Autodesk Civil Design 2005

Questions and Answers

1. General Information
1.1 What is Autodesk Civil Design 2005?
Autodesk® Civil Design 2005 software is part of Autodesk’s infrastructure solution: a family
of products and services for mapping, civil engineering, surveying, and infrastructure
management professionals. Autodesk’s infrastructure design solution includes industry-
accepted products, a variety of support and training resources, and a flexible purchase
model that includes a local sales and support channel. In addition, standard data formats
and a trained user base give you an advantage throughout the entire project lifecycle. You
benefit by knowing that your data will flow throughout the system; updates and new
releases are in sync and work together; you have one contact for training, support, and
operational issues; and you have one set of products that share a common look, feel, and
concept.
Autodesk Civil Design 2005 runs on the latest release of Autodesk® Land Desktop 2005,
which is based on AutoCAD® 2005 and components of Autodesk Map™ 3D 2005 software
products. AutoCAD 2005 software includes new and enhanced features that help you
increase productivity through improved documentation, coordination, and publication of
sheet sets. Improved document set coordination enables members of a project team to
manage sheets in each sheet set and electronically transmit or archive sheets. AutoCAD
2005 also offers an automated, streamlined way to organize design data by publishing the
sheet set to paper or DWF™ (Design Web Format™) file while tracking what has been
plotted and for whom.
1.2 Who uses Autodesk Civil Design 2005?
Autodesk Civil Design 2005 software provides engineering-specific capabilities for Autodesk
Land Desktop, streamlining the design and drafting process for transportation engineering.
Autodesk Civil Design offers a flexible approach to roadway design that integrates user-
definable templates, transition control lines, and engineering rules. This integrated approach
enables you to quickly complete a subdivision road or model road rehabilitation and complex
corridor design projects. Autodesk Civil Design also provides automated grading tools that
provide instant feedback when you change design parameters such as a footprint elevation
or slope value. The layout and analysis of piping systems is made easier by integrating the
proposed pipe runs with surface models, plan and profile of road, and other elements in the
design project.
1.3 I use a previous version of Autodesk Civil Design. What would I gain by
purchasing Autodesk Civil Design 2005?
Because Autodesk Civil Design 2005 is based on Autodesk Land Desktop 2005, you benefit
from new features that enable drafters and designers to significantly improve overall
productivity. Take advantage of smooth integration with Autodesk Land Desktop 2005 to

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 Autodesk Civil Design 2005 Questions and Answers

benefit from coordinate geometry (COGO) functionality, powerful terrain modeling,

alignment and parcel layout functionality, and more. And because Autodesk Land Desktop is
built on components of Autodesk Map 3D 2005, it includes the solid features of AutoCAD
2005, which offers new and enhanced features to help you create design data more quickly,
share data more easily, and manage your software more efficiently.
1.4 When will Autodesk Civil Design 2005 software be available?
Autodesk Civil Design 2005 is available worldwide in International English beginning in April
2004.
1.5 What are the purchasing options for Autodesk Civil Design 2005?
Autodesk Civil Design 2005 software is available through your local Autodesk Authorized
Reseller, the Autodesk Store at www.autodesk.com/store, or Autodesk® Subscription,
where available.
1.6 What are the benefits of Autodesk Subscription?
Autodesk Subscription is the easiest way to keep your design tools and learning up-to-date.
For an annual fee you get the latest versions of your licensed Autodesk® software, web
support direct from Autodesk, self-paced training options, and a broad range of other
technology and business benefits. For more information, visit
www.autodesk.com/subscription or contact your Autodesk Authorized Reseller.

2. Compatibility and System Requirements

2.1 Can I run Autodesk Civil Design 2005 on a system that also has earlier
releases of Autodesk’s civil and architectural products installed?
Autodesk Civil Design 2005 software does not include an option to update an existing
Autodesk Civil Design 2004 installation. This enables you to retain your existing installation
of Autodesk Civil Design 2004 and add a separate installation of Autodesk Civil Design 2005
software on the same system. Autodesk Land Desktop 2005 software is required to run
Autodesk Civil Design 2005 and can also be installed side by side with various versions of
AutoCAD software (including 2004 and 2002) and with certain versions of AutoCAD
platform–based, industry-specific products, including Autodesk® Mechanical Desktop®,
AutoCAD® Mechanical, and Autodesk Map software. Autodesk Land Desktop 2004 software
can also be installed with Autodesk® Architectural Desktop 2005 software.
2.2 Has the project data format changed?
Autodesk Civil Design stores its project data in the Autodesk Land Desktop project, which is
the same in both the 2004 and 2005 versions of that product.
2.3 Are there any changes to the Land ActiveX API?
There are no changes to the Autodesk Land ActiveX API. If you have written applications
that use the ActiveX API, refer to the “What’s New/Changed” section of the Land ActiveX
API help file.

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 Autodesk Civil Design 2005 Questions and Answers

2.4 What are the system requirements for Autodesk Civil Design 2005 software?
The system requirements for Autodesk Civil Design 2005 are as follows:
Operating system: Microsoft Windows® XP Professional or Home Editions (SP1 or
later), Windows 2000 (SP3 or later), Windows XP Tablet PC
Web Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (SP1 or later)
Processor Pentium III or later - 866MHz 256MB (minimum)
Video 1024 x 768 VGA with true color (minimum)
Hard Disk Installation 55MB
Pointing Device Mouse, trackball, or other devices
Installation Media CDROM (any speed -for installation only)
Optional Hardware Open GL-compatible 3D video card
Printer or plotter
Digitizer
Modem or access to an Internet connection
Network interface card

3. Authorization and Licensing

3.1 Do I need to authorize the Trimble menu options separately?
Yes. To use the routines that come with the Trimble™ program in Autodesk Civil Design
2005 software, you need to register and receive an authorization code from Trimble. There
is currently no additional cost for the functionality, and the process is automated using the
web-based registration program. All Trimble commands have been consolidated into one
menu. The menu and functions are available only if you install the Trimble commands
during the installation of Autodesk Land Desktop. Note that certain commands work only if
the Autodesk Civil Design 2005 or Autodesk Survey 2005 product is installed.

4. Consulting, Training, and Support

4.1 Where do I find training courses for Autodesk Civil Design 2005 software?
Training courses are available from both Autodesk Professional Services and Autodesk
Authorized Training Center (ATC®) locations.
Training courses through Autodesk Professional Services include Autodesk Classroom
Training, Autodesk Virtual Classroom Training (online, instructor-led), or custom training to
match your organization’s specific needs. For more information about Autodesk’s training
services, call 415-507-5666 (United States and Canada).
4.2 How do I obtain direct, technical support?
Technical support is available from both Autodesk Professional Services and Autodesk
Authorized Resellers.
Autodesk Subscription members may purchase Autodesk Direct Online Support, which offers
direct communication with Autodesk technical support staff through the web and email to
ask installation, configuration, and troubleshooting questions about Autodesk products. For

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 Autodesk Civil Design 2005 Questions and Answers

complete information, visit www.autodesk.com/subscription or contact your Autodesk

Authorized Reseller.
Autodesk Enterprise Support is a worldwide program that provides expert technical help for
all major Autodesk products from a single source. Autodesk Enterprise Support offers two
levels of support, both of which include technical account supervision and escalation
management. Contact your Autodesk Account Executive or Autodesk Authorized Reseller for
details.
For a complete list of support options by product, visit the Autodesk website at
www.autodesk.com/support.

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San Rafael, CA 94903
USA

Occasionally, Autodesk makes statements regarding planned or future development efforts for our existing or new products and
services. These statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of products, services, or features but
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© 2004 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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