Convert Drawing Entities

Convert CAD entities into an intelligent network.

Icon

Command

Shortcut Key

Toolbar

 

WATERCONVERTENTITIES

 

 

This function allows you to convert CAD entities into an intelligent network. The drawing may have been created in the CAD module of Civil Designer, or in other CAD software that is compatible with Civil Designer. The drawing must be read into Civil Designer by importing a DXF, DWG, DGN or CEX file.

An XRef is an embedded drawing, and as such, is not an active part of the project. In order to convert drawing entities in an XRef or another drawing, you need to import the layers containing the drawing entities into the project and then convert them.

To convert drawing entities from an attached XRef or another drawing file:

  1. Open the project.

  2. Set up the data file in the Project Settings.

  3. Load the layers containing the pipes, diameters, node names, demands, reservoirs and/or valves from the XRef or external drawing using the Load Layers function.

  4. Once the layers have been imported, continue as below.

Drawing entities contained in CAD blocks or objects are not imported. Use Explode Once or Repeatedly Explode on blocks or objects before importing.

Procedure

  1. The Convert Drawing Entities options display.

 

Setting

 

Description

Layers

Pipes

Line and polylines on the selected layer are imported as pipes. Nodes are automatically inserted at both ends of the pipe.

Diameters

Text on the specified layer is converted into numeric format, and assigned to the nearest pipes.

Node Names

Text on the specified layer is assigned to the nearest node as a node name.

Elevations

Text on the specified layer is converted into numeric format and assigned to the nearest node as node elevation. If present, the elevation extracted from the DTM overwrites this value.

Demands

Text on the specified layer is converted into numeric format, and assigned to the nearest node as a demand in l/s.

Reservoirs

A reservoir is placed at the position of a circle on the specified layer.

Valves

A valve is placed at the position of a circle on the  specified layer.

Multiple Pipe Layers

Specify multiple layers for pipe entities. Click Settings to display the Pipe Layers list.

Settings

Search distance for texts

Specify the search distance for pipe diameters, elevations, node names, etc.

Hide layers used for import (recommended)

Select this checkbox to hide the drawing entity layers once the import has completed, in order to see the imported water entities more clearly.

  1. You can also import pipes from multiple layers. Select the Multiple Pipe Layers checkbox and click Settings. A listing of all the layers displays. For each layer select the appropriate pipe material, class and diameter in that order.

The Pipe Catalogue must contain the pipe types, classes and diameters you are importing.

  1. Once the conversion is complete, the following summary of imported entities displays.