Hi Everyone - Now that details of the R2013 version of AutoCAD Civil 3D are public, I wanted to update you on the status of Google Earth import and export workflows. The following statement summarizes where we are:
Due to limitations on the use of the Google Earth API, AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2013 does not include API access to allow customers to import Google Earth imagery and/or surfaces directly into Civil 3D. We are aware of the importance of including preliminary surface and aerial imagery in your design workflows and are actively looking for an alternative. However, we cannot share any specific information about potential future product enhancements. When appropriate, we will communicate technology plans via various channels including Autodesk Labs, Facebook, Blogs and the Civil 3D Discussion Group.
As noted above, we'll update you as soon as we can share information on technology plans that target the workflow of incorporating readily available image and surface information into your design workflows. People are welcome to contact me directly with questions/comments.
Dave Simeone
Senior Product Manager - AutoCAD Civil 3D
As KML is an open standard, the KML output could atleast be provide so we can continue to visualise projects.
The command does not have to load google earth as it does in 2011 and 2012, just output the file.
It is an issue because if you've got a drawing in 2013 format you need the GE image in, you cannot open it with 2012 or 2011. The only way that works is if you start the drawing in 2011/2012, import the image, then migrate it to 2013.
Is it easy? Yes. Is it a complete PITA? Yes. Simple? What if you had en entire design built off that photo/image, and wanted to change/add another image to it later on?
The only workaround for THAT is to import into C3D 2012 (coordinate system!!!), migrate to C3D 2013, then either xref or copy/paste into C3D 2013.
Not really so simple. The point is, we shouldn't HAVE to do obscene run arounds like that, and whatever the reason they cut it from 2013, I hope they fix it or put out something equal or better.
The features in 2011 & 2012 of imagery and kml files is the reason we spend $$$ on 7 licenses of GE Pro, which I just purchased for this year. Even if there had to be a field to check for a valid license of GE Pro, I'm good with that.
And yes, I can "manually" create the kml files for the alignment centerline, but we'd eventually like to publish more Civil 3D objects to GE.
Since I'm still in the dark ages with 2011, can someone try the ArcGIS for AutoCAD build 250 with 2012/2013 and post if it works? At least then you can stream & load Bing aerial maps....
TIA!
Copy and paste to original coordinates is pretty easy as well as bringing in an image...especially for something that would've cost you $30,000-$40,000 at least to get a topo and aerial image of. There are far more important things I would rather them spend time and money on than this. It's like complaining about something that is free. It's kind of hard to do.
Lisa - as far as the KML stuff - that's weird that that's not in there. That's not really an API issue. That kind of sounds like throwing the baby out with the bathwater or a lawsuit that caused them to remove all Google stuff period.
You are buying Google Earth Pro so you can legally use the imagery and the surface right? You didn't need that to export to KML. Also you can still utilize your Google Earth Pro with 2012 - not a major workaround to get what you need there and then just open that file in 2013.
What a pitty its a great feature although not very accurate.
I trust we will get something bigger and better to replace it..
@Anonymous wrote:Copy and paste to original coordinates is pretty easy as well as bringing in an image...especially for something that would've cost you $30,000-$40,000 at least to get a topo and aerial image of. There are far more important things I would rather them spend time and money on than this. It's like complaining about something that is free. It's kind of hard to do.
Don't quite understand that... What do you mean? $30-40K...? For what...? "something that is free"...? Can't quite follow that comment.
@Anonymous wrote:You are buying Google Earth Pro so you can legally use the imagery and the surface right? You didn't need that to export to KML. Also you can still utilize your Google Earth Pro with 2012 - not a major workaround to get what you need there and then just open that file in 2013.
Not a great solution, IMHO. But then we've also never used Google Earth Pro... We have Terrain Navigator, though, which is what we use for this stuff. And we've also been hesitant about moving up to 2013, especially with all the problems people have been discovering (not related to this issue).
@Sinc wrote:Not a great solution, IMHO. But then we've also never used Google Earth Pro... We have Terrain Navigator, though, which is what we use for this stuff. And we've also been hesitant about moving up to 2013, especially with all the problems people have been discovering (not related to this issue).
I'm intending moving on to 2013 soon - can you elaborate on these problems...?
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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@neilyj666 wrote:
@Sinc wrote:Not a great solution, IMHO. But then we've also never used Google Earth Pro... We have Terrain Navigator, though, which is what we use for this stuff. And we've also been hesitant about moving up to 2013, especially with all the problems people have been discovering (not related to this issue).
I'm intending moving on to 2013 soon - can you elaborate on these problems...?
Here are 3 off the top of my head. First two mean we cannot use 2013 at all until these are fixed.
Regarding the $30-$40k - to have terrain data and imagery generated for a project could cost you anywhere from $15k for a real small site to a couple $100k if you hired someone to get that data for you. So it's hard for me to see people complaining about a free service.
Josh
We are one of the C3D reseller in Malaysia.
Out of sudden, we receive bombing of emails and phone calls asking us "WHERE IS THE GOOGLE EARTH MENU in C3D 2013...?!!"
And our "polite" answer is, "Please 'ignore' C3D2013 and use 2012 instead". We shall send an email to you regarding the C3D2013 and Google Earth integration issue."
Thus, we send an official email directing them to THIS thread for our customers to review.
To ADSK, your customers already "addicted" to the Google Earth integration feature(s). Now, you let them down. Please find a possible workaround (hopefully without incurring any dollars and cents...).
@ noor.azhar
What are you looking for here, sir?
A serious reseller should NOT complain in a customers' forum like this, but in "higher" grounds, i.e. directly to Autodesk.
About the possible workarounds, check out the "06-04-2012 09:05 AM" post in the current topic...
Hi,
@ noor.azhar:
>> we have found the solutions [...] but we ain't reveal it here [...]
The reason why there exist discussion boards is exactly that you pointed out now: I have a solution but I don't tell anyone here which is it. 😞
Sarcasm off:
Is that how you work with your customers? Don't forget: any participant here could be your customer from tomorrow ... but with words like you use?
SCNR, - alfred -
@antoniovinci wrote:
@ noor.azhar
What are you looking for here, sir?
A serious reseller should NOT complain in a customers' forum like this, but in "higher" grounds, i.e. directly to Autodesk.
About the possible workarounds, check out the "06-04-2012 09:05 AM" post in the current topic...
.... and always remembering that this "workaround" is probably of dubious legality........
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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To me, it a bunch of phooey
Google images and information are used world wide and the fact is every use has a finacial impact.
If I send you a google map to get to my house... wheres the compensation
If I find a place of interest on google map.... where is the compensation, yada yada yada.
Take all those casual GE users that get and tranfer GE images and information with out properly compensating google, and Civl3d users are a "mere bag of shells" in the bigger picture
My guess... There is way more to the story then we are being told. The $ just don't add up. IMHO
Joe Bouza
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