MAPIMPORT ASCII points only show certain blocks in AutoCAD Map 3D

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

Hi all, 

I have recently been trying to automate some of the tasks we do when creating plans - Importing large number of point locations for GI studies. I've created annotative blocks of borehole locations, window samples etc (they also have attribute fields). I can import points as via ACSII import from a CSV comma delimited file using the mapimport function. However, when I go to select the block I want to use, it's not there and only certain ones (not the one I want) show up in the list. 

I have tried following the steps shows here: 

MAPIMPORT ASCII points only show certain blocks in AutoCAD Map 3D or Civil 3D | AutoCAD Map 3D | Aut... 

However this did not help. 

Any ideas about what might be causing the problem?

[ChicagoLooper]

Hello @Mikolaj.Biernacki 

 Would it be possible to upload a screenshot? From your drawing, do this: 

1. Start INSERT command then click the NAME dropdown. 
2. Take a screenshot of the Insert dialog window so the name of the block you want to use is displayed in the dropdown list. 
3. Upload the screenshot. 

<<This screenshot will help evaluate your drawing conditions.>>

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

Screenshot attached. 

[Pointdump · Accepted solution]

Hi Mikolaj,
Maybe >>>This<<< from @АлексЮстасу.
Dave

[fieldguy]

does your ascii file have a Z value? you said "only show certain blocks". you should confirm that with QSelect and search for block name.  maybe they are there and you can't see them.

in the past i have created a block that only has a sphere - it is visible at all view angles (Orbit command).    

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @Mikolaj.Biernacki 

Thanks for uploading your image. Can you upload another one?

1. Start CLASSICINSERT command. 
2. Click the ‘Name’ drop arrow. 
3. Take a screenshot of the Insert window so it displays all the blocks listed in the dropdown. 

 

Highlight the block you wish to use. If your block doesn’t appear in the dropdown, then you’ll need to do extra work. (BTW, what’s the name of your block?)

Additional Notes:

1. If your block’s name does not appear in the INSERT drop shown above then you’ll need to insert (or add) the block to your drawing. Adding it will ‘establish’ the block’s definition into this specific dwg file. 
2. Once the block definition is established, you’ll need to make a ‘copy of the block.’ <<Adding a ‘copy’ is not the same as adding an original version of the block.>>
3. To make a copy, open the block using the Block Editor=>Open/Save panel=>click dropdown arrow=>perform a Save As giving it a New Name.
4. After you close the block editor save your drawing. 

Does you new block now appear in the MAPIMPORT dropdown?

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

Hi @ChicagoLooper 

The block name appears to be on the CLASSICINSERT list. it's the "A - BOREHOLE" block. 

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

Hi @fieldguy 

Apologies, I might not have been 100% clear about what is happening. It's not that I can't see the blocks after importing the data using the MAPIMPORT function. What is happening is that when I am using the MAPIMPORT function it's possible to create custom block to be used as the symbol which will be displayed when the import is finished. However, the blocks that I want to use do not appear in the selection list. 

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

Hi All, 

So I created a new drawing (as opposed to opening a pre-prepared template) and created a new block (just few lines and a point, not annotative, not dynamic and without attributes etc.). Then I tried using the MAPIMPORT function again to get my points into MAP 3D, and the newly created block was there.

So the question now is why do the some previously created blocks do not appear when opening a project from a dwt. template file. 

I've also tried creating a new block in the blank / new drawing, going to block editor pasting the "A - BOREHOLE" block in there, saving it in the drawing, saving the drawing and trying to use the MAPIMPORT and the block doesn't appear in the list.

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

@ChicagoLooper 

Here are the files I am working with.

[ChicagoLooper]

@Mikolaj.Biernacki wrote

<<…going to block editor pasting the "A - BOREHOLE" block in there, saving it in the drawing…>>

Don’t paste in block editor. Paste in modelspace…….then select the pasted block=>right click=>edit in block editor=>perform Save Block As (BSAVEAS) a new block. Give it the name ‘A-BOREHOLE_v2’. Next, close/exit the block editor. 

You want to name it as a second version, hence   _v2, because you want a ‘copied’ version, not the original version. 

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

Unless I'm doing something wrong again, it still doesn't work.

[ChicagoLooper]

Try using any block in the dropdown list as a ‘dummy’ block. The dummy will stand in for the block you really want to use.

First, insert the block you want to use placing it in a ‘vacant area’ of modelspace, i.e. off to the side. Then, insert your points using the dummies. Next, use the Replace Block command found on the Express Tools ribbon. 

 

Select the dummy block. 

 

Select the block which will replace the dummy. 

 

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @Mikolaj.Biernacki 

FWIW, I try to avoid using using ASCII files when executing MAPIMPORT for blocks to represent boreholes or MWs. It’s a lot easier to import a shapefile instead of an ASCII. 

Yea it may take a few more steps to create them, but it’s worth it especially when it has the advantage of pulling out the data from the shapefile’s database, for example labeling each BH or MW with an ID. Or labeling a depth interval of a borehole. Or the concentration of a constituent in the groundwater. 

ASCII files are OK. But for Boreholes and monitoring wells, there’s always room to inform the reader of additional info even though the reader doesn’t realize that it benefits the drawing. It’s a manifestation of the Cad guy taking the initiative to present geospatial sample data. Jus’ sayin. 

[АлексЮстасу · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Mikolaj.Biernacki,

Blocks A - BOREHOLE and TRIAL BLOCK do not contain either Line or Point. Therefore, they are not visible in the MAPIMPORT list.
The TRIAL TRENCH LOCATION LEGEND block contains a Lines and is therefore seen by MAPIMPORT.
(This is my ridiculous hypothesis, but it works).

1. Create a new Insert-Create block or call the _BLOCK command.
Select any Line or Point to create the block.

2. Open this block in the block editor. Insert the desired objects, attributes, and so on. But you need to leave at least one Line or Point in the block.
Save the block.
This block appears in the MAPIMPORT list.

[Mikolaj.Biernacki]

Turns out this works, I was just doing it wrong before.