creating a legal survey plan - digital...

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Chapter

2

Creating a Legal Survey PlanChapter 2:

You can use AutoCAD® Land Desktop to create a legal survey plan. The lessons in this chapter describe the process, and introduce you to the concept of point objects and techniques for drawing and labeling.

Objectives

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

■ Set up a new drawing. ■ Manage and control point object characteristics. ■ Create a well-organized collection of layers for imported points. ■ Import survey data into your drawing. ■ Select and filter points into functional groups. ■ Draw survey-specific lines. ■ Label the boundary lines in your survey plan.

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28 ■ Chapter 2: Creating a Legal Survey Plan

Lesson: Using the Drawing Setup Command

Overview

In this lesson, you set up a new drawing file using the New Drawing: Project Based method, which uses the Drawing Setup command rather than the Drawing Setup Wizard. This command establishes project-based drawing units, scale, zone, orientation, text style, and border.

The Drawing Setup command also sets the drawing-specific system variables that control linetype scale, overall dimension scale, and current text style. These variables are set to match the drawing scale selected in the Drawing Setup command and are automatically changed when the scale is changed. The Drawing Setup command can also be used after the initial drawing setup to change any of these settings.

Features Used

In this lesson, you use the following features to create a new project-based drawing using the Drawing Setup command:

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

■ Set up a new drawing.

Dataset

Install the Using the Drawing Setup Command dataset from the courseware CD.

Use this feature... To...

User Preferences dialog box Modify the options for your specific project environment so that you control the drawing setup options.

New Drawing: Project Based dialog box

Name the new drawing and select the project and drawing templates.

Drawing Setup dialog box Set drawing environment variables, such as units, scale, zone, orientation, text style, and borders.Sa

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Lesson: Using the Drawing Setup Command ■ 29

Exercise: Set Up a New Drawing

1. Start AutoCAD Land Desktop.

2. In the Start Up dialog box, click Cancel.

3. Click Projects menu > User Preferences.

4. In the User Preferences dialog box, under First Time Drawing Setup, select Use the Drawing Setup Command.

5. Click OK.

6. Establish settings for a project-based drawing:

■ Click File menu > New.■ In the New Drawing: Project Based

dialog box, enter 99050_bp for the Name.

■ Verify that ..\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials is displayed as the project path.

■ Verify that Portsmouth Heights is displayed as the project name.

■ Verify that ..\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials\Portsmouth Heights\dwg is displayed as the drawing path.

■ Under Select Drawing Template, click Browse and select aec_m.dwt. Click Open.

■ Click OK.

7. Before dismissing the New Drawing: Project Based dialog box, verify that the default path to the Land Desktop template file folder location is ..\Program Files\AutoCAD Land Desktop2008\Template.

If you are prompted to save a previous viewed drawing, click No.

8. In the Drawing Setup dialog box, under Load a Drawing Setup Profile, select Portsmouth Heights.set (Custom). Click Load.

If the Portsmouth Heights custom setup is missing, proceed to the next step and manually change the settings to match those shown. When finished, you may return to this tab and save the setup profile as Portsmouth Heights for future drawings.

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9. Click the Units tab and verify that the settings are as shown:

10. Click the Scale tab and verify that the settings are as shown:

11. Click the Zone tab and verify that the settings are as shown:

12. Click the Orientation tab and verify that the settings are as shown:

13. Click the Text Style tab and verify that the settings are as shown:

14. Click the Border tab and verify that the settings are as shown:

15. In the Drawing Setup dialog box, click OK.

16. Save the drawing.

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Lesson: Specifying Point Object Settings ■ 31

Lesson: Specifying Point Object Settings

Overview

In this lesson, you learn about point objects and the settings that control them. As the primary data type, points are extremely versatile and can be used to locate existing and proposed design features, such as roadways, buildings, utilities, and topography. The appearance and behavior of these points are controlled by point settings.

Specifying point object settings is essential when you begin a project because the settings apply to points you import or create in the drawing.

Point display can be set for presentation purposes using a specific text and marker style and size. Or, points can be displayed for design purposes, using settings that automatically change the size of the marker and text as a function of the zoom factor.

Features

Objectives


■ Describe point objects and how they are used. ■ Describe the settings that affect point objects. ■ Describe how point settings should be applied in different situations. ■ Update the point settings for use in importing points to the project.

Dataset

Install the Specify Point Objects Settings dataset from the courseware CD.


Point Settings dialog box Control point creation and drawing display options associated with point objects.

Point objects Define the location, point number, elevation, and description of existing or proposed points in your projects.

Point markers Specify a point location marker (such as a dot or an x). When you create COGO points, point markers are created to represent the points on the screen.

Point text Describe a point object with text that typically indicates the number, description, and elevation of a point.

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About Point Objects

Points are marked by point objects that are native to AutoCAD Land Desktop, and are not a compilation of AutoCAD® objects such as text, lines, or blocks.

Point Objects

Points stored in a project database are physically marked in the drawing by point objects. In order to work with point objects, you must either use Land Desktop or the Land Desktop Object Enabler installed on top of another Autodesk product.

Point objects have four properties and are composed of two types of elements.

Point Properties

Point Elements

Property Description

Location The X (easting), Y (northing), and Z (elevation) point coordinates.

Number The unique identifier for each point in a drawing.

Elevation The Z point coordinate or a referenced elevation override.

Description Text describing what the point represents in the real world. For example, the description FH may represent a fire hydrant.

Element Description

Marker A symbol that represents the actual location of the point.

Text Text-based elements that can show up to three of the point properties: number, elevation, and description.

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Point Object Example

As part of an existing topo survey, items such as utility poles, fire hydrants, and manholes were located. Point objects can be placed in a drawing and project to represent these items, thereby storing their locations and elevations and the descriptions that identify them.

Point objects would not be used to draft these same items for a final plan drawing. This can be done using AutoCAD blocks or custom shapes.

Point Settings

Point settings control how points are added to a project or a drawing, as well as how they are displayed.

Point Settings Dialog Box

Tab Description

Create Use the Create tab to control the numbering, elevation, and description settings of points in the point database.

Insert Use the Insert tab settings to control the point insertion and labeling features of the point objects. The software provides a variety of built-in symbol sets, including metric, imperial, multiview, NCS, and APWA symbol block drawing files.

Update Use the Update tab settings to control the behavior of point objects when you use the AutoCAD Move command and check points. These settings are important when you are editing the details in a drawing because they help you to avoid moving points accidentally.

Coords Use the Coords tab settings to control the coordinate display of point objects by specifying coordinates as Northing/Easting, Easting/Northing, X-Y, or Y-X. These coordinates align with the World UCS.

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Example of Using Point Settings

You have performed a boundary survey that records horizontal control only. None of the points in the survey contain elevations. You can modify the point settings before bringing them into a drawing to hide the display of the point elevation text element.

Since all point elements belong to the same object and are all on the same layer, you cannot hide the elevation by simply turning off a layer.

Controlling Point Object Behavior

Tips for Using Point Settings

Point settings control many aspects of point behavior. Here are some tips for using these settings.

■ Point settings are stored in the drawing, not the project. You can use different settings for each drawing attached to a project.

■ You can create your own symbol block files to use with description keys in your projects. Using the Insert tab, browse to the folder containing the symbols.

■ For both the point marker element and the point text element, the size can be set to adjust automatically based on the zoom level. This is known as sizing relative to screen. A regen is required to resize the point elements. You can set the drawing to regen automatically using the settings on the Preferences tab.

■ Marker and Text settings can be changed after points have been inserted. Click Points menu > Edit Points > Display Properties.

Description

Keys

Use the Description Keys tab settings to specify how description keys are sorted and matched. The settings you choose are important when you insert description keys or want to edit description parameters.

Marker Use the Marker tab settings to control the display of the point object marker symbol.

Text Use the Text tab settings to set the default text components, text style, text size, and description display for the point objects.

Preferences Use the Preferences tab settings to specify how you are prompted for point commands.

Tab Description

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The following illustration shows the Point Display Properties dialog box.

Example of Controlling Point Object Behavior

You are working on a large project involving an original conditions survey and a proposed design. Using point settings, you can make point objects look and act differently for these two conditions.

In the original condition topo drawing, use the settings on the Update tab to disable the movement of points in the drawing and database so that surveyed point locations are not accidentally changed.

In the proposed design drawing, use the settings on the Create tab to assign point numbers sequentially, starting from a number higher than the last number used in the survey data so that original survey information will not be overwritten. Use the Update tab to enable the ability to move points in the drawing and database so that you can edit the design quickly and easily.

You can also place the points from the survey and the design in different projects and use xrefs to link the drawings between these projects. However, by doing this, you lose the ability to access the survey data in the current point database and must instead switch back and forth between projects to research existing condition information.

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Exercise: Work with Point Settings

In this exercise, you set various point options in preparation for inserting points into the drawing.

The completed exercise

1. Open 99050_bp.dwg.

Verify these settings in the Open Drawing: Project Based dialog box:

■ Project Path: ..\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials.

■ Project Name: Portsmouth Heights.■ Drawing Path: ..\Documents and Settings\

All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials\Portsmouth Heights\dwg.

2. Click Points menu > Point Settings.

3. In the Point Settings dialog box, on the Create tab, verify that the settings are as shown:

4. Confirm the default path used for inserting description key symbols:

■ On the Insert tab, click Browse.■ In the Browse for Folder dialog box,

select ..\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008\R17.1\Data\Symbol Manager\Cogo_metric.

5. Click OK.

6. In the Point Settings dialog box, verify that the remaining settings on the Insert tab are as shown:

7. On the Update tab, verify that the settings are as shown:

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8. On the Coords tab, verify that the settings are as shown:

9. On the Description Keys tab, verify that the settings are as shown:

10. On the Marker tab, set the properties for the point object marker element:

■ Under Superimposed, select the circle.■ Under Custom Marker Size, select Size in

Absolute Units and enter 2.■ Verify that the remaining settings are as

shown:

11. On the Text tab, set the properties for the point object text element:

■ Under Style and Size, select Size in Absolute Units and enter 2.

■ Select the Automatic Leaders check box.■ Verify that the remaining settings are as

shown:

12. On the Preferences tab, verify that the settings are as shown:

13. In the Point Settings dialog box, click OK.


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Lesson: Using Description Keys

Overview

This lesson covers the concepts, principles, and procedures needed to create and use description key files.

Description key files contain collections of individual description keys. Description keys are coded to interpret the raw description given to a civil point object when it is inserted into a drawing. Description keys can greatly alter the appearance of points when they are inserted in a drawing, as shown by the examples in the following illustration.

Features Used

Objectives


■ Describe description key files. ■ Define description keys. ■ State guidelines for using description keys. ■ Describe wild card usage. ■ Set point label styles to enable DescKey use. ■ List reasons why DescKeys might not work.

Dataset

Install the Using Description Keys dataset from the courseware CD.


Description Key Manager Create, delete, and change the properties of description keys and description key files. You can also use it to import and modify an existing description key file.

Edit Label Styles dialog box Specify the characteristics of drawing labels, including point labels.

Insert tab of the Point Settings dialog box

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Lesson: Using Description Keys ■ 39

About Description Key Files

Description key files are used to store and manage collections of individual description keys. Description key files and key definitions are created in the Description Key Manager utility. A project may have several description key files to choose from when inserting points, but only one description file can be made active. The point label style determines which description key file is used. Description key files are called DescKey files in AutoCAD Land Desktop.

The following illustration shows the Description Key Manager. The description key files are listed on the left. The individual description keys of the selected description key file are displayed on the right.

Description Key Files

■ A description key file is made up of individual DescKeys.■ Description key files are located in the DescKey folder under the Cogo folder of the project

subdirectory: ...\cogo\DescKey.■ Every new project has a default description key file that is loaded from the selected prototype. You

may add description keys to this file, or you can create new description key files. Description key files may be saved back to the project prototype.

■ Description key files may be imported from the DescKey folder of any other project.■ The point label style setting determines which description key file is set current.

DescKey File Search Process

The description-matching process searches for possible matches in the DescKey file that is set current. If no matches are found, an additional search for matches is done in the project’s default description key file.

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Description Key Manager

All description key file management and creation is performed in the Description Key Manager.

The following illustration shows the Description Key Manager.

■ By default, the Description Key Manager shows five columns of information for each description key: Code, Format, Point Layer, Symbol Block Name, and Symbol Layer.

■ You can right-click on a column heading to hide and restore column visibility.■ You can click on a column heading to sort the description keys. ■ You can drag column headings to the right or left to change the order of the columns.

Example of Using a Description Key File

To manage points more efficiently, you have created a master description key file that includes standard descriptions that you typically use. You have saved this file in the prototype that you use to begin your new projects. As your work continues, you receive point files from different sources with additional descriptions that you want to include. You add these description keys to your master file and save it back to the prototype. To standardize more, you may want to print the master description key file and share it with others working on your projects so that they can see which descriptions are preferred.

Description key codes are often printed and exchanged with those working on the job. This practice helps to standardize point descriptions.

Example of Not Using a Description Key File

When points are imported or inserted without using a description key file, they appear homogeneous and are located on the current layer.

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About Description Keys

Description keys interpret the way a point is inserted into the drawing. Description keys are coded to interpret the raw description given to a civil point object when it is inserted into a drawing. Depending on the coding, the insertion may automatically cause raw descriptions to be replaced with full ones, points to be organized onto layers, and symbols to be added to the drawing.

Description keys work by seeking matches to the raw description. When matched, the point’s full description, layer, and symbol are determined by information in the description key. You can use wild cards to make description matching more powerful. Description keys are called DescKeys in Land Desktop.

Increasing Efficiency by Using Description Keys

When used successfully, description keys automate the process of inserting symbols and organizing points onto layers. When a point (whether created, inserted, or imported) matches a description key, a layer is assigned to it and, optionally, a symbol placed on it. Raw point descriptions may also be changed by a matching description key.

Individual description keys may also be coded to automatically size and rotate symbols as a function of a point description parameter.

For example, when a point with the raw description TR OAK 20 is brought into the drawing, a DescKey can determine the layer, symbol, size, and full description that is displayed:

Description Key Elements

A DescKey is an individual record consisting of five elements. These elements define the properties of matching points when they are placed into a drawing.

Option Description

DescKey Code The code used to match the raw description. Wild cards may be used to broaden the matching possibilities. The code is highly case sensitive and must match the raw description’s case exactly.

Format The point description that you want to appear with the point in the drawing. If no change to the original point description is needed then the wild card $* is used.

Point Layer The layer that the point will be placed on. If the layer doesn’t already exist in the drawing, it will be automatically created when a description key match is made.

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Symbols associated with points may be scaled and rotated by advanced methods, such as raw description parameters. The Scale/Rotate tab of the Description Key Properties dialog box accesses these methods.

The following illustration shows the portion of the Create Description Key dialog box where information for individual description keys is entered. Note the use of wild cards in the DescKey Code.

Example of Using Description Keys

You are working with point data from several different sources to create a base map of existing roads. One source describes edge of road points with descriptions such as EOR HWY85. Another source uses a numerical code to describe the same type points as 130.

Ideally, you would like all the points locating the edges of roads to be inserted on the same layer and the numerical description to be replaced with EOR for display in the drawing. Two separate description keys would be used to accomplish this.

In the following illustration description keys that could be used to solve the problem posed in this example are shown:

If no descriptions match the keys in the project’s active or default description key files, then the points are inserted into the drawing with the current point settings and on the current layer.

Symbol The block name of the symbol to be associated with the point location. Note the path to the symbol block folder is set in the Insert tab of the Point Settings dialog box.

Symbol Layer The layer that the symbol block will be placed on.

Option Description

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When to Use Description Keys

Description keys are typically used for points that locate distinctive features, define location, are needed for linework, or describe topography. For example, all points describing locations of fences should have description keys that would place them on a fence layer.

Description keys are used to organize points that locate:

■ Monumentation and control■ Fences■ Boundary delimiters■ Significant landscape features■ Buildings and structures■ Roadway or alignment features■ Breaklines that define topography■ GIS features

This is just a small list of typical description key uses. You will undoubtedly have many other situations where a description key will prove to be of value.

Using Wild Cards

There are three ways to make description keys more powerful by defining them to work with a broader range of point descriptions:

■ DescKey code wild cards.■ The description format wild card.■ Description format parameter matching.

Wild Cards Reduce the Need for Multiple Description Keys

Wild cards are used to reduce the need for multiple description keys for points of similar, but slightly different, descriptions.

The following illustration shows points with different descriptions inserted into a drawing. They match a single DescKey because the raw descriptions all start with the letters STA and a wild card was used in the DescKey Code.

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Description Code Wild Cards

Wild card characters used to expand the matching capabilities of description keys are placed in the DescKey Code element of the description key definition. Wild card characters may be placed before, after, or in the middle of a DescKey Code.

Typical Wild Cards

This is a list of the most commonly used wild cards:

The * is the most versatile DescKey Code wild card. You will see it used often in DescKey Codes.

Format Wild Cards

One of the functions of description keys is to change the raw description text to final text. This is done for display in the drawing or for export to a new point file.

When the raw description text does not need to be changed, use $* as the format wild card in the format element of the individual description key.

For example, you may have a DescKey code of STA* with a format code of $*. A point imported into the drawing has a raw description of STA-12. This description would be processed by the STA* DescKey to assign a layer and symbol, but its description in the drawing would remain STA-12, matching the raw description.

Character Definition Example

* Matches any single or multiple character

STA* will match STA100, STA-TRI, and STATION.

@ Matches any single alpha character

STA@ will match STAR and STAA.

# Matches any single numeric character

STA# will match STA1 and STA9.

The complete listing of all available wild cards, with examples, can be found in the Land Desktop Help utility.

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Description Parameters

If description parameters need to be included in the final description, a position parameter may be used. Description parameters are items separated by spaces and placed after the raw description. The position parameter is indicated by $n where n is the placement after the main description. For example, the raw description TR PINE 8 KEEP has three parameters. PINE is the $1 parameter value.

Parameter Matching

The following descriptions result from the use of parameter matching on the raw description TR PINE 8 KEEP.

Example of Wild Cards

Your job is to inventory the significant vegetation on a parcel of land. The information you need to record is the type of vegetation (tree or shrub), common name (such as pine or oak), approximate drip diameter, and future status (such as keep or move). The final description and display in the drawing may be enhanced by using description keys with wild cards and format parameters.

The following illustration shows how enhancing the final display of points might be accomplished.

Description Parameter Formatted Description

$* TR

$* $1 TR PINE

$2’ $1 8’ PINE

$1 STATUS: $3 PINE STATUS: KEEP

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Setting the Point Label Style

To fully implement description keys, you must set a point label style that uses active description keys and an available description key file must be designated. You make these settings in the Edit Label Styles dialog box, on the Point Label Styles tab.

The following illustration shows the areas of the Point Label Styles tab where description keys are enabled.

Point Label Options

You must set the following Point Label options for description keys to function:

■ Point label styles must be set to use active desckeys only.■ DescKey Matching must be toggled on.■ A DescKey File must be selected from the list of the available files.■ Optional toggle to Substitute DescKey Descriptions.

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Procedure: Setting Point Label Styles

Follow these steps to set Point Label Styles to use description keys:

Troubleshooting DescKeys

It is frustrating when description keys do not give the results you expect. After bringing points into a drawing, a quick check of the layers and a look for symbols (if used), will indicate the success of the description keys.

Potential Sources of DescKey Problems

When you have determined that your DescKeys did not give the results you expected when importing or inserting points into your drawing, check these four possible sources of problems. These areas are the most probable reasons your description keys are not working:

1. Select the Point Label Styles tab of the Edit Label Styles dialog box:

■ Click Labels menu > Edit Label Styles.■ In the Edit Label Styles dialog box, click the Point Label Styles tab.

2. For the Name, select active desckeys only.

3. Under Description Keys, verify that the DescKey Matching On check box is selected and select a valid DescKey File.

4. Verify that the Substitute DescKey Description and Insert DescKey Symbol check boxes are selected. Click OK.

Reason Description

Must Have Matches Points have to have raw descriptions that have matches. Wild cards will expand the matching capabilities of description keys.

Case Sensitivity Raw descriptions and corresponding description key codes are highly case sensitive. If the raw description is in lowercase, the DescKey code must also be lowercase.

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Example of Troubleshooting a Description Key

Refer to the description key definitions shown in the following illustration to identify the problem areas:

Point Label Style

Must Be Set

The Point Label Style must be set to use an available description key file. If there are no description key files other than Default in your project, you may import them from other projects or from other prototypes.

Path to Symbol Files The path to the location of symbol block drawing files must be correct or the symbols will not be inserted. The Search Path setting is located in the Point Settings dialog box on the Insert tab.

Raw Description Match Reason

1/2ip No Begins with characters other than IP

IPO-14 Yes Begins with IPO

ip No Lowercase; DescKey code is uppercase

Reason Description

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Exercise: Create a Description Key File

Use the Description Key Manager to create a description key file and its description keys.


In the Open Drawing: Project Based dialog box, verify these settings:




2. Click Points menu > Point Management > Description Key Manager.

3. In the Description Key Manager dialog box, create a new description key file, click Manager menu > Create DescKey File.

4. In the Create Description Key File dialog box, enter Portsmouth for the DescKey File Name. Click OK.

5. Verify that the Description Key Manager shows the description key file named Portsmouth.

6. Create the first description key:

■ Click Manager menu > Create DescKey.■ In the Create Description Key dialog box,

enter BH* for the DescKey Code.■ On the General tab, enter Borehole for

the Description Format and enter PNTS_BOREHOLE for the Point Layer.

■ Under Symbol Insertion, verify that none is displayed for the Symbol Block Name and that Symbol Layer is blank.

7. Click OK.

8. Verify that the new description key appears in the Portsmouth description key file.

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9. Create the second description key:

■ Click the Create DescKey icon.

■ In the Create Description Key dialog box, enter BLDG* for the DescKey Code.

■ Enter $* for the Description Format.■ Enter PNTS_BUILDING for the Point

Layer.■ Click OK.■ Verify that the new description key

appears in the Portsmouth description key file.

10. Create the remaining description keys:

11. Verify the following in the Description Key Manager:

12. Close the Description Key Manager dialog box.


14. Edit the point label style:

■ Click Labels menu > Edit Label Styles.■ In the Edit Label Styles dialog box, click

the Point Label Styles tab.■ Under Name, select Active Desckeys

Only.■ Under Description Keys, verify that the

DescKey Matching On check box is selected and select Portsmouth for the DescKey File.

■ Verify that the Substitute DescKey Description and Insert DescKey Symbol check boxes are selected.

15. Click OK and Save the drawing.

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Lesson: Importing an ASCII Point File ■ 51

Lesson: Importing an ASCII Point File

Overview

Before you can import a survey data point file, you need to define a file format that matches that point file. In the Portsmouth Heights project, the point file is a comma-delimited ASCII file in PNEZD format. It contains point number, northing, easting, elevation, and description data for each point.

AutoCAD Land Desktop contains several default formats. You can modify one of them to define the correct format for the survey data for this project. After you define the file format, you can use it both to import point files and to export points from the point database to ASCII files. When you import a point file, the software adds the points to the drawing and creates a record in the project point database for each point.

In this lesson, you use the following feature:

To add the existing ground points to your base plan drawing, you must:

■ Select an existing import format or create a custom one.■ Import the ASCII file.■ Optionally create a point group for the imported points.

Objectives


■ Specify an import file format. ■ Import an ASCII PNEZD metric point file.

Dataset

Install the Importing an ASCII Point File dataset from the courseware CD.


Format Manager Define the file format and to import the point file.

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Exercise: Specify the Import File Format

Use the Format Manager to set up the Portsmouth point file format.



■ Project Path: ...\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials.

■ Project Name: Portsmouth Heights.■ Drawing Path: ...\Documents and

Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials\Portsmouth Heights\dwg.

2. Click Points menu > Import/Export Points > Format Manager.

3. Create a user point file format:

■ In the Format Manager dialog box, click Add.

4. In the Format Manager - Select Format Type dialog box, select User Point File. Click OK.

5. In the Point File Format dialog box, enter Portsmouth for the Format Name and verify that .txt is the default extension.

6. Select Delimited By and enter , (comma) for the delimiter.

7. Specify the data in the first column:

■ Click the first unused tab.■ In the Format Manager - Select Column

Name dialog box, under Column Name, select Number. Click OK.

■ Verify that Number is now the name of the first column.

8. Specify the data for the remaining columns:

■ Change the second unused tab to Northing.

■ Change the third unused tab to Easting.■ Change the fourth unused tab to

Elevation.■ Change the fifth unused tab to

Description.

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9. Verify that the Point File Format dialog box appears as shown. Click OK.

10. In the Format Manager dialog box, select Portsmouth. Click Close.


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Exercise: Import the ASCII PNEZD Metric Point File

The software assigns points that do not match any description keys to the current layer. Use the point file format you defined to import survey data from a point file.

1. Create a layer named PNTS_MISC, assign it the color white and a CONTINUOUS linetype, and then set it as the current layer.

2. Select the point file format:

■ Click Points menu > Import/Export Points > Import Points.

■ In the Format Manager - Import Points dialog box, under Format, select Portsmouth.

3. Locate the source file that contains the survey data:

■ Click the Browse folder icon.■ Navigate to the ...\Documents and

Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials\Portsmouth Heights\survey folder.

■ Select Portsmouth_m.txt. Click Open.

4. Create a point group for the imported points:

■ In the Format Manager - Import Points dialog box, select the Add Points to Point Group check box.

■ Click the Create Point Group icon.

5. In the Format Manager - Create Group dialog box, enter All for the point group name. Click OK.

6. In the Format Manager - Import Points dialog box, click OK to import the points.

7. In the COGO Database Import Options dialog box, verify the following settings. Click OK.

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8. Zoom to view the imported points:

■ Enter ze for Zoom Extents. ■ Enter z and then enter .9x for the scale

factor.

9. View the Layers list.

The list displays the point and symbol layers that the software created based on the Portsmouth description key file.


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Lesson: Point Groups and Lists

Overview

This lesson covers the concepts, principles, and procedures you need to build and manage point lists and to create and manage point groups.

Point lists are selections of points that display point information in tabular form. This information may also be printed or output to a file. Point groups are named collections of related points. They are used in the selection of points for editing, exporting, and building terrain models. Additionally, point groups function to quickly remove points from or insert points into a drawing. The methods used to select points to build a list or to create a point group are the same.

In this lesson, you use the following features:


Point Group Manager Create point groups, specify the points to be included in the groups, and check and update the status of point groups.

List Points dialog box Build a list of selected points, print the list, and save the list as a text file.

Shortcut menus Access options related to the selected item, icon, or list.

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Lesson: Point Groups and Lists ■ 57

Objectives


■ Describe point groups. ■ Describe how points are selected. ■ Define point status. ■ Describe point lists. ■ Create and print a point group for traverse points.

Dataset

Install the Point Groups and Lists dataset from the courseware CD.

About Point Groups

Point groups are built from point lists and are used to organize points into collections that are logically related for use in a project. Grouping points makes editing, viewing, printing, managing, and surface building tasks easier.

Characteristics of Point Groups

Keep in mind the following about point groups:

■ They are created using a variety of powerful selection methods that include filtering.■ They can be locked to prevent changes to group properties.■ The status of a point group may be checked at any time to see changes in point membership, such

as points having been added or removed from the group, or changes to individual point properties including description or elevation.

■ When points are imported they may automatically be put into a new point group.■ Point groups are used in the selection set process for many of the point-related AutoCAD Land

Desktop commands.

Managing Point Groups

Membership of individual points in point groups depends on their point properties or on their selection in the drawing.

You create and manage point groups using the Point Group Manager dialog box and perform point group management tasks using the shortcut menu or the Manager menu.

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The following illustration shows the Point Group Manager shortcut menu.

Example of Using Point Groups

You have designed a new roadway alignment and added points to the project that define the stationing along the proposed centerline. In order to stake out these points in the field, you must export them with some control points.

To avoid having to export all of the project points, you make a point group that contains only the centerline and the needed control points. When you generate the point export file, you can limit the export to only those points contained in the group you have just made.

When points are used to build a surface in Land Desktop they must be in a point group to be recognized.

About Selecting Points

Point Selection Methods

Land Desktop provides several methods for building a point list: selecting all project points, graphically selecting points in a drawing, and selecting points from one or more point groups. After selecting points, you can use filters to refine your selection. You can include or exclude points from the selection set based on criteria, such as ranges of point numbers, elevation ranges, point names, and point descriptions.

You can choose from three methods to select points for display in a list: Enable Filtering, List All Points, and Point List Entry. Points are similarly selected for membership in a point group. However, for point groups there is only one method used: Enable Filtering.

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The following illustration shows the different methods that you can use to select points for point lists:

Using Filters to Select Points

Several selection categories are used to filter point selection when building either a list or a point group. The following illustration shows the filter categories in the Create Point Group dialog box.

Option Description

Enable Filtering Activates the Raw Desc Matching, Point Groups, Include, and Exclude tabs where you can define the list of points to use.

List All Points Selects all points in the project.

Point List Entry Activates the Point List box, in which you can enter the point numbers to select. As you enter the point list, separate individual numbers with a comma and indicate a range of numbers with a hyphen.

Option Description

Raw Desc Matching Lists based on defined description keys in the current project.

Point Group Lists point groups currently defined in the project. Note that this category is only available in the List Points dialog box and is not an option in the Create Point Groups dialog box.

Include Defines points for inclusion in the list by selecting options.

Exclude Identifies points to exclude from the list by selecting options.

List Lists the points selected.

Summary Summarizes the categories used to build the selection of points.

Overrides Quickly substitutes a constant point elevation, description, or point label style to the selection of points you are building. A more advanced feature allows the override to reference an XDRef, which then would substitute the point properties from an external database.

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Key Point: Include and Exclude Selection Options

Filtering based on the options within the Include and Exclude categories is a powerful tool. The following is an introduction to the options that are found in both of these categories:

With Number Matching

Specify point numbers, individually or by range.

■ Separate individual point numbers with commas (100,105,110,200) and indicate ranges with a hyphen (100-105).

■ Specify by using Selection Set in Drawing.■ Specify by Project Points in Window button to select

points, regardless of their visibility, by selecting an area in the drawing.

With Elevation Matching

Specify points by indicating elevation values.

■ Enter an individual elevation, a range of elevations (1000-2000).

■ Use the greater than and less than signs to choose elevation range (<1000).

■ Use commas between each parameter you specify (1-100,110.01,>200).

■ Null elevations are indicated by a period (.).

With Name Matching

Specify points by point names.

■ Separate each point name with a comma, wildcards may be used.

With Raw Desc Matching

Specify points by raw descriptions.

■ Raw descriptions are the original descriptions assigned to points before description key substitution.

■ Separate each raw description with a comma, wildcards may be used.

With Full Desc Matching

Specify points by full descriptions.

■ Full descriptions are the descriptions assigned to points after successful description key substitution.

■ Separate each full description with a comma, wildcards may be used.

With XDRef Matching ■ If external references have been applied, points may be specified using this option.

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Example of Filtering Options

You need to create a point stakeout to locate property corners and road centerlines for a new subdivision. The best way to do this is with a point group. Once created, the point group can be used to easily select just those points necessary for exporting and listing.

The Include filter category is used with the options to select control points by number range and centerline and property corner points by description. For example, if the control points are numbers 3-8, the road centerline descriptions are CL, and the property corners are NE-COR, SE-COR, and such, then the filtering options shown in the following illustration would be used:

Point Group Status

The status of a point group is checked when the point group properties are compared with the point database. If changes have been made to the original point group, its icon appears with a red lightning bolt superimposed on it. This indicates that the point group is out-of-date.

Key Points

The status of a point group will change if you have:

■ Changed point properties like number, description, or elevation of points in a group.■ Created new points that match a point group’s properties. ■ Erased points that were in a point group.

Changes causing point groups to become out-of-date are summarized by selecting the Show Changes icon or menu option. Point groups can be updated by clicking the Update icon or menu option.

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Example of Point Group Status

You have set up a point group named Low Areas, which filters points by elevation range. You will eventually use this group to help build a surface model for the low-lying areas on your project site subject to flooding.

As additional survey data comes in and more points are added to your project, some points may fall within the elevation range of the low-lying areas. If this occurs, the next time you open the Point Group Manager the low-lying areas point group will appear out-of-date. You can then show the changes and update this point group.

Managing Point Lists

A point list shows point information in tabular form, including point numbers and their associated parameters, such as elevation and description. Lists are useful for one-time selection of points for viewing, printing, or outputting to a file. Points are listed in tabular form in the List tab of the List Points dialog box. A list may also appear in the Point Group dialog box when a point group is selected.

The record information for each point includes: Number, Northing, Easting, Elevation, Raw Description, and Full Description. Latitude and longitude are listed if a coordinate zone is assigned to the project. Grid northings and eastings are listed only when transformation settings have been applied.

You can sort columns in the point list and rearrange them by dragging and dropping a column header. Right-clicking on the column header controls its visibility.

The following illustration shows a point list.

Methods of Selecting Points in the Point List

You may select points in a point list in one of the following ways:

■ Hold down the CTRL key and click the non-sequential points you want to select. ■ Hold down the SHIFT key and click the first point in the sequence of the points you want to select,

followed by the last point in the sequence. ■ Click in the unused area in the right pane (outside any columns) and drag your cursor over the

points you want to select, as shown in the following illustration.

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Using the Shortcut Menu

In a point list you can use the shortcut menu to manage and edit points.

■ To display this menu, select points on the List tab and right-click within a column that contains point information.

■ If you right-click in a blank area outside of the columns, the shortcut menu is limited to printing commands and the Clear Selection command.

The following illustration shows the shortcut menu in a point list:

Example of Selecting Points in the Point List

You need to lock the survey control points in your project so they cannot be altered. In the point list, you select the control points by individually clicking on them while holding down the CTRL key. When they are all highlighted, right-click to open the shortcut menu. Select Lock. The points are now locked and cannot be changed until they are unlocked.

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Exercise: Create and Print a Point Group for Traverse Points

Create a Point Group for Traverse Points

Use the Point Group Manager to create the Traverse Points point group. Insert this point group into your drawing.

1. Open 99050_bp.dwg from ..\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials\Portsmouth Heights\dwg.

2. Click Points menu > Point Management > Point Group Manager.

3. In the Point Group Manager dialog box, create a new point group:

■ Expand the All point group.

4. Click the Create Point Group icon.

5. In the Create Point Group dialog box, enter Traverse Points for the Group Name and Portsmouth Heights Traverse for the Description.

6. Click the Include tab.

7. Select the With Number Matching check box and click Selection Set In Drawing.

8. Use a crossing window to select all of the points in the drawing and then press ENTER to return to the Point List dialog box.

■ Click Apply.■ Verify that the points are listed in the

Point List.

9. Filter the point list for only traverse points:

■ Click the Exclude tab.■ Select the With Number Matching check

box and enter 100-830.■ Click Apply. Click OK.

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Create and Print a Point List

Create a list of points whose descriptions begin with IP.

10. Verify the traverse points:

■ Expand the Traverse Points point group and view the list of points.

■ Close the Point Group Manager dialog box.

11. Remove all points from the drawing:

■ Click Points menu > Remove From Drawing.

■ Enter y to remove description key symbols.

■ Enter a for All.

12. Insert the points from the Traverse Points point group in the drawing:

■ Click Points menu > Insert Points To Drawing.

■ Enter g for Group.■ Press ENTER to select the group from a

dialog box.■ In the Select a Point Group dialog box,

select Traverse Points.■ Click OK.

13. View the traverse point group:

■ Enter ze for Zoom Extents.■ Enter z. Enter .9x.

Only the points in the Traverse Points point group appear in the drawing.


1. Click Points menu > List Points.

2. Create a list of points whose raw description begins with IP:

■ Click Raw Desc Matching tab.■ Select IP*.

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3. Click the List tab to view the point list.

4. Preview the point list:

■ Click Printing menu > Print Preview.■ A preview window shows how the point

list will appear when printed.

5. Click Zoom In.

NOTE: If the columns are spread too far apart, you can adjust them in the Point List by dragging them closer. Then try a print preview again to see the results.

■ If you want a hard copy of the point list, click Print. Click OK. Otherwise, click Close.

6. Save the list as a text file:

■ Click Printing menu > Print to File.■ In the Select Output File dialog box,

select ..\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\Land2008\Essentials\Portsmouth Heights.

■ Enter output for the File Name. Click Save.

7. View the text file in Notepad:

■ On the Windows® Start menu, click My Recent Documents. Click output.txt.

■ View the text file. Close Notepad.

8. Click OK to close the List Points dialog box.


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Lesson: Drawing Traverse, Boundary, and Special Lines ■ 67

Lesson: Drawing Traverse, Boundary, and

Special Lines

Overview

This lesson covers the procedures needed to successfully create lines, curves, and special lines using commands specific to AutoCAD Land Desktop. Land Desktop line and curve commands provide options that use COGO, tangency, and point number information for the creation of these entities. Land Desktop also has a variety of survey-specific linetypes that can be loaded to enhance the display of entities, such as stone walls and barbed wire fences.

In this lesson, you use the following features:

Objectives


■ Connect traverse loop points. ■ Connect boundary points. ■ Close a boundary. ■ Draw special lines.

Dataset

Install the Traverse and Special Lines dataset from the courseware CD.


By Point # Range command Generate line work to connect points by entering a range of point numbers.

Line command with the Point Number filter

Generate line work from point number to point number.

Points commands Create point groups, add or remove points from the drawing, and create points manually.

Layer Properties Manager dialog box

Create layers and assign linetypes for working with special lines.

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Exercise: Connect the Traverse Loop Points

Connect the traverse loop points using the By Point # Range command.






2. Create a new layer named TRAVERSE, assign it the color yellow and a DASHED linetype, and set it as the current layer.

3. Click Lines/Curves menu > By Point # Range.

4. Enter 1-27, 1 for Traverse Loop 1. Press ENTER.

5. Enter 2, 60-70, 6 for Traverse Loop 2. Press ENTER.

6. Enter 24, 80-86, 5 for Traverse Loop 3. Press ENTER.

7. Press ENTER to end the command.


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Exercise: Connect the Boundary Points

1. Create a new layer named BND, assign it the color blue and a CONTINUOUS linetype, and set it as the current layer.

2. Draw the perimeter boundary of the Phase II parcel:

■ Click Lines/Curves menu > Line.■ Enter .p to turn on the Point Number

filter at the Starting point prompt, and then enter each of the following point numbers. Press ENTER after each one:

102, 393, 391, 376, 354, 353, 326, 302,

291, 280, 233, 227, 214, 183, 176, 153,

147, 138, 116

■ Enter .p to turn off the Point Number filter.

3. Press ENTER twice to end the Line command. The boundary does not yet close. Additional boundary control points will be added later.

4. Turn off the TRAVERSE layer.

5. Create the Boundary point group:

■ Click Points menu > Point Management > Point Group Manager.

■ In the Point Group Manager dialog box, click the Create Point Group icon.

■ In the Create Point Group dialog box, enter Boundary for the Group Name.

■ Click the Include tab.■ Select the With Number Matching

check box.■ Enter:

102, 393, 391, 376, 354, 353, 326, 302,

291, 280, 233, 227, 214, 183, 176, 153,

147, 138, 116.

6. Click OK to return to the Point Group Manager dialog box.

7. Select and expand the Boundary point group.

The Elevation, Raw Description, Full Description, Northing, Easting, Latitude, and Longitude are listed for each point.

8. Close the Point Group Manager dialog box.

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9. Insert the Boundary point group into the drawing:

■ Click Points menu > Insert Points To Drawing.

■ Enter g for the Group option, and press ENTER.

■ In the Select a Point Group dialog box, select the Boundary point group. Click OK.

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Exercise: Close the Boundary

The boundary between point numbers 116 and 102 is defined by an existing roadway centerline, which passes 7.62 m west of point number 102 and 7.62 m east of point number 116. This defines a 15.24 m right-of-way between point numbers 102 and 116.

The boundary from point number 102 runs south for a distance of 63.673 m, crosses the right-of-way, and then proceeds to point number 116.

Close the boundary line and locate one of the existing roadway centerlines.

1. Zoom to a specific point:

■ Click Points menu > Point Utilities > Zoom to Point.

■ Enter 116 for the point to zoom to.■ Enter 40 for the zoom height.

2. Draw a circle around point number 116:

■ Enter c for Circle.■ Use a Node Osnap to select point

number 116 at the end of the blue property line segment.

■ Enter 15.24 for the Radius.

3. Draw a boundary line beginning at point number 102:

■ Click Lines/Curves menu > Line.■ Enter .p to turn on the Point Number

filter.

■ Enter 102 for the Starting point number. Point 102 is where the boundary line segment begins.

■ Enter .p to turn off the Point Number filter, and then use a Tangent Osnap to select the east side of the circle.

4. Press ENTER twice to end the Line command.

5. Copy the new tangent line:

■ Enter co for Copy.■ Select the new line, and press ENTER.■ Use an Endpoint Osnap to select the

bottom end of the new line for the base point.

■ Use a Node Osnap to select the end of the existing property line segment at point number 116 for the second point.

6. Press ENTER.

7. Use real-time Pan and Zoom to view the entire length of both new lines.

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8. Change the length of the newly created line:

■ Click Lines/Curves menu > Line Extension.

■ Select a point near the bottom of the right-hand line.

■ Enter t for the Total length option, and then enter 63.673 for the Length.


10. Draw a perpendicular line as part of the boundary:

■ Enter l for Line.■ Use an Endpoint Osnap to select the

lower end of the right-hand line.■ Use a Perpendicular Osnap and select a

point on the left-hand line.


12. Erase the circle.

13. Trim the upper end of the left-hand line to the perpendicular line to complete the boundary.

14. Disable sequential point numbering:

■ Click Points menu > Point Settings.■ In the Point Settings dialog box, click the

Create tab.■ Under Numbering, clear the Sequential

Numbering check box.

15. Click OK.

By disabling sequential numbering, you have control of new point numbering.

16. Create a new layer named PNTS_CONTROL, assign it the color white and a CONTINUOUS linetype, and set it as the current layer.

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17. Create points manually:

■ Click Points menu > Create Points > Manual.

■ Use an Endpoint Osnap to select the left-hand end of the perpendicular line.

■ On the command line, enter BND Control for the Description.

■ Enter . (period) for the Elevation.■ Enter 900 for the Point number.■ Press ENTER to end the command.■ Zoom to point number 900 with a height

of 50.■ Click Points menu > Create Points >

Manual.■ Use an Endpoint Osnap to select the

right-hand end of the perpendicular line.■ In the command line, enter BND Control

for the Description.■ Enter . (period) for the Elevation.■ Enter 901 for the Point number.


19. Copy the right boundary line that projects from point number 901 to the midpoint of the perpendicular line. Use endpoint and midpoint Osnaps.

This copied line matches one of the Portsmouth Heights phase I roadway centerlines.

20. Create a new layer named CLX_1, assign it the color cyan and a CENTER2 linetype, and set it as the current layer.

21. Change the copied line to the CLX_1 layer.

22. Click Points menu > Lock/Unlock Points > Lock Points.

23. Enter n to specify points by number, and enter 900,901 for the point numbers.

24. Zoom extents.


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Exercise: Draw Special Lines

Use special lines to draw stone walls and barbed wire fences.

1. Create a new point group named Stonewall using the *POW description filter.

2. Insert the new Stonewall point group in the drawing, skipping all of the duplicate points.

3. Create a layer named STONEWALL and assign it the color white.

4. Change the linetype of the new layer:

■ In the Layer Properties Manager dialog box, click on the linetype associated with STONEWALL.

5. In the Select Linetype dialog box, click Load.

6. In the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box, click File.

7. Select AeccLand.lin. Click Open.

NOTE: If you do not see the AeccLand.lin file, navigate to the ..\Documents and Settings\<Your User Name>\Application Data\Autodesk \AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008\R17.1\enu\Support folder.

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8. Under Available Linetypes, press CTRL and select BARBWIRE_1 and STONEWALL. Click OK.

9. Under Loaded Linetypes, select STONEWALL. Click OK to return to the Layer Manager dialog box.

10. Set the STONEWALL layer current. Click OK to return to the drawing.

11. Zoom to point number 394 with a height of 50.

12. Draw the first stone wall line:

■ Click Lines/Curves menu > By Point # Range.

■ Enter the following list at the command prompt:

394, 389, 391, 376, 367, 364, 354, 347,

356

13. Press ENTER twice to end the command.

■ Zoom to point number 356 with a height of 50.

14. For additional practice, you may draw in the remaining stone walls. Use lines by point number range and refer to the following lists.

For Wall 2:

601, 600, 604, 606, 613, 625, 643, 644,

654, 672, 677, 680, 155, 154, 153

15. For wall 3:

672, 650, 649, 782-785, 235, 233, 234,

240, 239, 242, 255, 259, 261, 276, 281,

280, 295, 293, 294

16. For wall 4:

216, 215, 220, 227, 231, 249, 233

17. For wall 5:

217, 218, 225, 248, 245, 253

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18. For wall 6:

245, 256, 257, 260, 277, 296, 297

The following illustration shows the completed stone walls.

NOTE: All layers except STONEWALL have been turned off for clarity.


20. Create a new point group named Fence using the TREE* Raw Desc Matching filter.

21. Insert the new Fence point group in the drawing, skipping all of the duplicate points.

22. Create a new layer named BARBED_WIRE, assign it the color white and BARBWIRE_1 linetype, and set it as the current layer.

23. Zoom to point number 352 with a height of 50.

24. Draw the barbed wire fence line:

■ Click Lines/Curves > By Point # Range.■ Enter the following points list:

352, 353, 344, 342, 343, 336, 337, 334,

326, 325, 319, 320, 323, 302, 301

25. Press ENTER twice to end the command.

■ Zoom to point number 301 with a height of 50.

26. Set layer 0 as the current layer.

27. Create and save a named view:

■ Enter ze at the command prompt for zoom extents.

■ Enter z and then enter .9x to scale the view down.

28. Enter view at the command prompt.

■ In the View Manager dialog box, click New.

■ In the New View dialog box, enter Plan for the view name.

■ Toggle off the Save Layer Snapshot With View checkbox. Click OK.

■ In the View Dialog box, click Set Current. Click OK.


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Lesson: Labeling the Boundary Plan ■ 77

Lesson: Labeling the Boundary Plan

Overview

One of the key components of a construction or permitting plan set is annotation. This can consist of bearing/distance labeling on lines, radius/length information on curves, or northing/easting information at points. This lesson introduces you to the concepts and practices used when labeling information within a drawing.

Labels provide a way to annotate lines, curves, spirals, and points. When added as dynamic labels, these labels can be automatically updated when you make changes to the label style or edit the boundary lines. This type of labeling ensures that your annotation is correct even as your design changes.

Labeling can be applied at any point during the design/drafting process.

Features Used in This Lesson


Parcels menu Specify various settings for parcels, such as labeling, numbering, text styles, parcel layer, and label layer. After you establish the settings, you define a parcel.

Labels menu Define a metric line label style and add dynamic labels to the boundary lines. You can also use it to replace dynamic labels with label tags and to change the placement and direction of tags and labels.

Line Table Definition dialog box Define a line table and insert it into your drawing.

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Objectives


■ Describe the different types of labels that can be applied to boundary objects. ■ Explain the concepts used when creating tag labels and object tables. ■ Describe the effect of label styles and settings on the appearance and behavior of labels. ■ Determine which label styles and settings to apply in different labeling conditions. ■ Describe the options for editing labels. ■ Define a parcel to a project and add a label indicating the parcel number and size. ■ Create and save styles for labeling lines. ■ Add labels and tags to boundary lines. ■ Edit properties of existing labels. ■ Create a line table based on existing line tags.

Dataset

Install the Labeling the Boundary Plan dataset from the courseware CD.

About Labeling

You can create labels for a wide variety of linework, including lines, arcs, spirals, and point objects. There are two types of linework labels: dynamic and static. Both of these label types are based on one or more lines of AutoCAD MText.

In addition, when parcels have been defined to a project, you can apply labels to them using AutoCAD block and text objects. This section describes the different label types you can apply.

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Dynamic Label

A dynamic label is one or more AutoCAD MText strings that are used to annotate lines, curves, spirals, or point objects. It can also include blocks to indicate the end of an object or the direction an object is drawn or labeled. Dynamic labels are associated with the labeled objects and can update automatically when you change the label style or the linework. This includes updating the text to reflect new design properties of the object as well as the orientation of the label itself.

The following illustration shows an example of a dynamic label on a property line with crow’s feet placed at the ends of the property line and a directional arrow.

Static Label

A static label consists of one or more strings of AutoCAD MText and is identical to a dynamic label in appearance. The main difference is that a static label does not update when you change linework.

Parcel Label

When you define a parcel boundary as a lot, the area of the parcel is automatically calculated and a parcel label is generated that includes this area and a parcel number. The parcel number is represented by a block that also holds information about the parcel area. Up to two area labels that are separate strings of AutoCAD text can be associated with the parcel label.

Dialog Bar

You can use the dialog bar to manage styles as you label lines, curves, spirals, and points. This modeless dialog box can float over the drawing area as you choose different commands. Use the Toggle Label/Tag Mode button to switch between managing label styles and settings and tag styles and settings.

Example of Labeling Objects

You need to label a boundary plan for reference purposes in a preliminary design, but the design may change over time. Use dynamic labels to ensure that the annotations will update as you make changes.

You do not label this linework by hand using the AutoCAD Text or MText commands, as these annotations are not associated with the lines or curves.

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Tag Labels and Tables

Sometimes there is not enough room to place full labels on the linework in a plan. In these cases, you can add tag labels to objects and summarize their properties in a table.

Tag Label

Tag labels are single lines of AutoCAD MText that assign each object a unique identifier. Tags can be applied only to lines, curves, and spirals. The tags are then linked to a table.

A dynamic label lists an object’s properties directly on the object itself, whereas a tag label references the same information in a table.

Table

The properties of objects you have labeled using tags can be listed in a tabular format. These tables of information are linked directly to the tags and can include any type of object property, such as length, direction, radius, or northings and eastings. They can be created for lines, curves, spirals, and points, and can be dynamic and update when you change the objects labeled with tags. You can insert tables either as AutoCAD table objects or as separate lines and text.

Example of Applying Tags

Several property lines in your drawing are too short for dynamic labels of their full properties. You can use tags for these lines and insert a line table that identifies lines by tags and supplies bearings and lengths.

Although you can use leaders to connect dynamic or static labels to the linework, this may add confusion to the labeling in congested drawings.

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Label Styles and Settings

Using the settings and options available for label styles, you can manage the appearance of labels you add to your drawing.

Label Style

Label styles control the appearance of dynamic and static labels. A style includes options for the text style and height, layer control, unit settings and precision, and the type of information to be labeled. The different properties that you can label are listed under Data in the Edit Label Styles dialog box.

Label styles are similar to dimension styles, but are stored in an external folder rather than in the current drawing.

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Tag Style

You can set the properties of a tag style as you do with a label style, however the data list for the types of information applied to the tag label has fewer options. Typically, a tag label will include only the unique identifier for the object, such as a line number.

Label Settings

Label settings control how dynamic labels update, where label styles are stored, and the defaults used for labeling objects. You can find label styles in ..\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008\R17.1\Data\Labels.

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Table Settings

Table settings control whether or not tables are inserted using AutoCAD table objects and which properties are included in the tables.

Parcel Settings

Parcel settings control whether or not parcels are labeled when they are defined to the project and the appearance of their labels.

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Example of Using Label Styles

Your project includes different types of objects to be labeled, several of which need to be labeled in different ways. Property lines must have bearings and distances displayed outside the boundary, and road centerlines need to have bearings listed above them. You can create several different label styles to apply to your drawings.

Using Label Styles

Guidelines for Using Label Styles

The following guidelines can help you get the most out of the powerful labeling tools:

■ Label and parcel settings can be saved back to a prototype for use as defaults for any future projects.

■ Label styles are stored in external data files and can be used by any drawing in any project.■ Use the dialog bar to change styles on the fly as you are applying labeling.

Using Custom Label Style Libraries

You may work with different types of projects that require different sets of label styles. You can save groups of label style files to separate directories and set the path to the directory with the styles you need to access using the Labels Settings dialog box. The path for the style files is saved with the drawing.

Example of Standardization Using Label Styles

You have customized several label styles for local drafting standards for use as defaults by all CAD operators in your company. You can copy the label style files to a shared network folder and then use the Label Settings dialog box to point to that folder. The path can then be saved to a prototype that can be copied to all computers so everyone is using the same standard styles.

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About Editing Labels

You can edit certain properties of dynamic labels that have been added to linework.

Label Editing

Update the label of an object by right-clicking the object and selecting an editing command. Commands can reverse the direction in which an object is labeled or switch the label text to the opposite side of the object. Dynamic labels will update automatically whenever the linework changes.

In addition, you can edit labels globally by editing the label style. If the labels do not update properly, use either the Update Selected Labels or Update All Labels command.

Disassociating Labels

When you disassociate a dynamic label, it converts to standard blocks and MText entities. None of the commands to edit labels work with disassociated labels. If you do not want labels to change when entities are updated, rather than disassociating the labels, you may choose either to use static labels or to use label settings to disable this behavior.

Deleting Labels

When you delete labels, you can choose all of the linework that has been labeled, and only the labels will be removed. You cannot delete disassociated labels.

Example of Editing Labels

Your drawing has many boundary lines and curves, some of which have already been labeled. Because the drawing is very crowded, you want to replace the labels with tags. Using the Delete Labels command, you can select all of the linework and other entities currently in the drawing and only the labels will be erased.

If you erase labels manually, you must be careful to avoid erasing the existing linework along with the labels.

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Exercise: Labeling the Site Parcel

In this exercise, you edit parcel settings and label the entire site as you define it to the project as a single parcel.



In the Open Drawing: Project Based dialog box, verify these settings:




2. Isolate the BND layer.

3. Click Parcels menu > Parcel Settings.

4. In the Parcel Settings dialog box, specify the settings:

■ Under Options, clear the Automatic Label Placement check box.

■ Under Parcel Numbering, clear the Sequential On check box.

■ For Prefix, enter PARCEL followed by a space. Click Select.

■ In the Text Style Selection dialog box, select 10mm. Click OK.

■ Under Square Feet/Meters Labeling, select the Labels On check box to turn on labels.


■ Under Acres/Hectares Labeling, select the Labels On check box to turn on labels.


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5. Verify the remaining settings. Click OK.

6. Define the total site as a parcel:

■ Click Parcels menu > Define from Lines/Curves.

■ Select the top horizontal boundary line as the first entity.

■ Draw a window around all of the boundary lines. Press ENTER.

■ Enter A for the Parcel number.■ Select a point in the upper-central

portion of the site to locate the label.■ Press ENTER to accept the default, 0

(zero) degrees, for the rotation angle.■ Press ENTER to end the command.

7. Zoom in on the Parcel A label and review the label information.

8. Turn off the PARCEL_LBLS layer.

9. Zoom extents.


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Exercise: Setting Label Styles

In this exercise, you define a label style and other label settings.


1. Create a metric line label style:

■ Click Labels menu > Edit Label Styles.■ In the Edit Label Styles dialog box, click

the Line Label Styles tab.■ For Name, select Direction, Distance

Above.■ Under Text Above, select the Arrow and

Crow’s Feet check boxes.■ Under Text Properties, for Style, select

5mm. For Layer, select *Current*.■ Under Units, click Angular.

2. In the Angular Units dialog box, select the Allow Text Spaces check box. Click OK.

3. In the Edit Label Styles dialog box, verify that the remaining settings are as shown:

4. Click Save. Click OK.

5. Change the current line label style:

■ Click Labels menu > Settings.■ In the Labels Settings dialog box, click

the Line Labels tab.■ For Current Label Style, select Direction,

Distance Above.



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Exercise: Labeling Boundary Lines

In this exercise, you label the boundary lines for the site using different label types and styles. Where lines are too short, you replace the standard labels with tags that can be used to create a line table.


1. Create a new layer named LABELS_PARCEL_A, assign it the color white and a CONTINUOUS linetype, and set it as the current layer.

2. Zoom in on the horizontal boundary line at the northeast corner of the parcel.

3. Click Labels menu > Show Dialog Bar.

4. In the Style Properties dialog bar, verify that Current Label Style displays direction, distance above.

5. Position the Style Properties dialog bar in the upper-left corner of the screen.

6. Add dynamic labels to the boundary lines:

■ On the drawing, select the horizontal boundary line to display its grips.

■ Right-click the line. Select Add Dynamic Label.

7. Enter LIST at the command prompt.

■ Select the label and press ENTER.■ Review the label information in the

AutoCAD Text window. Close the window.

■ Zoom extents.

8. Draw a crossing window around all of the boundary lines to display grips on all of the lines except for the horizontal boundary line in the northeast corner of the parcel.

■ Right-click in the drawing area. Select Add Dynamic Label.

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9. Starting in the northeast corner and proceeding clockwise around the parcel, use real-time Pan and Zoom commands to review the dynamic boundary labels. Stop at the horizontal boundary line located at the middle of the eastern side of the property.

The dynamic label is too large for the boundary. You need to replace the label with a line tag.

10. Click the horizontal boundary line to display its grips.

11. Right-click the line. Select Delete Labels.

12. Change the size of the tag labels:

■ Click Labels menu > Edit Tag Styles.■ In the Edit Tag Label Styles dialog box,

click the Line Label Styles tab.■ Under Text Properties, for Style, select

5mm. For Layer, select *Current*.■ Under Text Above, select the Crow’s Feet

check box.

13. Verify that the remaining settings are as shown:


15. Click the horizontal boundary line again to display its grips.

16. Right-click the line. Select Add Tag Label.

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17. In the southeast corner of the parcel, replace the dynamic label on the short vertical boundary with a tag.

18. Swap the tag to outside of the boundary line:

■ Select the L2 text to display its grips.■ Right-click the selected text. Select Edit

Label Properties.■ In the Label Properties dialog box, select

the Swap Label Text check box.

19. Click OK.

20. Verify that the L2 tag now appears outside the boundary line.


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Exercise: Editing Labels

In this exercise, you perform basic label editing to show all labels outside the boundary lines with the bearings calculated in a clockwise direction.


1. Edit an existing label style:

■ On the Style Properties dialog bar, click the Edit (pencil) icon.

■ In the Edit Label Styles dialog box, click the Line Label Styles tab.

■ For Name, select Direction, Distance Below.

■ Under Text Below, select the Arrow and Crow’s Feet check boxes.

■ Under Text Properties, for Style, select 5mm. For Layer, select *Current*.

■ Under Units, click Angular.■ In the Angular Units dialog box, select

the Allow Text Spaces check box. Click OK.

2. Verify that the remaining settings are as shown:


4. Pan to the left to view the next horizontal boundary line.

5. On the Style Properties dialog bar, click the Line tab. Under Current Label Style, select Direction, Distance Below.

6. Delete the current labels and replace them with dynamic labels:

■ Select the horizontal boundary line and display its grips.

■ Right-click the line. Select Delete Labels.■ Select the horizontal boundary line

again and display its grips.

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7. Right-click the line. Select Add Dynamic Label.

The direction and distance label for this boundary line now appears outside of the boundary line.

8. Use real-time Pan and Zoom commands to complete the placement of line tags and the swapping of dynamic labels and tags where appropriate. Notice that the label arrows point in the direction of the line being labeled.

9. On the last two vertical boundary lines, observe that the arrows are pointing in the direction in which the lines were originally drawn.

10. Change the direction of these lines to maintain the clockwise placement of boundary line labels:

■ Select each boundary line to display its grips.

■ Right-click the line. Select Flip Direction.

11. Complete the placement of line tags and the swapping of dynamic labels and tags where appropriate.

12. Close the Style Properties dialog bar.

13. Turn on all of the layers in the drawing.

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14. Restore the view named Plan.


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Exercise: Generate a Line Table

In this exercise, you use the information stored in the line tags applied previously to create and insert a line table.


1. Specify the line table parameters:

■ Click Labels menu > Add Tables > Line Table.

■ In the Line Table Definition dialog box, under Table Title, for Text Style, select 5mm.


3. Select a point to the lower right of the parcel for placement of the line table.

4. Zoom in on the line table and review the results.

5. Zoom extents.

6. Set layer 0 current.


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Chapter Summary

Having completed this chapter, you can:

■ Set up a new drawing. ■ Manage and control point object characteristics. ■ Create a well-organized collection of layers for imported points. ■ Import survey data into your drawing. ■ Select and filter points into functional groups. ■ Draw survey-specific lines. ■ Label the boundary lines in your survey plan.

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