Macro for moving x,y coordinates to new z coordinate

[2Dcad]

Hello:
I need to Macro hundreds of x, y coordinates that will be the same to a new y coordinate that are mostly different.
I am using AutoCad 2007 LT.
Thanks

[Raggi_Thor]

Do you mean to a new z coordinate?
Can you explain a little further.
Are you moving a lot of objects with different z value to one new z value?

[2Dcad]

Yes:
I have several different elevations that will become one elevation which still have the same x/y cooridnates but the new z coordinate, or elevation.
Example: I have a cross-section of a four mile canal that will begin at a water elevation that was chosen for volacity characteristcs in which I need to start, then I will figure the sq. ft. area. At the present there are over 400 points to start from. I am trying to let the program do it faster.

[Raggi_Thor]

In Acad 2008 and in Bricscad (and probably other Intellicad based programs) you have a command called FLATTEN. Both programs use the current UCS and move all coordinates to the x-y plane. Bricscad also asks for a new elevation! In AutoCAD you have to make a new UCS and then Flatten, or Flatten first and then move all objects to the desired z value.

I dont know if this works in LT and in 2007.

[Alan Cullen]

It can be done quite easily with a lisp routine. Yell if you want me to knock one up for you, and tell me if the points are actually nodes, or blocks, or what. And tell me what other entities are on the drawing that you want to change the Z value of.

[fuccaro]

It can be done quite easily with a lisp routine. Alan
2DCad uses AutoCAD LT. Unless he install an extender he will be unable to use lisp:(

[Alan Cullen]

Aaaahhh, my bad. I missed that. Oh well, back to the drawing board. :(

[lpseifert]

Select the points you want to change the z value (Qselect or Filter may help); in Properties edit the Z Position... or

If you want to move the points a relative distance use the Move command:
Command: MOVE

Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 6 found
Select objects:
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>: 0,0,0
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>: @0,0,400

This example moved the selection set 400 units in the Z direction.

[Raggi_Thor]

Yes, and if you first use FLATTEN to move all objects from different z values down to the ground plane, then it should be OK.
But I assume Flatten is only in acad full version (and Bricscad)?

[Alan Cullen]

Raggi_Thor,

Looks like you also got caught in my lack of observation.....no FLATTEN in LT. Oh well, back to the drawing board for both of us. :D

[lpseifert]

Here's a trick to change selected objects to a Z value of 0, no matter what the original Z value is. If you select "All" it will "flatten" the entire drawing (works in LT).

Command: MOVE
Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 4 found
Select objects:
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>: 0,0,0
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>: 0,0,1E99
Command: M
MOVE
Select objects: P
4 found
Select objects:
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>: 0,0,0
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>: 0,0,-1E99

[Raggi_Thor]

Yes, but you may ave noticed that I am a fan of LT Extender :)

[riga]

Here's a trick to change selected objects to a Z value of 0, no matter what the original Z value is. If you select "All" it will "flatten" the entire drawing (works in LT).

Command: MOVE
Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 4 found
Select objects:
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>: 0,0,0
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>: 0,0,1E99
Command: M
MOVE
Select objects: P
4 found
Select objects:
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>: 0,0,0
Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>: 0,0,-1E99

Great tricks, but with this file doesn't work. No Idea why.
With flatten I get the result but with your trick no way
Do you have any idea about the reasons?

[SEANT]

I think the reason is that those arcs are not only at different elevations but also misaligned from the WCS. If the units of the drawing are change to show five decimal places, the non standard Normals will show in the Properties Window.

Another confirmation: FLATTEN will produce Ellipses

[Raggi_Thor]

Another trick is to plot the file to a dxb (binary dxf).
Then you have a flat drawing and can move from there.

[riga]

Another trick is to plot the file to a dxb (binary dxf).
Then you have a flat drawing and can move from there.

Right, or export a wmf file (wmfout) and then import the file in a new drawing. Same result

Seant, that is probably the reason. Some drawings has problem even with the command flatten