Continuing our series of what’s new in the 2020 Autodesk software releases (check out my earlier round-up of What’s New in AutoCAD 2020 and What’s New in Revit 2020 ), I’m taking a look at what’s new in Civil 3D.
The latest release, available now, includes new features and enhancements to Autodesk’s flagship civil engineering software that enhance its performance and scalability, adds production efficiencies, and improves design-to-construction documentation workflows.
Here’s a round-up of what’s new.
A New Look
The Civil 3D user interface just got a new look including a dark color scheme and updated application ribbons which are designed to create a uniform experience across Autodesk’s AEC Collection.
Ribbon icons for both the Light and Dark color schemes have been updated for style and clarity, optimized to work with the background colors, and updated to scale with high-resolution monitors.
Get Dynamo for Civil 3D
A notable addition in this release is the incorporation of Dynamo for Civil 3D, a visual programming application which speeds repetitive tasks by automating and solving complex design challenges, saving you time and improving quality. Available as a separate installation through the Autodesk Desktop App from your Autodesk Account, Dynamo commands appear on the Manage ribbon tab. Sample scripts are included or you can develop your own custom scripts for specific tasks.
According to Autodesk’s Infrastructure Reimagined blog, Dynamo is already being incorporated by engineers at Belgium’s TUC Rail:
“Dynamo gives me the means to be more flexible and quick in solution adoption. In my experience we hope that civil projects are standard, but every time you find that you need something a bit different. With the right nodes it will be easier to create a variation and test something new.
I also look forward to drafters use this tool. This is simply next level scripting with not just AutoCAD, not just Civil 3D, but geometry and data as a whole. As a programmer I am very happy with the visual engine of Dynamo to support programming with geometry.
The possibility of manipulating AutoCAD and civil geometry at the same time is one of the big advantages compared to AutoCAD lisp (I already manipulate both with the API, but this is quicker).” –Wouter Bulens, TUC RAIL
Watch Dynamo in action below.
New Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis Features
There are several updates to in Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis within Civil 3D 2020. You can now set individual tailwater conditions when analyzing multiple storm events. You can also adjust the Peak Rate Factor for a dimensionless hydrograph for each sub-basin, and use new storage chambers from Advanced Drainage Systems® (ADS) and Cultec®.
Gravity Network Analysis
The Analyze Gravity Network command has been updated to analyze a pipe network and apply the results while in the model. The updated command uses a modeless dialog box so you can leave it open while you do other work.
Use the command to perform analysis including resizing pipes and resetting inverts to accommodate the flow, compute energy and grade lines, and analyzing the capacity of inlets and report the flow, depth, and spread at each.
According to Autodesk, “By selecting the network details button before you run the analysis, you can review and resolve issues before performing the final analysis. Additional outfall options have been added to give you more design options. You can look at the final results of your analysis in an Excel spreadsheet for reporting.”
More Information
See the full Civil 2020 release notes here as well as what’s new in Civil 3D’s sister software, InfraWorks 2020.
As for how to get the new release of either software, if you’re already an Autodesk subscription customer, upgrades to the new software releases and product enhancements throughout the year are included in your subscription. You can download the new software as soon as it’s available from your Autodesk Account – learn more.
