Datasheet

Using the Transparent Commands Toolbar
11
curve deltas, northings, and eastings to define geometry. The Transparent
Commands toolbar enables Civil 3D users to draw things based on the special
geometric concepts that are unique to civil engineers and surveyors.
For example, when drawing a line, you can use the Northing Easting trans-
parent command to specify the first point and the Bearing Distance transparent
command to specify the end point (Figure 1.11).
Bearing
Distance
Northing
Easting
FIGURE 1.11 The Transparent Commands toolbar with red lines pointing
to the Bearing Distance and Northing Easting transparent commands
To practice using the Transparent Commands toolbar, follow these steps (you
should have
User Interface.dwg open from the previous exercise):
1. Type
LINE at the Command: prompt, and press Enter.
2. When prompted to specify the first point, click any point within the
drawing.
3. When prompted to specify the next point, click Bearing Distance on
the Transparent Commands toolbar. Refer to Figure 1.11 for the loca-
tion of this command.
4. When prompted for a quadrant, either enter 1 or click in the upper-
right quadrant created by the crosshairs on the screen.
5. When prompted for the bearing, type 45 and press Enter.
6. When prompted for the distance, type 500 (150) and press Enter.
Press Esc twice to exit the command. You have just drawn a line that
is 500 feet (150 meters) long at a bearing of N 45° E.
U s i n g sp e c i a l i z e d li n e a n d cU r v e co m m a n d s
Another Civil 3D feature that enables you to draw like a surveyor or civil
engineer is a set of specialized line and curve commands. These commands
are mixed in with basic AutoCAD line and curve commands on the Draw
panel of the ribbon. You can find specialized line commands by expand-
ing the Line icon to reveal commands like Line By Bearing, Line By Point
# Range, and so on. There is also a Curves icon that expands to reveal

You can dock
and undock the
Transparent
Command toolbar
by dragging the
double line at the
end of the toolbar
to the appropriate
location.
Certification
Objective
(Continues)