Creating 3-dimensional structures for use in C3D drawings

[sericksonZQUWJ]

I recently crossed over from the mechanical design side of things where we used a lot of parametric 3D modeling software like Creo and SolidWorks, so please forgive me if I'm asking for something that can't be done!

Basically we create a lot of plan and profile views of structures, piping, equipment, etc that are separate from each other (i.e. moving a wall or pipe in plan view doesn't automatically move it in profile view). My instinct is to look for a way that everything can be modeled in 3 dimensions, then views and sections created and placed in our drawings. That way, if I want to move a pipe I can just move it in the 3D model and it will update in all the views, rather than having to remember everywhere that pipe shows up and move each one individually.

Is that possible in C3D, or can I do it in another AutoDesk product like Inventor or Revit and link that to my C3D drawings?

Thanks!

[AllenJessup]

Well... Pipe Networks are dynamically linked in Civil 3D. Editing one pipe or structure affects those linked to it.

Many thing in Civil 3D are dynamically linked. Surfaces are linked to the entities that created them. Existing Profiles are linked to the Surfaces they reference. So are cross-sections. Corridors are linked to the Alignment and Assemblies they are created from. Finished Corridor Surfaces are linked to the Corridor, Alignment and Assemblies.

Walls and plumbing is more of a Revit thing. But from my understanding. They're even more linked that items in Civil 3D.

[tcorey]

Take a look at the Pipes tutorials that come with the software. I think you'll find it works the way you describe.

[sericksonZQUWJ]

I've been playing around with pipe networks, pressure networks, and surfaces, and seeing how they're dynamically linked is what got me wondering about walls and whatnot.

Do you happen to know if it's possible to link across software? For example, building a structure in Revit that's dynamically linked to a drawing in C3D?

Thanks!

[sericksonZQUWJ]

As an alternative, can I do the modeling and create drawings in Revit, that can then be added to the same sheet set as my C3D drawings?

[AEC_Cadd]

I don't know if this will help you or not but the only thing that I know of will show up in a plan and profile sheet is a surface. I do my architectural work using Autodesk Architecture, not Revit. If you use Revit, you can convert the rvt file to an AutoCAD file.

What I do is in a blank dwg, xref the floor plan, copy the perimeter with a poly line, unload the xref, and convert the polyline to a feature line. Then I use the feature line offset to offset it .01 feet to the inside and 10' high.

Then create a surface from the feature lines and extract the triangles. 

Go to your civil dwg and copy, paste in the triangles to the building location. Make sure the building elevation is correct. Next create a surface from the 3d faces of the building and then you have the building surface that will show up in a plan and profile dwg. After that, you could add your pipes or whatever else is necessary.

There might be other ways of doing this but this is the only way that works for me.

[RonaldBrañez]

Hi @sericksonZQUWJ 
the plugin SOLIDOS looks promising for what you're looking to do.
>Video<

>Website<
Maybe @neyton_  can explain better.

Regards.

[My_Civil_3D]

this is really good, just to bad its so expensive due to my countries economy being ****

[neyton_]

See, Civil 3D is aimed at infrastructure design. As such, their links to civil construction projects are not a big deal, nor should they be given the nature of these projects.

In case you need to design pipelines in the scope of infrastructure projects, Civil 3D has the PipeNetwork tool, for deep drainage networks and also for deep sewer networks.

For pressurized networks (drinking water), there is PressureNetwork.

Both have great features for drawing in plan as well as in profile and section.

Note, the purpose of Civil 3D is the infrastructure design as a whole, so it is not recommended for structural detailing of structures (manholes or connection boxes, for example)

Therefore, the design of these structures generally boils down to simple parallelepipeds. They are 3D, but they only show the outside.

It is dynamic, if you move a structure or tube in plan, the profile or section views are updated.

Knowing the limitation of Civil 3D to better detail these structures, I developed a plugin that replaces PipeNetwork and also PressureNetwork: https://tbn2net.com/SOLIDOS

It allows drainage, water and sewer devices in more detail, in addition to integrating the SWMM and EPANET simulation engines.

It also calculates trenching and much more. You can test it for free, just register on the site and download it.