How to create Data Shortcuts in Civil 3D

Using Data Shortcuts

Data shortcuts are basically used when it is required to reference Civil 3D objects (such as Alignments, Surface, Profiles, Profile Views, Pipe Networks, Pressure Networks, etc) from a drawing to another drawing (or we can say one Civil 3D file to another Civil 3D file).

The first step to use data shortcuts is to make a separate folder in your projects folder or any other location with a rememberable name, such as "River Analysis Project Data Shortcuts"

Now we can follow these steps to use Data Shortcuts

Steps to create Data Shortcut from a Drawing

1. Data Shortcuts -> Right Click -> Set Working Folder Now select the folder which we just created "River Analysis Project Data Shortcuts" This is the folder in which we will be storing our data shortcuts project folder (also referred to as Data Shortcuts Project) Note: You can find the Data Shortcuts under the prospector tab of the toolspace.

2. Data Shortcuts -> Right Click -> New Data Shortcuts Project Folder Give it a name, say "Data Shortcuts Project" and press Ok

3. Data Shortcuts -> Set Data Shortcut Folder -> Select the folder which we just created in Step 2 and press Ok

4. Data Shortcuts -> Associate Project to Current Drawing Working Folder -> It is the same folder which we set in Step 1 Select Project -> It is the same folder which we created in Step 2 Click Ok

5. Data Shortcuts -> Right Click -> Create Data Shortcuts Now select the Civil 3D objects which we want to expose from this drawing as data shortcut Select Civil 3D object such as Alignment, Surface or Pipe Network (it is recommended to rename the Civil 3D object from the prospector tab, in order to identify the network later) Click Ok -> Now the shortcut is created

You can confirm this expanding the particular Civil 3D object type under the Data shortcuts

Steps to add data from a Data Shortcut in a Drawing

1. Data Shortcuts -> Right Click -> Set Working Folder It is the same folder which we have created in Step 1 of "Steps to create Data Shortcuts from a Drawing"

2. Data Shortcuts -> Right Click -> Associate Project to Current Drawing Select Working Folder and Data Shortcut Project Now you have access to all the Civil 3D objects available in the Data Shortcut Project

3. Data Shortcuts -> Expand Surface -> Go to Surface -> Right Click -> Create Reference -> Click Ok

Now the network is available in your drawing.