Garmin, MapSource, and Civil 3D (or MAP 3D)
It’s no secret I swear by Garmin GPS products for home use. It’s also no secret that when you buy a Garmin GPS device, you’ll more than likely get, or want to buy, MapSource.
MapSource is Garmin’s Mapping software – it’s what allows you to dump your Waypoints, Routes, etc. to your home computer.
But did you know:
MapSource can save an AutoCAD DXF file in a UTM zone…
It’s an option when saving the file as shown below.
So what am I trying to say?
If you need to locate that fenceline in a hurry, take your Garmin out in the field and store waypoints along the fenceline. Dump the GPS to MapSource, and save as a DXF. Import the DXF into Civil 3D, and you now have a way of comparing it to Imagery, QUAD’s, etc. – well – assuming you’re working in SOME coordinate zone… you ARE working on a known Datum – right?
Civil 3D can take the DXF file out of the UTM Zone, and into State Plane – need I say more…
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Hi Scott,
Whoa! Right under our noses all the time. I have a Garmin GPSMap 60C. Just tried an export of a track recorded on a bike ride. DXFIN produced a 3D Polyline and inserted a block in 3D at each vertex. Thanks for revealing this hidden gem.
Brian
Scott,
Sounds like a great idea. Curious though – how exactly does Civil 3D convert from UTM to state plane? I was fine until that step. Thanks, -Ben
I’ve expanded upon converting between datums to make the dxf file work in civil 3D.
http://civil3dstreams.blogspot.com/2008/09/export-garmin-gps-track-to-autocad.html