In a previous TPC 26.3 blog, we looked at how TPC handles complex linetypes in drawing legends—including long patterns that need to be shortened to fit the available legend space.
But what happens when the drawing is exported to CAD?
TPC 26.3 makes the transition from TPC legend linetypes to CAD much easier.
Linetypes Export to CAD
TPC does a good job of matching the linetypes used in a TPC legend when the drawing is exported to CAD.
Stream linetypes are a great example.
TPC can export the drawing and its legend to CAD while maintaining the appearance and pattern of the original TPC linetype. For many common linetypes, the CAD version looks nearly identical to the TPC version.
But some linetypes require a little more work.
When TPC and CAD Handle Linetypes Differently
TPC and CAD don’t always build linetypes the same way.
For example, TPC can use a CAD block as part of a linetype pattern. CAD linetypes can use shapes, characters, and patterns, but don’t use blocks in the same way.
TPC 26.3 handles this difference by including a CAD linetype definition when necessary.
When the drawing is exported, TPC can write the appropriate CAD linetype definition so the pattern can be recreated in the CAD drawing.
The TPC.LIN File
TPC includes a TPC.LIN file that defines the CAD linetypes used during export.
The file identifies the CAD linetype name associated with a TPC linetype. This allows TPC to tell CAD how the exported line should be represented.
Need to use a different CAD linetype?
The TPC Help system includes instructions for defining and naming CAD linetypes in the TPC.LIN file.
Help → Using CAD → CAD Linetypes
This gives CAD users control over how TPC linetypes are translated during the export process.
One More CAD Limitation
There’s an important difference when it comes to legends.
TPC can shorten a linetype pattern to make it fit within the limited width of a legend. CAD handles pattern justification differently, so the pattern may be positioned from the opposite end of the line.
For most linetypes, TPC handles the transition automatically.
For some complex patterns, however, CAD may require an additional linetype definition specifically sized for the legend. TPC can provide the appropriate definitions for the linetypes it handles, but additional CAD adjustments may still be necessary for certain custom patterns.
The important part is that TPC has already done the difficult work of translating the linetype into something CAD can use.
From Survey Drawing to CAD
TPC is designed to work with CAD—not to force every survey workflow into CAD.
That distinction matters.
TPC creates and manages the survey data, points, lines, traverses, and drawing. When a CAD deliverable is needed, TPC can export that work while carrying the linetypes and legend information along with it.
TPC 26.3 makes that connection even better.
It’s another example of TPC handling the survey-specific work while making it easier to deliver the finished drawing in the CAD format clients and other professionals may require.
TPC 26.3 — better linetypes in TPC, better linetypes on the way to CAD.
