Data Extraction

Ever had a site topo’s field work completed in record time by your trusty local surveyor?
Sure you have! Those guys have some mind blowing equipment; they can really rock and roll out there. But then what, it takes two weeks office time to make a drawing file? Really? All I have ever needed as a designer is a .txt file straight from the gun they took the shot from.
Often when we actually do receive a drawing, at first glance it looks great, good patterns, good intervals, all utilities, and property corners have been located. But wait, what’s that, those aren’t C3D points, or Softdesk point blocks? Essentially these are often simple blocks with attributes. Rather than cuss, or wait another two weeks for the .txt file that you wanted in the first place, fix them and keep on trucking.
Data Extraction was my little secret, I kept hidden from my co-workers so that I still had some useful value to the company, and a need to keep me on payroll. After reading an excerpt Chapter 4 in Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008, I felt like it may be time to let everyone know that they too can create something from nothing.
EATTEXT
1. Tools - Data Extraction or EATTEXT at the Command line.
2. Create New.
3. Select Display blocks only and Select Display blocks with attributes only.
4. Locate the Point Number, Elevation, and Description, and X & Y.
5. Rearrange the Columns into a PNEZD format and remove any extra columns.
6. Select Output Data to External File. (Choose .xls Excel.)
7. Open the created Excel file, delete the header information, and Save as to create a .txt file.
8. In C3D… Create Points - Import Points - Import the .txt file.

Happy Friday for Me!

Sp2 is out!!
I recommend you read the read me file. But do not hesitate to run the file. Autodesk has made some very impressive upgrades and hotfix's. It's almost the way I've always wanted C3D to be.
Be sure to check out upgrades to your "Communication Center."

Also my copy of "Mastering Civil C3D '08" has arrived!
It was authored by some of the greatest, so I look forward to coming in on Monday with a new desire for mastering my design practices, and the confidence to attempt processes I have not yet been confident to attempt in the past.

Mnid oevr Mttaer...

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtsy, it deosn’t mttaer in what odrer the ltteers in a word are, the only imprmoetht thing is that the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can still raed it wouthit porbelm. This is bcuseae the human mind deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe.

My eeys do tned to wnoedr on thier on. I thnik tihs is a good exmalpe of why we shulod trun oevr our deisgns to ohters to reivew, smoetmies we get lsot, and can't see mionr falws.

Check it out!! Civil 3D Wish List Ballot

Everyone should take time out of your busy schedules for this. It is a great way to be included in the C3D formatting and software design. There are some really good requests from users on there. Routines, commands, and things I have never even thought about before. Although I didn't find any of my requests. :)
I am really surprised the response that Autodesk has received with there Customer Involvement Program..., and Product Wishes located under the help menu. If you are not involved, please do so. If you are, Thank You.