The Figure Prefix Database

The figure prefix database is used to translate descriptions in the field to lines in CAD. These survey-generated lines are called figures. If a description matches a listing in the figure prefix database, the figure is assigned the properties and style dictated by the database (see Figure).

The Figure Prefix Database Manager.

The Figure Prefix Database Manager contains these columns:

Name

The figure name is important because it must match the description used by the surveyor in the imported survey file. For example, if the surveyor collects points along the back of curb using the description BC, then there must be a figure name called BC in the figure prefix database in order to create linework or figures with those points using the properties specified in the database. If the figure name doesn’t match up with a figure prefix, the linework will be drawn using default settings specified on the Settings tab.

Breakline

Placing a check mark in this column will allow you to flag a figure as a breakline. The most powerful use of this setting is the Create Breaklines command on the context menu of the Figures collection located within the survey database on the Toolspace ➢ Survey tab. Figures with this setting on can be added to the definition of a surface model. Even if you don’t flag a figure as a breakline, you can still add it to a surface model manually

Lot Line

This column specifies whether the figure should behave as a parcel segment. If a closed area is formed with figures of this kind, a parcel is formed automatically.

Layer

This column specifies the insertion layer of the figure. If the layer already exists in the drawing, the figure will be placed on that layer. If the layer does not exist in the drawing, the layer will be created and the figure placed on the newly created layer. In the case of the latter, you may need to manually reset the layer properties so your figures display according to your standards. In the case where an incoming figure name doesn’t match up with a figure prefix, the newly created figure will be placed on the layer specified for Survey Figure on the Object Layer tab of Drawing Settings. Drawing Settings were discussed in Drawing Settings.

Style

This column specifies the style to be used for each figure. Figure styles will override color and linetype of the insertion layer if the style layer is set to something other than Layer 0.

Site

This column specifies which site the figures should reside on when inserted into the drawing. As with previous settings, if the site exists in the drawing, the figure will be inserted into that site. If the site does not exist in the drawing, a site will be created with that name, and the figure will be inserted into the newly created site.

Remember that figure prefix databases are not drawing specific. The only reason a drawing is needed is to access the styles that the figures will use.

You’ll explore these settings in a practical exercise:

1. Open the drawing 0201_SurveySetup.dwg or (0201_SurveySetup_METRIC.dwg).
   This file contains the survey figure styles needed to complete this exercise.
2. In Toolspace ➢ Survey tab, right-click Figure Prefix Databases and select New. The New Figure Prefix Database dialog opens.
3. Enter Mastering Civil 3D in the Name text box and click OK to dismiss the dialog. If you expand the Figure Prefix Database listing, you will see the Mastering Civil 3D entry.
4. Right-click the newly created Mastering Civil 3D figure prefix database and select Manage Figure Prefix Database.
   The Figure Prefix Database Manager will appear.
5. Select the white + symbol in the upper-left corner of the Figure Prefix Database Manager to create a new figure prefix.
6. Click the default name, Sample, and change the name of the figure prefix to BB (for Bottom of Bank).
7. Click the check box next to the word No in the Breakline column. This will turn into a Yes, indicating that it will contain the breakline property.
   Leave the box in the Lot Line column unchecked so that the figure will not be treated as a parcel segment.
8. In the Layer column, select V-SURV-FIGR.
9. In the Style column, select BB.
10. In the Site column, leave the name of the site set to Survey Site.

11. Complete the figure prefix database with the values shown in Table 1.
    Table 1.  Figure settings.

    Name	Breakline	Lot Line	Layer	Style	Site
    BLDG	No	No	V-SURV-FIGR	BLDG	SURVEY SITE
    CL	Yes	No	V-SURV-FIGR	CL	SURVEY SITE
    DL	Yes	No	V-SURV-FIGR	DL	SURVEY SITE
    DW	Yes	No	V-SURV-FIGR	DW	SURVEY SITE
    EC	Yes	No	V-SURV-FIGR	EC	SURVEY SITE
    EG	Yes	No	V-SURV-FIGR	EG	SURVEY SITE
    EP	Yes	No	V-SURV-FIGR	EP	SURVEY SITE
    PPE	No	No	V-SURV-FIGR	ELEC	SURVEY SITE
    PROP	No	Yes	V-SURV-FIGR	PROP	SURVEY SITE
    TB	No	No	V-SURV-FIGR	TB	SURVEY SITE

    Hint: For figures with similar properties, select a figure definition already in the database and then use the Copy Figure Prefix button.
12. Click OK to dismiss the Figure Prefix Database Manager.

Keep this drawing open to use in the next portion of the exercise.
You can choose whether lines are automatically formed in the linework code set when they match one of these figure prefixes.

Setting Up the Databases

• Survey Database Defaults
• The Equipment Database
• The Figure Prefix Database
• The Linework Code Set Database