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Thread: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

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    Default Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    We are looking to do some work for a client that requires submittals in Microstation and GEOPAK 2004 with .GPK, .TIN., along with some other files.

    The powers that want to know if we can do the work in Civil 3D 2009 and then convert the Civil 3D into acceptable GEOPAK deliverable. Our local Autodesk reseller suggested using landXML but I do not have GEOPAK to try it.

    Has anyone tried something like this? Did it work?

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    AUGI Addict sinc's Avatar
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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    LandXML is the standard way to export things like Alignments and Surfaces from Civil 3D in a form that other software can use. However, I am not familiar with Geopak 2004, and do not know if it is capable of importing the LandXML. A lot of the software from that era does not do LandXML.

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    The most important thing to remember is that there are always problems, or we'll say limitations to conversions.

    Most important remember that you are going to have to "dumb down" your drawings to "vanilla" AutoCAD before the conversion. This creates a whole new world of issues, there isn't a simple "eTransmit" type of option when dealing with C3D data. I've spent quite a bit of work even with other AutoCAD consultants that have the object enabler but don't have C3D.

    If you don't want to look silly in front of the client, I would not do it without having one copy to test and make sure what you provide works, and would clarify that you want to convert up front.

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    After a little more searching around and talking with some people it seems there is not a away to move Civil3d into GEOPAK and get GEOPAK files. If you need GEOPAK files you have to do it in GEOPAK.

    We have successfully converted AutoCAD to Microstation. That part I wasn't too worried about it is these GEOPAK file that are a problem.

    Thanks

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    The Autodesk reseller was correct that Civil 3D can export intelligent objects as LandXML and GEOPAK can import LandXML, however the reason you can't do it in this particular application is that Civil 3D uses a later version of LandXML than GEOPAK V8 2004. You're still only half way there with regard to deliverables anyway if you import LandXML into GEOPAK.

    Most clients want deliverables that are visualized in Microstation with construction drawing sheets created. You would get a productivity boost from the dynamic updating in nailing down your final design and then you would lose it all in duplicating effort after you've done the conversion to GEOPAK and have to visualize everything.
    Last edited by maier; 2009-11-05 at 05:00 AM.

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    Civil 3D 2010 can save to LandXML 1.0, 1.1 or the lastest 1.2.

    Cheers,

    Peter Funk
    Autodesk, Inc.

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    Quote Originally Posted by peter.funk View Post
    Civil 3D 2010 can save to LandXML 1.0, 1.1 or the lastest
    Good to know. Can you explain how to change the LandXML version? Is it a command setting? Or a new feature in 2010?

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    It's in the export to LandXML dialog.

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    Be aware that even though you can submit the core design data in XML files, that data will NOT be linked to the graphics in your Geopak project drawings. For example you will not be able to edit a profile graphically in your submitted DGN file because it will not be a functional GEOPAK profile. In order to have a functional Geopak project, all the XML data will have to be imported into the Geopak GPK, GSF and other data files and the graphics then generated from the imported GEOPAK data. Submitting XML files may not meet the submittal requirements.

    Also you will have to understand how Geopak imports XML data. While Autocad can combine surfaces, points, alignments and more in a single XML file, Geopak can not import the data if it is mixed in that way. Surfaces, points, alignments etc. must be in separate XML files for Geopak to import them.

    Another issue you will have is with regard to profiles. Autocad associates profiles with Alignments whereas Geopak does not. Thus Autocad's design profiles all have the same name in it's database (fgc) and it uses the associated alignment name to differentiate them in the database. When you export several alignments and profiles to XML from Civil 3D, Geopak will not be able to import the associated profiles because it will see them as duplicate names and can only import the first one in the file. The only way I have found to get profiles from C3D into Geopak is to export each alignemnt/profile pair as separate xml files, import to Geopak and rename the imported profile to a unique name before proceeding to the next pair.

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    Default Re: Civil 3D to Microstation Geopak

    The long and the short of it is pleasing the client. Can you convert? Technically yes if you dot all your eyes and cross all your tees. Is that what the client is asking for. No. We've even done conversion between InRoads and Geopak and it's just not the same, there is always something you have to tweak.

    If you want good ratings from the client and good position for future work, give them what they ask for.

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