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
- Nationally accredited
- Create your own portfolio
- Free student software
- Learn at your convenience
- Authorized Autodesk training center
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!”
Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, and Cost to Learn Civil 3D
Civil 3D is a technical application with many complex tools and can be relatively difficult to learn at first. You may find the learning process easier if you already know how to use AutoCAD. Civil 3D and AutoCAD are both computer-aided drafting (CAD) applications, and they have many similarities in their user interface and the tools offered. A background in design can also be helpful. However, almost anyone can master this application. Most people find the guidance and feedback offered in a formal Civil 3D class to be very helpful in the learning process. Regular practice can also help mastering Civil 3D seem less difficult.
If you take a Civil 3D class that is designed for beginners, there are unlikely to be any prerequisites. However, you’re likely to learn more quickly and easily if you do have some related experience. Since Civil 3D is designed for civil engineering projects, users need an understanding of basic civil engineering concepts like surveying and infrastructure design. An understanding of 3D modeling is also helpful, but not required. While 2D modeling involves creating a flat representation of something, 3D modeling adds a third dimension and requires different spatial reasoning skills. It can be challenging to learn at first.
Civil 3D is an Autodesk application. You can get a free 30-day trial, and after that, the application is available by subscription. Autodesk offers both monthly and yearly subscription plans. It also offers a pay-as-you-go plan called Flex, where you can buy tokens that can be used to access Civil 3D for 24 hours at a time. Students and educators can get free access to Civil 3D which is valid for a year and is renewable if they remain eligible. In addition to the cost of the application, there is the cost associated with taking a Civil 3D class. Class prices vary widely, from several hundred dollars for a basic course, to several thousand for a comprehensive program. In many cases, you’ll receive free access to Civil 3D while you are taking a class.
What Tools Are Available To Help Students Learn Civil 3D On Their Own?
Free resources can help students learn Civil 3D on their own. There are many different free Civil 3D resources online. YouTube contains a variety of free tutorials. The Autodesk website also has a large number of free tutorials that cover the basic tools used with surfaces, corridors, alignments, and other elements of Civil 3D designs. Autodesk University is another Autodesk resource for students. It contains articles and lectures created by experts in Autodesk applications. Some schools also offer free Civil 3D resources. For example, the Virtual Design and Construction Institute has a variety of free resources on its website, including some focused on Civil 3D, 3D modeling, and CAD. These resources can help students gain a better idea of what Civil 3D is and how it is used. Other free online resources include chat forums, professional publications, and Civil 3D blogs.
While free resources are worth looking at, many students do end up needing expert guidance to learn Civil 3D. An asynchronous class can give you access to a structured learning program, while still allowing you to learn at your own pace. When you take an asynchronous class, you learn by progressing through a set of pre-recorded material, and you can move as quickly or as slowly as you want. One type of asynchronous learning is an on-demand class. This is usually the cheaper option, but instructor interaction is likely to be minimal. Another asynchronous format is a self-paced class. This usually includes a lot more instructor interaction and feedback, in addition to interaction with other students.
How Can I Supplement Self-Paced Civil 3D Training?
You can supplement self-paced Civil 3D training in a number of ways. Taking part in discussions with other students can be beneficial to the learning process. You’ll be exposed to additional perspectives and ways of doing things, and you’ll also benefit from the support and networking that come from being part of a group. Self-paced classes often include opportunities for interaction with classmates, such as through online discussion forums. VDCI self-paced learning comes with access to something called the VDCI Student Lounge. The school explains, “[This] provides a place where instructors, staff, current students, and alumni come together to offer advice. This online community is a place for networking and mentorship, as well as creating a supportive learning environment.”
Some self-paced classes come with opportunities for additional one-on-one sessions that can also be a great way to supplement your training. For instance, certain VDCI courses come with one-on-one training sessions or career mentoring sessions. Students can use these to get extra help with concepts that they find challenging or to gain personalized advice that will help them with their career goals.
How Can Self-Paced Civil 3D Training Supplement Other Civil 3D Training?
A self-paced Civil 3D class can be used to supplement other types of Civil 3D training. For example, it can be a great way to gain additional practice with this application, and to do so on a schedule that works for you. You can also use a self-paced class to gain more specialized Civil 3D skills. For example, VDCI offers a number of shorter Civil 3D classes focused on specific skills. These include Surveying and Mapping, Transportation Design, and Land Development. Another specialized training option is to pursue a certification, which is a professional qualification that you can earn by passing a two-hour Autodesk exam. This can be a great way to demonstrate your dedication and mastery to employers, and may also lead to more job opportunities and a higher salary.
The act of self-paced learning itself can also be beneficial to you as a student. Researchers have found that there are numerous benefits associated with self-directed learning. They have observed that students are often more likely to remember what they learn since they aren’t pressured to move at the same pace as the rest of the class. There is also evidence that self-paced learning helps students learn better time management skills because they are directing their own learning. Finally, students may also feel more invested in the learning process because they have more control over it.
How to Decide if Self-Paced Civil 3D Training is Right for Me?
There are both advantages and disadvantages to self-paced training, and whether or not it is right for you will depend on your unique learning needs. One of the biggest advantages to a self-paced program is the learning flexibility it provides. When you learn this way, you’ll be able to create a schedule that fits your unique situation, study whenever works best for you, and work through the course at your own pace. Self-paced learning can be a great option for people who have busy schedules and need to balance learning with other demands. This includes working professionals who need to balance work and education, and parents who need to balance learning with family obligations.
Self-paced learning also allows you to learn from any location. For many people, that means learning from home. Whether or not this is the best option for you will depend on your individual learning style. Many people like learning from home because they don’t have to travel to a classroom, and they also find that there are fewer distractions. For instance, they don’t have to deal with classmates being disruptive or asking questions that don’t relate. Additionally, some students find it less intimidating to learn online than in person. However, others find learning from home comes with a whole new set of distractions, such as household tasks and pets.
Another factor to consider if you’re thinking about enrolling in a self-paced class is that this type of class does not include real-time interaction with your instructor or with other students. You won’t get a live lecture, and you won’t be able to get immediate answers to your questions. Some students say that they don’t find self-paced classes as engaging and that they miss the live interaction. However, self-paced classes do typically include interaction and feedback, just not in a live format. By eliminating the live element, self-paced courses are able to provide much more learning flexibility while still providing students with instructor guidance and giving them opportunities to interact with classmates.
A final factor to think about when considering a self-paced course is that because you’ll have so much learning flexibility, you’ll need to take more responsibility for staying on track with the course. Self-paced learning allows you to work at your own pace, but that means it can be easier to get distracted or lose motivation. If you have poor time management skills or lack discipline, then you may have difficulty staying focused on the course and completing it in a timely manner. However, an advantage to self-paced learning is that it can help you learn to develop these skills.
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.