Eye4Software Hydromagic

  Hydrographic Survey Software


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Export to AutoCAD DXF Format

After a sounding has been completed, it is possible to export both the background map (vector maps only), and the regularly spaced soundings (matrix) to an AutoCAD DXF file for further processing. AutoCAD DXF files can be opened using AutoDesk AutoCAD, or a free or open source CAD software package such as QCad, or you can use the DXF format to import the data in other GIS packages.

After you have created a matrix of your sounding, sections or map, you should have something like this:

Example of a matrix generated from a sounding in Hydromagic Survey
Example of a matrix generated from a sounding in Hydromagic Survey


Starting the AutoCAD DXF export option

The AutoCAD DXF export option can be started by selecting the "Export" => "Export DXF Data" from the "File" menu as shown below. When you are using a full version of the Hydromagic Survey or Hydromagic Dredging software, the tool should be launched.

Select Export DXF data from the File menu to start the DXF export tool
Select "Export" => "Export DXF Data..." from the File menu to start the DXF export tool.


Select items

First, you have to select the items you want to export as DXF features. The following Hydromagic project items can be exported as DXF:

Just enable the checkbox in front of the objects you want to include in the final DXF file. To reset the selection, click the "Select None..." button, to select all objects, click "Select All...". Please note that only vector maps can be converted to DXF format.

Export to CAD toolbox
From the AutoCAD DXF export dialog you can select the items to include.


Output options


File name

Next, you have to select an output file name for the DXF file. Click the "Browse..." button to select a folder and file name. If the specified file already exists, you will be prompted. If no extension has been supplied, the default DXF extension will be appended to the selected file name.

Projection

It is possible to write the DXF data using another map projection then the one which is used in your current project. To do so, click the "Select..." button to choose the map projection for the output file.

Generate WKT projection file

When this option has been selected, an ESRI WKT compatible projection file will be written, allowing other software to set the correct map projection for the DXF file.


DXF Export (Text) Options

Some project items can only be exported to AutoCAD DXF files when they are converted to text. This is especially true for Hydromagic Matrix files. Since they are displayed in the software as an image file, only the textual part can be exported. Since version 9.0, matrix cells can also be exported as color filled DXF HATCH entities. To enable this option, please check the "Draw cells as hatches" option.

For raw data files and soundings, the track and the depth values can be displayed depending on the configuration made in this dialog box. To specify how depth values are exported as DXF, just click the options button. In the dialog that appears you can adjust the following preferences:

DXF export settings for matrix, soundings and raw data files are independent of how they are displayed on the screen. To alter these settings, click the "Options..." button at the bottom of the DXF export tool. To adjust how depths are drawn on your display, from the "Project Explorer", right click
either the "Matrices", "Raw Data" or "Soundings" folder and select the "Display Options" option.

DXF Export Text Options
Use the "DXF Export Options" dialog to fine tune how Hydromagic project items will be exported.


Starting the export process

When all parameters are setup correctly, click "OK" to start the export. A progress indicator will appear at the bottom at the screen, and the window will close after a couple of seconds. You can now open the DXF file in most CAD programs, it is also possible to use the generated DXF file as a background map in Hydromagic Survey or Hydromagic Dredging. When an error occurs, you can view the details of the generation process in the "Processing" tab of the Activity View.

Opened in a CAD editor, depending on your settings, the result should look like:

Example file opened in QCAD
Opened in QCad

Example file opened in Hydromagic
Opened in Hydromagic