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Module 04
Survey
In this module, you learn how to use survey functionality in AutoCAD Civil 3D. This functionality enables you to automatically create pre-engineering base plans and existing ground surface models directly from field survey data. Survey data is required to gather information of the site prior to beginning the design. This data typically consists of locating and identifying coordinates/elevations of both spot and linework features. A Total Station or GPS (global positioning satellite) survey are the most common tools for collecting survey data. Surveyors produce information upon which a design can be based. This information is provided to site designers, and usually consists of a preengineering base plan, an existing ground surface model, and a reduced coordinate point file.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:

Configure and identify the main components of the Civil 3D survey environment. Create a survey database and network. Create figure styles to control the display of figures. Create figure prefixes to assign figure styles to figures. Describe the main characteristics of the Autodesk fieldbook file format. Import a fieldbook file to Civil 3D. Make changes to observation data in the survey database. Create points and figures from survey data.

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Notes
Data for this module resides in the \AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 Education Curriculum\Module04 - Survey\ folder. A fieldbook file is also provided for the Module. It is located in the same folder and is called Survey.fbk.

Student Exercises
The following exercises are provided in step-by-step format. Open the Civil 3D program prior to beginning the lesson by double-clicking the Civil 3D icon on your desktop. If you are working in the Imperial system, you should use the drawing files beginning with the letter I, while those working in the metric system should use the drawing files beginning with the letter M. You are provided with a drawing for each exercise in the lesson. The exercises in this module are as follows: 1. Configure the Civil 3D Survey Environment 2. Create the Survey Database 3. Create the Survey Network 4. Create Figure Styles 5. Create Figure Prefixes. 6. Review the Fieldbook File 7. Import the Fieldbook File 8. Edit Survey Data in the Survey Toolspace 9. Create Points and Figures

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Survey
The Survey module focuses on the collection and reduction of pre-engineering topographic and planimetric survey data. The survey data is used to create the base plan and the existing ground surface model. Both of these elements are required by the engineer to complete the design. The base plan is a plan view drawing that shows existing conditions. The base plan typically consists of line work and symbols. The line work is used to represent pavement edges, centerlines, sidewalk edges, gutter lines, ditches, and other types of linear features. Symbols are used to represent spot features such as catch basins, fire hydrants, and power poles. The creation of the pre-engineering base plan and the existing ground surface model is the responsibility of the survey organization or department. Those groups involved with this work strive to automate the processes as much as possible. The following elements are required to automate the process:

Surveyors are consistent with their use of field codes that represent specific features. Surveyors apply field connectivity codes to automatically generate base plan line work as the data is imported to AutoCAD Civil 3D. Examples include Begin, End, Continue, C3, and Recall. Base plan line work is assigned to layers automatically and can also be defined as breaklines for the surface. Point groups for surface modeling are predefined in the drawing template (DWT). These filter invalid data from the surface model, such as pipe inverts and tops of fire hydrants. Description key sets associate point style and point label style to each point.

Civil 3D represents survey data with a survey network object. The Survey Network style, as with other Civil 3D object styles, controls the display of the survey network.

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Survey figures are used to display base plan line work. Figure styles control the display of the base plan line work. Survey figures can also be converted to breaklines for the existing ground surface model.

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Key Terms
Survey Tab

The Survey tab is positioned below the Prospector tab and the Settings tab in the Toolspace window. You use the Survey tab to manage survey databases, survey networks, survey data, and survey system settings. The base plan is the Civil 3D drawing that represents existing conditions before the design begins. Base plans show existing features such as roads, sewers, light poles, and manholes. These features are represented using Civil 3D point objects to represent spot features, and feature lines to represent linear features. The engineer must become familiar with the existing conditions prior to beginning the design work. Base plans are created directly from the survey raw data file. Observation data is the raw data format created from Total Station survey datacollection equipment. Survey observations typically consist of a measured horizontal angle, vertical angle, and slope distance record. The survey raw data file also contains information such as control coordinates, height of instrument, and height of rod. The final coordinates are calculated when the survey data is imported to Civil 3D. Reduced point coordinates are created from observation data. Reduced coordinates typically refer to the northing and easting point coordinate attributes. Survey sideshot points are represented with angular measurements in observation data. When imported to the drawing, sideshot point data is converted to reduced coordinate point data. The fieldbook (FBK) file is an AutoCAD Civil 3D observation file. Different brands of survey data collectors have their own observation data file format. These observation data files are converted to the AutoCAD Civil 3D fieldbook files, which are then imported to AutoCAD Civil 3D. Coordinates are calculated as fieldbook file data imported to the Civil 3D drawing. The survey database is an external database that stores the observation data. The survey database is populated with observation data when the fieldbook file is imported. The location of the survey database defaults to the \Civil 3D Projects\ location on your hard drive. The survey database can be accessed from any drawing to create base plan data.

Base Plan

Observation Data

Reduced Coordinates

Fieldbook File

Survey Database

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Survey Network

The survey network is a common collection of control points, noncontrol points, directions, setups, and traverse adjustments. The survey network is the graphical representation of the survey database observation data. A survey network style controls the display of the survey network. Civil 3D figures are used to represent the base plan line work such as pavement edges, centerlines, gutter lines, and sidewalks. In the field, surveyors apply figure connectivity codes (Begin, End, Continue, and so on) to automatically generate the base plan figures. Surveyors assign names to figures using the Begin command. Figures can be converted to breaklines for surface modeling. Figure display is controlled with a figure style. Figures are organized in figure groups. The figure prefix database assigns figure styles to survey figures. The figure prefix database also assigns certain figures as breaklines for existing surface models.

Figures

Figure Prefix Database

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EXERCISE 1: CONFIGURE THE CIVIL 3D SURVEY ENVIRONMENT

In this exercise, you configure and become familiar with the Survey Environment. The configuration of the workspace involves positioning the Toolspace, turning off scroll bars and closing unwanted toolbars. The following elements of the Toolspace window are used in the Civil 3D survey environment:

Prospector tab shows survey networks and figures in the drawing. Settings tab used to create survey network styles and figure styles. Survey tab used to create and manage survey databases and survey networks.

The Survey command can also be accessed from the menu and from the command line. For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX1.dwg (M_SurveyEX1.dwg). 1. Position Toolspace so that it is undocked on the left side of the screen. 2. Click Survey > Open Survey Toolspace. 3. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. A Survey tab appears on the Toolspace window.

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4. Click the Prospector tab. 5. From the drop-down list at the top of Toolspace, click Active Drawing View. 6. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Survey tree. Notice the Networks and Figures tree under the Survey tree.

Both the Networks and Figures trees are empty because there is no data present. When you import data later in this module, these trees expand to show the survey networks and figures. Now you look at the styles used to display the survey networks and figures. 7. In Toolspace, click the Settings tab. 8. At the bottom of the object list on the left side, expand all trees under the Survey tree. 9. Click the plus signs (+) to expand the Survey Network Styles and Survey Figure Styles trees.

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Network Styles control the display of the survey network. Figure Styles control the display of the survey figures. Remember that survey figures are used to represent the base plan line work. 10. Right-click the Network Style named Basic and click Edit. 11. In the Network Style dialog box, click the Components tab and review the settings. Here you can assign marker styles to known control points, unknown control points, noncontrol points and sideshot points. This makes it easier to identify the type of data you are working with. You can change marker styles by expanding the General Multipurpose Styles tree on the Settings tab in Toolspace. 12. Click the Display tab.

You can control the display of the survey network by modifying the Network Style. 13. Click OK.

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14. In Toolspace, Settings tab, double-click the Standard Figure Style under the Figure Styles tree. 15. Click the Markers tab on the Figure Styles dialog box. You can assign marker styles to specific points on the survey figures. 16. Click the Display tab. Notice that you can control the display properties of the figure components. 17. Click OK. 18. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. 19. The following trees are visible:

Survey Databases the list of survey databases. A survey database is created in the next exercise. Equipment Databases displays the properties and values for the survey equipment used to collect the data. Figure Prefix Databases assigns survey figures to layers and identifies certain survey figures as breaklines.

20. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 2: CREATE THE SURVEY DATABASE

You must complete this exercise before moving on to the remaining exercises in this module. In this exercise, you create and set up the survey database. The survey database is a separate file that contains the survey networks. Multiple users can access data in a survey database to create survey drawings.

For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX2.dwg (M_SurveyEX2.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. 2. Right-click Survey Databases and click New Local Survey Database 3. Enter City of Vancouver.

4. Click OK. A survey database is added in Toolspace, Survey tab.

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The Survey Database is physically represented with a folder structure on your hard drive. The default folder location is \Civil 3D Projects in your root drive. You may have changed this when installing the software. Next, change the units in the survey database. 5. In Toolspace, Survey tab, right-click the City of Vancouver survey database, and click Edit Survey Database Settings. 6. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Units tree. 7. Change the Distance units to Meter.

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The survey data that you import later was collected in metric units. The survey database is therefore set up to represent metric units. Civil 3D performs a unit conversion by comparing the units of the drawing to those set in the survey database. 8. Expand the other trees in the dialog box and review the other settings. 9. Click OK. The survey database references metric units. If you are working in imperial, a unit conversion occurs when survey data is imported. 10. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 3: CREATE THE SURVEY NETWORK

The previous Exercise 2 must be completed before completing Exercise 3. You must complete Exercise 3 before moving on to the other exercises in this module. In this exercise, you create the survey network. You can organize survey data by creating survey networks within the survey database for different stages of a land development project.

Survey networks are created for each of the following project phases:

Site Analysis Boundary Survey Boundary Analysis Topographic Survey

For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX3.dwg (M_SurveyEX3.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. 2. Right-click City of Vancouver and click Open Survey Database. 3. Right-click the Networks tree under the City of Vancouver survey database and click New.

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4. In the New Network dialog box, for Name, enter 41st Avenue. 5. For Description, enter Granville to Oak.

6. Click OK. 7. In Toolspace, Survey tab, click the plus sign (+) to expand the 41st Avenue tree.

The survey network accommodates the following elements:

Control Points Non-Control Points Directions

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Setups Traverses

8. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 4: CREATE FIGURE STYLES

In this exercise, you create figure styles. Figures are used to represent the line work automatically created from survey observation data. Examples of figures include pavement edges, road crowns, bank tops, and bank bottoms. Figure styles control the display of figures.

The following figure styles are created:

Existing centerline Existing edge of pavement Existing sidewalk Existing driveway

For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX4.dwg (M_Survey-EX4.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, click the Settings tab. 2. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Survey tree. 3. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Figure Styles tree. Create a figure style for the existing centerline. 4. Right-click the Figure Styles tree and click New. 5. Click the Information tab on the Figure Style dialog box. 6. Enter the name Existing Centerline.

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7. Click the Display tab. 8. Click the lightbulb icon next to all the marker components to off, so just the Figure Lines component are visible. 9. Change the Figure Lines layer to ST_CL. 10. Change the Figure Lines color to BYLAYER.

11. Click OK. 12. Using the same procedure, create the remaining figure styles using the following data: Figure Name Existing Edge of Pavement Existing Sidewalk Existing Driveway Layer ST_EOP ST_CONC_WALK ST_DWAY Color Bylayer Bylayer Bylayer

The Figure Styles tree of the Toolspace Settings tab is updated to show the new figure styles.

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13. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 5: CREATE FIGURE PREFIXES

You must complete this exercise before moving on to the remaining exercises in this module. Figure prefixes are used when you:

Assign figure styles. Identify certain figures as surface breaklines. Identify certain figures as lot lines. Assign figures to layers. Assign figures to sites.

Figure prefixes are saved in a Figure Prefix Database.

Surveyors assign names to the figures when they are created in the field. When survey observation data is imported, the figure name is matched against the entries in the figure prefix database. You create figure prefixes for existing centerline, existing pavement edge, existing sidewalk, and existing driveways. For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\ I_Survey-EX5.dwg (M_SurveyEX5.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. 2. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Figure Prefix Databases tree. Create the existing centerline figure prefix. 3. Right-click Sample and click New.

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4. For Name, enter CL. 5. For Breakline, select Yes.. 6. Change the layer to ST_CL. 7. Change the Style to Existing Centerline.

8. Click OK. 9. Create the remaining figure prefixes using the following data: Name EP FW BW DW Breakline Yes Yes Yes Yes Layer ST_EOP ST_CONC_WALK ST_CONC_WALK ST_DWAY Style Existing Edge of Pavement Existing Sidewalk Existing Sidewalk Existing Driveway

You are now finished with the figure prefix definitions. Notice you can modify the figure prefix parameters directly from the Item View of the Toolspace Survey tab.

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10. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 6: REVIEW THE FIELDBOOK FILE

In this exercise, you review the AutoCAD Civil 3D fieldbook file (FBK). The fieldbook file contains the observation data from the field survey. Observation data is usually collected using Total Station survey equipment. Observation data from Total Station survey equipment consists of measured horizontal angles, vertical angles, and slope distances. This data, when combined with data representing control coordinates, height of instrument, height of rod, and backsight angles, is reduced to real-world coordinates when imported to the drawing.

Observation data (raw) file formats vary with the brand of data collector. Fieldbook files are usually created from these brand-specific raw data files using either TDS Survey Link or third-party software applications. The fieldbook file format is a very common observation data file format used in the land development industry. For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX6.dwg (M_SurveyEX6.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, Survey tab, right-click the City of Vancouver survey database and select Open Survey Database. 2. In Toolspace, Survey tab, right-click the 41st Avenue network. 3. Click Edit fieldbook.

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4. Browse to the \AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 Education Curriculum\Module 04 Survey\ folder. 5. Click Survey.fbk and click Open. You may be prompted to select a text editor. An alternate method is to browse to the folder and open Survey.fbk with your favorite text editor.

An explanation of some of the observation statements follows:

NEZ the keyed in control coordinates. Typically these are the points that the instrument is positioned over as well as the backsight point. STN the station setup command. This statement indicates the point number the instrument is positioned on, the height of instrument, and a description for the point. AZ specifies the azimuth between two points. BS the point to which the instrument backsight is made. PRISM sets the rod height. F1 VA sideshot observation data consisting of a point number measured horizontal angle, slope distance, vertical angle, and a description. BEG the Begin statement to begin a figure. Other examples of

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connectivity codes include End, Continue, C3 (to connect 3 points with an arc), and Recall. 6. Review the entire contents of the fieldbook file in the text editor. 7. Close the text editor when you are finished. 8. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 7: IMPORT THE FIELDBOOK FILE

You must complete this exercise before moving on to the remaining exercises in the module. In this exercise, you import the fieldbook file to the drawing. This results in the following:

Survey database is populated with observation data. Survey network is created in the drawing.

When you import the fieldbook file, you have the option to create the points and figures either during or after the import process. For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX7.dwg (M_Survey-EX7.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. 2. Right-click City of Vancouver and select Open Survey Database. 3. Right-click on the 41st Avenue survey network. 4. Click Import Fieldbook. 5. Browse to the \AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 Education Curriculum\Module 04 Survey\ folder.

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6. Click Survey.fbk and click Open. 7. Set the properties in the Import Fieldbook dialog box as shown.

An explanation of a few of the settings follows:

Current Figure Prefix Database The figure prefix database contains the defined figure prefixes; that is, the name of the figure. Show Interactive Graphics When toggled on, survey graphics are displayed as the data is imported. When toggled off the graphical display is suppressed and the import process is quicker. Insert Network Object You can view the entire survey network as a single network object in the drawing. The network object is the graphical representation of the survey observation data that resides in the survey database.

8. Click OK and watch as the survey data is imported to the drawing. This process takes a few minutes. The resulting survey network object displays as shown:

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9. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 8: EDIT SURVEY DATA IN THE SURVEY TOOLSPACE

The previous Exercise 7 must be completed before completing Exercise 8. You must complete Exercise 8 before moving on to the last exercise in this module. In this exercise, you review and learn how to work with the survey observation data in the Survey Toolspace. When you change the observation data, the survey database is updated. You then have the opportunity to update the survey network in the drawing.

Surveyors typically make corrections to the survey observation data before creating survey points and figure objects. For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX8.dwg (M_SurveyEX8.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. 2. Right-click City of Vancouver and click Open Survey Database. 3. Click the plus signs (+) to expand the City of Vancouver, Networks, 41st Avenue and Control Points trees. 4. Click Control Point #1. If you cannot see the point properties as shown below, right-click Control Point #1 and click Show Properties.

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Notice that you can change properties for the control points. Doing so results in updates to the survey network, points, and figures. All other dependent data (surfaces and profiles) are also updated. 5. Change the elevation to 80.405 and press ENTER. 6. Click to save the changes.

7. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Setups tree for the 41st Avenue network. Notice the different instrument setups that were done for the 41st Avenue survey. A prism (target) height was entered incorrectly for the Station:3, Backsight:1 setup. 8. Right-click Setup Station:3, Backsight:1. 9. Click Edit Observations. The observations (sideshots) from this setup are graphically highlighted.

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The Panorama window appears and shows the Observations Editor.

You can control the column visibility and the order of display in the Observation Editor. 10. Click and drag the column headers to control the column position as shown in the previous image. 11. Click the divider line between the columns to control the column width. 12. Click the Target Height column header to sort the data by the Target Height Value. You can also double-click the column header to sort the values in reverse order. 13. Scroll to the bottom so you can see the three observations with a target height of 2.650 (point number 355, 356, and 357). This target height was entered

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incorrectly.

14. Using the scroll bar from the Observation Editor, scroll to the right and note the elevations of these three points.

#355 82.115 #356 - 82.250 #357 82.343

The next step is to change the target height for these three points. 15. Press the Ctrl key and click the three points in the Panorama window. 16. Right-click the Target Height column header and click Edit. 17. Change the value of the target height to 2.55 and press ENTER. Civil 3D recalculates the observations. Notice that the data is now bold. The changes need to be saved. 18. Click the Save icon in the Observation Editor to save the changes.

Notice that the data is no longer bold. This indicates that the changes have been saved. 19. Click the green check mark icon Panorama window. in the Observation Editor to close the

20. Click back to the Survey tab in Toolspace. Notice that the 41st Avenue network has an exclamation mark next to it. This means that the survey network needs to be updated.

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21. Right-click 41st Avenue 22. Click Update Network. 23. Click the Survey Points tree. 24. Scroll down to point numbers 355, 356, and 357. Notice that the elevations of the point data have updated based on the change to the target height. Notice that the Figures tree has an exclamation mark next to it. This means that the figures need to be updated. The figure vertices contain elevation data, which may have changed when the prism heights were updated.

25. Right-click the Figures tree and select Update figures. Data residing in the survey database has been changed. The survey network and figure data have been updated. 26. Close the drawing and do not save the changes.

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EXERCISE 9: CREATE POINTS AND FIGURES

You must complete the previous exercises in this module before completing Exercise 9. In this exercise, you create survey points and figures from the survey database. Points and figures are used to create the base plan and the existing ground surface model.

You also remove the survey network from the drawing to complete the exercise. For this exercise open \Module 04 Survey\I_Survey-EX9.dwg (M_Survey-EX9.dwg). 1. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab. 2. Right-click City of Vancouver and click Open Survey Database. 3. Click the Survey Points tree.

4. Right-click Survey Points.

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5. Select Points menu > Insert Into Drawing.

The drawing is updated with point objects that can be used for surface modeling and other design tasks. 6. Right-click Figures. 7. Click Insert into drawing. The drawing is updated with the figures that represent the base plan line work. The next step is to remove the survey network from the drawing. 8. Right-click 41st Avenue network. 9. Click Remove from drawing. 10. In the warning message dialog box, click Yes. 11. Graphically navigate the drawing and review the data.

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Questions
1. What is a survey observation data file? 2. What does a surveyor typically create from observation data? 3. Who is this information delivered to in the site design process? 4. What types of features in Civil 3D are used to represent base plan line work and breaklines for existing ground surface models? 5. What types of features in Civil 3D are used to represent spot features on the base plan and locations for the existing ground surface model? 6. Explain how the survey database works. 7. What are the primary functions of the figure prefix database? 8. What is the primary function of the survey network?

Answers
1. A survey observation data file contains all the survey field measurements. A survey observation data file is also know as a raw data file. This information usually is keyed-in control coordinates, instrument setup locations, instrument height, backsight points and angles, rod heights and sideshot data; which is measured with a horizontal angle, vertical angle, and slope distance. 2. Surveyors create a model of existing conditions from observation data. The model consists of a base plan drawing in plan view, an existing ground surface model and points with reduced coordinates. 3. Surveyors deliver their finished product to designers. Designers then create detailed design documents for construction. These contract packages contain construction drawings, construction staking data, and quantity reports. 4. Figures. 5. Points. 6. The survey database is an external file that is created prior to importing survey data. The survey database stores survey observation data. Multiple users can create their own survey drawings from data residing in a single survey database. 7. The figure prefix database assigns figure styles to survey figures. The

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figure prefix also identifies certain figures as existing ground surface model breaklines. 8. The survey network is a graphical representation of the survey data. You can make changes to survey network data from the Survey Toolspace. The survey network is updated after changes have been saved.

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Module Summary
This module introduced you to survey functionality in AutoCAD Civil 3D. Surveyors provide data to engineers upon which a land development design can be based. This data represents existing conditions and consists of reduced point coordinates, a plan view base plan drawing, and an existing ground surface model. Surveyors collect this data using Total Station and GPS survey data collection equipment. Data recorded with Total Station data collectors is referred to as observation data, which consists of actual field measurements. The Civil 3D observation data file format is fieldbook (FBK). Points with coordinates are created when observation data is imported to the Civil 3D drawing.

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