Civil 3d 2018 Create Alignment from an Object?

[Anonymous]

I haven't yet created an alignment with our new version C3D 2018.  I usually just get linework from the engineer and turn it into an alignment via CreateAlignmentEntities, which turns my desired lines (or in this case polylines) into Alignments.

In previous versions (2015, 2017), after the object was selected, you would be prompted to approve or reverse the direction of the alignment, i.e. where it starts 0+00 from.  It showed a little arrow in the desired direction until confirmed.

Now there is no arrow...  See Screencast.

I basically have to guess which way it will be doing the alignment, and if it does it wrong, I have to start over.

Am I wrong that there was an arrow as part of the deal, or am I just crazy?  

[Jowennl · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

You are right if you create alignment from object it should show arrow. But ideally you don't need that arrow at all. Just keep in mind a simple rule: Pick closest to where you want to start and that will be the from direction. 

See sample animated gif.

AlignmentFromObject.gif - Pick close to start then that will be your from direction

Cheers,

Jowenn

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

And if the direction goes the wrong way its easily reversible without starting over.

Select the alignment and the ribbon will show the alignment tools. Pull down the bottom of the Modify section and select Reverse Direction.  You'll get a warning that this change may affect other elements based on this alignment direction but at this point it hasn't been used for anything.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Guys.  It has to be drawing specific.  And since this dwg was created (by me) using a 2017 template, that may be where the issue lies.  I just don't have the time to set up new template files, so perhaps I will do so and try again.

It seems the screencast didn't attach, so lets try again.