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Anthony Cook

This course will improve your existing knowledge of Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Corridors. It is intended for those who already know the basics of setting up a corridor but are interested in learning more effective ways of working with the software and those who want to learn more advanced skills.

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This course will improve your existing knowledge of Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Corridors. It is intended for those who already know the basics of setting up a corridor but are interested in learning more effective ways of working with the software and those who want to learn more advanced skills.

The course won't cover every detail of corridor modelling but it will quickly but thoroughly cover the key topics in an easy to understand way. I have taught many people in the workplace the best ways to set up corridors and how to use them to your advantage to productively create drawing outputs so I believe I understand how to convey the important bits of information in a format you can understand.

There are many training courses available which are excellent for beginners or those wanting to get an overview of the whole software. In addition, I believe there is a demand for courses aimed at intermediate/advanced users who want to be able to use the software more independently at a higher level. It is important to understand, making a detailed corridor model is not always actually required. The corridor model is just a tool to help check and convey your design.

Remember: "All models are wrong, but some are useful" - George Box

Check out the course content below to see if the sections and lecture questions might be useful to you.

Note: Example drawings in this course are provided in 2013 and 2018 file versions. Although, it is recommended you use Civil 3D version 2018 or later for this course to avoid backward compatibility issues with drawing objects.

If you have a Civil 3D version below 2018 you will still be able to follow the course but some of the completed example drawings may not appear correctly when opened.

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What's inside

Syllabus

This section introduces the 4 parts to this courses and covers the basics of an setting up a Civil 3D corridor.

This lectures explains the 5 parts of the course and points out some settings to check, and files to download to follow the examples.

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We will recap the various components of a corridor and how to create one. It will cover alignments, profiles, sub-assemblies, assemblies, corridors, and surfaces.

Before getting stuck into the details of the software, this lecture takes a moment to step back and understand what a corridor is, and the advantages and limitations it has over other modelling types.

Confirm your understanding of the introduction topics.

Best practices on corridor component creation

An alignment is typically the main factor controlling the position of the corridor. You need to think about the end product when starting out.

Once you have confirmed the alignment location, you can start to consider the vertical geometry. Although this is easy enough to change later the whole process goes smoother if you think about the levels carefully.

After this lecture you will know easy and hard ways to create assemblies. The choice of sub-assemblies is important and you need to understand what your end outputs are before you begin - in particular what surfaces you want to make from the corridor.

Making the actual corridor is an easy step. What takes time is the problem analysis and tweaking to ensure your corridor is behaving as intended.

Even though the plan view of a corridor looks correct, you need to understand what all the lines mean, and what it looks like in any view.

Test your knowledge of section 2.

Uses for corridors

A corridor is typically used to model roadways. Whether these be isolated road corridors with daylight batters, or within subdivision with no interface with the existing surface. This lecture highlights the subtle differences.

Remember, Civil 3D is just a tool to help you check your engineering designs and illustrate them to others. A corridor is just one tool, and it can be used in many ways, for anything that is somewhat uniform and over a reasonable distance. Some examples are railways, retaining walls (or noise walls), pipe trenches, carpark kerbs, walkways, and swales.

This lecture looks at how you can use a 'dummy' surface to speed up your carpark design using a corridor. If the term dummy surface doesn't make sense, think of it is a stage 1 design surface, temporary surface, or even a bulk earthworks surface.

A short quiz on the different types of corridor applications.

Corridor output types

A surface is the main output from a corridor and is used a basis for other designs such as pipe networks, or earthworks. This lecture covers the key settings you should be looking out for.

Whether you want 1 or 100, it is a similar easy process to create cross sections. The harder part is making them look good and presenting them on a drawing.

You can spend a lot of time working on the presentation of your sections. The trick is to make it as automatic as possible to reduce the time it takes to update them when (not if) your corridor needs updating.

One last lecture on cross section presentation shows you how to project different objects to the section views to assist with presentation.

A corridor can be used extensively within Civil 3D and outside the software. You can extract parts of it for contractors such as 3D polylines, or create output files that interact with other designs such as Revit and Infraworks.

Test your knowledge of corridor outputs with this quiz.

Conclusion

This lecture re-iterates the steps of making a corridor and the important bits to watch out for. It quickly runs through the key parts of the process and produces some outputs.

LOTS. I don't pretend to know everything about the software, it is far too extensive for any one person to understand completely. For instance, you could make a whole Udemy course on making 1 sub-assembly using Autodesk Sub assembly Composer. I am looking at making some future courses, there are 7 possible topics included in this lecture.

Be sure to drop me a message, or leave a course review on what you liked about this course and what you would like to see in future courses.

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D: Working with corridors with these activities:
Review Alignment and Profile Creation
Reinforce your understanding of alignment and profile creation, which are fundamental to corridor design in Civil 3D. This will help you create more accurate and efficient corridor models.
Show steps
  • Review Civil 3D documentation on alignments.
  • Practice creating alignments from different data sources.
  • Experiment with different profile creation methods.
Study 'Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge'
Gain a broader understanding of civil engineering principles related to corridor design. This will help you make more informed decisions when using Civil 3D.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge'.
  • Read the sections related to transportation engineering and geometric design.
  • Relate the concepts to corridor design in Civil 3D.
Read 'Mastering Civil 3D'
Expand your knowledge of Civil 3D beyond the course material by reading a comprehensive guide. This will provide a broader understanding of the software's capabilities and how corridors fit into the overall workflow.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Mastering Civil 3D'.
  • Read the chapters related to corridor design and modeling.
  • Try out the examples provided in the book.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Corridor Modeling Practice
Sharpen your corridor modeling skills through repetitive practice. This will help you become more proficient in using Civil 3D to create complex corridor designs.
Show steps
  • Create a series of corridor models with varying complexity.
  • Experiment with different subassemblies and corridor settings.
  • Troubleshoot common corridor modeling issues.
Develop a Corridor Design Presentation
Solidify your understanding of corridor design by creating a presentation that showcases your skills. This will force you to think critically about the design process and communicate your ideas effectively.
Show steps
  • Select a corridor design project.
  • Create a presentation outlining the design process and key decisions.
  • Present your design to peers or colleagues for feedback.
Contribute to Civil 3D Forums
Deepen your understanding by helping others and engaging with the Civil 3D community. This will expose you to different perspectives and challenges related to corridor design.
Show steps
  • Join online Civil 3D forums.
  • Answer questions related to corridor modeling.
  • Share your knowledge and experience with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D: Working with corridors will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Road Designer
Road Designers specialize in the detailed design of roadways, including alignment, grading, and drainage. This course on mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors is very relevant to this role. The course offers in-depth training on effective ways of working with the software, including best practices for corridor component creation and understanding various corridor applications in the context of road design. Furthermore, the course covers corridor output types, such as surfaces and cross sections, which are essential for Road Designers to produce detailed design plans. The knowledge gained from this course can help you become a Road Designer.
Civil Engineer
The role of a Civil Engineer involves planning, designing, and overseeing the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects. This often includes road design, where a detailed understanding of corridor modeling is essential. A Civil Engineer would find this course helpful in mastering the advanced features of AutoCAD Civil 3D, specifically regarding corridors. The course provides best practices for corridor component creation and highlights uses for corridors like roadways and railways. Understanding corridor output types, such as surfaces and cross sections, is also vital for a Civil Engineer. Those interested in becoming a Civil Engineer will find this course an efficient way to enhance their skills.
Highway Engineer
A Highway Engineer specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of highways and roadways. This course on mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors can significantly enhance a Highway Engineer's proficiency. It offers focused training on effective ways of working with the software, including best practices for corridor component creation and insights into various corridor applications relevant to roadways. You will likely find that the content on corridor output types will be particularly valuable, which leads to a more comprehensive understanding of highway design projects. This detailed knowledge is beneficial to Highway Engineers.
Infrastructure Designer
As an Infrastructure Designer, you will be responsible for creating detailed designs and plans for various infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and utilities. This course on mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors is highly relevant to this role. The course offers in-depth training on effective ways of working with the software, including best practices for corridor component creation and understanding various corridor applications. Furthermore, the practical knowledge of corridor output types enhances your ability to design and document infrastructure projects. Those interested in becoming Infrastructure Designers will find this course useful.
CAD Technician
A CAD Technician uses computer software to create technical drawings and plans. This course on mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors will improve your existing knowledge to help CAD Technicians who want to elevate their expertise in Civil 3D. The course provides a thorough exploration of corridor modeling, covering best practices for component creation and understanding various corridor applications. Furthermore, it delves into corridor output types, which a CAD Technician needs to be familiar with to accurately produce technical drawings. Taking this course could make you a highly proficient CAD Technician.
Civil Engineering Technician
A Civil Engineering Technician assists civil engineers in planning, designing, and constructing infrastructure projects. This course on mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors will improve your existing knowledge and may be directly applicable to this role. It provides thorough training on effective ways of working with the software, including best practices for corridor component creation and understanding various corridor applications. Furthermore, the course covers corridor output types, such as surfaces and cross sections, which are essential for Civil Engineering Technicians to understand. With this training, you can be a sought after Civil Engineering Technician.
Transportation Planner
As a Transportation Planner, you will develop plans and strategies for transportation systems, with a focus on efficiency, safety, and sustainability. A key aspect of this role involves understanding the design and modeling of transportation infrastructure. This course, which will improve your knowledge of Civil 3D corridors, is particularly relevant. It offers insights into best practices for corridor component creation, as well as the various uses for corridors. The course also covers corridor output types, all of which are essential for transportation planning. This is valuable knowledge for a Transportation Planner who needs to visualize and analyze design options.
Survey Technician
Survey Technicians assist land surveyors in collecting and analyzing data for boundary determination and mapping projects. This course on mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors can enhance a Survey Technician's skills. It offers insights into how corridor modeling can be used to create accurate digital terrain models and maps. A Survey Technician can leverage the course content on corridor output types, such as surfaces, to improve the efficiency and precision of surveying workflows. You are probably going to find this detailed knowledge beneficial to your career as a Survey Technician.
Land Surveyor
Land Surveyors establish official land, air space, and water boundaries. Although this course focuses on AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors, that knowledge may prove valuable. Land Surveyors can leverage the corridor modeling capabilities in Civil 3D to create accurate digital terrain models and maps. Land surveyors can take advantage of the course content on corridor output types, such as surfaces. The course's emphasis on best practices can translate into more efficient and precise surveying workflows. A Land Surveyor can leverage this to take their projects to the next level.
Site Engineer
Site Engineers manage and oversee construction projects on-site, ensuring that designs are implemented correctly and efficiently. While this course focuses on mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors, that knowledge may become a valuable asset. Site Engineers can utilize corridor modeling for tasks such as road layouts and earthwork calculations. The course covers best practices for corridor component creation and highlights various uses for corridors. Understanding corridor output types, such as surfaces, is necessary for Site Engineers involved in construction projects. For those looking to become a Site Engineer, this course may be helpful.
Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical Engineers investigate subsurface conditions and materials to assess risks and design foundations for various structures. While this course focused on AutoCAD Civil 3D corridors might not seem directly related, corridors are often used to model roadways and railways, and this course will improve your knowledge of such applications. As a Geotechnical Engineer, understanding the design and construction of these infrastructures is crucial. The course covers best practices for corridor component creation and highlights various uses for corridors, offering valuable insights into the broader context of infrastructure projects. An understanding of corridor output types may also be helpful.
Urban Planner
Urban Planners develop plans and programs for land use, transportation, and community development. While Urban Planners may not directly create detailed CAD models, understanding the capabilities of software like AutoCAD Civil 3D is valuable for visualizing and analyzing urban development projects. This course on mastering Civil 3D corridors provides insights into the design and modeling of roadways and other infrastructure elements within an urban context. Urban Planners will find the course helpful in understanding the technical aspects of infrastructure projects, which leads to collaboration with engineers and designers. This detailed knowledge can prove beneficial to Urban Planners.
GIS Analyst
A GIS Analyst uses geographic information systems to analyze spatial data and create maps and visualizations. While a GIS Analyst may not directly use AutoCAD Civil 3D for design, understanding the data generated by Civil 3D can be valuable. This course on mastering Civil 3D corridors provides insights into how roadways and other infrastructure elements are modeled in Civil 3D. A GIS Analyst can use the corridor output types from Civil 3D, such as surfaces, in GIS analysis and mapping applications. The skills learned in this course will benefit your career as a GIS Analyst.
Public Works Director
A Public Works Director oversees the planning, design, and maintenance of public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and utilities. While a Public Works Director may not directly engage in CAD design, understanding the capabilities of software like AutoCAD Civil 3D is valuable for making informed decisions. The course on mastering Civil 3D corridors provides insights into the modeling and design of roadways and other infrastructure elements. This helps Public Works Directors assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of different project approaches. Public Works Directors may find this course to be useful.
Construction Manager
A Construction Manager oversees construction projects from start to finish, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Understanding the design and modeling aspects of infrastructure projects is important. While a Construction Manager may not directly use AutoCAD Civil 3D, this course on mastering Civil 3D corridors provides insights into how roadways and other infrastructure elements are designed. A Construction Manager can benefit from understanding the technical aspects of corridor modeling and design, which leads to more effective communication with engineers and designers. Construction Managers may find the knowledge in this course useful.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D: Working with corridors.
Provides a comprehensive guide to Civil 3D, covering a wide range of topics including corridors. It offers detailed explanations and practical examples that can enhance your understanding of corridor modeling. While not solely focused on corridors, it provides valuable context and advanced techniques. It is commonly used as a reference by Civil 3D professionals.
Provides a broad overview of civil engineering principles and practices. It is useful for understanding the context in which Civil 3D is used and the engineering principles that underpin corridor design. It is more valuable as additional reading to provide context than as a direct reference for Civil 3D commands. This book is commonly used by civil engineering students and professionals.

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