This video shows how to generate contours from LiDAR using Equator, and then how to create a surface in Civil 3D. Contours are a vector data type and are often stored in SHP or DWG formats. Once you have a DEM, you can create other derivative data layers, such as contours. Check out this article to learn more about LiDAR/DEM/Contours and how to create smooth contours in Civil 3D. CAD drawings and blocks for download in dwg or pdf file formats for designing with AutoCAD and other 2D and 3D modeling software. The nice thing about working with DEMs is that the resultant Civil 3D surface will typically produce beautifully smooth contours, which are preferred for many applications (such a presentation material). DEMs are often a raster data type stored in geoTIFF format (which Civil 3D can easily work with). Civil 3D civil engineering design software supports BIM (Building Information Modeling) with integrated features to improve drafting, design, and construction documentation. Includes AutoCAD, specialized toolsets, and more. Method 2 involves simplifying the point cloud by converting it into a model with a desired resolution, e.g. AutoCAD is 2D and 3D CAD software with automation. If you don’t have Recap, or if your Civil 3D is crashing because of massive point clouds, or if you want to save time then method 2 is for you.
Method 2: LAZ to DEM (geoTIFF) to Civil 3D Autodesk Civil 3Dobjects to plain AutoCAD objects and saves the file to either a DWG or a DGN file.
