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Integrated BIM tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
Create rail reports and use the Project Explorer in Civil 3D, and then review how Dynamo for Civil 3D can help add content to the rail corrdor model.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
12 min.
Transcript
00:00
In this final Rail Back to Basics video, we will review the different reports in Civil 3D and look at Project Explorer.
00:11
We will also briefly look at Dynamo for Civil 3D and how it can add content to our corridor model.
00:18
With a complete model, we can generate geometry reports for different Civil 3D elements
00:24
In tool space, under the Toolbox tab, we can expand the alignment reports and see our different options.
00:30
We will execute the station and curve report and choose the alignments that we want for this report.
00:37
So, let's pick the eastbound and the westbound alignments and we'll select OK.
00:41
We can choose the format of the report that we want to create this report in, and we will select save.
00:49
Then, we can review the details, and this will contain most of the relevant geometric information for both alignments.
00:59
Now, let's look at Project Explorer.
01:01
On the Home tab, we can launch Project Explorer.
01:05
The Project Explorer window will show us a preview of all the intelligent information within our model.
01:11
And we can review things like alignments and profile data.
01:15
We can look at the assemblies and we can even review our corridor.
01:19
With this compare feature, we can view the relationship between elements like our existing ground and our corridor model.
01:27
We can also view that station by station.
01:30
We can also review some of the rail feature lines that we created, or the platform lines.
01:36
We can also generate custom reports.
01:39
So, under the Object Data tab, we can create and customize the output to get any details that we need.
01:46
The fields show the report name and the type, the elements in the reports, and the preview of the output information.
01:53
So, let's set up a few reports by selecting New Object Set.
01:57
And here, we can set the output format either as an external file,
02:02
or as a table that will update manually or dynamically when the elements change.
02:07
So, let's set up this one as a manual table, and we can pick the point where we want the table to be created in our CAD file.
02:15
We'll pick an area below our corridor, and we can determine what data is shown in that report.
02:21
And we have the ability to report on all the different Civil 3D elements.
02:25
Here, we'll just focus on the alignment data.
02:28
We have several different set-ups that we can choose from in the drop-down list.
02:33
So, let's go to the entities report and we can see each element for our rail alignment.
02:39
From this, we can toggle On or Off all the details that we need to report on.
02:45
We can also change the order of the items by moving them up or down.
02:50
We can also control the report output by changing the report interval.
02:55
Or, we can review the other element parameters.
02:58
We'll also set up a report for cant data as well.
03:02
Once we have our items selected, we can also revise the report name.
03:06
Here, we can change the starting station label to just Station, and we can also control the things like text alignment and the appearance.
03:16
We can revise any item that appears in purple.
03:20
We can also give this object set a name, and we are all set here.
03:25
In the objects field, we can determine which elements we want to report on.
03:28
So, let's add our Eastbound alignment and our Westbound alignment.
03:34
Then, we'll double-click on the sub-object type, and we can determine which report we want to show.
03:40
So, for the Eastbound, we will choose alignment elements, and we can see the output preview down here.
03:47
For the Westbound track, let's pick the cant curves report.
03:51
We’ll get a preview of that as well.
03:54
If we want to compare things like the rail lines that we created earlier, we can do that as well.
03:60
So, we'll open up a new object set, and we'll set this one up as a CSV report.
04:06
Then, we'll go to the Feature Lines Reports and we'll select the point reports.
04:12
Then, we'll determine the reporting elements.
04:14
And we want to include a comparison element so that we can compare either the left and right rail, or the Eastbound and Westbound rails.
04:23
Looks like we're set here.
04:24
So, let's pick the elements that we want to report on, and we'll go to the feature line list.
04:29
We'll pick the Eastbound left line, and we'll compare that to the right line.
04:34
Or, we can compare it to the Westbound left line.
04:37
So, we'll pick a couple of elements, and we'll set those up.
04:40
When we review the output, we won't see the data regarding our feature lines yet.
04:44
We need to determine the comparison element in the Compare To column.
04:48
So, let's compare this Eastbound left rail to the Eastbound right rail first.
04:54
And now, we can see that output data.
04:56
We can tell what the cant value is based on that offset Z Value column.
05:02
We can also see items like our gauge line value.
05:07
And for the Eastbound right rail line, we'll compare that to the Westbound right line, and we'll show those values as well.
05:16
We can check the elevation difference to see if we need to make any adjustments to our profile.
05:22
When we have multiple object sets, we can run them all at once, or we can run them one at a time.
05:27
So, let's run our track data table first.
05:32
We can view that table output.
05:34
We see the track data table.
05:38
We can review those values and the cant data as well.
05:41
So now, let's run the feature line report.
05:43
When we do that, we'll be prompted to open the output file.
05:47
And here we can review the complete results.
05:51
One last report we want to generate in Project Explorer is a Station Offset Report based on COGO points.
05:57
In the model, we have several different COGO points that represent the location of our contact system poles.
06:04
We want to create a CSV output that we'll use with a Dynamo script.
06:09
So, we'll set up an object set, we'll base that on COGO points.
06:14
The output will be for the points, and we'll turn everything off except the Compare Station and Compare Offset Values.
06:23
And we'll use all the points since all of our COGO points in this file are based on system pull locations.
06:29
We will compare these to the center line alignment of our corridor.
06:35
And now we'll run the report, and we'll use this output to place objects along our corridor, like our systems elements.
06:43
In the output CSV file, we'll need to add the Pole ID, but we'll use this to create accurate details in our model using Dynamo.
06:53
Before we get into Dynamo, we need to be sure that we have all the correct objects or blocks
06:58
in our active design file prior to running any of the scripts.
07:02
We have a tie, but we need to add our center pole, and we'll add that as a 3D block.
07:09
We have updated the CSV file to show the names of the blocks that we're going to use at each location.
07:17
So, under the Manage tab, we will launch Dynamo for Civil 3D.
07:22
We'll open the script file, and we'll navigate to our ACC project folder, and we'll pick our OCS file.
07:29
So briefly, Dynamo uses functions within AutoCAD and Civil 3D to run automated routines.
07:36
We can expand from these lists to see the different functions that it will utilize.
07:43
This routine that we'll use here will analyze our existing corridor from our file.
07:48
We've provided that name here.
07:50
We will use the baseline as a guide for our object placements.
07:55
We're using the center line data, and we'll read the CSV file that we created.
07:60
We can specify where that is by browsing to the file in our project folder.
08:05
Each of these columns will represent a value returned based on the location along the baseline, the offset from the baseline,
08:13
and the item that needs to be inserted.
08:16
In this case, it's the center OCS pole.
08:19
The block position, rotation, scale and layer are all determined in the reference node.
08:26
So, when we hit run, the items will be created and placed in the corridor in their proper location.
08:35
This really gives us the ability to add a lot of critical data to our model.
08:40
Now, let's create a vehicle envelope along our corridor.
08:43
We have a dynamic vehicle shape that we want to place along the Westbound and Eastbound alignments
08:50
and determine if we have any sort of fouling issues at the station platform.
08:55
In this case, we'll launch Dynamo Player.
08:58
We need to add the folder to open our vehicle routine, and we'll add a folder from our docs.
09:04
Once we have that set, we can now open the file, and we can actually review this in the standard Dynamo window first.
09:12
This routine has a number of input nodes that we can use as parameters for placing the vehicle envelope.
09:18
This routine will analyze the corridor and the cant, then place a vehicle shape along a corridor
09:25
and create a Solid based on those vehicle shapes.
09:29
So, in Dynamo Player we see only the nodes that affect those parameters.
09:34
This will be based on the corridor.
09:37
We'll base this on the Westbound alignment, and we can see the begin and end stations.
09:43
Then, we can select the shape for our vehicle outline from our CAD file.
09:47
Once we have all of our parameters set, we can select Run, and our Vehicle Solid is created.
09:54
We can review that for any sort of issues.
09:57
We’ll run the same routine on the eastbound side.
09:60
Let’s change the station limits and the spacing, and we'll run it again.
10:06
If we need to adjust anything here, we can do that and immediately see our results.
10:12
Again, this is a powerful and efficient way to add critical details to our model.
10:18
If you want to find out more about Dynamo, you can go to the Dynamo Community page.
10:23
Here, you can see questions, threads, and solutions to complex or routine tasks.
10:30
You can also visit the Autodesk Community page, where you can get more information on rail workflows,
10:37
submit questions, and communicate with rail and industry experts.
Video transcript
00:00
In this final Rail Back to Basics video, we will review the different reports in Civil 3D and look at Project Explorer.
00:11
We will also briefly look at Dynamo for Civil 3D and how it can add content to our corridor model.
00:18
With a complete model, we can generate geometry reports for different Civil 3D elements
00:24
In tool space, under the Toolbox tab, we can expand the alignment reports and see our different options.
00:30
We will execute the station and curve report and choose the alignments that we want for this report.
00:37
So, let's pick the eastbound and the westbound alignments and we'll select OK.
00:41
We can choose the format of the report that we want to create this report in, and we will select save.
00:49
Then, we can review the details, and this will contain most of the relevant geometric information for both alignments.
00:59
Now, let's look at Project Explorer.
01:01
On the Home tab, we can launch Project Explorer.
01:05
The Project Explorer window will show us a preview of all the intelligent information within our model.
01:11
And we can review things like alignments and profile data.
01:15
We can look at the assemblies and we can even review our corridor.
01:19
With this compare feature, we can view the relationship between elements like our existing ground and our corridor model.
01:27
We can also view that station by station.
01:30
We can also review some of the rail feature lines that we created, or the platform lines.
01:36
We can also generate custom reports.
01:39
So, under the Object Data tab, we can create and customize the output to get any details that we need.
01:46
The fields show the report name and the type, the elements in the reports, and the preview of the output information.
01:53
So, let's set up a few reports by selecting New Object Set.
01:57
And here, we can set the output format either as an external file,
02:02
or as a table that will update manually or dynamically when the elements change.
02:07
So, let's set up this one as a manual table, and we can pick the point where we want the table to be created in our CAD file.
02:15
We'll pick an area below our corridor, and we can determine what data is shown in that report.
02:21
And we have the ability to report on all the different Civil 3D elements.
02:25
Here, we'll just focus on the alignment data.
02:28
We have several different set-ups that we can choose from in the drop-down list.
02:33
So, let's go to the entities report and we can see each element for our rail alignment.
02:39
From this, we can toggle On or Off all the details that we need to report on.
02:45
We can also change the order of the items by moving them up or down.
02:50
We can also control the report output by changing the report interval.
02:55
Or, we can review the other element parameters.
02:58
We'll also set up a report for cant data as well.
03:02
Once we have our items selected, we can also revise the report name.
03:06
Here, we can change the starting station label to just Station, and we can also control the things like text alignment and the appearance.
03:16
We can revise any item that appears in purple.
03:20
We can also give this object set a name, and we are all set here.
03:25
In the objects field, we can determine which elements we want to report on.
03:28
So, let's add our Eastbound alignment and our Westbound alignment.
03:34
Then, we'll double-click on the sub-object type, and we can determine which report we want to show.
03:40
So, for the Eastbound, we will choose alignment elements, and we can see the output preview down here.
03:47
For the Westbound track, let's pick the cant curves report.
03:51
We’ll get a preview of that as well.
03:54
If we want to compare things like the rail lines that we created earlier, we can do that as well.
03:60
So, we'll open up a new object set, and we'll set this one up as a CSV report.
04:06
Then, we'll go to the Feature Lines Reports and we'll select the point reports.
04:12
Then, we'll determine the reporting elements.
04:14
And we want to include a comparison element so that we can compare either the left and right rail, or the Eastbound and Westbound rails.
04:23
Looks like we're set here.
04:24
So, let's pick the elements that we want to report on, and we'll go to the feature line list.
04:29
We'll pick the Eastbound left line, and we'll compare that to the right line.
04:34
Or, we can compare it to the Westbound left line.
04:37
So, we'll pick a couple of elements, and we'll set those up.
04:40
When we review the output, we won't see the data regarding our feature lines yet.
04:44
We need to determine the comparison element in the Compare To column.
04:48
So, let's compare this Eastbound left rail to the Eastbound right rail first.
04:54
And now, we can see that output data.
04:56
We can tell what the cant value is based on that offset Z Value column.
05:02
We can also see items like our gauge line value.
05:07
And for the Eastbound right rail line, we'll compare that to the Westbound right line, and we'll show those values as well.
05:16
We can check the elevation difference to see if we need to make any adjustments to our profile.
05:22
When we have multiple object sets, we can run them all at once, or we can run them one at a time.
05:27
So, let's run our track data table first.
05:32
We can view that table output.
05:34
We see the track data table.
05:38
We can review those values and the cant data as well.
05:41
So now, let's run the feature line report.
05:43
When we do that, we'll be prompted to open the output file.
05:47
And here we can review the complete results.
05:51
One last report we want to generate in Project Explorer is a Station Offset Report based on COGO points.
05:57
In the model, we have several different COGO points that represent the location of our contact system poles.
06:04
We want to create a CSV output that we'll use with a Dynamo script.
06:09
So, we'll set up an object set, we'll base that on COGO points.
06:14
The output will be for the points, and we'll turn everything off except the Compare Station and Compare Offset Values.
06:23
And we'll use all the points since all of our COGO points in this file are based on system pull locations.
06:29
We will compare these to the center line alignment of our corridor.
06:35
And now we'll run the report, and we'll use this output to place objects along our corridor, like our systems elements.
06:43
In the output CSV file, we'll need to add the Pole ID, but we'll use this to create accurate details in our model using Dynamo.
06:53
Before we get into Dynamo, we need to be sure that we have all the correct objects or blocks
06:58
in our active design file prior to running any of the scripts.
07:02
We have a tie, but we need to add our center pole, and we'll add that as a 3D block.
07:09
We have updated the CSV file to show the names of the blocks that we're going to use at each location.
07:17
So, under the Manage tab, we will launch Dynamo for Civil 3D.
07:22
We'll open the script file, and we'll navigate to our ACC project folder, and we'll pick our OCS file.
07:29
So briefly, Dynamo uses functions within AutoCAD and Civil 3D to run automated routines.
07:36
We can expand from these lists to see the different functions that it will utilize.
07:43
This routine that we'll use here will analyze our existing corridor from our file.
07:48
We've provided that name here.
07:50
We will use the baseline as a guide for our object placements.
07:55
We're using the center line data, and we'll read the CSV file that we created.
07:60
We can specify where that is by browsing to the file in our project folder.
08:05
Each of these columns will represent a value returned based on the location along the baseline, the offset from the baseline,
08:13
and the item that needs to be inserted.
08:16
In this case, it's the center OCS pole.
08:19
The block position, rotation, scale and layer are all determined in the reference node.
08:26
So, when we hit run, the items will be created and placed in the corridor in their proper location.
08:35
This really gives us the ability to add a lot of critical data to our model.
08:40
Now, let's create a vehicle envelope along our corridor.
08:43
We have a dynamic vehicle shape that we want to place along the Westbound and Eastbound alignments
08:50
and determine if we have any sort of fouling issues at the station platform.
08:55
In this case, we'll launch Dynamo Player.
08:58
We need to add the folder to open our vehicle routine, and we'll add a folder from our docs.
09:04
Once we have that set, we can now open the file, and we can actually review this in the standard Dynamo window first.
09:12
This routine has a number of input nodes that we can use as parameters for placing the vehicle envelope.
09:18
This routine will analyze the corridor and the cant, then place a vehicle shape along a corridor
09:25
and create a Solid based on those vehicle shapes.
09:29
So, in Dynamo Player we see only the nodes that affect those parameters.
09:34
This will be based on the corridor.
09:37
We'll base this on the Westbound alignment, and we can see the begin and end stations.
09:43
Then, we can select the shape for our vehicle outline from our CAD file.
09:47
Once we have all of our parameters set, we can select Run, and our Vehicle Solid is created.
09:54
We can review that for any sort of issues.
09:57
We’ll run the same routine on the eastbound side.
09:60
Let’s change the station limits and the spacing, and we'll run it again.
10:06
If we need to adjust anything here, we can do that and immediately see our results.
10:12
Again, this is a powerful and efficient way to add critical details to our model.
10:18
If you want to find out more about Dynamo, you can go to the Dynamo Community page.
10:23
Here, you can see questions, threads, and solutions to complex or routine tasks.
10:30
You can also visit the Autodesk Community page, where you can get more information on rail workflows,
10:37
submit questions, and communicate with rail and industry experts.
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