an architect. Just completed a topo for design on a new building. No biggie. Sent the cad file to the engineer and architect. No biggie. Then I get a question to set all of the elevations to "0" in the cad file.
To which I retorted "To do that (the only way I know how) is to assign a 0 to all of the points in my coordinate file. Unless you guys know a work around, I'd like to not do that.
Although, the only points in the files with elevations are directly related to the topo and nothing else. I did that prior to the beginning of the project so that only points with elevations would be considered in the contouring."
Anyone ever get THIS question before on a TOPO of all things?????
I used to get that request all the time, but I have done very little topo for several years.
My response then was to comply and use the flatten command and ship it back... I suppose LDD and Civil 3D still have that option... perhaps your software does not.
What kind of CAD are you using?
Many still live on a flat earth I believe. 😐
Use the Flatten command...change all entities to color and line type by layer...change EVERYTHING to ONE layer "SURVEY"...set the color to #8...linetype as hidden...save as "blahblah 2D.dwg"
Ask them I they need a 'drafting' consultant...offer to rotate so the road is at the bottom of their sheet...convert the scale to 1"=1/4'...by all means MOVE the whole thing to 0,0.
Wait for the work order to 'stake out' their plans.
😉
DDSM
:beer:
(I had a GIS fellow tell me coordinates of 0,0 or 10k,10k were projected to "CAD LAND")
never heard that one before.
usually it is the other way around. "no we don't need topo - we just need elevations on a few points" (read - we don't want to pay for topo, but we need it).
the way things are right now i find myself bending over backwards to make every client happy. i am just tickled to have someone calling me to do some work that i will give them whatever they want.
Like others suggested, save as "Blahblah_2d.dwg" then flatten and send out together with the 3d file. Then they have what they want and what they need.
I just have a problem with manipulating a drawing that I know is for design. I want them to manipulate mine, not me EFFE it up when I attempt to figure out what and engineer or architect is thinking or wanting (which is like guessing the weather).
I'm with snoop. My control points in the field are flagged in blue. The property corners and lines are flagged in orange. Would you like your elevations based on MSL, assummed 100, assumed 0? Would you like me to sit with you or your CAD type puke until you understand what your're looking at? No problem. I don't care as long as I'm paid when I'm finished satisfying your needs. But, I don't 'carry' money for anyone. That's what the freaking banks are for. At the end of the day everyone is happy, or I wasn't working for them anyway.
Your client should do this themselves. It is safe to assume that they are also using CAD.
Yes the flatten command still works in the newer version of CAD. We usually flatten the line work and leave the pts alone, but we are not doing design work.
> Anyone ever get THIS question before on a TOPO of all things?????
I have never been asked to do that but some architects (very few, but they are around) prefer to work in feet/inches for the design. Like, a FF elev would be 0' 0" and so on and so forth. I have seen a few grading/drainage plans that show 0' 2" TC and -0' 4" FL.
It does not make much sense, but I am sure the architect has a good reason for requesting that.
> > Anyone ever get THIS question before on a TOPO of all things?????
>
> I have never been asked to do that but some architects (very few, but they are around) prefer to work in feet/inches for the design. Like, a FF elev would be 0' 0" and so on and so forth. I have seen a few grading/drainage plans that show 0' 2" TC and -0' 4" FL.
>
> It does not make much sense, but I am sure the architect has a good reason for requesting that.
Just had an architect ask to please make mine in inches. I told her I do not do this, but in general architects simply scale my drawing by 12. Next day they asked again like we did not have the conversation, so I scaled by drawing by 12 and emailed it.
If I am the client I would be worried that this was too complex an issue for my architect to tackle.
...sarcasm on...
Me: You could XREF my drawing...control layer freeze...colors...line types...it is geo-referenced to NAD83, Arkansas State Plane, North Zone...
Them: What?
Me: Or just block it in...0,0...
Them: What? Why can't you just send me your drawing so I can plop it into mine?
Me: What datum, projection, units, and coordinate system are you in?
Them: What? I'll send you my title block so you know how to place it...
Me: Well...what are you trying to do?
Them: You have plotted the fences in the wrong place...I need to move them to the property line...or do I need to move the property lines over to the fence lines?
Me: WHAT???
Them: Oh, and the building you show falls inside the setback line...so I need to move one or the other...you know...so the plan meets code...it is the law you know...
Me: Do you own a gun?
Them: What?
Me: I need to borrow it...
CLICK
...sarcasm off...
DDSM
(the client is always right...right?)
Give him what he wants, and he'll be happy. Down here with all this economic meltdown, I'd make triple sure he got what he wanted in hopes of him sending me more work.
It's not really that stupid of a question. Not everyone likes to work in 3D.
AS3
I have to agree with Adam. It is not really that big of a deal.
Do a save as in your drawing, and rename the file so you know it will be the 2D drawing. Flatten everything to zero.
It is a win win situation. You still have your 3D drawing, and the architect, your client, has what they need.
Alot of what we do, and the reputation we build is based on customer service. Working with the architect on this small detail will probably pay dividends in the future.
Sometimes we get caught up on the technical stuff, and lose sight of the big picture.
Just my 0.02 cents.
Jimmy
I got to agree with the Salad CZar, too
If you give the other design professional what they want, even when you think it is stupid, it will pay huge dividends later. That client will remember that you are the one who will work with him and will recommend you over the jerk who gave him an additional hour of work "fixing" the data provided so that he could use it the way he wanted to.
I got to agree with the Salad CZar, too
At least they didn't ask you to make the FF = 100'
> an architect. Just completed a topo for design on a new building. No biggie. Sent the cad file to the engineer and architect. No biggie. Then I get a question to set all of the elevations to "0" in the cad file.
>
> To which I retorted "To do that (the only way I know how) is to assign a 0 to all of the points in my coordinate file. Unless you guys know a work around, I'd like to not do that.
> Although, the only points in the files with elevations are directly related to the topo and nothing else. I did that prior to the beginning of the project so that only points with elevations would be considered in the contouring."
>
>
> Anyone ever get THIS question before on a TOPO of all things?????
Similar but not quite the same. Wanted all the line work at elev 0. Moved everything except the contours.
SJ
I got to agree with the Salad CZar, too
I agree with the "no big deal" crowd.
What may seem simple to you, might be foreign to others.
Be professional and give the man a hand. He's used to a certain mind set, as are surveyors.
That's why it's called a "design team".
:coffee:
Just got a really Stupid Question from- Carlson
If you use Carlson you could just set all the points to NOT plot at their z coord...
There are no stupid questions...
that you can invoice to answer!!