Map 3D: Create Surface using LiDAR Data (point Cloud)

This tutorial will demonstrate the procedure to create a 3D surface using point cloud in AutoCAD Map 3D. To create a 3D surface using LiDAR Data in AutoCAD Map 3D, you will require the point cloud data as an  indexed point cloud data file.  

Step 1  Manage LiDAR data and create indexed point cloud data store 

• To create a index file, choose the Index File tool from the Point Cloud panel of the Create tab; the Point Cloud Manager dialog box will be displayed.

• In this dialog box, choose the Add File button.; the Open dialog box will be displayed. Next, browse and select the required point cloud data file(LiDAR .LAS, ASCII .xyz, or .point cloud .isd) in the dialog box and then choose the Open button; the selected file is added to the list in the Point Cloud Manager dialog box.

• Next, specify the coordinate system for the selected file data file. To do so, click in the Coordinate System cell; a browse button will be displayed in this cell. Next, select this button; the Coordinate System Library window will be displayed. In this dialog box, choose the required CRS for the data file.

• You can also filter the point data before creating an index file by applying data filters. To do so, click in the Filter cell in the Point Cloud Manager dialog box; the Filter Point Cloud dialog box will be displayed.  Use the options in this dialog box to define the parameters of the filter and then choose the Apply Filter button; the filter parameters will be applied to the selected point cloud file.

• Next, choose the Generate Index button in the Point Cloud Manager dialog box. On generation of index, a green tick mark is displayed corresponding to the selected point cloud file name.

• Next, choose the Add to map button; the selected file will be added to the drawing (If the data is not visible; then try using the zoom tools)

Step 2  Generating surface from the indexed point cloud data store file

• Choose the Create from Point Cloud tool from the 3D Surface panel of the Create tab; the Surface Manager dialog box will be displayed.

•  In this dialog box, add the indexed point cloud data store created in the previous step. To do so, choose then Add File button.

• Next, specify the parameters for the surface to be created. To do so, click in the Parameters cell in the list of the Surface Manager dialog box. On doing so, the Grid Parameters dialog box will be displayed. Use the options in this dialog box to specify the required surface parameters and then choose the OK button to apply and close the Grid parameter dialog box.

• Next, choose the Generate Surface button in the Surface Manager dialog box. On generating the surface, a green colored tick mark will be displayed against the selected point cloud index file. 

• Next, choose the Add to the Map button to add the created surface to your drawing (use the zoom tool if required to zoom to the created surface )

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Create a Join AutoCAD Map 3D

 Join data table to a feature layer (.SHP) in AutoCAD Map 3D 

You can use the Joins tool in AutoCAD Map 3D for joining the attributes in one data table (or data table of another feature layer) to the Data Table (primary) of another feature layer (such as SHP, SDF).

To create a join between two feature layers, such shape files, select the primary feature layer (to which you want to join another table) in the Display Manager tab of the Task Pane. You will notice that the Vector Layer contextual tab is displayed in the ribbon. Next, choose the Join tool from the create panel of this tab; the Create a Join dialog box is displayed. Notice that the name of the primary table is displayed in the Primary table initiating the join box. 

Choose the table that you want to join (to the primary table) by choosing an option from the Table (or feature class) to join to drop-down list. Next, you will require to specify the key columns in both tables. AutocCAD Map 3D will use the values in these columns to match the records while creating the join. Next, Specify the type and cardinality  of the join by choosing an radio button in the Type of Join and Releationship with Secondary Records (Cardinality) areas, respectively.  Next, choose the OK button; a join will be created based on your specified options.

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Creating Object data table

Object Data Table

In AutoCAD Map 3D, object data table are used to store non-geographic (aspatial) data. You can create an object data table by defining the table structure in the Define Object Data window.

Creating an Object Data Table-

• Choose the choose the Define Object Data tool from the Attribute Data panel of the Map Setup tab; the Define Object Data dialog box will be displayed.

• In this dialog box, choose the New Table button; the Define New Object Data Table dialog box will be displayed.

• In the Define New Object Data Table dialog box, specify table name in the Table Name edit box.
• To define attribute fields, specify the name in the Field Name edit box. 
• Next, specify the data type stored in the field by selecting an option from the Type drop-down list.
• Optionally, write a brief description of the data field in the Description text box.
• To assign a default value to the data field, enter a value in the Default edit box. 
• Next, choose the Add button; a data field with the specified name will be added in the Object Data Fields area of this dialog box.

 Repeat this process to add required fields to the data table.

• After specifying the required fields in the Define New Object Data Table dialog box, choose the OK button; the dialog box will be closed

• On doing so, the Define Object Data Table dialog box will be closed and the created table will be displayed in the Define Object Data dialog box.

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