Creating surface and contours from dwg file

[kgoorah]

Hi,

I have an autocad 2010 dwg file with points having XYZ coordinates scattered over the development area. I have opened this file in civilcad3d, created a surface and added contour. I got the error messages breakline not added, etc. Also, despite the points have heights also, it's showing 0.00 m. Please help to to sort this out. I am enclosing the dwg file herewith. 

Thanks,

Kavi

[neilyj666]

Not sure what you are asking here - you can create a surface from the level blocks but as there are no levels on the road linework then the surface will be a bit basic.

The drawing units also seem to be milllimeters - change to meters and also create/choose a style that displays contours at the required interval

[justin.ziemba]

You need to have Civil Points to create the Surface.  You can convert AutoCAD Points over, but when opening the file, I am getting a message that the file came from a non-ADSK source.

How were those Points created?

[lkaliakatsos]

Hi Kavi,

You just have to do the following:

1. Change the drawing units into meters instead of millimeters (not through ddunits but right-click on the drawing in the toolspace - see the attached image).

2. Add the points blocks directly into the surface. See the second attached image and in the list with the various object types, choose "Block".

3. Change the surface style to display contours.

If there's something you don't know how to do it, just let me know.

I hope this helps.

-Lambros

@neilyj: Now I read your post and it seems that I just trasnformed your answer into steps.

[kgoorah]

hi,

I got the xyz points from the surveyor. I think he uses model draw software. There must be a way to convert these points for civilcad3d to recognise?

thanks,

kavi

[kgoorah]

Hi Lambros,

thanks for your help. Well i have tried what you have said, but still i don't get any contour lines. I think civilcad does not recognise the xyz points. Don't know how to proceed, because most of my drawings have xyz points from dwg files. How to use them in civilcad.............? what are the steps to get civil3d points, create surface, contours and design road profiles..?

thanks to revert back,

Kavi

[AllenJessup]

The drawing, as you posted it, doesn't have any Surface Styles that show contours. If fact I only see one style - Standard. I created a Surface, added the blocks to the definition and creates a Style that shows Major and Minor Contours.

I see a couple of contours plus a "hole" created by a block at 0 elevation.

Allen

[kgoorah · Accepted solution]

Thanks Allen,

I will try that and revert back.

Regards,

Kavi. 

[kgoorah]

Hi Allen,

Well i have tried it, but when adding contours the points are not selected. Cannot see any contour lines generated. Pls let me know how you did it. I am enclosing the drawing which i have worked out as you have said. 

Thanks,

Kavi. 

[Jeff_M]

Thaw Layer 0......

[kgoorah]

Hi Allen,

I think i got it now. I had freezed all the other surfaces except point and height, that's why wasn't seeing it. Now will proceed with the design. 

Thanks,

Kavi

[kgoorah]

Hi,

Can anyone help me with creating surface and contours for the enclosed dwg. I have changed the units to meters, created a surface, but cannot select the points for block. 

Thanks and regards,

Kavi

[kgoorah]

Hi Allen,

It worked. thanks a lot. 

Regards,

KAvi

[kgoorah]

Hi,

Can anyone help me with the drawing site 1 posted at post 14. 

Thanks,

Kavi

[NathanBee · Accepted solution]

Kavi,

I had a quick look at your drawing.

1. Type DDPTYPE into the command line. Change this to an easy-to-see point type.

2. In Toolspace-->Prospector, go to Definition and right-click on definition and select Add and choose points.

3. Select all your Autocad points. (An easier way to do this would be before Step 2, select one green point and one blue point, then right-click and choose 'Select Similar', then press enter. Now do Step 2, but instead of selecting all your points individually, type PSELECT and then type 'P' for Previous. This will select all of your points.)

4. Your surface now has a definition.

See attached for contours shown using an Existing 0.5m and 2.5m contour style, and also a screenshot from Object Viewer.

Your drawing was a bit weird though, in that I couldn't apply my contour label styles to it (after I had dragged them in from one of my templates. Hmmmm...

This point is important: always use a template at start up that has more than just the 'Standard' styles in it. This is the basis of how your future drawings will 'work' and/or look.

Hope this helps.

Nathan Bartholomew | CAD/Civil Designer | CPG New Zealand Ltd
WELLINGTON | AUCKLAND | NEW ZEALAND
A Downer EDI company.

Civil3D 2011 | Version 2
Windows 7 | SP2
Intel Xeon Quad Core @ 2.8GHz | 4GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800

[kgoorah]

Thanks Nathan,

That was of great help. I would use a template as you have proposed from now on. Would save on time formating each time. Thanks again.

Regards,

Kavi.