Create Alignments from Points Optimization

[camden.n.dean]

Can't tell if this is a software limitation, or if I am missing something about how to solve this problem.

I get control data for an alignment in the form of an excel sheet with XY coordinates and descriptions (Point Number, Easting, Northing, Description [PEND] format). Here is my workflow to turn that into an alignment:

1. convert .xlsx to .csv

2. import .csv as cogo points.

3. draw a pline connecting the points (typically using 'PN since the points are often in ascending order)

4. create alignment from objects

This is fine, but it feels like there should be a direct way to make the alignment from either the .xlsx or .csv. That way if the data is updated, the alignment will update automagically.

If the alignment does change, I'm resorting to grip editing and typing in the new coords by hand. This is fine when just a few points change, but if an alignment has dozen or hundreds of points change, it is painstaking.

Is there a better way to update my alignments when the coords change? Is there a better way to build my alignment in the first place?

Thanks for any input and ideas.

-Camden

[brian.strandberg]

What I sometimes do in these areas is if I have a bunch of coordinates I can create a script from it.  These are not state plane, its from another project I'm doing.

pline
25.08,85.86
30.58,82.43
23.38,57.93
9.46,64.41
7.51,62.92
5.47,63.73
3.07,62.23
1.21,63
0,62.16
0,98.91
16.06,88.89

From there you can go to Create Alignment from Objects. There may be a way to enhance on this, but it is fairly straightforward to do this from excel.

[camden.n.dean]

That is a good idea for the original alignment creation (although I am so used to having my COGO points, and I'll be missing those with your idea).

This doesn't help me with edits though, does it? I can't just create a new alignment because I have lots of objects (sections, corridors, etc.) built from the original alignment.

[TerryDotson]

Is there a better way to update my alignments when the coords change? Is there a better way to build my alignment in the first place?

What you describe could be done in code although I can't imagine that being something that's commonly done.  Also, doesn't the vertex editing process (new coordinates) create tangency problems in the curves?

[camden.n.dean]

1. When you say it can be done in code, do you mean that I could write a lisp that would do that for me? I haven't really stepped into the world of lisp writing yet (just some incredibly light Lee-Mac edits), but I am looking for an excuse.

2. All the alignments that I work with are straight lines (no curves). Is this perfectly representative of the finished project? No, not exactly. But the work I do is coastal engineering (beaches, ship channels, and coastal structures), and that is the historical precedent. Even if we designed (and the contractor built) a nice curve, mother nature is gonna quickly modify things to her liking via tides and currents.

So, basically, you're probably spot on about creating tangency problems, but I those problems don't pop up in my line of work.

Thanks for the response!

[TerryDotson]

When you say it can be done in code, do you mean that I could write a lisp ...

---

It's likely possible in VisualLisp, but you want it to react to changes in the date on the external file, and you will need to store the last used date/time as XDATA, then compare and modify the alignment.   It would be quite a bit of work in any language (I recommend .NET) so the question is can it be justified.  If you do this daily or at least multiple times per week it may be worth it.  A lot of times I find myself considering an automation, but if I don't do it often enough, I just bang out the repetition.