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Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
Integrated BIM tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
In Civil 3D, design a roadway assembly and use the sub-assembly composer.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
8 min.
Transcript
00:04
In the previous segment, we created roadway alignments and profiles for a theoretical roadway project.
00:10
In this session, we'll get into the assemblies and briefly look at the subassembly composer.
00:16
For this project, we have about five typical sections that we want to model.
00:20
To begin with, we'll choose the Assembly function in the Home tab and provide the name, a few display settings,
00:28
and choose where we want to build our assembly on our screen.
00:32
When creating an assembly, it's best to bring up the Properties window and the Subassemblies window.
00:36
For this roadway, we want to create a separated median.
00:40
Using the advanced parameters, we can determine the width of the median, the slope, and the pavement details.
00:47
Next, we can add our lanes.
00:49
Now, we will calculate super elevation.
00:51
We need to choose LaneSuperelevationAOR for our lanes.
00:56
Once we provide the lane parameters, we can add as many lanes as we need to.
01:01
Now, in this case, we will add two lanes in each direction.
01:05
One detail that we want to do here is to give each lane a unique name.
01:10
This will be very beneficial when we create the corridor model.
01:14
And so, we'll call these lanes RT Lane 1 and RT Lane 2.
01:20
Then, we can add the shoulder to match the design width and match the pavement section of the lanes.
01:28
Finally, we'll add a daylight condition.
01:32
For the cut condition, we want to add a ditch.
01:34
So, in the properties, we can specify the slope and size of the ditch section.
01:41
So, we'll have a small roadside ditch when we are in cut, and we'll use the default parameters for the fill condition.
01:48
For the other side of the assembly, we want to add the same lane configuration we've just set up.
01:53
We’ll do this by selecting the assemblies that we’ve already created and use the mirror command.
01:59
Then, we'll select the point where the mirrored subassemblies will be inserted.
02:02
This just helps to save us time, since we've already defined these elements.
02:06
We will give the lanes on the left side a unique name as well.
02:11
Now, this assembly looks to be ready.
02:14
Previously, we created offset alignments and profiles for this area where we have turn lanes that overlap the center alignment.
02:23
We also have a raised medium that we want to model.
02:26
The offset alignments are placed where we want them in planned view.
02:29
So, let's go to the assembly now.
02:31
We set up the lanes and the curb similar to the previous section, but there are a few key elements that we want to consider.
02:38
The target will be based on the offset alignment, and we want a similar section for the other side of the roadway.
02:46
We'll need to be able to target the northbound side of the road as well.
02:50
We’ll do this by using a link offset and elevation assembly.
02:56
This will allow us to find the alignment and profile of the other alignment in the corridor.
03:01
And so, we'll set the value at –20, and this is so it will go to the left side, then place the line.
03:09
Then, we can mirror all the subassembly elements to the other side, based on the northbound alignment point.
03:17
Next, we want to draw a line connecting the top of the curves, and since this line will be variable,
03:23
we need to create a point that will connect these two elements.
03:26
We create a markpoint, and we'll call it Median.
03:30
Then, we add an element called LinktoMarkPoint.
03:33
Here, we can just identify the point that we are connecting to.
03:37
In this case, it was a point called Median.
03:40
One last thing we need to consider is the turn lane.
03:43
We can see in plan view that the lane is variable in width.
03:47
We want to be able to use an alignment or polyline to control the width of the lane.
03:52
In the assembly, we want to use a median lane in place of the inside lane.
03:58
So, we can choose LaneFromTaperedMedian1, then choose Replace in the command line.
04:04
Then, we choose the lane we want to replace.
04:07
The standard lanes are identified with the markers, so we can see that this assembly has been updated.
04:14
We’ll do the same thing on the other side.
04:17
Once again, we'll provide names for these lanes to make it easier when we create the corridor.
04:25
We've created additional assemblies for the other alignments, based on their typical sections.
04:30
In this assembly, we've actually included retaining walls.
04:34
These elements work well both in cut and in fill conditions.
04:39
Then, we would create any other assemblies for any other types of typical sections that we have in our project.
04:46
In the next part of the video, we'll take a look at the subassembly composer.
04:50
This allows us to create a custom subassembly based on our specific project needs.
04:55
In this case, we want to create a monolithic lane and curb that are connected.
05:01
The subassembly composer is comprised of points, links and shapes,
05:05
and we can drag and drop these items into a workflow space to determine the draw order.
05:12
We can also specify the relationship of each point with each other, and it can be based on offset values, slopes and distances.
05:19
When the relationship is identified between points, a link is automatically created.
05:26
A shape can also be created for any closed areas that are drawn with the composer.
05:33
The subassemblies can be drawn with hard-coded values so that when they're placed, the subassembly is always the same shape.
05:40
They can also be drawn with variable values that can be modified in the Properties menus by the user.
05:51
Subassemblies can also be drawn to target alignments or profiles,
05:55
then we can test the subassembly by modifying the target points and see how it reacts.
06:02
It looks to be in good order in this case.
06:05
The variable values give us greater flexibility in our design.
06:10
We can also assign materials to the shapes, and this gives us better control when we define our subassembly.
06:19
Once the subassembly is complete, we can save the item so that we can import it into our drawing.
06:25
Here, we want to add that monolithic lane and curb to the assembly that we just created.
06:31
We can right-click on our subassembly window to add a tab to the library, provide a name, then we can import our new subassembly.
06:45
We'll copy another assembly and then remove some of the elements that we can add our custom parts.
06:51
Now, since we've created several variable values, we can define those before placing it, but those look to be in pretty good order.
06:59
So, we'll place it as we previously defined.
07:02
That looks to be in pretty good shape.
07:04
Now, we can actually copy elements from another assembly and add it to this one.
07:09
Here, we want to add the sidewalk and the daylight subassemblies.
07:12
So, we'll select the assemblies that we want, select, copy, and then define the insertion point.
07:20
We can do the same thing on the other side by removing the unwanted points and mirroring the monolithic lane, curb and sidewalk.
07:29
However, when we insert that part, we can see that it didn't come in quite the way that we wanted.
07:35
So here, we'll select the custom subassembly and change the values so that it reflects the left side of our assembly marker.
07:44
Now we need to provide negative input values.
07:47
Then, we'll do the same thing with the curve as well.
07:51
We can view our final results.
07:54
This gives us an overview of setting up assemblies and subassemblies.
07:59
There are some very powerful elements that can really help define our project the way that we need to.
Video transcript
00:04
In the previous segment, we created roadway alignments and profiles for a theoretical roadway project.
00:10
In this session, we'll get into the assemblies and briefly look at the subassembly composer.
00:16
For this project, we have about five typical sections that we want to model.
00:20
To begin with, we'll choose the Assembly function in the Home tab and provide the name, a few display settings,
00:28
and choose where we want to build our assembly on our screen.
00:32
When creating an assembly, it's best to bring up the Properties window and the Subassemblies window.
00:36
For this roadway, we want to create a separated median.
00:40
Using the advanced parameters, we can determine the width of the median, the slope, and the pavement details.
00:47
Next, we can add our lanes.
00:49
Now, we will calculate super elevation.
00:51
We need to choose LaneSuperelevationAOR for our lanes.
00:56
Once we provide the lane parameters, we can add as many lanes as we need to.
01:01
Now, in this case, we will add two lanes in each direction.
01:05
One detail that we want to do here is to give each lane a unique name.
01:10
This will be very beneficial when we create the corridor model.
01:14
And so, we'll call these lanes RT Lane 1 and RT Lane 2.
01:20
Then, we can add the shoulder to match the design width and match the pavement section of the lanes.
01:28
Finally, we'll add a daylight condition.
01:32
For the cut condition, we want to add a ditch.
01:34
So, in the properties, we can specify the slope and size of the ditch section.
01:41
So, we'll have a small roadside ditch when we are in cut, and we'll use the default parameters for the fill condition.
01:48
For the other side of the assembly, we want to add the same lane configuration we've just set up.
01:53
We’ll do this by selecting the assemblies that we’ve already created and use the mirror command.
01:59
Then, we'll select the point where the mirrored subassemblies will be inserted.
02:02
This just helps to save us time, since we've already defined these elements.
02:06
We will give the lanes on the left side a unique name as well.
02:11
Now, this assembly looks to be ready.
02:14
Previously, we created offset alignments and profiles for this area where we have turn lanes that overlap the center alignment.
02:23
We also have a raised medium that we want to model.
02:26
The offset alignments are placed where we want them in planned view.
02:29
So, let's go to the assembly now.
02:31
We set up the lanes and the curb similar to the previous section, but there are a few key elements that we want to consider.
02:38
The target will be based on the offset alignment, and we want a similar section for the other side of the roadway.
02:46
We'll need to be able to target the northbound side of the road as well.
02:50
We’ll do this by using a link offset and elevation assembly.
02:56
This will allow us to find the alignment and profile of the other alignment in the corridor.
03:01
And so, we'll set the value at –20, and this is so it will go to the left side, then place the line.
03:09
Then, we can mirror all the subassembly elements to the other side, based on the northbound alignment point.
03:17
Next, we want to draw a line connecting the top of the curves, and since this line will be variable,
03:23
we need to create a point that will connect these two elements.
03:26
We create a markpoint, and we'll call it Median.
03:30
Then, we add an element called LinktoMarkPoint.
03:33
Here, we can just identify the point that we are connecting to.
03:37
In this case, it was a point called Median.
03:40
One last thing we need to consider is the turn lane.
03:43
We can see in plan view that the lane is variable in width.
03:47
We want to be able to use an alignment or polyline to control the width of the lane.
03:52
In the assembly, we want to use a median lane in place of the inside lane.
03:58
So, we can choose LaneFromTaperedMedian1, then choose Replace in the command line.
04:04
Then, we choose the lane we want to replace.
04:07
The standard lanes are identified with the markers, so we can see that this assembly has been updated.
04:14
We’ll do the same thing on the other side.
04:17
Once again, we'll provide names for these lanes to make it easier when we create the corridor.
04:25
We've created additional assemblies for the other alignments, based on their typical sections.
04:30
In this assembly, we've actually included retaining walls.
04:34
These elements work well both in cut and in fill conditions.
04:39
Then, we would create any other assemblies for any other types of typical sections that we have in our project.
04:46
In the next part of the video, we'll take a look at the subassembly composer.
04:50
This allows us to create a custom subassembly based on our specific project needs.
04:55
In this case, we want to create a monolithic lane and curb that are connected.
05:01
The subassembly composer is comprised of points, links and shapes,
05:05
and we can drag and drop these items into a workflow space to determine the draw order.
05:12
We can also specify the relationship of each point with each other, and it can be based on offset values, slopes and distances.
05:19
When the relationship is identified between points, a link is automatically created.
05:26
A shape can also be created for any closed areas that are drawn with the composer.
05:33
The subassemblies can be drawn with hard-coded values so that when they're placed, the subassembly is always the same shape.
05:40
They can also be drawn with variable values that can be modified in the Properties menus by the user.
05:51
Subassemblies can also be drawn to target alignments or profiles,
05:55
then we can test the subassembly by modifying the target points and see how it reacts.
06:02
It looks to be in good order in this case.
06:05
The variable values give us greater flexibility in our design.
06:10
We can also assign materials to the shapes, and this gives us better control when we define our subassembly.
06:19
Once the subassembly is complete, we can save the item so that we can import it into our drawing.
06:25
Here, we want to add that monolithic lane and curb to the assembly that we just created.
06:31
We can right-click on our subassembly window to add a tab to the library, provide a name, then we can import our new subassembly.
06:45
We'll copy another assembly and then remove some of the elements that we can add our custom parts.
06:51
Now, since we've created several variable values, we can define those before placing it, but those look to be in pretty good order.
06:59
So, we'll place it as we previously defined.
07:02
That looks to be in pretty good shape.
07:04
Now, we can actually copy elements from another assembly and add it to this one.
07:09
Here, we want to add the sidewalk and the daylight subassemblies.
07:12
So, we'll select the assemblies that we want, select, copy, and then define the insertion point.
07:20
We can do the same thing on the other side by removing the unwanted points and mirroring the monolithic lane, curb and sidewalk.
07:29
However, when we insert that part, we can see that it didn't come in quite the way that we wanted.
07:35
So here, we'll select the custom subassembly and change the values so that it reflects the left side of our assembly marker.
07:44
Now we need to provide negative input values.
07:47
Then, we'll do the same thing with the curve as well.
07:51
We can view our final results.
07:54
This gives us an overview of setting up assemblies and subassemblies.
07:59
There are some very powerful elements that can really help define our project the way that we need to.
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