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The Maturation of Civil Engineering Software (AEC in Focus Column)
1 Apr, 2007 By: AIA ,H. Edward GoldbergCivil engineering continues to benefit from evolving software.
Several companies create products for civil engineering, but the main players are Autodesk, Bentley and Eagle Point. Rather than creating new paradigms, this segment of the industry is beginning to mature by improving its existing products. This month's "AEC in Focus" presents what's new for 2007 from these companies and provides an update on the excellent civil engineering–specific visualization software from RDV Systems.
Autodesk Civil 3D 2008
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008 is built on the AutoCAD 2008 software platform. All AutoCAD functionality is included in Civil 3D. Because Civil 3D is built on AutoCAD 2008, users benefit from new AutoCAD enhancements, including automated annotation scaling and speed enhancements. New features and enhancements to pre-existing Civil 3D features benefit a wide range of design, drafting and surveying professionals.
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008 includes AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 functionality. However, not all AutoCAD Map commands work fully with the AutoCAD Civil 3D model. For example, the AutoCAD Map 3D Query command can't use Civil 3D object data such as an alignment name or parcel number. Other commands such as Drawing Cleanup don't trim or extend Civil 3D objects. In addition, Civil 3D objects can't be exported directly into Oracle Spatial (they must be exploded first). However, AutoCAD Civil 3D provides the ability to export data—including Civil 3D points, parcels, alignments and pipes—into SDF format files that can be used to create intelligent maps in Autodesk MapGuide and AutoCAD Map 3D applications.
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008 functionality can provide significant productivity benefits for a variety of project types and tasks, including surveying, transportation, site, sewer, storm drain, subdivision and environmental design projects (figure 1). The software's functionality is flexible enough to be used for specialized tasks, such as landscape architecture, land-use planning and golf course design.
 Figure 1. Civil 3D 2008 can generate a dynamic model of any road, rail or corridor project based on design elements, including alignments, profiles, superelevation and criteria included in design subassemblies. Changes to any elements that are used to create models result in updated corridor volumes, surfaces, sections and other analysis and output. |
According to Pete Kelsey, Autodesk's Civil evangelist, Civil 3D 2008 is a dynamic model-based environment that allows a lot of interoperability with many import and export formats, such as ESRI's and Bentley's. When asked if Civil 3D is really a BIM (building information modeling) application, Kelsey said he likes to use the term CIM (civil information modeling).
Bentley OnSite
New for 2007, Bentley Systems has introduced Bentley OnSite, a software product that connects the worlds of civil engineering design and construction. This new software automates tasks for stakeout, inspection and measurement in the field, which facilitate project management and help ensure unprecedented levels of accuracy during construction. Used in concert with industry-standard GPS hardware, the software runs on portable devices and can be used by field personnel in applications ranging from earthwork and grading to drainage, utilities and signage (figure 2).
 Figure 2. Bentley OnSite runs on portable devices, so users can bring their design models into the field. |
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About the Author: H. Edward Goldberg
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