Import CSV (CSVImport)

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Power Tip: Mass Placement Options For Irrigation

• Preparing Your Data
• Import CSV Overview
• Placing Plants or Site Amenities Based on Latitude and Longitude
• Related Webinars

With our Import CSV tool, you can place blocks (such as plants or site amenities) at the locations of given data points in your drawings. This tool imports a comma separated values (CSV) file and allows you to assign specified blocks to given data points.

For example, your office might pull information (such as tree surveys) as simple points from a GIS database to develop a base file. You might have a large site where you want to place a tree on every point on a specific layer. Using Import CSV, you can get all those trees on that layer instantly, without having to click to place each tree in its correct location.

Need to export the Land F/X data from your drawing to a CSV or GIS file? Here's how.

See Import CSV in action. Watch our Mass Placement Options For Irrigation Power Tip, linked above.

Preparing Your Data

Before using Import CSV, you'll need to convert your data into CSV format. For example, if you have the data in an Excel spreadsheet, you can easily save it into CSV format by selecting Save As from the File menu and then selecting the CSV option.

Make sure that your project and Land F/X plot scale are set to the correct drawing. Otherwise, when you run Import CSV, the system will prompt you to fill out the scales per point and the command will stop after the first point placed.

Import CSV Overview

Open your drawing, and ensure that you have the correct Land F/X project selected.

Now open the Import CSV tool:

 

F/X Admin ribbon, Import CSV flyout

 

 

 

type IMPORTCSV in the Command line

 

F/X Admin menu, Import CSV option

ACAD Insert ribbon, F/X Import CSV button (F/X CAD 2019 & newer)

When prompted, select your CSV file and click Open.

The Import CSV dialog box will open, and you'll see your data. Find the columns that hold the positions of the points where you want to place the blocks. The headings might be named X and Y, or Long and Lat, or Easting and Northing.

Select the options in the X/Y dropdowns that match the columns with the data you want to use (Easting shown in the X menu as an example).

Select the option for the type of block you want to place. (For example, if you want to place trees, select the Tree option.)

Then select the type of that block you want to place. (For example, if you're placing trees, select the type of tree you want to place at the locations of the data points.)

Click OK. The blocks will be placed in your drawing at the given points.

If you have several different types of blocks you want to place, you'll need to create different CSV files that hold each point set data for each type of block (such as different tree varieties) needed. You'll then need to import each file individually.

Placing Plants or Site Amenities Based on Latitude and Longitude

If you're using AutoCAD or F/X CAD, you don't have access to the tool in Civil 3D that allows you to translate latitude and longitude values into a flat plane. Most surveying equipment and software will include the capability to translate to your desired plane and export to a CSV file. You can then use Import CSV to bring those points into CAD.

Related Webinars

• Excel With The Right Tools: No matter how much you can accomplish in AutoCAD, sometimes MS Excel can do the job better. We’ll give you some examples of how Excel can improve your design process by adding everything from shade analysis reports to MAWA calculations and in-depth watering schedules. (1 hr 5 min)
• Excel With The Right Tools Part 2: Now that we've gone over the basics of what MS Excel can do for you, join us for a more detailed look into the capabilities of this powerful application, including named ranges, templates and reusable macros, and more. (1 hr 5 min)