AutoCad Editing Question 1

[Topo1]

I am a GIS Analyst who recently started integrating CAD drawings in my work. I asked our CAD Department if the following scenario was possible, and I was told no. I would love a second opinion.....

I am trying to merge two layers in AutoCAD 2004.

1. Original Topography
2. Design Plan

When I say merge, I mean edit the original topography drawing and basically "cookie cut" out the section where the Design would go. Then I want to insert the Design Plan. The end product would be a drawing that should resemble what the final grading plan looks like in real life.

Any feedback would be nice. Thanks!

 

[CarlB]

Express Tools (which I understand is provided with 2004)has the tool "cookie cutter trim", on the command line EXTRIM, which will trim all entities from within a polyline, circle, etc. You'll need to manually erase items from within the cookie cutter which are not trimmed. You can use this on the design plan to trim objects outside the cutting line as well.

 

[jugglerbri]

In addition to what CarlB said, if you have Land Desktop or Map (both AutoDesk products) there is a boundary trim. This would be found in a sub menu of the Map menu (can't remember the sub menu name off the top of my head). This routine is much more robust than the express tools and will erase things within (or outside of) the boundary as well.

Brian