AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015

Unit 3: Land Development Lesson

Horizontal Alignments
Overview
In this lesson, you learn how to create subdivision road alignments from AutoCAD® entities
such as lines, arcs, and polylines. Alignments are a critical component of all subdivision and
roadway projects that have linear corridor design elements such as residential and collector
roads. Alignments can also be used with creeks and rivers for floodplain analysis and channel
design.
The following illustration shows two intersecting alignments:

Unit 3 – Lesson 3: Create Alignments Civil 3D 2015 Student Workbook ▪ 1

Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

 Describe alignments and their properties.

 Create alignments using objects.

 Describe alignment tag labels.

 Label alignments and create a table.

Exercises
The following exercises are provided in a step by step format in this lesson:
1. Create an Alignment
2. Label an Alignment

About Alignments
An alignment is a linear feature in the horizontal plane. An alignment is typically used for
features such as road centerlines, pavement edges, and drainage lines. Alignments can
represent existing features or proposed features. When used for roadway design, criteria exist
to regulate the geometry of alignments based on a variety of factors including roadway
classification, design speed, cross slope, pavement type, and many other items. The alignment
also serves as the controlling geometry for the layout and construction of the road.
Detailing the particular geometric points of alignments is critical in order for the design
engineer to provide clear communication of the engineering data for the client, reviewers, and
contractors. Alignment labels and styles are effective tools for providing this communication.
Alignments are the first of the three primary design planes to be laid out and used by the
designer. Profiles and cross sections provide the other two design planes necessary for a full
three-dimensional description and modeling of proposed roadways.
The Layout Process
The subdivision layout process is an iterative process where a developer, or the developer's
engineer, strives to maximize the use of the land based on zoning, parcel layout, and road
design criteria.
In many circumstances, the parcel outline for the subdivision is designed first, and then
handed off to a designer who is tasked with designing the roads in the subdivision. Road
designers often offset parcel right-of-way lines, polylines, and arcs to create the horizontal

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alignment geometry for the subdivision roads. This geometry is converted to polylines, which
are then used to create alignment objects for the subdivision roads.
Alignments are a series of coordinates, lines, curves, and spirals used to represent the
centerline of linear features such as roads, edges of pavement, sidewalks, and rights-of-way.
Alignments can also be used to represent the centerline of a railway, channel, or stream.
Alignments Example
Horizontal alignments in subdivisions are usually not very complex and consist mostly of
tangents and curves. In some instances, lane tapers are modeled using alignments to create
acceleration, deceleration, and turn lanes at intersection locations. Subdivision road centerline
alignments are most often created by offsetting right-of-way lines by half the width of the
right-of-way. Common commands such as Trim, Edit, Extend, and Fillet are used to create the
alignment geometry from AutoCAD entities.
Once the geometry is in place, the Polyline Edit command can be used to join the lines and
arcs together to form a continuous polyline representing the alignment. The direction of the
polyline does not matter because once you create the alignment, you can reverse the
direction of the alignment. You can also create alignments from AutoCAD line and arc entities.
Alignments for residential subdivision roads are shown in the following illustration.

Keep the following guidelines in mind when you create alignments:

 The direction of the polyline is not important, as you can reverse the direction of an
alignment during the alignment creation process. You can also reverse the alignment
direction after it has been created.

 When you create an alignment from a polyline with no curves, or from lines, you can
automatically add curves between the tangents.

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  You can assign a value to the starting station of the alignment, which is the start point of
the polyline, line, or arc. Alignment station reference points and base stationing values
can be adjusted later.

 Alignments can either be independent or included in a site. Use alignments in a site if

you want them to interact with other objects in the site, or if you want to use sites to
organize the alignments.

Labeling Alignments
Horizontal alignments are made up of segments, which are lines, arcs, or spirals. There are a
number of powerful labeling tools in AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software for labeling horizontal
alignment geometry, either on the alignment itself or in a table. When you edit or change an
alignment, associated labels and tables automatically update to reflect the new alignment
geometry.
The following illustration shows alignment geometry with segment labels.

When plans become difficult to read because of too many geometry alignment labels, you can
create tag labels for the alignment segments and show the geometry in a corresponding table.
After adding tag labels, you create an alignment table that references the tags. You can create
a line, curve, spiral, or segmental table that shows the geometry for the entire alignment. The
table can be dynamic. When you edit the horizontal alignment or change the station reference
point, the data in the table automatically updates to reflect the new geometry.
To create tag labels, you select a tag label style from the Add Labels dialog box as shown.

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Definition of Alignment Tag Labels
There are a number of different label types that you can add to a horizontal alignment. To
label alignment geometry, you can either label single segments or multiple segments. The
multiple segment option enables you to label all segments for the entire alignment. When you
choose the label type, you can then specify the corresponding label style.
An alignment with tag labels is shown in the following illustration.

The table shown displays segment numbers (tag label) and its associated details.

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Keep the following guidelines in mind when labeling alignments:

 Use the Alignment command settings to specify default label styles for alignment
labeling.

 Use tag labels and tables to simplify the appearance of a drawing. Note that when you
create a table for an alignment that already has labels, the labels are automatically
converted to tag labels.

Key Terms
Alignment An alignment is a linear feature in the horizontal plane. An alignment is
typically used for features such as road centerlines, pavement edges,
and drainage lines.
Point of The PC is the transition point on the alignment from a tangent to a
Curvature (PC) curve in the direction of increasing stationing. The PC is sometimes
referred to as the beginning of curve.
Point of The PI is the point where two tangents that are connected by a curve
Intersection (PI) intersect. The tangents form the approaching and departing directions
from the curve. The PI is not on the horizontal alignment, but is a key
geometric point necessary to define the curve geometry.
Point of The PT is the transition point on the alignment from a curve to a
Tangency (PT) tangent in the direction of increasing stationing. The PT is sometimes
referred to as the end of curve.
Tangent A tangent is a straight line section of roadway.
Curve In alignments for road design, a curve is based on horizontal circle
geometry defined by a radius, an inscribed angle, and a length.

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 Tags Tags, or tag labels, are a shorthand method of labeling lines or curves.
A line tag label is normally L1, L2, and so on; and a curve tag label is C1,
C2, and so on. Tags reduce the amount of text directly around an
alignment, making the drawing more readable. After you label an
alignment with tag labels, you create a table that associates alignment
geometry and coordinate data with the individual tags.
Label Sets A label set is a collection of alignment station and geometry label styles
for an alignment. When you create an alignment, you apply a label set
as opposed to selecting individual label styles.
Station Stationing is a form of linear referencing of distance along an alignment.
A station is a value of distance from the start point added to the
starting station value. The base value for imperial stationing is 100 feet,
designated as 1+00. The base value for metric stationing is 1000 meters,
designated 1+000.
Station The station reference point is the point on the alignment about which
Reference Point stationing is based. When you first create an alignment, the station
reference point is the beginning of the alignment.
Offset An offset is a perpendicular distance from an alignment.
Station-Offset A station-offset is a method for identifying the location of a point based
on the alignment station and the perpendicular offset that matches the
position.

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Exercise 1: Create an The stationing of the alignment begins at
the end of the polyline closer to where
Alignment you select it, or you can change the
In this exercise, you create alignments location.
using polylines. 3. Press ENTER to accept the alignment
The completed drawing is as shown. direction (west to east).
4. In the Create Alignment from Objects
dialog box:

 For Name, enter Oak Street.

 For Type, ensure Centerline is

selected.

 For Site, click <None>. Do not add

the alignment to a site. Alignments
can either be independent or
included in a site. Only use
alignments in a site if you want them
to interact with other objects in the
For this exercise, open …\I_Alignments- site.
EX1.dwg (M_Alignments-EX1.dwg).  For Alignment Style, click Proposed.
1. On the ribbon, Home tab, Create Design
 For Alignment Label Set, click All
panel, click Alignment > Create
Labels.
Alignment from Objects.
 Under Conversion Options, clear the
Add Curves Between Tangents check
box.

 Under Conversion Options, click

Erase Existing Entities. This option
removes the original polyline once
the alignment is created.
2. At the Select Lines/Arcs or Polylines
prompt, click near the left end of the 5. On the Design Criteria tab:
polyline running west to east on the  Notice that you can assign a design
south end of the site. Press ENTER. speed and use criteria-based design.
This means that you can check
alignments for minimum curvature
and assign superelevation from
design criteria files.

 Click OK.

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The alignment is created and labeled. 8. In the Alignment Properties - 8th
Avenue dialog box, Information tab, for
Object Style, click Existing. Click OK.
The alignment display updates.
9. Repeat the previous steps to change the
6. Repeat the previous steps for the road Object Style to Existing for the Oak
running south to north on the west side Street alignment.
of the site. This road is called 8th
Avenue, and the direction of stationing Next, you view the object styles in the
increases to the north. Settings tab.
10. In Toolspace, on the Settings tab:

 Click to expand Alignment,

Alignment Styles.

 Right-click Existing. Click Edit.

11. In the Alignment Style - Existing dialog
box, on the Display tab, review the
visible component settings.
Note that only the Line, Curve, and Spiral
components are visible and are set to the
C-ROAD-CNTR layer, which is red.
Also notice the Warning Symbol
7. In Toolspace, on the Prospector tab: component. This is used to display a
warning in the drawing area if you have
 Click to expand Alignments, used criteria-based design and violated
Centerline Alignments, and 8th the design criteria.
Avenue.
12. Click Cancel.
 Notice that each alignment can have 13. Repeat the previous steps and review
multiple profiles, profile views, and the proposed alignment style. Note the
sample line groups. alignment style differences.
Next, you preview the alignment objects in
Prospector.
14. In Prospector:

 Click to expand Alignments and

Centerline Alignments.

 Click Oak Street. In the item view

 Right-click 8th Avenue. Click area you should see a preview of the
Properties. alignment.

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15. If you do not see the preview, ensure
that the Preview icon at the top of
Prospector is on. Right-click Alignments.
Ensure Show Preview is enabled.

16. The finished drawing is as shown.

17. Close the drawing. Do not save the

changes.

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Exercise 2: Label Alignments Major Station label style is added to
the label set.
In this exercise, you create alignment tag
labels and an alignment table.  Change Type to Minor Stations. Click
Add. The Tick Minor Station label
The completed drawing is as shown. style is added to the label set. Note
that you can specify the increment
for the Major and Minor Station
labels. You can build your own
customized label set.

 Click Cancel.
Alignment label sets are assigned to an
alignment when you create it.
3. On the ribbon, Home tab, click
Alignment > Alignment Creation Tools.
For this exercise, open …\I_Alignments- 4. In the Create Alignment - Layout dialog
EX2.dwg (M_Alignments-EX2.dwg). box:
First, you review the labels.
 Review the Alignment Label Set list.
1. In Toolspace, Settings tab: When you create an alignment by
layout, you should specify the
 Click to expand Alignment, Label
alignment label set.
Styles.

 Review the variety of label styles.

You can create or modify styles in
any of these categories. You can also
individually label segments of
alignments or points either on or
offset from the alignment.
 Click Cancel.
 Click to expand Label Sets.
5. In the drawing area, select the 8th
 Right-click Label Sets. Click New. Avenue alignment. This is the north –
2. In the Alignment Label Set - New south running alignment on the west
Alignment Label Set dialog box: side of the subdivision. Right-click and
then click Edit Alignment Labels.
 Click the Labels tab. Review the 6. In the Alignment Labels dialog box:
choices under Type. These are the
types of alignment labels you can  Notice that you can import a
include in a label set. predefined label set.
 With Type set to Major Stations,  For Major Station Increment, enter
click Add. The Parallel with Tick 50' (50 m).

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  For Minor Station Increment, enter 4. At the Select an Alignment prompt,
10' (20 m). select the Apple Ave centerline
alignment.
 Click in the Station Equations row,
5. Move the cursor near the west endpoint
and click Delete.
of the parcel boundary between parcels
 Click in the Profile Geometry Points 43 and 44.
row, and click Delete. 6. When prompted to Select Point, use the
endpoint object snap and select a parcel
 Click Save Label Set. corner.
 In the Alignment Label Set dialog
box, Information tab, for Name,
enter Maj (50) Min (10) and GP.

 Click OK twice.
The labeling of 8th Avenue has changed.
You have also created a new label set.
Station and Offset Labels
Next, you add alignment station and offset
labels.
1. In the drawing area, zoom in and click A station offset is created.
the Apple Avenue alignment.
Apple Ave is the western cul-de-sac
alignment.
2. On the contextual ribbon, select Add
Labels > Add Alignment Labels.
This is the same Add Label dialog box used
for other features.
3. In the Add Labels dialog box:

 For Label Type, click Station Offset -

Fixed Point.
7. In the Add Labels dialog box, for Station
 For Station Offset Label Style, click
Offset Label Style, click Station and
Station Offset and Coordinates.
Offset. Click Add.
 Click Add. 8. At the Select Alignment prompt, click
This command places a label that shows a Apple Ave.
station and offset from an alignment and 9. At the Select Point prompt, move the
the coordinates of that point for a location cursor south and near the west
such as a fire hydrant or parcel boundary.
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 endpoint of another parcel segment. 1. In the Add Labels dialog box:
Snap to the end point.
 For Label Type, click Single Segment.
10. Press ESC. This command is used to label an
A different station offset label is created. individual segment (line, curve, or
spiral) of an alignment.

 For Line Label Style, click Bearing

Over Distance.

 Click Add.
2. At the Select Point on Entity prompt,
click a line segment on the Orchard
Road alignment. This is the alignment
that intersects the three cul-de-sac
alignments.
Next, you experiment with the label
dragged state display properties.
11. In the drawing area, select a station and
offset label.

3. Press ESC.
4. Click the line label on the alignment and
12. Hover the cursor over each grip. Notice experiment with the grips.
the tooltips. Tag Labels
You use the Move Point Being Labeled grip Next, you create tag labels on the
(diamond shape) to reposition the label alignment.
and the label point.
1. In the Add Labels dialog box:
You use the Drag Label grip (square shape)
to drag the label away from the point it is  For Label Type, click Multiple
labeling. A pointer is added to the point Segment.
label to show the point being labeled.
 For Line Label Style, click Tag.
13. Experiment with the Slide Label and
Drag Label grips on the Station and  For Curve Label Style, click Tag.
Offset labels you created.
 Click Add.
Label Alignment Segments 2. Under Select Alignment, click 8th
Next, you label the alignment segments. Avenue.
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This is the south-to-north running 3. In the drawing area, select the 8th
alignment on the west side of the site. Avenue alignment.
4. On the contextual ribbon, click Add
Tables > Add Segments.
5. In the Alignment Table Creation dialog
box, for Select Alignment, click 8th
Avenue. Click OK.
6. At the Select Upper Left Corner prompt,
click in the drawing to create the table.
The table is created showing the
alignment data for the 8th Avenue
alignment.

The tag labels are created.

7. The completed drawing is as shown.

 Press ENTER.

 Click Close to close the Add Labels

dialog box. 8. Close the drawing. Do not save the
Next, you create a table to show the changes.
alignment data.

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Lesson Summary
In this module, you learned how to work with alignments. Alignments were created using
existing polylines. Alignment styles were created and modified to alter the appearance of the
important alignment points. Labels of various types were created and a label set was
explained. Tags were used for alignment segments and an alignment table with line and curve
segment tags was created.

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