Matching Transparent Commands

You may have construction or other geometry in your drawing that you’d like to match with new lines, arcs, circles, alignments, parcel segments, or other entities.

While actively drawing an object that has a radius parameter, such as a circle, an arc, an alignment curve, or a similar object, you can choose the Match Radius transparent command and then select an object in your drawing that has your desired radius. Civil 3D draws the resulting entity with a radius identical to that of the object you chose during the command.

The Match Length transparent command works the same as the Match Radius transparent command except that it matches the length parameter of your chosen object.

Some people find working with transparent commands awkward at first. It feels strange to move your mouse away from the drawing area and click an icon while another command is in progress. If you prefer, each transparent command has a corresponding command-line entry.
Try a few transparent commands to get the feel for how they operate.

1. Open the drawing 0108_Transparent_Commands.dwg or (0108_Transparent_Commands_METRIC.dwg).

2. On the Home tab of the ribbon, click the Draw flyout ➢ 3D Polyline.

3. From the Transparent Commands toolbar, click the Point Number Transparent command.
4. At the Enter Point Number prompt, type 100-112 and press ↲.
   The 3D polyline will connect the points in the drawing.
5. Press Esc once.
   Notice that you are now back in the 3D polyline command with no transparent commands active.
6. Press Esc a second time.
   This will exit the 3D polyline command.

7. On the Insert tab ➢ Block panel ➢ Insert flyout ➢ More Options.
   From the Name pull-down, select the block Fire Hydrant 01.
   You do not need to browse because this block is already defined in this example drawing.
8. Check the Specify On-Screen option for Insertion Point.
9. Uncheck the Explode option.
10. Verify that your settings match what is shown in Figure and click OK.

    Using the Insert command to place a block


11. At the Specify insertion point: prompt, select the Station Offset transparent command.
    You are then prompted to select an alignment.
12. Click the alignment to the south of the site.
    (Hint: Be sure to click the green line rather than the labels.)
13. At the Specify station along alignment: prompt, enter 450’ (175 m) and press ↲.
14. At the Specify station offset: prompt, enter −30’ (−10 m) and press ↲.
You should now see the fire hydrant symbol at the specified station, on the left of the alignment. You can go ahead and save the drawing, and you can compare the final result against the completed file as the name 0108_Transparent_Commands_FINISHED.dwg or (0108_Transparent_Commands_METRIC_FINISHED.dwg).


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Using Transparent Commands
• Standard Transparent Commands
• Matching Transparent Commands