Labeling Shape File Features from Object Data

Labeling Shape File Features from Object Data

jjohnsonPN9WV
Explorer Explorer
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Message 1 of 9

Labeling Shape File Features from Object Data

jjohnsonPN9WV
Explorer
Explorer

I need to label 350+/- blocks that were created via shapefile import. I'd like to use the Feature ID from the Object Data and have it display "automatically" near the block. I'm using C3D 2018.

 

I've been referencing the "Importing ESRI Shape files and label features using Display Manager" from the Knowledge Network. It seems that I've fumbled my way through the tasks to step 10: "In the Properties palette, under Style Traits, in the Value area where it displays ‘Text Label’, click the [...] button." I found this image on the web, but can't get my program to look like that...

The Style Traits paletteThe Style Traits paletteWhat I'm seeingWhat I'm seeing

 

Trying to click on the tiny green and white icon at the bottom of that palette, I get an error message:

"the appearance of this object is not controlled by the display system".

 

Please help. By now, I'm starting to think I should just start typing the data in manually. <sigh>

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11,204 Views
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Message 2 of 9

jefflambert9091
Advisor
Advisor

This post is more of a backup option. Trying to label GIS data is a pain. 

I get my GIS data in via Mapwspace. Style it and make the labels I need to get data from. Then switch to planing and Analysis workspace and bring the labels into cad. See the attached. Or you can select each one separately extract the into to cad via text and/or leader. See the other attachment.   

Jeff
Civil 3D 2024
Message 3 of 9

Pointdump
Consultant
Consultant

Jay,

Would a Map Annotation Template suit your purposes?

 

Dave

 

 

Dave Stoll
Las Vegas, Nevada

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Message 4 of 9

jjohnsonPN9WV
Explorer
Explorer
I’m sorry, but I don’t know what a “Map Annotation Template” is.



Can you expand on that, please?


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Message 5 of 9

ChicagoLooper
Mentor
Mentor
Accepted solution

Based on the steps in that tutorial found on the 'knowledge network' you can reach step 10, in what I believe, is a simpler way. Trust me, I've use both ways, the one you've read about on the network and this one. Head-to-head, that one makes you use a query and the one I'm about to describe doesn't. You'll end up at step 10 either way, but my way avoids the query altogether. Don't get me wrong, I like queries, I use them often because they're convenient and powerful, but for what you're trying to do, the query isn't necessary. 

 

I'm assuming you've successfully imported the shapefile using MAPIMPORT and have the line work geospatially placed in modelspace and that you've also 'created' object data from the shapefil's' attribute data during the map import procedure, correct? If I'm correct, then this video will help you. If not correct, then you need to get busy and thoroughly understand the procedure to get to step 10, otherwise you need to read up or watch additional tutorials.

 

To watch the video on how to use object data as mtext labels, click >>HERE<<. 

 

Note (and a little off subject): If you have point blocks (not polygons) with attributes, you can use the same MAPIMPORT command and have AutoCAD insert object data directly into your block's attribute. The end result will be a circle, diamond, square, or whatever symbol you use to represent a point, with its attribute correctly hosting a chosen object data value.

 

For example, you could have a map of the 48 contiguous States. Your shapefile would be point vectors and consist of State Capitals. Your block would be a circle with an attribute tag City. During the MAPIMPORT command, several operations would be performed when importing the shapefile:

  1. your circle block, as opposed to a default symbol, would be used to represent the shapefile's point locations.
  2. each circle block would be geospatially positioned on each State's capital city.
  3. each block's City attribute would display the corresponding State Capital.

After import, everything would be in the Cad environment. You have your own block, you can pick the layer and layer color, and you can scale or rotate the block. You've also leveraged both the prj and the dbf, the former to position each block and the latter to 'fill in' the Capital. And all of this from a shapefile that you simply downloaded.

Chicagolooper

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Message 6 of 9

jjohnsonPN9WV
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks so much for your thorough and spot-on reply! Yes, I’ve done the MAPIMPORT process and have all the blocks with object data in the model. Sounds like you’ve given me exactly what I need.



I just watched the video and have populated the blocks with text objects from the object data.



This completes my mission! Thanks!


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Message 7 of 9

KirkWM
Collaborator
Collaborator

I've tried this before using the Map3D labels but for some reason they disappear when the whole dwg gets xrefed, did I miss something or is that a limitation? I've resorted to using the query method when I need to put the labels into an xref.

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Message 8 of 9

Kristow4
Participant
Participant

Use the 'Label to Text' option from the ribbon once you have created the labels from the Map space objects to create text or mtext objects. I have been using this method for years.

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Message 9 of 9

snguyenecbid
Participant
Participant

Your tutorial is awesome.

Thank you.

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