Importing SDF file and other sources not translating in IW 2018.1

[InfraChic]

So I have to import several different SDF files and SHP files into one project.  Sometimes the file lands perfectly, sometimes not.  Here's the deal.  The Model Project UCS and Data base are LL84. The files being imported are LL84. In 2017.3 IW they imported just fine, no issues.  Now though they import but are found NO Where in the model.  Data Sources shows them in the tree, I can configure them but when I refresh, nothing.  I've even tried changing the file coordinate system in the configuation dialog but that does not work either.

Ideas?  

Heidi Boutwell

[tmachado]

Hi @InfraChic, did you check the Surface Layers order in IW? it could be that something else is on top of them

[InfraChic]

 OK so here's the deal.

I teach everyone via CADLearning how to use this software and I'm actually recording the lessons on File Importing today and Monday.

The exercise files i use are about 4 years old and have worked consistently until IW 2018.0.  Now when I import in certain files like the SDF file they are not translating to any coordinate system, let alone showing up. I've attached a screen shot of what I get after I 1. Import the SDF file; 2. Configure the file; 3. Select and Zoom To Selected on the file from the Data sources panel.  I should be viewing 3 lakes, large bodies of water.  Instead I get NOTHING!!

I also tried importing and SDF of buildings and again like the lakes, nothing appears.

I've gone so far as to start a new model and only import the file in and you can see what I get on the attached.

In the configuration dialog, I set what "type" of file it is Water bodies, buildings, etc.  I set a style for the file type that's appropriate, I make sure that on the Source tab the file is set to "drape" and I select Clip to Model extents.   Even without Clip to Model extents selected what is attached is what i'm getting ever time I import in an SDF file.

Now a few versions back in 2016, I had a similar issue with importing SID imagry files.  Back then I just change the coordinate system of the file and it would work.

I tried changing the SDF file coordinate system and it did nothing. 

So is there a bug that no one knows about yet when importing in SDF files?  If so I need to know as I have 2 lessons on this that I can't record if there is.

If there is not than how do I fix this?

Turning off layers does not help at all.  As you can see what is attached is simply bringing in only that file into a brand new project.

Heidi B.

[tmachado]

Do you mind sharing a couple of those files so I can test on my end?

[InfraChic]

Sure no problem, they are exercise files anyways.

OK here they are, SDF files.  

Coordinate system LL84, WGS 84

Could be metric or imperial, I think metric.  I've tried both files in IW 2018.1  and I've now tried them in IW RS Build 2045 and I get the same results.  I can import, configure and refresh but nothing appears in the canvas. Although I can select All from Data Sources and then Zoom To select activates.  Zooming acts like a zoom, again nothing appears.

Let me know if you can figure out what I need to do to make them appear. I'm working on the Water Bodies.SDF file right now. If we can get that one to show up and figure out why than I can probably apply the same solution to the Buildings.SDF.

Heidi B.

[InfraChic]

oops forgot, buildings is UTM83-10 Metric

roof height is Floors*3

roof slope =5

[tmachado]

No state plan CS?

[InfraChic]

correct no State Plane CS.

They are all files I received from the person before me.  They are either LL84 or UTM83-10 metric.  They have all worked fine on importing and appearing in the canvas until now.

Unfortunately I do not have access to SID images, SHP file information, SDF file information or XML file information in any State Plane CS. I wish I did though.

Heidi B.

[tmachado]

If you change file configuration -> Source tab to drape under draping options for both of them everything works as expected...

[InfraChic]

I did that though and they are NOT appearing on my end.  Wonder if I need to do that after I click Close and Refresh and then go back in. I had set them all up like that to Drape and nothing would appear.  Hmm Let me try that and see if when I click Drape matters.  I'm betting it doesn't.

Heidi B.

[tmachado]

I can share my model with you if you want...

[InfraChic]

What's funny is that is actually My model. I'm the one who made that file over 3 years ago.

I sent you only an SDF file for water and buildings.

But you're image you sent back has the SID image I use, the roads I use and everything else for that area that I did NOT send you.  

Now if I take a model that was working before, from the cloud, and upgrade it. Than remove the water bodies.SDF and bring it back in, it works. Wonderful.  Problem is I'm showing how to import a file to a local project not a synced cloud project.

So I started a new Local file on my machine using the correct steps.  I set the CS to LL84, select the 552.DEM file as my limits.  Than in the new LOCAL file I imported in the SDF file into data Sources, configured it and it will not appear.  Even if I select "drape". That same file that's working on the Cloud will NOT work on a local file.  

Why?  

I should not have to have my project linked to the cloud inorder for SDF import to work correctly.

Heidi B.

[tmachado]

Let me try that and I will let you inow

[tmachado]

Hi @InfraChic, I created a new model with DEM file set as limits, then I imported the same file as terrain, make the aerial to show as a connection to the Bing Maps and inserted your files set them both to be draped and no problems...

[InfraChic]

Unfortunately none of what was suggested here helped.  In the end I selected an old project that was fully completed in 2015 that was Cloud only, duplicated it to the local machine.  Than I removed the parts I did not need such as water and buildings.  Duplicated the project again at that point and started from there.  Don't know why I could not get half my files to import correctly into a fresh project.  It's still acting odd like that.  But it worked if I used an old project.  I will say thank you for trying to help but alas the help was not useful as I had already tried all the options suggested by the time I started this thread.

Heidi B.

[tmachado]

Sorry to hear that none of that worked for you, the issue that you are experiencing could be related to this, so take a look to information on this link:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/infraworks/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fil...