Sweep paths for vehicles

[bensonburleson1782]

I find it absurd that AutoCad C3D doesn't have a vehicle sweep routine built in to the design software. This is as basic to roadway design as superelevation is to horizontal curvature. Am I missing something? Is it there, or is there some reason it is not there? Very frustrating.

Buying third party software such as AutoTurn or Pathplanner R4 seems ridiculous.

[tcorey]

It's not there. You need a third-party program.

[sboon]

I would bet that the number of Civil3d users who need this feature is actually in the minority, and that the number of users who need it often enough to require a full time license is very small.  If Autodesk were to include this feature in the base software then a lot of people are paying for something they wouldn't use.

We have several network licenses for AutoTurn, and our IT department has it set up so that any C3D user can use the software if a license is available.  The cost of doing it this way is significantly less than it would be if it were inside of Civil3d.

Steve
Please use the Accept as Solution or Kudo buttons when appropriate

[tcorey]

Well put, Steve.

[bensonburleson1782]

Dually noted.... however; there are quite a few routines that I, as a user, will never need as well in C3D. The roundabout design feature being a big one and the rail feature another. I do understand that this product is used in a multitude of disiplines, but if you are going to roll out a design software that is used to design roadways, it seems that sweep paths are a necessary item. And I can't believe that it would blot the cost of a seat. Not like the 3000+ dollars for a single seat of Autoturn, plus a 700 buck annual maintenance fee.......

Thanks for your insight into my question.

[Neilw_05]

I would have to agree with the OP. C3D is as much a site design tool as a road design tool and site designers very much need to evaluate turn paths. We could get by with a basic 2D tool in most cases, so we would not need to have all the capabilities (and cost) of AutoTurn. I think a simple tool could be provided for a minimal, if any, increase in  cost.

[sboon · Accepted solution]

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@bensonburleson1782 wrote:

Dually noted.... however; there are quite a few routines that I, as a user, will never need as well in C3D. The roundabout design feature being a big one and the rail feature another. I do understand that this product is used in a multitude of disiplines, but if you are going to roll out a design software that is used to design roadways, it seems that sweep paths are a necessary item. And I can't believe that it would blot the cost of a seat. Not like the 3000+ dollars for a single seat of Autoturn, plus a 700 buck annual maintenance fee.......

Thanks for your insight into my question.

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This has always been the big problem for Autodesk - picking through all of the stuff that encompasses Civil work (survey, hydrology, roads, etc) and deciding what functions have enough user demand to cover the cost of putting them in Civil 3d, or offering them as add-ons with extra cost, or leaving them to the 3rd party market.

Steve
Please use the Accept as Solution or Kudo buttons when appropriate

[tcorey]

Autodesk Exchange had a turn radius tool for free at one point. I can't find it now. Anyone know about this?

AutoTurn is 3 grand? I had no idea. And people complain about the cost of Civil 3D. Compare what one does for three grand vs. the other for seven and it makes Civil 3D look like a steal.

Maybe if we ask real nice we can get Jeff_M to come out with an AutoTurn knock-off for a few hundred. Jeff?

[Neilw_05]

By the way, anyone who has Microstation can get a free turn path tool here: http://www.glamsen.se/MSTurn.htm.

Perhaps there is something similar for Autocad out there.

[Neilw_05]

I just discovered there is a free version for Autocad as well: http://www.glamsen.se/CadTools.htm

Problem solved?

[troma]

I tested this one once:
http://hawsedc.com/gnu/turn.php
But I didn't get very far with it.

[bensonburleson1782]

Actually, $3,800.00. I didn't have my facts straight. Sorry

[Publication1]

[Joe-Bouza]

Oooh Major thanks, Neil. I love free stuff <G>

[AllenJessup]

Transoft, makers of AutoTurn, is an Autodesk Partner. Autodesk doesn't put their partners out of bushiness. They only try to do that to the competition. That's why you'll never see certain functions that were developed and are being sold by a Partner in any Autodesk software and why a Partner will never develop tools that directly compete with certain parts of Autodesk software.

Allen Jessup

[jmayo-EE]

I'm a big fan of AutoTrack by Savoy but I got to agree w/ Joe. Free stuff is always nice. Kudos Neil. Literally. 🙂

[dasindog]

I haven't been able to get the Cadtools utility to work. I use the turn.lsp very often and although it is "clunky" it gets the job done. I am goin to try again to get Cadtools working. Thanks for the reminder about this.

[Neilw_05]

What is the problem you are having with CadTools? Mine work fine.

[dasindog]

Once installed I start Civil 3D, run cadtools as admin. When I try to execute any of the cadtools commands it reports there is no instance of CAD running. 

[bensonburleson1782]

Check what version of cad Cadtools is looking for in the settings. Mine did the same until I pointed to the right version

[Publication1]

[dasindog]

Yeah, I checked that. Using 2013 and that's what it's looking for. Even tried typing the version in manually with no luck.