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Can Landmark import a .rla format file?


KarynT

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A potential client provided an existing Realtime Landscape Architect file with the hope of being able to use it in a new project. I'm not familiar with this software. The standard import converters don't recognize it. Can they export it as a DXF/DWG file and send that or am I stuck with tracing over a PDF?  Thanks...

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If you can get the dwg you should be able to import into vwx, work on it, and, if needed export it for them as a dwg/dxf they can import into RLA. It's all version specific, though. Ask them what export versions they have from RLA to dwg or dxf and what dwg/dxf versions they can import.  Vectorworks export options will tell you which is most recent Rev dwg you can import. Strangely, the import options do not indicate which versions are readable.  Open a vwx file, click File>Export>dwg/dxf and click the dwg version dropdown to see what's offered - then cancel the export. If you receive a dwg file of a newer version than those listed, the file will not likely import. 

 

If all that fails, try extracting the pdf vectors. Import the PDF to a vwx layer of scale indicated on the pdf. Lowest level use here is to enable the pdf snaps in the OIP.  Now you can trace by snapping, at least to corners.  Curves are iffy. This is dimensionally iffy, too. eg an 8" thick CMU wall might show up as 7.12xxx or other close but incorrect value.

 

Higher level work with the PDF is to unlock its vectors.  Ungroup the pdf. Result is usually a stack of 3 things. A blank white rectangle, a page outline and, at bottom of the stack, a group containing 2d objects representing the geometry in the originating software. Delete the first two and ungroup (or enter the group) to use the objects in the group. Not perfect dimensionally, but often as close as tracing. You might want to keep them on a separate layer, or class or color or reference them into your project file instead of direct import.  Anything to differentiate them from your geometry.

 

-B

Edited by Benson Shaw
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