VrOne
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ON-LINE REFERENCE DOCUMENTATION CARDINAL SYSTEMS, LLC 386-439-2525 |
DXF IN (DxfIn)
Type: Translator
Translates DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) files to VrOne files.
The DXF format is commonly used to translate map data to Autodesk’s AutoCAD program. Due to the popularity of the format, it is used by many other CADD and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) systems for the transfer of map vector data. From GIS to civil engineering systems, DXF is considered the de-facto standard for moving vector data. Experience has shown that DXF is well suited to move vector data to the ARC INFO GIS system.
The DXF IN translator is limited to those AutoCAD entities that have a meaningful equivalent in VrOne. The following table describes the AutoCAD entities that are translated into VrOne from a DXF file.
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AutoCAD Entity |
VrOne Entity |
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Line |
Line |
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3D Line |
Line |
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Polyline (2D or 3D) |
Line |
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Solid |
Line |
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0 length line |
Symbol |
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Point |
Symbol |
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Block |
Symbol |
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Shape |
Symbol |
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Circle |
Line with arc codes |
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Arc |
Line with arc codes |
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Dimension |
Exploded into multiple entities |
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Text |
Text |
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DXF In
Load Parameters
Loads previously recorded DXF In (.dxi) parameter file.
Record Parameters
Records current translation parameters to a DXF In (.dxi) parameter file.
Reset Parameters
Resets translation parameters to default values. NOTE: Current translation parameters will be lost.
Define Dxf file names
Allows one or more DXF files to be selected for translation.
Edit Parameters
Allows editing of general translation parameters.
Default VrOne Layer
Default layer to place entities that are not cross-referenced.
Default VrOne line graphic pointer
Default graphic pointer to use on lines that are not cross-referenced.
Default VrOne symbol graphic pointer
Default graphic pointer to use on symbols that are not cross-referenced.
Modify VrOne pen table?
If yes, then the VrOne pen table will be modified to match the colors defined in the DXF file layer table.
VrOne symbol graphic pointer for AutoCAD points
The graphics pointer to use when translating AutoCAD points or AutoCAD 0 length lines to VrOne symbols.
Symbol size for AutoCAD points (in|mm)
The symbols size in display units to use when translating AutoCAD points or AutoCAD 0 length lines to VrOne symbols.
Read dimensions as separate entities?
VrOne does not have an equivalent to the AutoCAD dimension entity. Normally, dimension entities are ignored, but if this is set to yes, then the individual entities that make up the dimension entity are translated in as separate VrOne entities. All standard translation parameters are applied to the separate entities.
Read hatches as separate entities?
VrOne does not have an equivalent to the AutoCAD hatch entity. Normally, hatch entities are ignored, but if this is set to yes, then the individual entities that make up the hatch entity are translated in as separate VrOne entities. All standard translation parameters are applied to the separate entities.
Error file name
Any problems encountered during translation will be included in this file.
Cross reference layers
AutoCAD uses a layer table, which defines layer names. Within each layer a line type and color is defined. VrOne uses layer numbers and has 10,001 predefined layers.
This dialog allows the AutoCAD layer names to be cross-referenced to VrOne layer numbers. Each layer name may be up to 32 characters in length.
While it is possible to name layers in VrOne, the names are only for user reference and VrOne handles all layers by number.
An easy way to define this table is supplied by using the “Scan DXF files” option. This scans a list of DXF file and creates a layer table entry for each layer used. NOTE: If layer names have been defined in VrOne then those layer names will be used in the table. If a layer name has not been defined in VrOne then the layer number will be used with the word “Layer” before the number.
Each individual entity in the DXF file may have it’s color and linetype assigned based on the layer table settings (this is called BYLAYER in AutoCAD), or they may have a specific value set for the color and linetype. If an entity used BYLAYER for color or linetype, the linetype or color defined in the layer table is used. The resulting linetype is then cross-reference to the line types table defined in the next section.
AutoCAD layer name (31 char)
This is the input layer name from the DXF file.
VrOne layer number (1-10001)
This parameter specifies the VrOne output layer number.
Cross reference line types
AutoCAD uses names to define linetypes (line fonts). VrOne uses graphic pointer numbers to define line fonts. Although names are assigned to VrOne line fonts, the graphic pointer number is the primary means for identifying line fonts in VrOne. This table allows the AutoCAD linetype names to be cross-referenced to VrOne line font graphic pointer numbers. See the cross-reference layers section for an explanation of how the layer table in the DXF file relates to this cross-reference table.
AutoCAD line type (31 char)
This is the input linetype name from the DXF file.
VrOne line Graphic Pointer (1-10001)
This parameter specifies the VrOne output line font graphic pointer.
Cross reference symbols
AutoCAD uses names to define blocks (symbols). VrOne uses graphic pointer numbers to define symbols. Although names are assigned to VrOne symbols, the graphic pointer number is the primary means for identifying symbols in VrOne. This table allows the AutoCAD block names to be cross-referenced to VrOne symbol graphic pointer numbers.
AutoCAD block name (31 char)
This is the input block name from the DXF file.
VrOne symbol Graphic Pointer (1-10001)
This parameter specifies the VrOne output symbol graphic pointer.
Scan DXF files
Scans one or more DXF files and places entries in the cross-reference tables for all layers, linetypes, and symbols found. This should be used as a starting point for populating the cross-reference tables. Default output values will be written that can then be edited to match your translation needs. The “Define Dxf file names” option must be used before this will run.
The following options are displayed before the DXF files are scanned.
Scan ENTITIES section only
If set to yes, only the ENTITIES section of the DXF will be processed. The LAYER and BLOCK definition tables will be skipped, resulting in the cross-reference table only containing entries from entities that exist in the DXF file. If this is set to no, then all entries in the LAYER and BLOCK definition tables from the DXF file will be placed in the cross-reference tables, even if there are no actually entities in the DXF file that use those layers or block definitions.
Place results in cross reference tables
If set to no, then the results will only be written to the scan results file.
File name for scan results
A summary of the results from scanning the DXF files will be written to this file.
Translate
Translates the currently defined DXF files into the current VrOne file.
Help
Starts the browser and displays the current help document.
Quit
Quits Dxf In and gives an option to save the current parameters.
Quick Translation
The following may be done to translate DXF files into VrOne in the fewest possible steps. The result will be a translation in which all lines will be translated as solid, all blocks will be translated as graphics pointer 1, and all entities will be placed on layer 1.
- Select “Reset Parameters”
- Select “Define Dxf file names” and select one or more DXF files.
- Select “Scan DXF files”
- Select “Translate”