There is also an important relationship between objects and labels. Labeling is one of the most time-consuming aspects of preparing a set of construction documents. Although it is a very important part of the process, it really has nothing to do with the design at all. Usually, labels are placed when the design is already complete as a means of communicating the necessary information for constructing the design in the field. The big advantage of the dynamic relationship between objects and labels is that it enables the user to create a single label that is valid for the life of the object. As the object changes, the label changes with it—so the label is always up-to-date and never has to be edited manually. To see how dynamic labels respond when changes are made to the objects they annotate, follow these steps:
- Open Objects and Labels.dwg or (Objects and Labels.dwg (METRIC)) located in the Exercise_02 class data folder. Notice the elevation label, which currently reads 190.02 (57.92).
- Click one of the dark gray contour lines. On the ribbon, click Edit Surface ➢ Paste Surface.
Tips:This step is like using a bulldozer to cut the road into the hillside, causing the elevation to drop about 3 feet (1 meter).
- Select Main Road A FG and click OK. Notice how the label updates and now reads 187.33 (57.07).
- Take note of the station value of 10+95.68 (0+333.96) and the offset value of 68.49L (20.88m L) in the label to the south of the spot elevation. In the top-right viewport, click the road centerline to select it and display its grips. Then click the triangular grip and drag it west to a point near the west edge of the road. After a pause, while Civil 3D rebuilds several aspects of the design, the label updates once more. Since the road is no longer influencing the elevation of this spot, the label reverts to its original value of 190.02 (57.92). The station offset label now displays updated values for station and offset.
Grip editing the alignment.
