PLOTTING LOT BEARINGS

[j_gonzaga_528498]

Hello!

Can anyone help me with plotting the lot bearings? I don't have an actual lot bearing from a surveyor since the lot I'm using was only traced from google earth. I just converted the azimuth to lot bearings based on the tutorials on the internet. However, when I plot the bearings I made, they do not match the shape of the lot I traced. What should I do?

[j_gonzaga_528498]

Here's the file, btw.

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

I think you have the syntax of Surveyor's Units with the compass-direction parts reversed, whether that reversal is part of converting azimuth to bearings, or in applying in the drawing.

For example, in the 1-to-2 line, the bearing direction S18D18'W should mean Southward initially and then swung 18°18' to Westward, that is, in a direction like this:

But you have it going Westward initially and then swung 18°18' to Southward, that is, like this:

What is the source of the azimuth directions you are converting, and how are you doing the converting?  Is azimuth direction zero [as I think is typical in navigation and compass-oriented usage] North?  And do angles progress upward from zero in [as I also think is typical] clockwise direction?  If so, you may be able to solve it just by changing your ANGBASE and ANGDIR System Variable settings [read about them in Help].  In AutoCAD, by default, as in mathematics [e.g. geometry], zero° is to the right, and angles progress upward counterclockwise, so you need to change those settings if you want compass azimuth usage.

[autoid374ceb4990 · Accepted solution]

What are azimuths on the lines in your drawing?

Attached is a drawing with the bearings and distances as calculated by my software. 

[j_gonzaga_528498]

I'll try this. Thank you!

[j_gonzaga_528498]

Thank you so much for this!

[autoid374ceb4990]

These settings have never made much sense to me, but to display surveyors bearings correctly in AutoCAD, use these settings:

I am using an old version of AutoCAD, not sure where you set these in the newer versions.

[AllenJessup]

You can plot Azimuths directly by setting your 0 direction to North and your angle to clockwise. Azimuths are measured from North in a Clockwise direction. So East would be 90°, South would be a 180° Azimuth, West would be 270° and North 0°.

[autoid374ceb4990]

In my area surveyors use bearings (like N 35°-18'-48" E) rather that azimuths.  I understand that azimuths can also be used with a south zero reference, but I have surveyed in 5 different states and have never run into a south reference azimuth.  The "surveyor angles" entry that AutoCAD invented was so clunky that I wrote my own software that allows directions (like N 35°-18'-48" E ) to be entered as "N35.1848E" and azimuths, both north and south reference, can be entered by adding a code letter to the angle.

[AllenJessup]

Yes. In my area too. However the OP said he had Azimuths so that actually makes it easier to plot.

The South 0° reference for Azimuths was an old USGS convention. I believe it was easier when doing sun shots.

A one place I worked in the way-back. They used Azimuths for stakeout. We would reference a backsight with a known Azimuth then turn to the Azimuth for the stake point. I believe this was because it was easier to output Azimuths in the software they were using at the time..

[autoid374ceb4990]

j_gonzaga_528498:

Just out of curiosity, in what units ( meters, feet, ??) are your distance measurements?