AutoCAD Map 3D

[#1]

Spoiler

Forgot to ask,

What is FDO that you keep referring to? Is that the process of importing shp files through the task pane manager?

[#2]

FDO = _MAPCONNECT command.

You use it when you wanna only link to external resources without loading phisically in your drawing (like XREF).

[#3]

I have never used Xref's. My understanding of xref's is a big pain. I know alot of old co-workers who don't like working like that. When there is 30 people using xref's, things can get out of control fairly quickly, correct?

[#4]

Hi,

ok, other words:

If you use _MAPIMPORT ==> the content of the shape is COPIED into your current drawing. The geometry of the shape will get polylines (or points pr blocks), the attributive data will be attached to the polylines/points/blocks as "object-data" (>>>details<<<). The result is, if you modify now e.g. a polyline-object the modification is just done in the drawing, the SHP does not recognize anything of that any more.

Using _MAPCONNECT (or with other words the FDO-technology built into Map3D, >>>www.osgeo.org<<<) to get the SHP visualized in your current drawing IS NOT A COPY, it's referenced. And that means if you modify any geometry or attributive data every modification you do is done in the original file/in the SHP. If you save your DWG it does not save the geometry from the SHP, it just saves "I have to show the file C:\TEMP\XX.shp" (the reference to the file).

To be honest, Map3D has the aibility to save the geometry of a referenced SHP, e.g. when using off-line mode. But that is just written for completeness, I hope that does not confuse you now.

HTH, - alfred -

[#5]

Hi Alfred,

My understanding is that if using the FDO connect feature to access the shape files allows me to change the content in the file.  Is this some what dangerous??  There is a GIS department here that uses the shape files in a data base to view large areas of Western Canada. If I am to change any of the information in the shape files will that be viewed by the GIS department? They use the files more then I do and I don't want that department on my back for making a mess of things.

Thanks,

M

[#6]

Hi,

>> [...] allows me to change the content in the file.  Is this some what dangerous??

No, as long as you take care of the IDX-file (should be deleted if the product changes that uses the SHP-data. So if the SHP were opend with ArcGIS then delete the IDX before you start to use that with Map3D, and vice versa.

>> If I am to change any of the information in the shape files will that be viewed by the GIS department?

If you change the content of a file then others will see the new content if they open the file then. That is valid for word-files in the same way as it is for SHP-files. If I don't want to change their data I copy the data first and work on the copied content.

But maybe I don't understand the question?

- alfred -

[#7]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I have decided to move on and better myself with a new employer. The one I have at the moment isnt cutting it. No help, no professionalism, very amatuer. I noticed there was something wrong with this place when it took me 3 months to get a licenced version of cad, Also last week I witnessed plans being trimmed on the floor. (the 2mm gap between tiles on the floor makes a wonderful straight edge for an open pair of scicorrs to guide on)

I'll be back with new and improved questions, I'm sure of it.

Thanks!

M

[#8]

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PaisteAbuser wrote:

Hi All,

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I have decided to move on and better myself with a new employer. The one I have at the moment isnt cutting it. No help, no professionalism, very amatuer. I noticed there was something wrong with this place when it took me 3 months to get a licenced version of cad, Also last week I witnessed plans being trimmed on the floor. (the 2mm gap between tiles on the floor makes a wonderful straight edge for an open pair of scicorrs to guide on)

I'll be back with new and improved questions, I'm sure of it.

Thanks!

M

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Been there and did the same thing. Hate not being in CAD or GIS but a person has to feel good about where they work at.  Good Luck.