How do I transfer my Lineardraft design between CAD platforms? (Civil 3D)

This article explains how to correctly transfer your Lineardraft design between CAD platforms using Lineardraft's Export and Import functions in Autodesk Civil 3D.

Contents
Video Guide
How to Export your design from Civil 3D
How to Import your design into Civil 3D

For transferring Lineardraft designs between other CAD platforms, see our other articles here:
AutoCAD
MicroStation CONNECT
MicroStation V8i

Video Guide


Exporting from Civil 3D
To export your Lineardraft design project from Civil 3D, so it can then be imported into another CAD platform, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Ensure Lineardraft is running
Before loading up Civil 3D, make sure Lineardraft is running in your system tray and that your Lineardraft plug-in, catalogues and project settings are all up to date (denoted by a green tick next to the icon).


Step 2: Open your design
Launch Civil 3D and open the project you want to export. After everything has loaded, move over to the Lineardraft tab and click on any button to make sure Lineardraft is running.


Step 3: Left click the 'Data: Export' button
Once Lineardraft has finished loading, go to the Data section of the Lineardraft tab, and click on the Export button. A file explorer window will open.


Step 4: Save your file
In the file explorer window, locate where you would like to save your file and what you want it to be called, then click save. This will export your Lineardraft design as a .ld file.


Importing into Civil 3D
To import your Lineardraft design project into Civil 3D from another CAD platform, complete the following steps:

The files you will need in order to import your Lineardraft design are:

- The .ld file you exported from the previous CAD platform
- Any additional reference files e.g., track files, topography data, signal sighting information etc.

Step 1: Ensure Lineardraft is running
Before loading up Civil 3D, make sure Lineardraft is running in your system tray and that your Lineardraft plug-in, catalogues and project settings are all up to date (denoted by a green tick next to the icon).


Step 2: Open a new Civil 3D file
Launch Civil 3D and create a new file to load the Lineardraft file into. You will need to attach any supporting references in this new file (e.g., track files, topography data) as this data isn’t included in the .ld file.

IMPORTANT: make sure your new CAD file is set up with the same units as the original file. For example, if your original model was in Metric, ensure your new file is also in Metric.

Step 3: Ensure Lineardraft is loaded 
After you have loaded your reference files, move over to the Lineardraft tab and click on any button to make sure Lineardraft is running.

IMPORTANT: at this point the “Set Active Preset” window may open. This is asking you to pick your Project Settings. Choose which Project Settings you would like to use for your imported .ld file, then click confirm.


Step 4: Left click the 'Data: Import' button
Once Lineardraft has finished loading, go to the Data section of the Lineardraft tab, and click on the Import button. A file explorer window will open.


Step 5: Locate your .ld file
Locate the .ld file you exported from the previous CAD software in the file explorer window and open it.
From here Lineardraft will bring all of the structure information into the new project.





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