MUTCD sign blocks / library?

[deltacoolguy]

MUTCD sign blocks / library?

I'm looking for a relatively simple, yet accurate, sign library for the common MUTCD signs for plan production.  The sign itself needs to be graphically shown.  For the most part I don't need anything customized.  For some reason, I'm having a hard time finding something that is relatively simple to use.

Also, just curious, if you were doing a plan set with sign graphics, which would you rather work with?  Graphic files (i.e.: jpegs, etc.), or AutoCAD blocks?  I'm thinking I'd rather use AutoCAD blocks, as I could then explode and modify them if I needed to.

[AllenJessup]

The choices seem to be to get a screen print from the MUTCD or to buy blocks or images. We bought a program that has them as WMF files so they can be used as either an image or CAD.

Allen

[LeafRiders]

We generally use AutoCAD blocks provided from the provincial AutoCAD block library. When custom signs are required we generally snip an image from a scan or PDF and and use that in plan view. (Timesaver). However, if you're trying to establish a defined library of standard blocks, you'll likely need to trace the sign images and ensure sizing is correct. I am not aware of any source that provides the MUTCD signage inventory in AutoCAD Block format.

[cwr-pae · Accepted solution]

I use a set of blocks I created from a dwg originally posted on CAD Block Exchange (I think that's the name, but the site is no longer accessible). I have seen similar things on other sites of this nature.

For what its worth here is the original file.

[ACADuser]

When preparing signing plans using AutoCad my preference is blocks/dwgs vs graphic/image files. Our current practice is just copying & pasting from other drawings to get the job done. Putting together a complete library has been on my todo list for a while.

Creating your own from nothing will take more time but gives more control over standards and consistency. Searching the internet you can find many sources for files that can be used as a starting point. For instance there is a link to a microstation cel library file on this web page: http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/cadd/cells/    (Direct download link here: http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/cadd/cells/signs/Signs.zip).

There appears to be quite a few standard signs in that library. The file is compressed format (Signs.zip) and contains the ustatoin cel library (Signs.cel). Once extracted each cell (named by mutcd code) can be imported into AutoCad using the command DGNIMPORT.  Just be sure to change the file type at the bottom of the dialog to "All DGN Files (*.*)" otherwise it won't show up in the list.  After selecting the file and clicking open you can choosed the desired cell to import. Do this for each sign and save to individual dwg files for importing as a block or if you prefer create all blocks in one dwg file.

[deltacoolguy]

I'm surprised there's not a more solid option, even at a nominal price.  I've been doing the patchwork-on-the-fly thing, too, and was hoping to bypass that.  I guess it makes sense why my initial searches came up lacking.

Anyway, thanks to all.

[Anonymous]

Here is a drawing produced by the Florida department of transportation withevery sign you might need.  Well maybe not aalllll of them :).  Go to the drawing through the design center and all the signs will show up with the sign name designations.  You also might want to down load the fdot state kit.  The have blocks, subassemblies, pavement markers,  and lots more road stuff.  Most of it is specific to Florida and requires 2015 but there is still lots of good stuff.

[Anonymous]

Let me be a little more specific. When you are in a drawing and you want to insert a sign block like R1-1 all you have to do is through design center find the downloaded cad file and click blocks. You will find a list of blocks labeled by sign designation in alphabetical order like r1-1, w2-1 ect.  The blocks also have fields in them that you can type your speed limits and other signs that may have different requirements. I hope that is more clear.

[Anonymous]

Hi Allen,

Regarding the MUTCD blocks, can I ask which program you purchased that provides those as WMF files?

Thank you.

Jason

[AllenJessup]

You're stretching my memory but I believe it was Sign Works. But it looks like it was sold to a different vendor.

You can download PDF and EPS files from https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/shsm_interim/index.htm

With recent versions of Civil you can import PDF files. There are also a bunch of utilities online to convert EPS to WMF. But since the PDF files are vector based. They should be importable.

[nwray]

I have been looking for a complete sign library for some time, but have yet to run across one.  Part of the problem is that they like to change the standards all the time, and another problem is that each state has it's own version of the MUTCD.  Sometimes the state will eliminate or override federal signs.

I have found that going to the federal or state sign guide is the best way to do the signs.  Just draw them out exactly per the current standards.  You can get the federal sign standards here.  They're pretty well organized, and have all the dimensions you need to draw them up. 

If it helps, I have been saving signs as I draw them up into one DWG so that I can use them as blocks.  I don't have a lot, but the file is attached here.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, some of the signs in the DWG are the California versions.  They are noted withe (CA) in the name.

Norm

[Anonymous]

Norm,

My versions of C3D (2015, 17) say your dwg was saved with a newer version.  Are you already using 2018?  If so, could you save it back?  I have also been compiling some symbols to use as blocks, but you may be further along than me.

Thanks,

James

[AllenJessup]

@nwray At the bottom of the page you link is the link to the PDF and EPS files.

[nwray]

Hi James,

Sorry about that.  Here is a saved back version (the next option after 2018 was 2013).  As I mentioned, not really a lot, but it may save you some work.

Norm

[nwray]

@AllenJessup Thanks for that, I missed the link before!

I do sometimes use PDF's if it's a standard sign, but we often have some minor customization that needs to be done (lots of odd variations on "no parking" signs).  Since I have to pass on the signs to our sign shop for manufacturing, I need to have the full sign in CAD so that I can give them all the dimensions.  Usually it's just easier for me to draw it out.

Norm

[AllenJessup]

Yeah. For a one off it's probably easier just to draw it. The PDF import does a fair job of vectorization in 2017. The text comes in as polylines and solids or hatches. I haven't installed 2018 yet so I don't know how well the new OCR in the PDF import works. If it does a fair job. Importing PDF may become much easier.

[Anonymous]

I started from @Anonymous's file, and modified to meet my required criteria.  Turns out I only needed 4 signs out of the whole book.  Fortunately, there were so many in there that you can easily modify them to meet your standards.

Here's my stuff

[Anonymous]

Update and summary for October 2017:

Partial library of signs in EPS and PDF format (link has been stable for several years).

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/shsm_interim/index.htm

To get these into DWG, use Inkscape to open EPS file, save as DXF. Then open in AutoCAD.

Updated link to FHWA Cell Libraries (microstation format):

https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/cadd/wfl/cells/

To get these into DWG, unzip the .cel file(s), rename the .cel to dgn, then in AutoCAD use DGNIMPORT.

Florida DOT has gone DWG and has a pretty good sign library as part of their Civil 3d state kit. Not as true looking. Uses Arial font and sign borders are not really the same. But it's free, and native DWG and has a few signs that I haven't found elsewhere. I also recommend the FDOT fonts as a potential replacement for RomanS/Simplex, RomanD, etc.
http://www.fdot.gov/cadd/downloads/software/FDOT2017CADDSoftware.shtm

Finally, check out this guy's library of signs in SVG format on wikimedia commons:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fry1989/Gallery/Road_Signs/United_States

To get these into DWG, use Inkscape to import the SVG, save as DXF, then open in AutoCAD.

I haven't done a proper comparison with using AutoCAD to import PDF to vector.. but I strongly suspect that SVG & EPS to DXF via Inkscape will give you better results. If you have access to native vector formats and programs to convert them, why bother with PDF?

[Anonymous]

One more resource (and a potential use for PDFIMPORT) is your state (or another state's) standard sign design manuals. For example in Minnesota the MnDOT Standard Signs and Markings Manual http://www.dot.state.mn.us/trafficeng/publ/signsmanual/

[Anonymous]

I downloaded the .eps file and change the name with .DXF file but it can't open in Autocad, it only shows "Invalid or incomplete DXF input -- drawing discarded.' Is there any other ways to open .eps file in Auto cad. Please kindly guide me.