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Getting Started

The R3Survey ribbon

After installation, an R3Survey tab appears in the AutoCAD ribbon. All R3Survey commands are accessible from this tab. You can also type any command directly at the AutoCAD command line — all R3Survey commands begin with R3.

First steps

1. Configure your units

Before entering any data, set your preferred units with R3UNITS. This controls:

  • The input units used when entering distances in traverse and offset commands
  • The display units shown in the R3Properties panel
  • Area and angle display formats

See Units for a full explanation of the options.

2. Import a survey with Smart Strings

Use R3STRING to load a survey data file (XML, CSV, PTA, or TXT) directly from your total station or GPS. R3Survey reads each point's code and attributes, then draws points and connecting linework into the drawing — styled and layered according to your configuration.

Before running R3STRING for the first time, set up a configuration with R3MANAGECONFIGS. A configuration links your code list, string rules, and style files together.

See Smart Strings for a full walkthrough.

3. Import a NSW LandXML file

Use R3IMPORTLANDXML to import parcels and points from a NSW LandXML file. Imported parcels are drawn as polylines on survey plan layers; points are placed as AutoCAD point entities (or CogoPoints in Civil 3D).

See Import LandXML (R3IMPORTLANDXML) for details.

4. Enter a traverse

Use R3TRAV to enter a survey traverse. You will be prompted for a start point, then for each leg: bearing and distance. See Traverse (R3TRAV) for full details including bearing input formats and arc entry.

5. Check your work

Open the R3Properties panel (R3PROPERTIES) and click on any line, arc, or polyline to read its bearing, distance, and other properties. The panel updates automatically as you select different entities.

6. Set up survey plans

If you are working with data from multiple survey plans in one drawing, configure survey plans with R3PL. Survey plans control how layers are named and organised, and let you show, hide, or isolate layers by plan with R3HIDEPLANLAYERS, R3SHOWALLPLANLAYERS, and R3ISOLATEPLANLAYERS.

See Survey Plans for details.

Command reference

All commands are listed in the Commands section. You can also type R3HELP at any time to open this documentation.