Import Pipe Networks from Inroads

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I want to know if I can import a pipe network from Inroads into C3D. I have no other software available to convert files except MS Office products (Excel, Access), and possibly an xml editor. I know I can get a database file (.sdb) for the sewer system from Inroads. Can I import this directly, or import an Excel file of the same data?

Is there documentation on exactly what format a LandXML file should be in in order to import it into C3D?

I need this to check for conflicts with our water main design.

Thanks.

capable Win 7 Enterprise PC

C3D 2016

[Anonymous]

I haven't got into yet, but this looks promising:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2016\C3D\Sample\Civil 3D API\DotNet\CSharp\PipeDataExcel

anyone used it?

[MikeEvansUK]

It wont import drainage models unfortunately.

I don't know what InRoads can do with regard to pipe networks so bear with me here:

Can you export Microdrainage files from InRoads? If so then an option is to do just that, export as sws file or convert in Windes to sws then import back to Civil3d. You may need to play with the part catalogue to get it right.

Map export map be an option? Can you export to Shp  - I doubt this will work in any case.

Otherwise you may have to do what I always had to before the Microdrainage application and digitise each and every pipe and structure ensuring the number is the same then make a report from InRoads to excel giving the start / end inverts and name. Then you can use the PipetoExcel function, however you will need to use Vlookup to match the data from the Civil3dExported file to the InRoads Pipe information then you may be able to update the levels.

Although from memory the Program used the start invert and slope values to change things, I had to change / adapt a lot of the code to do the import correctly and even then all it is doing is changing the Start / End invert (centreline Levels via Calc "-/+ Pipe.innerdiameter/2"

Using Civil3d.net API it wouold be possible to create a tool to generate the information, someone may have already done this but it would take a long time.

Mike

[Anonymous]

thanks Mike,

I'm learning how to get a .cs to run so that I can test that. If i can extract data from the Inroads .sdb database file, then massage it in Excel to something C3D likes, then import it into C3D using PipeDataExcel.cs

what I don't want to do is digitize it all. I work for the water utility of a fair sized city. Other agencies create the pipe networks for storm and sanitary. All we really need their networks for is to check for conflicts and ensure proper clearance between our pipes and theirs, and to have them appear on our C3D produced plan sheets.

dr

[Anonymous]

Oh! no, Inroads can't export anything from their pipe networks. All I see is to use Bentley StornCAD to convert the files, but that is a very expensive converter.

[Anonymous]

D-

What InRoads program (in the suite) are you using??

Another D

[Anonymous]

V8i SS2

[Anonymous]

Not referring to the version but the program itself.

Are you using the straight Inroads program or another program from the suite (i.e. Storm & Sanitary?)

D

[TerryDotson]

Can you zip and post the collection of files?

[Anonymous]

sorry. it's Inroads Drainage that is being used to produce both Storm and Sanitary pipe networks.

[Anonymous]

attached is the dgn that has the network in it, and the Access 97 .sdb file that has the network data in it. these were produced by mstn V8i SS3 with Inroads SS2, Drainage

EDIT: I had to rename San-Johnson.sdb to San-Johnson.txt - the website didn't like the .sdb extension.

EDIT AGAIN GRRR: ditto on the dgn, the website wouldn't let me upload it because dgn is not a valid extension in a-desk country. 53W0740SAN-Sanitary.dgn has been ranamed to 53W0740SAN-Sanitary.txt

I didn't bother with any reference files, so the dgn might look sparse.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried producing the XML reports in InRoads??

Go to the Geometry reports and pick your horizontal alignments.

That should get you an .HTML file showing the X,Y,Z values for the alignments.

Save that file and open it. Now save THAT file as a .txt file and dump it into Excel.

I usually save mine as .csv files. Then it's an easy import into C3D.

D

[Anonymous]

I can do an xml report, or export, of geometry, surfaces or survey data, but I don't see anything good for Drainage (PIPE) networks. there is something under Drainage>Utilityies>Reports, but it looks like a seperate report for pipes and structures. I could massage these into one file, but not preferred. xml sucks to have to edit.

[Anonymous]

.XML can be saved as .HTML which can be saved to .TXT which can be dumped into Excel and delimited.

D

[Anonymous]

thanks Darrell. I might get to trying this method if i can't get the data easier from the database file. I appreciate your input.

[Anonymous]

D-

I know this is a 'workaround' method for doing things but it doesn't take up much time and it's easy to pull off.

I have MANY project folders w/ the .HTML/.TXT/.CSV grouped together but I usually go ahead and delete the other files once I have it all corrected and in proper order in .CSV.

If you find a shortcut, post it because I would be interested in this information.

Thanks buddy-

Another D

[TerryDotson]

Thanks for the file.  Importing directly from the SDB file will be possible.

Here is a link to the imported Civil3D file:

http://www.dotsoft.com/files/San-Johnson13.dwg

Keep in mind that (at this time) we are only a few minutes into the process so results are very limited at this early point.  We will update the drawing file as we expand the import.  Feel free to email me at dotson [at] dotsoft [dot] com if you have feedback.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Terry!

my direct email, if you need it, is drenaud at madisonwater dot org.

[TerryDotson]

Drawing updated, added structures and assigned to pipes.  Still more to do.