program to create spline from string of points

[pahuntr]

does anyone know of a program to create a spline from a string of points. I'd like to select the first point and the direction, and maybe the last point.

[CarLB]

Are the string of points absolute or relative coordinates? If absolute, just paste them in at the command line. Start spline command, select first point, copy coordinates from a text file or excel file, paste into the command line, then select your last point.

[pahuntr]

If I had the point data already in a text file as x,y then I would not have a need for what I have requested. I'd like to be able to window all the points and paste them at the spline command line. quick and easy. wouldn't that be nice. makes you wonder, what came first, the chicken or the egg. (the points or the x,y text file) I think it was the egg. if i can get the text file then I really don't need what I have requested.
if i can't get the text file, what is the cleanest way to create a x,y text file of a string of autocad points?

[CarLB]

My misunderstanding of your terms - by points you mean AutoCAD point entities; by string you mean a selected group of points, possibly aligned in some path?

This could be programmed to work as you describe (select first point, direction, select group of points, etc.) if it is possible to determine the correct order of the points. If the order of the spline is always to the next closest point, a routine would have to check the distance of a point to all the others, the closest one is next on the spline; then check nearest of the remaining points, etc.

[csiarch]

Perhaps the old-fashioned way? Polyline from point to point then the spline option in the PE command?

I only know simple stuff but I am pretty certain that writing some long lengthy programming routine that may only be used once in a while may not be the best use of one's time. My opinion....

[VERYCIVILDRAFTER]

does anyone know of a program to create a spline from a string of points.

Yes there is a program, Autodesk Land Desktop or Autodesk Survey. Land Desktop runs for about $2700 in the US... :) :P :)

Seriously though, if your company has a land survey or mapping department they should be able to help you out.



Maybe you can list all the points, copy/paste all that data into Word and filter out just the point x,y,z data. Then do a copy/paste into the spline command.

If the points don't have some sort of numbering order "attached" to them (via attribute or xdata), the biggest issue you’ll always have (with this method or any program you'll find) is picking your points in a order that will draw the spline properly. By the time you're finished picking them in-order you could have just drawn the spline.
Therefore, unless this comes up a lot for you, I would listen to csiarch.