Civil 3D: Display of Multiple Tree Sizes using Description Key

Struggling making your surveyed trees look right?  Size ranges can pose a unique configuration hurdle; this post will share 3 Description Key configuration options.  The automation comes from using Wild Cards paired with survey filed code, for more information you can visit Civil 3D Help file.

Option 1: Single and Double Digits

We will start with a simple configuration, control ALL single and double digits: 

The Description Key configuration is simply two (2) rows:

• •  For single digits (1-9): code TR is supplemented with a single pound sign “#”
  • For double digits (10-99): code TR is supplemented with double pound signs “##”

The results for the single and double digit values will result in a simple collection of points: 

Option 2: Single and Range of Tens

Building on the use of the pound sign #, single digits, values for 10’s, 20’s and 30’s:

The  Description Key configuration will be a total of four (4) rows:

• • For single value (1-9): code TR is supplemented with one pound sign “#”
  • For TENs values (10-19): code is TR1 paired with single pound sign “#”
  • For TWENTYSs values (20-29): code is TR2 paired with single pound sign “#”
  • For THIRTYs values (30-39): code is TR3 paired with single pound sign “#”

The results can be seen for the groups of single and double decimal value sets: 

Option 3: Ranges for Single and Double Digits

Finally, configuration will be more complex: varied ranges.  Ranges for single digit and 10’s. And single range for all 20’s and 30’s:

For the Description Key configuration, [brackets] will be used to establish the varied ranges.  The bracket “[ ]” only handle a single value:

• • For single digits - code is prefixed with [brackets]:
    • Values 1” - 5” : the TR code with  [1-5]
    • Values 6” – 9” : the TR code with [6-9]
  • For a the TENs (10’s) – the code is prefixed with [brackets]:
    • Values 10” – 15” : code TR1 followed by range in brackets [0-5]
    • Values 16” – 19” : code TR1 followed by range in brackets [6-9]
  • For ALL the TWENTYs (20’s) – the code is prefixed with pound sign:
    • A single line is created with code TR2, followed by pund sign  "#"
  • For ALL the THIRTYs (30’s) – the code is prefixed with brackets:
    • A single line is created with code TR3, followed by range in brackets [0-9]

The results for the multiple varied ranges can help bring your drawings to life: 

Hope you enjoyed this post and perhaps found a way to make your drawings more detailed.  If you are interested on more uses for Description Keys see our other posts:

• Dana Rice configuring Description Keys for Designers:
  https://resources.imaginit.com/civil-solutions-blog/description-keys-for-designers-2

• James Branangan use of Point Group and Description Keys:
  https://resources.imaginit.com/civil-solutions-blog/getting-cogo-points-to-display-how-you-want

About the Author

Civil Applications Expert<br><br>As an Applications Expert, Leo is responsible for supporting, training and implementation of software for survey and civil engineering professionals. He has more than 20 years of experience helping large and small, public and private clients in the eastern United States.

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