In this tutorial, we will show you, how you can import terrain from Plex-Earth to Infraworks, easily, step by step. Note, that in order to follow the steps of this process, you will need to install a Civil 3D beforehand on your computer.
Infraworks is a planning and design platform that enables engineers to convey preliminary design intent in a real-world, contextual environment.
With the help of Plex-Earth, you can successfully combine Infraworks and Civil 3D and achieve high-quality and quick results in your design workflow.
If you don’t have Plex-Earth yet, you can start a free trial here, and check by yourself how easy it is to connect Infraworks with the best quality multiple image, map, and terrain sources.
Step 1: Create a georeferenced terrain mesh
Step 2: Insert a Civil 3D Surface from Plex-Earth terrain
Step 3: Import terrain into Infraworks
Step 4: Select the model's coordinate system
Step 5: Insert Plex-Earth Images into Infraworks
Step 1: Create a georeferenced terrain mesh
After georeferencing your drawing, go to the Plex-Earth ribbon and choose the Import Terrain command. Click here to see more details on how to Import Terrain.
Step 2: Insert a Civil 3D Surface from Plex-Earth terrain
After inserting your terrain with Plex-Earth, you will then have to create a new surface into Civil 3D's workspace, with Plex-Earth's terrain, in order to be able to export it as a Civil 3D DWG as described here.
Step 3: Import terrain into Infraworks
Now that you have downloaded your DWG, you can open Infraworks and create a new project or use an existed one and specify the desired coordinate system. After you do so, you will have to open the terrain created in Civil 3D with Plex-Earth. In order to do that, first, you can click on Data Sources, from the "Content" segment, of the "Manage" Toolbar.
\
Following, a Data sources panel should appear on the right part of your Infraworks workspace. From the list of available data sources, select the Autodesk Civil 3D DWG option.
Then, you will be forwarded to specify the location (Select File dialog window), of the DWG you have previously saved from Civil 3D, select and click Open.
Step 4: Select the model's coordinate system
After you insert your DWG, you will notice that its status indicates, Not Configured. Right-click on it and select Configure to open the Data Source Configuration dialog. Then select the model's coordinate system from the list in the Geolocation field. Close & Refresh and the terrain will immediately be imported into your workspace.
You should now have your georeferenced terrain appearing on your screen.
Step 5: Insert Plex-Earth Images into Infraworks
Next, we are going to import imagery from Plex-Earth to Infraworks, in order to later drape it onto the Civil 3D DWG, we previously imported, so we can achieve a high-quality terrain visualization, within minutes. To complete this part, you can follow the steps described here.
Once you insert both the terrain and the Plex-Earth imagery and configure them, you instantly have the draped image in the terrain surface of your DWG.
Now that the terrain is imported, you can continue, insert your 3D CAD DWG elements, and/or enhance your project with the real-life features of transportation, structure, and drainage environment of Infraworks.
Now that the terrain is imported, you can continue, insert your 3D CAD DWG elements, and/or enhance your project with the real-life features of transportation, structure, drainage, and environment of Infraworks.
We hope you have found this tutorial on how to import Plex-Earth Terrain into Infraworks, helpful. Feel free to contact us at support@plexscape.com for any questions you may still have.
Don't have Plex-Earth yet? Explore all the features and potential benefits of this software; install a fully functional 7-day free trial of Plex-Earth now!
Compatibility includes:
AutoCAD Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
Civil 3D® Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
AutoCAD Architecture Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
BricsCAD Pro: V23 , V22 , V21