In this post, Ideate Application Specialist Matt Miyamoto provides some insight on the new Rail enhancements for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013.
In this release of Civil 3D, Autodesk is raising the bar once again by including new Rail Design features and enhancements.
Included in this version are: a new Rail Alignment type, automatic Cant calculations, and added rail-specific parameters, making rail design in Civil 3d easier and more user friendly.
One of the bigger changes to Rail design functionality is the new Rail Alignment type. This alignment is now included along with the Centerline, Offset, and Miscellaneous alignment types of past releases.
When this alignment is used, an additional Rail Parameters tab is included and the Design Criteria defaults to Cant Design tables for passenger and freight trains. Rail alignments can also be measured along chord base lengths rather than only along centerlines.
The new Cant design wizard provides users with an interactive Cant calculation tool similar to the Superelevation calculator tool included for road design.
Cant calculations are done automatically, and the results appear in the Cant Tabular Editor when complete. The old Rail Sub-assembly has also been enhanced to support Cant design.
For more information on the software solutions, training and consulting Ideate provides, please visit the Ideate, Inc. homepage.
Matt Miyamoto
ENI Manager & Senior Application Specialist
Matt is an ENI Manager and Senior Application Specialist in Ideate, Inc.’s Seattle office. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is a licensed Civil Engineer. Prior to joining Ideate, Matt worked as a civil engineer, using Civil 3D on a variety of projects including site development, roadway improvements and infrastructure design. With over 10 years of experience in the civil engineering industry, Matt now provides training, consulting, technical support, and implementation strategies for organizations transitioning to Civil 3D. Matt is an Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI), as well as an Autodesk Certified BIM Specialist: Roads and Highway Solutions. Additionally, Matt is and Autodesk Certified Professional for AutoCAD, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Find Matt on Twitter.