanks Jeff, Jason and all.

[Jason.Hickey · Accepted solution]

Yes, the different layers are going to be the kicker here - the figure will retain the same name for the offsets, which will make it follow the figure style of the base (flowline) figure. No way to split those up, unfortunately.

[Rex4cooper]

Check out SmartDraft PConnect at www.smartdraft.com. It is an ease to use Civil 3D add-in for field-to-finish processing of point data which supports 3D templates. You collect the data of the one point in the field (top-of-curb, flowline, c/l, etc.), add the code for the template name in the the field. In the office, create the 3d template and process.

We have a couple video demonstrations on the website, You can download a 30 day trial.

Enjoy,

Rex Cooper

Technical Product Manager

SmartDraft

http://www.smartdrarft.com