You can use the complete set of tools in AutoCAD Civil 3D to import survey data, perform surveying calculations, and automate symbol placement and line work.
AutoCAD Civil 3D survey data and figures persist in a survey database, and can be accessed using multiple drawings attached to the same AutoCAD Civil 3D survey database.
The survey database stores angle values in Radians and distance values in Meters. Survey data is transformed according to the database units for the purposes of display and input. AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing units can be independent of the survey database units. If drawing objects are imported from the survey database and the AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing units and coordinate zone differ, the objects are transformed.
During the field survey data collection process, you can use a coding convention established in AutoCAD Civil 3D to automate the conversion of field survey data, collected with data collection equipment, into AutoCAD Civil 3D linework.
Imported Survey data without linework coding
Linework created by importing survey data using linework coding
Survey objects and their components are displayed based on their styles. Before creating survey components, you should be familiar with creating and managing styles.
Define and manage the following survey settings:
| Figure Prefix Database | Determine the display and properties of figures. |
| Survey Equipment Database | Establish an error model for a specific survey instrument when analyzing survey data using least squares. |
| Survey Database Settings | Control the default settings for all database properties. |
| User Settings | Control the default settings for survey specific properties. |
| Linework Code Set | Define the codes that are used in the field to determine the connectivity of linework from point descriptions. |
| Survey Feature Settings | Control the default styles for figures and networks. |
For more information about settings, see Survey Settings.
You can import and modify survey data in the AutoCAD Civil 3D environment and use the AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing session to graphically display the survey data. Use the AutoCAD Civil 3D survey data to affect other AutoCAD Civil 3D data, such as points and surfaces.
| Survey Data Collection Link | Convert raw survey observation data to a field book file (.fbk) that can be imported into an AutoCAD Civil 3D survey database. |
| Import Survey Data Wizard | Use the Import Survey Data wizard to import field book files, point files, and LandXML files or to select points in the drawing. |
| Import Commands | Use the commands available from a network to import a field book, point file, or points in a drawing. |
| Import Survey Land XML | Import Survey LandXML data into the survey database. |
| Import Events | An import event is created each time a data source is imported into the survey database. Use import events to process linework and re-import data with existing settings, also to delete only the data created from the import event. |
| Survey Queries | Build queries that filter the points and figures that are contained in a survey database. The results of the query can be previewed in the drawing, and added to a surface either as static points and breaklines, or as a dynamic reference to the survey database. |
| Add survey data to a network | Use the commands from within a network collection to create or edit control points, non-control points, directions and observations from a network. |
| Survey Command Window | Perform coordinate geometry operations using specific survey commands, along with the options to record input and output, and to re-run the input from a batch file. |
For more information about input and figures, see Adding and Editing Survey Data and Survey Figures.
Using traverse and least squares adjustments, you can reduce field data for analysis.
| Define a traverse | Perform Compass, Crandall, Transit, and Least Squares analysis. |
| Least Squares analysis | Perform 2D or 3D network least squares analysis. Update points in the survey database and the linework input. |
| Mapcheck Analysis | Check the closure of values from label objects based on the precision of the annotation of the label object, or enter mapcheck data manually. |
For more information, see Analysis.
You can output and export survey data:
| Export survey data | Export data as a field book or Survey LandXML file. |
| Add survey query results to a surface | Add the survey points and figures that meet the conditions of a survey query to a surface either as static points and breaklines, or as a dynamic reference to the survey database. |
| Define surface breaklines | Use survey figures as breaklines when you create a surface model. |
| Update the survey objects in the drawing | Select a survey object in the drawing and use short-cut menus to update the drawing object on the Prospector tab. |
