You can use commands to import point data, export point data, and transfer point data between files.
Using AutoCAD Civil 3D, you can:
- Import points into a drawing from either an ASCII (text) file or a Microsoft® Access database (.mdb) file.
- Export points from a drawing to either an ASCII (text) file or a Microsoft® Access database file.
- Transfer points from an ASCII (text) file or a Microsoft® Access database file to another file. You can convert the point data during the transfer, which can include changing the coordinate zone.
Importing points is a quick way to place points into a drawing. For example, if a surveyor collects point data using a data collector, the data can be downloaded from the collector as an ASCII (text) file and then imported into an AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing.
Before you can import, export, or transfer point data, you must specify a point file format for each file that point data is read from or written to. The point file format describes how the point data is stored in the file. You can use the point file formats that are supplied with AutoCAD Civil 3D or create your own formats.
Topics in this section
- Understanding Point File Formats
Use a point file format to describe how point data is arranged in a file when you import, transfer, or export points.
- Point File Formats Collection (Settings Tab)
Use the Point File Formats collection in the Settings tree to create and manage point file formats.
- Point File Format Properties
Use a dialog box to view or change the properties of a point file format.
- Using Point File Format Properties to Perform Calculations
Use some columns in a point file format to perform calculations, such as adjusting the elevation values.
- Managing Point File Formats
Use the Settings tree to manage point file formats. You can share a point file format and print a list of the point file formats in a drawing.
- Creating Point File Formats
Create two types of point file formats: a user point file format and a user point database format.
- Editing Point File Formats
Use the Settings tree to access formats you want to change or delete.
- Importing Point Data
Import point data from an ASCII (text) file or a Microsoft® Access .mdb file into a drawing.
- Importing Point Data from an ASCII File Containing User Defined Columns
Before you import point data from an ASCII (text) file that contains user-defined columns you must create a User-Defined Property Classification.
- Exporting Point Data
Export drawing points to an ASCII (text) file or a Microsoft® Access .mdb file.
- Transferring and Converting Point Data
Use point file formats to transfer point data from one format to another and to convert the coordinate system of a set of points.