Use a point file format to describe how point data is arranged in a file when you import, transfer, or export points.
A point file format does not contain point data; it describes the layout of a point data file, which is a file that contains point data.
When you import, export, or transfer point data, you must specify a point file format for each point data file that is read or written to. When you import points from a point data file, you specify a point file format that describes how the point data is arranged in the file that is being imported. When you export point data to a file, you specify a point file format that describes how the point data is written to the exported file. When you transfer point data from one file to another, you specify two formats, one that describes how the data is arranged in the source file and one that describes how the data is written to the destination file.
Converting Point Data During Import or Export
A point file format can contain information that specifies the coordinate zone that was used to create the point data in the associated point data file. Use the coordinate zone information to convert point data as it is imported, exported, or transferred.
A point file format can indicate that the associated point data file contains values that can be used to adjust the elevations contained within the file. The specified values can be added to or subtracted from point elevations when you import point data.
There are two types of point file formats:
- User Point File Format. This point file format type describes how the point data is arranged in an ASCII (text) file.
- User Point Database Format. This point file format type describes how point data is arranged in a Microsoft® Access database file.
Use the point file formats that are supplied with AutoCAD Civil 3D or create your own formats. The point file formats available in a drawing are listed in the ToolspaceSettings tree.