metadata / custom attributes

[jwkilgore]

I tried a couple of searches but came up empty. Plus, this problem involves other software. But I'm crossing my fingers and posting anyway.

 

On my current project the client wants us to show property lines and Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN) on our civil drawings. We received the property information as a SHP file consisting of polygons for each piece of property with extra info attached as metadata. I've tried multiple methods for converting from SHP to DXF/DWG, and all result in plain polygons with metadata stripped.

 

Is there any way to extract the metadata from the SHP polygons and convert it to text in an AutoCAD file? If this were a small project we'd just type in the text, but we're looking at many thousands of properties and were hoping for a more efficient method.

 

We have AutoCAD 2007 (we actually have the latest version, but IT refuses to install because it isn't compatible with custom third-party software written for certain clients). I also have access to Civil 3D, Land Desktop, ArcGIS, Microstation, PLS-CADD, and ExpertGPS Pro (the later two used to convert from SHP to DXF).

 

Thanks in advance,

Jason

[ScribbleJ]

If you have AutoCad Map 3D your in good shape because the data can be imported with it. It can be found in the pull down menu: Map>Tools>Import.

 

Once you execute this command a dialog box will open up with many fields in it. Click in the Data field and a button will appear to the right of the field with three dots. Click it and then select the radio button 'Create object data'.

 

This will then import all the database fields with your shapes.

 

One other thing to consider. In the main Import dialog box check the box Import polygons as closed polylines. If you don't the shapes will be filled with a solid hatch. Unless of course you prefer they were filled then ignore it.

[jwkilgore]

Thanks for the reply, but unfortunately Map 3D is one piece of software we do not have. I'll keep it in mind, though... if we don't find another solution we can always download a trial version.

[lpseifert]

Thanks for the reply, but unfortunately Map 3D is one piece of software we do not have. I'll keep it in mind, though... if we don't find another solution we can always download a trial version.

If you have access to Civil 3D you have access to Map 3D; I'm fairly sure it's installed automatically with Civil 3D. There should be a Workspace for it.

[ScribbleJ]

If you have access to Civil 3D you have access to Map 3D; I'm fairly sure it's installed automatically with Civil 3D. There should be a Workspace for it.

 

This is an correct statement. Civil 3D was built on the Map 3D interface. I didn't even think of that. Thanks for adding that lpseifert.

[jwkilgore]

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, it turns out that Civil 3D does have Map included. But the one guy with that software in this office (most of that work is done in another office) couldn't get the data, even following the above instructions.

 

Actually, it turns out that our GIS guy had already successfully pulled the information out before I made the post. He thought he'd failed because he couldn't see the text when he opened the DXF. But I played with the file late yesterday and it turns out the text was just black (not white/black, it was actually color=0,0,0). All it took was a simple color change.

 

So thanks again, and I hop to learn a lot from this board!