You can use the AutoCAD Civil 3D line creation commands to draft line geometry prior to defining it as alignments or parcels, for example.
Several of the AutoCAD Civil 3D Line commands are simply the AutoCAD Line combined with an AutoCAD Civil 3D transparent command. For example, when you run the Line By Bearing command, the AutoCAD Line command starts, but the ‘BD transparent command also launches so you can immediately enter a bearing value.