I have been leaning on Ladd too much this past couple weeks, so I have been leaning on the fine folks at Carlson support for these type of questions a bit more. Now I lean on my friends here at beerleg.
Some of my dwg files will be going to ultimately go to a C3D user client of mine. He has the Carlson Connect loaded to convert the points to objects okay.
I have my FLD file settings such that most all my points are set to Locate Pts on Real Z, ASSUMING that is necessary for my client to do surface modeling with those points later.
HOWEVER, when I go into my typical dwg & just do my favorite old ACAD distance command I prefer to see my results in XY only with no Z difference.
Here is the advice I got from tech support:
...try typing DI on the command line - this will allow you to use linework, points or point numbers - it will report both the slope and horizontal distance between the points.
(my response) Thanks, no problem~o. You guys are great!
I have tried that DI, but it does not give me the delta X & delta Y (with a delta Z = zero) that I am used to from AutoCAD. I see the slope info, but I would prefer the delta X & Y...
(tech support) The only way that I can think of to do this is to type .xy before picking each point. If you type .xy, it will prompt you for a z after the pick - just enter 0. This will entail several additional keystrokes so I doubt this will be the solution but I am not aware of anything else.
(me again, here at beerleg.com) I guess my big question revolves around whether or not I really NEED to use that "Real Z" checkbox (I have not yet tried both ways to do any contour modeling yet on my own ?
What is your advice?
Un-check that "Z" box for points and linework. I believe Civil 3D doesn't require the points be on the actual Z value, but not sure, and I know any plain AutoCad commands won't work with the true "Z" value.
For drawings that would require a 3d surface, utilize the dual linework function of field to finish. Keep all of your linework in a 2d format but also create a 3d layer to generate your surface from.
Jason
I personally keep my points on the "real z", at their 3D elevation. We work in a 3D world, this is where the points are in real life, this is where they are on the drawing too.
In regards of your distance question, try typing the command "dist" instead of "di". That should give you the delta's (X,Y,Z), this maybe what you are after. Please see below for example.
:beer:
Command: dist
Specify first point:
Specify second point or [Multiple points]:
Distance = 3.45, Angle in XY Plane = 346d46'52", Angle from XY Plane =
74d50'16"
Delta X = -0.76, Delta Y = 3.24, Delta Z = 0.90
Command: di
Specify distance-angle from [Linework/]?
Northing(Y) Easting(X) Elev(Z)
7468516.91 504220.91 13.73
Pick second point or enter point number:
Northing(Y) Easting(X) Elev(Z)
7468520.15 504220.15 14.63
Slope: 27.10% 3.69:1 15.16° Bearing: N 13d13'8" W Azimuth: 346d46'52"
Horiz Dist: 3.33 Slope Dist: 3.45 Elv Diff: 0.90 Vert Ang: 15d9'44"
I am used to the DIST giving me the Horizontal Distance with a delta Z = zero
Set OSNAPZ to 1.
WE HAVE A WINNER !! ~ TIM REED
OSNAPZ = 1
Yabba Dabba Dooo!
WE HAVE A WINNER !! ~ TIM REED
Don't bet on that one. There is a known issue with the OSNAPZ variable and the Distance command - it will use the 0 elevation for the first pick but the second one will use the elevation of the snap point.
Or just use "I". The inverse command does what you are looking for without having to change any settings or the way you draw. Plus it gives you the bearing between the two points. It also allows you to enter the point numbers instead of having to pick them on the screen.
The inverse command in Carlson is way better than the distance command in AutoCAD/Civil3D/LDT. It is what should be in the latter two.
But, how do I inverse from a point to the end of a line?
Thanks for the tip!
I just created a custom button for inverse.
> But, how do I inverse from a point to the end of a line?
For the point put in the point number, for the line just snap to the endpoint.
> Thanks for the tip!
> I just created a custom button for inverse.
No need really---just hit the "i" button then hit enter, a built in shortcut.
What can I say?...I'm a button guy.
Thanks for the tip, though!
Node snap or enter the point number to end point snap. It works the same as di or dist or distance but gives you usable survey information with the ability to enter the point number from the keyboard.