Generate Solids Between TIN Surfaces with Dynamo for Civil 3D

Civil3D
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1

Hello @Paolo_Emilio_Serra1

I am working in the geotechnical department of a big company as CAD/BIM technician.
I got a lot of tasks regarding to generate solids between surfaces.
This year I got the opportunity to install Civil 3D 2021 + Dynamo so it feels that finally I should solve it.
I have found an interesting video here from your training:

I am new with dynamo, so I am learning, finding good examples to apply in my work.
I have tried to script your Dynamo’s nodes and also I have written the entire Python’s code (in the node Python Script).

I got an issue when I run the code:
Warning: IronPythonEvaluator.EvaluateIronPythonScript operation failed.
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “”, line 37, in
ImportError: Cannot import name Messagebox

Do you know how I can solve it?

I have sent to you the .dyn via message. I hope you got it. Some images below:

Slide1
Slide11280×720 147 KB

Thank you so much!

Regards, Davide Bonfante

2

Hi,

Please check for the Civil3DToolkit package also from @Paolo_Emilio_Serra1 to install it in Dynamo.
There you will find the nodes to create solids from TIN surfaces.

Regards,

3

Hello!

Thank you for your answer!
I have installed it.

My task is not to create a solid from a surface but I am going to create a solid between two surfaces, starting from a polyline as boundary.

The error now is:
Warning: IronPythonEvaluator.EvaluateIronPythonScript operation failed.
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “”, line 232, in
File “”, line 205, in create_solids
StandardError: Cannot create a PolySurface from an empty list

Error
Error1269×756 226 KB

I attach the nodes I have created following the example in the video:
TinSurfaces.dyn (18.4 KB)

How can I solve it?
It is really identical to the example in the video but it doesn’t work.
This process would be really important in our design.

Thank you everybody!

Regards, Davide

4

Capture
Capture426×235 7.21 KB

5

You’ve made a typo.
Python is case sensitive.
Use MessageBox instead of Messagbox

6

@e.winter Thank you! I have already written Messagebox (look the picture).

The code that I have written is identical to the code of @Paolo_Emilio_Serra1

7

@zachri.jensen It seems interesting! Can you please show an example about how it works?
Do you mean that this node replace the python script?

Thank you!

Regards, Davide

8

Re-read what @e.winter suggested. Python is case-sensitive. You’ve typed Messagebox but it should be MessageBox.

Solids

I’d actually say it the other way. Your Python node is replacing something that already exists :wink:

9

@zachri.jensen that is amazing! I am on my way to office. As soon as I get to the office I try it.

I take the opportunity for questions.

  1. The python script would make also possible to create a boundary (fo example a “close” polyline) and extrude only the surface’s portion delimited to the selected boundary. Is it still possible with this node? Is it “path” maybe?
    PS of course I should cut the surface from Civil 3D but I am curious about it :relaxed:

  2. Can I get the area & volume of the new generated solid between the two surfaces?

Regards, Davide

10

  1. I haven’t tried the path, not sure if it works like this, but you can create a temporary surface by cropping the tin surface, using it to create the solids, and then delete it if you don’t need it :

    image
    image1627×659 169 KB

  2. Yes you can get the volume using standard geometry nodes :
    Report volumes

The area as well you just need to select the faces for this.

11

Thank you so much for helping me! I really appreciate your support, it helps me to understand the approach! I wish you a good week!

12

Hi, I tried creating solids using this nodes.
Warning: TinSurfaceExtensions.CreateSolidsAtSurface operation failed.
Method not found: ‘Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.ObjectIdCollection Autodesk.Civil.DatabaseServices.TinSurface.CreateSolidsAtSurfaceToFile(Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.ObjectId, System.String, UInt16, System.String ByRef)’.

Got this error, can you let me know what this is ?

13

You likely need to update Civil 3D.

14

I have the same error, are you using 2021?

15

I think you need to be running Civil 3D 2020.4 at a minimum for those nodes to work.

16

Thanks Zachri, I’m using 2021 so I’m not sure what the issue could be.

17

I would just try to update as far as you can with Civil 3D 2021. The last update was 2021.3.