{
 "categories": [
  "cad",
  "aec",
  "engineering"
 ],
 "deployment": "desktop",
 "evidence": [
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "homepage",
   "note": "Autodesk presents Civil 3D as commercial civil-infrastructure CAD for roads, rail, site, drainage, survey, and corridor work in a 3D model-based environment, and currently sells Civil 3D 2027 subscriptions.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "platforms",
   "note": "The product FAQ states that Autodesk Civil 3D runs on Microsoft Windows.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "license",
   "note": "Civil 3D is sold as a commercial named-user subscription with monthly, annual, and three-year terms, plus a Flex pay-as-you-go option.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "status",
   "note": "The current product page sells Civil 3D 2027, names a trial-to-subscription path, and lists What's new in Civil 3D 2027.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.api.exists",
   "note": "Autodesk Platform Services publishes a Civil 3D API overview covering .NET plugins, a legacy COM/VBA API, a C++ Custom Draw API, an installed samples directory, and developer and .NET API reference guides.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[0]",
   "note": "Autodesk states that developers write Civil 3D plug-ins in any .NET language to work with drawing elements, create custom commands, and access core software functionality.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[1]",
   "note": "Autodesk documents a COM API for VBA macros run from the command line and for clients in managed .NET or unmanaged C++. The VBA IDE is not included in Civil 3D.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[2]",
   "note": "The Custom Draw API is a C++ extension of the AutoCAD ObjectARX API for customizing how Civil 3D renders objects. The AutoCAD .NET Overrule API can be used for Civil 3D objects.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.api.coverage",
   "note": "The 2026 developer guide states that the .NET API does not expose all Civil 3D functionality and exposes less than COM. Sites and parcels, data bands, some labels, and pipe interference checks (except styles) remain COM-only unless reached through interop.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-DevGuide/files/GUID-DD447A5A-DF8B-4905-8BFC-4CBFA1C7C121.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.api.coverage",
   "note": "The APS Automation API overview names Revit, AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Inventor, and Fusion engines and does not list a Civil 3D engine.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/automation-api",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.api.docs",
   "note": "Opened as Autodesk's current public Civil 3D API index. Autodesk points to a developer guide for .NET and COM samples and to a .NET API reference for the object list.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.exists",
   "note": "Autodesk states that AutoCAD ObjectARX and AutoCAD Map ObjectARX SDK applications run in Civil 3D, that Civil 3D does not expose its own ObjectARX API, and that Civil 3D-specific samples ship with the product.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.official",
   "note": "Autodesk's 2026 Civil 3D help documents first-party .NET Core plugin development, including Visual Studio 2022 17.8, the .NET 8 SDK, and migration from .NET Framework.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-DevGuide/files/GUID-E6657034-71E5-4753-8AFD-139DC612B86D.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.languages[0]",
   "note": "The .NET API is documented for any .NET language. The 2026 Dynamo node sample is a C# class library referencing AeccDbMgd.dll.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.languages[1]",
   "note": "Custom Draw is documented as C++. COM clients can be unmanaged C++.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.mcp.first_party",
   "note": "The official Civil 3D API overview documents .NET, COM/VBA, and Custom Draw. It does not declare a first-party MCP server or the absence of one, so first_party stays unknown.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[0]",
   "note": "Plug-ins in any .NET language are the documented primary extension path.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[1]",
   "note": "COM/VBA macros and COM clients are a documented extension path. VBA support is present; the IDE is a separate download.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[2]",
   "note": "Custom Draw is the documented C++ rendering-extension path.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[3]",
   "note": "The product page documents design automation via visual programming to generate scripts for repetitive and complex tasks. Civil 3D 2026 help separately documents Dynamo on the Manage tab Visual Programming panel.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[3]",
   "note": "Civil 3D 2026 Dynamo help shows custom C# nodes that call Autodesk.Civil.DatabaseServices types and load through Dynamo's Import Library command.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-Dynamo/files/Civil3D_Dynamo_API_Script_Example_COGO_Point_Generation_html.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.export[0]",
   "note": "The 2026 Dynamo sample project is a Civil 3D DWG (CoGoPoints.dwg). Civil 3D APIs create and modify drawing database objects in that native format.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-Dynamo/files/Civil3D_Dynamo_API_Script_Example_COGO_Point_Generation_html.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.import[0]",
   "note": "The same 2026 sample opens a Civil 3D DWG before running the Dynamo graph.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-Dynamo/files/Civil3D_Dynamo_API_Script_Example_COGO_Point_Generation_html.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "modalities.rpa.ui_stack",
   "note": "Civil 3D is documented as a Microsoft Windows desktop application. No repeatable UI-automation probe was run, so drivability stays unknown.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "verdict.scores.api",
   "note": "The official .NET, COM, Custom Draw, and Dynamo stack is broad, documented, and practical for agents that can load a licensed Windows session. Partial .NET coverage, COM-only domains, no Civil 3D APS engine, and version-coupled binaries keep the score in the 7 band rather than 8-10.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[0].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as Autodesk's current Civil 3D product page, including Civil 3D 2027, Windows FAQ, subscription terms, and visual-programming design automation.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[1].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as Autodesk's current Civil 3D API and SDK index.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[2].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as current Civil 3D 2026 .NET Core plugin-development guidance.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-DevGuide/files/GUID-E6657034-71E5-4753-8AFD-139DC612B86D.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[3].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as current Civil 3D 2026 documentation of .NET versus COM coverage gaps.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-DevGuide/files/GUID-DD447A5A-DF8B-4905-8BFC-4CBFA1C7C121.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-02",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[4].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as the current APS Automation engine list; Civil 3D is not named.",
   "source": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/automation-api",
   "tier": "declared"
  }
 ],
 "freshness": {
  "last_verified": "2026-09-02",
  "volatility": "medium",
  "watch": [
   {
    "type": "docs",
    "url": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview"
   },
   {
    "type": "sdk",
    "url": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d"
   },
   {
    "type": "docs",
    "url": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-DevGuide/files/GUID-E6657034-71E5-4753-8AFD-139DC612B86D.htm"
   },
   {
    "type": "docs",
    "url": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/Civil3D-DevGuide/files/GUID-DD447A5A-DF8B-4905-8BFC-4CBFA1C7C121.htm"
   },
   {
    "type": "cloud-api",
    "url": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/automation-api"
   }
  ]
 },
 "homepage": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/civil-3d/overview",
 "id": "autodesk-civil-3d",
 "license": "commercial",
 "modalities": {
  "agent_docs": {
   "llms_txt": "unknown"
  },
  "api": {
   "auth": [],
   "coverage": "partial",
   "docs": "https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/civil-3d",
   "exists": true,
   "kinds": [
    "dotnet-in-process",
    "com",
    "custom-draw"
   ]
  },
  "cli": {
   "exists": "unknown"
  },
  "computer_use": {
   "issues": [],
   "viability": "unknown"
  },
  "data_access": {
   "export": [
    "dwg"
   ],
   "import": [
    "dwg"
   ]
  },
  "extensibility": {
   "scripting": [
    "dotnet-plugins",
    "com-vba",
    "custom-draw",
    "dynamo"
   ],
   "webhooks": "unknown"
  },
  "integrations": {
   "make": "unknown",
   "n8n": "unknown",
   "power_automate": "unknown",
   "zapier": "unknown"
  },
  "mcp": {
   "first_party": "unknown",
   "third_party": [],
   "verdict": "unknown"
  },
  "rpa": {
   "drivability": "unknown",
   "notes": "No repeatable UI probe was run. The .NET plugin API, legacy COM/VBA API, Custom Draw API, and Dynamo visual-programming graphs provide supported object-model control without visually driving the Windows desktop. Computer-use viability is not inferred from the native UI.\n",
   "ui_stack": [
    "windows-native"
   ],
   "vendor_support": []
  },
  "sdk": {
   "exists": true,
   "languages": [
    "csharp",
    "cpp"
   ],
   "official": true
  }
 },
 "name": "Autodesk Civil 3D",
 "platforms": [
  "windows"
 ],
 "related": {
  "alternatives": [
   "autocad",
   "revit",
   "autodesk-navisworks"
  ],
  "our_products": []
 },
 "schema_version": 1,
 "score_version": 1,
 "status": "active",
 "vendor": "Autodesk",
 "verdict": {
  "best_path": "api",
  "scores": {
   "api": 7,
   "cli": null,
   "computer_use": null,
   "integrations": null,
   "mcp": null,
   "overall": 7,
   "rpa": null
  },
  "summary": "Autodesk Civil 3D is automatable today through first-party desktop APIs on a licensed Windows session, not through a documented Civil 3D REST API or a Civil 3D Autodesk Platform Services Automation engine. Autodesk documents .NET plugins in any .NET language, a legacy COM API for VBA macros and managed or unmanaged clients, and a C++ Custom Draw API that extends AutoCAD ObjectARX rendering. Civil 3D does not expose its own ObjectARX API; applications built with the AutoCAD or AutoCAD Map ObjectARX SDK run inside Civil 3D. The 2026 developer guide states that the .NET API exposes less than COM: sites and parcels, data bands, some labels, and pipe interference checks remain COM-only unless reached through interop. From the 2025 release Civil 3D supports modern .NET; the 2026 help names Visual Studio 2022 17.8 and the .NET 8 SDK. Dynamo is a first-party visual-programming surface that can call the same managed APIs and load custom C# node libraries. The path is Windows-only, license-gated, and version-coupled. APS Automation lists AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, 3ds Max, and Fusion engines and does not name Civil 3D. No first-party MCP, named low-code connector, general CLI, or computer-use result was established. This record is Civil 3D desktop. It is not AutoCAD, Revit, Autodesk Navisworks, or InfraWorks.\n"
 }
}