How to import points from a text file using description key matching?

Most engineering offices receive text files containing point data at some time during a project. Description keys provide a way to automatically assign the appropriate styles, layers, and labels to newly imported points.

Open 0310_Exercise.dwg or (0310_Exercise_METRIC.dwg).
Revise the Civil 3D description key set to contain only the parameters listed next.

Code	Point style	Point label style	Format	Layer
GS*	Basic	Elevation Only	Ground Shot	V-NODE
EP*	Basic	Elevation and Description	Road Edge	V-NODE
HYD*	Hydrant (existing)	Elevation and Description	Hydrant	V-NODE-WATR
SW*	Basic	Elevation and Description	Sidewalk	V-NODE
TREE*	Tree	Elevation and Description	Tree	V-NODE-TREE

Import the PENZD (space delimited) file 0310_Exercise.txt or (0310_Exercise_METRIC.txt). Confirm that the description keys made the appropriate matches by looking at a handful of points of each type. Do the trees look like trees? Do the hydrants look like hydrants?

Save the resulting file for use in the remaining exercises

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Solution

1. Open the file 0310_Exercise.dwg or (0310_Exercise_METRIC.dwg).
2. Switch to the Settings tab of Toolspace, and under the Point Collection locate the description key set called Civil 3D.
3. Right-click this set and choose Edit Keys.
4. Revise the three keys to match the GS, EP, and HYD specifications listed under the instructions.
5. Right-click the EP key and choose Copy.
6. Edit the copied key to match the SW specifications listed in the instructions. Repeat steps 5–6 for TREE code and exit Panorama.
7. On the Home tab of the ribbon ➢ Create Ground Data panel, select Points ➢ PointCreation Tools and then click the Import Points icon on the toolbar.
8. Click the plus white icon to add a file to import and navigate to the 0310_Exercise.txt or (0310_Exercise_METRIC.txt) file. If necessary, change Files Of Type to Text/Template/Extract File (*.txt). Click Open to continue.
9. Select PENZD (Space Delimited) from the listing, check Add Points To Point Group,and create a point group with the name of your choosing. Verify that everything in the Advanced Options area is unchecked. Click OK. Click OK again to complete the command.
10. Use Zoom Extents to see the points.
11. Save the file and keep it open for use in the next exercise.

Note that each description key parameter (style, label, format, and layer) has been respected. Your hydrants should appear as hydrants on the correct layer, your trees should appear as trees on the correct layer, and so on. Compare your work to 0310_Exercise_FINISHED.dwg or (0310_Exercise_METRIC_FINISHED.dwg).

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