Object Enabler for Viewing and Manipulating AutoCAD Civil 3D Files

Issue

You regularly receive files from AutoCAD Civil 3D and often need to view and manipulate 3D objects in these drawings.

Having an issue with increased or bloated file size in drawings that originated in, or have Xrefs that originated in, AutoCAD Civil 3D? Solution

Solution

Step 1: Download and install the Civil Object Enabler

1. The Civil Object Enabler allows you to open and complete work in 3D drawings that originate from AutoCAD Civil 3D. You can download it for free directly from Autodesk for the version of Civil 3D you're working with:

• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2025
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2024
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2023
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2022
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2021
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2020
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2019
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2018
• Object Enabler for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2017

The AutoCAD Proxy system only allows viewing Civil 3D objects – and then only if the file was saved with the proxies turned on. With the Object Enabler installed, you can both view and manipulate the Civil 3D objects – and regardless of the proxy setting when the file was saved.

Step 2: Verify that you can see Proxy Objects

Type Op in the Command line and press Enter to open the CAD Options dialog box. Select the Open and Save tab.

Under ObjectARX Applications, make the following selections from the menus:

• Object detect and command invoke
• Show proxy graphics

Close AutoCAD or F/X CAD, then re-open your drawing. You should now be able to see and edit 3D objects such as contour lines and labels.