How to cut cross sections from a shapefile

[szheng]

I'm new to the RCAD and have some basic questions:

1. Can I use a shapefile (polylines with elevation attribute) as a source file for cross section cutting in RCAD?

2. If the answer is YES, can you give me some general guidelines (steps) as to how to implement them in the RCAD?

3. Also my shapefile is in a Stateplain projection (Nebraska). How does RCAD know the projection and get the station infromation for cross sections?

Thank you for your help!

Shuhai Zheng

[Chris Maeder]

RiverCAD can import contour shapefiles with elevation attributes.

1. From the RiverCAD menu, select GIS Module. The menu will change.
2. From the GIS menu, select Import | Contours Shapefile. RiverCAD will then display the Import Contours Shapefile.
3. From the displayed dialog, select the shapefile that contains the contour data and then select the attribute that contains the elevation data.
4. You can also specify the AutoCAD drawing layer, line type, and line color you want the elevation contours to be drawn as.

Note that you can also import other shapefile data from the GIS Import menu.

Note that RiverCAD does not do any coordinate transformation for different coordinate systems. You will need to make certain that the data that you are importing is in the same coordinate system as in your drawing--or you can manually move the imported data to align it with your existing drawing contents.

Sincerely,

Chris Maeder, M.S., P.E.
Senior Technical Engineer
chris@bossintl.com

[szheng]

Chris,

Thank you for your immediate response to my questions! Your timely supports are very much appreciated. Too bad I could not get same kind support for our WMS package anymore from you and your company.

After I created a new blank drawing, checked the GIS Module, I only found two options under Import: FEMA Q3 DLG Files... and USGS STDS DLG Files...

Do I need to configure/set up the RCAD first in order to make the "Import Contours Shapefiles" option available?

Thanks,

Shuhai

[Chris Maeder]

You need a newer version of RiverCAD XP.

Please go to our download page and download the latest installation of RiverCAD XP. Then, install it on top of your current version.

You will find this new feature and a ton of other new features.

Sincerely,

Chris Maeder, M.S., P.E.
Senior Technical Engineer
chris@bossintl.com

[szheng]

Do you have a RiverCAD XP Stand-alone version available, since I don't have the AutoCAD software?

Are there any other work-arounds for converting a shapefile into a 3D topo map using the Stand-alone version?

Thanks,

Shuhai

[Chris Maeder]

We will be releasing RiverCAD Professional this fall. This new release of RiverCAD has some new advanced features over what is contained in the XP version. In addition, there will be a new standalone version of RiverCAD Professional that will be using AutoCAD 2008 OEM as its CAD platform.

Sincerely,

Chris Maeder, M.S., P.E.
Senior Technical Engineer
chris@bossintl.com