QGIS - open source GIS

13 free GIS software progams

Excellent article regarding which GIS open source (freeware) is the best out of 13 choices.

http://gisgeography.com/free-gis-software/

I will try out QGIS. You can download it here at: http://www.qgis.org/en/site/

Update! 02-20-2017
Absolutely love QGIS, I mainly downloaded it to be able to review, edit and gather GIS info.

More to come on how to use this great GIS viewer.

11-12-20 I am currently using QGIS3. The only plug-ins that have given me a bit of an issue have been because I needed to correctly get an authorization from Google's Earthengine API.

Look for my new post regarding how to add a World WMS service plugin called Quickmap services on QGIS. Some of these servers have vast data from certain agencies such as: USGS

 

Other additional plugins are Google Earth Engine, QAD(QAD allows easy CAD like drafting of lines and polygons)

Civil 3D Parts Builder Tutorial

This Part Builder tutorial by TrulyCindy3D is phenomenal.
After doing many tutorials I have to agree that Cindy's is by far the most informative.


http://www.trulycyndy3d.com/2010/10/part-builder-i-define.html


This is an in-depth and detailed step by step parts builder tutorial.

Because no matter how many pipe network parts you make.. There will always that one.....

Assign elevations to contours from an esri shape-file

Assigning contour lines from ESRI ArcGIS polylines with object data.

http://www.thecadmasters.com/wordpress/index.php/2011/03/16/assign-elevations-to-contours-from-an-esri-shape-file/

This link describes in very easy steps how to create a query to give elevations to polylines with object data but with an elevation of zero.

possible solution to stop 'UPGRADING COGO POINTS' in Civil 3D

I use Civil 3d 2015 at work. I am not an admin user, nor a power user in Windows 7. I use a Synology NAS (Network attached storage) server for project files and I always get this when working with old surveys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGU8xEAXnkU

I found a solution by installing this hotfix from Autodesk which addresses network degradation on Civil 3D versions 2014,15,16,17

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-civil-3d/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Civil-3D-Performance-degradation.html

by Autodesk's Louisa Holland. See her post in this article.
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-civil-3d-forum/performance-enhancement-tool/m-p/6540457#M311166

Civil 3D boost in performance.

    This simple boost in performance using Civil 3D 2015 & 2016 can help you finish your job quicker. The command CLEANSCREENON can save you plenty of time when trying to label or select certain Civil 3D objects when you are working in repetitive tasks.
    Let's say you have finished a pipe and pressure network and need to project certain parts into the profile and label some structures with different labels. Between picking a structure(s) you notice a delay before every command. This is a time when Civil 3D is using a lot of resources(RAM and writing/reading to disk) . In order to clear some of those resources to speed up your work you can use the command CLEANSCREENON. To revert this command type CLEANSCREENOFF.
Additionally, also run RIBBONCLOSE and to revert it just type RIBBON.


System variables to boost performance.
First, Use SYSVDLG to change the system variables. I'd also recommend creating a script to change these layouts to enhance performance. And to save the workspace settings and profile to further cement these changes.

Disable FILETABPREVIEW = 0
PURGE, remove all 'Regapps' (styles) not being used. Purge All.
If you are only doing 2D work (Top view) then turn off these two settings.
NAVBAR OFF
NAVVCUBE OFF
VISUALSTYLES
Edit 'Display resolution>Arc/circle smoothing to 100 (or lower if  you wish) I used 20
LINESMOOTHING OFF (this will make AutoCAD vectors look like Release 10.)

Sketchpad

Sketchpad CAD software by Ivan Sutherland circa 1963

Computer aided drafting (CAD) being demonstrated in 1963 using Sketchpad.

Additional wikipedia link.

Typical nomenclature of dimensions of a precast concrete structure

Typical dimensions and nomenclature of a precast concrete structure.

These terms are used by the software/shop creating the precast storm structures. The Adjustment area can be compromised of a rectangular top or cone with brick to trim the structure to be flat against the top elevation at grade (Rim Elev.)