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Converted GIS to Cad question

29 REPLIES 29
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Message 1 of 30
dmmeehan
1189 Views, 29 Replies

Converted GIS to Cad question

I have used the map interface of C3D to create a drawing from GIS exported shp files. Then Converted the map to an autocad drawing. The problem now is that I cannot see the additional data within the shp objects while viewing the file in Vanilla Acad 2013. After converting the map, I checked the vanilla Autocad 2013 interface while still on the C3D machine and could see the additional data in the properties pallette, but not on the Vanilla only 2013 machine. Is there a method to convert this data over?

29 REPLIES 29
Message 2 of 30
Alfred.NESWADBA
in reply to: dmmeehan

Hi,

 

>> [...] could see the additional data in the properties pallette, but not on the Vanilla only 2013 machine

To see objectdata (the attributive information attached to geometry-objects) is a function from Map3D. You can use it in Civil3D as it has Map3D built in, but such data can't be used/visualized/modified in plain AutoCAD.

 

Sorry, - alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS ... www.hollaus.at ... blog.hollaus.at ... CDay 2024
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(not an Autodesk consultant)
Message 3 of 30
AllenJessup
in reply to: dmmeehan

From your description I think you're using FDO and then saving as a AutoCAD map. If you use a Map Query you can select object data to import. The objects and data you query will come in as AutoCAD entities.



Allen Jessup
Engineering Specialist / CAD Manager

Message 4 of 30
Neilw_05
in reply to: dmmeehan

Plain Autocad has the ability to link cad graphics to a database table. The function is called dbConnect. You can find info about it in the help system under that topic.

 

The challenge for you is how to get the object data (the extended attributes which was created by Map when you imported the shape files) into a linked dbConnect data table that you can view in plain Autocad. As I have not gone through that workflow I can't offer advice, but I'm sure it can be done.

Neil Wilson (a.k.a. neilw)
AEC Collection/C3D 2024, LDT 2004, Power Civil v8i SS1
WIN 10 64 PRO

http://www.sec-landmgt.com
Message 5 of 30
TerryDotson
in reply to: dmmeehan

The problem is that Object Data can only be accessed inside Map/Civil3D.  We (DotSoft) have created a free tool that runs inside of Map/Civil3D and converts Map Object Data to Extended Entity Data.  This data can be listed with AutoCAD's XDLIST command and can be manipulated with custom LISP routines, etc.

 

Download MOD2EED (Map Object Data to Extended Entity Data) in the Free Stuff section of the site below.

 

Optionally, using MapWorks Base, the data can be edited and used to create thematic maps and much more.

Message 6 of 30
antoniovinci
in reply to: TerryDotson

Thanks Terry, but I found a little bug in your MOD2EED routine.

If you choose the "Delete Object Data" option, the existing OD definitions remain: they are not purged.

Moreover, when you open back a drawing containing XDATA, commands like _MAPQUERY or _MAPEXPORT are not able to handle the extended data (it's not up to you, sir).

If you could add a switch to convert XDATA to classic OD, it would be perfect.

Message 7 of 30
dmmeehan
in reply to: antoniovinci

I attempted a dbconnect from within Vanilla Acad but their was only one configured database in the table and it was not functional. Also the table did not appear to be referencing the directories with the data in them. This morning I will attempt the map query-import method and post my success/failure. I may even go for a shot at the DotSoft freebie if that doesn't work. Thanks Terry! I've long wanted to try out a full dotsoft package here at work, but they are not big into lisp/addons that are not directly industry related...

Message 8 of 30
KirkNoonan
in reply to: dmmeehan

If you use Map to label your entities with the data you want to see before exporting it to a .dwg, the labels will be save as text in the .dwg. Not knowing your specific application, you might also want to check into open source GIS software to visualize, modify and export the GIS data. Two good ones are Map Window and Quantum GIS.

Message 9 of 30
dmmeehan
in reply to: AllenJessup

I just tried using mapimport within Map 3D. Then while importing I selected the data column and chose create object data. After the import finished I checked an object and could see the extended object data. However, when this file is opened with Vanilla acad 2013, the data is not visible. Did I not import the data correctly still? I hate having to keep interrupting our Civil guy to use his installation...I also hate when Autodesk products can't talk to each other....Rant finished...

Message 10 of 30
KirkNoonan
in reply to: dmmeehan

To use that method, you need to Query the .dwg with the imported data from another new drawing. Then the objects and data will be placed in the new drawing.

Message 11 of 30
C3D_TomR
in reply to: dmmeehan

This might be a long shot, but do you have the Civil Object Enabler installed on the Vanilla AutoCAD workstation? Here's a link to the AutoCAD 2013 Civil Object Enabler.:

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=19052749&linkID=9240618

 

According to the help file, the Civil OE enables:

 

Support for display of certain types of civil objects in the AutoCAD Object Properties Palette.

Tom Richardson


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Message 12 of 30
dmmeehan
in reply to: C3D_TomR

I had the old OE, then installed the new OE last week, no luck...

Message 13 of 30
AllenJessup
in reply to: dmmeehan

Also make sure you are running the Query Mode as Draw not Preview.



Allen Jessup
Engineering Specialist / CAD Manager

Message 14 of 30
TerryDotson
in reply to: antoniovinci

If you choose the "Delete Object Data" option, the existing OD definitions remain: they are not purged.

 

We don't purge the definitions on purpose.  A user may wish to only transfer/purge on certain objects while leaving others intact.  If we purge the definitions it purges the data on all objects.  So it's not a bug.

 

Moreover, when you open back a drawing containing XDATA, commands like _MAPQUERY or _MAPEXPORT are not able to handle the extended data (it's not up to you, sir).

 

The key part of that statement is "it's not up to you".

 

If you could add a switch to convert XDATA to classic OD, it would be perfect.

 

Sorry be we have no interest in converting to a format that can only be used in Map/C3D.

Message 15 of 30
TerryDotson
in reply to: dmmeehan

Did I not import the data correctly still?

 

You did it right but nothing other than Map/C3D can read it !

 

I hate having to keep interrupting our Civil guy to use his installation...

 

Consider the extremely low cost MapWorks Base to import ShapeFiles (and many other formats) directly into AutoCAD.  It imports the DBF as EED and does a lot of what Map does inside plain AutoCAD.

 

I also hate when Autodesk products can't talk to each other....

 

As in Map can't even query AEC objects?  Given the lack of compatibiliy you would think they were created by different developers.

Message 16 of 30
dmmeehan
in reply to: KirkNoonan

Just attempted a query. There has got to be a better way. The data I want to bring into vanilla autocad is a map of a gas main distribution network. The object data is in the form of pipe material,schedule,diameter, valve types, buildings etc...

The query seemed to require individually bringing each of the 20 objects with 15-20 data headers in each object. Shift select did not function. I want all the GD data, all at once, with having to spend half the day clicking from one item to the next. Do I need to go to college to learn how to move a piece of embedded text from one Adesk product to another?

 

Back in 2006 this whole operation was covered with a simple mapimport, saveas, then open and edit with Vanila..

.

The company has only done this form of work twice in the 5+ years I've been here; it does not warrant special software for a single conversion, especially when we've paid a kajillion for C3D. Even though that doesn't appear to have an easy method for delivering this data to the base product...

Grrrr

Message 17 of 30
AllenJessup
in reply to: dmmeehan

Can you post one of the shape files so we can see what's going on? Can't guarantee anything but someone may be able to figure out a better way.



Allen Jessup
Engineering Specialist / CAD Manager

Message 18 of 30
Alfred.NESWADBA
in reply to: dmmeehan

Hi,

 

>> Back in 2006 this whole operation was covered with a simple mapimport, saveas, then open and edit with Vanila..

What you have been able to do with 2006 you can do it the same way currently as there is no functionality removed.

 

>> The object data is in the form of pipe material,schedule,diameter, valve types, buildings etc...

>> Do I need to go to college to learn how to move a piece of embedded text from one Adesk product to another?

It's not ONE piece of text, as you have "material", "diameter", "valve type", ... so that is one of the differences between GIS and CAD. GIS can handle attributive data attached to geometry, CAD can not (except of blocks including attribtues).

 

So it's not "from one Autodesk product to another", it's more "from GIS to CAD". But again, if you were able to do that with 2006 then go the same way.

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS ... www.hollaus.at ... blog.hollaus.at ... CDay 2024
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(not an Autodesk consultant)
Message 19 of 30
Neilw_05
in reply to: dmmeehan

The dbConnect tool should work for you. What you'll need to do is convert the object data in your drawing to an external data table that is linked to the objects in your drawing. To do this you'll need to run the command MAPOD2ASE.

 

The instructions for this are in this help link: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=14293233&linkID=9240857

 

Once you have created the linked table, save your drawing and then open it in plain Autocad. Then use dbConnect to open the linked data table and you should be able to view the records when you select the linked objects in the drawing.

 

You'll also need to learn about setting up data sources (configuring links to external data tables) to get this working so there is a bit of a learning curne involved.

 

I'm sorry I can't take the time to walk you through this but hopefully this will get you on the right track.

Neil Wilson (a.k.a. neilw)
AEC Collection/C3D 2024, LDT 2004, Power Civil v8i SS1
WIN 10 64 PRO

http://www.sec-landmgt.com
Message 20 of 30
tcorey
in reply to: dmmeehan

What is your end goal here? To have a .dwg file in which the Object Data are represented as attributes? Post your drawing file with object data and I'll see what I can do.

 

Prospero Nuevo!

 

Tim

 



Tim Corey
MicroCAD Training and Consulting, Inc.
Redding, CA
Autodesk Gold Reseller

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