Convert ACAD Point To COGO Point with Object Data

[lmorse]

HI,

Can anyone advise me how to convert ACAD Points containing Object Data into COGO Points and retain the object data? I have 2400+ points that I have been asked to convert.

Thanks in advance

Lee

[Udo_Huebner]

My first idea:

1. Use MAPEXPORT to export a Pointshape containing X,Y,Z, and the desired objectdata.

2. Save DBF as TXT.

3. Import Textfile using IMPORTPOINTS

[lmorse]

Hi,

I have a shape file, I have copied the DBF and given it the TXT extension. However, I am stuck on the IMPORTPOINTS step. Only the CFG file has a matching Point FIle Format, and it only pulls in one COGO point without any object data. Are there any more detailed instructions you can point me towards?

[samir_rezk]

Hi @lmorse 

If you're using Civil 3D 2016 or 2020 - 2021, there is handy add-on/extension for working with SHP files; you can download and install the Autodesk SHP Import/Export Utility from your Autodesk account or the Desktop App

Like @Udo_Huebner noted, use the MAPEXPORT Command to create a SHP file, then use the add-on to import the SHP file in to Cogo Points with Property Set data containing the Object Data attribute values.

Hope this helps,

[lmorse]

☹️We have C3D 2018

[samir_rezk]

Hi @lmorse ,

Try the below steps to export to txt the re-import again as Cogo:

1. In a blank new drawing, using AutoCAD Map Taskpane, Attach the drawing then run a Report Query to extract out AutoCAD properties and Object Table properties into a Text file.
2. Open the file in Notepad and save as a new file with ANSI Encoding
   In Civil 3D, create User Defined Properties to match the properties and attribute value types you have in the export
3. create a comma delimited point file format to match the the Point export with all the user defined properties culminated in the same sequence as the point export txt
4. finally execute the Point from File command to import the point file as Cogo Points

Here is demo video to clarify the steps (sorry it's a little long). hope this helps,

[samir_rezk]

Hi @lmorse ,

Try the below steps to export to txt the re-import again as Cogo:

1. In a blank new drawing, using AutoCAD Map Taskpane, Attach the drawing then run a Report Query to extract out AutoCAD properties and Object Table properties into a Text file.
2. Open the file in Notepad and save as a new file with ANSI Encoding
3. In Civil 3D, create User Defined Properties to match the properties and attribute value type you have in the export
4. Create a comma delimited point file format to match the the Point export with all the user defined properties culminated in the same sequence as the point export txt
5. Finally execute the Point from File command to import the point file as Cogo Points

Here is a Screencast video to clarify the steps (sorry it's a little long!)

Hope this helps,

[lmorse]

Thanks this is useful, however, it appears that it doesn't retain the Object Data as Object Data?

I know it is possible to attach Object Data to a COGO point. Once a year we have to re-export all of the information as a Shape File with Object data for submission to the powers that be.

[Udo_Huebner]

@lmorse 
I didn't realize that the object data would then have to be appended to the CogoPoints as object data again.
Because attaching it as a description or user-defined properties is a simple task. 

To get the object data (OD) from ACAD-Points to CogoPoints, I would use a macro.
I have already created both single tasks as Lisp macros.

Step 1 - Create CogoPoints from blocks or points
Step 2 - Copy the object data from the source object to the target object.

If you upload a sample file with a few Points and the attached object data, I will check if my code already works with your data. If it is a simple task to combine both code snippets, I will post the result here.

[lmorse]

Hi,

I have left work now and will return on Monday. I’ll send a sample then.

[АлексЮстасу]

Hi,

Do you necessarily need COGOPoints?
If you need to store coordinates, elevations, etc, you can do this in Object Data.

[lee.morse]

Example DWG attached. Thank you 😊

[Udo_Huebner · Accepted solution]

With a minor modification, my existing code snippets work as expected.

Load UHODCOPY.vlx first (contains code to copy Objectdata between objects), then load UHBLOCK2CivilPoint.lsp and execute UHBlock2CivilPoint.

This Lisp Code should draw Civil Points on your block references and copies existing Objectdata to the CogoPoints.

Lisp Macros are attached.

[АлексЮстасу]

Hi, Udo,

Perhaps, instead of creating UHODCOPY. VLX, you could use the old lisp from Autodesk to OD copy from object to objects - COPY_OD.lsp.
But you're the author, you better know. 🙂

Good solution!

I will immediately assume that lee.morse will also need a reverse process - replacing COGOPoints with blocks with OD creation and copying OD or PropertySets values.

[lee.morse]

Udo,

Thank you. This works well. There is one thing that I have noticed on the full data set:

Most layers have come through with their own point groups with the label set to the borehole name, however a couple of layers do not have their own point groups. These layers show the following info in the point label: point number, RL, layer name.

I have attached another sample so that you can see:

[lee.morse]

I have no immediate need for Cogo - > Block, but it doesn't sound like a bad idea

😉

[АлексЮстасу]

... for general reasons, firstly, it only now seems that it is not necessary.

Secondly, it would be better now, right away - sometime later there will be no time.

Thirdly, it's easier right now, because the first part has just been made.  🙂

(I do not use COGO at all, and I have no similar tasks. But it can be useful).

[ChicagoLooper]

@lmorse wrote

<<......to convert ACAD Points......>>

What does this mean? Do you mean you have points physically sitting in modelspace? And those points have Object Data (OD) attached? If you do, then it can be done but you’ll need to disclose the OD. The number of points is not relevant. Whether 240,000 points, 2,400 points or just 24 points, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is the number of OD fields and the individual field names. 

To effectively evaluate your specific situation, it’s best if you could provide the actual ‘data fields’ of your OD. Better yet, upload a sample, e.g. 20 points, of the ACAD points.