Topic: import points from 07 to 10

[drizzt]

One of the surveyors here has a LDT 07 file with a huge number of points. He has them all organized into seperate layers and colors for his use. Is there a way to import these points into Civil3D 2010 and keep the layer / colors etc...

[mjfarrell]

One of the surveyors here has a LDT 07 file with a huge number of points. He has them all organized into seperate layers and colors for his use. Is there a way to import these points into Civil3D 2010 and keep the layer / colors etc...

Back up the File...

Open it in Civil 3D....and leave them alone...all will remain GOOD....

If you convert them to C3D points...Points>>>Create>>>Convert Softdesk Point Blocks....AND you do NOT have your Description Keys completely set up up....they will MUTATE on you in undesirable ways...

unless you toggle off the Points Creation Settings Expand the drop Down Chevrons on upper right and set the Poit Creation Parameters to Match Description Paramters  FALSE, and Disable Description Keys to TRUE

and have a nice day...

or if you ONLY want to use those points in a surface, bring them in under the surface definition collection (browse to the Project Name/Points.mdb file you want) POINT FILES and move forward.

[mjfarrell]

although...the Label components...portion of the Point Style/Point Label Style will limit you to one layer

[drizzt]

This will save the layers the points are on??

[mjfarrell]

This will save the layers the points are on??

IF you open it as a file...and turn off the Description Key stuff...they will look just like the cad objects they are in Land....only after that IF you convert them...the label portion skacks you backwards and forces use of single layer for ALL label components within that style....

(I think the SINCPAK amends to this function) SINC?

so if you just want them pretty layers and colors...for cad....leave them in autocad...DONT CONVERT to point objects, and don't apply DESCKEYS

if you need their 'data' for a surface...I would use the old project point MDB file....and only insert them into the surface definition


clear as crude oil, right?
if you need them

[drizzt]

actually that makes sense. I could just xref the 07 file into a 10 file, convert the points, and if I need to see the colors / layers i could look at the xref. To take it a step further, I could create point groups to match the layer / colors in 07, then I would be able to control visibiltiy.... right?

[mjfarrell]

actually that makes sense. I could just xref the 07 file into a 10 file, convert the points, and if I need to see the colors / layers i could look at the xref. To take it a step further, I could create point groups to match the layer / colors in 07, then I would be able to control visibiltiy.... right?

exactly...with the condional exception...that the point label style is style going to place ALL label components in that style on a singel layer.

You wouldd be best to move away from Layer Visibilty thinking...

and turn towards the light of Object Style(s) controling the visibility....with the additional optional control of layer if desired....

ortherwise remember If one doesn't like the way something looks or what is displayed withing C3D, give it a NEW style that behaves as desired....

And for point groups display control...remember that the order they appear hear controls how the user sees what point style...use arroews to oder point groups as desired

[sinc]

You wouldd be best to move away from Layer Visibilty thinking...

and turn towards the light of Object Style(s) controling the visibility....with the additional optional control of layer if desired....

ortherwise remember If one doesn't like the way something looks or what is displayed withing C3D, give it a NEW style that behaves as desired....

I actually don't agree with that, completely.

I don't view it as an either/or choice.  By contrast, we use layers and styles in conjunction, to gain an extreme amount of control over visibility.  We regularly use BOTH layers and styles to achieve our desired effects.

So while the Styles are important, we don't consider them a "replacement" for layers.

[drizzt]

Sinc,

when you convert the points from 07, how do you get them onto a desired layer?

[mjfarrell]

SINC I think we agree that Style is First and Layer is a(n) Additional control. 

[sinc]

Sinc,

when you convert the points from 07, how do you get them onto a desired layer?

It's never come up for us.  We've been using C3D since 2007 was the current release.

[drizzt]

It's never come up for us.  We've been using C3D since 2007 was the current release.

Even whith LDT 2007 and Civil3D 10?

[Jeff_M]

From the help for "Convert LDT Points":

To keep the existing layers referenced by the Land Desktop points, select Preserve Original Point Layer.
Note When this check box is checked, the existing layer of the Land Desktop point is assigned to the AutoCAD Civil 3D point when it is converted. If the Points Creation\Disable Description Keys setting is set to False, and the Land Desktop point matches a description key, the original point layer will still be preserved.

[drizzt]

dOUGH I should have checked the help!!! :ugly:

[mjfarrell]

From the help for "Convert LDT Points":

To keep the existing layers referenced by the Land Desktop points, select Preserve Original Point Layer.
Note When this check box is checked, the existing layer of the Land Desktop point is assigned to the AutoCAD Civil 3D point when it is converted. If the Points Creation\Disable Description Keys setting is set to False, and the Land Desktop point matches a description key, the original point layer will still be preserved.

thanks Jeff...I'm wondering how I've missed seeing that option....as it's been around awhile too...

I need to get out and work on some real projects for a while I guess.