AutoCad Civil 3D for Beginners from Udemy

What's inside

Syllabus

Learn how to download AutoDesk Civil 3D for Educational Use

About the Course & Instructor

Introduction and overview of Civil 3D course.

Please download and follow the instructions in the document (Resource) to download the software for FREE.

In this video I have explained how to create Civil 3D points and points group.

In this lecture, you will learn how to import points from points file to Civil 3D. The different types of files that can be imported are presented.

Note: you can use any points file you have. Excel file can be used, or even Notepad file. Check the link I have added to download a sample points file from AutoDesk.

In this video I went through creating a TIN surface in Civil 3D using a point group. You will learn how to adjust the automatically created surface in order to reach a desired surface.

In this part I have explained how to create a horizontal alignment (center-line alignment) in Civil 3D.

You will learn how to create Vertical Alignment using PVI points. You will also learn how to adjust the slopes of the curves.

You will learn how to create a neat view for your super-elevation calculation. This view shows you all of the different transitions in any kind of super-elevation.

You will learn how to create basic cross section of roads using the assembly tool. The section includes the slopes, pavement layers, medians, and shoulders of the road.

You will learn how to create the corridor using the previously created assembly.

Based on the surface profile, your road cross section slopes will change. You will learn how to create cross sections of your road using sample lines.

This is the most essential part of Civil 3D; this lesson teaches you how to perform the basic calculations and how to interpret the cut and fill volumes.

Sometimes you are asked to calculate the amount of asphalt or base material needed for a certain road; this lesson will guide you through this process.

There is something extremely important about engineering; we need to understand the philosophy of engineering rather than just memorizing stuff.

You can learn how to click this or that button, and this is not my concern. My concern is for you to understand the concepts.

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on performing calculations such as cut and fill, which are essential for civil engineering projects involving earthwork and pavement layer estimation

Provides a foundation for using Civil 3D software, which is a great starting point for those new to the field of civil engineering design and analysis

Covers the creation of points, surfaces, alignments, and corridors, which are fundamental elements in civil engineering design and modeling

Requires learners to download AutoDesk Civil 3D, which may require a subscription or educational license, potentially posing a barrier for some learners

Emphasizes understanding the concepts of engineering rather than just memorizing steps, which is crucial for developing problem-solving skills

Reviews summary

Beginner's guide to civil 3d basics

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation for those new to AutoCAD Civil 3D. Students appreciate the clear and easy-to-follow explanations of basic concepts and tools. The course covers essential tasks like creating points and surfaces, alignments, and performing earthwork calculations (cut and fill volumes). Reviewers frequently mention the practical, hands-on approach and the focus on understanding the 'why' behind the steps, not just clicking buttons. While it's designed for beginners and successfully serves that audience, some note it sticks strictly to fundamentals and doesn't delve into more advanced topics or potential real-world complexities, which is consistent with the course description. Overall, it is viewed as a highly effective starting point for using Civil 3D in a professional context.

Helpful guidance on accessing the software.

"The instructions on downloading Civil 3D for educational use were very helpful."

"Glad they included a step-by-step guide for getting the software legally and for free."

"Saved me a lot of time figuring out how to get Civil 3D installed."

Instructor focuses on concepts, not just steps.

"I appreciate that the instructor emphasized understanding the 'why' behind using certain tools or methods."

"The philosophy of understanding the engineering concept first is a great approach."

"He doesn't just tell you where to click, he explains what that action achieves."

"The instructor's passion for the subject comes through, making the lectures engaging."

Teaches essential, practical Civil 3D skills.

"Learning how to calculate cut and fill volumes alone was worth the price of admission. It's a core skill."

"The sections on creating surfaces and sample lines are directly applicable to real-world civil engineering tasks."

"I can now confidently import points and create basic road assemblies."

"This course gave me the practical tools I needed to start using Civil 3D for simple projects."

Clearly explains fundamental Civil 3D concepts.

"The instructor explains the basic concepts clearly, making it easy to follow even if you have no prior Civil 3D experience."

"Really helped solidify my understanding of how Civil 3D handles points and surfaces."

"I found the explanations on alignments particularly helpful for a beginner like me."

"The course is well-structured and breaks down complex topics into simple, understandable parts."

Excellent starting point for new users.

"As a complete beginner, this course was exactly what I needed to get started with Civil 3D."

"The pace is perfect for someone just learning the software; not too fast, not too slow."

"Highly recommended for anyone looking to understand the basics before moving to advanced topics."

"It truly targets and serves the beginner audience effectively."

Focuses strictly on beginner-level basics.

"While excellent for beginners, the course does not cover any advanced functionalities."

"Don't expect to become an expert; it provides a foundational understanding only."

"Could use more in-depth examples of real-world project workflows."

"It's a great introduction, but you will definitely need more advanced courses afterwards."

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 AutoCad Civil 3D for Beginners with these activities:

Review Surveying Principles

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Reviewing surveying principles will provide a solid foundation for understanding how Civil 3D uses point data and surface creation.

Browse courses on Surveying

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Review basic surveying concepts and terminology.
Study different surveying methods and equipment.
Practice basic surveying calculations.

Read 'Civil Engineering Handbook'

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Reading the Civil Engineering Handbook will provide a broader understanding of the civil engineering principles behind Civil 3D.

View The Civil Engineering Handbook on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the Civil Engineering Handbook.
Read relevant chapters on surveying, earthwork, and road design.
Take notes on key concepts and formulas.

Practice Point Creation and Surface Generation

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Practicing point creation and surface generation will reinforce your understanding of these fundamental Civil 3D skills.

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Create points using different methods in Civil 3D.
Generate TIN surfaces from point groups.
Adjust surface properties and analyze surface data.

Four other activities

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Read 'Mastering Civil 3D'

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Reading 'Mastering Civil 3D' will provide a deeper understanding of advanced Civil 3D features and workflows.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Mastering Civil 3D'.
Read chapters on advanced topics like corridor modeling and grading.
Practice the techniques described in the book.

Follow Advanced Civil 3D Tutorials

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Following advanced tutorials will expose you to more complex Civil 3D workflows and techniques.

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Search for advanced Civil 3D tutorials online.
Follow tutorials on topics like corridor modeling and grading.
Apply the techniques learned in the tutorials to your own projects.

Design a Simple Roadway Project

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Starting a roadway project will allow you to apply your Civil 3D skills in a practical setting.

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Define the project scope and objectives.
Create a surface from survey data or contours.
Design the horizontal and vertical alignments.
Create an assembly and corridor.
Generate cross sections and calculate earthwork volumes.

Prepare a Cut and Fill Volume Report

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Preparing a cut and fill volume report will solidify your understanding of earthwork calculations in Civil 3D.

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Use Civil 3D to calculate cut and fill volumes for a project.
Organize the data into a clear and concise report.
Include relevant diagrams and tables in the report.

Career center

Learners who complete AutoCad Civil 3D for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

CAD Drafter

CAD Drafters create technical drawings and plans using computer-aided design software. They work closely with engineers and architects to develop detailed designs for construction and manufacturing projects. A CAD drafter will find that this course helps them create points, surfaces, and horizontal and vertical alignments using Civil 3D. The course emphasis on understanding the philosophy of engineering, rather than just memorizing steps, is applicable to the problem solving nature of a CAD drafter role.

See salaries and explore the career path for CAD Drafter

Civil Engineering Technician

A Civil Engineering Technician assists civil engineers in planning, designing, and building infrastructure projects. This role often uses software to create and analyze designs. This course can equip you with the skills to use Civil 3D for creating points and surfaces, adjusting surfaces, creating surface profiles, creating sample lines, and performing calculations such as cut and fill, which are essential in this role. Someone interested in becoming a Civil Engineering Technician may find that this course helps build a strong foundation in using Civil 3D for basic calculations and report generation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineering Technician

Civil Engineering Designer

Civil Engineering Designers create detailed designs and plans for civil engineering projects under the supervision of a licensed engineer. The role involves a blend of technical skills and design principles. Learning how to create points and surfaces, adjust surfaces, create surface profiles, and create sample lines can be helpful for a civil engineering designer. Understanding how to perform calculations such as cut and fill can help improve the accuracy of a design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineering Designer

Surveyor

Surveyors measure and map land for construction and other purposes. They use specialized equipment and software to create accurate maps and data. Surveyors often utilize Civil 3D to process survey data and create surface models. This course will be useful for creating points and surfaces, adjusting surfaces, and generating reports. A surveyor may appreciate the focus on understanding concepts rather than just memorizing steps, as highlighted in the practice questions section of the course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Surveyor

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineers design, plan, and oversee the construction and maintenance of highways and roads. They use specialized software like Civil 3D to develop road designs and manage related data. This course may be useful for learning to create horizontal and vertical alignments, create basic cross sections of roads, and create corridors using the assembly tool. A highway engineer can find that this course helps them learn to perform calculations such as cut and fill volumes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Highway Engineer

Land Development Engineer

Land Development Engineers design and manage the development of land for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. They use software like Civil 3D to create site plans, manage grading, and design infrastructure. This course may be useful for creating points and surfaces, adjusting surfaces, creating surface profiles, and performing calculations such as cut and fill to effectively manage earthwork. Learning to perform calculations such as pavement layers quantity estimation can improve the ability of a Land Development Engineer to plan the creation of a site.

See salaries and explore the career path for Land Development Engineer

Site Engineer

A Site Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of construction projects, ensuring that work is completed to the required standards and specifications. They manage site layout, supervise construction activities, and troubleshoot technical issues. Site engineers can find the ability to create points and surfaces and the ability to adjust surfaces to be helpful for setting up a site. This course may be useful for those Site Engineers who need to understand how to perform calculations such as cut and fill.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Engineer

Construction Estimator

Construction Estimators are tasked with calculating the costs associated with construction projects. They analyze project plans, specifications, and other documents to prepare detailed estimates. This role often requires proficiency in software for quantity takeoff and cost analysis. This course may be useful for performing calculations such as cut and fill and pavement layers quantity estimation using Civil 3D, helping estimators accurately assess material needs. Those looking to become a Construction Estimator might find that this course helps improve their ability to perform critical calculations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Estimator

GIS Technician

GIS Technicians create and maintain geographic information systems and databases. They collect, analyze, and map spatial data using GIS software to support various projects and applications. A GIS Technician may be able to use this course to learn to create points and surfaces, adjust surfaces, and create surface profiles. Those who are GIS Technicians may find the ability to perform calculations such as cut and fill volumes to be useful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for GIS Technician

Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners develop strategies and plans to improve transportation systems and infrastructure. They analyze traffic patterns, forecast future transportation needs, and recommend solutions to enhance mobility and reduce congestion. Learning how to create horizontal and vertical alignments can be useful for a transportation planner. Also being able to create basic cross sections of roads using the assembly tool and to create corridors can improve a Transportation Planner's ability to plan future infrastructure projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Geospatial Analyst

Geospatial Analysts work with geographic data to analyze spatial relationships and patterns. They use geographic information systems, or GIS, and related software to create maps, models, and reports. Learning to create points and surfaces, adjust surfaces, and create surface profiles may be useful for a Geospatial Analyst using Civil 3D to manage geographic data. The Geospatial Analyst may also appreciate learning to perform calculations such as cut and fill volumes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geospatial Analyst

Public Works Planner

Public Works Planners develop and implement plans for public infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and utilities. They analyze data, assess community needs, and coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure project success. The ability to create points and surfaces, adjust surfaces, and create surface profiles may be useful in planning projects related to earthwork. A Public Works Planner can find the ability to perform calculations such as cut and fill volumes useful for estimating project scope.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Works Planner

Engineering Project Manager

Engineering Project Managers oversee engineering projects from initiation through completion, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. They coordinate project teams, manage resources, and communicate with stakeholders. Gaining the ability to create points and surfaces, adjust surfaces, and be able to perform calculations such as cut and fill may be useful for an Engineering Project Manager in understanding the details of an engineering project. An Engineering Project Manager with Civil 3D skills can improve their projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Project Manager

Hydraulic Engineer

Hydraulic Engineers specialize in the design and analysis of systems that involve the flow of fluids, such as water and wastewater. While Civil 3D is not their primary tool, understanding how to create points and surfaces, adjust surfaces, and create surface profiles may be useful in some contexts. Hydraulic Engineers may find that the course helps them understand the basic calculations of Civil 3D.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydraulic Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers develop solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution control, waste management, and remediation of contaminated sites. While not their primary focus, a basic familiarity with Civil 3D may be useful in understanding how to create points and surfaces, adjust surfaces, and create surface profiles. The ability to perform calculations such as cut and fill volumes may be relevant to managing contaminated soil during remediation projects. An Environmental Engineer may find that this course helps with some aspects of their job.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

AutoCad Civil 3D for Beginners

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Beginner's guide to civil 3d basics

Activities

Career center

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