11/29/2006 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am Room:San Polo - 3504 (ISD Campus)

Map for the Civil 3D user

Mark Christian - Autodesk, Inc.

GS22-3

Learn how to effectively use the mapping tools within Civil 3D for pre and post design work.

About the Speaker:

Mark is currently a technical marketing manager at Autodesk specializing in geospatial applications for
the Infrastructure Solutions Division. Prior to joining Autodesk, he worked as a geologist in both the
mining and environmental consulting industries. Mark holds a B.S. degree in Geology.
mark.christian@autodesk.com

Stay Connect to AU all year at www.autodesk.com/AUOnline

Map for the Civil 3D User

Terminology
When working with Autodesk Map 3D 2007, it is essential to understand the associated terminology and concepts.
The following terms are used throughout this document.
Data StoreIn Feature Data Objects (FDO), a collection of feature classes contained in a single storage location.
The data store consists of an integrated set of objects, which are modeled by classes or feature classes defined
within one or more schemas. Data stores can be either file based, such as SDF, or a database, such as Oracle
Spatial.
Drawing ObjectsObjects that exist in a drawing file (DWG) or come from an attached drawing. Compare to
features.
Display ManagerIn Autodesk Map 3D, the component that handles the styling of drawing objects and features
that exist in a drawing file.
FDO ProviderAn implementation of the FDO API (application programming interface) that provides access to
data in a particular data store, such as an Oracle or ArcSDE database, or to a file-based data store, such as SDF or
SHP.
Feature(s)An abstraction of natural or man-made, real-world object. A spatial feature has one or more
geometric properties. For example, a road feature might be represented by a line, and a hydrant might be
represented by a point. In Autodesk Map 3D, features are accessed and added to maps using FDO via the Data
Connect dialog. Compare to drawing objects.
Feature ClassA schema element that describes a type of real-world object. It includes a class name and
property definitions. Commonly used to refer to a set of features of a particular class, for example, the feature class
roads or the feature class hydrants.
FDO Data Access Technology (FDO)An Autodesk software standard and general-purpose API for accessing
features and geospatial data regardless of the underlying data store.
Feature LayerA layer in Autodesk Map 3D softwares Display Manager containing features from a feature
source such as SDF, ESRI SHP, or ArcSDE.
Feature SourceIn Autodesk Map 3D, a feature source is any source of feature data that has been connected
by means of FDO.
SDF (SDF 3)Spatial Database Format. The current version of the SDF format. Each SDF 3 file can contain
multiple feature classes or types of data stored in tables with attributes and geometry.

Map for the Civil 3D User

User Interface
Autodesk Map 3D contains a wide array of tools to help you interact with the application. Becoming familiar with
the Map 3D user interface will help you master the application and ensure that you are productive throughout
your workday.
Workspaces
In a typical day, you may be required to perform many different tasks. Each task might have different
requirements and call for different tools. Workspaces in Map 3D 2007 solve that problem by enabling you to
customize the task-based User Interface (UI) in pre-defined schemes. You can control the display of toolbars,
menus, and tool palettes, as well as application windows such as the command line and properties palette. Add,
remove, and rearrange your UI components to accommodate your own workflow. When you are ready to move
on to the next task, you can quickly change the UI by selecting an appropriate workspace customize the new
environment to look and function just the way you want. Autodesk Map 3D takes full advantage of workspaces by
shipping with 4 by default.

3D Modeling Opens the AutoCAD dashboard used to access

3D modeling functions

Map Classic - Displays the Standard AutoCAD menu structure

with a single Map pull-down menu.

Map 3D Geospatial The default Map 3D workspace. Used

primarily for working with Feature Sources (FDO accessed data)

Map 3D Drawing Similar to Geospatial, but with a few different toolbars and menu items used
exclusively with drawing objects (ACAD entities)

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Task Pane
The Task Pane provides centralized access to the tasks and tools you need to create, manage, display, and publish
maps. Notice the easy to distinguish icons which make your interaction with the software more intuitive.
The drop down arrow is used to switch between panes.

Map Explorer This pane is used to work primarily with drawing

objects. Use it to assemble and configure your drawing project, i.e.,
set coordinate systems, attach source DWGs, configure and
connect drawing objects to databases using link templates, define
Object Classification, and manage Topologies.

Display Manager This pane is primarily used to access, query

and stylize data regardless of source; current and attached DWGs,
geospatial feature data (SDF, SHP, spatial databases, web
services), topology and object classification.

Map Book This pane is used to create, edit, manage and publish
map books.

Tip You can make the Task Pane transparent. When the Task Pane is
undocked, right-click the title bar and choose Transparency.
Accessing and Working with GIS data
Map 3D has a slew of tools that allow you to work with data in a variety of formats. Whether you are working with
traditional GIS data formats such as ESRI SHP files, with spatial databases or the most widely used spatial data
format in the world, Autodesk DWG; you have a variety of ways to access and manage this data. So which tool or
technology should I use? Well, it depends. In some cases you will use a combination of the tools. Below is a brief
description of each toolset and some common uses.
Import/Export tools (FME)
Map 3Ds FME based import/export tools have been an underlying foundational toolset for transferring data in a
variety of formats in and out of Autodesk DWGs. If you have a need to create AutoCAD entities as the basis of
design work, or create a DWG file so you can share information locked in other data formats with AutoCAD based
applications, the import/export tools are an invaluable toolset. In the civil engineering arena, the need to use GIS
or CAD based information that is in ESRI SHP or Microstation DGN file format are the most common. These
import/export tools are accessed by going to Map>Tools and selecting either Import or Export (MAPIMPORT or
MAPEXPORT).

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DWG Access/Query
AutoCAD software is designed to operate on a single primary drawing file. Typical, users open an individual
drawing file to edit existing drawing objects or create new design data. However, because AutoCAD is a file-based
system, to avoid conflicts when working in multi-user environment, only one user at a time can edit a drawing.
One of the unique capabilities of Map 3D is the ability to access DWG files without actually locking the DWG file.
Using the Map 3D query engine, multiple users can work on the same DWG or a set of DWG files at the same
time. Besides accessing drawing data from multiple DWG files and enabling multi people the ability to work with
specific objects, Map 3D provides query (search) capabilities. This query functionality is a powerful mechanism
that lets you search through multiple DWG files at the same time and extract data from those files. You can query
using any combination of spatial, object property, object data, or associated data constraints. The DWG query
functionality is also used for altering DWG object properties, performing DWG coordinate conversions, generating
textual reports and recovering corrupt drawing files. Probably the easiest way to access these tools is from the
Map Explorer Task Pane.
FDO Data Access Technology
With the release of Map 3D 2007, Autodesk introduced FDO Data Access Technology (FDO), which is a technology
that allows Map 3D to access data in its native format. Using FDO, you can access data directly without having to
translate the data or create duplicate information. If you have a need to edit an ESRI SHP file or data in a
relational database such as Oracle, FDO will be the tool of choice. Current FDO supported data formats;
Files: ESRI SHP, Autodesk SDF and raster data.
Databases: Oracle, ArcSDE middleware, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL and Microsoft Access (ODBC).
Services: Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Services (WFS)
To access data via FDO technology, you use Map 3Ds Display Manager. In Civil 3D type MAPWSPACE on the
command line to load the Task Pane and switch to Display Manager. From within Display Manager, select
Data>Add Data

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In addition to natively accessing data stores, FDO enables you to create informative, visually compelling maps
using the new Styling Editor functionality. With Map 3D 2007, you can create maps that have been traditionally
created by GIS professionals using software such as ArcGIS, MapInfo and Geomedia.

An important concept to understand when working with FDO accessed data stores is that actual data is not stored
within the DWG. The DWG is really a project file where data is rendered. If you save the DWG or DWT,
connections to the data store are saved. This is similar to the AutoCAD Xref concept.
For more information on Autodesks FDO Data Access Technology visit:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=4349818
Drawing Cleanup
Drawing errors can be introduced into vector data during drafting, digitizing and potentially during data
conversions. Using standard AutoCAD editing tools you can manually clean geometry in a DWG. However, this is
often a tedious process and identifying all errors, such a duplicate objects and undershoots (un-snapped line work)
and overlapping objects is next to impossible. Map 3D provides a suite of functions called Drawing Cleanup that

Map for the Civil 3D User

make cleaning or modifying drawing objects an easy process. With Drawing Cleanup you can specify what type of
error you need to fix, the tolerance for the error and what objects to include in the cleanup operation.

Typical errors that can be corrected using Drawing Cleanup

Note: Drawing Cleanup is often performed before moving vector data to a relational databases management
system (RDBMS) and before building topologies, enabling spatial analysis on the data.
Database Linking
Map 3D provides some very useful tools for accessing and managing land and infrastructure data such as cadastral
fabrics, road networks, utility piping, valves and fire hydrants. Data essential for inventorying and reporting is often
stored in a separate non-vector file. Using Map 3Ds database linking functions you can link or associate
information stored in an external repository such as a Microsoft Access database to the drawing data stored in a
DWG. While you could use AutoCAD blocks with multiple attributes to store information about a drawing object
such as a monitoring well, updating and editing this attribute information is cumbersome. By linking vector based
information to an external database using database links, you can mange and edit attribute data in a familiar
spreadsheet like user interface and analyze and report on these assets in an efficient manner.
Imagery
With the growing awareness and availability of raster based imagery such as satellite and aerial photography,
many design projects have a need to incorporate this imagery. Often the imagery is used as a backdrop for vector
based information, adding clarity and real world context to a design or used for heads-up digitizing, capturing
vector based information by tracing a raster image feature like a street or building footprint. Map 3D extends the
image-processing capabilities of AutoCAD software to provide positioning support (geo-referencing) as well as
additional file format support. Some of the most common large scale image formats include ER Mappers ECW
and Lizard Techs Mr.SID file formats.
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Map for the Civil 3D User

Using Map 3D, you can access imagery in three distinct ways; The first is by using the traditional AutoCAD image
insertion option Insert>Raster Image Reference (IMAGEATTACH). The second is using the Map>Image>Insert
(MAPIINSERT) function and finally, you can use the new FDO Data Access Technology via the Data Connect
dialog. The later two methods read any geo-referencing information that maybe contained within the image
header or as part of a separate world file (e.g., .tfw, .sdw, etc.). If you have assigned a coordinate system to your
project drawing (DWG) using the Map>Tools>Assign Global Coordinate System command (ADESETCRDSYS) you
can properly place the geo-referenced image in your drawing. If you use the MAPIINSERT command, the image
and DWG need to use the same coordinate system, there is no method to perform a coordinate transformation on
the image. However, if you use FDO you can perform a coordinate transformation to the image ensuring that
vector data and image data that arent using the same coordinate system will align properly.
Another item to mention is that using FDO you can insert other types of raster imagery such as Digital Elevation
Models (DEM), ESRI GRID (GRID), GeoTIFF (with elevations) and Digital Elevation Terrain Data (DTED). These
raster images contain elevation data that is useful for performing visual analysis in 2D and 3D. For example, you
can create contour maps to help you analyze 3D terrain, use raster-based theming to analyze elevation, slope, and
aspect, drape raster and vector data over surfaces and view the data in 3D.

Note: raster data inserted via any of Map 3Ds imaging tools is read only, the data cannot be edited like other
vector data. Another thing to mention is that when inserting terrain data via FDO, it will not work with the Civil 3D
specific surface tools.
Finally, I need to mention Autodesk Raster Design. Raster Design is an add-on or extension to Map 3D or Civil 3D
that further extends the image processing capabilities of the core product. If you have a need to perform raster to
vector conversions, save image files in different formats, edit imagery or perform image processing functions such
as image cleanup and color enhancements Raster Design will prove to be an invaluable tool.

Map for the Civil 3D User

Beyond the DWG file SDF and spatial databases

For most civil engineering design projects using Civil 3D you will be using the DWG file format to store the majority
of vector data and associated information. While the DWG file format is a versatile and ubiquitous format, you can
gain considerable performance related benefits by storing background vector data in another data store.
Additionally, if you have a need to move design information into an asset management system or Geographic
Information System (GIS), Map 3D provides a rich toolset.
Spatial Data File (SDF)
New to the 2007 release of Civil 3D is the ability to export Civil 3D objects to the SDF file format. SDF is a file
based format that is optimized for storing large classified data sets. The SDF file is the native file format for FDO
and leverages all the strengths of FDO including open API, performance, database-like table architecture and GIS
data set sizes. Much like DWG, SDF is comfortable for people that are used to working with files and it allows you
to have a highly capable local data store, which supports rich geometry, multiple tables, and spatial indexing all in a
single file. SDF is ideal for storing large-scale vector data such as road networks or cadastral fabrics.
If you want to move your Civil 3D design data to a GIS you can use the Map 3D tools to populate another data
store such as an RDBMS including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, as well as, an ESRI ArcSDE managed
database. You start by exporting Civil 3D alignment, point, parcel, and pipe network data to an SDF file. Once in
SDF you can use Map 3Ds Bulk Copy tools to copy that data to your data store of choice. The following table lists
the Civil 3D objects and attributes that are supported by the SDF file format.
Autodesk Civil 3D Object

Exported Attributes
Alignment Name
Length

Alignment

Design Speed
Starting Station
Ending Station

Point Number
Point

Point Name
Elevation

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Description
Raw Description
Latitude
Longitude

Parcel Name
Parcel Number
Parcel
Area
Perimeter

Network Name
Length
Slope
Inside Diameter
Outside Diameter
Pipe
Shape
Elevation at Start
Elevation at End
Structure Start
Structure End

Network Name
Structure

Rim Elevation
Structure Name

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Spatial Databases
For many civil engineering professionals, using a spatial database to store and manage as-built or design data is a
foreign concept and outside the scope of this class, but it is a good idea to have at a minimum a basic
understanding of the database capabilities of Civil 3D/Map 3D. In many organizations, a file-based data storage
environment is complemented or replaced by an RDBMS. With an RDBMS, hundreds or even thousands of people
can create, edit, and manage the same data without conflict. The primary benefits include increased scalability,
added security and ability to easily share spatial data with other departments and applications. Using FDO Data
Access Technology, Autodesk Geospatial products including Civil 3D, Map 3D and MapGuide, work natively with
spatial data stored in Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL, as well as ESRIs ArcSDE middleware. Autodesk
Map 3D and Civil 3D provide tools that make data migration from a file based data store including DWG, SDF and
ESRI SHP files to a full-scale RDBMS easy. Once the data is in the RDBMS, Map 3D provides full functionality for
management (create, read, write and edit) of this information.
Sharing Designs with the Enterprise
A common problem in todays work environment is the ability to share and distribute business critical information in
a timely and consistent manner. Organizations can easily and securely extend the reach of their information using
a variety of mechanisms including Autodesk DWF files or Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise.
DWF files
Built in to all Autodesk products, Design Web Format (DWF) publishing helps you enhance collaboration and easily
exchange project information with extended teams. Unique to Map 3D is the ability to publish external and
attribute data associated with drawing and FDO accessed objects. Before publishing design data to a DWF, you
can choose which data attributes to include in the DWF file. Choose from FDO data sources, DWG Object Data or
linked database information. To select the data attributes to be published to DWF, go to File>More Plotting
Options>DWF Publishing Options (MAPDWFOPTIONS).

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Note: One way of distributing attribute data generated during the Civil 3D design process to a DWF file is to
export the alignment, parcel or pipe to SDF. You can then access the SDF via Map 3Ds Display Manager and Data
Connect interfaces and enable the SDF attributes to be published to DWF.
Map 3D also provides the ability to create what is known as a map book a set of layouts that can be
automatically generated based on an existing grid or by user defined parameters. Map books are useful for utility
companies, fire departments and other organizations that need a Thomas Guide like map collection for field
personal. Much like an AutoCAD sheet set, Map 3D can publish a multi-sheet DWF file that contains all the layouts
or map grids for a project. Unfortunately, map books only support orthogonal tiling in the current product and
therefore are not an automated way of creating plan and profile sheets.
Autodesk MapGuide
Autodesk MapGuide enables organizations to author and publish maps and design information quickly and easily
for distribution internally or on the web. Autodesk MapGuide server-based technology delivers rich, web-based
capabilities such as dynamic data visualization, feature selection and attribute display, data query and update, and
geometric analysis. Using any web browser, organizations can use MapGuide to distribute data and spatial
functionality to a huge number of people and applications.
Because MapGuide shares the same access architectureFDO Data Access Technologyand common code for
the stylization of data with Map 3D, organizations can easily publish data from DWGs and popular GIS sources
such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL databases; ESRI ArcSDE, SHP, and GRID sources; popular raster
formats; and WMS/WFS web services. In fact, Map 3D enables you to easily publish maps and data directly to
Autodesk MapGuide. For instance, you can build a map in Map 3D and publish the data connections and
stylizations directly to MapGuide for dissemination on the web.

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Preliminary Site Analysis

Before you can start design work on a particular site you must conduct the necessary research. This may include
acquiring owner information, researching site history and determining zoning restrictions. While Map 3Ds
functionality wont help with all of these tasks, it is an effective tool to gain an understanding of the existing ground
conditions and for analyzing existing spatial information for a site.
As mentioned earlier, Map 3D includes tools to help you view and analyze raster-based surfaces such as DEM,
GRID and DTED in 2D and 3D. This data can provide an accurate, affordable representation of the earths surface
and are a valuable data source for civil engineers and other land-use professionals. Another data source that can
be utilized is web services. Using Map 3Ds FDO technology we can access raster and vector data that is freely
available via a web service. Using a combination FDO accessed data and Map 3Ds theming and draping
capabilities in conjunction with 3D visualization, you can gain a good understanding of existing site conditions.
The first step to understanding project conditions is to acquire the necessary raster and vector data. There are
many free data resources available on the internet. One of my favorites for continental United States and
international data is the United States Geological Survey (USGS). USGS have a data distribution system that
enables you to download both vector and raster data in a variety of formats supported by Map 3Ds and Civil 3Ds
FDO technology. http://seamless.usgs.gov/

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With data in hand, we can now use Map 3D to bring this data into our project drawing. The first step is to assign
a coordinate system to the drawing. We then connect to our surface data via Map 3Ds Data Connect dialog.

Note: You can hold your cursor over the surface to read the coordinate system.
You will then set the coordinate system for the image within the Data Connect dialog. Then click Add to Map.

With the surface data added to the map, your next step is to add the necessary vector data. You can add data
from a variety of sources including SDF and ESRI SHP or you can use existing drawing (DWG) data.

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In the example below I have added the parcel fabric for the area Im interested in using Data Connect.

Using Map 3Ds Style Editor I can now theme the surface based on elevation, slope or aspect.
Tip: Dont forget to click Apply in the Style Editor dialog you may have to resize the dialog to see the Apply
button.

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With the vector data overlaid on the surface, I can use Map 3Ds Query functions (Right click on the Display
Manager layer and select Edit Query) to reduce the amount of data displayed on screen to include only the area
that Im interested in.

I then use Map 3Ds Style Editor to change the style of the parcel layer to display only the parcel outlines, enabling
me to easily visualize the themed DEM. I can then use the Data Grid to search for a particular parcel by an
attribute property such as the assessors parcel number (APN).

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DEM themed by aspect. By using the circular color palette and an equal distribution, the aspect is spread equally
across 16 colors around a 360 degree circle. Since the drawing file was setup where 0 degrees is East, we can see
that the particular parcel I am interested in has a predominately southern exposure (aspect ranges between ~200
and 315 degrees).
To visualize sun exposure for my parcel, I can perform hillshade analysis using the command MAPHILLSHADE.

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To better visualize the hillshade analysis, you can change the stylization of the DEM to none (gray color).

3D Visualization
Map 3D provides the ability to drape other raster data such as an aerial photograph or vector data such as a road
network over a surface. This capability is unique to Map 3D and is enabled by using FDO to access both the
surface and vector data. Standard drawing objects can be placed on the surface, but you will have to match the
elevation of the drawing object with the elevation of the surface.
To visualize your surface in 3D within Civil 3D 2007, you must execute a series of commands via the command line
(Map 3D has a different task bar than Civil 3D that allows one click access to 3D visualization). To use the 3D
visualization capabilities of Map 3D it is easiest to use a script to activate the commands (see instructor for details).

Surface theming combined with raster and vector draping. Note: The resolution or scale of the surface data as
well as the aerial photography is going to have a direct effect on the quality of the 3D rendering.

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Web Services
Using FDO, you can access Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) compliant Web Map Services (WMS) and Web
Feature Service (WFS) within Map 3D and Civil 3D. These services provide digital imagery (WMS) and geographic
features (WFS) across the internet. To access this data you use Map 3Ds Data Connect dialog and select either
WMS or WFS. You then provide a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or server name and connect to the service.
Note: Most WMS and WFS services serve data in Latitude/Longitude format (Map 3D coordinate system code
LL84). When working with these services it is recommended that you set your Map coordinate system to match
the coordinate system of the service.
WMS NASA DTED and SRTM data
http://wms.jpl.nasa.gov/wms.cgi
WFS Virginia, USA Censustracts, Congressional districts, counties, interstates and other layers
http://regis.intergraph.com/wfs/dcmetro/request.asp?
Much like other data accessed via FDO you can stylize this data as well as visualize surfaces in 3D, but unlike SHP
or SDF this data is not editable.

Digital elevation data delivered via a web service (http://wms.jpl.nasa.gov/wms.cgi Feature Class = OnEarth
Web Map Server.worldwind_dem)

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