So, you like to use the Bearing and Distance command while drafting in Civil 3D you say? Well, you might want to be aware of a little inconsistency in the command depending on how you run it.
Rick Ellis over at Cadapult Software Solutions (the author of the Civil 3D book we use here at CAD-1) pointed this out to me and I thought it would warrant a blog post. Thanks Rick!
So, here’s the problem, two lines drawn from the same location using the Bearing and Distance transparent command end up with different bearings depending on how you run the Bearing and Distance command.
So, what did I do differently? Well, the bottom line I drew using the Bearing and Distance command by typing ‘BD at the command line (don’t forget the apostrophe). The top line I drew it using the Bearing and Distance command from the Transparent Commands Toolbar (by default on the right side of your drawing area).
This will make more sense if I explain what it is I typed. I start the line command and snap to the center of the circle. I then invoke the Bearing and Distance transparent command using one of the methods listed above (repeat with the other method). I then type “1” for the quadrant, “45.4545” for the bearing, and “100.00” for the distance.
That’s great and all but, which one is wrong? Well, technically, they are both right, they’re just different. When ‘BD is typed at the command line, and you input 45.4545 for the bearing, it sees that as 45o45’45”. when you use the Bearing and Distance command from the toolbar, you are actually using the ‘_BD command and it returns a bearing of 45.4545o which, as you can see in the video, works out to be about 45o27’16”. Neither is wrong, they’re just different.
Here is a video with commentary that I made if you want some additional clarification:
March 27, 2015 at 2:49 pm
I tried both methods, and obtained a singlular result. Hmmm…
March 27, 2015 at 5:39 pm
If you use a whole decimal, you’ll get the same. Also, what version are you using?
April 3, 2015 at 11:49 am
Interest C3D13 does the command the same way no matter which way you do it.. Sounds like a bug.
April 9, 2015 at 11:42 am
Keep an eye on the command line it will tell you the units that it is expecting at the Specify bearing prompt. “Current direction unit: degree, Input: DD.MMSSSS (decimal dms)” or “Current direction unit: degree, Input: decimal” or “Current direction unit: degree, Input: DD°MM’SS.SS” “, depending on the ambient setting for direction.