Can't find Add Points to Surface button

[m.castaldi]

Hi there

I'm trying to add point cloud to existing surface.

As reported here (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/civil-3d/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2017/ENU/Civi...) as far as I select the point cloud I should be able to find the  "add point to surface" button.

I am not able to find that button. Attached an image of my toolbar after I select point cloud.

Anyone can suggest me where the button is?

I use C3D 2020

Thanks

[M_Obradovic]

Hi, please see attached image.

select point than right click and Elevation from surface

[Pointdump]

Marco,
"...as I select the point cloud I should be able to find the "add point to surface" button."
I wondered about this myself. I think the only way is to use Paste Surface.
Dave

[m.castaldi]

Hi, thanks for your reply, but I think this not what I need.

I attached a Recap point cloud into C3D and I wish to add point cloud to an existing surface.

The procedure to do that is described at the link I pasted in my previous comment but I am not able to find that button.

[m.castaldi]

I think the online guide is missing something

[Jeff_M · Accepted solution]

You say you are using C3D 2020 yet the link to the help is for C3D 2017. Things have changed and C3D no longer works directly with point clouds. Create a new surface from PointCloud.

[m.castaldi]

Hello Jeff, really thanks for your reply.

I knew about that button to create a new surface from point clouds but in my case I wish to update a surface previously created, I don't need to create a new surface. So my question is, how can I do that?

Just to be clear I created a surface from "point cloud 1" (I used the "Create surface from point cloud" button you mentioned). I called this surface "Surface 1" and I used it to realize my project.

Now I wish to update "Surface 1" with a "point cloud 2" which I received (I want to overwrite it totally).

I did the following procedure:

1. Attached "point clouds 2" in CIVIL3D

2.Created "Surface 2" from "point could 2"

3. Cancelled objects from "Surface 1" (Surface 1 --> Definition --> Drawing Objects --> Eliminate)

4. Attached "Surface 2" in "Surface 1" (Surface 1 --> Definition --> Edits --> Paste surface --> Surface 2)

5. Cancelled from drawing "Surface 2".

The procedure 1-4 seems to work. However, as far as I cancel "surface 2" points are eliminated also in "surface 1". 

Why this happens? Haven't I pasted all information from "Surface 2" into "Surface 1"? How can I eliminate "surface 2" without losing elements also in "surface 1"?

Thanks

[Pointdump · Accepted solution]

Marco,
Pasting the Surface with the Point Cloud is probably the only way to add that cloud to an already created Surface.
I wouldn't eliminate data from any of your Surfaces. Just use the Paste Method.
Dave

[Joe-Bouza]

Does you surface display have points turned on? the command is only available if points are displayed

[m.castaldi]

Hi Dave, thanks.

I only do not understand why should I have 2 identical surfaces in my drawing (after that I attach Surface 2 into surface 1 they are identical). It seems strange to me that there is no way to attach point from Surface 2 into Surface 1 and than cancel it.

I am a new user so I trust your suggestions, but I think it could be good in future C3D versions to add this possibility.

Thanks everybody for your kindness.

[Pointdump]

Marco,
There are a lot of Civil 3D users that don't like the direction Autodesk has taken Point Clouds.
You may want to try out @TerryDotson 's >>>LiDAR Tools<<<.
Dave

[rl_jackson]

@Pointdump 

Don't like the direction would be be putting it mildly.  😢