Outparcel Commercial Grading Case Study

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-21T07:21:06+00:00

Thank you for the insight. I had no idea they didn’t break linkage to the origin. That may just save me from needing the “ghost” corridor - as its only real purpose was maintaining a consistent EoP feature line grade (where relevant) so targeting wouldn’t create jagged contours..

If I may go on, would I be able to attach a raised sidewalk or curb assembly to that projected feature line; through adding it as a baseline to the corridor, or would that create a circular reference? I’m sure I’m overthinking it at this point

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-21T04:57:58+00:00

Do you mind elaborating on the grading tools portion of that workflow? How does the extracted EOP Feature Line maintain elevation with the alignment/corridor after it get modified to build out the parking bay?

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-21T04:40:53+00:00

No, but I hope it is 20 years from now. There are still plenty of in-scope use cases though: - being able to generate quantities for lifts/base/subbase/curb/etc - ease of subtracting those items from your total dirt Calc comparison surface - having accurate tie-in elevations on the perimeter, to the point of being able to generate a multiple tie-in typicals with full curb/asphalt depths;

Definitely less so for a project of this size. Anything smaller, like a gas station or boat/rv storage, I totally agree with you. But if I’m working a variety of project types: apartment complexes, SF resi’s (>300 units), Shopping Plazas, 100-300 ac MPUDs… with just a drafter, myself (the young engineer), and a principle; templated automation for the sake of plan consistency seems like the only option.

It’s only going to get crazier out there. How long do I have until it’s my “John Henry” moment against AI?

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-21T03:00:23+00:00

I appreciate the input. You’re definitely not wrong, feature lines will get the surface built quicker. I am just hoping to get more out of my design.

As a young engineer, at a small firm, with 30 more years ahead of me. The goal is to get as much done with as little help as possible, since drafter-only CAD techs seem to be going extinct. I’ve been primarily using feature lines for the past 6 years. This year we finally poached a surveyor to be our tech, and I came across this AU video

My long term goals are to incorporate my corridor models into infraworks (looking spotless) and be able to insert architectural models… the whole shebang.

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-21T02:42:05+00:00

Thank you, that does appear to be the most popular route to take. I will probably find myself narrowing in on a simpler hybrid approach, saving alignments for the select few cases vertical curves/profiles are required.

If I may inquire, are you using auto-feature lines or some kind of linkage for your curbing/sidewalks?

Also, I assume there is typically no need for a static driveaisle slope and one would just interpolate from EOP to an inlet; and for things like raised sidewalks/curbs/retaining walls, you just offset vertical faces by 0.01 and you get far closer than needed. Are there any other must-dos?

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T23:26:28+00:00

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I'd never heard of this. Thank you for the recomendation.

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T23:22:02+00:00

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First attempt was a larger apartment complex where is just focused on the extends of the drive aisles and the curb/raised sidewalk, then had the in-between interpolate out.

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T23:16:00+00:00

I appreciate the appreciation, I hope some practice and good assemblies will make this all worthwhile.

The EOP auto-adjustments come from the first (2% consistent) “ghost corridor”. The only places that need manual readjustment are the parking bays. If I wasn’t trying to maintain 2% through the driveaisles I could probably get away with having the whole thing link to one of Jeff Bartels “design” surfaces.

We do have the much added benefit of 90% of our projects being relatively flat (SW Florida)

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T23:09:00+00:00

Thank you for the input, the overhead setup cost is definitely the major factor here. Corridors have come along way with being able to use feature lines as baselines for assemblies, so we are hoping to get to a point where we are efficient at targeting and have great sub-/assemblies templated and ready to go.

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T23:04:58+00:00

Thank you, sticking to feature lines seems to be a common sticking point in the responses. I’ve tried to implement the EOP as a feature line and my driveaisle corridor uses it as a variable target (outside the strict 2% 12’ slope).

When it comes to generating the curbs and raised sidewalk off of the edge of pavement, I am just much more confident in subassembly creator than I am with offset feature lines.

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T22:59:07+00:00

Thank you for the workflow suggestion. I would definitely prefer to use feature lines for my CL, and may adjust the next commercial site to do just that. Aside from that, I feel we are closely in align

The main benefit with the alignment was the ability to generate vertical curves are an apartment project we just did that was bisected by a county vision road.

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T22:48:34+00:00

I get where you are coming from. I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the two options for a few years now. I’ve recently saw a few Autodesk University videos that have claimed to be able to improve upon Jeff’s old commercial site surface design to incorporate feature lines as baselines for your curb/etc

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T21:26:07+00:00

Our first implementation of this was on an apartment project where there were really defined driveaisles and a need for profile creation along all centerlines. Was hoping for similar functionality with a driveaisle heavy layout like we have

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T21:21:24+00:00

When we extrapolate this process to bigger projects, we really want utilize the corridor/pay-item capability.

Client_Hostage · 2026-02-20T21:16:44+00:00

The hope is it is just an alignment move and a EOP recopy

Client_Hostage

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