Open Drawing

This command allows you to open drawings either by browsing folders or from a map view. The map view is a visual way to select a drawing. From the map view, you can zoom into an area or type in an address into the Search field.

Folder Tab

The Folder tab lets you find existing drawings by searching through folders and recent folder locations as in previous versions.

Map Tab

The Map tab displays a Map/Satellite interface that lets you pan, zoom, and browse georeferenced project drawings. In the Visible Drawings location are listed georeferenced drawing files that would appear in the current map and also follow the criteria as selected by the current View Mode listed at the bottom of the dialog box.

To select a drawing, pick on the dot icon on the map. The program will show the drawing name and properties. Pick the Open Drawing button to open the drawing in CAD or pick the Open Folder button to open the drawing folder in Windows Explorer.

For the Map tab to be available, the Use Drawing Database option in Carlson Configure > Project/Data Folders must be turned ON. Please refer to the Set Project/Data Folder command for complete information.

Data Source:

Folder: Displays georeferenced drawings in the current folder on the folder tab that also appear in the current map view.

Folder/Subfolders: Displays georeferenced drawings from the current folder (and all of its sub folders) on the folder tab that also appear in the current map view.

Drawing Database: Displays all the georeferenced drawings that would be visible in the current map display. Only georeferenced files may be added to the drawing database. If you pan or zoom the map so no georeferenced files would be visible, the last visible drawings will still display in the visible drawings list until a new drawing is found.

Recent Drawings: Displays recently opened georeferenced files that would be visible in the current map display.

Use Filter Criteria: Displays all drawings from the drawing database using the current filter critera. (see Use Filter Criteria below)

Buttons: Next to the Data Source list, there are button icons.

Use Filter Criteria: Same as picking from the Data Source list. (see Use Filter Criteria below)

Drawing Database: Opens the Drawing Database dialog box.

Output to Google Earth: Writes database drawings out to Google Earth Pro (if installed on PC) as temporary places.

Column Options: Controls which drawing properties to display in the dialog list box.

Use Filter Criteria

Drawings that have been added to the Drawing Database may be filtered down using the following criteria in addition to the current map view: Name and Type; Date (Modified) Range; and Size Range.

Drawing Database

Remove Missing Files: Removes files from the database that no longer exist in the location from whence they were added. If you want to remove a large amount of files at once, you can temporarily change the folder name of the root folder of many job files, and then run this command to remove the files, then rename the folder name change back to the original name.

Refresh: Re-reads the database and displays the current list of drawings.

Add Drawing to Database: Prompts you to browse and locate a new georeferenced file to add to the database.

Remove Drawing from Database: Removes the highlighted drawing from the database.

Add Folder: Prompts for a folder to be selected. Any georeferenced drawings contained in that folder (and any included subfolders if this item is checked) are then added to the database. Duplicate named files from different locations or folders may reside together in the database.

Database Report: Reports on all files contained in the database. You can report items such as Full Name (Path and Drawing name); Date Modified; Size; Lat/Lon and if the file still exists in the original location.

Use Search Wizard: Displays a wizard that will attempt to add georeferenced drawings from the current folder/subfolders to the database when the current folder is set to a new folder.

Geolocated Drawings Search Wizard

When you select a different folder from the folder tab to search or open drawings, then by switching back to the Map tab the Geolated Drawings Search Wizard displays if this is toggled ON in the Drawing Database. By using this search wizard, drawings will be automatically added to the database from the selected folder (and sub folders).

Output to Google Earth

Output to Google Earth writes all the database drawings out to Google Earth Pro (if installed on PC) as temporary places. These places may be added to 'My Places', be used to get directions or to display drawing information from within Google Earth.