Contour problems Carlson to LDD 2004

Were the contours on the original Carlson file?

My suggestion would be to explode the original 2000 dwg, then save it. Then insert it into a 'good' seed drawing and explode it again.

PS -Remember, you never really finish a drawing...you just run out of money.

paden cash,

No there were no contours in the original. It's generating them that is causing me fits. I will add you suggestions to the things I've tried so far.

Thanks

I Would Not Blame Carlson ACAD 2004

I use it evey day, and it makes contours quick and slick. All for creating contours should ahve been inserted at the Z elevation, which is my default. As an alternate you can put all points at 0 elevation and then just create 3D nodes at elevation. The node is all Carlson needs, Suppose I have a gap in shots it is possible to just create a 3D node, without a point name or description.

First do a list on the screen points to see how they were drawn. You may have to create an ascii point file and then use that to recreate LDD points.

Without your describing the problem there is another option. I worked at a firm that when taking elevations shots if they did not want the shot for elevation gave it a 999' rod height. It had a rediculous elevation that had to be removed because any elevation other than zero affects contouring. Look to see if that is the case in your drawing. When taking laser shots I also tell my data collector not to store an elevation. But then sometimes I return to regular mode and forget to turn elevations back on, I always have my raw data to calculate an elevation.

Exactly describe your problem please?

Paul in PA

I don't have Carlson, but with AutoCAD and LDD I NEVER, EVER, EVER open someone else's file! I always create a new file and insert theirs into mine. Don't often have problems...

I've had the same types of problems with drawings "saved down" in autocadd. When I get a saved down drawing I make a blank drawing with a new point file. I then block out what I want from the "saved down" drawing and then import it into the blank drawing. That usually works.

OK, first of all I am using LLD 2004. The client is saving the file down to 2000 format in Carlson. He says that is his default setting. When I opened his file (R2000) I get an error that says it was created by a "newer" version. Really?

Anyway, I used his drawing because I was unable to insert ALL of the objects in ACAD. Some were missing. Went to another computer with LDD 2007. Drawing opens up OK, but when I import points in 2004 version. The points were not automatically inserted into the drawing. Likewise when I remove the points, I still have to "erase them from the project". I have to go back and Insert AFTER import and erase AFTER remove command. It's really screwy. Never had an issue like this before.

There were points in the drawing with 0.00 and negative values (which I did not create but came from another surveyor's file) which I removed and erased. When I go to the contour command it seems to be pulling my contours to those points even though they have been removed. Aaarghh! Sorry had to let loose a bit. I have a series of contour lines inches from each other at 1-foot intervals whilst there is only one point node there. It acts as if there is a series of points in a small area. This happens after I go to create breaklines on my ditches and related items. If I don't use the breaklines, then of course, the contours cross where they shouldn't.

I keep thinking it's something silly that I'm doing, but I haven't had this specific problem before. I'm no CAD expert, but I know how to get around it pretty well (normally). 😛
Thanks to all who have responded.

At Jim, I tried that but could not copy some of the title block items. That's why I decide to use that drawing file instead. I had a similar issue with a previous drawing (Carlson), but did not have to provide contours on that one. I managed to work around that one. They seem to open up OK in 2007 and/or 2008, but still trying to learn LDD companion 2008. All my express toolbars are still not loaded. Another problem for another day.

Cheers!

You Probably Have 3D Nodes That Separated From The Points

The drawing creator may have rather screwy settings, so you erase the point and it's attributes the nodes are still left behind. Find them and erase them. If not bring the point file into a clean drawing, create your contours and take the contours back to the drawing you are forced to work in. Screwy settings can take more time to correct than any other drawing problems.

You should also list a few points in the drawing and compare the Z value against the point elevation in the file. The previous user may have change elevations in the drawing without updating the coordinate file.

Paul in PA

I have had similar problems working with EP (&Icad) Sometimes with my own drawing. I have tried previously to export all of the point to txt file, and wipe all of the points out, explode things, and delete all layers and purge everything that I could. I would then start a new drawing and import the linework I needed, and then import the txt file for points. A pain in the butt, but sometimes it does work. Somtimes it doesn't too. The newest ACad doesn't play well with others all the time.

If you'd care to send me the drawing, I'll take a look and see if I can help figure out what is going on. You mentioned LDT 2004... there is/was an obscure bug in AutoCAD 2004 which involved rather strange block behavior if the first attribute of a block was on a layer which is/was frozen. Part of the behavior is/was described at http://www.cadalyst.com/gis/bug-watch-october-2003-8336 . I witnessed other odd behavior involving a first attribute frozen scenario but don't recall much of the specifics to make an accurate report here.

Without a physical examination of the drawing, the only suggestion I can offer would be to thaw and turn on all layers and then WBLOCK the desired entities for your work to a new DWG and see if that helps the situation. Otherwise, feel free to zip and send the dwg to lnelsonATcarlsonswDOTcom.

--
Ladd Nelson

That MAY be part of one of my problems right there. I tried to Wblock and some of the stuff didn't come over. Hmmm. I'll have a look into it. This is on no way a slap at Carlson, I'm actually thinking of purchasing a copy (when finances allow).

Also, I do believe it has something to do with LDD 2004. Some of the issues are not apparent when I use 2007 and Civil 3D to open the drawing.

If all else fails, I will send it over to you to dissect.

Thanks Ladd