Break line into equal distanced segments

[awolcott]

I have searched throughout the forums, both Microstation and AutoCAD and can't find anything of this manner.

I have a line. I must break this line into segments of equal distance, say 10 nautical miles, which at my location is .3177. My X,Y is in lat/long. So basically X=.3177 and/or Y=.3177 is also equal to 10NMs.

Is it possible to break my single continuous line into separate elements which are equidistant in length, and then delete every other line, so as to emulate a dashed line?

I would use line types, however I must export the data to a program which will display individual, solid lines, but does not support line types. I have to show these lines as "dashed", with the dashes 10NMs in length with 10NMs between each one.

Thanks.

Andrew

[BlackBox]

If using AutoCAD, consider the MEASURE and DIVIDE commands.

[the ber]

You can use MEASURE to divide your line into specified lengths, but it will still be a line, and you might not see the division points. I think it would be easier to use ARRAY: draw one line at the correct length, and then select ARRAY. You then specify how many "rows" or "columns" you want, depending upon which axis your line is on. The spacing should be double your line length, or .6354. You can prevue your lines before you accept them.

[BlackBox]

I do not know many projects where there is a 10NM 'straight line'.

Instead, the two commands mentioned can place points, or blocks at the specified intervals, and then the line may be manually 'broken' at each accordingly.

[SLW210]

Is this a Microstation or AutoCAD question?

I think I once ran across a LISP or a request for a LISP to change a dashed linetype to individual lines.

[awolcott]

You can use MEASURE to divide your line into specified lengths, but it will still be a line, and you might not see the division points. I think it would be easier to use ARRAY: draw one line at the correct length, and then select ARRAY. You then specify how many "rows" or "columns" you want, depending upon which axis your line is on. The spacing should be double your line length, or .6354. You can prevue your lines before you accept them.

I'll give this a shot. I know there is a way, but as with all things that are worth doing, they are worth doing well. Doing them well however takes a bit of time! LOL. Thanks!

If using AutoCAD, consider the MEASURE and DIVIDE commands.

I do not know many projects where there is a 10NM 'straight line'.

Instead, the two commands mentioned can place points, or blocks at the specified intervals, and then the line may be manually 'broken' at each accordingly.

You are right taking into consideration the curvature of the earth. However, the data I am working from has been converted to DXF directly from a lat/long text file source. So, when converted back the lines do place correctly, since the program uses a simple projection system; 60NMs per degree of Latitude, and 42.66 NMs per degree of longitude.

Of course this had to be taken from the point of tangency of a 386,319 sq. mile area

Anyhow I've played around with the above commands, but as I have nearly 100 lines to do this with, this may become a time consuming adventure LOL.

Thanks for the replies!

Andrew

[awolcott]

Is this a Microstation or AutoCAD question?

I think I once ran across a LISP or a request for a LISP to change a dashed linetype to individual lines.

Microstation specifically, as I prefer to work in Microstation, V8i. However, AutoCAD pointers are an option as well. I would prefer those to be PM'ed, or otherwise split from this thread and placed in the appropriate AutoCAD forum.

[BlackBox]

I prefer to work in Microstation, V8i.

... I just threw up in my mouth a little.

[awolcott]

You can use MEASURE to divide your line into specified lengths, but it will still be a line, and you might not see the division points. I think it would be easier to use ARRAY: draw one line at the correct length, and then select ARRAY. You then specify how many "rows" or "columns" you want, depending upon which axis your line is on. The spacing should be double your line length, or .6354. You can prevue your lines before you accept them.

Okay I tried the path array method in AutoCad. It works, but only if I draw the line to be arrayed in the same orientation as the original line(path) to be followed.

Next up is to try the measure function in Autocad.

[awolcott]

... I just threw up in my mouth a little.

LOL. Don't get me wrong, as I am new to both. But for my purposes I find Microstation to be somewhat more user friendly. However, I find that to accomplish my goals I generally bounce back and forth between Microstation and AutoCAD.