AutoCAD Civil 3D

[#1]

I am a very recent convert to Civil 3d (within the last week, in fact!) -- I have been using LDD for many, many years.  As a surveyor, one of the routines that I most use is determining the bearing and distance between two points.  I have not been able to find a method to accomplish this task in a simple and speedy way in Civil 3d.  Drawing a line between the two points in question and then listing the line's properties (and then having to delete the line when finished) seems like a waste of steps, especially when compared to what it took in LDD.  The "Help" section does not address this problem, so I'm hoping to get some feedback from this forum. 

Thank you for your input!

[#2]

I think most people use the DIST command. There's also the Inquiry tool, although that's not as accessible as the DIST command.

I prefer the PTINV command.  It's only available in the Sincpac-C3D, a third-party add-on, but it gives much more useful output than the DIST command, including both 2D and 3D distances between your pick points.

[#3]

Thank you for your reply.  I have tried the "DIST" command, but it only returns a horizontal measurement between two points -- it unfortunatelly doesn't provide a bearing to go along with the distance.

[#4]

Are you looking for the Brng & dist between 2 AECC points of just any 2 points you can pick in AutoCAD?

Allen

[#5]

You can just the Inquiry Tool and select the Point1 and Point2 coordinates from anything you can snap to.

See Attached image.

But the best way to get an inverse between 2 points is the use he CGLIST command. You can list the info on a line or curve by selecting the object or you can select Points and snap to end, mid, center points or any other point you can usually snap to. You can also us the Transparent  Commands to snap to AECC points by name or number or Select the Point Object.

Allen

[#6]

Allen:

This problem involves two aecc points...

[#7]

Thanks Allen -- I'll give it a try.

[#8]

Point Inverse through the Inquiry Tool is the best way I've found to accomplish what you're trying to do. One thing that still baffles me about C3D though is it's inability to just place a label between two points in space and not be tied to a line.....

[#9]

Thanks for your reply.  From the feedback that I've heard from other surveyors who have migrated (or rather forced!) to Civil 3d, this software does not lend itself very well to the needs of surveyors.  Or maybe it's just that we surveyors are a difficult bunch of SOB's who are hard to please!  LOL!!

[#10]

Well, that's a fact! We are a bunch that's fairly resistant to change, but that one issue has kept us from migrating for the last 4-5 years. As I'm sure you know....that's a much needed feature in the surveying world! Without it, plats and ROS's are very difficult to draft.