How to create a legend that summarizes the layers shown in the viewport?

[smateNWGBA]

Hello!

I have a series of single-viewport layouts that I need to create a legend for. In the example shown below there are Parcel boundaries (purple), Buildable areas (green) and various Scour profiles in the oranges. Each of these is a distinct layer in the model. 

The goal is to create a legend on the right side of the layout that shows the layer name or description and the linetype that represents it. The results of my current attempt is shown above the blue arrow sketched in, generated with the following workflow:

Layout Tools --> Layout Elements --> Legend --> Select the Viewport shown

From reading the documentation it sounds like the legend is showing all layers listed in the Display Manager, but when opening the Display Manager I do not see how to add or remove any layers. 

Thank you in advance for the help!

[Matheus-Lima · Accepted solution]

Hi @smateNWGBA!

This legend shows the layers in Map 3D. If the Parcel boundaries, Buildable areas (green)....are in Civil 3D, you may add them to your Display Manager like this:

And then, you may add a style for each layer...

By doing that, the layers will be in your Legend.

Hope it helps!

[smateNWGBA]

Hey @Matheus-Lima !

Thank you so much for offering some support here. Your approach seems promising, but I am not seeing the same options that are present on your screen. I am very new to Civil 3D so it's entirely possible I am just doing something incorrectly. What I see in the TOOLSPACE window is the following:

I see that the tab you have open is the Display Manager, so when I enter the Display Manager command the following window is all that comes up:

[Matheus-Lima]

@smateNWGBANo problem at all !

Basically, Map 3D is another software inside Civil 3D. Civil 3D is for infrastructure design. Map 3D, instead, is used more for GIS purposes. If there is a Toolspace, you are in Civil 3D.

If you choose the option I printed here "Planning and Analysis", you will change to Map 3D. And instead of the Toolspace, you will see the Map Task Pane, with that "Map Base" that appears in your Legend.

So the issue back there, you had objects in Civil 3D and the Legend only shows objects from Map 3D.

I suggest you take a look here: 
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/civil-3d-forum/civil-3d-vs-map-3d/m-p/6827792/highlight/true#M327681

and here if you are interested in Map 3D:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-map-3d/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2023/EN...

Regards,

[Matheus-Lima]

And if you want just to create a Legend of your layers, you may be interested in this LISP. With it, you can create a Legend (not dynamic) with all layers from your Viewport only using Civil 3D.

Link: https://skillamplifier.com/automatic-layer-legend/

And perhaps, for mapping purposes, a GIS workflow with QGIS, ESRI solutions... might suit you best.

[Joe-Bouza]

Outside Map and FDO schemes from a CAD point of view this is a standards issue. Standard templates could have legends pre defined. But I am also pragmatic and know this type of standards is fairy tale stuff. Sorry cad managers

my suggestion in you work flow save a view in MS called lengen(n) as you work place a line one the layer you are working or a block or whatever. Now the legend evolves with your work. Open a view port on the right side and restore saved views legend(n)

ps the layer name can be picked up in a field using curren layer parameter copy and convert to text as you go

[Joe-Bouza]

NICE!