Autodesk ®

Civil 3D 2020
®

Fundamentals

SDC
P U B L I C AT I O N S
Better Textbooks. Lower Prices.
www.SDCpublications.com
 Visit the following websites to learn more about this book:

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

 Chapter

Project Management
In this chapter, you learn about the various project structures that can be used
inside of an Autodesk® Civil 3D® project. Then you create a new project and learn
how to move between different projects. Using data shortcuts, you practice
creating references to AEC objects to share design data, which ensures that you
always have the most up-to-date design data in the current model.

Learning Objectives in this Chapter

• List the three different ways in which Autodesk Civil 3D project drawings can be organized.
• List the ways in which teams can collaborate with each other and share design information in
the Autodesk Civil 3D software.
• Share design information with other members of the design team using data shortcuts.

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–1

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

2.1 Autodesk Civil 3D Projects

There are multiple ways of organizing Autodesk Civil 3D project
drawings. Three of the most common approaches are as follows:

Single-Design Since Autodesk Civil 3D surfaces, alignments, and other AEC

objects can be entirely drawing-based, you can have a single
Drawing drawing file act as the repository for all design data. Realistically,
Projects this might only be feasible for smaller projects and/or those
worked on by only one person. The only external data might be
survey databases, and externally referenced (XREF) drawings.

Multiple This approach permits multiple existing conditions and design

drawings to share data. For example, a surface could exist in
Drawings one drawing and an alignment in another. A third could contain a
Sharing Data surface profile based on the alignment and terrain model, and all
could be kept in sync with each other using Data Shortcuts. This
using Shortcuts approach is usually preferable to the single-drawing approach,
because it permits more than one user to work on the project at
the same time (in the different design drawings) and keeps the
drawings at more manageable sizes. Using data shortcuts is
essential in larger projects to ensure that the regeneration time
for drawings is at an acceptable speed. This approach does not
create any external project data other than survey databases
and XML data files that are used to share data between
drawings.

Once an object has been referenced into the drawing and the
drawing has been saved, the object is saved in the drawing.
Therefore, it only needs access to the source drawing for
validation and synchronization purposes if the source object
changes. This makes it easy to share drawings with others
because it ensures that the referenced objects display even if the
source drawings are not available.

Shortcuts tend to be efficient for projects with a small number of

drawings and project team members. Since the XML data files
that connect drawings must be managed manually, keeping a
large number of drawings and/or people in sync with shortcuts
can be cumbersome. It is recommended that your BIM Manager
establishes procedures to ensure that data is not unintentionally
deleted or changed. These procedures need to be properly
documented.

2–2 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

Multiple The Autodesk® Vault software is a data and document

management system (ADMS). It is used in conjunction with other
Drawings Autodesk® applications in different industries. When working
Sharing Data with the Autodesk Vault software, all project drawings, survey
databases, and references are managed and stored inside an
with Autodesk SQL-managed database. Autodesk Vault consists of user-level
access permissions, drawing check-in/out, project templates,
Vault automated backups, data versioning, etc. These benefits are
offset by the additional time required to manage and administer
the database, and in some cases purchasing additional
hardware and software. If you work on large projects with
multiple design drawings or have many team members (more
than 10), you might find that the Autodesk® Vault is the best way
to keep those projects organized.

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–3

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

2.2 Sharing Data

In the Autodesk Civil 3D workflow, you can use two methods of
project collaboration to share Autodesk Civil 3D design data:
Data Shortcuts and Vault references.

Autodesk Vault and Data Shortcuts can be used to share design

data between drawing files in the same project, such as
alignment definitions, profiles, corridors, surfaces, pipe networks,
pressure networks, sample line groups, and View Frame
Groups. They do not permit the sharing of profile views,
assemblies, or other Autodesk Civil 3D objects. Drawing sets
using shortcuts typically use XREFs and reference other line
work and annotations between drawings. Whether using Vault
Shortcuts or Data Shortcuts, the process is similar.

The example in Figure 2–1 shows the sharing of data in a project

collaboration environment. The data is divided into three
distinctive levels. Using either Data Shortcuts or Autodesk Vault,
these levels can be accessed and contributed to, on a local or
remote server or across a WAN.

Figure 2–1

2–4 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

2.3 Using Data Shortcuts for

Project Management
Data Shortcuts can be used to share design data between
drawing files through the use of XML files. Using Data Shortcuts
is similar to using the Autodesk Vault software, but does not
provide the protection of your data or the tracking of versions the
way the Autodesk Vault software does.

Data Shortcuts are managed using the Toolspace, Prospector

tab, under the Data Shortcuts collection or in the Manage
tab>Data Shortcuts panel, as shown in Figure 2–2. The
shortcuts are stored in XML files in one or more working folders
that you create. They can use the same folder structure as the
Autodesk Vault software. This method simplifies the transition to
using the Autodesk Vault software at a future time.

Figure 2–2
Whether using the Autodesk Vault software or Data Shortcuts,
the intelligent Autodesk Civil 3D object design data can be
consumed and used on different levels. However, this referenced
data only can be edited in the drawing that contains the original
object. As referenced data can be assigned a different style than
those in the source drawing, you can separate the design phase
(where drawing presentation is not critical) from the drafting
phase (where drawing presentation is paramount). Therefore,
after the styles have been applied at the drafting phase, any
changes to the design have minimal visual impact on the
completed drawings.

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–5

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

Changing the name of a drawing file that provides Data

Shortcuts or the shortcut XML file itself invalidates the shortcut.
In the Manage tab, there is a Data Shortcut Manager that is used
to correct such issues as renamed re-pathing drawings or
Autodesk Civil 3D.

Update If the shortcut objects are modified and the source drawing is
saved, any drawings that reference those objects are updated
Notification when opened. If the drawings consuming the data referenced in
the shortcuts are open at the time of the edit, a message
displays to warn you of the changes, as shown in Figure 2–3.

Figure 2–3
The following modifier icons help you to determine the state of
many Autodesk Civil 3D objects.

The object is referenced by another object. In the Toolspace,

Settings tab this also indicates that a style is in use in the current
drawing.

The object is being referenced from another drawing file (such as

through a shortcut or Autodesk Vault reference).

The object is out of date and needs to be rebuilt, or is violating

specified design constraints.

A Vault project object (such as a point or surface) has been

modified since it was included in the current drawing.

You have modified a Vault project object in your current drawing

and those modifications have not yet been updated to the project.

Figure 2–4 shows how the modifier icons are used with an
Autodesk Civil 3D object as it displays in the Toolspace,
Prospector tab.

Figure 2–4

2–6 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

To update the shortcut data, select Synchronize in the balloon

message or right-click on the object in the Toolspace, Prospector
tab and select Synchronize.

Removing and Shortcut data can be removed from the Shortcut tree in the
Toolspace, Prospector tab by right-clicking on it and selecting
Promoting Remove, but this does not remove the data from the drawing. To
Shortcuts do so, right-click on the object in the Toolspace, Prospector tab
and select Delete. This removes the shortcut data from the
current list, so that the item is not included if a Data Shortcut
XML file is exported from the current drawing.

You can also promote shortcuts, which converts the referenced

shortcut into a local copy without any further connection to the
original. You can promote objects by right-clicking on them in the
Toolspace, Prospector tab and selecting Promote.

eTransmit Data Projects that use Data Shortcuts can be packaged and sent to
reviewers, clients, and other consultants using the AutoCAD
References eTransmit command. With the eTransmit command, all of the
related dependent files (such as XML files, XREFs, text fonts,
etc.) are automatically included in the package. This reduces the
possibility of errors and ensures that the recipient obtains all the
pertinent data related to the drawing. A report file can be
included in the package explaining what must be done with
drawing-dependent files (e.g., XML, XREFs). The Create
Transmittal dialog box is shown in Figure 2–5.

Figure 2–5

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–7

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

Data Shortcut 1. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, right-click on Data

Shortcuts and select Set the Working Folder…
Workflow 2. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, right-click on Data
Shortcuts and select New Data Shortcuts Folder… to create
a new project folder for all of your drawings.
3. Create or import the data that you want to share in the source
drawing and save it in the current working folder under the
correct project folder.
4. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, right-click on Data
Shortcuts and select Associate Project to Current
Drawing.
5. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, right-click on Data
Shortcuts and select Create Data Shortcuts.
6. Select all of the items that you want to share, such as
surfaces, alignments, profiles, etc., and click OK.
7. Save the source drawing (and close, as required).
8. Create and save a new drawing or open an existing drawing
to receive the shortcut data. Expand the Data Shortcuts
collection and the relevant object trees (Surfaces,
Alignments, Pipe Networks, View Frame Groups, etc.).
9. Highlight an item to be referenced, right-click and select
Create Reference…. Repeat, for all of the objects, as
required. You are prompted for the styles and other settings
that are required to display the object in the current drawing.
10. You might also want to add an XREF to the source drawing if
there is additional AutoCAD® objects that you want to display
in the downstream drawing.
11. The Autodesk Civil 3D tools for Data Shortcuts are located in
the Manage tab (as shown in Figure 2–6), and in the
Toolspace, Prospector tab.

Figure 2–6

Workflow • Set Working Folder: Sets a new working folder as the

location in which to store the Data Shortcut project. The
Details default working folder for Data Shortcut projects is
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Civil 3D Projects.

• Obviously, in a shared working environment, the working

folder needs to be accessible by all project team members.
Often working folders are named by the year of the project, or
perhaps the major clients for the project.

2–8 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

• The default working folder is also used for Autodesk Vault

projects and local (non-Vault) Survey projects. If you work
with the Autodesk Vault software, local Survey, and Data
Shortcut projects, you should have separate working folders
for each project type for ease of management.

• New Shortcuts Folder: Creates a new folder for storing a

set of related project drawings and Data Shortcuts.

• Create Data Shortcuts: Creates Data Shortcuts from the

active drawing.

Data Shortcuts are stored in the _Shortcuts folder for the active
project and used to create data references to source objects in
other drawings. Each Data Shortcut is stored in a separate XML
file.

Advantages of • Data Shortcuts provide a simple mechanism for sharing

object data, without the added system administration needs
Data Shortcuts of the Autodesk Vault software.

• Data Shortcuts offer access to an object's intelligent data

while ensuring that this referenced data can only be changed
in the source drawing.

• Referenced objects can have styles and labels that differ

from the source drawing.

• When you open a drawing containing revised referenced

data, the referenced objects are updated automatically.

• During a drawing session, if the referenced data has been

revised, you are notified in the Communication Center and in
the Toolspace, Prospector tab.

Limitations of • Data Shortcuts cannot provide data versioning.

Data Shortcuts • Data Shortcuts do not provide security or data integrity

controls.

• Unlike the Autodesk Vault software, Data Shortcuts do not

provide a secure mechanism for sharing point data or survey
data.

• Maintaining links between references and their source

objects requires fairly stable names. However, most broken
references can easily be repaired using the tools in the
Autodesk Civil 3D software.

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–9

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

Practice 2a Starting a Project

Practice Objective
• Create a new data shortcut project with the correct working folder for the
project being worked on.

In this practice, you will walk through the steps of creating

project-based Data Shortcuts folders.

Task 1 - Set the Working folder.

In this task, you will set up a new working folder as the location in
which to store Data Shortcut projects. The default working folder
for Data Shortcut projects is
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Civil 3D Projects.

1. Open DS-A1-Shortcuts.dwg from the C:\Civil 3D

Projects\Civil3D-Training\DataShortcuts folder.

2. In the Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel, click (Set

Working Folder), as shown in Figure 2–7.

Figure 2–7

3. In the Browse For Folder dialog box, select the Civil 3D

Projects\DataShortcuts folder, right-click to create a new
folder and name it Chapter 2. Click Select Folder.

Task 2 - Create new Shortcuts folders.

In this task, you will create a new folder for storing a set of
related project drawings and Data Shortcuts. A second project
folder is created to help you understand how to change the
project in which you are working.

1. Continue working with the drawing from the previous task.

2–10 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

2. In the Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel, click (New

Shortcuts Folder), as shown in Figure 2–8.

Figure 2–8

3. In the New Data Shortcut Folder dialog box, type Ascent

Phase 1 for the name and select the Use project template
option. Templates are found in the default folder C:\Civil 3D
Templates; however, you will be using customized project
templates. Pick on the ellipses, as shown in Figure 2–9, and
browse to C:\Civil 3D Projects\Ascent Project Templates.
From the Project templates available, select Base Project.
The Autodesk Civil 3D software will replicate this template
folder structure and all included forms and documents in the
AscentPhase 1 project folder. Click OK.

Figure 2–9

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–11

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

4. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, a Data Shortcut folder

should be displayed in C:\Civil 3D Projects\Learning Data
Shortcuts\Ascent Phase 1. In Windows Explorer, verify that
the Civil 3D folder structure was created for this project, as
shown on the right in Figure 2–10.

Figure 2–10

5. Create another new shortcuts folder. In the Manage tab>Data

Shortcuts panel, click (New Shortcuts Folder).

6. In the New Data Shortcut Folder dialog box, type Ascent

Phase 2 for the name and uncheck the Use project
template option. Click OK to close the dialog box.

2–12 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

You now have two projects in the working folder: Ascent

Phase 1 and Ascent Phase 2, as shown in Figure 2–11.
Notice the additional folders in Ascent Phase 1. These have
been copied from the Base Project project template.

Figure 2–11

Task 3 - Set up Shortcuts folder.

Setting the shortcut folder specifies the project path for Data
Shortcuts. The path to the current Data Shortcuts folder (also
known as the project folder) is specified in the Toolspace,
Prospector tab, in the Data Shortcuts collection. The project
folder typically contains both Data Shortcuts and source objects
for data references.

1. Continue working with the drawing from the previous task.

2. In the Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel, click (Set

Shortcuts Folder).

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–13

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

3. The current Data Shortcut folder is indicated by a green circle

with a checkmark. Select Ascent Phase 1 to make it current
and click OK, as shown in Figure 2–12.

Figure 2–12

4. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, right-click on Data

Shortcuts and select Associate Project to Current
Drawing, as shown in Figure 2–13.

Figure 2–13

5. Verify that Ascent Phase 1 is the selected project. Click OK.

2–14 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

Practice 2b Manage File Sizes with Data

Shortcuts
Practice Objective
• Create Data Shortcuts from objects in a drawing to share with other
team members.

In this practice, you will walk through the steps of creating

project-based Data Shortcuts folders. It simulates a situation in
which the existing conditions and/or design work has been done
and you now need to share elements of the design with team
members.

Task 1 - Create Data Shortcuts.

1. Continue working with the drawing from the previous practice

or open DS-A1-Shortcuts.dwg.

2. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, verify that the Data

Shortcuts points to the correct folder, as shown in
Figure 2–14. By hovering over the Data Shortcuts heading,
the full path gets revealed in the tooltip. If it is not set to
Ascent Phase 1, then repeat the steps from the previous
exercise.

Figure 2–14

3. In the Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel, click (Create

Data Shortcuts).

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–15

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

4. If you receive a message that the drawing has not yet been
saved, click OK. Save the drawing and start the Create Data
Shortcuts command again.

5. In the Create Data Shortcuts dialog box, a list of all of the

available objects for use in shortcuts displays. Select
Surfaces, Alignments, and Corridors (as shown in
Figure 2–15), and then click OK.

Figure 2–15

2–16 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

6. You have now created shortcuts for the surfaces, alignments,

and corridors. This means that if the shortcuts and drawings
are in a shared network folder, anyone on the network has
access to these Autodesk Civil 3D objects.

Note that in the Toolspace, Prospector tab, under the Data

Shortcuts and Surfaces collections, you can now access all
of the surfaces. In the list view, the source filename and
source path display, as shown in Figure 2–16.

Figure 2–16

7. Save the drawing, but do not close it.

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–17

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

Task 2 - Data-reference Data Shortcuts.

1. Start a new drawing from _Autodesk Civil 3D (Imperial)

NCS.dwt. Save the file in C:\Civil 3D Projects\
Civil3D-Training\DataShortcuts\ as Reference File.dwg.

2. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, ensure that Data Shortcuts

point to the C:\Civil 3D Projects\Data Shortcuts\
Chapter 2\Ascent Phase 1 folder.

3. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, right-click on Data

Shortcuts and select Associate Project to Current
Drawing, as shown in Figure 2–17.

Figure 2–17

2–18 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

4. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, under the Data Shortcuts

collection, expand the Surfaces collection (if not already
expanded) and expand the Alignments>Centerline
Alignments collection, as shown in Figure 2–18.

Figure 2–18

5. Under the Surfaces collection, select the surface

Existing-Site, right-click, and select Create Reference, as
shown in Figure 2–19.

Figure 2–19

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–19

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

6. In the Create Surface Reference dialog box, do the following:

• Type ExSurface for the Name.
• Type Data referenced surface for the Description.
• Select Contours 5’ and 25’ (Background) for the Style,
as shown in Figure 2–20.
• Click OK to close the dialog box.
• Type ZE and press <Enter> to display the surface
reference.

Figure 2–20

7. You will now create a data reference to the alignment. In the

Alignments collection, right-click on Ascent Pl and select
Create Reference.

8. In the Create Alignment Reference dialog box, accept the

default for the Name. Type Data referenced alignment for
the Description. Set the Alignment style to Layout and set
the Alignment label set to Major and Minor only. Click OK
when done, as shown in Figure 2–21.

Figure 2–21

2–20 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

9. Zoom in to the end of the Ascent Pl alignment, as shown in

Figure 2–22.

Figure 2–22

10. Create a data reference to the corridor: in the Corridors

collection, right-click on Ascent Pl and select Create
Reference. Accept all of the defaults and then click OK.

11. In Model Space, select the Ascent Pl referenced alignment.

Note that there are no 12. In the contextual tab>Labels & Tables panel, expand Add
grips and you cannot Labels and select Station/Offset - Fixed Point, as shown in
graphically redefine this Figure 2–23.
alignment. However,
you can add labels
using the contextual tab.

Figure 2–23

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–21

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

13. When prompted to select a point, select the end point of

Ascent Pl, as shown on the left in Figure 2–24. Select the
label and move its location so that it is easier to read, as
shown on the right in Figure 2–24. Note that the station is
6+98.72.

Figure 2–24

14. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, expand the Surfaces and

ExSurface collections, as shown on the left in Figure 2–25.
Note that it does not contain the definition elements that
might otherwise be displayed in a surface that is not
data-referenced, as shown on the right in Figure 2–25.
Therefore, you cannot edit or make design changes to a
referenced surface.

Figure 2–25

15. Save the drawing but do not close it.

2–22 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

Task 3 - Revise original referenced object.

1. In the Toolspace, Prospector tab, ensure that Data Shortcuts

point to the C:\Civil 3D Projects\Data Shortcuts\Chapter
2\Ascent Phase 1 folder.

2. Ensure that the Master View is enabled in Toolspace so that

all of the drawings that are loaded display. Select
DS-A1-Shortcuts, right-click and select Switch to, as shown
in Figure 2–26. DS-A1-Shortcuts.dwg is now the current
drawing. However, if you had closed the drawing, you need to
open DS-A1-Shortcuts.dwg.

Figure 2–26

3. Zoom into the end of Ascent Pl to get a better view of the

cul-de-sac.

4. You will now change the length of this alignment. In Model

Space, select the alignment, select the grip that signifies the
end of the alignment, and move it to the intersection where it
crosses the cul-de-sac bulb, as shown in Figure 2–27.

Figure 2–27

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–23

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

5. In the contextual tab>Modify panel, select Alignment

Properties, as shown in Figure 2–28.

Figure 2–28

6. In the Station Control tab in the Alignment Properties - Ascent

Pl dialog box, set the reference point Station to 100, as
shown in Figure 2–29. A warning displays prompting you that
changing the station will affect objects and data that have
already been created. Click OK to dismiss the warning. Click
OK to close the Alignment Properties dialog box.

Figure 2–29

7. Save the drawing. This updates the Data Shortcut.

If you closed the 8. If you are continuing with the drawing from the previous task,
drawing in Step 8, open ensure that the Master view is enabled in the Toolspace so
the drawing Reference that you can see all of the drawings that are loaded. Select
File.dwg. Reference File, right-click, and select Switch to. Reference
File.dwg is now the current drawing.

9. In the Status Bar, you should see (Data Shortcut

Reference), as shown on the left in Figure 2–30. To
synchronize your current drawing, right-click on see (Data
Shortcut Reference) and select Synchronize, as shown on
the right in Figure 2–30.

Figure 2–30

2–24 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

10. Alternatively, in the Toolspace, Prospector tab, select the

alignment Ascent Pl in the Alignments collection. Right-click
and select Synchronize, as shown in Figure 2–31.

Figure 2–31

11. Note that the alignment has updated geographic information,

as shown in Figure 2–32. The end of the alignment has been
extended to intersect the cul-de-sac bulb, and the station
label is updated to reflect the change to the original alignment
design.

Figure 2–32

12. Save the drawing.

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–25

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

Practice 2c Share Projects with Team

Members Outside the Office
Network
Practice Objective
• Create a transmittal package to send to other design professionals on
the project team, which includes all of the referenced object drawings,
XREFs, and other required files.

1. Continue working with the previously opened drawing

DS-B2-Shortcuts.dwg.

2. Expand (Application Menu), expand Publish, and select

eTransmit, as shown in Figure 2–33. If a Warning dialog box
opens stating that the current drawing is not saved, click Yes
to save it.

Figure 2–33

2–26 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

3. In the eTransmit dialog box, click Transmittal Setups, as

shown in Figure 2–34.

Figure 2–34

4. In the Transmittal Setups dialog box, select the Standard

setup and click Modify.

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–27

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

5. In the Modify Transmittal Setup dialog box, accept the default

for Transmittal file folder. Expand the Transmittal filename
drop-down list and select Prompt for a filename. Select the
Keep files and folders as is option. In the Include options
area, select all of the options, as shown in Figure 2–35.
Accept the remaining defaults and click OK to close the
dialog box.

Figure 2–35

6. Close the Transmittal Setups dialog box.

7. Click OK to close the Create Transmittal dialog box and

create the transmittal.

8. When prompted for the filename for the transmittal file,

accept the default and save it. The Autodesk Civil 3D
software will create a compressed file of all of the relevant
data.

2–28 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®

 Project Management

Chapter Review Questions

1. In the Autodesk Civil 3D workflow, what are the two main
methods of project collaboration (or the sharing of intelligent
Autodesk Civil 3D design data)?
a. Windows Explorer and X-refs.
b. Data shortcuts and Vault references.
c. X-refs and Data shortcuts.
d. Vault references and X-refs.
2. Why would you want to use Vault references over Data
Shortcuts?
a. Added security and version control.
b. Permit more people to have access.
c. It works more like regular AutoCAD.
d. It works better with multiple offices.
3. When sharing data in a project collaboration environment,
what is the recommended number of levels into which the
data should be broken?
a. 1 level
b. 2 levels
c. 3 levels
d. 4 levels
4. How can you edit an object referenced through Data
Shortcuts?
a. Open the source drawing.
b. With grips.
c. Using the Panorama view.
d. You cannot.
5. What is the file format that Data Shortcuts use to share
design data between drawing files?
a. .SHP
b. .DWT
c. .DWG
d. .XML

© 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge® 2–29

Autodesk Civil 3D 2020: Fundamentals

Command Summary
Button Command Location
Create Data Ribbon: Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel
Shortcuts Command Prompt: CreateDataShortcuts
New Shortcuts Ribbon: Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel
Folder Command Prompt: NewShortcutsFolder
Set Shortcuts Ribbon: Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel
Folder Command Prompt: SetShortcutsFolder
Set Working Ribbon: Manage tab>Data Shortcuts panel
Folder Command Prompt: SetWorkingFolder

2–30 © 2019, ASCENT - Center for Technical Knowledge®