Civil Simulate Blog

Trees, Traffic lights and COOL 3D STAFF

2009-03-09T18:15:00.026+02:00

You can place in your simulation trees, traffic lights and other cool objects, there is a full objects list in the user-manual.

Check the way to place 3D Objects in a simulation-

In Civil 3D, enter into the properties of the point, and on the "raw description" insert an object code (check the user manual for codes list).

One of the main questions we were asked is - "can I place my own 3D Blocks into a simulation?"

I asked Yuval Keren , Civil Simulate Development Manager this question. Yuval said "We have already started work on making it possible for every Civil Simulate user to put his own 3D blocks in the simulator -cars, people and anything that's on the user's mind. This feature will be available later on this year".

Yuval Keren

How does it work ? Is it realy one click Simulation ?

2009-03-05T15:15:00.015+02:00

This is a Demonstration of how easy it is to create a 3D Simulation from Civil3D using Civil Simulate:

The movie clip starts by showing the CIVIL3D Drawing - we have there a surface, a road alignment, a road profile, and an assembly - all used to create the road corridor.
once we have the corridor made - we click on "RUN SIMULATE" and "OK" - and that's it - the Simulator window pop-up and let you examine your design in virtual reality.

Watch the movie clip :

Just as I write this, I get a note from Yoni Aharonov, my Co-Product leader. Yoni remind me that I can activate the simulation even before the corridor is made. This is of great use in the design process - if I want to check in 3D the way the profile is placed on the surface.

Visual Check 3/3: Line of site

2009-03-04T11:47:00.014+02:00

Another *GREAT (!)* visual aid tool I'm using is the "Visibilty" tool.

It is able to provide a clear cut answer regarding a line of sight between the driver and a distanced point on the road.

Here's an example of a road aligment:

Line of sight visual check:

I've placed an arrow on the drivers spot and indicate the driver's hight on 1.6 meter. Then I clicked on the point on the road I wanted to check... see on the right how it change from green to red acording to visibilty.

Thank you Y.B. Engineering ltd. for this fine road design sample!

Visual check 2/3: Can you see over the hill ?!?

2009-03-03T10:20:00.004+02:00

Will the vertical profile work? is the vertical radius large enough? here's an example of a vertical radius I had to check using the simulator...

View the layout design-

Here is the profile (yeh, I know... steep...)-

I've placed the visualisation object 50 meters from the view port - and for now everything is fine...
(Drive Speed at 80 KPH)

But when I placed the ball 75 meters from the view port - I can know where is the driver's blind spot ...

By the way - this is an aerial view of the road-

Visual check 1/3: Can you see after the turn ?!?

2009-03-02T15:38:00.002+02:00

Here is a nice example from a client who needed to check the road turn visabilty using Civil Simulate. He placed the visual object (it's a white ball) 75 meters a head of the view port.

Check out the simulation...

1. Here is the road layout in AutoCAD Civil 3D :

2. The road as it looks like in Civil Simulate..... view how the ball's visuability looks in turns (wait 5 seconds after the flick runs)-

Google earth image on your Civil3D Surface

2009-03-01T17:36:00.001+02:00

Generating your survey in a satellite image can give you the exact presentation advantage.

You can use any satellite image (Google earth or any other source) and place it as your Civil 3D project surface.

By using Civil Simulate, you can view the surface in virtual reality, and watch the way the satellite image wrapps the 3D model just right.

A. Surface with a raser image in the background-

B. Click the button and see the model in 3D-

C. Easy, free navigation...