Label Civil 3D pipes and structures with information imported from text file

Labeling pipe network parts may require access to properties that are not available in the pipe or structure properties window such as standard used, end connection type, valve diameter, valve class, and many other properties depending on the pipe and structure type.

In these situations, User Fields available in the pipe and structure properties window can be used. Note that User Fields are available only when using the iDAS® Pipe Catalog, or when these fields have been implemented in any other custom catalog.

There are several ways to modify User Fields, ranging from simple manual edits to importing values from spreadsheet applications. See the details below.

OPTION 1 - Use Part Properties Window

Open the pipe or structure Properties window and edit the User Fields values directly.

Limitation: Only a single object can be modified at a time.

You may notice that directly above the Structure User Fields are the valve properties. These properties can be used for valves, but at this time they cannot be modified simultaneously for multiple structures, therefore, using User Fields and Option 2 or 3 below is more convenient.

OPTION 2 - Use Edit User Fields dialog

In Devotech iDAS, the Edit User Fields command is available. This command allows to modify User Fields for multiple objects simultaneously.

Extended ribbon

Compact ribbon

The Edit User Fields dialog provides filtering, sorting, and batch operations for efficient User Fields editing. You can select multiple objects and edit all of them simultaneously (right click on a cell and edit value).

OPTION 3 - Use spreadsheet application (Excel) to edit User Fields

The Edit User Fields dialog supports exporting User Fields to a CSV file. The CSV can be edited in a spreadsheet application such as LibreOffice Calc or Microsoft Excel and then imported back into Civil 3D.

This is a very powerful workflow, as it allows importing values from other software or combining data from various spreadsheets with complex calculations.

The User Fields, once defined, can be used for labels and tables in the same way as any other pipe or structure property:

Note

If you use User Fields and want to retain their values when swapping parts, enable Keep part data after swapping.

This option is available only in Devotech iDAS Swap commands. It is not available in the native Civil 3D Swap Pipe or Swap Structure commands.

For a step-by-step demonstration, watch the video below, which shows how to use User Fields for air valves. It also includes an overview of editing structure labels and tables:

This video is also available on our Training Videos webpage, Pipe Networks channel:

https://www.devotechgroup.com/pipe-networks-training