You can’t have missed it…?!? The preview of bridge functionality for Civil 3D 2010, available on Autodesk LABs http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/civil3d_bridge/
I understand that we can not expect everyone to install it on their normal machines as it is a technology preview, and not a released and supported product. That’s why I have installed it myself and tried it briefly 😉
Below are a number of images showing what I managed to achieve without ANY previous experience in bridge design.
After installation you get a new part of the Ribbon in C3D 2010.
After selecting type of bridge and what Corridor to apply it on, we get this user interface.
Here we can select what Corridor Regions to use for the Bridge deck.
My Corridor has three Corridor Regions. Before, over and after bridge. The dialog below also shows the graphics and section labels for my selected Alignment. The graphics are interactive.
After going through a number of steps in the Bridge wizard, we get the the bridge created over the span where we had our Corridor Region.
It is also easy to use the “Project Object to Profile View” command and present the 3D-bridge with Styles.
It has, of course, created a fully 3D bridge for us to be visible from any angle.
We can use “Hide”. See columns
Below are some images showing what it looks like when we use the new “Drive along Corridor” functionality, released as Subscription Advantage Pack for C3D 2010.
Corridor Surface turned off to show the “construction” below.
Using Visual Style “Render” while driving along the Corridor.
…and as “Hidden”… See the geometry of the curve and super elevation…
…and finally as an object in “Object Viewer”.
As said, I am not in any way skilled in bridge design – but I imagine this tool will help a good way in doing visuals and “preview” design of bridges. Great for getting a quick view for discussion.
We’re heading for Las Vegas, Autodesk AU, for the whole next week. Jack is already on the plane – or close to boarding…? Who knows? 😉
Anyway – feel free to catch us in Vegas if you’d like to chat or comment on anything.
Have a great weekend! / Ove