Import Tab (LandXML Settings Dialog Box)

Use this tab to define how data is imported from a LandXML file to AutoCAD Civil 3D.

You can set the data translation, rotation, and conversion settings. In addition, there are options to control the import of point, surface, and pipe network data.

Translation

Translate

Specifies whether to translate data to new coordinates when importing the data from the LandXML file. Select On to translate the data on import.

Note: If Translate is set to Off, all other data translation options are unavailable.
Base Point Northing

Specifies the base point northing coordinate from which all import values are translated.

Note: The units used for base point and translated values are set at the drawing level in the Ambient Settings Tab (Drawing Settings Dialog Box).
Base Point Easting

Specifies the base point easting coordinate from which all import values are translated.

Base Point Elevation

Specifies the base point elevation from which all import values are translated.

Translated Coordinate Northing

Specifies the northing coordinate value used to translate data from the base point.

Translated Coordinate Easting

Specifies the easting coordinate value used to translate data from the base point.

Translated Coordinate Elevation

Specifies the elevation value used to translate data from the base point.

Rotation

Rotate

Specifies whether to rotate data when importing it from the LandXML file. Select On to rotate the data on import.

Note: If Rotate is set to Off, all other data rotation options are disabled.
Angle

Specifies the angle about the base point where the LandXML data is rotated.

Note: The angle units are set at the drawing level in the Ambient Settings Tab (Drawing Settings Dialog Box).
Direction

Specifies the direction of rotation. Select this option to calculate the angle in a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation about the base point.

Point Import Settings

Point Description

Specifies how to map the ‘desc’ and ‘code’ attributes to the point descriptions:

  • Use “Code” Value: Uses the “code” attribute value for the point description.
  • Use “Desc” Value: Uses the “desc” attribute value for the point description.
  • Use “Code” Then “Desc”: Attempts to use the “code” attribute value for the point description. If a point does not have a “code” attribute, the “desc” attribute value, if available, is used.
  • Use “Desc” Then “Code”: Attempts to use the “desc” attribute value for the point description. If a point does not have a “desc” attribute, the “code” attribute value, if available, is used.

Surface Import Settings

Surface Data

Specifies how to import the data:

  • Quick Import: Imports the surface information as points. Creates a surface that has identical northing/easting/elevation points as the surface definition in the LandXML file. However, the triangulation may be different from the original surface.
  • Full Import: Imports both the points and the surface faces, if available. Creates the surface information from the face edges and creates a surface that is identical to the surface definition in the LandXML file.
    Note: If the LandXML surface you intend to import has only breaklines (for example, no other points and faces definition data is present), the resulting AutoCAD Civil 3D surface is built from the breakline data. However, the breaklines are not available for editing (that is, they do not appear in the Prospector tree).
Create Snapshot After Import

After importing surface data, a snapshot can automatically be created. By creating a snapshot after importing a LandXML file, AutoCAD Civil 3D does not attempt to find and open the LandXML file each time the surface is built. Select On to create a snapshot.

Create Source Data In Drawing

Imports the surface source data (breaklines, contours, points, and chains) into the drawing as 3D polylines and points.

  • Breaklines, contours, and chains are created as 3D polylines.
  • DataPoints are created as COGO points in a point group named <surface name>_DataPoints.

This data is created on the following layers prefixed with the surface name:

  • <surface name>_Breaklines
  • <surface name>_Contours
  • <surface name>_Chains
  • <surface name>_DataPoints_PntList3D
Note: This data is not added to the surface definition in the Prospector tree. You can manually add it if desired, or create a different surface from it for comparison purposes.

Pipe Network Import Settings

Parts List For Part Family Size Matching

Specifies the pipe network parts list that is used during import to match pipe network part types in a LandXML file with pipe network part types in a AutoCAD Civil 3D parts list. Review these settings prior to import to verify that settings are appropriate for your data.

Match <Part Type> With:

Specify individual part types to use when importing pipe network parts from a LandXML file into AutoCAD Civil 3D. Review these settings prior to import to verify that settings are appropriate for your data. You may use the defaults, or click to specify other parts in the Part Catalog dialog box.

Conflict Resolution Settings

Conflict Resolution

Specifies how objects with the same name are handled.

  • Skip: Does not import conflicting objects.
  • Update: On import, replaces unlocked drawing object with object in LandXML file.
  • Append: Imports conflicting objects but renames the imported copy using the default name format that is specified in the feature settings.

Default Diameter Units

On import, AutoCAD Civil 3D reads the <LandXML>.<Units>.diameterUnits, and if they are defined, those units are used for both pipes and structures. If units are not defined, the following unit settings are applied. Either the Imperial or Metric diameter settings are applied, based on the defined <LandXML>.<Units>.linearUnit in the file.

Imperial

Defines the default imperial pipe and structure diameter units that are applied when units are not specified in the source LandXML file.

Metric

Defines the default metric pipe and structure diameter units that are applied when units are not specified in the source LandXML file.

Alignment Import Settings

Element Constraint Assignment

Defines the default manner in which constraints are assigned to alignment entities when an alignment is imported from a LandXML file.

  • Fixed Only : All alignment entities are fixed (not constrained).
  • Floating Off the First Element : The first alignment element is fixed (not constrained), and subsequent elements are floating (constrained by previous).
    Note: This option does not convert spiral entities to floating. Spiral entities are imported as fixed entities.
  • Free and Floating Curve Groups : Identifies curve group elements and assigns free or floating constraints to support AutoCAD Civil 3D alignment curve types.