"Reference Text" Feature in Civil 3D Labels

June 10, 2025 Nick Turner

Title:

Elevate Label Clarity with the "Reference Text" Feature in Civil 3D Labels

Applies to:
Civil 3D

Issue:
Civil 3D users often need to label multiple pieces of design data—like elevations, stationing, offsets, pipe inverts, or distances—within a single label. Many users create separate labels or explode dynamic labels into dumb text to show additional info, leading to:

  • Redundant labels cluttering the drawing
  • Manual edits when design data changes
  • Loss of dynamic link to model data (risking outdated annotations)

This slows down sheet production and increases the chance of missing design updates.

Solution:
Use Civil 3D's Reference Text capability inside label styles to pull information from nearby objects (like alignments, profiles, surfaces, pipe networks, or structures) into a single dynamic label.

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Go to the Label Style Composer (for example, in a Spot Elevation, Structure, or Alignment label style).
  2. Under the Layout tab, click Contents, then click the "..." button.
  3. In the Text Component Editor, click "Reference Text" in the list of properties.
  4. Choose the Civil 3D object type to reference (e.g., an alignment or a surface).
  5. Add properties like station, offset, elevation, or name into your label.

Now, when you use that label style, Civil 3D will prompt you to select the host object (e.g., a structure or feature line) and the reference object. The label will automatically pull in and update the referenced values.

Example Use Cases:

  • Label a structure and automatically include the centerline station and offset from a nearby alignment.
  • Label a feature line and display surface elevation differences from a design surface.
  • Label a pipe and show start and end elevations, lengths, and slopes all in one multiline label—without exploding anything.

Results:

  • Labels stay dynamically linked to the model—update the design, and the label updates automatically.
  • Reduces clutter by combining multiple annotations into a single smart label.
  • Saves time during sheet production and revision cycles by eliminating manual edits.
Previous Article
Using ChatGPT to Write AutoCAD LISP Routines: From Idea to Execution

Next Article
'Set All Targets' command in Civil 3D

×

Get Tips Delivered.

Subscribe to Email Updates.

First Name
Last Name
Country
Thank you!
Error - something went wrong!