Pack into DWG

Icon:
Ribbon (Civil Site Design):	Data Manage Tab > Data Packing Panel > Pack into DWG
Ribbon (Stringer Topo):	Stringer Survey Tab > Pack Data Panel > Data Pack dropdown > Pack into DWG (Civil 3D) General Tab > Pack Data Panel > Pack into DWG

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Introduction

When this command is run, the method of storing the Civil Site Design data (CSD Data) is changed, such that Saving the drawing results in the Civil Site Design data being stored inside the drawing (.dwg) file itself.  This is known as 'Pack Mode'.

As well as enabling 'Pack Mode', this command also copies the current CSD data folder into the drawing (.dwg) file.

While the drawing is open, every Civil Site Design command is reading and writing to the external CSD Data folder.

Note: This command should be run only after a Civil Site Desing project has been commenced (there is a CSD Data folder in place).

Behaviour in 'Pack Mode'

In Pack Mode the following behaviour applies:

• On Drawing Open

  • The software will prompt whether or not to extract the stored CSD Design Data from the drawing. Data is extracted from inside the drawing and copied to the local data folder location (by default, this folder is called ‘<DrawingName>-Data’ and located with the drawing.

•  During Editing – Using Civil Site Design Commands

  • Every Civil Site Design operation uses the -Data folder (or the data folder if the data path is set by the user) located on the computer.

•  On Drawing ‘Save’

  • When the drawing is saved, the ‘local’ -Data folder is zipped up and embedded (packed) in the drawing.
    All drafting and the CSD data is saved in the single drawing (.dwg) file

• On Drawing ‘Save As’

  • As part of saving the drawing with a different name/location, the software will:

    • Copy (Pack) the ‘local’ -Data folder into the drawing

    • Rename/Relocate the drawing as per the Save As instructions

    • Unpack the saved data from inside the drawing to the new local folder location

• On Drawing Close

  • When the drawing is closed and the prompt to save is presented, the behaviour depends on the selection:

    • Choosing Yes to save the drawing will result in the ‘local’ -Data folder being zipped up and embedded (packed) in the drawing.

    • Choosing No will close the drawing and maintain the previously packed data in the drawing.  Internally the system flags that the drawing is closed

Packed Data Storage and Backups  

Civil Site Design supports storage of backups inside the CSD Data folder - this is turned on via the Active Drawing Settings > Miscellaneous tab > File Copies (Copy Method).   Backups can be included in the data folder, however they do make the drawing file size bigger.

CSD Data Folder Size 

In order to ensure a reasonable open, save and close speed, the software will prevent packing of the data in the drawing if the zipped size exceeds 60mb .

Creating Revisions

When Pack Mode is enabled, using Save As will create a copy of the drawing and embed the CSD Data inside.  As part of the drawing save, the data is extracted to teh new location for immediate editing using Civil Site Design. 

Details

Upon selecting the command the external CSD Data Folder (which is used for all Civil Site Design operations and editing) is copied inside the drawing (.dwg) file.

A message will be displayed confirming the CSD data is saved inside the drawing.