help with a survey

[eldiego18]

I have this survey 2d .dwg file and there are lots of points with hights writen next to them, anybody know an easy way to create a 3d terrain out of that, or contour lines maybe?
im a user of autocad, but im trying civil 2010 but im new on it. here im attaching an image of the file so you can have a better idea of what im talking about. i think the points are just blocks, if anyone can help would be much apreciate it.

[alanjt]

Create a surface, then add Drawing Objects.

[CarlB]

If you are using plain AutoCAD, no easy way (built-in) to create a surface or contours. Alanjt is using Civil 3D it appears.

-Do you really need a surface/contours? Looks pretty flat, other than the stairs.
-you could calculate contours manually.
-you coud use free program, "site topo". It will be a bit of work to select points for inclusion, create breaklines, etc. But better than manual.

[alanjt]

If you are using plain AutoCAD, no easy way (built-in) to create a surface or contours. Alanjt is using Civil 3D it appears.

-Do you really need a surface/contours? Looks pretty flat, other than the stairs.
-you could calculate contours manually.
-you coud use free program, "site topo". It will be a bit of work to select points for inclusion, create breaklines, etc. But better than manual.

He has Civil 3d.

[ScribbleJ]

If the points do not have an actual Z value to them then your not going to be able to use them to create a surface.

[alanjt]

If the points do not have an actual Z value to them then your not going to be able to use them to create a surface.

Very true. Post an example.

Civil 3D will also convert a lot of objects to points.

[ScribbleJ]

Example as requested. Notice the elevation encompassed in red. That would be an actual Z value. If it said 0.00 then you would have a Z value that cannot be used to create a surface with. Likewise, if blocks have a Z value in the properties of 0 the same would be true.

[alanjt]

Example as requested. Notice the elevation encompassed in red. That would be an actual Z value. If it said 0.00 then you would have a Z value that cannot be used to create a surface with. Likewise, if blocks have a Z value in the properties of 0 the same would be true.


Oops, I meant for eldiego18 to post an example. I know what c3d points are like.

[ScribbleJ]

Oops, I meant for eldiego18 to post an example. I know what c3d points are like.

LMAO
:shock:

I thought you meant an example for eldiego18. :oops: Wowzers... talk about misunderstanding mishaps!

[alanjt]

LMAO
:shock:

I thought you meant an example for eldiego18. :oops: Wowzers... talk about misunderstanding mishaps!
LoL
Talk about communication breakdown. :lol:

[Strix]

where did the drawing originally come from?

was it originally produced on survey software and has it been FLATTENED in AutoCAD?

Before spending a lot of time trying to make it useable for your needs, I'd check there isn't a 3D version available somewhere!

[eldiego18]

thanks guys, yeah i know about points in civil 3d, just figured it would be an easy way to convert those 2d points from autocad to points in civil3d (with a z value)
i zoomed in my image so you guys see the points the actuall full terrain is a lot more abrupt.
any other simple ideas ( even not including civil 3d? what i need finally is a 3d terrain but a surface/mesh or contour lines would do)

[eldiego18]

Strix (http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/member.php?u=614) i got the drawing from a survey enginer but it was flattened already. im sure they have it but it would mean i have to pay...

[eldon]

Looking at the drawing, I would say that it has never been drawn in 3D. The curves are too sweet!

The only way to make it into a 3D model is by hard work helped by a lisp routine or two to help with the repetitive jobs :cry:

I don't know of any short cuts for turning a 2D survey drawing into a 3D ground model, using only the information in the drawing.

[alanjt]

Once again, POST AN EXAMPLE and we can figure something out. Block out a few points and upload a dwg.

[lpseifert]

If the points don't have Z values, this may help (kinda bucolic, no error checking)


;Matches elevation of source text to selected entity, changes color to green; by LPS 2007

(defun c:cet (/ ed el ent)
(command "UCS" "W")
(setq ed (entget (car (nentsel "\nPick elevation text: ")))
el (atof (cdr (assoc 1 ed)))
ent (car(entsel "\nPick entity to change elevation: "))
);setq
(command "change" ent "" "p" "e" el "")
(command "change" ent "" "p" "c" 3 "")
(command "UCS" "P")
(princ)
);defun

[alanjt]

To go along with lpseifert, I wrote this not long ago to help me elevate a bunch of flat contours, based on only having a piece of text with the elevation. It's still a little cumbersome, but it save me a lot of time.


;;; Change polyline eleation based on selected text or entered elevation
;;; Alan J. Thompson, 10.01.09
(defun c:EE (/ #SSList #Elev)
(and
(setq #SSList (AT:SS->List (ssget ":L" '((0 . "*POLYLINE,TEXT"))) T))
(foreach x #SSList
(if (vlax-property-available-p x 'TextString)
(setq #Elev (atof (vla-get-textstring x)))
) ;_ if
T
) ;_ foreach
(or #Elev (setq #Elev (getreal "\nElevation: ")))
(foreach x #SSList
(if (vlax-property-available-p x 'Elevation)
(progn
(vla-put-elevation x #Elev)
(vla-put-color x 3)
(vl-cmdf "_.hideobjects" (vlax-vla-object->ename x) "")
) ;_ progn
) ;_ if
) ;_ foreach
) ;_ and
(princ)
) ;_ defun
Comment out the portion in read if you don't want them to dissapear (temporarily) or don't have Civil 3D.

You'll need this subroutine: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showpost.php?p=271390&postcount=27

[eldiego18]

thanks guys but this is chineese, is that a civil 3d script? i use autocad, but not that familiar with civil 3d i have it and been trying to figured it out, but so far not that much luck, i was trying to poste the actuall dwg file but size limitations dont let me do it, if i can get an email i could...

[lpseifert]

They're lisp routines... see here
http://www.cadtutor.net/faq/questions/28/How+do+I+use+an+AutoLISP+routine%3F

[eldiego18]

i runned your lisp routine in autocad , i runn it and it asked me to select objects, but the points cant be selected. any idea why?

[lpseifert]

I refer you to Post #15

[eldiego18]

here is a DWG with some of this famous points...

[alanjt]

Quick and dirty, but give this a shot:

(defun c:Elevate (/ #SS #Elev #Ins)
(vl-load-com)
(cond
((setq #SS (ssget "_:L" '((0 . "INSERT") (2 . "TCPOINT"))))
(or *AcadDoc* (setq *AcadDoc* (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object))))
(vlax-for x (setq #SS (vla-get-activeselectionset *AcadDoc*))
(foreach a (vlax-safearray->list (vlax-variant-value (vla-getattributes x)))
(if (eq (vla-get-tagstring a) "ALT")
(setq #Elev (vla-get-textstring a))
) ;_ if
) ;_ foreach
(if #Elev
(progn (setq #Ins (vlax-safearray->list (vlax-variant-value (vla-get-insertionpoint x))))
(vla-put-insertionpoint x (vlax-3d-point (list (car #Ins) (cadr #Ins) (atof #Elev))))
) ;_ progn
) ;_ if
) ;_ vlax-for
(vl-catch-all-apply 'vla-delete (list #SS))
)
) ;_ cond
(princ)
) ;_ defun


This will elevate all blocks, then you can create a surface (in C3D) by use of Drawing objects (choose blocks).

[eldiego18]

that actually works! thanks, can you explain me how to create the sruface from this blocks now, or contour lines would be better.
thanks again!

[alanjt]

that actually works! thanks, can you explain me how to create the sruface from this blocks now, or contour lines would be better.
thanks again!

No problem. :)
I'll refer you to post #2: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showpost.php?p=278908&postcount=2


Open ToolSpace, right-click on Surfaces and create new, then add Drawing objects and select blocks from the pull-down. If you want contours, you have to create a surface first.

[eldiego18]

"add drawing objects" is the part i dont get can u explin it like if i was 10 years old? ;-) im a total civil3d beginer

[eldiego18]

o nevermind i got it, now what about teh countour lines?

[alanjt]

o nevermind i got it, now what about teh countour lines?


Turn them on in your style. Did your company give you guys C3D training or at least a book? It's not something you just 'pick up'.

[eldiego18]

no they expect me to do it by hand, ha!
(we r not engeniers) thanks anyway

[alanjt]

no they expect me to do it by hand, ha!
(we r not engeniers) thanks anyway

<shaking head>
No problem. :)

Right-click on your surface, then Edit Surface Style. From there, you can turn on/off contours, points, triangles, etc. and change any settings you wish.

[eldiego18]

i did that all already, what about if i wanna add more detail to my surface like add contourlines every .5 m for example...

[alanjt]

i did that all already, what about if i wanna add more detail to my surface like add contourlines every .5 m for example...

Come on man, do a little digging.:wink:

[eldiego18]

what about if i wanna add more contourlines, like lest say one each .5m

[eldiego18]

awsome! you've been such a great help, now last thing so i dont bother you no more ;)
how do i export this to an earlier vertion of regular cad or to any other extension so i can work on my 3dmodel

[alanjt]

what about if i wanna add more contourlines, like lest say one each .5m

Change the interval as displayed in the above image.

[alanjt]

awsome! you've been such a great help, now last thing so i dont bother you no more ;)
how do i export this to an earlier vertion of regular cad or to any other extension so i can work on my 3dmodel
:) Happy to help.

Look at the export options.

[eldiego18]

thanks! i know that last question was pretty basic, just having a hard time finidng the comands in 2010 vertion. someone need to tell autodesk that we the users are oldschool

[alanjt]

thanks! i know that last question was pretty basic, just having a hard time finidng the comands in 2010 vertion. someone need to tell autodesk that we the users are oldschool

You'll get used to it. :wink: I always hate the new version and miss the previous, until I delve into it and find all the new goodies.