Autodesk 23703-010008-1600A - Civil 3D 2006 Essentials, Manual

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Description Land Desktop Functionality
and picking a point in the drawing, the profile is
displayed. Moving it, however, can cause problems.
If you would like to add a proposed (finished ground)
profile, you have two options. You can generate the Vertical Alignment Editing
proposed profile graphically (using several tools) or
you can use the Vertical Alignment Editor. Both op-
tions are available on the Profile menu. If you want
to add the proposed profile, complete with labels,
to the existing profile, use the Import utility.
Most Land Desktop users are comfortable working with the alignment and
profile functionality because it is a process they already know. It does however,
have some limitations. For example:
■ Have you ever had to reverse the direction of an alignment?
■ Have you ever wished you could rename an alignment?
■ Have you ever edited alignment geometry and then realized that you now
have to recreate the profile?
■ Have you ever had to rework a drawing because someone moved your
profile?
■ Have you ever wished you could create more than one finished grade
profile for an alignment?
Alignments and Profiles in Civil 3D
In Civil 3D, one of the most significant differences in working with alignments
and profiles is that the alignment and profile data exists in the drawing file,
not in an external database or file. There are several other significant differences
too, such as the fact that Civil 3D alignments and profiles are dynamic objects.
Just as in Land Desktop, in Civil 3D you can create alignments in a few
different ways. From the Alignments menu, you can choose to Create From
Polyline, Create From Pipe Network, or Create By Layout. There is no “Define
From Objects” option on the drop-down menu, but you can create alignments
in a variety of shapes, using precision tools to perfect your geometry, by using
the Alignment Layout tools toolbar.
54 | Chapter 2 Comparing Land Desktop and Civil 3D