Map Newbie - Help with Object Data

[Anonymous]

All,

I am a Map newbie with respect to using the database functions and attaching data (I've used it for years for coordinate transformation but that was it).  So here's my conundrum:

I have a file with property boundaries in it.  I have managed to set up my Object Class for the property lines and attached a data as attributes to the entities.  Or at least when I go to any properties, all of the attributes are listed.  However, I cannot get these to display in table form, particularly for editing.  For example, I want to populate several fields by clicking on the map in a location (i.e. the click retrieves the coordinates and populates the field).  Additionally, once I've got it to display in table form and populated, I need to export the data to a DBF file so that others in the organization can open and populate certain fields without Map (these are usually "Notes" fields).  Please help!

P.S. I did attempt online training but unfortunately, there isn't much out there.  The course I did through Global E-Training was complete garbage.  Thanks.

[O_Eckmann]

Hi,

It seems during your training, you don't see what Map3D can do and what it can't.

It seems you try to use topolgy, classification, FDO connection and Object Data. It's too much.

I try to clarify what you can do with Map 3D Object data:

 - you can view and modify these data only inside AutoCAD Map 3D and Civil 3D, not in other Autodesk products, nor outside of Map 3D.

 - you can't view these data in grid format OOTB. You need 3rd party plugin as @АлексЮстасу says (him and I have developed such plug-in).

 - you can transfer OD in Access database, BUT there is no synchronisation. Any modification on OD isn't report in Access and no modification in Access is synchronised in OD. In my plug-in you can export OD as TXT (tab sep) file, modify TXT file (in note pad or Excel), and re-import modification to update OD. But it isn't dynamic, nor bidirectionnal. Good info, connection of CAD objet with external database can be view/modify in grid mod AND it is available in all AutoCAD based product. Data can be update in Access and when DWG is reopen, data are uptodate.

 - You can't populate OD value orther than manually OOTB. @АлексЮстасу as a plug-in to update OD from existing CAD objet in the drawing (text objet for example). I don't know if it's possible to populate field of point's type from a location picked in drawing.

Just for info, OD has been developped in 1998 and never update by AutoDesk, so it's an archaic techno. In 1998 it was top, but now it's late. But it's interesting to manage these data, that's why some (non Autodesk) developpers try to update these type of data by refreshing UI and adding functionnalities.

For your initial problem, if you wan't to view/modify data in grid mod, update data in Access, and show in AutoCad based product other than Map 3D or Civil 3D, ObjectData is not for you. You need to use connection to external database : Access or any other SQL - Oracle, Postgres, SQL Server.... 

Olivier

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

@O_Eckmann  Thanks for understanding.  As I said from the outset, the training I went through was horrible and did not explain how all of the different data types are (or aren't) connected, modifiable, etc.  That was my end goal to have an external database by initializing it in Map as object attributes, exporting to Access and then finally, remapping the data location from Object Data to the external database.  I may come back to this but I've begun recreating in Global Mapper and so far, everything I'm doing there seems to be on point as well as fairly straightforward in its creation and export.  Thanks.

[АлексЮстасу]

I did an example for my ODCLASS+ODEDIT plugins for Surface Prop - https://youtu.be/aR4xKYBTHY4.
Objects description file - Surf_Props_name.txt, drawing resources - Templ_Surface_Prop_Stripped.dwg. Files - https://yadi.sk/d/x1M3xs_fkic9Yg. Here, too, I attached them.

ODCLASS is made in a similar way to Object classes, but given its limitations and problems.
ODCLASS objects differ in that Object Data requires a field for object type names.
And ODCLASS does not work with OD with Point type fields.

CAD (AutoCAD) are special tools for drawing, and in them draw, working with graphics in general is always more convenient and better than GIS tools (GM or so on).
You can draw with object types and characteristics in ODCLASS or Object classes.
ODs were created a long time ago, but it is eternal value. 🙂
The shovel, too, was invented 30,000 years ago, in Neolithic, but with any gadgets it will remain necessary.
Draw in AutoCAD with ODCLASS or Object classes, enter values in OD, and then pass this data to GIS.