Dear people, I’m looking for a solution to extract GPS points from a CAD design and preferably export XYZ to CSV. Anyone a suggestion for a tool/application? Many thanks
Hello.
What is contained in your CAD file? Is it blocks or line work with node type items?
There is a lisp file called click2xls which is very handy. It’s manual, so you have to select every export point.
Download here. I think it it is the right file, it’s been a few years since I downloaded it.
There are others. Try engineering surveyor website for a load of lisps etc. There is one in there that exports blocks and entities as a batch but it’s been a while since I last used it.
https://engineeringsurveyor.com/utilities/index.htm#AutoCAD
There should be something there to help.
Scott
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Thank you very much Scott! I’ll have a look first thing tomorrow, cheers Remco
AutoCAD Civil3D has the ability to export GOGO Points, including Ground to Grid conversion (as long as you know what you are doing). Otherwise, you can import a DXF into QGIS and extract the vertices to a CSV.
Just note, whichever way you go (even if you come across a different program), you will more than likely need to scale/convert your data if your drawing is in true ground/tape distances. It won’t be so noticeable up to 100m; but over this (even kilometres), you could be meters out.
However, if you have done your drawing from observed coordinates (say from Flow), then you should be able to ignore the previous paragraph and use your new/additional points from your drawing into the same Project in Flow.
Hope that makes sense.
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Thank you, I’m using Bricscad
I think @EBE111057 uses Bricscad?
I do not use Bricscad, but maybe something of interest to you:
Global Mapper is the best “Swiss army knife” tool in the industry with extensive functionality for slicing & dicing and data conversions of over 300 formats including .dxf & .csv. But it’s not free.
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Bricscad and Carlson/Intellicad. I really like Bricscad and use it when I can. I just saw that Micosurvey has come out with there stuff running in Bricscad. I’ll have to check it out. Their pricing is confusing as I don’t understand if Bricscad comes with it. I’ve emailed them to find out and waiting on a response.
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I came across this recently. I haven’t tested it, and it requires a journey through QGIS, but it may help.
https://opengislab.com/blog/2022/6/16/georeferencing-cad-dxf-with-qgis
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What geometries are in the CAD file? QGIS has the Extract Vertices function, which might be worth looking into.
Also, what CAD software do you use? I see that Autodesk has DATAEXTRACTION command which might suit your goal.
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Hi Bryan, MicroSurvey SurveyTools for BricsCAD (Cost: $1,935.00 USD, Perpetual Version) is an additional cost on top of the BricsCAD Pro, (BricsCAD Pro Perpetual License is $1,596.00 USD). I own MicroSurvey CAD Premium and a copy of BricsCAD Pro, both in perpetual versions. I try to refrain from buying subscription software where I can.
Because I hate renting software! I don’t have a problem with buying the software and then paying a yearly maintenance fee. At least you own something and only reward the company if they endeavor to produce additional useful functions to the software.
I don’t like the feeling of being held hostage to my data if I don’t pay their monthly subscription fee and I’m not able to access the data otherwise. Great program for the producer, not so much for the consumer, especially if they dribble out improvements over the years, whether intentional or not. Though I acknowledge that it is an intensive, time consuming task to write error free code.
I haven’t purchased a copy of the MicroSurveyTools for BricsCAD, because I already own the MicroSurvey CAD program but I could see where that would be useful if you only own the BricsCAD software.
List of functions in each or the software programs.
BricsCAD Pro Perpetual License is $1,596.00 USD
In the BricsCAD Pro version you receive the following functions:
CAD Platform,
Native DWG
LISP routines
3rd Party Applications
2D Drafing,
Drawing tools
2D Editing tools
2D Blocks
2D Block Library
Selection, snapping & tracking
2D Parameters and Constraints
Automatic 2D Parametrization
Annotation tools
Sheet Sets
Printing and Plotting
3D Modeling,
3D Drawing View capabilities
3D Modeling tools
3D Editing tools
3D Blocks
3D Block Library
Render Materials
3D Parameters and Constraints
Automatic 3D Parametrization
Animation
Visualization: Twinmotion Export and Direct Link
Civil/Survey,
TIN Surface Modeling
Optimized TIN Surface from Point Cloud
Civil Points
TIN Volume Surface
Grading
Alignments
Profiles (Vertical Alignments)
Corridors
Autodesk® Civil 3D Object Enabler
Boundary Trim
Point Clouds
Point Cloud viewing
Point Cloud import
Point Cloud edit
Scan to BIM toolset
Intelligent Point Cloud filtering
MicroSurvey SurveyTools for BricsCAD adds the following functions:
Cost: $1,935.00 USD Perpetual
Basic lot and subdivision creation tools
Cadastral annotation tools
MicroSurvey LISP extension to allow the creation of custom routines
Lot Closures (map check) and metes and bounds descriptions
Import/Export ASCII, LandXML and geodetic point files
Staking Reports and QA tools
Smart Lines, arcs, polylines and labels
Dynamic spreadsheet view of point database and traverse files
Geodetic tools, ground-to-grid scaling, KML export
Import shape files and GIS data
Streamlined COGO tools
Smart points with built-in point protection and audit trail
Building Library and house placement routines
Advanced survey computation tools: Best-fit/Helmert’s/Adjustments
Field to Finish automated diagramming
Traverse editing and adjustment
WMS support: load aerial imagery and maps from web mapping services
Background aerial imagery and maps from Microsoft Bing
BricsCAD is really a great value and software, especially considering the monthly subscription only cost of AutoCAD.
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Thanks @mark1st.john ! I figured that the survey tools cost would be on top of the Bricscad. I’ve got (2) v23 perpetual seats and really like using it. It’s basically the same as Itellicad however Bricscad feels a lot more snappier and has a better feel to it. The sales representative was telling me how different the cad programs are. It has the some of the same core engines as Intellicad but Bricscad basically rewrote 90% of the routines from what he told me.
I usually do all my survey computations in Carlson then I switch to Bricscad for all my annotations.
I’m going to see about a 30 day trial for the Microsurvey tools. I’m sure it’s different than Carlson’s survey routines. We’ve been with Carlson for a very long time, since they bought out C&G software which we used extensively from the late 70’s.
It’s good to switch to something new every now and then. I’m like you, I despise renting software .Thanks for the info !
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… WITH A PASSION!!! 
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