Civil 3D Plotting Process

Overview

This lecture covers the complete plotting process in Civil 3D, focusing on creating plan/profile sheets, plan-only sheets, and cross-section sheets for a civil engineering project.

Preparing the Drawing

• Reference all required data (proposed geometry, existing geometry, pipe networks) into your main drawing.
• Each type of sheet (plan-profile, plan-only, cross-sections) can be managed in separate or combined drawings depending on project size.

Creating Plan/Profile and Plan-Only Sheets

• Use Viewframe Groups to set up plan/profile (with alignment) and plan-only (without profile) sheets.
• Select the correct template/layout matching desired plotting scales.
• Adjust viewframes, match lines, and layout order as needed for proper sheet setup.
• Civil 3D automatically assigns plan/profile viewports and scales per selected layout.

Sheet Set Manager Usage

• Open Sheet Set Manager (Ctrl+4) to organize, number, and manage all generated sheets.
• Add new sheets to existing DST (sheet set) files for better organization.
• Use AutoCAD Sheet Set Manager tools to rename, renumber, and reorder sheets.
• Sheet information (e.g., title block, north arrow) auto-populates from layout and fields.

Labeling and Annotation

• Add station labels and other required annotation directly within model space.
• Modify label styles as required through the properties palette.
• Labels and annotation automatically align with view rotations and populate per view requirements.

Creating Cross Sections

• Use Sample Lines to define cross-section locations along the alignment (specify frequency, start, and end stations).
• Set annotation scale prior to view creation for accurate sheet count and display.
• Create Multiple Section Views using the dedicated panel and select templates with cross-section viewports.
• Assign surfaces (existing, proposed) and styles before generating section views.

Cross Section Sheets and Organization

• Generate cross-section sheets via Output tab > Create Section Sheets.
• Add new section sheets to existing sheet sets and subsets for organization.
• Adjust sheet numbering and naming to maintain logical order.
• Section views dynamically update as model changes; labels can be modified and repositioned.

Plotting and Publishing

• Use AutoCAD's Publish command to export all sheets to PDF or other formats.
• Make final checks (e.g., hide sample lines if not needed) before publishing.
• The entire process is integrated with AutoCAD for seamless final output.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Viewframe — A layout window along an alignment used to define the area for each sheet.
• Sheet Set Manager — An AutoCAD tool to organize, number, and manage project sheets.
• Sample Line — Lines across an alignment indicating where cross sections will be cut.
• DST File — A Sheet Set file in AutoCAD storing sheet organization and metadata.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Practice creating viewframes and sheets for both plan/profile and cross-sections.
• Organize generated sheets within Sheet Set Manager, ensuring correct order and naming.
• Add and customize labels as needed on sheets.
• Publish sheets to PDF and verify output quality.