Importing, exporting point files

Module(s): Advanced Draft + Site Plan + Digital Terrain Model

You can use Import, Export Point File or Import, Export Point File to import point files and location line files in a variety of formats or export points and coordinates to a file. The files can be imported to or exported from any folder.

To import a point file or a location line file

1. Click Import, Export Point File (How) or Import, Export Point File (How).
   

   Activate Import, Export Point File in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Create Terrain Digital Terrain Model

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Digital Terrain Model

   • Configuration: Landscaping/Urban Planning Digital Terrain Model flyout
   

   Activate Import, Export Point File in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Create Advanced Draft

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Advanced Draft

   Site Plan

   • Configuration: Landscaping/Urban Planning Advanced Draft flyout
2. On the context toolbar, click 'Imp/Ex' Import / export file to switch to Import.
3. Specify the parameters on the context toolbar.
4. To confirm, click Apply or click in the workspace with the right mouse button.
5. Select the path and the file. The program proposes the folder set in the Save/load area on the Desktop environment page of the Options. You can accept this folder or choose a different one.
6. Click Close or press ESC to quit the tool.

Notes on importing point files with large coordinates (e.g. country coordinates)

Before you import points that are far from the origin, it is a good idea to specify Offset coordinates. You can find this general setting in the project's properties. The values, which you can specify separately for the X, Y and Z coordinates, move the coordinates being imported nearer to the origin. This improves the quality of the results when you create the mesh later.

Notes on importing profile files

• You can enter settings for section views on the context toolbar.
• In the input options, you can specify whether section views are placed manually (in which case you will have to place each view one by one) or automatically (the views are automatically one below the other).
• If you choose to place views automatically, the system will only place files where the settings match those in the files.

To export a point file or a coordinate file

1. Click Import, Export Point File (How) or Import, Export Point File (How).
2. On the context toolbar, click 'Imp/Ex' Import / export file to switch to Export.
3. Specify the parameters on the context toolbar.
4. To confirm, click Apply or click in the workspace with the right mouse button.
5. Depending on the file type set, select the elements you want to export.
   

   • To select a single element, click it.
   • To select elements in a region, use the left mouse button to open a selection rectangle around the elements you want to select
   • To include all the elements in the current document, click All in the Input options or press CTRL+A. Please note that this option is not available for all tools.

   For more information on the options available for selecting elements in Allplan, see Selecting elements, overview.

   When selecting elements, you can use the Filter Assistant to apply a filter based on element types and/or properties. For more information, see Filter Assistant.

   When set to Coordinates, the following alternative option is available for selecting points: In the Input Options, click On Element. The Input Options change. Choose whether you want to select the terrain points on the Selected element in its entirety or within a Part of the selected element.
   Click the element. When set to Part of selected element, specify the section by clicking the start and end points.

   

   • Click the point.
   • Align to points using the linear snap function and click the point.
   • Define the point by making entries in the dialog line.

   Tip: To find out how to enter points in Allplan, see Precision Drawing.

   Tip: The shortcut menu and dialog line provide tools and options to assist you in the process of entering points. For more information, see Tools and Options.

   Note: When you click points outside the element, the points on the element that are perpendicular to the points you clicked are used.

6. Select the path and enter the file name. The program proposes the folder set in the Save/load area on the Desktop environment page of the Options. You can accept this folder or choose a different one.
7. Click Close or press ESC to quit the tool.