To master the 2016 version, focus on these five foundational areas:

: This is the heart of Civil 3D. It manages your project data (Points, Surfaces, Alignments). If you don't see it, type PALETTES or look for the Toolspace button on the Home tab.

: Combine alignments, profiles, and subassemblies (cross-sections) to create a complex 3D model of a roadway or channel.

: Design gravity or pressure pipe systems, including manholes and catch basins, with automatic labeling. 3. Writing and Annotating

Writing in Civil 3D is different than standard AutoCAD because labels are often "smart" and linked to data: