Importing DXF Files into RockPlot2D

RockPlot2D | File | Import | DXF
or
RockWorks | Graphics | 2D Tools | Import | DXF

This program is used to import the contents of a DXF (AutoCAD-compatible Data eXchange Files) file into the RockPlot2D program for display as a plan-view image.

Notes

• This program only recognizes the following, generic DXF commands: LINE, LWPOLYLINE, MTEXT, POLYLINE, TEXT
• You will have the opportunity to define the coordinate system represented in the import file.
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Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
Tips

Menu Options

• DXF Input File: Click to the right to browse for the DXF file to be read and imported, accessing other drives and/or directories as necessary.
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• Import Options
  • Layers:
    • Groupt within Default Layer: Choose this option for the the DXF file's components to be imported into a single, default layer in RockPlot2D.
    • Use Separate DXF Layers: Choose this option for any layers that are present in the DXF file to be maintained upon import.
  • Colors:
    • Default Color: Click the color box to select the color to assign any entities in the input file which have no color assignment.
    • Force One Color: Check this box if you want all imported items to be assigned a fixed color, regardless of their original color assignment. Click the color box to select the color to use for all of the map items.
  • Clip to Project Boundaries: Check this box if the imported file extends over a larger area than your RockWorks project and you want to clip the map to the project extents.
  • Show warning messages: Insert a check in this box to have the program display warnings if it encounters entities in the source DXF file that it cannot import. For example, if the imported file contains ARC entities, it would display a window that allows you to Ignore the entities or Abort the process.
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• Output Options
  • Save Output File: Check this to assign a name for the map in advance, rather than displaying it as Untitled.
    • Automatic: Choose this option to have RockWorks assign the name automatically. It will use the name of the current program plus a numeric suffix, plus the ".Rw2D" file name extension.
    • Manual: Choose this option to type in a name of your own for this file.
  • Display Output: Check this option to have the resulting map displayed in RockPlot2D once it is created.
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Step-by-Step Summary

1. From the main program window: Select the Graphics | 2D Tools | Import | DXF option.
   From RockPlot2D: Select the File | Import | DXF command. (See Creating a New RockPlot2D Window if necessary.)
2. Enter the requested menu options, discussed above.
3. Click the Process button.
4. Now, you need to tell RockPlot what kind of drawing this is and how to assign the coordinate system (if known).
   
   
   • Choose None if you don't know (or don't particularly care) what kind of drawing this is. This just tells RockPlot that there is no need to geo-reference the image.
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   • Choose Map if this is a map drawing.
     Next you'll be prompted to tell the program what the XY coordinates (map units) are in the DXF file.
     • Choose Undefined if you don't know what coordinate system is represented or if you don't wish to geo-reference the map. The map's coordinates will be brought into the RockPlot window as-is, and without any coordinate projection information.
       ! Without any projection information, you will not be able to export the map from RockPlot2D to Google Earth.
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     • Choose from the other coordinate systems if you know the source coordinates for the drawing; these will be stored in the Rw2D file's metadata. This allows you to geo-reference this image, for overlay with other RockWorks maps or output to Google Earth or other software. See Coordinate Systems for more information.
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   • Choose Section or Profile if this is a cross-section drawing.
     As above, you'll be prompted to tell the program whether your XY coordinates (your map units) are.
     • Choose Undefined if you don't know what the original units represent or if you don't wish to georeference this image.
     • Choose from the other coordinate systems if you would like to geo-reference this drawing, for output to Google Earth or other software.
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   • Choose Chart if this is a generic diagram, such as a stereonet or frequency histogram - which has no coordinate reference.
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   • You can click on the Coordinate Summary tab to see the horizontal and vertical diagram extents.
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5. Click OK when you're ready to import the file.
   

The program will load the DXF file into the RockPlot2D window.

Tips

• Use the File | Save command to save the image as a RockPlot "Rw2D" file.
• Use the File | Append command to combine the imported image with an existing Rw2D file (assuming the same coordinate system).
• Use the Utilities | Convert Map Coordinates option to reproject the map to a different coordinate system.
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See also

• Working with Layers
• Adding this program to your Playlist
• Adding this program to your Favorites
• Save/load/view menu settings
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Back to RockPlot2D Import menu

Back to Graphics Menu Summary

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