A Civil 3D Coordinator reviews Civil 3D designs and coordinates with team members to ensure successful project completion. In order to work in this role, you’ll need a number of hard skills, including expertise in Autodesk Civil 3D. You’ll also need certain soft skills, such as the ability to communicate well. In addition, you’ll need to gain experience, which will show potential employers that you have the ability to utilize your skills in a professional environment. Keep reading for more information about what you need to become a Civil 3D Coordinator.
What is a Civil 3D Coordinator?
A Civil 3D Coordinator works with a Civil 3D design team to coordinate projects and ensure that they progress smoothly. This role includes a range of different tasks such as administration, communication, data management, research, and scheduling. More specifically, Civil 3D Coordinators provide training, implement standards, ensure compliance, set up workflows, offer technical support, and help protect company data. They work with a variety of different departments and help ensure that there is good communication between various team members. In addition, they communicate status changes with management.
Civil 3D Coordinators have experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, and are proficient in Civil 3D, which is an Autodesk software application used for civil engineering design and documentation. Civil 3D supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows for many different types of civil engineering projects including water, land development, roads, rail, and airports. Civil 3D Coordinators are also skilled in other applications used in civil engineering, such as AutoCAD, Navisworks, and Bluebeam. In addition, they have strong communication skills and can work well as part of a team.
Hard Skills
Civil Engineering Experience
Civil 3D Coordinators work within the field of civil engineering, so If you want to be a 3D Civil Coordinator, you’ll need civil engineering experience. Civil engineering is an engineering discipline that is focused on designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure like roads, pipelines, bridges, tunnels, and airports. Many of the structures that Civil Engineers are responsible for are essential to daily life. An important part of working in this field is understanding the physical environment, since civil engineering projects are a part of that environment. You’ll also need to master a number of concepts that are unique to this civil engineering For example, understanding the different types of materials that are commonly used, knowing about how structures respond to loads, and learning how different types of structures interact with the natural environment.
Civil 3D
As a Civil 3D Coordinator, you’ll be working with Autodesk Civil 3D, which is a software application used for civil engineering design and documentation. Civil 3D supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows for many different types of civil engineering projects including water, land development, roads, rail, and airports. It has a large number of customizable tools that help streamline many common tasks, letting designers work more quickly and efficiently, and make changes easily. Civil 3D is also designed for easy collaboration among team members, and includes the ability to make updates and share them with team members in real-time.
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AutoCAD
AutoCAD is another Autodesk application that is popular in engineering. This computer-aided software design (CAD) program is used to create and edit 2D and 3D models and drawings. AutoCAD is an industry-standard application in a number of different fields including engineering and architecture. While it has its own distinct uses, this application has a lot of similarities with Civil 3D, including the fact that it is designed to make team collaboration easy.
Navisworks
Navisworks is also owned by Autodesk. This is a software application designed for 3D design review and coordination. Navisworks allows users to combine multiple 3D design packages into one 3D model. For instance, they can combine AutoCAD and Civil 3D designs. They can navigate their model in real-time and review it with a variety of tools, including measurements and comments. Navisworks can be used by construction and design professionals to improve BIM projects.
Bluebeam
Civil 3D Coordinators often use Bluebeam too. This is another software application, and it is used by a number of different types of professionals in the construction industry. Bluebeam facilitates creation, collaboration, and communication among members of design and construction teams. This application also allows real-time collaboration.
Soft Skills
Communication
As a Civil 3D Coordinator, you’ll need to communicate regularly with other team members and you’ll also need to communicate with management. This means you’ll need good communication skills, including both written and verbal skills. While some people are naturally good communicators, this soft skill can also be developed through education and practice.
Teamwork
The role of 3D Coordinator involves working as part of a team, so you’ll need strong teamwork skills. For instance, you’ll need to be able to understand the needs of other team members, know how to contribute to the team, and be able to resolve any conflicts that arise. Strong teamwork skills will help you do your job more easily and more effectively.
Organization
In this job, you’ll need to juggle a lot of different tasks and responsibilities, making organization another important soft skill. As with other soft skills like communication, it is possible to develop better organizational skills over time. For instance, you can learn to prioritize, make lists, and keep a calendar.
What Other Jobs Require These Skills?
Civil 3D Designer
A Civil 3D Designer plans and designs detailed 3D models of civil engineering projects with Civil 3D. Civil 3D Designers have strong technical drawing skills, experience with surveying, and an understanding of engineering design standards. Like Civil 3D Coordinators, they are experts in this Civil 3D, have a strong understanding of BIM workflows, and have extensive experience in the field of civil engineering. Unlike Civil 3D Coordinators, they do not have the responsibility of coordinating a team. Instead, they are focused on design.
Engineering Coordinator
An Engineering Coordinator manages engineering projects and a variety of administrative tasks. This job has some similarities with the job of Civil 3D Coordinator, and thus requires many similar skills. Both of these jobs exist within the field of engineering, and they both involve coordinating teams and resources, with a focus on successfully completing projects. Coordinators train and coordinate team members, implement standards and ensure that they are met, set up workflows, and communicate with management. Engineering Coordinators often perform a number of general administrative, accounting, and scheduling tasks as well, while Civil 3D Coordinators are usually focused only on project design in Civil 3D.
AutoCAD Designer
An AutoCAD Designer produces technical 2D and 3D drawings with AutoCAD. These drawings are used by professionals in a variety of construction, engineering, and design fields. AutoCAD designers have many of the same skills as Civil 3D Designers, including strong technical drawing skills, and an understanding of BIM workflows. Many AutoCAD Designers specialize in a specific industry, such as engineering or interior design.
CAD Coordinator
The role of a CAD Coordinator is similar to that of a Civil 3D Coordinator, but it is focused on AutoCAD rather than Civil 3D. CAD Coordinators review work in AutoCAD to make sure that it meets standards and guidelines, provide training to AutoCAD users, and collaborate with project team members in order to help ensure successful project completion. They may also work on drafting if needed.
Civil Engineer
Civil engineering is a field that includes a variety of different infrastructure projects that involve the built and natural environment. Civil Engineers design, construct, and maintain these projects. Examples of civil engineering projects include roads, bridges, highways, and water and energy systems. Civil Engineers have a strong understanding of engineering science and technology, as well as building and construction. In addition, they often have good problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Learn the Skills to Become a Civil 3D Coordinator at Noble Desktop
The Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers a variety of training options for individuals looking to gain the skills needed to become a Civil 3D Coordinator. This school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Its online, self-paced classes allow you to create your own learning schedule. You’ll also be able to get advice and feedback on your submissions and projects, and interact with peers in discussion forums. VDCI classes are approved by Autodesk, Adobe, Trimble, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for elearning.
- VDCI offers three different Civil 3D classes. For each class, the instructor is a licensed Civil Engineer and also an Autodesk Certified Instructor. In Intermediate Civil 3D: Surveying and Mapping, you’ll learn about the surveying and mapping elements and commands in Civil 3D. Covered topics include survey and COGO points, point marker and label styles, point groups, linework code sets, figure prefix databases, survey imports, parcels, sites, parcel labels, TIN surfaces, surface labels, and surface analysis. Intermediate Civil 3D: Transportation Design is focused on the transportation design elements and commands in Civil 3D. Instructors cover alignments, surface profiles, design profiles, and view windows, assemblies, corridors, intersections, sample lines, cross sections, and 3D visualization. The third VDCI option is Intermediate Civil 3D: Land Development. This course covers land development design elements and commands such as drawing template files, data shortcuts, feature lines, grading groups, pipe networks, pressure networks, and paper space.
- VDCI also has a more comprehensive Civil 3D Certificate Program. This nationally accredited program takes a number of months to complete and will equip you with the skills to develop and refurbish public sites and infrastructure systems with Civil 3D. It includes courses in both Civil 3D and AutoCAD. You’ll also take a number of elective courses and work on a capstone project. You’ll be exposed to real-world databases and will learn about file sharing and data management.
- VDCI also offers a variety of AutoCAD classes. In Introduction to AutoCAD, you can learn the basics of this application. You’ll learn about the user interface and basic commands, including drawing, modifying, layering standards, text, dimensioning, and plotting. You’ll create drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, and a floor plan, and will integrate all of the information. Another option is Intermediate AutoCAD, which covers more advanced topics, including file referencing across the project data, user coordinate systems, dynamic viewing, and paper/model space conventions. You’ll create a set of CAD construction documents for a Habitat for Humanity project, including the floor plan, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, and building elevations.
- Another VDCI option is the Essential Skills Bundle. This bundle is a great way to improve your communication, teamwork, collaboration, and self-management skills, all of which are essential if you want to work as a Civil 3D Coordinator. Three classes are included. In Communication and Connection, you’ll learn a variety of communication skills including negotiation and conflict management. You’ll also work on your emotional intelligence and learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Self-Management Skills covers skills such as prioritizing, improving efficiency, focusing on ethics and integrity, and setting goals. Finally, in Teamwork, Collaboration & Leadership, you’ll learn to build collaboration, conduct meetings effectively, inspire other people, and make decisions as a group.
Noble Desktop is another place to learn AutoCAD. This coding and design school is based in New York City and offers live AutoCAD classes either in person or online. This school is licensed by the New York State Education Department and all of its classes come with a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within one year.
- If you’re looking for a shorter course, Noble runs a multi-day class called AutoCAD Level 1, where you can learn to use AutoCAD’s basic drawing and editing tools to create drawings for architectural and mechanical objects. AutoCAD Level 2, is another short option. In this intermediate class, you’ll work on more advanced and technical projects. You’ll also learn how to create templates by setting units, drawing limits, and scales, and how to use the interface to complete advanced layer and block techniques. Noble also offers AutoCAD Level 3, an advanced course where you’ll learn about annotation, dynamic blocks and attributes, collaboration and publishing, and customization. In this class, you’ll learn to execute advanced AutoCAD projects from start to finish as well as how to use the program’s tools to increase efficiency. If you’d like a longer class, Noble also offers the AutoCAD Bootcamp, which is a combination of its beginner and intermediate classes, at a 10 percent discount.
- If you want a more comprehensive AutoCAD course, you might be interested in the AutoCAD Masterclass, where you’ll go from a beginner to an advanced level. This class begins by covering basic skills such as understanding the interface, creating drawings, using object snap tracking, and using editing commands. After that, you’ll learn more complex skills like working with templates and layouts, creating and organizing blocks, and using external references. The course also covers advanced AutoCAD skills, including tables, text objects, attributes, and dynamic blocks. In addition, you’ll work on a variety of projects.
- Another Noble Desktop option is the AutoCAD Certification Program. This is designed for students who want to earn the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting. This program starts with three AutoCAD classes, which are intended to take you from beginner to advanced level. You’ll also receive six hours of private tutoring, where you can work on any difficult skills and make sure you are fully prepared for the exam. After that, you’ll take the Autodesk AutoCAD exam. The exam, proctoring, and a free retake are included in the course fee. If you don’t want to take the exam, you can opt for an extra hour of private tutoring instead.