	Product(s):	StormCAD, SewerCAD, SewerGEMS, CivilStorm, WaterCAD, WaterGEMS, HAMMER
	Version(s):	08.11.05.58 and higher
	Area:	Layout and Input

Problem

How can I ensure that the correct units are used and the elements are in the correct spatial location when exporting and importing LandXML and Inroads SDB?

How can I ensure that the correct units are used when importing LandXML generated by AutoCAD Civil 3D?

For example, I'm using US Survey feet but my exported Inroads SDB file is offset slightly in Inroads.

Solution

Ensure that the correct units are being used in StormCAD, under Tools > Options > Units. First, make sure that the "default unit system for new projects" is correct and ensure that the correct units are used for the "Coordinate" unit. For example, if you're using US Survey feet, select US Survey Ft. as the unit.

If you will be importing a LandXML file, making some changes, then exporting to Inroads format, first set the appropriate unit per above, then import LandXML, and export to Inroads.

In the application that you use to open the resulting exported file (Inroads, MicroStation, etc) also ensure that the correct unit is set.

Note:

The LandXML standard itself only supports two unit systems: Metric and Imperial. This means that if your coordinates, elevations etc are in US Survey feet, the actual values will be converted to regular feet first and then exported to LandXML. It is then up to the consuming application (such as Civil 3D) to take the values in feet and show them in another desired unit such as Survey feet, if possible. When imported back into the Bentley product (such as StormCAD or OpenRoads Designer), if you would like to show the values in survey feet, simply change the model/drainage options back to US Survey feet as the unit for coordinate, elevation, length, etc.
When importing from a LandXML generated by AutoCAD Civil 3D if you are unsure of the units of the LandXML you can try and re-import the same file into AutoCAD Civil 3D. When importing it will display a dialog box which lists the properties of the XML file. In those properties you can find the units used for each of the drawing entities.

Setting units for data import and export (LandXML, Inroads, etc)

Problem

Solution

See Also