Convert Standard AutoCAD Blocks to a Point File With Map

If you work in a civil engineering office you will often receive a survey drawing file where they used standard AutoCAD® blocks rather than civil point objects. This shows how to convert those standard blocks to a point file which you can then import as civil points to create a surface. If the blocks are not at their proper z value you can extract the attribute data as opposed to the z value.

I learned this "trick" from my trainer:
http://www.primeservicesglobal.com

An alternative way to do this would be to use attribute extraction setting up your attribute extraction template to have the y, x, z, & block name values. A second alternative if you have Civil 3D is to use the Surface Utility "Move Blocks/Text to Elevation" and then use the objects in your surface as opposed to creating the point file.

Hopefully this will help you in your day to day tasks. If you have an Autodesk® civil product you have Map 3d® installed. If you are not utilizing this powerful program it is time to learn.

Sorry about the low quality. I'm new at this. I used CamStudio to create this video and utilized the Windows Magnifier to get the close up view.

Note: I'm looking at doing a revision of this video for better quality and to address a possible issue with the import of the points in the point file produced by this data query method

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• autodesk
• autocad
• civil
• engineer
• site
• design
• topo
• survey
• surface
• 3d
• map
• points
• blocks

[gooljr]

what version you are using? 2008 or 2009?

[rustysilo]

2008

[pringals]

Great Job Rusty! I'll have to give this a try. Thanks for the tip. I also liked the music, but some would prefer narration. ... i like music. haha...