Importing source data from an external file

Command

Workspace: Path

Import Survey File

Design Suite, Architect: AEC > Survey Input

Landmark: Landmark > Survey Input

Site model source data can be generated by tabular coordinate information from an external file. This file must be a text file with fields delimited by separators in one of the formats available. Imported data should be centered on the internal origin.

To import survey information for use as source data:

On the layer to receive the imported data, select Active Layer Scale from the drawing context menu to set the scale, or select the File > Document Settings > Document Setup command (see Document setup).

Select the command.

The standard Open File dialog box opens. Select the file to import.

The Import Survey File dialog box opens. Specify the file format options, scrolling through each line of data if necessary, and set the file import options.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Data from selected file

Displays the first line of data in the selected file

Line #

Displays the line number of the data displayed; click the < or > button to check each line in the file

Survey File format

Specifies the File Type of the import file:

Excel: .xls or .xlsx file; if the spreadsheet contains multiple sheets, the first sheet will be imported

Tab delimited: File with tab delimiters between fields

Other: File in any other format; also enter the Delimiter Character that separates the fields

Survey Data

 

Data Format

Specifies the format of the data to import

Units

Specifies the units from the imported file

Import Options

 

Create Stake Objects

Places stake objects to represent each 3D point in space, with text to display the elevation when in Plan view (see Inserting stake objects). Stake objects include the appropriate Easting, Northing, and Elevation values.

For big sets of source data, creating large numbers of stake objects could result in performance issues. It may be preferable to create 3D loci instead.

Create 3D Locus Objects (imports only location)

Places 3D loci, which contain only location information (X, Y, and Z coordinates)

As each line of the file is read, either 3D loci or stake objects are inserted into the drawing at the coordinates specified by the file. If this is the first time a stake object has been inserted in the drawing, the Object Preferences dialog box opens. Accept the defaults.

Concept: Site model source data

Creating the site model

Modifying objects by record value

 

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