Exercise 2: Drawing a Profile that Refers to Design Criteria

You will use the standard profile layout tools to create a profile using the criteria-based design feature.

This exercise continues from Exercise 1: Specifying Profile Design Criteria.

For more information, see the AutoCAD Civil 3D Help topic Creating Layout Profiles.

Draw profile tangents

1. On the Profile Layout Tools toolbar, ensure that Draw Tangents is selected.
2. In the profile view, snap to the center of each of the circles that are labeled A through E.
3. After you click in Circle E, right-click to end the profile.

   The layout profile consists of tangents connected at points of vertical intersection (PVIs). Next, you will add curves at each PVI.

   Note

   For information about using object snaps, see the Using Basic Functionality tutorial.

Add a free curve that exceeds the design standards

1. On the Profile Layout Tools toolbar, click the arrow next to . Select Free Vertical Curve (Parameter).
2. On the profile view, click the tangent that enters Circle B on the left (the “first entity”).
3. Click the tangent that exits Circle B on the right (the “next entity”).

   On the command line, notice that you can select the parameter that you want to use to define the curve. The displayed value for the selected parameter is the minimum value that will meet the minimum K value that is required by the design criteria file. For this exercise, you will enter values that do not meet the design criteria, and then examine the results.

4. On the command line, enter R to specify a curve radius. Enter a radius of 500.

   The curve is drawn between the tangents, and a warning symbol is displayed. You will learn how to diagnose and correct the violations in Exercise 3: Viewing and Correcting Profile Design Criteria Violations.

5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 to add an identical curve to the PVI in Circle C.

Add a free curve that meets the design standards

1. On the profile view, click the tangent that enters Circle D on the left (the “first entity”).
2. Click the tangent that exits Circle D on the right (the “next entity”).
3. Press Enter to accept the minimum radius value that is displayed on the command line.

   The curve is drawn at Circle D, but this time no warning symbol is displayed. You can use the command line to quickly apply minimum values to profile entities as you draw them.

4. Right-click to end the command.

To continue this tutorial, go to Exercise 3: Viewing and Correcting Profile Design Criteria Violations.