Labels being scaled when C3D file is Xref'ed into ACAD

[Crass]

I have been dealing with this issue for a while and cannot find a solution. I've read several related posts. I think there is something simple I am missing. Any help would be appreciated.

When I Xref my Civil3D file into a regular ACAD file (let's say my sheet file) the labels, contour labels in this case are scaled by 1/12. I am using the same annotative scale (1" = 20'). What's weird is that the scale looks correct in my ACAD file's model space, but not the viewport. It is as if an additional scale factor is being applied just for the annotation.

Here is a scaled contour label:

Screenshot from C3D file:

I highlighted the "1 Paper Inch" because I suspect this inconsistency in the dialog box is part of the problem.

Screenshot from ACAD file:

This one says Paper Unit instead of "paper inch"

Before everyone gets bent out of shape that I am using 1:20 versus 1" =20', I went back after taking these screenshots and used Lee Mac's Steal LISP and made sure all of the scales were exactly same. Same problem.

[rl_jackson]

It sounds like your acad drawing is set to architectural units which could be the reason for the 1/12 scale factor.

[samir_rezk]

Hi @Crass 

If your acad dwg look right In model but not in paper, I would double check to make sure in your viewport properties palette that the annotation scale is equal to the standard scale of 1”=20’. 

Hope this helps,

[Crass]

All drawings are set to decimal. If one were set to arch units I would need to adjust insertion units to make sure the geometry comes in in the correct scale. The geometry is aligned and scaled properly. Only labels are not scaled correctly.

[Crass]

Thanks. I checked that. Both scales match.

[rl_jackson]

Please upload a file. If those two items that have been pointed out are not the issue something is, but without a file to look at it's hard to say. 

[neaton]

I would do some further checking on the units of your drawings. There does appear to be a mismatch that could be causing the issue.

ACAD doesn't read 1:20 and 1"=20' as the same CANNOSCALE even though they are set the same (1=20) so it may be defaulting to the first annoscale on the list: 1:1 for text in the XREF drawing.

Also, check CANNOSCALE of the viewport. Sometimes ACAD gets lost and the viewport scale and CANNOSCALE don't match.

Nancy

[Anonymous]

@neaton Has got your solution. We had this issue just last month. The scales have to be named the exact same thing. We had 1"=20' and 1" = 20' and CAD could not reconcile it.

[Crass]

I don't doubt it. I assumed that the issue had something to do with this from the beginning. I copied the exact annoscale using STEAL lsp  to make sure I didn't have it spelled differently and you can see the difference in my AutoCAD file between model space and a paper space viewport.

Model Space

Paper Space - viewport

I also noticed that in my AutoCAD drawing -dwgunits is set to 1 inches while 2 feet in the Civil 3d file. I suspect that may be an issue although the difference between model and paper still confuses me.

I will try to upload the files later today. Thank you all

[neaton]

In -dwgunits 1 is inches and 2 is feet. This will cause a problem with XREFs. C3D will scale any DREF text to the appropriate scale but XREF text will always to a scale of 12.

Nancy

EDIT: I may be wrong about the DREF autoscaling in a drawing with DWGUNITS of inches. I will have to do some tests to see if that is true.

[MMcCall402]

I'm curious if there is something not right in the page setup.

The plot scale is set to 1:1, yes?  (1 inch = 1 unit)

[MMcCall402]

Also, Civil 3D labels don't care what name a drawing scale has, only the scale factor.  They operate differently than annotative objects.

[Crass]

Thanks. I think this is the issue. Now I am trying to figure our the most efficient way to resolve this. If I use -DWGUNITS to change the units in my Civil3D file to match the ACAD, I would need to scale the geometry, correct? All of my geometry than shifts from current locations away from labels. This also means rebuilding all of my viewports in my parent (ACAD) file.

In the future, to avoid this, what is the best way to set up units in templates? I just left the defaults for both programs.

[Crass]

I'm still having trouble setting up my templates correctly to avoid this issue. My ACAD template has -dwgunit <1> and this is used extensively so I'd prefer to change the Civil 3D temple from <2> to <1> but when I do, my elevations (Z values) get scaled as well. What's annoying is everything seems to work fine in terms of Xrefing, working between the two programs, etc. with the exception of annotation and maybe ltscaling? And there is still a discrepancy in annotation size between the Model Space and Paper Space. Frustrating...

I've attached the files if anyone was interested in taking a look. Thanks

[Crass]

Does anyone know an expedient way to to resolve this issue once it is identified. I am nervous about scaling my Civil 3D model at this stage since surfaces, earthwork calcs, etc. are all associated with this. I suppose I can make an architectural units sheet file which is non-standard, but I figure there must be a way to have just the annotation scale. Perhaps not. Thanks

[Crass]

So I think I finally got the annotation to display as intended by messing with the -dwgunits settings. I am a little confused with viewport scale names. But maybe this is the best way...?

[Anonymous]

That is interesting. I would think DWGUNITS would work if everything was improperly scaled, not just your C3D Labels.

[Crass]

Thanks for the response. It is interesting, and frustrating.

---

@Anonymous wrote:

... I would think DWGUNITS would work if everything was improperly scaled, not just your C3D Labels.

---

I know, me too. There is obviously a independent scale factor for annotation driven by the annotation scales. At this point I am just trying to get our Civil 3D and vanilla AutoCAD templates to match. I settled on setting up my AutoCAD sheet file like this:

Command: -DWGUNITS

Drawing units:

1. Inches
2. Feet
3. Millimeters
4. Centimeters
5. Decimeters
6. Meters

Unit for length <1>: 2

Drawing unit display formats:

1. Scientific
2. Decimal

Linear display format <2>:

Linear display precision <3>:

Scale objects from other drawings upon insert? [Yes/No] <Yes>: n

Match INSUNITS to drawing units? [Yes/No] <No>: y

 ** WARNING: you have changed the unit for this drawing database.  **

 ** All new objects will be drawn according to the new unit, but   **

 ** existing objects will not change size unless you specifically  **

 ** ask to have automatic scaling occur.                           **

Scale objects in current drawing to reflect change in units? [Yes/No] <Yes>: n

Now the linetypes (contour hashes) are not displaying correctly when I plot, but at least the text from C3D is legible.