What Is Civil 3D?
Civil 3D is an Autodesk modeling application that is used to design and document civil engineering projects. It was first released in 2005 and is used for many different types of civil infrastructure projects including land development, rail projects, bridges, water systems, and roads and highways. Civil 3D uses a 3D model-based environment, and it supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. It has specific tools for many different civil engineering features including tools for grading, parcel layout, surfaces, and corridor design. Its automated features let designers streamline many time-consuming tasks.
Civil 3D also facilitates collaboration among team members. This application integrates data from a variety of sources, such as survey data and GIS data. It can also exchange information with other Autodesk applications, like AutoCAD and Revit. In addition, it allows team members to work simultaneously on the same project and make real-time updates. With Civil 3D, team members can maintain consistency for data and processes, and respond more quickly to any project changes.
Why Learn Civil 3D?
Fluency in Civil 3D is a fundamental skill required for many professional roles in the field of civil engineering. Working in this field can be lucrative and civil engineering jobs are expected to experience strong growth over the next ten years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal agency that collects and analyzes U.S. labor market information. Between 2023 and 2033, it predicts that civil engineering jobs will grow by 6 percent, which is faster than the average U.S. job growth rate of 4 percent. The agency explains, “With continued investment in U.S. infrastructure, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects that meet society's need for upgrading bridges, roads, water systems, buildings, and other structures.” In addition, it says, “Civil engineers also will be needed to oversee renewable-energy projects, such as construction of wind farms and solar arrays, as these projects gain approval.” The median pay for a Civil Engineer is almost $96,000 per year, according to BLS.
Learn Civil 3D
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Civil engineering can also be a very fulfilling profession. Civil engineering projects take place within a wide range of different industries including transportation, construction, and energy. That means that when you work in civil engineering, you may get to work on many different types of projects such as roads, airports, dams, pipelines, water systems, tunnels, and bridges. For a blog post on the Institution of Civil Engineers website titled, “7 Top Reasons Why Civil Engineering Is the Best Career,” the author spoke to a number of people who work in this field and found that the diversity of projects they get to participate in is one of the things that many people enjoy about it. One person commented, “There’s so much variety,” and another said, “You get to work with a ton of new people on new tasks every day!”
Industries That Make Use of Civil 3D
Civil Engineering
Civil 3D is primarily a civil engineering tool. It is used to document and design a variety of different infrastructure projects. Civil engineering is a type of engineering that is focused on creating and maintaining infrastructure such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and water systems. This field involves working with the natural environment, solving problems, and understanding a variety of technical concepts such as physics, chemistry, and mechanics.
Construction
The construction industry is an industry that involves building and maintaining a wide variety of different structures such as homes and offices. Working in this field may involve landscaping, site preparation, new construction, and renovation. Civil 3D is utilized within the construction industry for design and documentation.
Transportation
Transportation is an important part of any community, allowing people to get all the places they need to go and facilitating the movement of a variety of goods and services. Engineers design transportation systems such as streets, highways, railways, and airport runways. Civil 3D is used within this industry to create 3D models and documentation for designs.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is focused on using the principles of engineering to solve environmental issues. Some examples are erosion control, site remediation, and the management of hazardous waste. Designs for these solutions may be created in Civil 3D.
Land Development
Civil 3D is also used for land development projects. This discipline involves the design and management of different types of sites. It may include drainage, grading, and the layout of utilities.
Common Civil 3D Job Titles
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design, construct, and maintain a variety of different infrastructure projects including bridges, roads, highways, and water and energy systems. They are skilled in engineering science and technology and also have a strong understanding of building and construction. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)--a federal agency that gathers and analyzes U.S. labor market statistics--over the next ten years jobs in this field will grow by 6 percent, which is faster than the average job growth rate of 4 percent. It explains that there will be a continuing need for professionals in this field, stating, “Civil engineers will be needed to manage projects that meet society's need for upgrading bridges, roads, water systems, buildings, and other structures.” In addition, BLS says, “Civil engineers also will be needed to oversee renewable-energy projects, such as construction of wind farms and solar arrays, as these projects gain approval.” The median pay for a Civil Engineer is $95,000 according to BLS.
Civil 3D Coordinator
Civil 3D Coordinators work with a Civil 3D design team to coordinate projects and ensure that they progress smoothly. They provide training, implement standards, ensure compliance, set up workflows, offer technical support, and help protect company data. Civil 3D Coordinators have experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, and are skilled in Civil 3D, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. They are also experts in civil engineering. According to the Virtual Design and Construction Institute, a Civil 3D Coordinator earns approximately $60,000 to $70,000 per year.
Architect
Architects design buildings and other structures and oversee their construction. They may use Civil 3D as part of that process. Between 2023 and 2033, BLS anticipates that architecture jobs will grow by 8 percent, with approximately 8,500 job openings per year. It says, “Architects are expected to be needed to make plans and designs, particularly in sustainable design, for the construction and renovation of homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other structures.” The agency also says that in the future, Architects may take on some roles that have previously been performed by other types of professionals. It explains, “Improved building information modeling (BIM) software and measuring technology are expected to allow architects to take on activities once performed by other workers, such as architectural and civil drafters, interior designers, and engineers.” According to BLS, the median pay for an Architect is $93,000.
Drafter
Drafters take designs made by Architects and Engineers and convert them into technical plans and drawings. They use computer applications like Civil 3D. Drafters often specialize in a particular type of drafting. According to BLS, most Drafters in the United States are Architectural and Civil Drafters. It predicts that over the next ten years there may be a decrease in drafting jobs because CAD applications like Civil 3D have become so user-friendly. It explains, “Expected employment decreases will be driven by the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) technologies. These technologies increase drafter productivity and allow engineers and architects to perform many tasks that used to be done by drafters.” BLS reports that the median pay for a drafter is $62,000.
Surveyor
Surveyors measure land and property boundaries using specialized equipment. They use the data that they collect to create reports and maps that are used for real estate transactions, construction, and legal purposes. BLS notes that fieldwork and travel are common for this job. It anticipates 6 percent job growth for Surveyors over the next decade. The agency states, “Surveyors will continue to be needed to certify boundary lines and review sites for construction. Employment demand also will be tied to projects such as road repair and mining activities, although the use of drones and other technologies may limit growth somewhat by increasing worker productivity.” The median pay for a Surveyor is $68,000, according to BLS.
How to Learn Civil 3D
When it comes to learning Civil 3D, you’ll find four main types of classes: in-person, live online (virtual), on-demand, and self-paced. Each format has both advantages and disadvantages. An in-person class takes place face-to-face inside a classroom space that is dedicated to learning. An instructor teaches, answers questions, and provides feedback. You learn as part of a group of students and you’ll have the opportunity to interact and network with those students. Some students prefer in-person instruction because they find it more engaging and also feel like it’s an easier way to learn new skills. However, to learn in person you have to commute to a classroom. Depending on where you live, this can be stressful or time-consuming. In addition, you’re limited to classes that you can travel to.
Live online classes are a popular alternative to in-person ones. They are designed to be very similar to in-person learning, with real-time interaction, the ability to ask questions and get feedback, and frequent opportunities to interact with classmates. The big difference is that they take place remotely via Zoom or a similar platform. Students attend by simply logging in on their computers. Because this format allows you to attend from any location, you’re likely to find that you have access to more course options. You may also find a more diverse group of classmates. A downside is that you’ll need to supply your own equipment. In addition, this format sometimes comes with technical issues to solve such as internet connection problems or software setup issues.
If you don’t want to be forced to attend class at a specific time, you could try an asynchronous learning option. Asynchronous learning is not live. Instead, when you enroll you’ll be given access to a pre-recorded set of lessons and exercises which you can work through at your own pace. This format not only allows you to set your own learning schedule, but allows you to learn at a pace that works best for you. For instance, you can pause, rewind, or even fast-forward the content. An on-demand class is one asynchronous learning option and is typically the cheapest. With an on-demand class, you’ll get access to the material, but instructor feedback is usually minimal.
If you want the freedom of an asynchronous class, but you’d prefer more instructor involvement, another option is a self-paced class. Like on-demand classes, self-paced classes are pre-recorded and allow you to progress through the material at your own pace. However, many self-paced classes come with regular instructor advice and feedback on your work. In addition, you’ll interact with classmates, such as through online discussion forums. A downside to this learning format is that because you get so much control over your learning, you may need to make more of an effort to stay motivated and on track.
Learn Civil 3D With Self-Paced VDCI Courses
The Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers a variety of Civil 3D training options. This school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Its online, self-paced classes allow you to create a personalized learning schedule that fits your needs. You’ll also be able to get advice and feedback on your submissions and projects and interact with peers in discussion forums. VDCI classes are approved by Autodesk, Adobe, Trimble, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for eLearning.
One VDCI option is the Civil 3D Certificate Program, a comprehensive course that takes seven months to complete. This program will equip you with skills in civil engineering, site development, and infrastructure planning. Covered topics include working on digital terrain models, designing roadways and utility networks, and applying civil engineering principles to real-world scenarios. You’ll also learn how to collaborate on large-scale civil projects using FTP, MILCON, and government databases. The program includes courses in both Civil 3D and AutoCAD. In addition, you’ll take elective courses in AutoCAD, Revit, or SketchUp Pro, and work on a capstone project. The Civil 3D Certificate Program comes with six live one-on-one mentoring sessions.
VDCI also offers a Civil 3D Certification Training Bundle which will help you prepare for the Autodesk Civil 3D certification exam. This multi-week course covers beginner through intermediate concepts. You’ll take three Civil 3D classes where you’ll learn to use this application for surveying and mapping, transportation design, and land development. You’ll also get a voucher for the Civil 3D exam, and you’ll get a free exam retake if you need it. To take this class you should have intermediate-level AutoCAD experience.
Another option is the AutoCAD & Civil 3D Certification Training Bundle. This course is also designed to prepare you for the Civil 3D certification exam. It is designed for beginners. You’ll start by taking two AutoCAD classes, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of this application. Next, you’ll take three Civil 3D courses which are focused on using the application for surveying and mapping, transportation design, and land development. This class comes with a voucher for the Civil 3D exam and a free exam retake. You’ll also get a live one-on-one bonus training session.
VDCI also runs shorter Civil 3D classes that take a few weeks to complete. In Intermediate Civil 3D: Surveying and Mapping, you’ll learn about the surveying and mapping elements and commands in Civil 3D. Covered topics include survey and COGO points, point marker and label styles, point groups, linework code sets, figure prefix databases, survey imports, parcels, sites, parcel labels, TIN surfaces, surface labels, and surface analysis. Intermediate Civil 3D: Transportation Design is focused on the transportation design elements and commands in Civil 3D. Instructors cover alignments, surface profiles, design profiles, and view windows, assemblies, corridors, intersections, sample lines, cross sections, and 3D visualization. The third VDCI option is Intermediate Civil 3D: Land Development. This course covers land development design elements and commands such as drawing template files, data shortcuts, feature lines, and grading groups.
Another VDCI offering, which is likely to be useful in any Civil 3D role, is the Essential Skills Course. This bundle is a great way to improve your communication, teamwork, collaboration, and self-management skills, all of which are essential in the field of civil engineering. Three classes are included. In Communication and Connection, you’ll learn a variety of communication skills including negotiation and conflict management. You’ll also work on your emotional intelligence and learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Self-Management Skills covers skills such as prioritizing, improving efficiency, focusing on ethics and integrity, and setting goals. Finally, in Teamwork, Collaboration & Leadership, you’ll learn to build collaboration, conduct meetings effectively, inspire other people, and make decisions as a group.