Topic: MAP question from C3D

[surveyor_randy]

I have a whole bunch of .shp files for a local municipality from their GIS system.  Initially, I tried creating a new drawing and importing all of the .SHP files but the resulting drawing got massively large and would crash Civil 3D everytime I tried to load it with an 'out of memory error'.

So I created a new drawing, and setup a SHP connection to all of the .SHP files.  I then saved this file as our master GIS file for this particular municipality.

How can I extract a window of data from this file and insert it into a new drawing?  I tried starting a new drawing, creating a rectangle for the area that I needed information from, and then queried the master GIS file and ended up with nothing.  I am assuming this is due to the fact that the data doesn't physically exist inside of the file that is using the SHP connections.

In a nutshell, I am looking for a way to pull a window of linework and the associated data out of the master GIS file and place it into a new drawing.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!  I am using the map functionality of Civil 3D 2009.

Here is my current procedure:
I have individual drawings setup for each .SHP file (ex: one for parcels, one for topography, one for utilities).  I open the main GIS file first (the one that contains connections to all of the .SHP files), zoom to the area I am needing data for, draw a box, cut the box out and paste to original coordinates in a new drawing.  Next, I use Map -> Query and attach the dwg files containing the needed information and execute the query on the polygon.  There has got to be an easier way.

[mjfarrell]

there is an easier way, only you will need or want to change your process as follows


Create a drawing (one each) for the various areas that the GIS data covers. Like by Section, Quarter section, or whatever the logical breakdown of the overall coverage that makes sense import that SHAPE files and create the database/object data records on import. So instead of one(1) master GIS file, you will have them for the Township, range, or section.

Save each of these files and insure they are on the proper coordinate system.

Then open a NEW Map session drawing, attach ALL of the above files, perform a(n) ALL query in preview mode,
then create the correct boundary region, modify the query to use the polygon boundary created above, and Execute to create the MAP of the area of interest.  In this manner you can also NOW use the alter properties functions, and or annotation functions to label the items of interest on import.

This will be your most effective means.

[mjfarrell]

Additionally the drawing with ALL of that GIS data attached can or should be saved as a template, just so you do not need to constantly define and or modify the drawing Set for the queries.

[surveyor_randy]

Great suggestion Michael!  ummmm....  what if I don't live in a public lands state? 

[mjfarrell]

Great suggestion Michael!  ummmm....  what if I don't live in a public lands state? 

Then see sub-part B of my post...Use whatever LOGICAL division of the data that makes some sense.
Do it by District, Parish or even a set number of Wagon Wheels or Leagues for that matter.
One could even group the data sets such that they are congruent with USGS quad Map names and boundaries.

[mjfarrell]

Then see sub-part B of my post...Use whatever LOGICAL division of the data that makes some sense.

Should this prove difficult I stand ready to be of assistance.   

[surveyor_randy]

It seems pretty simple and I've already started working on it.  It's just a shame that you can't window out data from a file created with .SHP connections.  And I spent all that time setting up zoom dependent annotations for the objects as well.  When the economy picks back up again, I'll try to throw you a bone!  Thanks again!

[mjfarrell]

And I spent all that time setting up zoom dependent annotations for the objects as well.  When the economy picks back up again, I'll try to throw you a bone!  Thanks again!

you can still leverage this concept with Map Scales and display thresholds

[mjfarrell]

alternately you folks could serve this data to yourself with an installation of Map Guide (open source)...hmmm