Importing coordinate data from Excel 1

[Trackfiend]

I recieved an email with an excel file containing the coordinates and corresponding elevations for a particular site. In the same email I recieved an autocad file depicting the site. When the autocad drawing is shown in the folder as a thumbnail, it depicts all of the coordinates (w/elevations) on the drawing. Now when I open said autocad file, the coordinate points are not visible. I have already searched through the layers and cannot find one for the points from the excel file.

My question is how does one import an excel file with a list of coordinates and elevations into an autocad drawing so as to show the points with their individual elevations?

 

[dimjim]

check out the point command.

pdmode and pdsize controls the appearance of point
entities. pdmode set to 0 a dot, set to 1 nothing,
set to 2 hairline as in a rifle scope, set to 3 an x,
set to 4 up and down tick.

 

[loosestring]

What software are you using specifically?

 

[loosestring]

If using Civil 3D or Land Desktop you simply import the points. If using regular AutoCAD you'll likely have to use a different method involving a lisp.

 

[Trackfiend]

I've contacted the surveying company that sent the files and it does seem that there is a 3rd party software involved that I am not privy to (the designer I talked to didn't know what add-ons he may have). I will most likely have to use a lisp method.

We don't have Civil 3D, but we do have EaglePt. I may have to try that route if all else fails.

Thanks for advice.

 

[loosestring]

You might look into the object enablers as well. It sounds like that may be what you need. Go to the Autodesk site and in the search box type "land desktop object enablers" or "civil 3d object enablers" and look for your version of AutoCAD in the results. These are simple to download and install and will allow your version of AutoCAD to view the point objects.

 

[cfee]

Its possible thet the XCEL fiel is "linked" to the dwg.

Often this happens thru 3rd party software(s) that manage the data for you. This is entirely appropriate, but sometimes a bit inconvenient for those you're wanting to share the results of your work with. Ok. That's fine, but doesn't solve your problem.

Try a couple of things- 1st: don't worry about dealing with re-mapping directories re-linking your data with your drawing. Just put the data file in the same directory as the drawing file, and reopen the drawing from THAT directory. I do this by going directly to the directory (folder) and double-clicking on the drawing. It'll look for the associated data file (XCEL) in its own directory 1st, and since you put them there together, it (the dwg) will find the data file.

This should bring up the info in your drawing.

Then I do one more thing- I go ahead and re-input the same data points in another new drawing based on the 1st one, but I actually do it directly by actually inputting the points "manually". I use scripting. Its a bit cumbersome, but saves 1. buying external specialty software that my customers almost NEVER possess without me buying it for them- I've done that a couple of times when necessary, and 2. Actually puts the data INSIDE the drawing where its needed. A sample script line might look like:

POINT 210.38<-157.04,17.0 -TEXT 210.38<-157.04,17.0 #1315_NE-corner_Main-Deck_extension
LINE 210.38<-157.04,17.0

where the "line" at the end of this data entry step is just to point me to where the point came in and its associated description text. If I'm zoomed way out, or in another area of the drawing, this really helps.

I use cut-&-paste extensively in this process, saving alot of work, but it doesn't eliminate or completely "automate" the process of getting the data out of the xcel file. I copy the data coordinates to a notepad "text" file, format the script line there, and copy the formated script line directly to the ACAD command prompt. Swipe the formatted script line in the text file, [ctrl]-[c] the line, click into ACAD, click to the command prompt & [ctrl]-[v] the pre-formatted script line into the command prompt. Be careful of formatting spaces etc. so your line runs right, and that script line should run, placing the point, a description and point you to it with the 1st half of the acad "line" command.

In a week, I may input 200-400 points or more using this process. Since I have a complete modeling workload, this process is important to me in getting the data in, in a way that makes the results useable to my clients. If there is a better way, or some automated method that I could become aware of, I'm interested, but this works well for me, and may include a clue or 2 you might get some benefit from. Let us know by posting back, what's worked for you as you solve this problem for yourself ! I hope this helps in the mean time-

Good luck-

C. Fee

 

[cvg]

did the drawing ask if you wanted to display proxy graphics? If so, did you respond yes or no? Say yes to display the points

 

[Trackfiend]

cvg - Yes, the drawing does ask to display proxy graphics, yet no matter the response, nothing shows.

I have an experienced Autocad designer working on the issue. He was able to import the points (but no text) by using a lisp method that a previous engineer wrote. We were able to get the surveyor to send a pdf of the file that shows all of the data that I need.

loosestring - I may try that.

Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[cvg]

I have had similar difficulties receiving dwgs created with LDD and opening them without LDD. My designers generally all use LDD but since I am in management, I don't get the software, just plain vanilla autocad. On some projects I was unable to even view or plot contour lines. Now that I have been upgraded to ACAD 2008, the problem seems to have gone away.

 

[MEM1]

The attached lisp may help. Make a tab delimitted text file with your excel file. make sure the points are in the order of

Point #
Easting
Northing
Elevation
Point Description

You will have to place the lisp file and the autocad block drawing in your support directory.

Run the lisp and it should import a node at the correct position and elevation with the point number and description all showing.

Scott

 

[OZZY84]

I would suggest that you try Eagle Point to import your points.
What module's do you have?
COGO, Data Transfer?

I can help you with this, for future projects.


Intel P4 3.0 GHZ
512 DDRAM
Win 2000 Pro
Autocad 14, 2002 with EP 2.3.1
Autocad 2008

 

[chicopee]

Research the past ACAD threads because I think this question has been asked a few times