We don't have any of these problems, except for linetype generation problems (which are really annoying).
But again, third-party help comes into play. Instead of using the DIST command, we assign the
PTINV command to the alias "D". Then we simply type D at the command line, and get 2D and 3D distance, along with pretty much any other information we find useful as Surveyors. One command, no Inquiry Tool to fight, very fast and easy... And since we can get BOTH a 2D and 3D distance, it's actually kind of nice having a 3D survey.
And there is also the
Extract2d command, as mentioned earlier, which will extract 2D linework straight from the figures, with a bunch of options (such as create the 2D linework on different layer than the source figure, or move the source figure to a different layer while creating the 2D linework on the original layer, etc.).
There are even more tools, such as the
EntityTracker. When you turn it on and hover the cursor over 3D linework, you get both the 2D and 3D length, along with an average grade along the entire length of the figure (taking into account all the vertical up/down).
The only real thing that we still find very frustrating is the (lack of) linetype generation in default entities like Survey Figures and Feature Lines. The fact that linetypes also display incorrectly when there's lots of vertical relief is pretty annoying, too, but we actually don't hit that situation very often. Usually, it's the lack of linetype generation in Survey Figures that is most frustrating. We can convert the figures to 2D easily enough, but it's annoying that we even have to worry about it.
-- Sinc
http://www.ejsurveying.com
http://www.quuxsoft.com
Sinc