AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010

Education Curriculum Student Workbook

Unit 2: Create Ground Data

Lesson

Create Survey Data

Overview
In this lesson, you learn how to use the survey functionality in AutoCAD Civil 3D. This
functionality enables you to automatically create pre-engineering base plans and existing
ground surface models directly from field survey data.
When you use the Survey features, you can use total station and GPS observation data to
automatically create pre-engineering base plans and existing ground surface models. You can
also edit field data to adjust control coordinates, backsight angles, prism heights, and any
other type of observed data.
Surveyors produce information upon which a design can be based. This information is
provided to site designers, and usually consists of a pre-engineering base plan, an existing
ground surface model, and a reduced coordinate point file.

Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Configure and identify the main components of the Civil 3D survey environment.

Create a survey database and network.

Create figure styles to control the display of figures.

Create figure prefixes to assign figure styles to figures.

Describe the main characteristics of the Autodesk field book file format.

Import a field book file to Civil 3D.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 1

Make changes to observation data in the survey database.

Create points and figures from survey data.

Exercises
The following exercises are provided in a step-by-step format in this lesson:
1. Review the Survey Environment
2. Create Survey Database
3. Create a Survey Network
4. Create Figure Styles
5. Create Figure Prefixes
6. Import Survey Data
7. Edit Survey Data

Survey Databases
Survey information is the essential starting point for any land development project. Before the
planning, feasibility, permitting, or design process can begin, a land survey of the project site
must be conducted.
This land survey represents existing conditions and shows the site's boundaries, topography,
infrastructure, utilities, and other critical features. Raw data, or field observations such as
horizontal angle, vertical angle, and slope distance, is collected using either total station or
GPS data collection equipment. Field observation data is shown in the following illustration.

Once collected, this data is stored in a central repository, the survey database. The data in the
survey database can be accessed by any user and referenced to any coordinate system. Survey

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 2

databases are displayed on the Survey tab of Toolspace, and contain all the control points,
known directions, observation measurements, traverse definitions, points, and figure data.

The survey database can be created either locally, or on a network, and you import survey
data collected from a number of sources. Survey observation data that resides in the survey
database may be recreated in different drawings with different coordinate systems. This is
especially useful when you need to produce drawings that represent grid coordinates, as well
as drawings that represent ground coordinates from a common survey database.
The survey database is intentionally kept separate and independent of your drawing project
by Civil 3D for both practical and legal reasons. Original work done by registered surveyors is
information that could have legal implications, and should not be altered without knowing the
consequences. Survey databases are created as folders, by default, under C:\Civil 3D Projects.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

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The survey data can be accessed through multiple drawings and can affect other objects, such
as points and surfaces. For example, when you change a prism height or a backsight angle,
associated point data automatically updates.
Survey data is transformed according to the survey database coordinate system and the
individual drawing coordinate system. If the drawing units and coordinate zone differ, then
the survey is transformed.

Survey Networks
Survey networks are collections of survey control, instrument setup, and observation data, and
are used to edit, organize and manage survey data. Survey networks are typically created for
site analysis, boundary survey, boundary analysis, topographic survey, and as-built survey
phases of land development projects. Survey networks can also be used to organize survey data
geographically.
The following illustration shows a survey network.

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Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 4

Survey networks provide a repository for the data collected in land development projects. Each
project phase, or location, can be represented by a network in the database. Once the network
is created, survey data can be transferred to the database from total station and GPS data files.
You can organize survey data by creating survey networks within the survey database for
different stages of a land development project. Survey networks would be created for each of
the following project phases:
Boundary survey
Topographic survey
Each survey network is displayed in the survey database folder as a separate subfolder, and a
survey database may contain several networks. You can import several survey data files, or raw
data files, to a single survey network. Survey networks exist in the survey database and can be
inserted to, and removed from, any drawing connected to the survey database.
Survey networks contain the following data:
Setups or stations
Control points and non-control points
Known directions
Observations
Traverses
The following illustration shows a survey network created in the Survey tab of Toolspace.

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Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 5

Figure Styles and Prefixes

Many survey crews apply linework connectivity codes during their pre-engineering boundary
and topographic surveys. Linework connectivity codes such as Begin, End, Continue, and C3 (to
connect three points with an arc) result in the automatic creation of survey figures that
represent ditch bottoms, road crowns, and sidewalk edges. The result is that the preengineering base plan and existing ground surface model is a direct by-product of the
surveyors field efforts.
The base plan is a plan view drawing that shows existing conditions. The base plan typically
consists of linework and symbols. The linework is used to represent pavement edges,
centerlines, sidewalk edges, gutter lines, ditches, and other types of linear features. Symbols
are used to represent spot features such as catch basins, fire hydrants, and power poles.

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Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 6

The creation of the pre-engineering base plan and the existing ground surface model is
typically the responsibility of the survey organization or department. The groups involved with
this work strive to automate the processes as much as possible.
The following elements are required to automate the process:

Surveyors are consistent with their use of field codes that represent specific features.

Surveyors apply field connectivity codes to automatically generate base plan linework as the
data is imported to AutoCAD Civil 3D. Examples include Begin, End, Continue, C3, and Recall.

Base plan linework is assigned to layers automatically and can also be defined as breaklines for
the surface.

Point groups for surface modeling are predefined in the drawing template (DWT). These point
groups filter invalid data from the surface model, such as pipe inverts and tops of fire hydrants.

Description key sets associate point style and point label style to each point.

Civil 3D represents survey data with a survey network object. The Survey Network style, as with
other Civil 3D object styles, controls the display of the survey network.

Definition of Survey Figures

Survey figures are polylinear objects that contain line and arc segments. You use survey
figures to connect similar survey features such as pavement edges, fence lines, and sidewalks.
Some survey figures can be used as breaklines for the surface model. Survey figure styles
control the display of survey figures.
The following illustration shows the graphical components of a survey figure.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 7

Figure line.
Vertex marker with marker style.
Midpoint markers placed at segment midpoints.

Definition of Survey Figure Prefixes

Survey figure prefixes automate the assignment of survey figure styles, which are used to
control the display of the survey figures. Survey figure prefixes can also assign figures to layers
and tag specific figures as breaklines. Survey figure prefixes are stored in an external file called
the figure prefix database.

Survey Figure Prefix Database

Figure prefixes are stored in a figure prefix database. Prior to creating the figure prefixes, you
need to set the path and create a figure prefix database. The figure prefix database should be
centrally located locally on a computer network for all users to access. A sample figure prefix
database is shown in the following illustration.

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Importing Survey Data

You can import a number of survey data types to a survey database. Working with survey field
book files enables you to edit and adjust the survey observation data directly within the Civil
3D environment. Any data created from importing survey field book files, such as points,
figures, and surfaces, automatically updates when you edit survey observation data. You
import survey data to begin the base plan creation and surface modeling process.

About Field Book Files

Field book files are your primary source of survey data. Field book files can be created from
total station and GPS data files. Different brands of survey data collectors have their own
observation data file format that can be converted to field book files, and then imported to
Civil 3D. Field book files contain survey observation data such as control coordinates, station
setup information, instrument and prism heights, backsight angles and sideshot data (slope
distance, horizontal angle, and vertical angle).
When you import a survey field book file to a survey network, the network in the survey
database is populated with observation data. The coordinates of the survey points and figures
are also calculated. The following illustration shows a survey field book file containing
observation data.

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Number

Data type

Description

NEZ coordinates

Typically these are the points that the instrument is positioned

over as well as the backsight point.

STN

Station setup command and height of instrument.

BS

Backsight angle.

PRISM

Rod height.

F1 VA

Sideshot observation data.

BEG

Begin statement to begin a figure. Other examples of linework

connectivity codes include End, Continue, C3 (to connect three
points with an arc), and Recall.

Creating Field Book Files

You can create field book files using the Survey Data Collection Link program found on the
ribbon, Create Ground Data panel. The Survey Data Collection Link program is shown in the
following illustration. You can also create field book files using the applications available from
the survey data collector manufacturers.

Importing Field Book Files

After you create the survey database and the survey network, you import the field book file to
the survey network. You can import any number of field book files to a survey network.
When you import the field book file, the survey network in the survey database is populated
with the survey observation data. You also have the option to create the following drawing
objects:

Survey network

Survey points

Survey figures

A survey network is shown in the following illustration.

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Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 10

The survey network is an object that visually represents the data in your survey. It is used for
editing and analyzing survey data. After the survey has been analyzed for errors and adjusted,
the survey network is removed from the drawing. The adjusted points and the figures are then
inserted to the drawing from the survey database.

Working with Survey Data

You can edit and perform traverse adjustments on survey data. You insert the survey network
to the drawing, from the survey database, to perform traverse analysis and adjustments. Once
the edits and adjustments are complete, you remove the survey network from the drawing
and then create the survey points and survey figure objects in the drawing directly from the
data in the database. When you adjust and edit the survey network data again, the survey
drawing objects automatically update.

Survey Data Characteristics

Survey network, point, and figure data are stored in the survey database and can be removed
from, or inserted into, the drawing at any time. When you make changes to survey
observation data, all associated data automatically updates.
For instance, if you change the prism height for a series of observed points, the observed point
elevations update. Similarly, if you change the coordinate of a control point, the coordinates
of the points observed (surveyed) from that control point update.

Observation Data Example

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Survey observation data is displayed in the Survey Network on the Survey Toolspace. After you
import the field book file, you can expand the trees in the Networks collection to see
observation data. When you edit the observation data, you change the contents of the Survey
database. You then recalculate the Survey Network.
The following illustration shows the control points, directions, and setups in a survey network.

Survey observation data also consists of all of the observed figures and points as shown in the
following illustration.

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After importing the survey network to the drawing so you can visualize, check, and adjust your
survey, you then remove the network from the drawing and create survey points in the
drawing. You can then import the survey points and figures to the drawing. These are shown
in the following illustration.

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Key Terms
Survey Tab

The Survey tab is positioned below the Prospector tab and the Settings
tab in the Toolspace window. You use the Survey tab to manage survey
databases, survey networks, survey data, and survey system settings.

Base Plan

The base plan is the Civil 3D drawing that represents existing conditions
before the design begins. Base plans show existing features such as
roads, sewers, light poles, and manholes. These features are represented
using Civil 3D point objects to represent spot features, and feature lines
to represent linear features. The engineer must become familiar with the
existing conditions prior to beginning the design work. Base plans are
created directly from the survey raw data file.

Observation Data

Observation data is the raw data format created from Total Station
survey data-collection equipment. Survey observations typically consist
of a measured horizontal angle, vertical angle, and slope distance record.
The survey raw data file also contains information such as control
coordinates, height of instrument, and height of rod. The final
coordinates are calculated when the survey data is imported to Civil 3D.

Reduced
Coordinates

Reduced point coordinates are created from observation data. Reduced

coordinates typically refer to the northing and easting point coordinate
attributes. Survey sideshot points are represented with angular
measurements in observation data. When imported to the drawing,
sideshot point data is converted to reduced coordinate point data.

Field Book File

The field book (FBK) file is an AutoCAD Civil 3D observation file. Different
brands of survey data collectors have their own observation data file
format. These observation data files are converted to the AutoCAD Civil
3D field book files, which are then imported to AutoCAD Civil 3D.
Coordinates are calculated as field book file data imported to the Civil 3D
drawing.

Survey Database

The survey database is an external database that stores the observation

data. The survey database is populated with observation data when the
field book file is imported. The location of the survey database defaults
to the \Civil 3D Projects\ location on your hard drive. The survey
database can be accessed from any drawing to create base plan data.

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Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 14

Survey Network

A survey network is a collection of related control points, instrument

setups, survey observations, and defined traverses. Survey networks are
stored in the survey database, and a single survey database can contain
several survey networks.

Figures

Civil 3D figures are used to represent the base plan linework such as
pavement edges, centerlines, gutter lines, and sidewalks. In the field,
surveyors apply figure connectivity codes (Begin, End, Continue, and so
on) to automatically generate the base plan figures. Surveyors assign
names to figures using the Begin command. Figures can be converted to
breaklines for surface modeling. Figure display is controlled with a figure
style. Figures are organized in figure groups.

Figure Prefix
Database

The figure prefix database assigns figure styles to survey figures. The
figure prefix database also assigns certain figures as breaklines for
existing surface models.

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Exercise 1: The Civil 3D

Survey Environment

2. On the ribbon, Home tab, click Survey

Toolspace.

In this exercise, you configure and become

familiar with the survey environment. The
configuration of the workspace involves
positioning the Toolspace, turning off
scroll bars and closing unwanted toolbars.
The following elements of the Toolspace
window are used in the Civil 3D survey
environment:

Prospector tab: Shows survey

networks and figures in the drawing.

Settings tab: Used to create survey

network styles and figure styles.

Survey tab: Used to create and

manage survey databases and
survey networks.

A Survey tab appears on the Toolspace

window.
Clicking Survey Toolspace again removes
the Survey tab from the Toolspace
window.

3. Click the Prospector tab.

4. From the drop-down list at the top of
Toolspace, click Active Drawing View.
5. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the
Survey tree.
You can also access the Survey command
from the menu and from the command
line.

Notice the Networks and Figures tree

under the Survey tree.

For this exercise open

\I_CreateSurveyData-EX1.dwg
(M_CreateSurveyData-EX1.dwg).
1. Position Toolspace so that it is undocked
on the left side of the screen.
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 16

Both the Networks and Figures trees are

empty because there is no data present.
When you import data later in this lesson,
these trees expand to show the survey
networks and figures.

10. Click the Display tab to see the settings

that control the display of the survey
network components.

Now you look at the styles used to display

the survey networks and figures.

11. Click OK.

6. In Toolspace, click the Settings tab.

7. At the bottom of the object list on the
left side, expand all trees under the
Survey tree.

You can control the display of the survey

network by modifying the Network Style.
12. In Toolspace, Settings tab, double-click
the Standard Figure Style under the
Figure Styles tree.
13. Click the Plan and Model tab on the
Figure Styles dialog box.
You can assign marker styles to specific
points on the survey figures.
14. Click the Display tab.
Notice that you can control the display
properties of the figure components.
15. Click OK.

Network Styles control the display of the

survey network. Figure Styles control the
display of the survey figures. Remember
that survey figures are used to represent
the base plan line work.

16. In Toolspace, click the Survey tab.

17. The following trees are visible:

8. Right-click the Network Style named

Basic. Click Edit.

Survey Databases: The list of survey

databases. A survey database is
created in the next exercise.

9. In the Network Style dialog box, click the

Components tab and review the
settings.

Equipment Databases: Displays the

properties and values for the survey
equipment used to collect the data.

Figure Prefix Databases: Assigns

survey figures to layers and
identifies certain survey figures as
breaklines.

Linework Code Sets: User-specified

coding for field linework generation

Here you can assign marker styles to

known control points, unknown control
points, non-control points, sideshot
points, and tolerance error points. This
makes it easier to identify the type of data
you are working with.
You can modify marker styles by
expanding the General Multipurpose
Styles tree on the Settings tab in
Toolspace.
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 17

Note: A survey database exists as a folder

in C:\Civil 3D Projects. You can delete a
survey database by deleting the survey
database folder in C:\Civil 3D Projects.
18. Close the drawing and do not save the
changes.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

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Exercise 2: Create Survey

Database

2. In Toolspace, Survey tab, right-click

Survey Databases. Click New Local
Survey Database.

In this exercise, you create the survey

database and you modify the survey
database settings. The survey database is
an external location where survey data is
stored.

3. In the New Local Survey Database dialog

box, enter Ross Street Reconstruction.
Click OK.

For this exercise, open

I_CreateSurveyData--EX2.dwg
(M_CreateSurveyData-EX2.dwg)

The survey database is physically

represented with a folder structure on
your hard drive. The default folder
location is C:\Civil 3D Projects in your root
drive. You may have changed this when
installing the software.

1. On the ribbon, Home tab, click Survey

Toolspace.

A survey database is added in Toolspace,

Survey tab.

Next, you change the units of measure in

the survey database.
4. On Toolspace, on the Survey tab:
Note: If Survey Toolspace is open, clicking
this icon closes the Survey Toolspace.
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Right-click Ross Street

Reconstruction.

Click Edit Survey Database Settings.

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5. In the Survey Database Settings dialog

box:

If it is not already expanded, click to

expand Units.

The survey data that you import later has

been collected in metric units. The survey
database is therefore set up to represent
metric units. Civil 3D performs a unit
conversion by comparing the units of the
drawing to those set in the survey
database.

Change the Distance value to Meter.

Review the other settings. Note that

you can change the coordinate zone
assigned to a survey database. This
means that you can convert data
from one coordinate zone to
another by comparing the
coordinate zones in the survey
database and in the drawing.

Click OK.

The creation of the survey database is

complete.
6. Close the drawing. Do not save the
changes.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

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Exercise 3: Create a Survey

Network
In this exercise you create a survey
network. The survey network is in a survey
database and stores related survey data.

5. In the New Network dialog box:

For Name, enter Pre-engineering

Topographic Survey.

For Description, enter Todays date

(For example, September 15, 2009).

6. Click OK.
7. On the Survey tab, expand the survey
network you just created.

For this exercise open

\I_CreateSurveyData-EX3.dwg
(M_CreateSurveyData-EX3.dwg).
1. If the Survey tab is not visible in
Toolspace, then on the ribbon, Home
tab, click Survey Toolspace.
2. If the Ross Street Reconstruction survey
database does not exist, complete
exercise 2 before continuing.
3. In Toolspace, if the Ross Street
Reconstruction database is not open,
right-click Ross Street Reconstruction.
Click Open survey database.
Now create the survey network.

The survey network is created and can

accommodate the following elements:

Control points

Non-control points

Directions

Setups

Traverses

8. Close the drawing. Do not save the

changes.

4. Under the Ross Street Reconstruction

database, right-click Networks. Click
New.
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Exercise 4: Create Figure

Styles
In this exercise you create figure styles.
Figure styles control the display of the
figures, or the base plan linework.

following data (Figure Name, Layer,

Color):

Existing Edge of Pavement, C-ROADEPAV, BYLAYER

Existing Sidewalk, C-ROAD-SWLK,

BYLAYER

Existing Driveway, C-ROAD-DWAY,

BYLAYER

You see the new figure styles on the

Settings tab of Toolspace.

For this exercise open

\I_CreateSurveyData-EX4.dwg
(M_CreateSurveyData-EX4.dwg).
1. In Toolspace, Settings tab:

Click to expand Survey.

Click to expand Figure Styles.

Right-click Figure Styles. Click New.

6. Close the drawing. Do not save the

changes.

2. In the Figure Style dialog box,

Information tab, for Name, enter
Existing Centerline.
3. On the Display tab:

Click the light bulb to turn off all

components except for the Figure
Lines component.

For Figure Lines layer, click C-ROADCNTR.

For Figure Lines color, click BYLAYER.

4. Click OK.
5. Use the same procedure to create the
remaining figure styles using the
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

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Exercise 5: Create Figure

Prefixes
In this exercise you create figure prefixes for
the existing centerline, pavement edges,
sidewalks, and driveways. When survey
observation data is imported, the figure
name is matched against the figure prefix.
For this exercise, open
\I_CreateSurveyData-EX5.dwg
(M_CreateSurveyData-EX5.dwg).
1. If the Survey tab is not visible in
Toolspace, then on the ribbon, Home
tab, click Survey Toolspace.

You are now finished with the figure prefix

definitions.
Notice that you can modify the figure
prefix parameters directly from the item
view on the Toolspace Survey tab.

2. In Toolspace, Survey tab:

Click to expand the Figure Prefix

Databases.
Right-click Sample. Click New.

5. Close the drawing. Do not save the

changes.

3. In the New Figure Prefix dialog box:

For Name, enter CL.

For Breakline, check Yes.

For Layer, change to C-ROAD-CNTR.

For Style, change to Existing

Centerline.

4. Create the remaining figure prefixes

using the following data:

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

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Exercise 6: Import Survey

Data
In this exercise you import data to the
survey network, in the survey database,
from a field book file. A field book file
contains observed, or raw survey data.

Next, you review the field book file, in the

survey network.
3. For Ross Street Reconstruction, rightclick Pre-engineering Topographic
Survey. Click Edit Field Book.
Note: You may be prompted to select a
text editor.
4. In the Field Book Filename (.FBK) dialog
box:

Browse to where you installed your

datasets.

Open Ross Street.fbk.

An alternate method is to browse to the

folder and open Ross Street.fbk with
your favorite text editor.

For this exercise, open

\I_CreateSurveyData-EX6.dwg
(M_CreateSurveyData-EX6.dwg).
1. If you have created the figure prefix
database from Exercise 5, proceed to
step 2. Otherwise, follow these steps:

On the Survey tab, click Edit Survey

User Settings.

In the Survey Users Settings dialog

box, for Figure Defaults, note the
figure prefix database path. Click OK.

Close the current drawing.

Using Windows Explorer, copy the

provided figure prefix database,
Sample.fdb, to the figure prefix
database path location you just
noted. Overwrite the existing file.

2. On the Survey tab, click to expand

Survey Databases. Right-click Ross
Street Reconstruction. Click Open
Survey Database.
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

5. Review the contents of the field book

file. Note the linework connectivity
codes such as BEG, CONT, and END.
These were entered by the survey in the
field. Close the text editor when you are
finished.
Next, you import the field book file.
6. On the Survey tab, right-click Preengineering Topographic Survey
network. Click Import > Import Field
Book.
7. In the Field Book Filename (.FBK) dialog
box:

Browse to where you installed your

datasets.

Click Ross Street.fbk.

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 24

Click Open.

8. In the Import Field Book dialog box, set

the properties as shown in the following
illustration.

lightbulb to turn on the component.

Click OK.

13. Review the changes in the drawing area.

9. Click OK.
10. Watch as the survey data is imported to
the drawing. This process takes a few
minutes. The survey data is represented
in a survey network.

14. Close the drawing. Do not save the

changes.

Next, you modify the survey network style

to show the sideshot lines.
11. In the drawing area, click the survey
network. Right-click and click Edit
Survey Network Style.
12. In the Network Style - Basic dialog box,
Display tab, for Sideshot Lines, click the
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 25

Exercise 7: Edit Survey Data

In this exercise you edit the survey
observation data in the survey database.
For this exercise open
\I_CreateSurveyData-EX7.dwg
(M_CreateSurveyData-EX7.dwg).
You must complete the prior exercises
before working through this exercise.
1. On the Survey tab of Toolspace, to open
the survey database, right-click Ross
Street Reconstruction. Click Open
Survey Database.

4. Begin by noting the elevation of an

observed point. After editing the control
point data, you notice that the elevation
of the dependent points changes.

In Toolspace, on the Survey tab,

right-click Ross Street
Reconstruction. Click Open.

5. Now observe the elevation for observed

point number 20.

Click Survey Points.

In the Item View area of Prospector,

scroll to observed point number 20.

Notice that the elevation of

observed point number 20 is 80.182.

Now import the survey network to the

drawing, from the survey database.
2. Expand Import Events and Ross
Street.fbk.
3. Right-click Networks. Click Insert into
Drawing.
The survey network is inserted to the
drawing.
Note: You do not need to insert the survey
network to the drawing to make edits.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

6. Next correct an error with the elevation

of a keyed in control point.

On the Survey tab, expand

Networks, Pre-engineering
Topographic Survey.

Click Control Points.

In the item view area, for control

point number 1, for Elevation,
change the value to 80.405.

Press ENTER. Click Save.

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 26

7. Notice the exclamation mark next to the

Pre-engineering Topographic Survey
network. The survey network is now out
of date (because of changes to the
control point) and needs to be updated.

Right-click Pre-engineering
Topographic Survey. Click Update
Network.

8. Click Survey Points. Review the

elevation for point number 20.
The elevation has changed from 80.182 to
80.082 to reflect the adjustment of the
elevation for control point number 1.

9. In the database a prism (target) height

was entered incorrectly for the
Station:3, Backsight:1 setup and must
be corrected. To adjust the prism
heights:

On the Survey tab, Pre-engineering

Topographic Survey network, click to
expand Setups.

Notice the different instrument

setups.

Right-click Setup Station:3,

Backsight:1. Click Show Properties to
review the setup properties.

The observations (sideshots) from this

setup are graphically highlighted.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

10. The Panorama window appears showing

the Observations Editor. To review the
observation data:

Scroll down to point numbers 355,

356 and 357. Note the target height
of 2.650. This target height was
entered incorrectly.

Scroll to the right and note the

elevations of these three points:
Point 355 - 82.015 Point 356 82.150 Point 357 - 82.243.

11. Next, you change the target height for

the three points. In Panorama:

Scroll back to the left.

Press CTRL+click the three points

(355, 356, 357).

Right-click the Target Height column

header. Click Edit.

Change the value to 2.55.

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 27

Press ENTER. Civil 3D recalculates

the observations. Notice that the
data is now bolded.

Click Save. The data is no longer

bolded. This indicates that the
changes have been saved.

Close Panorama.

The drawing is updated with point objects

that can be used for surface modeling and
other design tasks.

12. In Toolspace, on the Survey tab, notice

that the Pre-engineering Topographic
Survey network is now out of date. To
update the network:

Right-click Pre-engineering
Topographic Survey. Click Update
Network. It may take a few seconds.

15. Next add the survey figures to the

drawing.

Click Survey Points.

In the item view area, scroll down to

point numbers 355, 356, and 357.

On the Survey tab, right-click

Figures.

Click Insert Into Drawing.

Notice that the elevations of the

point data have updated based on
the change to the target height.

13. Figures are now out of date. The figure

vertices contain elevation data, which
may have changed when the prism
heights were updated. To update
Figures, do the following:

The drawing is updated with the figures

that represent the base plan linework.
16. Finally, remove the survey network from
the drawing.

In Toolspace, Survey tab, right-click

Pre-engineering Topographic Survey
network.

Right-click Figures.

Click Remove from Drawing.

Click Update Figures.

In the warning message dialog box,

click Yes.

Graphically navigate the drawing

and review the data.

Data residing in the survey database has

been changed. The survey network and
figure data have been updated.
The final step is to insert the survey data
to the drawing and remove the survey
network.
Begin by adding the survey points.
14. On the Survey tab, Ross Road
Reconstruction database, right-click
Survey Points. Click Points > Insert Into
Drawing.
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 28

17. Close the drawing and do not save the

changes.

Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 29

Assessment
Challenge Exercise
Instructors provide a master or challenge exercise for students to do based on this lesson.

Questions
1. What is a survey observation data file?
2. What does a surveyor typically create from observation data?
3. Who is this information delivered to in the site design process?
4. What types of features in Civil 3D are used to represent base plan linework and breaklines
for existing ground surface models?
5. What types of features in Civil 3D are used to represent spot features on the base plan and
locations for the existing ground surface model?
6. Explain how the survey database works.
7. What are the primary functions of the figure prefix database?
8. What is the primary function of the survey network?

Answers
1. A survey observation data file contains all the survey field measurements. A survey
observation data file is also known as a raw data file. This information usually is keyed-in
control coordinates, instrument setup locations, instrument height, backsight points and
angles, rod heights and sideshot data, which is measured with a horizontal angle, vertical
angle, and slope distance.
2. Surveyors create a model of existing conditions from observation data. The model consists
of a base plan drawing in plan view, an existing ground surface model, and points with
reduced coordinates.
3. Surveyors deliver their finished product to designers. Designers then create detailed design
documents for construction. These contract packages contain construction drawings,
construction staking data, and quantity reports.
4. Figures.
5. Points.
6. The survey database is an external file that is created prior to importing survey data. The
survey database stores survey observation data. Multiple users can create their own survey
drawings from data residing in a single survey database.
Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 30

7. The figure prefix database assigns figure styles to survey figures. The figure prefix also
identifies certain figures as existing ground surface model breaklines.
8. The survey network is a graphical representation of the survey data. You can make changes
to survey network data from the Survey Toolspace. The survey network is updated after
changes have been saved.

Lesson Summary
This lesson introduced you to survey functionality in AutoCAD Civil 3D. Surveyors provide data
to engineers upon which a land development design can be based. This data represents
existing conditions and consists of reduced point coordinates, a plan view base plan drawing,
and an existing ground surface model.
Surveyors collect this data using Total Station and GPS survey data collection equipment. Data
recorded with Total Station data collectors is referred to as observation data, which consists of
actual field measurements. The Civil 3D observation data file format is field book (FBK). Points
with coordinates are created when observation data is imported to the Civil 3D drawing.

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Unit 2 Lesson 1: Create Survey Data

Civil 3D 2010 Student Workbook 31