You are correct. Civil3D is not an easy program to learn. There are many users within the engineering field who feel it is worth the effort. The benefits of using C3D when creating profiles, as well as other engineering-type drawings, comes at a price and that price is the time you must put into learning it.
If you are a student, you may download a free Student Version, subject to Autodesk's student verification. While Autodesk promotes the educational use of their programs, it does not permit any Student Version to be used when drawing for commercial purposes. (A violation may, or may not, result in a loss of license.)
Warning, all student versions of AutoCAD will generate a 'Student Version' watermark on all hardcopies and any digital printed output. The watermark is hardcoded in the dwg and once the drawing is saved in a student version, you cannot get rid of it. Even if you subsequently open the dwg in a non-student version, the watermark will remain.
If you want C3D and believe you can benefit from some of its functions but don't have the program, then you are are probably handicapping your firm. Tell you boss to buy it along with a training course(s) so you and your firm can remain competitive in the industry.
Chicagolooper
