Workflow for long distance designs in Civil 3D

[Anonymous]

Hello team! 

I've been struggling and trying out different ways of coping with long distance projects in Civil 3D. I'm still on a steep learning curve so therefor I find it rational to consult the amazing forums!

To start with, I work with distances ranging from 1/000 m up to 55/000 m and I've found models I've made in the past very slow. I want to refine my knowledge around the workflow when designing "long projects" and wish for inputs. 

Usually I make data shortcuts for most parts - surfaces (a lot of data), pipe networks (these are used only to visualize crossings in profile views). For the long long projects I have started to look at keeping several alignments in several models to ease down on the data managed for each model. This presents other challenges, especially when it comes to production of drawings. So the boundary between two models becomes critical and I also want everything to be dynamic and connected. To add, I create profiles for the alignments and design different corridors with trench subassemblies attached to used assemblies. The final product is plan and profile drawings. 

So, to narrow it down to one or a few questions: 
Do any of you have "guides" showing workflows for large projects in civil 3D?

[m_kingdon · Accepted solution]

What do you want to model over such long distances?  I always considered Civil 3D to be a medium sized environment program.  For very large schemes I have used GIS based software instead.

If you must use Civil 3D.  Maybe try splitting your project into sections.

Read about the viewres command and about masking.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I am working on a 275 km project.

We separated the project in 20 parts.

We separate every type of task in different drawings.

All objects are shown with the very few entities that is possible. Everything that is not needed has its layer and visibility turned off.

We only use labels when is strictly necessary.

Points are used only in the files where the surfaces are created.

HPQUICKPREVIEW system variable is turned off. Automatic regeneration of surfaces and corridors are turned off.

When preparing production plans, we only create at maximum 10 layouts per file.

Finishing a drawing we purge registered applications with the -PURGE command, we also purge every unused object and do a AUDIT fixing errors.

Greetings from Paraguay.

Claudio Bogado Pompa.

[jae.kwon · Accepted solution]

It sounds like you're on top of things already and you're probably doing all of the stuff below but... here we go anyway:

- delete all viewports in your model drawings

- make sure to uncheck the "connect" of all unnecessary feature lines in the feature line tab of your corridor

- in the corridor code set tab, set the code set style to a "none" style

- use freeze instead of off

- ensure all xrefs are overlays, not attach

- data clip surfaces on your sheet drawings so that only the portions required by your sheets are drawn

- consider reducing number of layouts per file

- check your corridor frequency and increase the distances as much as possible while still meeting design requirements

- set caching on for model and layouts in the options

- simplify the EG as much as possible, especially if you have any lidar data in there. Rather than running filtering algorithms on the lidar point cloud, consider stripping out all non-ground points with 3rd party tools like FugroViewer (free). You can throw away more points yet still have a decent looking lidar surface if you do this.

[rl_jackson · Accepted solution]

The best thing to do is break it up in parts. You'll never need all at once and the more you break it down the better the corridor design work will be, from a design/PC lag. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your input! Yes indeed, GIS softwares are surely an option but haven't had the oppurtunity to dvelve into that (yet!)!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your awesome input! How do you find working with that many parts working out? Is it hard to keep it updated and structured? Is it flexible when it comes to managing late changes to the designs you've made?

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for your input! Many of these have come to my mind and I think I need to approach these tips as  an indicator for me to change my behaviour as a designer using this software! 

[ocastaneda · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

This works when you know how yo manage in relation to the scope of your project. You mentioned in your original post that this is for plan production/project documentation (plan and profile sheets) correct?

One thing I have found it helps tremendously is to separate 2D work from 3D work. With this in mind we follow these rules that have worked for us very well so far:

We have specific files just for alignments and profiles.

We have design layout files that contain the 2D line work of our proposed concepts.

We have Model files in which we shortcut our alignments (with the associated profiles attached as well) as well as surfaces and any relevant data necessary for modeling.

We assign only 1 to 2 people tops to make changes to alignments, profiles and surfaces (this way we minimize the opportunity for "untraceable" changes). 

Another thing to look into is Intersections, side streets and site design requirements. What this means is that based on the scope of the project you may develop subsets" for your alignments and profiles to allow more users to work on the same project and even the same section. 

All this ONLY works if you have consistent and open communication channels where everybody involved within your project understands their role and how far they can go modifying the data within the project. 

I hope this helps, this is a very complex subject as many of us have developed our own standards based on our experiences in the job. Regardless it is awesome to see that we all share a common ground in best practices when looking at how to manage large projects. Let me know if I can be of further assistance! 

If you find this answer helpful please click the ACCEPT solution and/or if you like my answer please click on the LIKE button... 

Oscar Castaneda

Senior Transportation Designer / P.E.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your input aswell! 🙂 

I start to see that breaking up the projects in parts and keeping the team working with a project in civil 3D tight is essential for managing large projects. I usually work in small project groups and have to manage several other assignments but this could potentially be an indicator that we, in the teams I am in, have to let somebody focus on mainly Civil 3D.