CorelDraw 10 DXF export relative coordinates - VBA solution?

This is a pretty technical question -- hope this is a good place to ask it. If not, I apologize for the intrusion.

I'm neither a graphics, CAD, or mapping software expert but I'm stuck with a problem that requires a little of each. I'm hoping someone can give me a suggestion close to the starting point of my problem, which is CorelDRAW 10.

I'm preparing a demonstration of conversion of 2D map data in existing Corel Draw files, to a particular geographic information system (GIS) mapping software product, ILWIS. Each map is a drawing consisting of several layers -- in some cases dozens of layers. By simplifying the map drawings in CorelDRAW to eliminate borders, text labels and legends, and other non-data features I'm able to reduce the drawing to a set of layers each of which contains one map feature or data set from the drawing. My next job is to transfer each of these layers using a common file format that can be imported to the GIS software.

This is possible with Corel Draw 10 export to AutoCAD (DXF) file format. I have been successful at separating layers of a Corel Draw file and by selecting them individually can export them as a DXF file for each layer, and can import them into ILWIS, but the coordinate system information is lost -- each layer is a separate object with coordinate origin at the lower left corner of a box just enclosing the object. This is not unusual in GIS; the imported object must be "georeferenced" against control points with known latitude/longitude coordinates. However, I had hoped I would be able to georeference all the layers together, because only one layer, the base map underneath the feature layers, can be easily matched to control points with known latitude/longitude coordinates. Without relative positioning information between the layers each layer must be georeferenced separately, and this is likely to be inaccurate.

Is it possible that there is a VBA solution, to obtain the relative coordinates information between two selected object layers, or at least measure it? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance -

Alex Brown abrown@igc.org

Hi Alex,

I had a few problems regarding GIS type data.... I've just posted this message on the Corel Draw news board, and thought I'd share with you that you aren't in the boat on your own.

I had other troubles related to graphics too. But you mentioned that your images didn't line up properly or something?

I'd suggest using the FGIS program. It'll import DXF files and you can show/hide the layers as you wish... I think it works well... but it doesn't reset your layer positions as with what you are talking about... not sure how much it could help with your GIS program though. It may be able to.

Anyway, better be off...

If anyone can help me with my problem, that would be great!


Steve




Hi everyone,

I've got a couple of problems and I was wondering if anyone could help me out or know where I can find help.

I'm currently creating a CAD system (computer aided dispatch, {not design}) using VB and corel draw. I've got
thousands 10k+ of objects in my files which I'm using to create/import/edit maps.

At the moment I export them from corel draw to a DXF (autocad v11) format and them import them to fgis (http://
www.digitalgrove.net/fgis.htm) which can export them to the shape file format. which I can then use in my program by
a little addin. (http://inovagis.org/) I'm not trying to plug the programs I'm using, it's just so you know where I'm
coming from.

My question is this.
Does anyone know or have access to a script that can 'break apart' thousands of objects at a time?

Currently when I open up the autocad files there are lines all over the joint that shouldn't be. The only way to
solve this problem is to break the objects apart, and Corel Draw 10 only allows for objects one at a time to be
broken apart... this is VERY annoying and VERY impractical for a file that has thousands of curves/objects etc..

My other question is this.

When I export text to the autocad format I do it as curves, (not as text). How come the text always comes out as an
outline? Is there anyway to do it so there is no outline but only the internal part of the text...

Maybe I should make myself clearer with the final question. Take the letter A for example. When you create it in Draw,
you can make it to have only 5 points. 3 for the sides and 2 for the across bit in the middle. When I create a 'text'
object, and convert it to curves, I get about 30+ or so points. Is there anyway was of having a simple 'text' to
curves?

I'm struggling with these couple of problems. I currently have all the maps created with the street names etc... but
when exporting road names, I get about 200+ points for every street name. Do the maths... 12000 X 200, and that's A
LOT of points for my poor cad program to plot. Not to mention the convertor program crashes from that size of file
too....

If anyone can help with scripts or other help, I would be very happy.

I am using corel draw 10. XP pro. 512 mg cel 1.7mg.

Okay, it was longer than I expected.. oops.

Thanks anyway.

-Steve

thanks both of you for this information sharing