Civil 3D Survey

Use this skill when working with survey databases, figures, points, networks, equipment, or linework processing in Civil 3D.

API Limitations — Read This First

The Civil 3D Survey subsystem is one of the least-exposed areas in the .NET API. Many operations that are routine in the UI (importing field books, running least squares adjustments, editing equipment databases) have no direct .NET API entry point. The survey database lives outside the drawing in a separate SQLite-based file structure, and most manipulation goes through the Autodesk.Civil.DatabaseServices survey classes or falls back to SendStringToExecute for command-line-only operations.

The primary .NET namespace is Autodesk.Civil.DatabaseServices — survey classes live alongside other Civil 3D objects but have a distinctly different access pattern because the survey database is external to the DWG.

Survey Database Access

Opening the Survey Database

The survey database is a folder-based database separate from the drawing. Access it through CivilDocument: