topic Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface in Civil 3D Forum

Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

psteenland — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:35:29 GMT

So I have 2 identical (or so i thought) installations of Civil3d 2025 on separate computers. I am working on a process to import DEM data and add it to a surface. On the computer where it is working as intended i get a different dialogue than on the computer that is not working as intended

On the computer where it is working I right click in the surface definition to add a DEM file I get the following dialogue where it shows DEM File - Northing and Easting and one for DEM File - Elevation, where I can click the ellipses in the CS code where it brings up another dialogue to to adjust:

I am able to import flawlessly and it works.

On the other computer with the same 2025 civil3d install it is not working as intended and i get a different dialogue as shown:

As you can see its totally different where it has the DEM File as a whole rather than broken down by northing easting and then elevation, and also a different select coordinate system dialogue. Anyone aware of what setting I am missing or what is going on? Any help would be appreciated!

Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

Pointdump — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:20:25 GMT

Hi Pete,
How are you assigning a Coordinate System to your drawing, and are you assigning the CS before creating the surface?
Dave

Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

psteenland — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:30:06 GMT

Hi Dave, yes, i have it preset in our organizations template file, so everytime they create a new drawing they are all using the same coordinate system. I used ADESETCRDSYS to set it and i confirmed that it was set using the EDITDRAWINGSETTINGS commands. So the coordinate system should be preset before any surfaces are generated.

Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

Pointdump — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:04:14 GMT

Pete,
I get the second dialogue box--"Select Coordinate Zone", and I usually type in the CRS at "Selected coordinate system code:"
The first dialogue box looks like the coordinate system was assigned using command GEOGRAPHICLOCATION. In that drawing, use command GEOREMOVE and re-assign the coordinate system using command MAPCSASSIGN.
Dave

Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

psteenland — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:50:34 GMT

I try using the second one, it brings in a surface but its completely off where it should be and is scaled incorrectly, so there is a coordinate system issue. I just dont know why the second computer has a completely different way of importing the file than the first computer which is working perfectly fine with all the dialogues.

Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

Pointdump — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 05:08:52 GMT

Pete,
"...brings in a surface but its completely off where it should be and is scaled incorrectly..."
Let's see what you've got. Please zip together drawing and DEM, and post.
Dave

Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

AllenJessup — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:38:45 GMT

Also make sure 2025 Civil, Map and AutoCAD are all up to date.

Re: Missing Dialogue for importing DEM file to surface

ChicagoLooper — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:34:09 GMT

@psteenland

wrote

<<... yes, i have it preset in our organizations template file, so everytime they create a new drawing they are all using the same coordinate system...>>

Your preset is not being applied--it's being ignored. You can resolve the issue by manually assigning a coordinate system.

also wrote

<<...the second one, it brings in a surface but its completely off where it should be and is scaled incorrectly,...>>

What happens when Aerial imagery is turned ON? Is the imagery consistent with your surface? BTW, a basemap with imagery can only be turned on if you've properly assigned a CS in the first place.

If the background image is good, great. But if it's inaccurate (and you've accurately established the coordinate system), then image is accurate and your surface is in the wrong spot.