Import pipe network from SHP file to Civil 3D with and without iDAS

When importing pipe networks from an SHP file with the standard Civil 3D command, the pipe diameter mapping might not work the best. Several reasons for this may be: multiple pipe materials, nominal diameters not matching available sizes, various network types in one file, etc. You might end up swapping the pipes manually to assign the correct diameter, which can be very time-consuming.

If you have iDAS 12.4 Update 1 or a newer iDAS version, then you can use iDAS command Import Shapefile:

This command offers a lot of functionality, such as data preview, filtering by attributes, mapping part families, assigning the elevations etc.:

If you want to know more about how to use this command, you can watch bulk water video Import services from SHP file:

https://www.devotechgroup.com/bulk-water-training?wix-vod-video-id=c8514dc6948a47a7b67a5abf404a961a&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jck6l0rb

Workflow without iDAS Import Shapefile command

If you cannot use iDAS Import Shapefile command, then you can use other iDAS functionality which allows swapping the pipes based on the text representing the pipe diameter (the text must be close to the pipe center point).

Watch the video below on the entire workflow, from importing SHP file and filtering the data to swapping the pipe diameters to the correct sizes. The example below shows how to create a gas pipe network, but the workflow can be used for any network type (stormwater, sewer, water reticulation or any utility network).

This video is also available on our Training on Demand site, Pipe Networks channel.