Expert: Bob - 5/15/2007

Question
I am an engineer who has used AutoCAD intermitently over the past 10 years.  I am using AutoCAD 14.  I have GPS  northings and eastings points in a TOPCON handheld unit.  This unit works with a program called Topcon 3D Office.  I have point files I would like to import into AutoCAD to, basically, connect the dots and create linework.  The TOPCON files are .pt3 extension.  How can I do this? Or, is it even possible?  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeremy

Answer
Hey, you expect a lot of an Interior Designer!!! LOL

My first impulse was to mention that you are not the first to forget that 10 year old software (R14) may not communicate well with newly developed software...
Then, I dug into it a bit, and I see that the Topcon is a professional GPS setup.
When I started digging (pun) I found that Topcon will work with Land Development Desktop to create 3D contours, calculate volumes of earth, etc etc.
You want to make a 2D drawing. My best general guess is that you need to get the .pt3 file into a format that ACAD can read -- or, more likely, print it to an image file, and insert the image of the print into Acad, then draw over it.
Or perhaps some raster-to-vector program will work.

HOW I WOULD APPROACH FINDING OUT WHAT TO DO:

1-- I would go to support and discussion groups for the Topcon-- usually the odd software has to tell you how to mesh it with the dominant one, AutoCAD.
2-- I would look on the Autodesk Discussion Groups-- I tried searching for Topcon in the legacy R14 group --nothing -- but try the LDD group---------------
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=83---
3-- Generally, I suggest looking in trade and professional organization websites for one's own field when very discipline-specific info is needed.
I truly suggest you start with step one -- Topcon should tell you the answer quickly.
And -- nicely -- if you do this a lot, check into the latest AutoCAD version (a 3D vertical??) that will help you.
Good luck.

BOB