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Message 1 of 23
cwls
500 Views, 22 Replies

DescKey

In LandDesktop 2004, with Projects, Edit Drawing Settings, Label Settings path set to "c:\LandProjects2004\r3468\cogo\DescKey" (this is where I put a copy of a .mdb I made in another project called r3218.mdb).
When trying to select this file under the Labels menu, Edit Label Styles, Points Label Styles Tab, the Name I type in is DescKey Only - r3218 at the top left side of this dialog box. Then at the bottom right side of this dialog box I make sure that DescKey Matching is checked and that r3218 is in the DescKey File drop down list; also checked are the boxes for Substitute DescKey Description and Insert DescKey Symbol. When I hit the"Save" button the message "Unable to save file to disk!" appears. What am I doing wrong here?
I went ahead and ran the batch file anyway and everything plotted on the active level (layer whatever you call it..I'm a former Bentley/Intergraph/Mircrostation user) with no symbols. By the way, where exactly (at what path location) is/are the symbol block/cells that the DescKey uses? Are they in the C:\ProgramFiles\LandDesktop2004\Data\SymbolManager\cogo ? I can't figure out what file the DescKey .mdb is accessing for it's symbol blocks?

Thanks for any insight into this.
22 REPLIES 22
Message 2 of 23
cwls
in reply to: cwls

OK, maybe this is caused by the .dbm file being in the wrong path. I think I have that straightened out.

But the symbols still do not plot in this file. They plotted fine in the file they were created in. I have messed with the scale in the DescKey file with no visible results. I have re-run this batch file about 10 times with different settings and path combinations. Nothing seems to make any difference.

I have read every scrap of info I can find and re-read several times. Not getting anywhere in a hurry.

Any help would be appreciated.
Message 3 of 23
auzzie2776
in reply to: cwls

are the symbols on a defpoints or a no-plot layer ?
Message 4 of 23
cwls
in reply to: cwls

All the layers are on.

The DescKey file should crete some new layers, but it doesn't do that either.

Somehow the DescKey file is not recognized by whatever is processing the batch file.
Message 5 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

If the problem is that you can't get the layers 7 blocks, create the layers
and insert the blocks in a template & use the template for all work.

Take the template & make it a dwg as well. If you are missing the layers or
blocks in a dwg just insert the dwg-template & you have it all.

You confused me a bit. It sounded like you wanted to use the desc key mbd
file for labels.



--
John Mayo, PE
Project Engineer
Conklin Associates
Ramsey, NJ

Civil 3D 2008, LDT 2008, Raster Design 2008
P-IV at 3.5 GHz
2 GB Ram
Nvidea Quadro FX w/ 128 MB Ram
wrote in message news:5785563@discussion.autodesk.com...
All the layers are on.

The DescKey file should crete some new layers, but it doesn't do that
either.

Somehow the DescKey file is not recognized by whatever is processing the
batch file.
Message 6 of 23
cwls
in reply to: cwls

The problem is the batch file should create the layers and put all the symbols on the nodes on the correct layer.

This process worked fine in the original file where the DescKey .mdb file was created. Now the same .mdb file doesn't work in a new project.
Message 7 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

This has been an issue in a few releases.

Forgive me but I am not sure what bat file you are talking about. I have
never used a bat file for desc keys or labels.

I am not sure if you do this but you should be modifying the desc key file
in LDT & saving the description keys to your prototype. Your prototype &
templates should give you all you need in every file when you start a new
file. You should not have to even think about description keys once they are
set up.

--
John Mayo, PE
Project Engineer
Conklin Associates
Ramsey, NJ

Civil 3D 2008, LDT 2008, Raster Design 2008
P-IV at 3.5 GHz
2 GB Ram
Nvidea Quadro FX w/ 128 MB Ram
wrote in message news:5786085@discussion.autodesk.com...
The problem is the batch file should create the layers and put all the
symbols on the nodes on the correct layer.

This process worked fine in the original file where the DescKey .mdb file
was created. Now the same .mdb file doesn't work in a new project.
Message 8 of 23
Warren McCrory
in reply to: cwls

Hey gang, sorry I don't have any thing helpful to add to the discussion today, I'm having my own Desckey issues today. I have created a new Desckey file (current company had never used them *%*^*%*^*) but it is only recognizing about half the point descriptions. I set this desckey file up specifically for this project (crossing my fingers that I will be able to resue it) & have gone back to double check but every ting seems to be entered correctly. Take a look at the picture I attached & see if anything jumps out at you.

Thanks
Warren
Message 9 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

Once a space is encountered the desc. key stops....anything after the space
is used as an attribute.
Double quotes cannot be used in the raw description, anything following one
will be omitted.

For trees, this is what I would use:

PINE* $1" $0 - $2' DRIPLINE v-trees tree-pine v-trees
OAK* $1" $0 - $2' DRIPLINE v-trees tree-oak v-trees

I would setup the symbol to be scaled by the trunk or dripline diameter to
eliminate the need for multiple blocks just for size.

Then, the field crew would enter the codes like so:

PINE 10 15
OAK 36 58

And the Full Description assigned to the point will end up:

10" PINE - 15' DRIPLINE
36" OAK - 58' DRIPLINE

"Warren McCrory" wrote in message news:5786338@discussion.autodesk.com...
Hey gang, sorry I don't have any thing helpful to add to the discussion
today, I'm having my own Desckey issues today. I have created a new Desckey
file (current company had never used them *%*^*%*^*) but it is only
recognizing about half the point descriptions. I set this desckey file up
specifically for this project (crossing my fingers that I will be able to
resue it) & have gone back to double check but every ting seems to be
entered correctly. Take a look at the picture I attached &
see if anything jumps out at yo
Message 10 of 23
Warren McCrory
in reply to: cwls

I wasn't aware that the spaces & " would cause problems. I'll see what I can do to change things around but our survey crew has absolutley NO standards. I was writing the file with the idea of sticking with what they "generaly" do & only minimal revisions to their point file to come in right. Unfortunately all I recieved was a "not gonna happen" laugh when I suggested having a standard set of descriptions for the future. Maybe I can show them how much money standards can save them, but then again these are surveyors we are talking about ;')>

Thanks for the help, I'll see what kind of magic I can work.

Warren
Message 11 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

Sounds like our place.

Unfortunately the magic happen in Excel. Search & replace is the magic wand.
;)

--
John Mayo, PE
Project Engineer
Conklin Associates
Ramsey, NJ

Civil 3D 2008, LDT 2008, Raster Design 2008
P-IV at 3.5 GHz
2 GB Ram
Nvidea Quadro FX w/ 128 MB Ram
wrote in message news:5786364@discussion.autodesk.com...
I wasn't aware that the spaces & " would cause problems. I'll see what I can
do to change things around but our survey crew has absolutley NO standards.
I was writing the file with the idea of sticking with what they "generaly"
do & only minimal revisions to their point file to come in right.
Unfortunately all I recieved was a "not gonna happen" laugh when I suggested
having a standard set of descriptions for the future. Maybe I can show them
how much money standards can save them, but then again these are surveyors
we are talking about ;')>

Thanks for the help, I'll see what kind of magic I can work.

Warren
Message 12 of 23
Warren McCrory
in reply to: cwls

Unfortunately I know this magic, just wanted to avoid it if possible ;')>
Message 13 of 23
cwls
in reply to: cwls

The desckey file was saved as a prototype.

The batch file is I am talking about consists of the field angles and distances. We still take notes by hand here. No data collector. So the field notes are typed into a batch file. It would be nice to have the symbols plot for trees, irons and so forth and to have things put onto their proper layers using a desckey file.
Message 14 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

Okay I have a better understanding now.

This should all work. I mean you should still be starting in Land with an
ascii coordinate file. PNEZD or similar format.

The decs keys work in 08 if all the blocks & layers are set up in a
template. We use them as do many others here. Did you try this?

When you go to the Points menu & choose Point Management & then Description
Key Manager, is your description key file in the file tree?

Point menu, Point Settings, Insert tab, is Use Current Point Label Style
checked? Does the dialog say "active desckeys only" just under the check
box? On the Description Keys tab, is Match on Description Parameters
checked?

Label menu, Edit Label Styles, Point tab, select the "active desc keys" only
Point style. Do you have a check on DescKey Matching On? Is your description
key file listed & set current in the drop down field? The next two,
Substitute DescKey Description & Insert DescKey Symbol should also be
checked.

Post back & we'll get it.

--
John Mayo, PE
Project Engineer
Conklin Associates
Ramsey, NJ

Civil 3D 2008, LDT 2008, Raster Design 2008
P-IV at 3.5 GHz
2 GB Ram
Nvidea Quadro FX w/ 128 MB Ram
wrote in message news:5786978@discussion.autodesk.com...
The desckey file was saved as a prototype.

The batch file is I am talking about consists of the field angles and
distances. We still take notes by hand here. No data collector. So the
field notes are typed into a batch file. It would be nice to have the
symbols plot for trees, irons and so forth and to have things put onto their
proper layers using a desckey file.
Message 15 of 23
cwls
in reply to: cwls

Yes to all of the above. This is a 2004 version of LandDesktop.

The desckey file I created shows up in the list under point management, description key manager.

Under points settings, the "use current point label styles when inserting points" is checked.

The Points Settings, Insert Tab is set to a search path of "c:\Program Files\land desktop 2004\data\symbol manager\cogo\"

The "match on description parameters($1, $2)" is checked.

Under Label Setting on the General Tab the styles files path i s set to "c:\Program Files\Land Desktop 2004\Data\labels\leroy\"

The Labels, Edit Label Styles, Point Label Tab, Name is set to "active desckeys only", Common Symbol is checked, at the bottom right of this dialog box under Description Keys, DesKey Matching is checked, as well as Substitute DescKey Description and Insert Deskey Symbol.

The batch file I'm running is a list of commands, for example:
NE 67 2008890.842 590014.160 IP "FND 1 W/JONES CAP"
NE 12 2001052.318 590076.756 MAG "FND INT. RD"
STA 12
BS 67
AD 14 180.1543 423.165 SPK "SET 8"

and so forth. The IP should plot as the symbol I set up in the DescKey file as and Iron Pipe on the layer PNT_FNDirons as is also set up in the DescKey file. The Mag nail should plot as the symbol I have set up on the layer designated in the description key file.
Message 16 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

Everything seems to be set up fine.

Is that the bat file output?

Is the bat file providing you with a point file (pnt, csv, etc any asci
file) or fieldbook (fbk) file?

How are you importing the points?


--
John Mayo, PE
Project Engineer
Conklin Associates
Ramsey, NJ

Civil 3D 2008, LDT 2008, Raster Design 2008
P-IV at 3.5 GHz
2 GB Ram
Nvidea Quadro FX w/ 128 MB Ram
wrote in message news:5788279@discussion.autodesk.com...
Yes to all of the above. This is a 2004 version of LandDesktop.

The desckey file I created shows up in the list under point management,
description key manager.

Under points settings, the "use current point label styles when inserting
points" is checked.

The Points Settings, Insert Tab is set to a search path of "c:\Program
Files\land desktop 2004\data\symbol manager\cogo\"

The "match on description parameters($1, $2)" is checked.

Under Label Setting on the General Tab the styles files path i s set to
"c:\Program Files\Land Desktop 2004\Data\labels\leroy\"

The Labels, Edit Label Styles, Point Label Tab, Name is set to "active
desckeys only", Common Symbol is checked, at the bottom right of this
dialog box under Description Keys, DesKey Matching is checked, as well as
Substitute DescKey Description and Insert Deskey Symbol.

The batch file I'm running is a list of commands, for example:
NE 67 2008890.842 590014.160 IP "FND 1 W/JONES CAP"
NE 12 2001052.318 590076.756 MAG "FND INT. RD"
STA 12
BS 67
AD 14 180.1543 423.165 SPK "SET 8"

and so forth. The IP should plot as the symbol I set up in the DescKey file
as and Iron Pipe on the layer PNT_FNDirons as is also set up in the DescKey
file. The Mag nail should plot as the symbol I have set up on the layer
designated in the description key file.
Message 17 of 23
cwls
in reply to: cwls

What I typed in is a batch.txt input file.

It starts with two known coordinates, then the traverse is entered by AD (angle and distance, horizontal distance therefore no verticle angle).

The bath file is the input. It is the field notes which are hand written in a field book basically transfered "word for word" so to speak into a batch file.

I'm probaly the only person still doing things this old fashsioned way. I know it is hard for you to understand.
That is the way I am told to do my job, I don't make the rules here.
Message 18 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

No problem. Your manually converting your data, I think I'm following.

How are you creating points? What methods in LDT (manual point creation,
import from point file, Fieldbook)? If you use a file to create them, post a
sample.

--
John Mayo, PE
Project Engineer
Conklin Associates
Ramsey, NJ

Civil 3D 2008, LDT 2008, Raster Design 2008
P-IV at 3.5 GHz
2 GB Ram
Nvidea Quadro FX w/ 128 MB Ram
wrote in message news:5788288@discussion.autodesk.com...
What I typed in is a batch.txt input file.

It starts with two known coordinates, then the traverse is entered by AD
(angle and distance, horizontal distance therefore no verticle angle).

The bath file is the input. It is the field notes which are hand written in
a field book basically transfered "word for word" so to speak into a batch
file.

I'm probaly the only person still doing things this old fashsioned way. I
know it is hard for you to understand.
That is the way I am told to do my job, I don't make the rules here.
Message 19 of 23
cwls
in reply to: cwls

No, your not following.

The file I posted previously is an example batch.txt file that creates points.

End of story. That is how points are created.

It has worked in the past with other projects. Maybe this file is corrupted somehow.

Lets drop this topic since this is not helpful for this problem.
Message 20 of 23
Anonymous
in reply to: cwls

Okay, but I don't think LDT knows how to interpret this out of the box,

NE 67 2008890.842 590014.160 IP "FND 1 W/JONES CAP"
NE 12 2001052.318 590076.756 MAG "FND INT. RD"
STA 12
BS 67
AD 14 180.1543 423.165 SPK "SET 8"



--
John Mayo, PE
Project Engineer
Conklin Associates
Ramsey, NJ

Civil 3D 2008, LDT 2008, Raster Design 2008
P-IV at 3.5 GHz
2 GB Ram
Nvidea Quadro FX w/ 128 MB Ram
wrote in message news:5788477@discussion.autodesk.com...
No, your not following.

The file I posted previously is an example batch.txt file that creates
points.

End of story. That is how points are created.

It has worked in the past with other projects. Maybe this file is corrupted
somehow.

Lets drop this topic since this is not helpful for this problem.

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