Error: 'Invalid Point ...'

Issue

You received an error message similar to the following:

Error: 'invalid point: (42006.9 -2298.14 -1.0e+099)

Cause

You likely have an object in your drawing that is well beyond the intended scope of the site. The series of numbers within the error message (in our example, 2006.9 -2298.14 -1.0e+099) refers to an object that is astronomically distant from the design site, in terms of the drawing units. Having an object placed excessively far outside the site – whether it be hundreds or millions of miles – can cause a number of problems within your drawing.

Solution

Step 1: EXTMAX to See the Extents of the Drawing

Type EXTMAX in the Command line, and press Enter.

The Command line will show a value such as EXTMAX = 1056.8928,1031.1804,1.0e+99. The three components of this value (1056.8928, 31.1804, and 1.0e+99 in our example) represent how far your site extends on the X, Y, and Z planes, respectively.

In our example, it's the number 1.0e+99 that presents the issue: The fact that this number is in scientific notation indicates a value that is far out, to say the least. While the X and Y values (1056.8928 and 1031.1804, respectively) are reasonable for a site design – 1,056 by 1,031 feet – the Z value is somewhere in outer space. If any of these three numbers is expressed in scientific notation, you've found the culprit.

Take note of which plane (X, Y, or Z) has the astronomical value.

Step 2: Open Any Xref Files

In most cases, this type of issue will originate from one of your Xrefs.

Open each of the original files that have been Xrefed into your drawing. Repeat the EXTMAX command on each of these files.

Check the Command line for the X, Y, and Z values. If one of these numbers is in scientific notation, you've found the problematic Xref(s). Complete the remainder of these steps on any Xref files where this is the case.

If the Xrefs all have reasonable X, Y, and Z values, complete the remainder of these steps on the main drawing.

Step 3: Delete Layout Tabs

A Layout tab without a viewport can sometimes cause this issue. Delete all Layout tabs from the problematic drawing file(s), then run the EXTMAX command on the same file(s). If the Command line shows three reasonable values, you've resolved the issue.

Still getting an X, Y, or Z value in scientific notation? Move on to Step 4.

Step 4: Erase All Blocks in the File Causing the Issue

Erase all blocks in the problematic file. Run EXTMAX again.

Do you see three reasonable numbers for the X, Y, and Z values? The file likely had a block that was mistakenly placed at the astronomical X, Y, or Z value.

Use the UNDO command to place all the blocks back in the file, and move on to Step 5.

Step 5: Quick Select to Locate the Errant Object(s)

Type QSELECT in the Command line, and press Enter.

In the Quick Select dialog box, make the following selections:

 

 

1. Select the Block Reference option from the Object Type menu.

 

 

2. In the Properties menu, select the appropriate Position for the axis that had its value in scientific notation. (In out example, we'll select Position Z for the Z axis.)

 

 

3. Select > Greater than from the Operator menu.

 

 

4. Type 1000 in the Value field.

 

 

Click OK when finished.

All blocks in the problematic file that lie outside the specified range on the X, Y, or Z axis will be selected. In our example, the QUICKSELECT tool will select all blocks beyond 1,000 feet on the Z axis.

Step 6: Delete and Re-Place the Errant Object(s)

Delete any blocks that were selected in the previous step. You can then place those blocks back in the drawing in their original locations.

To verify that a block's X, Y, and Z values are valid, select the block and open the Properties panel by typing Prop in the Command line and pressing Enter.

 

 

Verify that the Position X, Position Y, and Position Z values, listed under Geometry, are expressed in reasonable numbers in terms of your selected drawing units. The Z Position value should be 0.

 

 

In the example shown to the left, the selected block has an X value of 21.4041 feet, a Y value of 13.6440, and a Z value of 0 – perfectly reasonable values.

Step 7: Remove and Re-Attach the Xrefs (If Necessary)

If the issue was occurring in one of the Xrefs, follow our steps to remove the Xrefs, then re-attach the Xrefs to your drawing using either the Xref Manager or our fxREF tool.

If you haven't already, follow our steps to clean your Xrefs before re-attaching them – a good general practice to get into.

Step 8: EXTMAX to Test the Drawing

Run the EXTMAX command again to verify that the X and Y values are reasonable and the Z value is 0. If so, you've fixed the issue.