Knobb Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 (edited) Hi, I am trying to import a site plan from an autocad file. I have no issues except one. All the contour/ topography lines are missing. I have the original file from the surveyor, and have seen a print out of the site. My question is did i do something wrong when i imported the dwg? Is VW dumping some of the info as it does it's thing? Thanks for any help, and suggestions. Ooops, forgot to mention that iam using VW 2012 on a MAC. Edited May 30, 2012 by Knobb Quote Link to comment
bcd Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 try turning on all the classes Quote Link to comment
Monadnoc Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 (edited) It could be the contour lines were special objects unique to an industry specific version of AutoCAD, like Civil or Land Desktop (old). I would sometimes receive files from surveyors who had used those programs and when I opened them in AutoCAD Architecture the topo lines would be missing. Without Object Enablers specific to the software, even other AutoCAD people can't see them. If this is the case, the surveyor will have to Explode any objects that are unique to Civil or Land Desktop, like topo lines. Then they should import OK (but maybe as a lot of little lines). Or else it is just a turned off class or layer, like bcd suggested. Monadnoc Edited May 31, 2012 by Monadnoc Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Have you checked to make sure that all layers and classes are visible? Are you in Top/Plan View? Is Unified View active? If your topography is still missing, try importing the file again to a new blank VW's file... Quote Link to comment
Knobb Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 thanks for all the replies. turns out the surveyor's original export didn't have them in there for some reason or an other. Got them to re-export and he oncluded the topo lines. Thanks again! Now to figure out how to get a topo surface to generate in VW. I am a greenhorn for sure. Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Tamsin Slatter Posted May 31, 2012 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted May 31, 2012 Once you have the 3D data, select it all and use Landmark > Create Site Model or AEC > Terrain > Create Site Model depending on which workspace you have. Vectorworks will generate an object that is both 2D and 3D, but can also display the original site or the Proposed Site. You'll need to work with Site Modifiers to make changes to the site. Good luck! Quote Link to comment
Monadnoc Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 (edited) thanks for all the replies. turns out the surveyor's original export didn't have them in there for some reason or an other. Got them to re-export and he oncluded the topo lines. My guess is that they were using AutoCAD Civil 3D, and the topo lines were Civil "objects", which had to be exploded before they'd come through. I've had that happen several times with surveyors drawings, even when using AutoCAD. You may want to remind them of this if you do more projects with them in the future. Monadnoc Edited May 31, 2012 by Monadnoc Quote Link to comment
Knobb Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 thanks guys. So i have a drawing full of 2D topo lines. They don't have a Z hieght. Is there a way to convert them to 3D polylines, and then i could select them and enter their exact elevation. Thanks Quote Link to comment
bcd Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Survey Import>2d Polys to 3d Contours Quote Link to comment
Bob Holtzmann Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Before making site contours, I usually like to simplify the 2D source polys as much as possible (get rid of unnecessary vertex points). This task really pays off with the time it takes to update the site model. Quote Link to comment
Knobb Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 thanks guys. worked a charm! Quote Link to comment
Benson Shaw Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Regarding all the points on the contours: Simplify polys really helps. Another way is to apply Duplicate Along Path where path is the source poly and object to duplicate is a 3d locus (terrain models can be formed from point clouds). Put each bunch in its own class named for its z value. Advantage is control of either spacing or point count on each contour. I think stake objects can be used instead of 3d loci, but I have not tried that yet. -B Quote Link to comment
jmartinarch Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 I see this is old post, but I have same issue. Import dwg topo but the topo line do not have a Z height. With VW Architect I don't see option to import 2d poly to 3d contours. Are they convertible once imported into VW? Quote Link to comment
jmartinarch Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 I found it. Oooh but it is a little tedious if there are a lot of other polylines besides topo lines! Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 In most cases, if the file was created with some amount of diligence, the Contour Lines will be in their own Class (or Classes: one for Major, One for Minor) which makes it pretty easy to sort out. Quote Link to comment
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