topic Re: exporting points as shape files? in Civil 3D Forum

exporting points as shape files?

GreeneSWCD — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 14:24:11 GMT

I had this process down before my last update, but now it's either broke, or the process has changed? I have four survey points, they are in a .csv file. I need to export those four points as a .shp file, but when I use mapexport, points, Civil 3d finds those four, but then filters out those four leaving me with an empty shapefile. I have a coordinate system assigned to the drawing.

Here you can see how four objects are selected, but all four are filtered out:

What am I missing?

Re: exporting points as shape files?

tcorey — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:07:59 GMT

The "Points" referred to on the dialog are AutoCAD Point entities, not Civil 3D COGO Points.

To move COGO Points into .shp, export to .sdf (Autodesk's proprietary Spatial Data Format) first. Then import the sdf file using MapImport. Be sure you capture Object Data. This will create AutoCAD Points. You can then MapExport to .shp.

Re: exporting points as shape files?

tcorey — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:15:59 GMT

Here's a video that takes you through the steps:

Re: exporting points as shape files?

GreeneSWCD — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:02:38 GMT

Thanks for that, but in my Data tab, I don't have "object data" to select, like I used to in 2016.

Betreff: exporting points as shape files?

Udo_Huebner — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:12:22 GMT

@GreeneSWCD wrote:

...I have four survey points, they are in a .csv file. I need to export those four points as a .shp file..

as @tcorey suggested you can use following steps with Civil 3D 2022 or older versions

1. ImportPoints > you get Civil CoGoPoints from coordinates in CSV Text file

2. ExportToSDF > Export Civil Objects like CoGoPoints to SDF

3. Mapimport > a SDF file and get AutoCAD Points with attached Object Data from SDF

4. MapExport > AutoCAD Points to Esri Shape file with Points

Two other options (if you are using Civil 3D 2020 or 2021):

a) Using CoGoPoint

1. ImportPoints > you get Civil CoGoPoints from coordinates in CSV Text file

2. Install and use Autodesk_SHP_Import_Export_Utility_2021

https://up.autodesk.com/2021/CIV3D/Autodesk_SHP_Import_Export_Utility_2021_ReleaseNotes.htm

b) using Blocks (works in AutoCAD MAp 3D as well)

1. MAPImport > Filetype ASCII Point File, you'll get Blocks named Map_Survey_Point

2. MAPExport > Shape file using previously imported Blocks named Map_Survey_Point

It is best to upload your CSV file so we can see possible extended data to consider.

Re: exporting points as shape files?

tcorey — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 21:18:51 GMT

I think you missed the step of exporting to .sdf and then importing the sdf into a new drawing, from where you MapExport to shp. During import of sdf, you set the data column. See in the video.

Re: exporting points as shape files?

GreeneSWCD — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:44:23 GMT

I've did this process countless times over the last several years, and I've never had to deal with making a .sdf file until now. THe process, as you guys describe it above, works. It's just an extra step compared to 2016 back to 2009.

Thanks guys!

Re: exporting points as shape files?

Kelly.Hafner — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 21:29:45 GMT

Has anyone tried the 'Export Cogo Points to SHP' under the Toolbox tab? I thought this was leading to something good in relation to working with points but found it exports the point elevations into an integer field so rounds to the nearest foot. Tried that for making drainage nodes for a model and wondered why many slopes were flat. Just wanted to point out a word of caution if you try that option and think is works as advertised.

exporting points as shape files?

TerryDotson — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 22:52:17 GMT

If you were to consider third party add-ons, DotSoft's C3DTools contains a dedicated Point Shape Write (and companion Point Shape Read tool). Simply select a point group and your choice of properties, which can be standard CogoPoint properties or Point UDP.

Re: exporting points as shape files?

TerryDotson — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 23:19:27 GMT

@Kelly.Hafner wrote:
Has anyone tried the 'Export Cogo Points to SHP' under the Toolbox tab? I thought this was leading to something good in relation to working with points but found it exports the point elevations into an integer field so rounds to the nearest foot.

Yes, that is the case. Not only is the elevation exported as an integer, the northing and easting is also. Tip, you can drag/drop a .DBF file into Excel to see the data contained.

Re: exporting points as shape files?

Kelly.Hafner — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 01:01:01 GMT

Thanks for the heads up on Excel, had not tried that before. I tried the same thing with the export features lines to SHP and got all integers for the numeric data fields. Wow, I guess making something potentially very useful almost worthless is not new. Maybe some joins and relates for a points exported csv file and the shapefile database might help with the end goal of useful data. Am going to play around more with Excel, that might make this much simpler to sort out. Thank you again for your feedback.

Re: exporting points as shape files?

Liesl_H — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:57:28 GMT

Thank you for this great little video. Very helpful!

Liesl

Re: exporting points as shape files?

Liesl_H — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 19:39:42 GMT

Exporting to csv out of the toolspace - thanks for that tip! I was opening the points table and then exporting from there. This is easier.