About the Author
Danny Counts
I was recently certified by Autodesk as a Civil 3D Implementation Certified Expert or ICE. I have worked in the Civil Engineering industry since 1987. In 1994 I started my consulting business doing training and consulting for Civil Engineering customers utilizing Autodesk civil engineering technology. I started L.A. CAD in 1999 and we are currently the 3rd largest Autodesk partner in the U.S. Studied Civil Engineering at Long Beach State, graduated in 1996.
In The News
Catch up on the latest news and press in the U.S. CAD Press Room.
Links
- L.A. CAD Website
- Autodesk's Civil Community Website
- CAD Digest
- BLAUGI-Civil
- AUGI Civil 3D Forum
- Autodesk C3D Discussion Group
- Civil 3D White Papers (L.A. CAD)
Civil 3D Blogs
- Digging In-Danny Counts of L.A. CAD
- Civil3D.com
- Paving The Way-Scott McEchron
- Beneath The Lines-Jason Hickey
- CAD vs. BIM-Jay Zallan
- The Dan and Dave Show-Dan Philbrick & Dave Simeone
- Wicked Cool Stuff-Anthony Governanti
Previous Posts
- Data Shortcut Projects from 2008 to 2009
- U.S. CAD exhibiting Knowledge-Trax at Autodesk Uni...
- Civil 3D Services in Hawaii in new Hawaii office
- Vault Implementation Package for Civil 3D
- Civil 3D and Land Desktop 2008 SP2 almost ready!
- Southern California CAD Summit 2007
- Civil 3D and Land Desktop Knowledge Trax Assessmen...
- Seminar: Civil 3D Label Styles to meet Agency Requ...
- Map 3D Webcast - Taking AutoCAD to the next Level
- 3-Line Profiles (revisited) and workflow
Archives
- January 2006
- February 2006
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- June 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- October 2006
- November 2006
- January 2007
- July 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- April 2008
Digging In...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Data Shortcut Projects from 2008 to 2009
Since Data Shortcuts have become much more friendly in 2009 and viable I might add... to boot, I do know of several of our customers that used 2008 data shortcuts in Civil 3D. We need to find out how easily Data Shortcuts setup in 2008 will transfer to 2009. What I have discovered is in 2008 if I create a "_Shortcuts" folder with appropriate sub-folders (Alignments, Surfaces, Pipe Networks, etc) and store the correct XML files in those sub folders, then the Data Shortcut Project seems to transfer pretty well from 2008 to 2009. I found a few minor glitches that are easy to fix and probably unavoidable.
I think the biggest challenge for folks will be putting their XML files from C3D 2008 into a "_Shortcuts" folder. The reason (if you don't know) why we want them in this specific folder is because Civil 3D 2009 creates this folder automatically under the Data Shortcut Project folder. This is the place it looks for all the XML files representing these Data Shortcuts.
If you decide to move a project from C3D 2008 to 2009, you should consider storing your XML files in this specific location in 2008 prior to moving them. There may be another way, but this did seem to work for me.
I think the biggest challenge for folks will be putting their XML files from C3D 2008 into a "_Shortcuts" folder. The reason (if you don't know) why we want them in this specific folder is because Civil 3D 2009 creates this folder automatically under the Data Shortcut Project folder. This is the place it looks for all the XML files representing these Data Shortcuts.
If you decide to move a project from C3D 2008 to 2009, you should consider storing your XML files in this specific location in 2008 prior to moving them. There may be another way, but this did seem to work for me.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
U.S. CAD exhibiting Knowledge-Trax at Autodesk University
U.S. CAD will be featuring Knowledge-Trax www.knowledge-trax.com, an online assessment tool that allows architects and engineers to asses the knowledge level of their users on various Autodesk products such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit Architecture, Inventor, and Map. Knowledge-Trax has the ability to categorize the knowledge gaps for individual users within a firm and report a specific modular training program and curriculum for all users within a company. The training is targeted on specifically what each individual user needs and the assessments in Knowledge-Trax are also customizable creating another level of developing a targeted training curriculum.
We will also be on hand to share our experience concerning Civil 3D implementation and all of the best practices we have developed by working with 50+ firms in Southern California, Hawaii, and beyond. We have an abundance of information to share with you that will help you achieve more success in implementing Civil 3D for your company.
We will also be on hand to share our experience concerning Civil 3D implementation and all of the best practices we have developed by working with 50+ firms in Southern California, Hawaii, and beyond. We have an abundance of information to share with you that will help you achieve more success in implementing Civil 3D for your company.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Civil 3D Services in Hawaii in new Hawaii office
We have opened our first office outside of So Cal, in Hawaii. We will bring our dynamic Civil 3D Implementation and Training Services to the Hawaii marketplace. The firm we acquired in Hawaii is a production services firm that allows architects and engineers the ability to offload the creation of 3D models and constuction drawings. We typically refer to this type of service as "design-input". We are "inputting" the design that you are dictating of course. With our knowledge of using the 3D tools and design projects, we can provide an efficient mechanism by which companies can outsource additional workloads without the expense of hiring new employees. This also allows us to provide short and long term contract labor for architects and engineers.
www.uscad.com
See Press release:
http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/lacad/100307_aiea_hawaii.htm
www.uscad.com
See Press release:
http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/lacad/100307_aiea_hawaii.htm
Monday, October 01, 2007
Vault Implementation Package for Civil 3D
At U.S. CAD, we have developed a formalized Vault Implementation Package for Civil 3D. If you are serious about implementing Vault in a Pilot Configuration for your firm followed by implementing Vault in a Production Configuration, we would be happy to share the details of our phased approach.
www.uscad.com
www.uscad.com
Civil 3D and Land Desktop 2008 SP2 almost ready!
Service Pack 2 for AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008 Update
The new target release date for Service Pack (SP) 2 for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2008 and AutoCAD® Land Desktop 2008 software is now the week of October 8. These are both general maintenance service packs. Please refer to the readme files prior to applying SP2 for information on installation and resolved issues.
Actions: When available, you can download at:
For the readmes and service packs for AutoCAD Civil 3D software, go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240698
For the readmes and service packs for AutoCAD Land Desktop, go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240778
The new target release date for Service Pack (SP) 2 for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2008 and AutoCAD® Land Desktop 2008 software is now the week of October 8. These are both general maintenance service packs. Please refer to the readme files prior to applying SP2 for information on installation and resolved issues.
Actions: When available, you can download at:
For the readmes and service packs for AutoCAD Civil 3D software, go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240698
For the readmes and service packs for AutoCAD Land Desktop, go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240778
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Southern California CAD Summit 2007
You can do it. Take the plunge into the latest Autodesk® technology
What: Southern California CAD Summit 2007
When: August 23, 2007
Where: Anaheim Convention Center
SCCS 2007 is here and once again it’s making waves as the largest annual CAD training event in Southern California. We’re creating a splash with a full day of training, offering 40 industry-specific classes covering the latest technology for Architecture, MEP, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geospatial, Design Visualization, Mechanical and Electrical. We’ve also invited the industry’s best talent join us as our featured guest speakers, as well as select vendors that offer top technology to compliment your Autodesk solutions. Now is the time to swim (not sink) on the latest technology. Expand your pool of knowledge and register today at www.lacad.com/cad_summit.html.
What: Southern California CAD Summit 2007
When: August 23, 2007
Where: Anaheim Convention Center
SCCS 2007 is here and once again it’s making waves as the largest annual CAD training event in Southern California. We’re creating a splash with a full day of training, offering 40 industry-specific classes covering the latest technology for Architecture, MEP, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geospatial, Design Visualization, Mechanical and Electrical. We’ve also invited the industry’s best talent join us as our featured guest speakers, as well as select vendors that offer top technology to compliment your Autodesk solutions. Now is the time to swim (not sink) on the latest technology. Expand your pool of knowledge and register today at www.lacad.com/cad_summit.html.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Civil 3D and Land Desktop Knowledge Trax Assessments Complete
Assessments for Civil 3D and Land Desktop are complete. Contact L.A. CAD to assess your skills with these technologies and determine what training is appropriate.
http://www.knowledge-trax.com/
With our exclusive Knowledge Trax assessment technology, the training for your firm can be tailored to meet the individual needs of the users. This highly customizable pre and post-assessment and screening technology allows employers to EVALUATE employees’ knowledge gaps, IDENTIFY and deliver appropriate training to help them ACHIEVE more.
The question bank in Knowledge Trax categorizes the questions so we can identify the exact subject matter where knowledge gaps exist for each user. The assessments coupled with our exclusive modular training curriculum for Civil 3D and Land Desktop finally enables a company to train their individuals on exactly what they need by grouping like individuals into the appropriate modules of training. The question bank categories match the modules of training we deliver to fill in the knowledge gaps.
L.A. CAD will credit the value of the assessments toward your training investment, or you can simply assess your users to obtain valuable results to see where you stand with your knowledge of the technology.
http://www.knowledge-trax.com/
With our exclusive Knowledge Trax assessment technology, the training for your firm can be tailored to meet the individual needs of the users. This highly customizable pre and post-assessment and screening technology allows employers to EVALUATE employees’ knowledge gaps, IDENTIFY and deliver appropriate training to help them ACHIEVE more.
The question bank in Knowledge Trax categorizes the questions so we can identify the exact subject matter where knowledge gaps exist for each user. The assessments coupled with our exclusive modular training curriculum for Civil 3D and Land Desktop finally enables a company to train their individuals on exactly what they need by grouping like individuals into the appropriate modules of training. The question bank categories match the modules of training we deliver to fill in the knowledge gaps.
L.A. CAD will credit the value of the assessments toward your training investment, or you can simply assess your users to obtain valuable results to see where you stand with your knowledge of the technology.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Seminar: Civil 3D Label Styles to meet Agency Requirements
We have built many Civil 3D Label Styles for many Southern California firms to meet the requirements set forth by their customers. We have a Free seminar being offered where we will take a look at some of these Label Styles and learn what it took to create them.
To register, click here:
http://www.lacad.com/cgi-bin/calendar.pl?month=2&filter1=Infrastructure%20Solutions&filter2=All&calendar=Events&view=Event&event_id=322&datestring=20070207
Overview:
Out of the box, Civil 3D will most likely not deliver the labels that meet the requirements of your clients or your own internal standards. L.A. CAD has been involved in implementing Civil 3D and building custom label styles for several companies in Southern California that do meet the requirements of internal CAD Standards and agency requirements. In this seminar, we will take a look at some complete (and fairly complicated) label styles that meet these requirements and learn the details as to how they were composed. You will not only learn how to create these unique label styles but you will learn how to automate the production of these labels by understanding Feature Settings in Civil 3D that can automatically place these labels when you produce your design. You will also learn how to capture these label styles so you can re-use from drawing to drawing or project to project.
Topics will include:
-Creating Custom Labels
-Label Style Composer
-Layout State versus Dragged State
-Label components
-Label Sets
-Label Groups
-Text Component Editor
-Using Expressions in Labels
-Feature Settings
-Controlling Layers and Text Styles
To register, click here:
http://www.lacad.com/cgi-bin/calendar.pl?month=2&filter1=Infrastructure%20Solutions&filter2=All&calendar=Events&view=Event&event_id=322&datestring=20070207
Overview:
Out of the box, Civil 3D will most likely not deliver the labels that meet the requirements of your clients or your own internal standards. L.A. CAD has been involved in implementing Civil 3D and building custom label styles for several companies in Southern California that do meet the requirements of internal CAD Standards and agency requirements. In this seminar, we will take a look at some complete (and fairly complicated) label styles that meet these requirements and learn the details as to how they were composed. You will not only learn how to create these unique label styles but you will learn how to automate the production of these labels by understanding Feature Settings in Civil 3D that can automatically place these labels when you produce your design. You will also learn how to capture these label styles so you can re-use from drawing to drawing or project to project.
Topics will include:
-Creating Custom Labels
-Label Style Composer
-Layout State versus Dragged State
-Label components
-Label Sets
-Label Groups
-Text Component Editor
-Using Expressions in Labels
-Feature Settings
-Controlling Layers and Text Styles
