CAD/D

This section contains general information and documentation that could be useful at multiple stages of the design process.

PDF Documentation

CAD/D Documentation Introduction updated May 9, 2025

MicroStation  Documentation updated May 9, 2025

CAD/D Basics

Drawing Level Standards

Seed Files

AccuDraw Shortcuts

MicroStation Connect Drawing Names

OpenRoads Designer Drawing Names

Geographic Coordinate System

VBA Macros & Utility Programs

Specialized Tasks

Using Bing Maps

Working with Shape Files

Creating DXF Files For Construction

Tips for Creating Color Plans & Public Hearing Plans

Working With LiDAR Data

• Part 1 - Acquiring LiDAR Data
• Part 2 - Creating a Terrain from LiDAR Data
• Part 3 - Creating Complex Terrain

NHDOT CAD/D documentation for survey and design procedures primarily using OpenRoads Designer for developing roadway layouts and 3D models of proposed projects. The links from here will inform the reader of the various components in this process.

Survey

OpenRoads Survey Feature Codes

OpenRoads Designer Documentation (Survey) updated May 13, 2025

Extracting Drainage and Utility Information updated November 21, 2024

Survey Processing Checklist

Converting 2D Elements to 3D Features (draping to get 3D elevations)

Design

Horizontal and Vertical Geometry

Generating Alignment Reports

Corridors

Corridor Design Stages

Proposed Terrain Models

Drainage & Utilities - Proposed Drainage

Drainage & Utilities - Utility Poles

Cut Sheet Creation - Plans

Cut Sheet Creation - Profiles

Cut Sheet Creation - Cross Sections - 2023

Cut Sheet Creation - Cross Sections-21R2

Cut Sheet Creation - Drainage Profiles

Data from External Sources

Creating a Rock Surface from Sections

Production Tools

Creating Contours for Plans from Terrain

Creating Features from ENV and ROW Elements  added March 14, 2025

Displaying Dynamic Cross Sections

Upgrading to ORD 2023

Welcome to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation CAD/D File Library.

CAD/D workspace setup for MicroStation & OpenRoads Designer 2023

nhdot-workspace_ms-ord_2023.zip  407 MB.  Updated March 27, 2025.
Civil seed files, feature libraries, roadway templates, macros and other associated files for MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer 2023. For help installing the workspace, see the "read me" file included within the download.

2023-seed-project.zip  3.8 MB. Updated December 27, 2024.
Sample seed project for MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer 2023.  

CAD/D workspace setup for MicroStation update 16 & OpenRoads Designer 2021-Release 2

nhdot-workspace_ms16_ord2021-r2.zip 133 MB.  Updated March 26, 2024.
Civil seed files, feature libraries, roadway templates, macros and other associated files for MicroStation update 16 and OpenRoads Designer 2021-Release 2.

2021-r1-2_connect-seed-project.zip  3.5 MB.
Sample seed project for MicroStation update 16 and OpenRoads Designer 2021-Release 2.

For help installing the workspace, see nhdot_connect-installation-readme.pdf

NHDOT CAD/D Procedures and Requirements

This document lists the current procedures and requirements to be used when drafting NHDOT CAD/D projects.

2025 CAD/D Procedures & Requirements

Previous versions of NHDOT CAD/D standards.

CAD/D Standards Archives

Excel sheet to create OpenRoads Designer parametric constraints for developing guardrail platforms.

Excel sheet to calculate culvert elevations for placement in OpenRoads Designer.

ACEC-NHDOT CADD User Group, June 20, 2025

The next ACEC & NHDOT CADD User Group Meeting will an in-person event at NHDOT Headquarters, 7 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH from 9:00 am until noon.  No virtual option will be available.

Meeting agenda:

• File Management, Structure and Federation - This session will present some different approaches to file management for projects of various sizes and share best practices.  Attendees are encouraged to inform the audience about their own experiences and practices.
• Group Roundtable - Training - Inform your peers about how your organization trains new staff to use CAD/D software.
• Break
• Plan Set Management - Two approaches to preparing plan sets will be presented.  Attendees are encouraged to share their own experiences in this area.
• Group Roundtable - Pain Points - What challenges do you experience while using OpenRoads Designer?  This is your opportunity to convey solutions & share best practices to help others conquer these difficulties.

ACEC-NHDOT CADD User Group, January 24, 2025

The ACEC & NHDOT CADD Steering Committee hosted this meeting using Microsoft Teams.  

Meeting Agenda:

• Review Updates to NHDOT's CAD/D Workspace and ADCMS Grant - Bill Caswell, NHDOT
• Drainage Profiles - Eric Milliken, NHDOT
• Estimating Tools Demos - Aidan Cleaves, VHB & Eric Milliken, NHDOT
• VTrans Colchester Project – E-delivery and Models as a Legal Document (MALD) - Jeff Bachiochi, VHB & Andrew Lemieux, VTrans
• Questions & Discussion 

A recording of the meeting is available to NHDOT staff and design consultants.

ACEC-NHDOT CADD User Group, August 2, 2024

Meeting Presentation Slides