Expert: Paul Jordan - 1/27/2009

Question
I have to make an autocad file showing the locations of a bunch of items in a 2d map.  The excel file I was given has the distance and angle from the origin in two of the columns (D and E starting in row 3).  The name of the item at that location is in column B.  Is there a way to make it autocreate lines from the origin to that location?  And if that can be done, is there a way to place the name slightly below the location?

Answer
Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you on this Ian, I thought I had already sent a response.

It sounds like you have a file from a surveyor and putting it into Excel probably wasn't the best thing to do but, you should be able to find a lisp routine or something that will make the drawing for you.  

Sounds like it's some type of "point" file.  You might want to do a search on point files to Autocad or something along those lines.  You'll probably have to save it as a text file to run it.  It's been a while since I've seen any routines that will make this work but, I know they're out there.

Check over at AUGI.com.  That's a HUGE source of Autocad users.  Just register and dig into the forums for Autocad and ask your question there if you don't find a routine to use with the google search.

Best of luck, sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Paul