I have a DWG showing service pipe layouts. I need to superimpose a grid over the pipe layouts. From the DWG, I need to extract data which will list which pipe is passing through the superimposed grid.
I have attached a previous example done by someone else, who is no longer contactable.
I have not extracted data before and I have been told that the previous guy who did the DWG/data extraction "sort of blagged it". I believe he used Microsoft Access to list data.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
@Craig_Swan Are you using AutoCAD MAP3D or Civil3D?
And is that the program(s) used by the file creator? Or something else?
for data extraction, check out the DATAEXTRACTION command
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-5A39FFE8-10AC-4AE5-8EF4-D097C8261D1A
When it comes to finding which lines cross each other, I would probably look to some math and data analysis. That said there may be tools out there on the market that can help with this.
https://www.cuemath.com/geometry/intersection-of-two-lines/
CADnoob
I have downloaded Map3D but never used before. I do not know which programme the original creator used unfortunately. This has been just left at my door, to add a grid , create a data extraction list. I have attached the tutorial I was given to "help me".
@Craig_Swan
Hi, there was no attachment on your previous post. Did you intend to include a file or link?

Chris Benner
Industry Community Manager – Design & Manufacturing
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Hi @Craig_Swan
The previous author "sort of blagged it" because he has that Microsoft Access data CONNECTED to an ODBC driver. I'm guessing his pipes were originally in another format, e.g. shapefile, Gdb, or SDF. To download that driver, go >>HERE<<.
<<Note: This driver is a BEAST and although it's easy to download, it's not easy to install. You may need to put a ticket in with your IT Department.>>
Once it's properly installed, you'll need to use it to make an Object Database Connection (ODBC). This connection allows Microsoft and Autodesk programs to communicate and read one another's files.
<<Note: The ODBC connection is an advanced, high-level procedure. Newbies beware.>>
Here's a >>previous post<< that involves attaching additional data from an external file. Although it doesn't deal specifically with pipes and a grid like your situation, the post references a Word doc that provided instructions which I was able to follow and link an External file (Excel) with an existing shapefile.
In your case you are trying to link an External file (Access) with existing AutoCAD objects. To perform an ODBC you'll need to convert your linework (pipes) to shapefile. Try as you might, you CANNOT connect an Access file to plain vanilla AutoCAD objects like pipes. It can't be done!
To get what you want, you'll need:
Sorry, but you can't 'link' an Access file with vanilla linework that represents pipes. You are dealing with data and that data must be readable and accessible by both Microsoft Access and Autodesk AutoCAD.
For now, install the ODBC driver.(Or have IT install it for you.) If you can't install it, you'll be lost and wondering why you can't make any headway.
Chicagolooper
Thanks so much for your comments.
I have attached the properties of previous users pipe lines, can you tell from below if his lines were shapefile type?
Hi @Craig_Swan ,
It's possible to do what you want, but it uses lots of specific commands and concepts not easy for a beginner.
Grid :
1.1. Convert grid from line to square (rectangles as closed poylines).
1.2. Join letters into 1 text centered in the square. The 2 MText should become a single text.
1.3. Create an OD table named GRID with a field (type of text) names REF
1.4. with command ADEGENLINK, transfer text value to square with option enclosed text and create OD link.
1.5. Map export to SHP your square (check closed polylines as mpolygon) as file name GRID.SHP
Pipe :
2.1. Make a copy of 1 type of pipe into a new drawing
2.2. Attach this drawing as data source into a new drawing.
2.3. make a request in report mode with extraction of X1, Y1 and LT key into file names START.TXT
2.4.1. if you pipe are only LINES (not polylines), make a request in report mode with extraction of X2, Y2 and LT key into file names END.TXT and go to 2.5.
2.4.2. if you pipe use POLYLINES, make a request in drawing mode of your pipes, use PEDIT MULTIPLE to reverse sens of polylines (last point become first point), save bak to source file, make a request in report mode with extraction of X2, Y2 and LT key into file names END.TXT
2.5. Next goal is to convert TXT files into ponctual SHP with LTKey as ID.
2.5.1. You can use ODBC connexion and bulk copy,
2.5.2. You can use MAPIMPORT to convert into bloc and MAPEXPORT to SHP
2.5.3 You can use QGIS import CSV, saveas SHP : for me, it's the eaysiest way even if it uses an external process.
2.6. Export pipes as SHP of type LINE with LT Key as field (file PIPE.SHP)
Overlay :
3.1. connect all SHP : PIPE, GRID, START, END
3.2. make overlay of identity of START and GRID => in new SDF you obtain : GridID, LTKey for start point of pipe
3.3. make overlay of identity of END and GRID => in new SDF you obtain : GridID, LTKey for end point of pipe
3.4. make overlay of identity of PIPE and GRID=> in new SDF you obtain cutted pipes per squares grid with ID of grid and LT key => make an extraction in Excel of length of polyline, Grid ID and LT Key, sort your excel by LT Key + Length to obtain the grid id of the longuest part of pipe per pipe
3.5 make a join form PIPE.SHP with :
START.SDF to obtain GridID of start point
END.SDF to obtain GridID of end point
Excel File (via ODBC) to obtain GridID of longuest part of pipe.
3.6 MAPIMPORT your new connection SHP to obtain in OD all of your data.
Plus :
Instead of MAPEXPORT / MAPIMPORT pipes, you could use my plug-in to manage OD in easier manner.
Olivier Eckmann
I have had my IT Dept download below (Screenshot)
Is this the actual driver? What is the next step I should be doing now?
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