[fransole]

Hello, I've done terrains from surveyors plans a number of times in AC and some how I am trying to trace a pice of land in AC from a survey for a new project and AC is not drawing the right angles.

For example if I draw a line 400' long w/ the angle S74d 09' 13"E

ArchiCAD draws a line w/ 400' but the angle is N74d 09' 13"E

Any idea what is going on?

[Mark Wallace]

ArchiCAD does something like an 'automatic backsite" in surveyor's terms.

I was told why once many years ago and it made no sense then, so I forgot about it.

I just flip the N's & S's as well as the E's & W's when inputting. It's like dealing with a badly written deed.

HTH's

Mark

[fransole]

You mean rotating NORTH 180 degrees?

[Mark Wallace]

No....I meant it just as you wrote it. The line appears with the 'direction' or angle bearing 180 degrees from the direction I'm going. So if the line bears N 61d E, I simply input it as S 61d W.

It's like ArchiCAD jumps ahead and then 'looks back' from the finishing point in the line as opposed to the starting point.

I learned to input my points using hotspots instead of lines. It's more like actual land surveying. I draw the line to connect the dots & then manually dimension the bearing. I also use a 'circular' arrow for a symbol similar to a pin or monument as drafted on surveyor plat plans.

Setbacks are copied in a parallel distance from the boundary line and line style changed.

It's also very interesting when a deed doesn't close and you can demonstrate it directly from ArchiCAD.

Been doing it this way for years....honest.


Mark

[fransole]

Thank you so much Mark, very illustrative.

[Barry Kelly]

I never input with surveyors units but I was wondering if this Work Environment option has an impact on what you are describing.

Barry.

[Mark Wallace]