Survey and Cogo Manual
Survey and Cogo Manual
NOTE:
The above loader.lsp files will add our program paths to the default search path.
If the program gives you an error that it cannot find something then you will need to manually add the
paths. Go to Tools -- Config...
Add the following paths to the AutoCAD or IntelliCAD search paths:
(assumes the default installation)
c:/Program Files/CogoSoftware/dpcogo
c:/Program Files/CogoSoftware/dpcogo/dwglib
c:/Program Files/CogoSoftware/dpcogo/toolbar
c:/Program Files/CogoSoftware/dpdtm
c:/Program Files/CogoSoftware/dproad
Once the menu is loaded, you can switch to the Metric menu if desired
(look under the "Drafting" pull down menu).
In order to use the program sucessfully your CAD program will need to know the path to the
CogoSoftware program and our menu (either English or Metric) must be loaded into the CAD program. If
our automatic loading fails, you will have to do it manually. If you need help in doing this, please fill in a
free support request at our web site.
You may manually load the menu into AutoCAD® or IntelliCAD® by doing the following:
Start Autocad® or IntelliCAD®
Open Windows explorer
Browse to the directory you installed the program into, the default is:
c:/Program Files/CogoSoftware/dpcogo
Drag the following file into your drawing: LoadMenu.lsp
The menu and toolbars should now be visible.
You may also manually load the menu into IntelliCAD® by doing the following:
Go to the "Tools" pulldown menu and select "Customize"
or at the command prompt type: menuload
A dialog box will appear
Click the "import" button at the bottom
Place a check in the box next to "Append to current menu"
Browse to c:/Program Files/CogoSoftware/dpcogo/Dpcogo.mnu
Select open
For step by step instructions for our DPpoints menu items select "Step by Step Points" from the "Table
of Contents" menu above.
Set points
Survey and Cogo does not use AutoCAD® point objects, It uses blocks which contain the point node, a
point number, point elevation and point description.
Set points by entering Northings & Eastings (coords) or pick a point (select).
(if you pick a point on a 3D object, the elevation will be used for the point).
You may also set points by Traverse, Sideshot, or by entering a station and offset along an alignment.
Note: Whenever you add points to the drawing a user definable block can also be placed there
automatically, such as an iron pipe or a power pole etc. -
See Create key descriptions below.
Point blocks
There are two point nodes placed for each point. One node is placed at the elevation of the point on
layer 3D_NODE to be used for surface modeling programs or for drawing 3D lines etc. The other node is
placed at elevation 0 on layer 2D_NODE to be used for 2D drafting.
The "Reassociate points" command will move all 2d nodes to their proper location in relation to the 3d
nodes in case you move points manually and get them separated.
NOTE:
The point number is on layer DPNO, the point elevation is on layer DPEL, and the point description is on
layer DPDES.
The key description must be the first part of the description before any spaces.
An example: Lets say the key is ip for iron pipe - when the program sees the key ip, it places the block
ip.dwg at the point location.
The following are valid descriptions:
ip
ip bent
ip 1/2"
This command is being phased out. The import linework command will automatically find line
descriptions from the point file.
Selecting this option brings up a dialog box in which you may enter line descriptions that will cause a
layer to be created and linework to be drawn on it from a point file (See Import line file).
If a line description was set up for ep, then any line name beginning with "ep" would be placed on layer
ep.
Point display
Draw Traverse - Draw by entering bearings and distances and curves. Good for inputing an existing
boundary.
Radial Stakeout
Enter a point number to occupy. Then enter a point number to backsite. You will be prompted to create
or select a file. If you select an existing file, the new data will be appended to it. You may graphically
select all the points that you want to include in the stakeout report, or you can enter a range of point
numbers. You may now open the file in notepad or any other text editor and print it out.
Inverse
Inverse points by entering point numbers. You will be prompted for the first point number and then the
second point number.
A bearing and distance will be displayed at the command prompt.
Intersections
Find intersections by Bearing - Bearing, Bearing - Distance, Distance - Distance, Line - Arc, and Point
offset to a line.
Bearing-Bearing:
You will be prompted for the first point number and bearing (or enter two point numbers for bearing)
and then the second point number and bearing (or enter two point numbers for bearing), the
intersection will be displayed at the command prompt and you will be asked if you would like to set a
new point there.
Bearing-Distance:
You will be prompted for the first point number and bearing (or enter two point numbers for bearing)
and then the second point number and distance, the intersection will be displayed at the command
prompt and you will be asked if you would like to set a new point there.
Distance-Distance:
You will be prompted for the first point number and distance and then the second point number and
distance, the intersection will be displayed at the command prompt and you will be asked if you would
like to set a new point there.
Note: If two answers are found, you will be asked to choose the answer you want to use.
Line-Arc:
You will be prompted for the first point number and the second point number to define a line, then you
will be prompted for a point number at the center of the arc and a radius, the intersection will be
displayed at the command prompt and you will be asked if you would like to set a new point there.
Import / Export
Import points from an ascii file or export points to an ascii file. A file is created in a variety of formats
(including: Point Number, Northing, Easting, Elevation and Description). You may also create a Point List
for viewing in the same format.
Import line file
Linework may be created in the drawing by reading a point file with linework coded into it. This may be
the same file used to import the points. Line descriptors must start with a "." right after the key
description (if any). The line name can be anything, such as "line1" or "line2" (An example would be
.line1). If the line is on a curve place a "-" after the "." (An example would be .-line1).
To end a line, place a "!" after the line descriptor (an example would be .line1! ). This will stop the line at
this point and it will restart at the next descriptor for that line.
You may also end a line by placing ".." in front of the descriptor (an example would be ..line1 ). It is
preferred that you use .line1! instead of ..line1 to close a line.
Only one control code (the last one) will be honored in a line descriptor.
To close a line, place a "+" after the line descriptor (an example would be .line1+ ). This will close the line
back to the beginning point.
To join the last point shot into a line, place a "*" after the line descriptor (an example would be .line1* ).
This will add the last point shot into the line, inserted before the current point.
You may place several line descriptors on one point (an example would be .ep!.bc.sw ).
In the following example there is an iron pipe found bent on the edge of pavement. To code the iron pipe
we have set up the key description of "ip" and the line name is "ep1" also we want to note that the pipe
was bent, thus the description would read in the following format: key description (if any) "." Line name,
a space, and then the note. Example: ip.ep1 bent.
.ep1
ip.ep1
ip.ep1 bent
ip.ep1 some note
Notice that there are no spaces till the beginning of the note.
If a line description was ep1, then line ep1 would be placed on layer ep. Any line name beginning with
"ep" would be placed on layer ep.
Manipulate points
Move points - Select a group of points and move them. Select the 3d nodes (corresponding 2d nodes are
selected automatically).
Rotate points - Select a group of points and rotate them. Select the 3d nodes (corresponding 2d nodes
are selected automatically).
Note: You may use a window or crossing since the routine will only select the 3d nodes.
Reassociate points - This command will move all 2d nodes to their correct location with the 3d nodes.
(In case a 2d node gets moved by accident or a 3d node is moved without using the "Move points"
command.)
Resize points - Select a group of points and change the size of the point display. (point no. elevation and
description)
Note: This command will not change the size of a block placed at the point (such as a power pole or iron
pipe).
Twist points - Select a group of points and pivot the points about their placement point.
Change elevation - Select a group of points and change the elevation by adding or subtracting.
Convert elevation - Select a group of points and change the elevation by mutiplication.(such as
converting between metric and English)
Resize blocks - Select a group of blocks and change their size. (such as power pole or iron pipe)
Note: This command will not affect the points.
Note: To resize both points and blocks - use resize points then use resize blocks.
Drafting
Drawing Setup - Select English or Metric units -changes the ltscale and labeling precision, changes
dimscale to the scale of the drawing, it changes textsize to one tenth the drawing scale (English) and to
3mm (Metric) and it changes other dimension variables (you may edit dpset.lsp in the c:Program
FilesCogoSoftwareDpcogo directory if you want to change these settings).
NOTE: many of our programs use the ltscale setting to scale objects they create.
Isolate Layer - Sets first selected layer current and turns off all unselected layers.
Undo Isolate Layer - Restores layer settings.
Text
Text Leader - Draws a leader and begins mtext.
Text leader box - Draws a leader and places a box around the text.
Box around text - Select text to place a box around (ltscale will control the space between text and box).
Trim behind text - Trims all entities behind selected text.
Draw traverse - You may draw by entering bearings or azimuths and distances and curves.
Draw by deflection - You may draw by entering a deflection angle from a line.
Draw Curves - You may draw a curve tangent to two lines or tangent to the end of a line. You may draw
curves by PC-RP-PT, PC-POC-PT and PC-PI-PT
Graphic Scale - Places a graphic scale at the desired location (ltscale variable will determine the size and
units).
Label Stations - Will place station labels along a line, arc or polyline.
Profiles
Draw profile grid - Draws and annotates a profile grid, based on current UCS. Pick lower left and upper
right limits.
Label profile elevations - Labels elevations along a datum line as you pick the point in a profile, based on
current UCS.
Extract Profile - Extracts a profile from a tin of 3dfaces or 3dlines along a defined line.
Labels
You may label the bearing and distance of a line by selecting it or by picking points.
You may label a curve (radius, length) or (delta, radius, tangent, length and chord bearing & length) by
selecting it or by picking points.
NOTE: LABELING WILL USE THE UNITS (ENGLISH OR METRIC) THAT IS SELECTED IN DRAFTING-- DRAWING
SETUP. LABELING WILL ALSO USE THE CURRENT PRECISION SETTINGS.
point to point
point to point
point to point
Label areas - Label areas in square feet and acres (or Hectares) by selecting a closed polyline.
Listing
List lines - You may list the bearing and distance of a line by selecting it.
List curves - You may list a curve (delta, radius, tangent, length and chord bearing & length) by selecting
it.
Closure Reports
Print a detailed traverse and closure report using Bearings or Azimuths describing each leg of the
traverse along with the area and error of closure.