Has anyone successfully used Inventor to model a ground surface based on an x/y co-ordinate system and the relative elevation?

I know I can transcribe the points into excel then bring the points into a 3D sketch. I could draw my perimeter and try and create a boundary patch that incorporates the points. However I would need a closed profile at each point to develop my surface contour. I have a lot of points and this could take a while. I have modeled embankments before, as well as ocean beds but only for pictorial purposes, I need this to be accurate for volume calculations. Any ideas?

Secondly I know there are some lisp routines available at cost like the ones below but can AutoCAD do this out of the box now that it has surfaces?

http://www.cadoptimize.com/download/lon ... ofile.html
http://www.cadoptimize.com/download/lis ... rface.html

Are there any other programs better suited? AutoCAD Land Desktop, Microstation, Revit?

Do you have kml or gpx data...there are a couple programs that will convert to dxf or dwg

At the moment all I have is an plan view of an AutoCAD layout with hundreds of crosses with their elevation. I don't know if the client has it in another format, they must have got it from somewhere.. although most likely a surveyor recorded them one at a time.

Importing the points then running lines of splines through the points in all directions gives a surface that looks ok but I am not sure of the accuracy. Might be good enough..

Inv,

I got my brother who is a landscape architect to weigh in on this, these were his thoughts. Obvioulsy, this is software dependant. Hopefully this helps a little.

First, under Pont->point settings, set Marker to “use AuotCAD marker” and Insert to “Actual Elevations”. Then Import the excel file (saved as tab delimited) into Land Desktop (or civil). [Points->import/export points->import points] Within the format manager of import points, select the green “+” arrow to add a user point file. Name your file, selected “delimited by” and put a space in the white box next to it. If you file is spatial, select the correct coordinate zone transform. In the unused columns below, set their characteristics (in order) to the tab delimited excel file (easting, northing, elevation – i.e. X, Y, & Z). Then select “Load” and chose your tab delimited excel file. Make sure the newly named format is selected now in the 1st “format point” dialog box, as well as choosing your source file again. Hit ok and they should insert. They are civil point objects. I typically explode them, which leaves you points that have the correct elevation associated with them. (There may be a way to use the straight civil object…this is just now how I learned it though).



Using the terrain command, create a new surface selecting the points imported by right clicking on “point files”, and add points from autocad object->points. Once you have selected everything, right click on your surface and select “build”. Once your surface is built, you can generate topographic lines at whatever interval you want (.5’, 1’, 5’, ect.) and generate volumes. You may need to create a proposed/existing surface so there is a difference to calculate between (i.e. define stratum) your original surface. Define your site, and then select a method to calculate the volume between the two, I typically use composite volumes.

Hope that helps!



Daniel L. Malone, LA, LEED AP

Landscape Architect

Williamsburg Environmental Group

Hi

I think Revit can do this för you...
http://therevitkid.blogspot.com/2009/12/tutorial-topo-surface-3-learning-curve.html
http://autodesk-revit.blogspot.com/2007/09/shared-coordinates-true-north-project.html

Iqapps

Probably not going to help you here, but have you checked out Project Photofly on Labs?

Thanks for the input guys. I will post back with the results.