AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Using The Ribbon Video

May 12, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Topics, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Using The Ribbon Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Using The Ribbon Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Using The Ribbon Video

This AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors Video is an update to my last video (AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Video – see link below), in which, I forgot to show you how to paste surfaces using the Ribbon in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

You can use this technique to merge design and/or as-built surfaces into your original existing conditions surface. Once you paste the surfaces into the first surface, you will then have one surface that blends all the surfaces together.

Watch the AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Using The Ribbon Video

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AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Video

May 11, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Topics, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Video

In this AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors Video, I show you how to paste surfaces in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

You can use this technique to merge design and/or as-built surfaces into your original existing conditions surface. Once you paste the surfaces into the first surface, you will then have one surface that blends all the surfaces together.

Watch the AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Paste Surfaces Video

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Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fractured Land Patterns Video 1

May 7, 2012 in Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Videos by EricColburn

A History of BLM

A History of BLM

The Bureau of Land Management The Lands That Remain and Series Introduction

This 13 part series, known as Fractured Land Patterns, is the history of BLM. It was created in the mid 1980′s as an interpretation of BLMs colorful history.

The historical perspective presented centers around the uses, federal laws, and landmark events on Americas public lands which contributed to the fractured land ownership patterns that remain today.

The series is divided into 2 broad sections the first is called The Public Disposal Era and consists of videos 1 – 6. The second is called Conservation and Beyond and covers videos 7 -13.

Watch the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fractured Land Patterns Video 1

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AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Survey Hotfix Video

April 24, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Topics, Business, Business Videos, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos, Vlog by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Survey Hotfix Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Survey Hotfix Video

Get It While It’s Hot, New AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Survey Hotfix!

Well, it didn’t take long for a software bug and an AutoCAD Civil 3D survey hotfix.

“This hotfix resolves an issue with the Survey Figures Property Dialog. In the lower section of the panel you can now see the vertex properties for chain type figures.

  1. Download the file appropriate for your operating system (32- or 64-bit AeccUiSurvey.arx)
  2. Right Click on the AeccUiSurvey.arx file.
  3. Browse to the installation location of AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 on your machine (ie:  C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013)
  4. Right click, select paste and the option to replace the existing AeccUiSurvey.arx file in this directory.

Relaunch AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 and confirm your issue is resolved.

Professional Land Surveyor Source: Autodesk”

Watch the AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Survey Hotfix Video

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AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors Coordinate Systems Refresher Video

April 23, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors-Coordinate Systems

AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors-Coordinate Systems

In this oldie but goodie video, I show you how to set up coordinate systems in AutoCAD Civil 3D Drawings & Survey Databases.

If you’re new to AutoCAD Civil 3D, properly setting up your Drawing and Survey Databases is the most important thing you need to do.

While this video shows you how to set up coordinate systems in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 Drawings & Survey Databases, the concepts remain the same for older releases and newer releases, like; AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012, and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013.

Watch the AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors Coordinate Systems Refresher Video

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AutoCAD Civil 3D and FEMA Floodplain Maps Video

April 20, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Links, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D and FEMA Floodplain Maps

AutoCAD Civil 3D and FEMA Floodplain Maps

I found this great video through Google+ on using AutoCAD Civil 3D and FEMA Floodplain Maps, which shows how easy it is to use FEMA GIS data in your land surveying and engineering projects.

“Importing the National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Web Map Service (WMS) into a Civil 3D drawings. FEMA floodplains into an AutoCAD drawings using Map!”

Professional Land Surveyor Source: 127civileng

Watch the AutoCAD Civil 3D and FEMA Floodplain Maps Video

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AutoCAD Civil 3D Working With Images And Surfaces Professional Land Surveyor Learning Center Course

April 18, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Links, News, Surveying Software by EricColburn

Learn AutoCAD Civil 3D

Learn AutoCAD Civil 3D

AutoCAD Civil 3D C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces Professional Land Surveyor Learning Center Course Now Available

In this AutoCAD Civil 3D Professional Land Surveyor Learning Center (PLSLC) course,  C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces, you will learn the best practices for working with Images and Surfaces when draping an Image over a Surface.

C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces

C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces

What You Will Learn

In this course you will learn:

* How to export Surface Borders
* How to turn a 3D Polyline into a 2D Polyline
* How to insert Geo-Referenced Images
* How to trim an Image to the Surface Border
* How to drape an Image over a Surface

The first four learning points are used for many AutoCAD Civil 3D tasks, in addition to draping an Image over a Surface.

C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces Includes Nearly 30 Minutes of Video Training and More!

The C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces course includes nearly 30 minutes of video training. In addition, there’s plenty of learning materials and screen captures to help your learning. At the end of this course, there’s also a short quiz for you to take.

Register Now for the C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces PLSLC Course

Registration on the PLSLC is quick and easy! Enroll in the C3D-102 Working With Images And Surfaces Professional Land Surveyor Learning Center Course today; click here to »»Register Now!

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Guts Google Earth

April 11, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Topics, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, News, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos, Vlog by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D Guts Google Earth!

AutoCAD Civil 3D Guts Google Earth!

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise … Autodesk Guts Google Earth From AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013

In working with the newly released AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013, it surprised me to find out that Autodesk gutted Google Earth functionality from this latest C3D version. After not finding the formerly available Google Earth commands in the Import Panel on the Ribbon Insert Tab, I searched on Google for an explanation (ironic, isn’t it?).

What I found was the following Autodesk forum post by an AutoCAD Civil 3D Senior Product Manager:

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Guts Google Earth

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Guts Google Earth

While I’m not thrilled by getting an explanation that Google Earth utilities are not included in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013, and I’m happy to know that Autodesk will post any potential announcements (if any) on “various channels including Autodesk Labs, Facebook, Blogs and the Civil 3D Discussion Group”, it’s not as effective and open as an explanation clearly posted on the Autodesk, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Product Page!

Watch the AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Guts Google Earth Video

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AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Unwrapped Video

April 5, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Topics, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Unwrapped Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Unwrapped Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Unwrapped Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D2013 Unwrapped video shows you a few new features of AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013.

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Working With Images And Surfaces Premium Video

March 29, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Topics, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, News, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

Working With Images And Surfaces Video

Working With Images And Surfaces Video

Premium AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors half hour Video series shows you the best practices for working with Images and Surfaces when draping an Image over a Surface.

You can either buy this at our store or get it as a free Premium Members download:

Buy the Working With Images And Surfaces Video ($21)

Premium Members Download of Working With Images And Surfaces Video ($21 Free)

In addition to learning how to drape an Image over a Surface in AutoCAD Civil 3D, you’ll also learn how to insert georeferenced images, export Surface Borders, turn a 3D Polyline into a 2D Polyline, and trim an image to the Surface Border.

This is a large video file (202 MB), so you will download a text file containing links to the video, where you can view and/or download this video to your computer.

Premium AutoCAD Civil 3D Videos

AutoCAD Civil 3D Drape Images Over A Surface Video

March 26, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Orthophotos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Remote Sensing, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D Drape Images Over A Surface Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D Drape Images Over A Surface Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D Drape Images Over A Surface Video

This AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors Video shows you how to drape Images over a Surface.

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Professional Land Surveyor Premium Post Updates

March 24, 2012 in Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Links, News by EricColburn

Premium Membership

Premium Membership

Professional Land Surveyor Premium Post Updates

I was just updating the Premium Membership Specials page by adding a list of all the Premium Posts I’ve published to date. I did not realize that they now add up to over 40 premium posts, how time flies when you’re having fun (and I am!). To sign up, click here »»Premium Signup

On the Premium Membership Specials page you’ll find special premium members only downloads and some other premium content, but for some reason I’d never thought about adding links to all the Premium Posts I’ve written. Sometimes, it’s the most obvious thing we overlook, isn’t it?

Having put together this useful list for that page, I then figured it would be a good resource for anyone interested in learning about the Premium Posts found here on EricColburn.com. So, here you go:

How To Create a Standout Professional Land Surveyor Company Marketing Strategy

March 24, 2012 in Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Marketing, Premium Membership, Professional Land Surveyor Practice by EricColburn

How To Create a Standout Professional Land Surveyor Company Marketing Plan

How Do You Stand Out In The Crowd?

One thing I’ve noticed in talking with professional land surveyors is a real ingrained sense of competency. Sometimes, this sense of surveying competency borders on boastful (luckily, not often). Most of the time, however, you’ll discover these feelings of self-competency only after getting them to open up about how they conduct surveys and the work of the other professional land surveyors in their area.

Want to get right to the point? Then just show them a survey plan prepared by another professional land surveyor, and you’re likely to get an earful about that survey and plan quality, along with a lesson on how the survey should have been conducted!

The other thing I’ve noticed in talking with these professionals land surveyors is that many of them are, indeed, very competent. And, I think this is the very problem we have in marketing our professional land surveying services.

How Can You Stand Out As A Professional Land Surveyor: Are You A Black Zebra With White Stripes Or A White Zebra With Black Stripes?

If you’ve ever watched the movie Madagascar, there’s a telling scene where the main character, Alex the lion, can’t distinguish his zebra friend, Marty, from within a herd of zebras. When Alex is finally able to pick out Marty from the herd of zebras, he explains that he was able to do so (although not entirely true) because Marty is a white zebra with black stripes, while the others are black zebras with white stripes (I might have that backwards, but you get the idea).

This is the crux of the professional land surveyors’ marketing problem: To most customers, professional land surveyors look the same, like a herd of zebras; so you need to figure out how you can stand out like one white zebra with black stripes in a crowd of black zebras with white stripes.

In this Premium post, we will look at marketing challenges to transform your professional land surveying firm into a standout, go to, land surveying company for your clients.

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Professional Land Surveyor Weekly Roundup March 18, 2012

March 18, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, Business, Continuing Education, Land Surveying, Links, News, Surveying Software by EricColburn

Peeptoad

Spring's Peeptoad

I don’t usually write very much in these Professional Land Surveyor Weekly Roundups, but it’s useful to stop what you’re doing every once and awhile to reflect. The week that was is over, but the chest cold that is, remains.

In my reflections on this past week, I’ve noticed the following three areas of business and professional importance:

1. Going Solo Leaves You No Backup When You’re Not Feeling Well

The first lesson of this week is that while going solo, as a professional land surveyor, is rewarding, being solo, by its very nature, leaves no backup for when you’re not feeling well. What I did learn this week, however, is that short bursts of focused productivity can still get a lot accomplished.

While I was not able to write very much this week, I was able to create some great courses for the Professional Land Surveyor Learning Center and a special Premium Member’s Video series. I’m putting the finishing touches on these today, and they’ll be available early this week.

2. AutoCAD Civil 3D Has A Lot Of Land Surveyors Baffled

Second, this week I had an AutoCAD Civil 3D epiphany on how best to consult with land surveyors switching over to Civil 3D. This (obvious) realization (slapping head, saying DUH) came to me while working with a land surveyor struggling to use AutoCAD Civil 3D in his professional practice. AutoCAD Civil 3D has a lot of land surveyors baffled, and I now know how to best get you using AutoCAD Civil 3D productively. The answer lies in a more holistic learning and setup approach and I’ll be publishing an article later this week (look for link here) with details on my Work With Me page, specifically on the AutoCAD Civil 3D page.

3. Time Waits For No One and Spring Arrives Early

Third, time marches on and waits for no one. Luckily, this Winter was extraordinarily nice and Spring came early his year. After last year’s brutal Winter and miserable Spring, the mild Winter and early Spring temp’s are very welcome. I snapped the picture above of a Peeptoad I found the last week in a wooded upland swamp. I do not remember ever finding, or hearing, Peeptoads this early in the year.

While the last four months have been some of the worst in the Great Recession around these parts, I remain hopeful that business will pick up significantly this year. Hope springs eternal!

Professional Land Surveyor Weekly Roundups:

Because it’s been a slow week around here, here are a few week’s worth of roundup:

Professional Land Surveyor Archive – Last 3 weeks:

Professional Land Surveyor Weekly Roundup March 11, 2012

March 11, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks, Business, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

Drill Hole in Side of Stone Bound Next to Iron Pipe

Drill Hole in Side of Stone Bound Next to Iron Pipe

Professional Land Surveyor Weekly Roundup:

Professional Land Surveyor Archive – Last 3 weeks:

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