To Import SHP Survey Data into an Autodesk Civil 3D Drawing

Use the SHP Import command to import survey data from ESRI® shapefiles (SHP files) into an Autodesk Civil 3D drawing.

The SHP Import command opens the Import SHP Survey Data dialog box. This dialog box contains tools to set up an import event. Before starting the data import, you name the import event, specify options (such as style settings, data restrictions, and queries), and designate the SHP files to which the settings will apply.

Note: You can also import survey data from a survey database, with the exception of read-only point data.

You import the SHP data and the settings in specified settings files into the currently open Autodesk Civil 3D drawing. You import SHP files that contain either feature lines or points. Most of the work prior to importing the SHP files consists of setting up the configuration of the SHP data. You configure the SHP data files by applying settings contained in settings files you specify or by editing specific settings within them.

Each import of SHP data is treated as a separate, named import event. The workflow contains three main components:

• SHP settings file (step 4)
• SHP (individual) settings (step 5)
• SHP data files (step 6)

If you modify the drawing to create new line or point objects or attributes, you can save this work to the same SHP file or create a new SHP file. You can export the SHP file and import it for use with a different Autodesk Civil 3D drawing or with another application.

To import SHP survey data

1. Open a new or existing drawing in Autodesk Civil 3D.
2. In the Toolspace, on the Toolbox tab, expand Miscellaneous Utilities SHP Import/Export Utilities SHP Import/Export. Double-click SHP Import to display the Import SHP Survey Data dialog box.
3. Name this import event.

   Each import event must have a unique name. Descriptive import event names make it easier to use the SHP Data Manager.

4. Under SHP settings, select a settings file from the default list of files already available or click to open the Import SHP Survey Data Settings dialog box. This dialog box contains tools and fields for selecting feature line data settings files and point settings files. Usually, you will want to import both types of files.
   Note: The first imported settings file becomes the current value (not the first selected settings file).
5. Optionally, before importing or after you are working in the drawing, you may want to edit the settings themselves or create new ones. To do so, use the Edit Feature Line Settings and Edit Cogo Point Settings commands.
6. Under SHP files, click to open the Select SHP Files to Import dialog box. Select the SHP files you want for this import event (for this drawing). You can also delete selected files from the list.

   When importing SHP files, the Saved File Location saves the files in the last used folder. The folder paths are saved in the drawing.

7. Optionally, for larger drawings or closer focus, you can apply a spatial filter to restrict the geographic area of the import for this event.
8. Optionally, you can apply queries that filter the data further, according to attributes and their values. You can use existing queries, edit existing ones, or build new queries. You can also save a query for use later, and export saved queries for use with other Autodesk Civil 3D drawings or in another application.
9. Click OK to start the import.

After the SHP files are imported and interpreted, the interpreted data is displayed in your Autodesk Civil 3D drawing. Now you can work with the data directly, using the other tools. For example, you can use the SHP Data Manager to locate specific lines and points within the drawing. You can also move items from one import event to another.