AutoCad Civil 3d for Grading

Is there anybody out there using Civil 3d for site grading?  I’ve been trying to learn the basics, but it seems as though all I can accomplish is overly simplistic grading such as required for paved parking lots, generic detention ponds, etc.  I would like to push my grading processes into the 21st century, but it feels like I am grading with a 5000 ft wide bulldozer when using Civil 3d!  Has anybody been able to achieve subtle microtopographical grading results with this tool?  It is so alluring because it seems like it might reduce the amount basic calculations required for simple tasks such as grading a sidewalk to ADA standards, but it sure seems to kill the art of shaping the land.  What are your thoughts?  Do any of you know of any tutorials that go beyond the cube?