topic Re: How to automatically sort crv data into preset layers and blocks using the import function in AutoCAD Forum

How to automatically sort crv data into preset layers and blocks using the import function

LouisianaLiDAR — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 12:39:44 GMT

Hello All,

I am currently working with a startup company called Louisiana Lidar. We are a drone surveying company who uses lidar, photogrammetry, and other surveying methods primarily for land surveying.

We are trying to figure out how to streamline our workflow so that when we import our csv data directly into cad, it will automatically sort our data into our various preset layers and blocks with the import function. Does anyone have any ideas how to do this effectively?

I linked the survey template file we have so far and an example of our csv data as well, which is in the pnezd format.

Regards,

Alec

Re: How to automatically sort crv data into preset layers and blocks using the import function

pendean — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 12:50:15 GMT

Are you just using lain AutoCAD with no add-ons? Or are you using MAP3D or Civil3D versions of AutoCAD?

Your CSV appears to not contain any information about "preset layers and blocks with the import function", how are you dealing with that now exactly (Pad Conc, Elec Panel, Drain Cover etc.). your DWG file does not contain those blocks (your concrete pads as just PLINE outlines with separate hatch, your wood decking is just a PLINE shape, your shrubs are revcloud shapes etc.)

Re: How to automatically sort crv data into preset layers and blocks using the import function

LouisianaLiDAR — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:01:33 GMT

Thanks for getting back to me,

I am just using Autocad, not civil3d or map3d. As far as addons, i have experimented with using an addon called geotools, but i have not had success.

As far as having preset blocks for each of those different layers from the csv to be imported to, I'm not exactly sure how to set that up. As far as the csv, i'm aware that the descriptions do not fit our layers. I'm trying to figure out a way to use the description part of the csv to help us sort the information automatically when its placed into cad.

The revclouds, hatches, and blocks that you see are just seperate templates for us when we are mapping various items so we can use the match attributes function when we are drawing. its just for us to see different linetype styles so i can draft more easily. i didn't necessarily mean for those objects to be correlated with the importing of the csv data if that makes sense. just a seperate thing that i also made in the file

thanks,

Alec

Re: How to automatically sort crv data into preset layers and blocks using the import function

TheCADnoob — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:45:08 GMT

An elegent solution would be have some one code you something to get this done, but there are simple way to do it as well.

If you could get your naming conventions in your csv to match you layers it would be ideal. Otherwise you will spend a little time cleaning those up. Its not impossible to do it and you can use trick in excel like find and replace with wild card to get the data to match your layers. i was able to get you data in and separated to layers using a method similar to one listed here in this link: https://www.thesourcecad.com/import-coordinate-excel-autocad/

in my example i chenged some of the layer data but i just fudged some in for the sake of the example.

The main difference i made was adding another formula to excel. I added a CLAYER command and included the layer name

Then I copied all those lines into microsoft word and did another find and replace to insert a line break.

Once the line break was in place i copied all the lines of text (as they did in the link above) and pasted into the command line in AutoCAD.

This is the output.

I would caution that there may be a limitation on the number of lines you can paste into AutoCAD command (i dont know your the size of common data sets you will be working with) line so you may have to break up the lines you paste into chunks.