[saslandscape]

I'm still using hand graphics for all of my designs, but would like to transition to AutoCAD by next Spring. I typically get plot plans from clients that I scale on photoshop,print, and then trace over when I'm doing my designs.

My question is: I want to know how you use a client's plot plan in AutoCAD. Do you have to measure everything out on paper and then try to draw it on CAD, or is there a way to scan the plot and somehow transport it into CAD? This is my big issue with using the program. Any advice would help a ton!

[papercutter]

1) Scan it, save as a tiff or jpg, Insert-> Raster Image, scale it appropriately, and trace.
2) (the more accurate way): Select the line tool and click a start point. Reading the measurements and heading on the plat, work your way around the property by typing in the segment length, followed by the heading, and hit return. What you type in will look like this: @133.08'<N33d05'06"E (hit enter, then type the next segment). Draw the house as a polyline with the dimensions written on each wall of the house. Locate the house on the lot by using the offsets shown on the plat. So, if there's a line from a house corner hitting a property line perpendicular 34' away, offset that property line in 34'.

I've been called "old school" for using method #2, but it's accurate and probably about as quick as the first.

[saslandscape]

Thank you so much papercutter! I'll definitely try those two methods

[agla]

The biggest short cut of all is to have the client or you contact the surveyor or engineer who made the plan and ask the cad file. Then you are off to the races. This is not an unusual request and is seldom not given (provided that the client has paid for the work). I have never been charged and never heard of anyone being charged a fee for the cad file. It is now widly accepted as a product of the work much like a paper plan.

Be aware that Acad Lt is not set up to do much with images. You can paste them and stretch them to any size, but you can't rotate them. You can also use the scale command to scale the image to full size by referencing the scale bar. If the scale is 1" equals a mile, you can blow the plan up so that scale bar is a mile long in your drawing. There always is some distortion, but not enough to be a problem for most landscape plans.

It is always a good idea to have a note on the plan that says something to the effect of "property lines are approximate based upon ....".

[papercutter]

Good call- requesting the plat from the engineer or surveyor is totally the way to go. Just make sure you change the Units and the Dimension Style.

Also, if you feel confident that the plat is accurate and not skewed (faxing or multiple trips through the copier will skew a plat on the x or y axis), you can bring it in to scale. When you select the file to insert as a Raster Image, you'll get a dialog box that says Scale in the middle. Uncheck the box that says "Specify on screen". I haven't done this in a while, but if you're working in engineer scale I *believe* you type in the product of 12 times the number of the scale- that is, if the plat is 1:20 scale you type in 240 (12x20). You can do the same thing with architectural scale, but I always have to trial & error it- it has something to do with the number of times the scale factor goes into a foot, so 1/8 scale is 96. Something like that, it's been a crap day and I'm not positive, but if you're good at ciphering stuff out that may help. It's also possible that agla can save my bacon here and explain it in a sensible way.

[Chris Heiler]

I'd recommend calling the surveyor/engineer like AGLA suggested. The architect, if there is one, will sometimes have a site plan for you as well.

Otherwise, I'll do what Dave recommends.

[saslandscape]

I'll try that. I've designed for custom home builders before, and they send me everything including the trees (which is a godsend). Sometimes, though, I'm just lucky if the client has a plot plan because the house was built a while back. I'll try both ways. Thanks for the suggestions!

[agla]

You can save the math hassle by multiplying by the scale and the 12 for inches in a foot instead of doing the math ahead of time.

Just remember that Acad Lt won't let you insert a raster image the way the full acad will or the many versions of intellicad (bricsnet, progecad, accellicad, ....). All you can do is use the windows paste caommand to get it in your drawing. It won't have the dimensions of the paper you scanned because it is copied from the computer screen and pasted in.

[saslandscape]

How about if I scan the plot, scale it in photoshop (like I do with hand drawn designs), save as jpg, and then insert that through the raster command into CAD?

[tfld]

Originally Posted by saslandscape

How about if I scan the plot, scale it in photoshop (like I do with hand drawn designs), save as jpg, and then insert that through the raster command into CAD?

Why?

Scale-reference. done. Something to note regarding the original post-AutoCAD is not (in most cases) a design tool. That said, it's a powerful program.

[agla]

SAS,

I'm trying to tell you that acad lt does not have raster tools. It is one of the things that they keep out of it in order to give people a reason to spend more on full Acad. Acad Lt sells for about $900. I'm not sure what full acad goes for now, but it has been about four times the cost of Lt in the past.

I might be getting you confused with Schleng, but I thought you were the one who was very reluctant to spend over $1,000 on a program. That is why I am going into detail of how it can be done in Acad Lt, but that it is somewhat awkward. I did not want you to buy Lt thinking you could scan and use raster tools the same way that papercutter explained it. He did do a great job at explaining a couple different methods, but number one won't work in Lt because there are no raster tools.

[saslandscape]

I think you might be getting me confused because I do have the regular version of AutoCAD, and don't have the LT version. I appreciate the input, though.

[papercutter]

Originally Posted by tfld

Why?

Scale-reference. done. Something to note regarding the original post-AutoCAD is not (in most cases) a design tool. That said, it's a powerful program.

Have you looked at the original poster's website? I don't think anyone producing that type of work thinks AutoCAD "makes" designs for you!

Speaking of, sas- your work on your site has great life to it. Make sure you don't lose that as you transition to AutoCAD, because that would be a damn shame!

[tfld]

I have looked (as of 1 min. ago)..Isn't everyone here producing that "type" of work? I see your point.

That said, the "autocad as design program.." seems like a common question 'round these parts.

Maybe it's the five years of studying so I can sit for an exam in two years that's makin' me a little touchy.

[papercutter]

Hey, I feel ya, Nick. And then if you're doing residential, you get to jump out there and compete with guys like me, who studied Sociology!