Hi,I use geophysical software which exports 3D objects to AutoCad in relation to the flat surface - "zero" level. Most often clients want to get results in local height datum (in relation to the road surface which has usually slope and is never perfectly flat).Is there any method to move all objects automatically and show them in relation to the road surface? Ideally I would like to define road surface with three lines (two side lines and center line). Is there any plugin to AutoCad that can do it? If this operation goes beyond the possibilities of AutoCad, can you recommend me a software (eg. AutoCAD Civil), which automates the process? Thank you very much.

Hello lochgarman, it's allways possible to move all the objects to relocate them at an other height but if you want to transform an "all zero drwing" into an different height drawing then I'm affraid that you will have to work every line, arc, etc... ( if it's the thing that I've understood ).
If it's only a "change of 0,0,0" it's not too difficult, take a 3D point of view and MOVE all the objects from 0,0,0 to 0,0,"the real height".
I hope for you that in that change of software the drawing comes at the good angle on AutoCAD because when I import Solidworks to AutoCAD or when I open AutoCAD on Solidworks for example, the all file as to be rotated 2 times to have it OK.
For the "three lines showing a road" I don't know dirrectly but you can grip to a centerline an MLINE that will have two distant lines appart, see this :
http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2010/ENU/AutoCAD%202010%20User%20Documentation/index.html?url=WS1a9193826455f5ffa23ce210c4a30acaf-49e9.htm,topicNumber=d0e273120
See the options at the command prompt :
Justification/ Scale/ STyle
I would use : the justification : Zero.
Please tell me ( us ) if this helped or not.
Ask for more...philippe JOSEPH2013-10-08 07:02:04

Philippe, moving every single object separately is not an option. It is time consuming and having hundreds of objects it is very easy to make a mistake. Can I attach or send you an exemplary drawing?Thank you.

Yes of course upload an example.
Have I understood your question correctly ? :
All at Z zero file to be changed in different elevations or entire drawing to be located at the good elevation ?
Eventually, see the Tip N° 6606 here in the site : How to create AutoCAD geometry from Excel ( not directly OK for you but can give ideas ).philippe JOSEPH2013-10-08 10:02:39

Lochgarman, what is your deliverable product for your client? "3D objects" takes in a wide range of things, many of them proprietary objects that are probably best modified within their own software.Autodesk's Civil 3D can generate points on a surface that is modeled from roadway geometry. Is your road long? Horizontal and vertical geometry of an existing road or design road can be quite complex; Civil 3D has the capacity to model a road surface - but the learning cuve is steep. I think the most likely workflow for your task is:1. get horizontal coordinates of your 3D objects in a .csv or .txt file format.2. model the roadway (whether existing or design) in Civil 3D and import the .csv or .txt file to a point group that uses the road surface for elevations.3. steps 1 & 2 will yield a point group with z-coordianate elevations; the point group can be exported to a .csv or .txt format file for use in your other application. If your other application can't assign elevations to the 3D objects, you'll need to assign elevations manually. I don't think the process will be "easy" or "automatic" - because you're dealing with road geometry and different applications. Coordinate systems may also come into play and need additional attention in the process... JSC