Long ago, this was done with Softdesk, information technology was another story, just in this case we volition meet how to do information technology using AutoDesk Civil 3D in six steps.

clip_image001 1. Surface Styles

The styles are viewing geometry settings that are created in AutoCAD, where are defined the type of lines, colors, layers, smoothing curves or different conformations that the geometries will have. Since it is non the case of this mail service I will utilize a file that already has stored styles, in the terminate it is indicated how to download the file.

These styles can be viewed and modified in the "Settings" tab; information technology can likewise be copied and make new ones.

2. Create the surface

To do this, on the pane toolbar, select "surfaces", right-click mouse by choosing "create surface". In the panel indicate that it is a Can type surface area, and select the layer where information technology is hosted, in my case I volition do so in C-TOPO.

Every bit its proper name we assign "Geofumadas Land" and "Field test" in the description.clip_image002

Doing OK we can see that the surface has been created, with object construction that will narrate information technology. Yous can edit by right-clicking the mouse push button on the surface and selecting "Surface clip_image003Properties".

3. Add data to the surface

In this case, let's add a file of points, earlier nosotros saw how to do information technology from an external database. Now what I have is a txt file with coordinates in the form x, y, z.

So to practice this, actuate the "Definition" option, and in this we wait for "Signal files". Here we do right push button of the mouse by clicking "Add" selection.

clip_image004In the console we volition indicate that what nosotros are importing are items on the ENZ gild Easting Northing Zelevation (X, Y, Z), and separated by commas. Then look for the txt file path and practise ok.

In this way the points are loaded to the file, only not only been admitted as a layer of points only take go a surface operation.

To see this, permit's do correct click with the Mouse button on the surface "egeomate Land", y Surface Properties, we'll see the "Definition" tab that in the lower panel appears as an operation.

To see the surface created, permit's practice right-click on information technology, and select "zoom to". You should meet the surface, with points in scarlet and white contours, since this is the standard mode.

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4.  Customizing the contours.

Now, to view the curves just give some other style, what nosotros volition practice is correct-click of the mouse on the surface "egeomate Field", and so "Surface backdrop" and "Data" tab select the fashion of surface.

In case of using "Borders & Contours", later playing the pick, we take this:

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If you place "Borders & Contours & Slopes" it displays the contour map with a colored gradient.

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There are other styles, and so I leave yous to effort them.

5. Other Information.

It is also possible to encounter more data in regard to the surface created, for case in the "Analysis" tab and ever in "Surface Properties" tab we tin become a statistical motion picture of slopes, choosing range and pressing the down pointer.

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6.  Labeling the curves

To label profile lines, what nosotros do is, from the top menu "Surface / Add together surface labels" (here you can select unlike alternatives, we'll use "Contour – Multiple", in this case), then marks the polyline and it volition exist marking the dimensions.

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If you want to exercise it can be downloaded here:

The txt file of the points

The dwg which contains the template

The dwg with the prepared exercise

In this links you lot can see alternatives to to create contours with other programs:

Contours from Poilines in Civil 3D

Contours using ArcGIS

Using Bentley Site

Using Google Globe

Using Manifold GIS