C3D Surface Mess

[john.uhden]

That's "MESS" not "mesh."

Because someone else was working in the base drawing, I opened a copy to make an existing ground surface model.

Then what?  So I decided to wblock the surface to its own BASE_EG.dwg, thinking I could then just insert it exploded into the base later.

So I tried it not realizing that the surface contained most all of the cogo points.  I tried incrementing the duplicate point numbers, but that was an uncontrollable mess.  So then I tried overwriting the duplicates but I got duplicates anyway, seriously,  two point #893, etc. etc.

Now I think I'll have to xref attach the EG into the base, so that it travels along when the base is xreffed into the various plan sheets.

So, what's the best way to transfer a surface from one drawing to another?  Is it possible without all the negative side effects?

[m_kingdon]

Data Shortcut?

I assume this is a TIN surface.

[Pointdump]

John,
Have you tried XML'ing both the surface and cogo points?
Dave

[john.uhden]

First... thank you so much for taking your time to respond!
Yes, a C3D DTM, not an LDT TIN or an AutoCAD 3D surface.
I am ignorant of data shortcuts having just jumped into C3D at the end of
September after decades of using LDT. So my mentality is quite archaic.
All I wanted was to create the contours to put into the base map. But,
alas, the contours are not separate objects as they were in LDT.
It would have been fine if the base drawing wasn't in use at the time, but
I was trying to move the project along in tandem with others here. I
probably should have waited until the base drawing was free. In fact,
maybe that is the solution for such future circumstances. I dunno.
Might such shortcuts be part of the solution?

[rl_jackson]

I'd export the points to a simply asci file (only those used for the surface) Make sure I had all breaklines that I could copy to a new drawing and use the exported points file and breaks to create a Surface drawing that could be Data Referenced into the base file. Just my take HTH

[wfberry]

If  the existing ground surface is good, I can see no reason why you would not LAND XML out the surface then LAND XML in the surface to your drawing.  (Basically what Dave said.)

Bill

[john.uhden]

Why, thank you, Bill.
I have never used XML.
But would it create the duplicate point syndrome or avoid it?

[Anonymous]

If it is a Surface in the original drawing, and you are wanting something clean, I often Extract the triangles and use those to make a new surface.  This leaves all the baggage behind and you end up with a clean, light weight surface.

XML out is on the Output Tab, and would also work, but it takes everything with it.

Thanks,

[john.uhden]

I think I have decided that in the future I will wait for the base dwg to
be free.
Same would go for the grading plan.

[jeff_rivers]

There are some C3D lessons you just have to learn the hard way.  I discovered many years ago that using the AutoCAD <copy> command on a corridor was a really really bad idea.  I wanted to make a backup copy before doing some major edits. so I created a copy of the corridor in the corridor drawing, just like copying any old plain AutoCAD entity. 

I got my corridor copy.  

I also got copies of every alignment, profile, featureline, surface, and a bunch of other stuff associated with the corridor.  I spent almost a full day cleaning up the mess I created for myself.  

[john.uhden]

@jeff_rivers :
So in my case, the lesson might be to copy the geometry and text (excluding
Cogo points) from the original base into the one containing the surface
only and saving over the original base. I might have to copy point groups
too, but that's no big deal.
Many thanks for sharing your experience.

[Joe-Bouza · Accepted solution]

Extract the contours to poly lines and get a beer

[john.uhden]

Hi, Joe.
Guess you had a good teacher a while back, eh? 🙂
Can I substitute a Clem & Club for the beer?

[Joe-Bouza]

Hi John

you certainly can and you are absolutely right. 

Paying forward 👍 

[john.uhden]

Many thanks, Joe!

BTW, do you know how to create an automatic signature for each response, including the Elite thingy?

Better yet, can you tell me?

[Jeff_M]

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@john.uhden wrote:

BTW, do you know how to create an automatic signature for each response, including the Elite thingy?

Better yet, can you tell me?

---

John, find your picture at the upper right of the forum page, click it then select the Forum preferences option. Click the Personal tab, this is where you can add your signature. I'm sending a private message for adding the EE image.

[john.uhden]

Um, I don't find my picture at the top right of any page.
When I do double-click on my photo, I don't see any Forum Preferences pick.

[Joe-Bouza]

Hi John

When you are logged in the Top righ @Jeff_M  mentions gets you to you prefs where you can setup signatures, photos, etc