MAPEXPORT produces no results

[jporter]

I've got a client who uses Map 3D 2020 and Civil 3D 2020.  Both software are fully updated.  Each software is installed on two separate computers for two separate users. 

They want to use the MAPEXPORT command to export a file out to KML format.  They initiate the MAPEXPORT command and go through the process. . .

• file type = kml, kmz
• file name given
• all objects are selected
• object properties are set
• coordinate system was set prior to the export tool

When the user clicks OK to save the file out it appears as though it saves and is complete.  However, the file cannot be found anywhere.  I verified the directory and tested a few times with the same results.  

We then tested the same process but tried to export out to a SHP file with the same results with the same outcome.  

It's not a file issue because we tested in an existing drawing, a new drawing, and one from my computer.  All had the same results.  

I then tested on my computer in Civil 3D 2020 and Map 3D 2020 and it worked fine for me (same build as my clients).  

Any ideas?

[Pointdump]

Hi Jason,
"...the file cannot be found anywhere."
You've probably already thought of this, but did you do a C Drive Windows Search?
Dave

[jporter]

@Pointdump, always happy to see you trying to help out.  Thanks for the reply. 

Yes, I've already done that.  I even named it something crazy with that could not be accidentally mistyped (like AAAAAAA_1111111.kml) just to make sure) it and to make sure I wasn't going crazy.  

[АлексЮстасу]

---

@jporter wrote:

I then tested on my computer in Civil 3D 2020 and Map 3D 2020 and it worked fine for me (same build as my clients).  

---

Has the kmz file been created on your computer?

When exporting, a report such as this appears in the command window:

Command: MAPEXPORT
"... object(s) of ... selected, exported in ... sec(s).

?

[jporter]

@АлексЮстасу , yes, I was able to create the KML, KMZ file with no issue.  I did get the indicator of "... object(s) of ... selected, exported in ... sec(s)."  My client never received that though.  Nothing happens for them, not even an error message.  It's very weird.  

[АлексЮстасу]

Do export to other formats on the client's computers?
For example, in shp, mif?
It is possible that MAPEXPORT does not work for clients at all.

By the way, Google Earth understands not only kml/kmz. 🙂

[jporter]

The company is a small firm. . .one Civil 3D user and one Map 3D user.  The MAPEXPORT doesn't work for either of them, and I tested several formats.  I realize that Google Earth will only accept KML or KMZ files.  The whole reason I tested the other formats was to simply see if they worked.  No format works for them.  

[АлексЮстасу]

Google Earth Pro opens files in many formats:

There are many topics on the forum about MAPEXPORT issues. For example - https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-map-3d-forum/mapexport-command-not-working/m-p/6771063

The easiest tip is to try to update Map/Civil.

... Although, overall MAPEXPORT works well.

[jporter]

I’m not concerned about what Google Earth accepts or does not accept. What’s more concerning is the fact that the software fails to export any type of file at all. There are no errors. In my initial post I state that the software is fully updated. What update are you talking about?

I also reviewed the support file paths in my initial review of the problem and saw no issues. I’ll check again and verify though.

[АлексЮстасу]

I specifically asked you if all formats were not exported... If all formats, the most likely problem is installing the AutoCAD.

There 's a small chance the problem is data.
Have you successfully exported client data?
If not, try exporting their data.
Maybe attach a little fragment here.

[O_Eckmann]

Hi,

Just an idea, have you tried to turn off anti-virus?

Did you succeed to connect SHP via FDO? Because I think Mapexport use FDO techno to generate files.

Olivier

[ChicagoLooper]

It looks as though the kmz file is not being created. AutoCad gives the impression that it can complete the export but at the last second realizes it can't, so it abandons the procedure. It should give a warning or reason why it fails, but it's not. What are the objects to be exported? Are all objects AutoCad entities or are there non-Acad entities mixed in?

[jporter]

So this was a very weird one.  It's resolved itself, but we're very much confused as to how.  Let me address the indivual questions first. . .

• To answer your question @ChicagoLooper, they were all simple AutoCAD linework.  I tested the procedure with several items, though, and all resulted in the same outcome. 
• And @O_Eckmann, we initially did the anti-virus test with the same results.  
• @АлексЮстасу, this would happen in any drawing, even ones I created and sent to him as a test.  I suspect that if I posted any data here then you all would have had nothing but positive results.  

So I've been working with this company for several days testing all sorts of scenarios.  Suddenly, late yesterday it just started working.  We performed no updates, no reboots (we did that days ago), no special user credentials changed, . . .NOTHING.  I can't explain why it happened, how it happened, or why or how it even resolved itself.   

Thank you to everyone who posted and attempted to help me though.  I very much appreciate it.  

[АлексЮстасу]

Hypothesis.

Some Map 3D actions not performed (not always executed) until MAPWSPACE ON is loaded.

[ChicagoLooper]

I can confirm using MAPEXPORT to kml is flaky, it works when it wants to. If you want to create a kml file you can still do it in round-about way. Simply export to shapefile first. There are pros and cons to doing it this way. 

Pros:

• It works. It's not flaky like export to kml.
• It can hold data that can be carried over to the kml, e.g. AutoCad properties, block attribute data, Object Data.

Cons:

• It involves an extra step to create the kml. 
• If you wish to export points and lines and polygons, then you'll need to export three separate shapefiles.

From Google Earth Pro do this:

• File=>Import=>Browse to and select your shapefile. The shapefile will be listed at bottom of the Places Panel.
• Go to Places Panel and right-click the shapefile then select 'Save Place As' so you can save it as a kml file.
• You may, or may not, choose to create a template upon import. It's always beneficial to create one.
• If you create a template, you can choose to select a field and use that field to label the kml objects.
• To view attribute data, click directly on a kml object.

[АлексЮстасу]

I have encountered that when opening AutoCAD Map 3D, not all Map 3D libraries are loaded.
And not all Map 3D features can work.
But they are probably loaded after calling MAPWSPACE ON - it started working.

[ChicagoLooper]

In a drawing containing AutoCad objects only, export kml will not output a file. Doesn’t matter if Map Task Pane is open not, have tried both ways with Task Pane either opened or closed, it makes no difference since there are only AutoCad objects.

Why does export to kml it fail? Why would it matter if Map Task Pane is open or not? It is definitely possible to export plain AutoCad points OR lines OR polylines to kml, it’s not prohibited. So why does it work sometimes while other times it doesn’t even when Task Pane is opened? The status of Task Pane is irrelevant. 

[jporter]

@АлексЮстасу I have been using the MAPEXPORT command for years.  I've never had to launch the Map Task Pane to get the export to work.  As a matter of fact, most of my clients work in Civil 3D and a lot of them only use Map 3D features that they can call from the command line because they don't know the Map 3D ribbon as well as Civil 3D.  

@ChicagoLooper I agree with your assessment of the pros and cons of exporting to KML.  And, yes, in my experience the task pane (open or not) is irrelevant.  

Like I said earlier though, this weird issue has now, somehow, resolved itself.  I'm a bit perplexed at that.  But some mysteries (like where is the City of Atlantis) you cannot explain and are not worth spending the time to try to figure out.  

[ChicagoLooper]

@jporter 

You probably already know this, but using Export to KML on the Toolbox Tab of Toolspace is also an option when exporting from C3D. This command, however, can also also be flaky. From GE Pro, importing shapefile is beneficial because you can label using a field as opposed to importing a kml where you can't. This 'extra' step to  produce a kml (dwg=>shapefile=>kml)  from C3D can be considered a minor inconvenience.   

I find this command just as flaky as MAPEXPORT to kml.

[jporter]

Yes, I do know this and that was a temporary workaround.  Problem was that the boss-man for this company only uses Map 3D while everyone else uses Civil 3D.  So I needed to figure out why it wasn't working for either on their end. And yes, it too is somewhat flaky.  

Thanks though!