Copyright 1999 Autodesk, Inc.

Labeling Objects 231Label Styles 231Accessing Labeling Commands 232Editing Label Styles 236Chapter 8 AutoCAD Map and AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop 239Introduction 240Using the AutoCAD Map Project Workspace 241Map Project Workspace Shortcut Menus 242Dragging Files 242Map Projects and Drawing Sets 243When to Create Drawing Sets 243Drawing Sets and AutoCAD Land Development Desktop Projects 244Data Storage 244Defining Queries 248The Purposes of Queries 249Saving Queried Data 252Inserting Geo-Referenced Images 254Digitizing Maps 257Cleaning up Maps 258Using the Cleanup Command to Break Parcel Lines 259Checking a Drawing for Crossing Breaklines 261Assigning Data to Objects in a Drawing 263Exporting Object Data 263Performing Zone Conversions Using AutoCAD Map 267Creating Topologies 269Node Topologies 269Network Topologies 270Polygon Topologies 270Creating Polygon Topologies and Assigning Data to the Polygons 271Creating Overlay Topologies 273Plotting Maps 276Index 277Contentsviii

1IntroductionIn this chapterUsing AutoCAD Land Development Desktop, What is AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop? Who Should UseAutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop? What’s New inAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopRelease 2you can create, maintain, output, andanalyze all of the data in your landdevelopment projects. Upgrading fromAutodesk S8 Civil/SurveyProducts Customizing AutoCADLand DevelopmentDesktop with the ObjectModel Interface Using AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop toComplete a Project How to Use theDocumentation Set How to Use This Guide1

What Is AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop?AutoCAD Land Development Desktop Release 2 is part of the LandDevelopment Solutions II suite of applications for professionals in theland planning and development industries. The Land DevelopmentSolutions II suite includes: AutoCAD Land Development Desktop Release 2: This is theAutoCAD for Land Development professionals. It provides a baselevel of functionality that meets the needs of everyone in the landdevelopment process, including land planners, surveyors, civilengineers, drafters, and anyone who creates supporting documents.AutoCAD Land Development Desktop provides an ApplicationProgramming Interface (API), so that other add-on products can bedesigned to work with AutoCAD Land Development Desktop.Autodesk Survey Release 2: An add-on to AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop that provides a streamlined ability tocommunicate survey data to and from the field.Autodesk Civil Design Release 2: An add-on to AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop that provides transportation and siteengineering tools, and hydrology and hydraulics design andanalysis.This guide introduces you to AutoCAD Land Development Desktop.For more information about Autodesk Survey and Autodesk CivilDesign, see the Autodesk Survey User’s Guide and the Autodesk CivilDesign User’s Guide.Chapter 1 Introduction2

AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop FeaturesAutoCAD Land Development Desktop provides the core functionalityfor the land development professional, including projectmanagement, points, geometry creation, plan alignments, terrainmodeling, volumes calculations, labeling, and much more.The following illustration shows some AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop features.PointsCreate and QueryImport/ExportManage and EditSite DraftingSymbols and LinesLabelingGeometry CreationParcelsSizeDefine and LabelManage and ReportPlan AlignmentsCreate GeometryDefine AlignmentsOffset and StationTerrain ModelingCreate SurfacesCreate ContoursAnalysis and Volumes3D VisualizationWhat Is AutoCAD Land Development Desktop?3

Who Should Use AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop?The land development industry is very broad. It includes allprofessionals who manage, analyze, or alter the land, specificallysurveyors, civil engineers, land planners, environmental designers,forest managers, hydrologists, GIS analysts, landscape architects,resource managers, and more.Land development professionals may require different tools to do theirjobs. The following table shows these requirements and whichprograms in Land Development Solutions suite meet theserequirements.Requirements of land development professionalsProfessionalRequirementsLand PlannerThe ability to view data, terrainmodels, plans, maps, images,and drawings. The ability to doanalysis through queries andtopologies to determine landuse, development trends, andbuildable areas.Drafter/CADTechnicianMore than what is in standardAutoCAD in order to draftdirectly from the project datacreated by other teammembers.SurveyorLand Desktop plus the datainput and collection options inAutodesk Survey.SurveyingTechnicianLand Desktop plus the datainput and collection options inAutodesk Survey.Site DesignerLand Desktop and the grading,hydrology, and pipingfunctionality in AutodeskCivil Design.Chapter 1 Introduction4LandAutodeskDesktop SurveyAutodeskCivilDesign

Requirements of land development professionals Land Desktop and the profileand cross-sectional capabilitiesof Autodesk Civil Design.TransportationEngineerLand Desktop and the profile,cross-sectional, grading, andhydrology capabilities ofAutodesk Civil Design.HydrologistLand Desktop and the run-offanalysis capabilities ofAutodesk Civil Design.Storm WaterManagerLand Desktop and the run-off,pipe layout, pipe design, anddrafting capabilities ofAutodesk Civil Design.LandscapeArchitectMay require only LandDesktop. May also needgrading options and symbolsfrom Autodesk Civil Design.UtilitiesDesigner orAnalystMay require only LandDesktop. If gathering field datafor existing utilities, will needAutodesk Survey. If designingproposed sewer or storm drainsystems or designing a powergeneration site (such as ahydro-electric dam), will needAutodesk Civil Design.Site GradingEngineerLand Desktop and the grading,ponds, and run-off capabilitiesof Autodesk Civil Design.LandDesktopAutodesk AutodeskSurveyCivilDesignWho Should Use AutoCAD Land Development Desktop?5

What’s New in AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop Release 2General Bug fixes (over 300 deferred defects from R1.0)AutoCAD 2000 CAD functionalityIntegrated installation with AutoCAD Map with electronicregistrationDBX support allows interoperability with other AutoCAD programssuch as 3D Studio VizMigration of R1 style databases (option during installation)Migration of drawings/projects to Release 2, from Release 1 and S8productsBackward data compatibility with R1ActiveX Object Model Interface that you can use to create customprojects, points, contours, terrain, and alignments commandsPoints Point Group Manager and List Points display both the FULL andRAW descriptionsPoint objects can be rotated and leaders can be turned offAlignments Multiple-user alignment databaseGrading Migration of certain grading commands from the Civil DesignGrading menu to the Points and Terrain menusLabels “Unretired” Building Offset Label added to Labels menuChapter 1 Introduction6

Utilities Object Viewer includes 3D Orbit interfaceSet Text Style replaced with standard AutoCAD TextStyle commandLayer Manager now supports AutoCAD 2000 lineweights andplot stylesBuild Selection Set dialog box now includes LineweightCurve Solver added to Utilities menuJoin 3D Polyline command moved to the Terrain menuUpgrading from Autodesk S8Civil/Survey ProductsThis section is for people who are upgrading from Autodesk S8civil/survey products. Much of the AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop technology is based on the Autodesk S8 suite of Civil/Surveyproducts. The Autodesk S8 products have a modular approach, and areadd-ons to AutoCAD 14, as shown in the following illustration.Upgrading from Autodesk S8 Civil/Survey Products7

The Land Development Solutions suite of products has much of thesame functionality. However, the “AutoCAD” part of the equation(AutoCAD Land Development Desktop) now contains substantial baselevel Autodesk S8 Civil/Survey functionality that was in COGO, DTM,Earthworks, Design, and Advanced Design.The eight Autodesk S8 modules were redesigned to meet the needs ofdifferent land development professionals. The commands used byeveryone in the design process were added to AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop. Release 2 of AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop is based on AutoCAD 2000 and AutoCAD Map 2000functionality.The survey and civil engineering commands were moved to two addon products, Autodesk Survey and Autodesk Civil Design. Thefollowing illustration shows the new strategy and indicates the newfunctionality that was added to the suite for Release 1.Chapter 1 Introduction8

Where Can You Find the Autodesk S8Commands You Use Frequently?The following table shows where you can find your familiar AutodeskS8 commands:NOTESome Autodesk S8 commands, such as Change Programs, are nolonger needed.Cross referencing Autodesk S8 and AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop commandsIf you used in Autodesk S8Civil/Survey .The commands are inthis program.In this menu.Advanced Design AlignmentcommandsAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopAlignmentsAdvanced DesignAlignment Point commandsAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopPointsAdvanced Design SpiralcommandsAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopLines/CurvesAdvanced Design ProfilescommandsAutodesk Civil DesignProfilesAdvanced Design SectionscommandsAutodesk Civil DesignCross SectionsAdvanced Design/DesignSheet ManagerAutodesk Civil DesignSheet ManagerAEC ToolsAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopProjects, UtilitiesCOGOAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopPoints, Lines/Curves,LabelsDesign Lots commandsAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopParcelsDesign Pipes commandsAutodesk Civil DesignPipesUpgrading from Autodesk S8 Civil/Survey Products9

Cross referencing Autodesk S8 and AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop commands (continued)If you used in Autodesk S8Civil/Survey .The commands are inthis program.In this menu.Design Intersections andCul-de-sacs commandsAutodesk Civil DesignLayoutDTMAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopTerrainEarthworks VolumescommandsAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopTerrainEarthworks Gradingcommands (daylighting,stratum points)Autodesk Civil DesignGradingEarthworks Gradingcommands (points, 3Dpolylines, contours)AutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopPoints, TerrainHydrology Pond commandsAutodesk Civil DesignGrading, HydrologyHydrology Structure, Runoff,and Output commandsAutodesk Civil DesignHydrologyLandscapeAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopSome symbols havebeen added to theSymbol Manager in theUtilities menu. Somecommands are in theAutodesk Civil DesignLayout menu.Autodesk Civil DesignListing commandsAutoCAD LandDevelopment DesktopInquiryAutodesk Survey CommandLine commandsAutodesk SurveyData Collection/InputAutodesk Survey DataCollection commandsAutodesk SurveyData Collection/InputAutodesk Survey FieldbookcommandsAutodesk SurveyData Collection/InputChapter 1 Introduction10

Cross referencing Autodesk S8 and AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop commands (continued)If you used in Autodesk S8Civil/Survey .The commands are inthis program.In this menu.Autodesk Survey FigurecommandsAutodesk SurveyAnalysis/FiguresAutodesk Survey Traverseand Sideshot commandsAutodesk SurveyAnalysis/FiguresIf you are upgrading to AutoCAD Land Development Desktop fromto look up “What’s New in AutoCAD LandAutodesk S8, then useDevelopment Desktop” in the online Help.Customizing AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop with the Object Model InterfaceThe Object Model Interface, or OMI, exposes AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop objects through an ActiveX interface. You canprogram these objects using the Visual Basic for Applicationsprogramming environment, AutoCAD Development System (ADS),Visual LISP , Visual Basic , Visual C or any other programminglanguage that supports ActiveX Automation.The OMI lets you manage your Land projects, drawings and settings,and gives you access to the data in your Land projects such as COGOpoints, point groups, surfaces, and alignments. Because it is built onCOM (the Component Object Model), you get interoperability withother Windows applications, such as Microsoft Excel and MicrosoftWord . And because the OMI is fully integrated with the AutoCADobject model, you get a complete API for developing anything fromsimple utilities to complete add-on applications.For more information about the Object Model Interface, uselook up “Object Model” in the online Help.toCustomizing AutoCAD Land Development Desktop with the Object Model Interface11

Using AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop to Complete a ProjectThe process of land development is highly iterative. AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop makes it easy to add new data at any step of theproject. A typical project begins with capturing data in the field. Backin the office, you can use AutoCAD Land Development Desktop to setup an organizational structure for the project, and then you can inputthe data into the project and drawing.After you input the raw data, you can define and transform it so thatthe definitions are saved to external databases. You can then build asurface that represents the terrain of the job site. You can analyze datain a variety of ways to determine if the site is sufficient. If so, you cancreate design documents by labeling and plotting out the drawings. Ifnot, you can input more data, edit existing data, and then recompilethe surface data.You can edit data all along, at each step. You can output results, inputmore data, and then output new results. The following diagram is asimplified representation of the flow of a typical project that you cando with AutoCAD Land Development Desktop.Collect DataOrganize DataInput DataCreate DesignDocumentsEdit DataDefine/TransformDataOutput and EvaluateDataBuild Surface ModelChapter 1 Introduction12

Collecting DataPoints are the most common form of data. While AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop cannot help you collect data, it provides easyways for you to import and create points in the drawing. AutodeskSurvey has the data collector support built in, as well as support forour standard .fbk (fieldbook) format. Points are saved automatically tothe project point database when you create or import them.Other data sources can include contour maps and raster images. Tomake this data useful, you may need to digitize it with one of theAutoCAD Land Development Desktop digitizing tools.Organizing DataAutoCAD Land Development Desktop is structured around projects.You create AutoCAD .dwg files, as well as create and maintain manyproject files stored outside the drawing files. This management systemallows many people to share the same project data.AutoCAD Land Development Desktop uses projects to help youorganize all the drawing files, support data files, and settingsassociated with each job that you work on. You must assign everydrawing you create to a project in order to run AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop commands.When you create a project, a folder is created in Windows Explorerunder the project folder. Database files and drawings are stored here.Using AutoCAD Land Development Desktop to Complete a Project13

When you install AutoCAD Land Development Desktop, a projectfolder (c:\Land Projects R2 by default) is created. Each project isrepresented by a subfolder of this root project folder. For example, ifyou create a project named NEWPROJ, then AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop creates a \Land Projects R2\newproj folder.Within the project folder, sub folders are created by the program forstoring data. For example, inside the \cogo folder, the point databaseis stored, and an \alignments folder is created when you define analignment in your project. We suggest that you store your drawingfiles for a project within the \dwg folder in the project folder.Relationships Between the Project andthe DrawingsYou can associate many different drawings with the same project data.The following diagram shows the project and drawing relationship.Drawings 1, 2, and 3 are part of the same project.Project FilesDrawing 1Drawing 2Drawing 3Many databases are saved outside of drawings in the project folder, sothat each drawing in the project can access the information. Forexample, all the point data is stored in points.mdb. By keeping thepoint database at the project level, multiple people working on aproject can access the point information.When you start a new drawing in the project, you can quickly updatethat drawing with all the project data by inserting points from theproject point database, importing alignments and parcels that aredefined to the project, and by opening surfaces in the project.For more information about projects, see “Working with Projects”in Chapter 2, “Getting Started with AutoCAD Land DevelopmentDesktop.”Chapter 1 Introduction14

Relationships Between DrawingsAnother way to organize your data, on the drawing-level, is to use thebuilt-in AutoCAD Map functionality to attach drawings to the Mapproject by using AutoCAD Map’s Attach command.NOTEThe AutoCAD Map “project” is a drawing file that lists and controlsthe items that are defined for the current work session. It does notmanage the AutoCAD Land Development Desktop project databased on the current Land Desktop project that you are working in,and is not project-specific.A group of drawings attached to the Map project is called a drawingset. By creating a drawing set and running queries, you can work withinformation from more than one drawing at a time while viewing allthe information in the Map project.The following diagram shows how you can copy information fromDrawings 1, 2, and 3 into the Map project using queries. Drawings 1,2, and 3 are referred to as source drawings. When you are working inthe Map project, you can use the information from the other drawingsas references, or edit the objects and save the edits back to the sourcedrawings.Project FilesDrawing 1Drawing 2Drawing 3QueryMap ProjectDrawingFor more information about drawing sets, see “Map Projects andDrawing Sets” in Chapter 8, “AutoCAD Map and AutoCAD LandDevelopment Desktop.”Using AutoCAD Land Development Desktop to Complete a Project15

Inputting Data into a Drawing and ProjectThe most common way to input data into a project is to import orcreate points. Other methods include digitizing, drawing geometry,and using xrefs (a drawing attached to another drawing).When you import or create points, the point data is always stored inthe point database (points.mdb). You can insert points into thedrawing when you create or import the points, or you can insert themat a later time when you need to work with them. Th

Contents iv Accessing AutoCAD Land Development Desktop Commands 35 Pull-Down Menus 36