Automated way to create a customized reference grid
You didn't mention the coordinate system you've assigned to modelspace and without assigning that CS, you can't create a grid, such as the one you create using MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM.
Assigning a proper CS is critical to using that command. It also helps to have an understanding of SCALE beyond the typical ivebeenusingautocadforyearsandiknowhowthechangeviewportscale.
Run the MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM command then select (click) the VP you want to place a grid. Here’s an example using State Plane Coord Sys assigned to modelspace. The resultant grid is 1” X 1”.
FYI, the coordinates (black numbers) along the perimeter of the VP in image 2 are 'live' meaning they're dynamic. That means if you pan east, west, north or south, the coordinates will change too. Same goes if you zoom-in or -out, the numbers will adjust automatically.
Chicagolooper
Thank you for your reply. You are completely right about the scale. "ivebeenusingautocadforyearsandiknowhowthechangeviewportscale" and sometimes have to pause for a few seconds, especially when we receive drawings in imperial units.
We work with WGS84 and have, at least, 2 different scales in the layouts. There is a layout with an overview, with a much smaller scale (1:4000, 1:5000), and the rest of the layouts with a bigger scale (1:500 most of the times).
Usually, we have drawings with 40 or 50 layouts (sometimes a lot more), and it's very time consuming to go through all of them to apply a CS grid.
I have a Lisp routine (a very crude one because I only started messing with Lisp recently) to apply some commands to all layouts without having to go through each one individually. My routine is this:
(defun c:execall ()
(setq com (getstring "\Enter a command: "))
(setq nargs (getint "How many arguments: "))
(setq COMMLIST (list com))
(repeat nargs (setq COMMLIST (append COMMLIST (list (getstring "Enter an argument: ")))))
(foreach Layout (layoutlist)
(command "LAYOUT" "S" Layout)
(command "PSPACE")
(apply 'command COMMLIST)
(command "ZOOM" "E")
(command "REGENALL")
)
(princ)
)
My problem is when I try this with the command MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM. I can give the coordinates of some random point in the viewport border as the first argument, so the command is applied to the viewport and I don't have to keep choosing the viewport in every layout. However, after choosing the viewport, the command shows the popup window and I don't know which argument to use to just accept the default values and keep applying the command to the other layouts without having to press "OK" in fifty (or more) popup windows. It should work something like this:
- Enter a command: MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM
- How many arguments: 2
- Enter an argument: coordinates x and y of a point in the viewport border
- Enter an argument: argument that would just "click" Ok on the popup window (is this even possible to execute as an argument?)
This is my first issue.
My second issue is that after applying a grid with the correct coordinates in all layouts (and having it display like in your reply), we need to place an "extra" grid. On the left, we need to place letters, and on the top we need to place numbers. Is there any automated way to place these letters and numbers, using the CS grid as a reference (the letters and numbers should be placed between the "intervals" created by the CS grid - red in the drawing I attached)?
Thank you.
@Albuquerque6PUK4 wrote
<...My problem is when I try this with the command MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM. I can give the coordinates of some random point...>>
It's not requiring you to select a random POINT, it's really asking you which viewport to place a 'reference grid.' If you are relying on lisp to automatically select a VP for you, then don't bother using MapLayoutReferenceSystem. Instead, you should rely on your lisp to pick it for you.
It sounds like you're trying to 'combine' the AutoCAD ref grid command with your own workflow and it won't work because your own input is interfering with the Cad command.
When using MapLayoutReferenceSystem, you don't need to provide any arguments, what you need to provide are the parameters of scale, such as (a) the specific viewport scale used on a specific layout, (b) the scale of the grid or the size of the grid cells (c) the coordinate system which your grid is referencing, such as UTM, State Plane, OSGB, CSRS, etc., etc. b/c every coordinate system has units (meters/feet) and those units will have an affect whether you like it or not.
You also need to be cognizant that the reference grid placed your VP does NOT have to be the same as the coordinate system you assign to modelspace. What does that mean? It means its entirely customizable. You may assign State Plane US Feet to modelspace then create a reference grid that displays UTM meters, or vice versa.
Because modelspace can use one geospatial reference system and the viewport map reference grid can use another means the those two reference systems are independent, i.e. they don't have to be the same nor have relate to each other.
Chicagolooper
You can defiinitely do it with MapReferenceLayoutSystem.
You don't need that argument. i.e. first point, last point. Really, you don't need it. If it's asking for that then you're not doing it correctly.
- Assign a CS to modelspace. This step is mandatory.
- On layout tab, establish your VP scale. If more than one VP on your layout tab, establish scale for each individual VP.
- Execute MAPREFERENCELAYOUTSYSTEM=>Select a viewport using your cursor.
- In the dialog window, establish the grid parameters, this is where it might get confusing, very confusing......for example, (a) which coordinate system will the ref grid use, the same one as modelspace or do you want to use a different one, (b) what scale for the VP, do you want to continue using your VP scale or do you want to change it, (c) what size of grid cells do you prefer, QQmm X RRmm.
Can you upload a sample drawing for better explanation?
Chicagolooper
Hi @AlbuquerquePUK4,
You'll probably get more traction on your question in the >>>Customization Forum<<<.
Dave
Dave Stoll
Las Vegas, Nevada
NVIDIA Quadro P5000 16GB
Windows 10 Pro 64 / Civil 3D 2025
I would use the built in reference grid. Why? Because it's dynamic and that means if you move the target area of your viewport east/west/north/south then the reference grid will A-U-T-O-M-A-T-I-C-A-L-L-Y adjust and reference NEW values for the ref grid running across the viewport.
For example, here's a view of Albuquerque NM by I-25. You can see Arroyo del Oso Golf Course east of the interstate. Notice the numbers of the reference grid around the perimeter of the viewport. Those values reference New Mexico State Plane coordinate system, central zone, US feet. (See image-1) 
Continuing with the same example, here's Albuquerque International Airport which is approximately 4 miles southwest of the golf course. (See image-2) Compare these numbers around the VP (they're still referenced to State Plane, Central zone) with the values shown on the previous image. 
Why to the number change? Because the VP is reflecting the values of the assigned coordinate system, which in this case is NM83-CF (New Mexico, NAD83, Central Zone, US feet). As the TARGET AREA of the viewport changes, so does the grid. The numbers are dynamic and that means they'll change on-the-fly when you pan in the viewport.
Notes:
- The numbers around the VP will also dynamically change if you zoom-in or -out.
- In the above example, the viewport scale is 1"=2000' (your actual VP scale may vary).
- In the above example, the reference grid has a 1"x1" cell size, hence the values increase/decrease by 2,000 (your actual grid cell may vary).
- If you have a thorough understanding of Viewport Scale vs Map Scale, then establishing notes 2 and 3 will be easy.
Chicagolooper
Hi @Albuquerque6PUK4 ,
I think that letters and numbers can't be added by native command, but if you play with lisp, and make (entget (car (entsel))) and select the PLGRIDSYSTEM object, you find all small tick, and at the end after code 340, you find all horizontal and vertical lines.
That's the end of the PLGRIDSYSTEM object info returned in lisp in your sheet 01.
(340 . <Nom d'entité: 1d28c0d4960>) (70 . 9) (62 . 18) (420 . 0) (90 . 10) (90 . 2) (40 . 43.4564) (40 . 67.2882) (40 . 625.456) (40 . 67.2882) (90 . 2) (40 . 43.4564) (40 . 167.288) (40 . 625.456) (40 . 167.288) (90 . 2) (40 . 43.4564) (40 . 267.288) (40 . 625.456) (40 . 267.288) (90 . 2) (40 . 43.4564) (40 . 367.288) (40 . 625.456) (40 . 367.288) (90 . 2) (40 . 43.4564) (40 . 467.288) (40 . 625.456) (40 . 467.288) (90 . 2) (40 . 142.005) (40 . 24.8323) (40 . 142.005) (40 . 533.832) (90 . 2) (40 . 242.005) (40 . 24.8323) (40 . 242.005) (40 . 533.832) (90 . 2) (40 . 342.005) (40 . 24.8323) (40 . 342.005) (40 . 533.832) (90 . 2) (40 . 442.005) (40 . 24.8323) (40 . 442.005) (40 . 533.832) (90 . 2) (40 . 542.005) (40 . 24.8323) (40 . 542.005) (40 . 533.832))1st code 90, says number of line : 10 = 5 vertical + 5 horizontal
And each code 90 says 2 points :
1st point : X = 1st code 40, Y = 2nd code 40
2nd point : X = 3rd code 40, Y = 4th code 40
With these info, you can automate placement of your letters and numbers.
For dialog box which appears when you attach or add antoher grid, I haven't found any solution to bypass it.
I haven't found any API in lisp too. Perhaps in .Net
You can ask your question in customization forum
Olivier Eckmann
You are confusing Map3D's Map Book with the MapSystemReferenceSystem.
They are two different Map3D features that serve two separate functions. Terms are not interchangeable so if you use one term in place of the other you'll not only confuse the forum but you'll confuse yourself too.
Here's a, 8-1/2 minute >>VIDEO<< on how to create a Map Book by Jerry Bartels.
I don't like reinventing the wheel. If an existing command will serve your purpose then invest some of your time and master it. The Map Book will create the columns and rows you desperately want.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Chicagolooper
Hi @Albuquerque6PUK4 ,
You could try this code.
It should be executed in each layout.
Work only when grid is East/north (not rotated)
I try to use international command and options (developped on my french version), so I hope I've forgotten any command.
Olivier Eckmann
Hi @OTMortimer
Unfortunately user @Albuquerque6PUK4 didn’t use the correct terminology when explaining what he needed. He didn’t need MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM, he actually needed a Map Book.
Here’s a video by Jerry Bartels explaining how to use the Map Book feature. To watch the video click >>HERE<<.
The Map Book is the tool used to create letters and numbers for a ‘Tiled Map.’
The feature known as MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM is a powerful tool used for a different purpose—it’s
not appropriate for the result you want.
Use the Map Book function to establish your GRID (your tiles/columns & rows). Don’t confuse MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM with the Map Book function, they’re two different things. Don’t refer to MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM when you really mean you want Map Book.
When using Map Book, you can choose columns & rows to make you map ‘Tiles.’
Chicagolooper
