node osnap

[rmk]

I am having a problem with my node osnap not snapping to the node of a spot elevation.
I have a surface which I created spot elevations at various property corners.
I now want to create a feature line from point to point with the elevations that I created.
However, the when I try to draw a feature line using only node as my onsnap with osnapz set to 0 so it will take on the elevation
it will not snap to the center of the the symbol. it wants to grab one of the four corners of the actual text.
what the heck is going on?

see pics

[mjfarrell]

two questions

Is LAYER Zero ON and THAWED?

Are ytou in a 2D Wireframe view mode?

[mjfarrell]

are you using a block as part of the point definition?

I can't duplicate, so would want to see a sample of your file if possible.

[rmk]

layer zero is on and thawed
I'm using the OOTB stuff for the label style and marker.

I was able to duplicate this on another persons machine here in the office. it exactly the same thing.
i tried using a different marker, same result.

I would love to upload the file, but it is 80 megabytes.

[mjfarrell]

make a tiny surface inside that file and place four points on it.
then wblock only that data out...shopuld result in a file small enough to share.

[rmk]

attached is a sample file

[mjfarrell]

Thanks for the file,

and now I see clearly the issue, and the solution(s)


A) I misread that you were you using a SPOT ELEVATION LABEL

As such it will not have an insertion NODE, and thus you can not snap to it.
What it does have, is an INSERT snap you could use instead.
Here I use the ID command on one of your LABELS:

Command: ID Specify point: _ins of X = 3785283.64 Y = 658959.21 Z = 22.98


So you could use the INSERT OSNAP option to acquire you surface elevation(s) when creating your feature line(s).


OR there is a simpler AUTOMATIC operation you could choose.

Draw a Polyline where you want it.

Use the command CREATE FEATURE LINE FROM OBJECTS

And allow the feature line to AUTOMATICALLY get it's elevations from your surface.assign elevations_01.JPG
assign elevations_02.JPG

NOTE the second image, turn OFF the use intermediate grde break points, and you will ONLY get elevations at the original vertices.
Leave it on and you get elevations everywhere it crosses a triangle in your TIN. This is not always a good thing, and sometimes it is.

Alteranately IF the locations on the surface have some other use, like a Back of Curb, or Edges of features
I would suggest the use of Creating Points on the surface, because they could then
A) use their NODE to snap to
B) be exported for survey purposes

[rmk]

thanks mjfarrell for all the help.
I'm really curious why the spot elevation label doesn't have an insertion node. to me that's the whole point of the spot elevation.
is there a way, other than your suggestion of using the (create points-random surface points) to do this? BTW I did not think of using this option, but it looks like it would work well in this case.

again, thanks for all of your help.

[mjfarrell]

Fundamentally the LABEL object is a piece of text wrapped inside a civil 3d object.

So it doesn't have a NODE to snap to.

Unless you NEED the points, the better method is to use the Create Feature Line from Objects, and assign the elevations autmatically
this removes the prliminary step of placing points first and then creating the feature line.
Alternately you could just create the feature line, and when prompted for elevation, use the SURFACE option to get your surface elvation assigned to that vertice.

Maybe I would need to know why you want to put a point there to provide better guidance.

If for staking, then use points.

If for annotation then use labels

If only to get an elevation, use neither

would be my guidance on it.

[rmk]

main reason is visual verification. I like to double and triple check my work as I go along.
software is a wonderful thing, but it's only as good and accurate as the person inputting the information.