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LibreCAD for mapping?

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Frans

LibreCAD for mapping?

Ries, Firstly congratulations on a very good program.
I am working for Department of Agriculture (Soil Conservation services) in South Africa and I want to try something different with LibreCAD. My job is doing and teaching ranch/farm planning for farmers, which entails the drawing of a map of the ranch with the existing infrastructure (fences, paddocks, pipelines, roads, etc.) and then also draw new proposed improvements on the map.
How I am doing it at the moment is:
I identify the farm on Google Earth. Then I add placemarks as reference points on the GE image and I measure the horizontal- and vertical distances between the points and then save the bitmap image.
Then I go to my CAD program (I am using AllyCad), I load the bitmap as a background image. I measure the distances between the reference points that I added on the picture and then scale the size of the bitmap, untill the distances between the reference points are correct. Then I draw my map on top of the background image. It is important to be able to measure the sizes of the different camps/paddocks, lands, etc. on the map.
If this can be done by using LibreCAD it will enable many farmers to draw their own affordable farm maps instead of paying consultants to develope it for them.
Do you think it will be possible to do this in LibreCAD?
I do not see the function for measuring an area in hectares or sq meters.
Can I load a bitmap image and draw on top of it?
I am using Windows XP and the Help file does not work on it.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Frans

R. van Twisk

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Administrator

Frans,

thank you for your kind words,

With LibreCAD you can load a PNG and later draw on top of it

and export the line drawing as a DXF.

You can also calculate the area of a given set of points,

using the area tool, use the measure icon on the left.

or in the menu (with latest version in github):

This will give the measurement in 'units'. If the program is set to m.

And the area states 10000 then the number of sq/meters is 10000m2.

I agree there would be some room for improvement there to show for example

0.1km2 or 1h (hectare).

About the helpfile, I know there are some issues with that, and I am trying

to resolve that. What version are you currently using? a RC1 'should' work,

if it doesn't then I would need to take a look at this.

Would you be available when I create a new installer to see if it works?

Ries

On Jul 4, 2011, at 7:08 AM, Frans [via LibreCAD] wrote:

Ries, Firstly congratulations on a very good program.
I am working for Department of Agriculture (Soil Conservation services) in South Africa and I want to try something different with LibreCAD. My job is doing and teaching ranch/farm planning for farmers, which entails the drawing of a map of the ranch with the existing infrastructure (fences, paddocks, pipelines, roads, etc.) and then also draw new proposed improvements on the map.
How I am doing it at the moment is:
I identify the farm on Google Earth. Then I add placemarks as reference points on the GE image and I measure the horizontal- and vertical distances between the points and then save the bitmap image.
Then I go to my CAD program (I am using AllyCad), I load the bitmap as a background image. I measure the distances between the reference points that I added on the picture and then scale the size of the bitmap, untill the distances between the reference points are correct. Then I draw my map on top of the background image. It is important to be able to measure the sizes of the different camps/paddocks, lands, etc. on the map.
If this can be done by using LibreCAD it will enable many farmers to draw their own affordable farm maps instead of paying consultants to develope it for them.
Do you think it will be possible to do this in LibreCAD?
I do not see the function for measuring an area in hectares or sq meters.
Can I load a bitmap image and draw on top of it?
I am using Windows XP and the Help file does not work on it.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Frans

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Frans

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Ries, thank you for your quick response.
I have version 1.0.ORC1 Compiled on Jun 16 2011, in Windows.
My version does not have the measure polygon option in the Info menu. Have I perhaps downloaded an older version?

OK, I managed to load the .png background image and I can draw on top of it. My problem now is to calibrate the image to the right size so that the map that I draw on top of it has the correct scale. Is it possible to scale the image?

Another question: Is it possible to import a CSV file with coordinates of points?

You can call me anytime to test your new installer. Just remind me with an email.

This is really an exciting and unselfish project and will open doors for many people. CAD programs are so expensive that nobody but professionals can afford it. I am a part-time lecturer at Central University of Technology- teaching Agricultural Engineering, and you cannot imagine what gift you are giving to those students. Thank you!!

Frans

R. van Twisk

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Administrator

On Jul 5, 2011, at 1:48 AM, Frans [via LibreCAD] wrote:

Ries, thank you for your quick response.
I have version 1.0.ORC1 Compiled on Jun 16 2011, in Windows.
My version does not have the measure polygon option in the Info menu. Have I perhaps downloaded an older version?

That's correct, I noticed it was missing, but you should have the area button in the measure

menu on the left.

OK, I managed to load the .png background image and I can draw on top of it. My problem now is to calibrate the image to the right size so that the map that I draw on top of it has the correct scale. Is it possible to scale the image?

Hmm... it seems like that the handles are missing from the image, for easy re-scale.

You can, however select the image, and when selected use the modify->scale menu entry to rescale.

I will see if I can make this easer....

Another question: Is it possible to import a CSV file with coordinates of points?

Pretty soon we will,

we are adding support for plugins and this allow us to add features to LibreCAD,

One of the feature that we have is importing of lines, circles from simple text files.

You can call me anytime to test your new installer. Just remind me with an email.

Great!

This is really an exciting and unselfish project and will open doors for many people.

Yes,

I hope that aswell. The currently product is pretty stable with some areas we are ironing out

in the next couple of release candidates. Then we will release the project as 'stable.

CAD programs are so expensive that nobody but professionals can afford it.

I am a part-time lecturer at Central University of Technology- teaching Agricultural Engineering, and you cannot imagine what gift you are giving to those students. Thank you!!

Your Welcome,

I am glad this is used to the best!

Frans

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Frans

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Ries,
Thank you, I found the measure polygon on the left menu.

For scaling the image you say: "You can, however select the image, and when selected use the modify->scale menu entry to rescale."

Please explain to me step by step how it works. I tried it, but cannot manage. I must enlarge my image with a factor of 3.7. How do I do it?

Thank you

Frans

R. van Twisk

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Administrator

On Jul 5, 2011, at 8:33 AM, Frans [via LibreCAD] wrote:

Ries,
Thank you, I found the measure polygon on the left menu.

For scaling the image you say: "You can, however select the image, and when selected use the modify->scale menu entry to rescale."

Please explain to me step by step how it works. I tried it, but cannot manage. I must enlarge my image with a factor of 3.7. How do I do it?

Frans, see : http://screencast.com/t/deXCxRkBSu

I agree, it's a bit vague and there is room for improvement for working with images...

Ries

Thank you

Frans

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Rallaz

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

There are already a plugin to import CSV files.
If it is in the version that you have can be found in menu File->Import->Read ascii points

Simply change "format" to "Comma separator" for CSV files

The format of the data expected by the plugin are (code not mandatory):

number,x-coordinate,y-coordinate,z-coordinate,code

like:
1,257.65,354.25,0.0,wall
2,293.58,355.98,0.0
3,315.12,357.37,door

R. van Twisk

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Administrator

Rallaz,

the current release candidates that are available for Windows and OSX are not shipped

with the plugins at the moment. And for version 1 they will stay not shipped.

Frans,

I could make a experimental executable for you if you want to play around with this.

Ries

On Jul 5, 2011, at 9:28 AM, Rallaz [via LibreCAD] wrote:

There are already a plugin to import CSV files.
If it is in the version that you have can be found in menu File->Import->Read ascii points

Simply change "format" to "Comma separator" for CSV files

The format of the data expected by the plugin are (code not mandatory):

number,x-coordinate,y-coordinate,z-coordinate,code

like:
1,257.65,354.25,0.0,wall
2,293.58,355.98,0.0
3,315.12,357.37,door

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Rallaz

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

understood, Ries.
I do not know, since I use the version of OpenSUSE and packaged with the plugins of the master branch.

If you think it right I can remove them from the RPM packages as plugins for all or none

R. van Twisk

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Administrator

On Jul 5, 2011, at 10:13 AM, Rallaz [via LibreCAD] wrote:

understood, Ries.
I do not know, since I use the version of OpenSUSE and packaged with the plugins of the master branch.

That's ok since you maintain this packages anyways..

I believe Ubuntu doesn't supply them though, and the Windows OSX also

doesn't supply them. THis will come after the first release though

I just don't have the time to build the proper builds for this locally

to reliable (as in not forget ) add the plugins.

If you think it right I can remove them from the RPM packages as plugins for all or none

No, I don't believe this is necessary, they are stable enough to have some testing done.

Ries

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Frans

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

In reply to this post by R. van Twisk

Ries,
Thank you, I managed to scale my background image and it works perfectly.

I will appreciate if you can make an experimental executable to play around with.

Thank you

Frans

Rallaz

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

2011/7/6 Frans [via LibreCAD] <[hidden email]>:

> Ries,
>...
> I will appreciate if you can make an experimental executable to play around
> with.
>
>
> Thank you
>
> Frans
>

Only is required the attached asciifile1.dll.
Copy it in one of the following dirs:

c:\documents and settings\"your user"\.librecad\plugins\asciifile1.dll
(see the point in librecad)
c:\documents and settings\"your user"\my
documents\librecad\plugins\asciifile1.dll

or, if you installed LibreCAD in c:\program files\LibreCAD

c:\program files\LibreCAD\resources\plugins\asciifile1.dll

dll file attached, but not if it will come to the mailing list

asciifile1.dll (175K) Download Attachment

Frans

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Rallazz,
Thank you. I just imported a CSV file that I modified from Garmin Mapsource and it works perfectly.
Excelent!!

Thank you

Frans

EricP

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Hello guys.

I,m re-floating this thread because me too I need to load a PNG and calculate an area.

I.m new on LibreCAD and Lubuntu. I have installed LibreCad from Ubuntu repositories and I have the Version :
1.0.0rc1 Compiled on: Oct 4 2011

I,m not able to find the way to load a PNG. The Import from the File Menu does nothing (is empty) and the Open option don't have the PNG files option.

So any help on that point will be appreciated.

Regards from a Barcelona guy in Victoria BC.

dxli

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

we just released 1.0.2 and 2.0.0_alpha3

for images: use Draw Image in the main menu or cad tool box.

File Import is for importing LibreCAD plugins only.

thanks,

dxli

EricP

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

"Draw/Insert Image" ... is so obvius... and works !!!

I have also updated to the v2.0a

Thank you and congratulations for this good software.

Abhijeet

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

In reply to this post by R. van Twisk

Hi
libreCAD is just great! i have been trying to promote open source softwares to students. However i was wondering if there could be possibility of importing georeferenced raster images in LibreCAD, either from Google Earth or rasters which are georeferenced geotiffs in Quantum Gis (which is an open source software i use and teach my students).

At present my students are using plexearth which is a plugin for autocad. This plugin imports georeferenced imagery and terrain from google earth into autocad. This can then be vectorised and taken to gis for building database. If this facility is available in LibreCAD, then we can go totally opensource :)

looking forward to hear from you....

Abhijeet

Rallaz

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Hi, Abhijeet

At this moment is not possible to add georeferenced raster. Only insert images, then move rotate and scale.

It is easy to develop a plugin that allows it, using GDAL, the same library which uses QGIS
but first is needed to add IMAGE support in plugin, then develop the plugin

l'AMI Yves

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

In reply to this post by R. van Twisk

Sorry re-activatign that49CDP old topic. I'm using LibreCAD 2.0 beta 1 compiled 10/29/2012 and I can't understand how to scale an imported JPG image. On your video, it seems you clic "select" then a menu appears and you choose "scale", but for me, no menu appears... What have I un-understood ?

Thanks

l'AMI Yves

Re: LibreCAD for mapping?

Sorry again : I found !

There was two problems : it's not obvious (at all !) to select the drawing I want to scale, and I must specify the scale factor in the US fashion : 1.255, instead of 1,255 which is the French fashion, as it was copied/pasted from the Windows 7 calculator.

Thanks for a very usefull work !