Export to AutoCAD DXF Format

After a sounding has been completed, it is possible to export both the background map (vector maps only), and the regularly spaced soundings (matrix) to an AutoCAD DXF file for further processing. AutoCAD DXF files can be opened using AutoDesk AutoCAD, a free or open-source CAD software package such as QCad, or other GIS packages.

After you have created a matrix of your sounding, sections or map, you should have something like this:

Example of a matrix generated from a sounding in Hydromagic Survey

Starting the AutoCAD DXF export option

The AutoCAD DXF export option can be started by selecting "Export" => "Export DXF Data" from the "File" menu as shown below. When you are using a full version of the Hydromagic Survey or Hydromagic Dredging software, the tool should be launched.

Select "Export" => "Export DXF Data..." from the File menu to start the DXF export tool.

Select items

First, select the items you want to export as DXF features. The following Hydromagic project items can be exported as DXF:

• Vector Maps;
• Matrices;
• Planned Survey Lines (Sections);
• Soundings;
• Boundaries (shorelines);
• Comments;
• Waypoints.

Enable the checkbox in front of the objects you want to include in the final DXF file. To reset the selection, click 'Select None...'; to select all objects, click 'Select All...'. Please note that only vector maps can be converted to DXF format.

From the AutoCAD DXF export dialog you can select the items to include.

Output options

File name

Next, select an output file name for the DXF file. Click the "Browse..." button to select a folder and file name. If the specified file already exists, you will be prompted. If no extension has been supplied, the default DXF extension will be appended to the selected file name.

Projection

It is possible to write the DXF data using a map projection different from the one used in your current project. To do so, click the "Select..." button to choose the map projection for the output file.

Generate WKT projection file

When this option is selected, an ESRI WKT-compatible projection file will be written, allowing other software to set the correct map projection for the DXF file.

DXF Export (Text) Options

Some project items can only be exported to AutoCAD DXF files after they are converted to text. This is especially true for Hydromagic Matrix files. Since they are displayed in the software as an image file, only the textual part can be exported. Since version 9.0, matrix cells can also be exported as color-filled DXF HATCH entities. To enable this option, please check the "Draw cells as hatches" option.

For raw data files and soundings, the track and the depth values can be displayed depending on the configuration made in this dialog box. To specify how depth values are exported as DXF, just click the options button. In the dialog that appears, you can adjust the following preferences:

• Matrix text interval in X direction;
• Matrix text interval in Y direction;
• Sounding depth or elevation interval;
• Raw data depth interval;
• GPS track: show or hide the GPS track for raw data files and soundings;
• Values display: Select whether to hide depth or elevation values are shown and if colors are used;
• Number of decimals for depth or elevation values;
• Draw matrix cells as hatches or as text only;
• Display textual Z-Values for a sounding or raw data file or not.

DXF export settings for matrix, soundings and raw data files are independent of how they are displayed on the screen. To adjust these settings, click the 'Options...' button at the bottom of the DXF export tool. To adjust how depths are drawn on your display, from the 'Project Explorer,' right-click
either the "Matrices", "Raw Data" or "Soundings" folder and select the "Display Options" option.

Use the "DXF Export Options" dialog to fine tune how Hydromagic project items will be exported.

Starting the export process

When all parameters are set up correctly, click 'OK' to start the export. A progress indicator will appear at the bottom at the screen, and the window will close after a couple of seconds. You can now open the DXF file in most CAD programs. It is also possible to use the generated DXF file as a background map in Hydromagic Survey or Hydromagic Dredging. If an error occurs, you can view the details of the generation process in the 'Processing' tab of the Activity View.

Opened in a CAD editor, depending on your settings, the result should look like:

Opened in QCad

Opened in Hydromagic

Video Tutorial

The following YouTube video tutorial shows how to export project items to an AutoCAD DXF file. Click below to play the video. When you like the video, please click the like button and subscribe so you will receive an update when new video tutorials on Hydromagic are uploaded.

This video demonstrates how to export a matrix and boundary to an AutoCAD DXF file.