Autodesk Construction Cloud Series: Civil 3D Survey Databases

Lets explore how and if the Autodesk Construction Cloud can support Survey Database functionality.  This post will explore two main things:
     1.    Survey Settings on the ACC
     2.    Survey Databases on the ACC

The purpose here is NOT to train how use and configure Survey Databases, its simply to test if they can be hosted on an ACC project.

Part 1: testing Civil 3D Survey Databases settings on the ACC:

First, locating where Civil 3D survey setting paths can be found > TOOLSPACE palette > Survey tab > Survey User Settings button.  The dialog box shows the paths default to:  
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D 2024\enu\Survey

For testing purposes files with “ACC” appended as prefix have been previously added to that ACC folder that will be pointing to.  The categories for Survey Database Settings:
     •    Survey Database Defaults
     •    Equipment Databases
     •    Figure Prefix Databases
     •    Linework Code Set

Everything looks good, as the ACC paths hold after closing and opening Civil 3D.

Part 2:  testing Civil 3D Survey Databases on the ACC:

Next, will be to test will be if a Survey Database can be created on the ACC.  Start by right clicking from the Survey Database category > select Set working folder… 

Set Working folder to location on the ACC for the project.

Then, right clicking from the Survey Database category > select New local survey database.  

For testing purposes it will be called “Survey DB – ACC”.  

Now, survey data will be imported and prosses by the newly created Survey Database and see if it will yield data in the drawing.  From the dialog box Specify Data Source step, the file selected (FieldSuvey.txt) resides on the ACC project:

Once finished stepping through the Import Survey Data dialog box, and all the appropriate setting are selected, figures and points will appear in the drawing as expected.  Even if the drawing is saved, closed out and opened, the link to the data stored on the ACC remains.

From what it appears Survey Databases can exist on the ACC.

Surveyors can rejoice as it looks like full Survey functionally is supported on an ACC project.  IMAGINiT can help you understand and configure Civil 3D functionality to match your workflows.

Please visit our other posts testing functionality on the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC):
     •    Using External References on the ACC
     •    Using AutoCAD Live Maps Service (geolocation) on the ACC
     •    Sharing Reusable AutoCAD content on the ACC
     •    Map 3D: Connecting to FDO files on the ACC
     •    Map 3D: working with Images on the ACC
     •    Map 3D: using Web Source Connections
     •    Civil 3D: using Data Shortcuts on the ACC
     •    Civil 3D: sharing Pipe Catalogs on the ACC
     •    Civil 3D: working with Reference Templates on the ACC

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 17 years of experience helping large and small, public and private clients in the eastern United States.

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