GMS:CAD Options

DWG and DXF files can be imported into GMS and displayed to assist in model placement or simply to enhance the display of a model.

The objects in a DWG or DXF file are organized into layers. The display of layers in a CAD drawing is controlled using the check boxes in the Project Explorer. Individual layers can be turned off/on or to turn off the display of all CAD data then uncheck the box next to the " CAD" folder.

The CAD options are included with all paid editions of GMS. CAD data can be imported with the Community Edition.

CAD Item Right-Click Menu

Right-clicking on the " CAD" item in the Project Explorer contains the following commands in addition to the standard object folder commands.

Remove Data

To delete the CAD data right-click on the " CAD" item in the tree and select Delete from the pop-up menu. If the CAD data was imported from a file, the file is not deleted from disk.

Collapse All

Hide all items related to the " CAD" item in the project explorer.

Expand All

Unhide all items related to the " CAD" item in the project explorer.

Check All

Check all items related to the " CAD" item in the project explorer.

Uncheck All

Uncheck all items related to the " CAD" item in the project explorer.

Projection →

If you select this and then select Projection... to open up a Projection dialog specific to the CAD items selected. Pressing Projection → | Set As Display Projection also allows you to set the projection to display.

Properties...

This option allows the user to open a properties dialog that aids in the specification of properties related to different layers of the project.

CAD ￫ Feature Objects

CAD data can be converted to GMS feature objects by right-clicking on the " CAD" item in the Project Explorer and selecting the Convert → command. CAD points are turned into points, CAD lines and polylines are turned into arcs, and CAD polygons are turned into polygons. The feature objects are added to the active coverage. Once converted, the feature objects can be used to build conceptual models.

CAD ￫ TIN

Sets of CAD faces and points that have been imported to GMS can be converted to a TIN by right-clicking on the " CAD" item in the Project Explorer and selecting either the Convert | CAD Faces → TIN Triangles or the Convert | CAD Points → TIN Points command.

Convert To CAD

This command converts any visible geometric data into CAD format internally within GMS. This CAD data will be saved with the project as a DWG file or can be exported as a separate DWG or DXF file. This command is found either in the Display menu or by right-clicking in the empty space in the Project Explorer.

See also

• Importing/Exporting CAD Data