How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
(OP)
I'm researching the idea of upgrading from AutoCAD 2004 with LDD to a 3d version for use in the site design/land development field. Is 3d the way of the future? Will companies that do not upgrade to 3d be left in the dust? Will the companies that effectively use 3d models create a superior product? Thanks!





RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
I can see how the tools may be useful to mechanical engineers, structural engineers and architects, but I can't think of any civil applications where current 3D capabilities aren't sufficient. (e.g. contouring, creating cross-sections, etc.)
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
Its integrated into AutoCAD, but it has civil tools much like LDD. LDD is more stable and there is more support info for it.
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
Some of the demos and "training" that I saw were more like sales demos. There are good features, but you need standards set up before you start, and training before you start would be very beneficial.
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
On a lighter note the new Civil 3D is absolutely amazing. The things it can do are awesome, like the instant updating to surfaces, profiles, etc. when design changes are made. I can see a huge savings in drawing time in the future. It does have some snags that need worked out yet but I'm sure they will get it............eventually.
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
Have a good weekend. A lot of mine will (apparently) be spent wrestling with 3D.
Engineering is the practice of the art of science - Steve
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
Do a Google search for Phillip Zimmerman and Civil3D.
There are also some good things on the net at Autodesk
Autodesk.co.uk.civil3d-downloads
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
The dynamic capability is what sets it apart. Dynamic means all profiles, cross sections and corriders tied to an alignment are updated AUTOMATICALLY if you change the alignment, FG profile or surface.
What a relief this is. Also, forget messing with text. If you want it to be 1/10", one setting and for what ever scale you want, the text will be right.
Civil 3D has become more akin to computer programming than drafting in many respects (styles, labels, properties and objects). It is such a drastic modification that it will take a tremendous effort in training and setup for many in the industry to become proficient.
I am lucky, in that I have no bottom line to contend with. But, the features and benifits are there to offset the investment.
One more note. Civil3D 2006 is very much like the Beta version. I would anticipate that 2008 is much better and more "mature".
RE: How useful is AutoCAD 3D?
The bottomless pit of styles seems annoying, particularly when you're getting started, but if you stick with the default until you get to the finer points of your drafting, they're not so bad. The dynamic updating applies to styles (which include layer assignments) as well, so it really doesn't matter if your entire project is on the 0 layer until you find a reason to move something to its own layer.
I still struggle with Microstation and Geopak, but to me C3D is intuitive and that, along with the dynamic updating, is the most valuable part of the software.