Importing Source Data from an External File

Site model source data can be generated by tabular coordinate information from an external file. This file must be a text file with fields delimited by separators in one of the formats available.

To import survey information for use as source data:

1.	On the layer to receive the imported data, select Active Layer Scale from the drawing context menu to set the scale, or select the File > Document Settings > Document Setup command (see Document Setup).

2.	Select Landmark > Survey Input > Import Survey File (Landmark workspace) or AEC > Survey Input > Import Survey File (Architect workspace). The standard Open File dialog box opens. Select the file to import.

The Import Survey File dialog box opens. Specify the file format options, and click OK.

 

Parameter	Description
Data from selected file	Displays the first line of data in the selected file
Line #	Displays the line number of the data displayed; click the < or > button to check each line in the file
File format	Select the file format of the imported file
Units	Select the unit of the imported file
Field separator	Specifies the file field delimiter
Tab delimited	Select if fields are separated by tabs
Other character	If fields are not separated by tabs, select Other character and then enter the character separating each field

As each line of the file is read, a stake object is inserted into the drawing with the appropriate Easting, Northing, and Elevation values. If this is the first time a stake object has been inserted in the drawing, the Stake Object Preferences dialog box opens. Accept the defaults and click OK.

Stake objects are simple objects that represent a 3D point in space, with text to display the elevation when in Plan view (see Determining the Elevation of a Point on the Site Model). In addition to stake objects, 3D polygons and 3D loci can be used as source data for a site model.