Terry Dotson with Dotsoft actually wrote a piece of software in briscad that hunts for all crd files in a directory or directories and writes a csv file with all the points found . I was able to import them into MS Access and isolate all the points I wanted based on description. Also included in the csv file, was the directory location, so I can report were the point is in the directory. I have imported all the points into Google earth and can now see were my jobs are graphically for the last 12 years, since we started putting the jobs on State Grid coords. This method does have limitations since you can have multiple crd files in a job but I can print out a map and a coord list and sort it out later for the final file.
Nice!
can you post a screen shot of how it looks?
This KML File is small example (two made up points) of how it should look in Google Earth. Need to add extended fields to points (in ACAD/BCAD, Civil3D already has UDP) to display a link to the source file information when you click the point in GE.
The program doesn't look like much now since it's not finished. Plan to add DWG (and other coordinate) files to the harvester, it could scan an entire drive of drawings and collect point blocks (or AECC_COGO_POINT objects). Output could be a CSV file for other apps or go straight to a KML file in Google Earth.
> This KML File is small example (two made up points) of how it should look in Google Earth. Need to add extended fields to points (in ACAD/BCAD, Civil3D already has UDP) to display a link to the source file information when you click the point in GE.
>
> The program doesn't look like much now since it's not finished. Plan to add DWG (and other coordinate) files to the harvester, it could scan an entire drive of drawings and collect point blocks (or AECC_COGO_POINT objects). Output could be a CSV file for other apps or go straight to a KML file in Google Earth.
This sounds great!
We collect GIS data using Carlson SurvCE. The coordinate data is stored in the CRD file but the GIS info is stored in the VTT file(named the same as the CRD just with a different extension). Would your software be able to fetch the attribute information from the VTT file?
Here is a sample VTT file or would the points have to be point blocks in a drawing? What if the point block has multiple description fields?
Any idea when this will be available?
Sorry, didn't mean to play 20 questions here...just a little excited 😀
No problem on the VTT file, looks like additional point attributes. I suppose the referenced .GIS files are templates (for field prompting) but they would not need to be read since the .VTT contains the field names.
The harvester will be designed to work with drawing files *or* coordinate files. There is a need to establish the coordinate system (if exporting to KML), a master designation if all found files are on the same system, which is entirely possible for a surveyor working in one region. In cases where CRD file systems differ a .PRJ or something will be needed.
Feel free to email me dotson [at] dotsoft [dot] com. Consider attaching the corresponding CRD (and any other files) and let me know the coordinate system. I will send you the .KML file for inspection.
It grabbed around 45,000 points for this year in a heartbeat . Then sort out what I need, with MS Access .Then out to google earth. Google earth file was to large to post.
Hey Arc,
would you be able to post the "brother" CRD file to that GIS file? Or better yet, the pair of the RW5 and the VTT files would be the most ideal situation to try.
I've been hoping to find just that kind of file to do exactly what Terry mentioned: Add those GIS attributes to a C3D point using UDP's.
You game?
craig
RW5 CRD VTT
Here are the files.
Let me know how it goes. I have a client that would love to be able to use my VTT info on his points in C3D.
Good luck! 😀
Hi arc,
Thanks very much. I've got the files, and using carlson Xport I converted them out to .txt file and a fbk file. not that the FBK will be useful, but I'll give er a go. This will keep me busy in Civil3D for a while. I'll absolutely post any progress I make.
Craig
This drawing has a few points directly imported, no manual entry, edit, etc. The VTT is being read and Civil3D CogoPoints show the UDP info.
Unless I'm missing something I don't care for the C3D way of showing the data in PROPS, it shows all classifications even though no data (in the secondary classifications) was assigned to the point?
> This drawing has a few points directly imported, no manual entry, edit, etc. The VTT is being read and Civil3D CogoPoints show the UDP info.
>
> Unless I'm missing something I don't care for the C3D way of showing the data in PROPS, it shows all classifications even though no data (in the secondary classifications) was assigned to the point?
I don't have C3D. We're in the process of getting approval from the boss to get it. Could you post some screenshots?
This image shows a collection of small captures. Upper left is the settings showing the classifications that came in during an import of points 5,8-10. A full import would have created a lot more classifications. The bottom is the grid showing all the extended data.
On the right is the bottom of the PROPS dialog with point 5 selected. What I don't understand is why Civil3D shows the "IR" class when point 5 is a "MON". No "IR" data was assigned to point 5. I suppose it's so the user could assign "IR" data to point 5 if they wanted to, but there should (and may be) a setting somewhere (Civil3d has LOTS of settings) to show only classes actually assigned data. On the full import the PROPS dialog scrolls all the empty classes (looks confusing).
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One thing in your VTT file I didn't understand was the use of "RANGEPTS".
PT_ID:RANGEPTS263- GIS_FILE:fnc_line.gis
FNC_MAT,BARBED WIRE
FNC_STRANDSHEIGHT,5 STRANDS SLICK
FNC_NOTES,
PT_ID:263 GIS_FILE:fnc_line.gis
FNC_MAT,BARBED WIRE
FNC_STRANDSHEIGHT,5 STRANDS SLICK
FNC_NOTES,
It gave the impression that data should be applied to all points from 263 on up, but at a glance they don't all look like fence posts (for example septic)?
This KML file shows those points in Google Earth. If you click a point you will see the VTT data. Because Civil3D returns data for all classes, we added a toggle to "[ ] Include records with no value data". When turned off it doesn't clutter the GE panel with irrelevant information.
One thing in your VTT file I didn't understand was the use of "RANGEPTS".
PT_ID:RANGEPTS263- GIS_FILE:fnc_line.gis
FNC_MAT,BARBED WIRE
FNC_STRANDSHEIGHT,5 STRANDS SLICK
FNC_NOTES,
PT_ID:263 GIS_FILE:fnc_line.gis
FNC_MAT,BARBED WIRE
FNC_STRANDSHEIGHT,5 STRANDS SLICK
FNC_NOTES,
It gave the impression that data should be applied to all points from 263 on up, but at a glance they don't all look like fence posts (for example septic)?
The rangepoints are for linework. I just sent carlson a feature request to specify which points are used in the linework entry.
You can ignore the rangepoint entries, all of the points have their own records in the file.
I've added the drawing file for this project. I use a point block with multiple attributes to display the point info.
Drobox link
I've learned a little something useful. You can assign a classification to a point group, and once you do that the prospector grid in the lower left will only show the fields for that classification. That area lends itself to needing wide, while the toolspace top portion lends itself to narrow.
A point group can be assigned to None (default), All, or a specific classification. So the obvious organizational process would be to group points by description on import, and match description to class as mentioned (ideally in automation).
The PROPS dialog (typically on the right) still shows all classes.
In Civil3D you will modify (or copy and modify) a point label style and simply include the classification fields. It's easy to rearrange them as needed.
Civil3D is a little hard to learn and understand sometimes, but it can be very powerful. I don't claim to be an expert, still learning like most people.
Has anyone made any headway with this?
