Topic: Delete overlapping text automatically by weighting

[R_rogerD]

Hi,

I was recommended posting on here by a user of the Autodesk Community Forums. Hopefully, someone may be up for the challenge.... ? 

My task is to 'clean-up' 3D topographic survey drawings. In doing so I need to thin out areas of densely overlapping text. These may not always be on the same layer. I am in search of a routine that will do this for me automatically.

The routine will need to look at each piece of text throughout the drawing in turn and if it's boundary is overlapping another, then cross check with a reference table as to it's weight (importance). The higher the importance, the result being that it remains and the other is deleted. Those with equal weights, it does not matter which remains. The reference table would need to be created by the user beforehand but would remain the same for all occasions and so could be stored locally as a text file etc.

Anyone know of anything that can do this, or fancy having a go?

If you need any further info, please give me a shout.

Many thanks.

Rroger_D

[mjfarrell]

do you have access to MAP?

the MAP display manager could do this....

[mjfarrell]

post a sample of the file, I would like to see what's what with it

[R_rogerD]

Hi,

I have attached files:

1) word doc showing before and after screen shots and
2) an extract dwg file to play with.

Hope this helps

Thanks.

[ronjonp]

You need to include the 'reference table'.

[mjfarrell]

this file is being produced from what application?

as it is topo survey>>>is it coming from Civil3d?

there may be other solutions to the issue other than deleting labels

[mjfarrell]

below partial proof of concept using MAP and Display Manager to control point elevation labels...

[mjfarrell]

with the above the hierarchy of what is shown or not shown is controlled by view zoom level/ and the order the items are in
the display manager list - also items with same level of 'importance' can be grouped
and as was discussed earlier can be exported as a(n) autocad file fr those not having MAP and
the ability to attach to the database(s)

yes I converted your points to databases - the line work could similarly be controlled as well
and nothing is deleted thus maintaining the integrity of the data

[R_rogerD]

Wow!

Certainly cleaned up. Not quite the final presentation that we are used to presenting but certainly presentable. What is MAP and Display Manager? Is this part of AutoCAD or is it a separate purchase bolt-on?

The data I believe has originally come from LisCAD. I used to use SCC for Windows which I know has the deleting functionality. I may purchase a licence and then import from Acad, delete the text and re-export back to Acad. I was rather hoping for an Acad version for ease really.

Re ronjonp's request, I don't currently have the reference table. It'd simply be a list of text layers with values alongside them. 'Must not delete = 999'; down to 'not important = 1'.

Big thanks for everyone's input thus far.

Cheers.

Rroger_D

[mjfarrell]

MAP 3D is a flavour or Autocad....
The workflow would be fairly easy to explain to you...
And possible you might be able to complete the task at hand with a 'trial' version.

That might then prove it's value to those that write the cheques


The proof of concept...was pretty quick and dirty
there is a bit more styling one can do with those labels and symbols

[mjfarrell]

I want to make it very clear

NO DATA is being DELETED in the method I've shown.

Map simply decides what can and or cant be shown at map view scale
and then omits labels that would overlap.

So, if one did a detail view of a particular area ALL data that was there would show up
and in other plan view windows those items that would bee 'clutter' are simply dissolved.

[R_rogerD]

Many thanks mjfarrell. I'll look into a trial version for starters.

I don't know Lisps at all but I assume that to write a routine would be quite an onerous process?

Just asking?

Rroger_D

[Jeff H]

If importance can be filtered by layer then you can lock important layers, and repeat if needed with least important layer unlocked using the
TSPACEINVADERS command.

[R_rogerD]

Hi Jeff H,

Sounds reasonable. Unfortunately, it does not appear to choose between deleting or not deleting a piece of text when on the same layer or of the same weighting.

I am looking at writing my own Lisp at the moment.

Thanks anyway.

R