CivilDesigns

Ch-6 Es. Exercises

Using Alignment Styles

As the name suggests, alignment styles are used to control the appearance and behavior of alignments. By applying different styles, you can visually differentiate between existing centerlines, proposed centerlines, and more. Styles can also be used to represent alignments as other elements, such as property lines or utility lines. Figure 6.1 demonstrates how alignment styles allow different representations within Civil 3D 2025.

Alignment styles affect the appearance of alignments in two main ways. First, they determine which components of the alignment are visible. Second, they control the graphical properties of the displayed components, such as layer, color, and linetype, in Civil 3D 2025.

Exercise 6.1: Apply Alignment Styles

In this exercise, you will use alignment styles to control the appearance of alignments.

  1. Open the drawing Alignment Styles.dwg from video description which you can get at the end of this exercise.
    The drawing contains multiple alignments intended for different purposes. Currently, all alignments appear the same because they use the Standard style.
  2. Zoom in to the alignment representing the centerline of Emerson Road. Select the alignment, right-click, and choose Properties.
  3. Change the style to C-ROAD-CNTR-E, as shown in Figure 6.2.

4: Press Esc to clear the selection. Select the Jordan Court centerline alignment and change its style to C-ROAD-CNTR. This displays the alignment as a simple series of lines and curves on the proposed road centerline layer.

5: Pan south to view the curves in the Jordan Court centerline alignment. Change its style to C-ROAD-CNTR With Markers.

  • This style places markers at key points, including the beginning, end, points of curvature (PCs), points of tangency (PTs), points of reverse curvature (PRCs), and points of intersection (PIs).
  • Line extensions are displayed, extending the tangents to the PI markers. This style provides a polished final plan look but is typically not used for design.

6: Pan south to locate the Madison Lane alignment and change its style to Layout.

7: For alignments running parallel to the Jordan Court centerline and extending along its full length, assign the C-ROAD-RWAY style.

  • This places the alignments on the right-of-way layer, making them appear as property lines.
  1. For the remaining alignments that represent the edges of pavement, change the style to C-ROAD-EDGE.
    • This displays the alignments on the edge-of-pavement layer.
  2. Save and close the drawing.

You can view the completed results by opening Alignment Styles – Complete.dwg. below.
https://www.mediafire.com/file/gwk4up1eow9cskk/Alignment+Styles+-+Complete.dwg/file

For Complete Video Tutorial of this Exercise watch video here:

Applying Alignment Labels and Label Sets

Alignments (and later, profiles) use a special type of annotation applied either to the entire alignment or a specific station range. This annotation updates dynamically as the alignment changes, ensuring accuracy.

There are seven types of alignment labels, but this chapter focuses on three:

  • Major Station Labels: Placed at major station increments, typically including a tick mark and a numerical label.
  • Minor Station Labels: Placed at smaller increments between major stations, usually consisting of tick marks.
  • Geometry Point Labels: Placed at key geometric locations, such as alignment start and end points, and curve locations.

Exercise 6.2: Apply Labels to Alignments

  1. Open the drawing Alignment Labels.dwg which you can get from the video description below.
  2. Click the Jordan Court alignment, then go to the contextual ribbon tab and select Add Labels ➢ Add/Edit Station Labels.

3: In the Alignment Labels dialog box, do the following:

  • Type: Ensure Major Stations is selected.
  • Major Station Label Style: Verify Parallel With Tick is selected, then click Add.
  • Increment: Enter 50 (20) for feet (meters), then click OK.

4: Zoom in and examine the labels.

  • Tick marks and labels should appear at 50-foot (20-meter) increments along the alignment.

5: Click the Jordan Court alignment and relaunch the Add/Edit Station Labels command as in step 2.

6: In the Alignment Labels dialog box, do the following:

  • Type: Select Minor Stations.
  • Minor Station Label Style: Verify Tick is selected, then click Add.
  • Minor Station Increment: Enter 10 (5) for feet (meters), then click OK.

7: Examine the alignment again.

  • Tick marks should now appear at 10-foot (5-meter) increments, with four (three) minor tick marks between major stations.

8: Launch the Add/Edit Station Labels command again as in step 2.
In the Alignment Labels dialog box:

  • Type: Select Geometry Points.
  • Geometry Point Label Style: Verify Perpendicular With Tick And Line is selected, then click Add.
  • In the Geometry Points dialog box, uncheck all options except:
    • Tangent-Curve Intersect
    • Curve-Tangent Intersect
    • Reverse Curve-Curve Intersect
  • Click OK twice to close the dialog boxes.

9: Press Esc to clear the selection.

  • Examine the alignment labels and note the labels placed at Points of Curvature (PCs), Points of Tangency (PTs), and Points of Reverse Curvature (PRCs), as shown in Figure 6.3.
  1. Save and close the drawing.

You can view the completed results by opening Alignment Labels – Complete.dwg. below.
https://www.mediafire.com/file/56tqfgzuuyo7f0q/Alignment+Labels+-+Complete.dwg/file

Watch complete video tutorial for this exercise here:

Using Alignment Label Sets

As you might guess, the collection of labels used in the previous exercise is quite common: station and tick at the major station, just a tick at the minor station, and labels calling out key geometric features. What if you could gather those three label types together in a structured package and apply them all at once? That’s the purpose of a label set.

Exercise 6.3: Leverage Alignment Label Sets

In this exercise, you’ll use an alignment label set to capture the label configuration for Jordan Court and apply it to Madison Lane.

  1. Open the drawing named Alignment Label Sets.dwg which you can download from the video tutorial description below.
  2. Click the Jordan Court alignment, then click Add Labels ➢ Add/Edit Station Labels on the contextual tab of the ribbon.
  3. In the Alignment Labels dialog box, click Save Label Set.
  4. In the Alignment Label Set dialog box, on the Information tab, enter M50 Stations & m10 Ticks & Geometry Points (M20 Stations & m5 Ticks & Geometry Points) in the Name field.
  5. Click OK twice to close the Alignment Label Set dialog box and the Alignment Labels dialog box.
  6. Press Esc to clear the selection of the Jordan Court alignment. Click the Madison Lane alignment, and then click Add Labels ➢ Add/Edit Station Labels on the contextual tab of the ribbon.
  7. In the Alignment Labels dialog box, click Import Label Set.
  8. Select M50 Stations & m10 Ticks & Geometry Points (M20 Stations & m5 Ticks & Geometry Points), and then click OK.
  9. Click OK to close the Alignment Labels dialog box.
  10. Press Esc to clear the selection. Examine the Madison Lane alignment, and note that the label set applied here is the same as the label set applied to Jordan Court.

11: Save and close the drawing.

    You can view the results of successfully completing this exercise by opening Alignment Label Sets – Complete.dwg. below.
    https://www.mediafire.com/file/2y5m9jgcig1mzp8/Alignment+Label+Sets+-+Complete.dwg/file

    Watch Complete Video Tutorial for this Exercise here:

    Editing Alignment Labels

    Working with alignment labels is slightly different from other labels because alignment labels exist in groups. For example, selecting a major station label will highlight all major station labels for the entire alignment. If you need to modify a single label, use the Ctrl key to select an individual label.

    Another type of label modification introduced in this chapter is flipping, which moves a label to the opposite side of the alignment.

    Exercise 6.4: Edit Alignment Labels

    In this exercise, you’ll edit the labels for Jordan Court to move the geometry labels outside the right-of-way lines. You’ll also flip a geometry point label and grip-edit a station label to resolve a conflict.

    1. Open the drawing named Editing Alignment Labels.dwg which you can download from the video tutorial description below.
    2. Click one of the geometry point labels on the Jordan Court alignment. Then, click Edit Label Group on the contextual ribbon tab that appears.
    3. Click in the Style column to the right of Geometry Points. Select Perpendicular With Tick And Line – Offset, and click OK.

    4: Click OK to close the Alignment Labels dialog box, then press Esc to clear the selection.

    5: While holding down the Ctrl key, click the first PC label, then click Flip Label on the ribbon. The label flips to the opposite side of the road.

    6: Zoom to the intersection of Madison Lane and Jordan Court.

    7: Click the 0+00 (0+000) station label of Madison Lane, then click the square grip that appears above the label. Drag the grip to a clear area in the drawing.

    • The station label is now more readable in its new location, with a leader indicating the actual station position.

    8: Save and close the drawing.

      You can view the results of successfully completing this exercise by opening Editing Alignment Labels – Complete.dwg. below.
      https://www.mediafire.com/file/bynah3bh6mcwwpu/Editing+Alignment+Labels+-+Complete.dwg/file

      Watch Complete Video Tutorial here for this Exercise here:

      Dragged State

      In Step 7, when you use a special grip to move a label to a new location, a leader appears automatically. This happens because the leader is enabled in the dragged state configuration of the label style.

      The dragged state can significantly alter the label’s appearance when moved, including:

      • The addition of a leader.
      • Changes in text height or orientation.
      • The appearance of a border around the text.
      • Other formatting adjustments to improve label readability.

      Understanding the dragged state helps in customizing label behavior for better clarity and presentation in Civil 3D 2025.

      Creating Station/Offset Labels

      An alignment is often used as a baseline, allowing other features to define their locations relative to it. This is typically achieved using station/offset notations, and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2025 provides labels to accomplish this. These labels are known as station/offset labels. Unlike label groups, station/offset labels are independent and can display the station and offset of a selected point, along with the alignment name, point coordinates, and other details.

      Station/offset labels can be fixed or floating. Fixed labels retain their position but update station and offset values when the alignment changes. Floating labels maintain their station and offset values and move with the alignment when edited. Like spot elevation labels, station/offset labels include a marker.

      Exercise 6.5: Create Station/Offset Labels

      In this exercise, you’ll add station/offset labels to define road geometry at the intersection of Jordan Court and Madison Lane.

      1. Open the drawing Station Offset Labels.dwg which you can download from the video tutorial description below.
      2. Select the Jordan Court alignment, then go to Add Labels ➢ Station/Offset – Fixed Point on the contextual ribbon.
      3. Hold Shift, right-click, and choose Endpoint.
      4. Click the northern end of the northern arc to create a label referencing Jordan Court.
      5. Hold Shift, right-click, and choose Endpoint again. Click the southern end of the southern arc.
      6. Press Esc twice to exit the command. Now, select the Madison Lane alignment and go to Add Labels ➢ Station/Offset – Fixed Point.
      7. Hold Shift, right-click, and choose Endpoint. Click the western end of the northern arc.
      8. Hold Shift, right-click, and choose Endpoint. Click the western end of the southern arc.
      9. Press Esc twice to exit the labeling command.
      10. Click any label, then drag its square grip to reposition it for better clarity. Repeat for other labels to enhance readability.

      Your final result should resemble Figure 6.6.

      1. Save and close the drawing.
        You can view the results of successfully completing this exercise by opening
        Station Offset Labels – Complete.dwg below.
        https://www.mediafire.com/file/vjhac9brpebaz8w/Station+Offset+Labels+-+Complete.dwg/file

      Watch Complete Video Tutorial for this Exercise here:

      Creating Segment Labels

      So far, you’ve seen label groups that apply to an entire alignment and station/offset labels used for referencing other features. But how do you label individual alignment components? Segment labels provide this functionality, allowing you to display bearings, distances, and curve data. These labels help field crews stake out the alignment and assess its geometric performance.

      Like station/offset labels, segment labels stand alone but can be applied in bulk. For example, you can label all tangent segments of an alignment at once.

      Exercise 6.6: Create Segment Labels

      In this exercise, you’ll add segment labels to define bearing, distance, and curve data for the Madison Lane and Jordan Court alignments.

      1. Open the drawing Segment Labels.dwg which you can download from the video tutorial description below.
      2. Select the Madison Lane alignment, then go to Add Labels ➢ Add Alignment Labels.
      3. In the Add Labels dialog box:
        • Set Label Type to Single Segment.
        • Ensure Line Label Style is Bearing Over Distance.
        • Ensure Curve Label Style is Curve Data, then click Add.
      4. Zoom in and click one of the tangents of Madison Lane to place a bearing and distance label.
      5. Press Esc to end the command, then select the label and click Flip Label on the ribbon to swap its bearing and distance positions.
      6. Select the label again and choose Reverse Label.
      7. Click Add in the Add Labels dialog box, then click the curve and the other tangent of Madison Lane to create two more labels.
      8. Press Esc to finish labeling. Click the curve label, then drag its square grip to a clear location.
      9. In the Add Labels dialog box:
        • Set Label Type to Multiple Segment.
        • Ensure Curve Label Style is Curve Data.
      10. Click Add, then select Jordan Court to label all its tangents and curves.
      11. Move the curve labels for Jordan Court to open areas for better readability (see Figure 6.7).
      12. Save and close the drawing.

      You can view the results of successfully completing this exercise by opening
      Segment Labels – Complete.dwg below.
      https://www.mediafire.com/file/dkw9vdcbaadb073/Segment+Labels+-+Complete.dwg/file

      Watch Complete Video Tutorial here for this Exercise:

      Why Be a Bear about Bearings?

      If you’re new to bearings, they indicate the direction of a line. For example, the eastern tangent of Madison Lane has a bearing of S67°27’02.54″W. This means if you face south and rotate 67° west, you’ll align with the direction of the line. Since there are 90° between south and west, you’ll be facing more west than south.

      Reversing a bearing means facing the opposite direction (N67°27’02.54″E), but the line itself remains unchanged. The key reason for this distinction is that road stationing increases in a set direction (westward for Madison Lane), which defines the alignment’s direction. To maintain consistency, bearing labels should match the alignment direction.

      Using Tag Labels and Tables

      Instead of labeling an alignment directly, tag labels and tables can declutter a drawing, allowing space for other annotations.

      A tag label assigns a number to a curve, tangent, or spiral. Common examples:

      • C1 (Curve)
      • S1 (Spiral)
      • L1 (Tangent)

      Tag labels can be pre-created or converted from regular labels. Often, a mix of tables and in-place labels is used when some alignment segments are too short for direct labeling.

      Due to frequent design changes, tag numbers may not appear sequentially, as Civil 3D assigns the next available number each time a tag label is created. However, the Renumber Tags command allows easy corrections.

      Exercise 6.7: Create Tag Labels

      In this exercise, you’ll create and renumber tag labels for the Jordan Court alignment.

      1. Open the drawing Tag Labels.dwg which you can download from video tutorial description below.
      2. Select the Jordan Court alignment, then go to Add Labels ➢ Add Alignment Labels on the contextual ribbon.
      3. In the Add Labels dialog box:
        • Set Label Type to Multiple Segment.
        • Ensure Circle Tag is selected for both Line Label Style and Curve Label Style.
      4. Click Add, then click anywhere on the Jordan Court alignment.
      5. Press Esc to exit the labeling command.

      As shown in Figure 6.8, curve and line tag labels will appear, but their numbering may be incorrect. The next steps will fix this.

      1. Close the Add Labels dialog box. Click the Jordan Court alignment and select Renumber Tags on the contextual ribbon.
      2. On the command line, type S for Settings, then press Enter.
      3. In the Table Tag Numbering dialog box, set all values to 1, then click OK.
      4. Starting from the beginning of the Jordan Court alignment, click each tag label in order from start to end.
      5. Save and close the drawing.

      To verify the results, open Tag Labels – Complete.dwg below.
      https://www.mediafire.com/file/atz03dedscohgl7/Tag+Labels+-+Complete.dwg/file

      Watch Complete video Tutorial for this Exercise here:

      Creating Tables

      Once you have created all the tag labels and numbered them correctly, you are ready to create a table. Civil 3D 2025 provides four types of alignment tables that can be inserted into a drawing: line, curve, spiral, and segment. A segment table combines the other three table types.

      When creating a table, you have full control over the data included. You can provide data for the entire alignment, filter specific label styles, or manually select labels from the drawing.

      All Civil 3D tables are dynamically linked to the objects they represent. For alignments, any modifications update the table automatically. Additional table entries are created when new tangents, curves, or spirals are added, saving time by eliminating the need to update table values manually.

      Exercise 6.8: Create a Table

      This exercise guides you in creating a table for the tag labels you created and renumbered earlier.

      1. Open the drawing Create Table.dwg which you can download from the Video tutorial description below.
      2. Select the Jordan Court alignment and click Add Tables ➢ Add Segments on the contextual ribbon tab.
      3. In the Alignment Table Creation dialog box, choose Select By Label Or Style.
      4. If label style names are not visible, expand the dialog box by dragging its lower-right corner. Adjust column widths to view full names.
      5. Check the Apply column boxes for Alignment Curve: Circle Tag and Alignment Line: Circle Tag.
      6. Click OK, then place the table in an open area of the drawing. The table will display the geometric data for the alignment(figure 6.9).
      7. Save and close the drawing.

      You can view the results of successfully completing this exercise by opening
      Create Table – Complete.dwg below.
      https://www.mediafire.com/file/2chl36z5zdmp9wf/Create+Table+-+Complete.dwg/file

      Watch Compelte Video Tutorial here for this Exercise:

      Now You Know

      After completing this chapter, you can annotate alignments efficiently. You can apply styles to modify the appearance and content of alignment labels in a drawing. You can also use label groups to manage stationing, tick marks, and geometry points across an alignment.

      By leveraging label sets, you can streamline workflows and apply consistent label configurations to multiple alignments. You can label specific points of interest with station/offset labels and provide additional geometric details using segment labels.

      When drawings become cluttered, tag labels and tables help maintain a clean and organized presentation of alignment data. Now, you are ready to create and modify alignment labels and tables in a production environment.

      ==> Chapter-7 Exercises