Hi all,
On Page 140 of the book "Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013" written by L. Holland and K. Mercier (Sybex/John Wiley & Sons, Inc.),for Chapter 4 SURFACES, I saw "(Step) 9. Set the Specfy Point File Format to PNEZD (Comma Delimited). Make sure it is PNEZD or your results will be off completely. I don't know why we should use PNEZD (not PENZD) to create a Surface? Please tell me why we should use PNEZD (not PENZD) to create a surface.
Thanks,
Scott Chang
I prefer to use DPENZ 🙂
The point they are making is that you can use any format so long as you always use the correct matching format. As there is a PENZD and a PNEZD format that are easily mistakable (we have all done it and caused a lot of head scratching before we realise the school boy error) I think its nice they are trying to save you face.
Basically if your point file is EN and you import it as NE then the points will be wrong. Whatever way you use, be consistant and only use that format (E/N/Z etc) that way you wont be caught out.
Hi Mike, Thanks for your response.
Your response cleared up my understainding of the using right inpt data format more.
One question to ask you: Why do you prefer the DPENZ format? Is the "D" for "Description" in input?
Please respond.
Thanks,
Scott
Scott Chang
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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Neil,
More than a regional thing, I've recently found the difference to be a vendor issue. For example, my Sokkia Total Station uses PENZD. I happen to like that because it matches PXYZD.
It seems there isn't a universal standard. If there is ever one, PXYZD would be nice.
Warm regards from Los Angeles,
Emmanuel
Many many years ago in school it was explained to me by the surveying instructor using this example.
Hold out your left hand, palm facing towards you, with the thumb pointing up. Your thumb represents Northings and your index finger is the Eastings. Bearings are measured clockwise from your thumb.
Now switch to palm facing away from you and with your thumb sticking out to the side. Your thumb now represents the X, and your index finger the Y values of a Cartesian coordinate system. Angles are still measured from the direction your thumb is pointing, and increase in a counter-clockwise direction. If you're a surveyor calculating Sin, Cos and Tan in the field then it's easier to sort out which value goes where in the equations if you vizualize it that way.
Steve
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