Using Esri MSD Data with AutoChart

In recent posts, we've shown how AutoChart can import features directly from a File Geodatabase feature class and add the GIS Attribute table as MAP Object Data to allow symbolisation of the entities in AutoCAD based on Object Data expressions.

The MAP Object Data functionality relies on the user running AutoCAD MAP or Civil 3D, so what options are there if you are using vanilla AutoCAD or BricsCAD?

The answer lies with ESRI Mapping Specification for Drawing (MSD) Data. This is a new specification created by ESRI which provides a method of defining and creating GIS content within CAD files.

When using AutoChart's GIS Attach/Import commands the user has the option of adding GIS attribute information either as MAP Object Data (in AutoCAD MAP or Civil 3D) or as ESRI MSD Data (in all versions of CAD).

Both Object Data and MSD Data operate in the same way when setting up the attribute mapping table, the required fields and their associated source values can be set up as required and the relevant information will be added to each entity.

Whereas MAP Object Data values on specific entities can be viewed directly in the AutoCAD Properties Palette, unfortunately this isn't the case with MSD Data. Instead you can use the AutoChart Show MSD Data command to view and edit the associated MSD values:

The AutoChart Style Features, Batch Style Features and Select Features commands can be used with both MAP Object Data and ESRI MSD Data.

One advantage that MSD Data has over MAP Object Data is that rather than having to export the CAD entities to an ESRI shp file with the associated object data values, a Dwg containing entities with attached MSD Data can be accessed directly as features in ArcView with the associated Attribute Table information.

The link below will open a video showing the process of using ESRI MSD data in AutoChart and accessing that data in ArcView.

AutoChart and ESRI MSD Example

If you have any questions about this functionality please get in touch with us at Support@Wishsoftware.com

AutoChart Style Features and Batch Style Features commands

Following on from the recent release of AutoChart version 3.0.18215 and the previous post on Importing data from a File Geodatabase Feature Class, this next post will cover another new addition to AutoChart, the Style Features and Batch Style Features commands.

These commands allow entities that match an expression query of Object Data/Esri MSD field values to have their symbology changed to match a style expression - this may be changing the Colour/Layer/Linetype/Lineweight of the selected entities, changing hatch patterns for hatch entities or changing point entities to specified Block Symbols.

Style Features and Batch Style Features (along with the associated Select Features) commands can be found under the AutoChart - GIS Menu.

Style Features uses an expression based on Object data values to select which entities will be changed. The command will display a list of all Object Data Tables and their associated fields within the current drawing. Highlighting a field within the Table/Field list will allow Get Field Values to be used to show all of the unique values within that field. Alternatively, for numerical field values the Maximum/Minimum values can be displayed. An expression based on the required field values can then be created. The expression used for the selection can be saved to an external file using the Save Button and the Load button will set the expression from a previously saved definition.

Style Properties can then be applied to entities matching the specified selection expression.

The user can select which of the AutoCAD properties (Colour/Layer/Linetype/Lineweight) to adjust and set the required corresponding values. 

For Hatch entities a Hatch Style can be applied and for Point entities it is possible to convert each point object to a specified Block Symbol.

When the Block option is selected, the resultant dialog allows the user to select the required Block dwg or block definition within the current drawing to use instead of the matching point entities.

If the selected Block contains Attribute definitions, the user can then set the required field value expression to use for each attribute by clicking on the Edit option in the Attribute list:

A Batch version of the command can be used to apply multiple symbology changes over different selection criteria. The Batch Style Features command presents a list of Style Features definitions that can be run individually or all at once.

Style Features definitions can be created, edited or removed from the batch dialog with Add/Edit displaying the Style Features Dialog as above. Each Style Features definition can then be added to the Batch list and the order of individual operations set as required.

Both Style Features and Batch Style Features definitions can be saved to an external file for later re-use and existing definitions can be loaded to populate the batch list.

The link below will open a video showing the Batch Style Features process in action:

AutoChart Batch Style Features

If you have any questions about this new functionality please get in touch with us at Support@Wishsoftware.com

Using AutoChart to Import into CAD from a File Geodatabase

Last week saw the release of AutoChart version 3.0.18215 which includes a couple of major enhancements to allow the import of File Geodatabase Feature classes as CAD entities and to use MAP Object Table or ESRI MSD Table attributes to style and symbolise imported data.

In the first of two blog posts I'll demonstrate the Import File Geodatabase command before covering the Style Features command in a second post.

Import File Geodatabase can be found under the AutoChart-GIS Attach/Import menu:

The command allows Point, Line or Polygon Feature classes to be imported to create corresponding entities in CAD. Optionally values within a specified field can be used to provide the Layer names for associated entities and the colours of those layers can be cycled through a fixed palette.

The Feature Class Attribute Table can be added to each entity using an AutoCAD MAP Object Table (AutoCAD MAP/Civil 3D only) or as an ESRI MSD Table.

The fields and associated values within that table can then be defined as required in the Mapping Table setup.

Each Feature within the selected Feature Class will be imported into the current drawing as a corresponding CAD entity - point entities if the source is a Point Feature Class, polylines if it is a line feature class or hatches for a polygon feature class.

The link below will open a video showing the process in action:

AutoChart Import File Geodatabase

As always, if you have any questions about this new functionality please get in touch with us at Support@Wishsoftware.com

AutoChart Version 3.0.18215 is now available for download

We are pleased to announce that the latest AutoChart version 3.0.18215 (3rd August 2018) is available for download from the Wish Software Support Page:
http://www.wishsoftware.com/AutoChartSupport.aspx

Access to the download page requires a User Name and Password, so please contact your company's AutoChart Administrator in the first instance to obtain the required login information.

The new version includes a number of new commands, updates, minor bug fixes and modifications. The major changes are shown in the table below:

Type	ID	Description	Command
FR	1011	Update Sitras obs Event format to match Statoil Ver. 7 defintion	Add Events to Plan
FR	1012	Add option to insert Route heading symbols between polyline vertices of selected route	Label Route Vertices
FR	1013	New Commands. Style Features and Batch Style Features to change AutoCAD properties based on Object Data expression	Style Features/Batch Style Features
FR	1014	New Command. Select Features creates a selection set based on specified expression	Select Features
FR	1015	Include Kp values in exported SBP data when the Calculate Easting/Northing option is used	Export SBP Data
BG	1016	Xref/Block Remove crashes in AutoCAD 2019	Xref/Block Remove
BG	1017	Kp Offset when adding Paired Events to Profile with Interpolated Route Kps	Add Paired Events to Profile
BG	1021	Center Panels in Panel Area not working in 3rd Plan Panel	Create Charts
FR	1022	Add option to display Slope Block values as percentages	Add Slope Block
FR	1023	New Command. Import File Geodatabase to create cad line or point entities directly from a feature class held in a file geodatabase	Import File Geodatabase
BG	1024	Potential for incorrect Geodetic Kp Flag placement on routes with vertices at a very small interval	Create Kps

Please see the New Features Section of the AutoChart Help File for further details on the new commands and options.

If you require any further information about any of the changes, please contact Support@Wishsoftware.com.