Data File Types and Storage

Carlson Civil has a similarity to Land Desktop in the use of external files to store design data, but differs significantly in that in Carlson Civil the naming and placement of these files is determined by the user, not the software. Carlson Civil offers three distinct methods of file storage, the choice is up to the end user. Carlson Civil data files can either be placed in a single location, known as a data folder, placed with the drawing they are associated with, or placed in a user-defined folder structure. The placement of files within that structure is also totally user-defined, based on the assignment of file types (extensions) to folders.

File types used by Carlson Civil include:

.crd – Point data, coordinate file

.rw5 – raw survey data, contains all observations

.cl – centerline, describes a 2D alignment

.tin – Surface, newer format, more efficient than .flt in most cases, especially for machine control

.flt – Surface, original format

.grd – Surface grid file, used for volumes

.cfg – Stores configuration settings

.fld – Field to Finish file, stores rules for inserting symbols for points (LDT Description Key functionality) and automated linework functionality (Autodesk Survey Figures equivalent)

.lot – Lot file, stores parcel geometry

.adf – Annotation Default file

.pro – Profile file

.mxs – Section Alignment file

.grp – Point Group definitions

.rdn – Roadway Networks

.sct – Road Sections

.tpl – Road Templates

.rdf – Road Design Files