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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Professional Land Surveyor Vlog 003 – ACSM and NSPS, What Is Going On?

April 26, 2012 in Business, Business Videos, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Videos, Vlog by EricColburn

PLS VLOG

PLS Vlog 003 – ACSM and NSPS, What Is Going On?

Professional Land Surveyor Vlog discusses the proposed merger of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) with the National Society of Professional Land Surveyors.

There’s a dearth of information on exactly why ACSM is now in the place it is in. And, in reading ACSM’s proposed Agreement and Plan of Merger, I’m concerned that ACSM’s supposed “plan” just shifts their financial difficulties to NSPS.

So I’m asking, ACSM and NSPS, What Is Going On?

Watch the Professional Land Surveyor Vlog 003

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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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Top 3 Reasons Why Land Surveyors Should Know And Use AutoCAD Civil 3D

April 23, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Topics, Business, Business Practices, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Premium Membership, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software by admin

AutoCAD Civil 3D Topics

AutoCAD Civil 3D Topics

In this Premium Post I’d like to share with you my three reasons why land surveyors should know and use AutoCAD Civil 3D.  Not already a Premium Member? You can register here »»Premium Signup.

Two different land surveyors asked me this same question the other day: Why do I need to know and use AutoCAD Civil 3D?

Of course, the subtext of this question is that 1) AutoCAD Civil 3D isn’t for land surveyors, and 2) Most industry firms use one of the “other” land surveying software packages.

Both of the above two myths aren’t true. Regardless, whether you’re a land surveying firm owner, an employee, or job-seeking land surveyor, you should know how to use AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Top 3 Reasons Why Land Surveyors Should Know And Use AutoCAD Civil 3D

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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 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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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 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:

AutoCAD Civil 3D How To Trim Image to a Surface Border Video

March 9, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks, Business, Continuing Education, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos, Professional Land Surveyor Practice, Surveying Software, Technology Videos, Videos by EricColburn

AutoCAD Civil 3D How To Trim Image to a Surface Border Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D How To Trim Image to a Surface Border Video

AutoCAD Civil 3D How To Trim Image to a Surface Border

This AutoCAD Civil 3D for Land Surveyors Video shows you how to trim an image, like a geo-referenced aerial photograph or orthophoto, to a Civil 3D Border.

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Land Surveying 911: Should I Pay For AutoCAD Civil 3D Training Or Try To Learn It On My Own?

March 5, 2012 in AutoCAD Civil 3D, Business, Business Practices, Continuing Education, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Land Surveying 911, Professional Land Surveyor Practice by EricColburn

Land Surveying 911

Land Surveying 911

In this Land Surveying 911 series article, some names have been changed to protect the inquisitive. Submit your Land Surveying 911 request using the form at the end of this article.

Steven, who owns a professional land surveying company struggling with switching over to AutoCAD Civil 3D from AutoCAD Land Desktop, submitted the following Land Surveying 911 question.

Land Surveying 911: Should I Pay For AutoCAD Civil 3D Training Or Try To Learn It On My Own?

Steven says: I own a land surveying company and we are switching from Land Desktop to AutoCAD Civil 3D. We purchased a couple of AutoCAD Civil 3D licenses early last year, and I figured we could migrate to and learn Civil 3D while still using Land Desktop for ongoing work production.

Buying Civil 3D was a hit for my company at the time, but I figured we’d see at least some productivity improvements and by this year, we’d be using Civil 3D fully. I’m embarrassed to say that we are not at all near to meeting our goals. We’ve spent countless hours trying to set up Civil 3D and understand how to work with it on our projects. We’re clearly doing something wrong because we’ve yet to efficiently finish a job from beginning to end.

At every turn, it’s one roadblock or another and we are all very frustrated. Trying to learn how to set up and use Civil 3D on our own has us seriously questioning whether we are doing everything wrong or whether there’s a serious issue with Civil 3D when used by land surveyors?

But then I read about other land surveyors, like yourself, using Civil 3D successfully which makes me question everything we are doing. Eric, what do you recommend; should I pay for AutoCAD Civil 3D training or should I continue to try to learn it on my own?

Land Surveying 911 Response

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