Terrain Modeling w/ Surveyed data

[Anonymous]

I have just purchased ArchiTerra and have been quite happy. I have been mostly successful in coordinating with the surveyors that I work with in getting a ASCI point file from them that can be easily converted to a TXT file in MS Excel. Be aware that the data from AutoCAD ASCI file is in the form of Northing (y), Easting (x), z, Code Description. ArchiTerra wants the import TXT file in the form of x, y, z, Code.

I do have a Surveyor that is hesitant in releasing an Asci Point file due to the possibility of giving out a "false" point or two. These data points are called "busts" and are not used in creating the final map. I believe that these points could just be deleted from the data as to not have them in the sent file, but without arguing with the surveyor I can at least get a DWG of the final map. This surveyor tells me that when he creates the Contour lines in AutoCAD and Land Development desktop, he chooses the option to make them Polylines rather than AEC objects. These poly lines have a elevation (z) value.
Is there an easy way to use these Polylines in the DWG file to create a mesh in ArchiCAD or ArchiTerra? I have previously gone the route of using Splice tool to Trace the Contour lines and then to Magic Wand the Lines as elevation contours in the mesh.

Note: Most surveyors Polylines have a "break" in them where they locate the Text for that contour lines elevation. Is this a Problem?

[Anonymous]

I am also a recent purchaser of Architerra and I find that I have to "massage" the survey file substantially due to all the drawing setout idiosyncracies of the surveyor's draftsman and also because the survey data isn't comprehensive in defining external man made objects like retaining walls, external stairs etc. In the later case I think it is better to re-create those objects as Archicad elements - much better for rendering.

I also had a problem with boundary definition due to some numerical anomalies between Archicad and Architerra.

I have made meshes successfully using both survey points (from a surveyor, edited in a spreadsheet) and from polylines. With polyline I had an unusual situation where I had access to a survey file with two sets of contours one at 500 mm intervals and the other at 5000 mm. The 5000 mm interval is better as Architerra ends up working much harder to obtain the same result with more possibility for the import to fail.

[Fabrizio Diodati]

Jay,

could you confirm me that this form of Northing (y), Easting (x), z is a standard in USA?
If yes we could add this issue in the next ArchiTerra maintenance release...

Please, let me know

Friendly
Fabrizio