Overview
This tutorial covers the use of Civil 3D data shortcuts to share and reference objects like surfaces across multiple project drawings.
Purpose of Data Shortcuts
- Data shortcuts allow Civil 3D objects (e.g., surfaces) to be referenced between different drawings.
- Using data shortcuts, you can use one surface for profiles, volumes, and targeting in other design drawings.
- Unlike external references (Xrefs), data shortcuts enable full Civil 3D functionality.
Setting Up Data Shortcuts
- Access data shortcuts in the Prospector tab under Toolspace.
- Set the working folder for data shortcuts by right-clicking "Data Shortcuts" and selecting "Set Working Folder."
- Typically, organize the data shortcut folder structure to match your project folder.
- When the data shortcut project folder is set, an "_Shortcuts" folder is created for XML file storage (do not modify these files).
Creating and Referencing Data Shortcuts
- Save your current drawing before creating data shortcuts.
- Right-click on Data Shortcuts and select "Create Data Shortcuts" to make the existing ground (EG) surface available for other drawings.
- Types of objects that can have data shortcuts include: surfaces, alignments, profiles, pipe networks, and corridors.
- To reference a surface in a new drawing, right-click the surface under Data Shortcuts, choose "Create Reference," set the style, and rename if needed.
- Data-referenced surfaces display a special icon indicating the definition is stored in another drawing and not directly editable.
Managing Data References
- To remove a surface reference from a drawing, delete it from the Surfaces node (not from Data Shortcuts).
- Deleting from Data Shortcuts removes the XML and affects all referencing drawings.
Project Association and Best Practices
- Drawings remember their associated data shortcut project and folder.
- Before creating or referencing shortcuts, always verify the current Data Shortcut project path to avoid errors.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Data Shortcuts — Links that allow Civil 3D objects to be shared and referenced between drawings.
- EG Surface — Existing ground surface, used for design and analysis tasks.
- Prospector Tab — The part of Toolspace where Civil 3D objects and data shortcuts are managed.
- _Shortcuts Folder — Project subfolder where XML files for data shortcuts are stored; never modify directly.
- Data Reference — The process of referencing a Civil 3D object (like a surface) from another drawing.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Ensure your data shortcut working folder and project are set correctly before creating or referencing shortcuts.
- In the next tutorial, begin creating alignments and profiles based on the existing ground surface.