AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2012 Essentials: Autodesk® Official Training Guide: Essential

CHAPTER 4

Modeling the Existing Terrain Using Surfaces

In Chapter 3, you learned how survey data can be used to establish the existing conditions of a project by playing a very elaborate game of connect-the-dots. Thus far, you've been solving the connect-the-dots puzzle in only two dimensions—creating the tree lines, fence lines, buildings, trees, and so on. Now, you'll use the same data to establish the third dimension of your existing conditions model, and you'll do that using Civil 3D surfaces.

Many would say that the goal in this process is to generate existing contours for the project. Twenty years ago, that would have been true, but in this era of 3D modeling, the result of your efforts will serve a much greater purpose. Although it's ...