topic Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points in AutoCAD Forum

Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 11:18:16 GMT

Dear Community

I am trying to get into Autocad, with aim to work on my fieldwork spatial data collected with total station (the archaeological excavation unit). So I have transformed the csv file (which I've received from the Total) to DXF, then I've put it into Autocad. The problem is, that 1) The size of points and text is too big, and they overlap, and 2) When I change the size of points and texts, they are separated, I mean after the change of the size, the point number is in different position on the drawing than the point itself. Is there any posibility to solve this problem? I worked on the same data before, in the polish MicroMap software and there wasn't any problem of this kind. I enclose: the screenshots with the problem. The autocad version I am working on is: AutoCAD 2017 - student version, OS is windows 10 home edition.

Big thanks to everyone that will spare some time to help me with this.

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Alfred.NESWADBA — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 11:25:02 GMT

Hi,

>> So I have transformed the csv file (which I've received

>> from the Total) to DXF

How did you do that?

My way (as long as I don't have AutoCAD Map 3D or Autodesk Civil 3D, which have build in functions to import CSV files) would be to use Excel to convert lines with X/Y/Z to a script with command _INSERT and blockname and if necessary an attribute content for point-number and elevation. Then run this script directly into AutoCAD.

The block itself is then the one that defines the size of the point symbol as well as the size of the attributes.

- alfred -

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 12:00:44 GMT

Thank you!

To transform CSV to DXF I have tried two ways: 1) Polish software WinKalk, and 2) some internet sites that offer such option.

Where do I put the command "Insert"? At the beggining of the file?

What tool in Excell do I use to make this type of conversion?

Thank you!

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Alfred.NESWADBA — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 12:56:49 GMT

Hi,

>> To transform CSV to DXF I have tried two ways

Well, if they don't give you the result you need then it's up to settings in that tools.

You might send us the DXF files so we can look into them, but as long as these are not blocks with attributes it would be hard to correct later the sizes (and distances between point symbol and text content). Or like in one of the screenshots, if text content is missing you can't recreate them.

>> What tool in Excell do I use to make this type of conversion?

No tool, simply formulas which create the syntax you can then use as script in AutoCAD (or copy and paste the content.

- alfred -

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Pointdump — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 13:10:53 GMT

Lukasz,
"...I have transformed the csv file (which I've received from the Total) to DXF..."
Please post your data. Let's see what you've got.
Dave

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Alfred.NESWADBA — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 14:50:58 GMT

Hi,

please find this video showing which formulas are created in XLS to have a ready to use (for copy and paste) script including attribute handling ATTREQ and ATTDIA to not get the attdia-dialog (has to be reset at the end if you need that).

Also attached are the 2 files, the excel file with the sample points and the drawing so you have a block-definition that matches with the script.

- alfred -

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 22:49:49 GMT

Thanks a lot! I will try to upload my file and I will try to resolve the problem according to the video. The Total Station I've used is Sokkia Set 500, and the data was transferred by using the software dedicated to Sokkia. As I said I had no problem with this using some simpler software designed to create maps. I attatch the original csv file from the Sokkia software.

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Alfred.NESWADBA — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 23:01:28 GMT

Hi,

here you go ...

- alfred -

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:05:11 GMT

Thank you a lot, finally it works!

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

yu85.info — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 09:32:11 GMT

Hi, @Alfred.NESWADBA. I have seen your video and looked at the files.

Tell me please, is it posibble to make the same thing for this XLS file I aatached here?

It has more information that I want to insert to a block.

Thank you!

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:09:42 GMT

awesome thread! anyone know about going from AutoCad to Total Station with points? 😁

Re: Import Total Station data - a problem with points

TerryDotson — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 22:10:10 GMT

If you have block inserts you should get good results from the built-in DataExtract command to create a CSV file of the inserts/attributes. If you need more, take a look at MapWorks for AutoCAD, which will do this and a whole lot more.