Import gravity network into civil 3d

[alvaro.a]

Hi there,

I have a gravity network into an excel file. I just wanted to know if I can import this into civil 3d instead to be putting this manually. If so, how can I do this? It would save me lot of time! Thanks!

[wfberry]

According to our Local Authority Jeff M. :

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/civil-3d-customization/looking-for-a-way-to-import-pipe-network-data-...

Bill

[alvaro.a]

I don't know what is a VBA but I'll find out to get this sorted, thanks!

[alvaro.a]

Do you know how tu use the VBA file he is refering to? I saw the file but I've never used any. so I'm getting struggle with this... Thanks

[Wojtek_Garczewski]

Hi @alvaro.a 

VBA support is not included with AutoCAD Civil 3D by default, and must be obtained as a separate download. Please see here: Download the Microsoft VBA Module for AutoCAD, and choose your version.

After the successful  installation of the VBA Module, you can load your VBA script from the Manage tab in the Civil 3D ribbon or command VBALOAD. Once it's loaded, you can run it with Run VBA Macro or using VBARUN command.

Please see short animation for references:

Also, I would like you to see following links. That might be useful and a good start to using VBA in AutoCAD environment. Please see:

• Using VBA in AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Visual Basic (VB) for Civil3d
• Guide to Visual Basic Express 2010 and Civil 3D
• VBA in AutoCAD® – Tutorial 1: Introduction

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Wojtek
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[alvaro.a]

Hi @Wojtek_Garczewski,

Thanks so much for your message and for the links you provided, it has opened a new window for me with lot of possibilities!

I did the steps you mentioned loading the script and then running the macro choosing "import excel", but as soon as I do the this, it appears an error message saying "compile error: Can't find project or library". It does the same if I choice "export excel", etc.

 

Do you know if I'm missing something?

[Wojtek_Garczewski]

Hi @alvaro.a 

I don't have an explanation for your issue right now. 

However, I would like to see your Excel file with Gravity Network. It would be helpful to see what kind of data you want to import and if it's eventually possible. 

Could you explain to us, how your Pipe Network in Excel was created? Is it output from other 3rd party software?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Wojtek

[alvaro.a]

Hi @Wojtek_Garczewski,

Normally when I start designing I transfer the MH coordinates and cover levels from Civil 3d to a drainage software called "Flow" from Causeway, with that information I start making the design into that software. After I've checked everything is correct I put manually all the data into AutoCAD Civil 3d, which is quite a tedius job because sometimes I need to update some IL and then I need to make lot of changes. That's why I would like to know if is possible to import the data straigh away from an Excel sheet.

I have attached two Excel files, pipes and structures, but maybe both needs to be in one file only?

Thanks again for helping me!

 

 

[Wojtek_Garczewski]

Hi @alvaro.a 

Thank you for your post and the files. It looks that the type of information included in your spreadsheets cannot be imported with this sample VBA tool directly. 

I'm not very familiar with Causeway Flow software, but does it have any export options, to other formats(e.g. and XML)? 

Thank you

Wojtek

[alvaro.a]

Hi @Wojtek_Garczewski ,

Flow doesn't have any export option, is linked with PDS software but I'm not using that software because I don't like it.  But what I can do is make a copy paste into excel, save it in XML or other file available from Excel and change the columns if needed. 

Regards,

Alvaro

[Wojtek_Garczewski]

Hi @alvaro.a 

I think the Sample VBA tool is a 'dead-end' in your particular case. 

The designed workflow for SamplePipe.dvb should be that you export pipe network from Civil 3D first and modify some data in excel (e.g. slope value for pipe, etc.), then call import function to update that pipe in the drawing with the new slope. It won't create a new Pipe Network from the scratch base on the excel file.

I encourage you to post your question on our Civil 3D Customization where customization and API questions are explored. If you would like to explore some more customization in Civil 3D please visit Dynamo Forum, and see if there are some solutions in this matter with powerful Dynamo Visual Scripting. 

Also, as I see a quite potential in such Import Pipe from Excel tool, please share your product enhancement on our Civil 3D Ideas forum.

For now, it looks there is no direct, straight forward solution to import pipe network from excel. 

Thank you.
Wojtek

[alvaro.a]

Hi @Wojtek_Garczewski ,

Ok that's fine, thanks anyway for your support. I'll share this into the ideas forum as you mentioned and I'll try to find something in relation to this probably with Dynamo.

Regards,

Alvaro

[mzjensen]

This is definitely possible and pretty simple with a few Dynamo nodes. Post on the Dynamo forum and I'd be happy to help.

[alvaro.a]

Hi @mzjensen,

That sounds perfect! I've just posted the question into the Dynamo forum: https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/import-gravity-network-into-civil-3d/51874

Thanks for your help,

Alvaro

[Wojtek_Garczewski]

Hi @mzjensen 

I will follow up @alvaro.a  thread on the Dynamo forum too! Always good to update knowledge and skills! 🙂

Thank you so much for your help and commitment. 

[nanetteGLDGK]

Hi @Wojtek_Garczewski,

Did you manage to work this out? We're having a similar challenge now and would welcome any tips that you've learned.