PTIMPORT-bgol (Import Point Data as Text)

Command Type: AutoLISP routine (works in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD and most AutoLISP-compatible CAD platforms)
Developed by: BGol Community, bgol.in

Inspired by the general concept of point-data import utilities used in CAD/survey drafting. This is an original, independently written routine, new file name, new command name, new source code, created so the CAD community has a free, editable, open-source alternative.

Overview

PTIM reads a CSV or plain-text file containing rows of survey point data, Easting (X), Northing (Y), Elevation (Z), and a Remark, in that column order, and creates one TEXT entity per row, placed at the point's exact X, Y, Z coordinate with the Remark as its caption. Total-station manufacturer import tools often produce output that is hard to edit further; this routine instead builds plain, directly-editable text.

How to Use

1. Load PTIMPORT-bgol.lsp into your CAD session (drag-and-drop the file onto the drawing window, or use the APPLOAD command).
2. Type PTIM at the command line and press Enter.
3. In the file picker, select your source .csv or .txt file. Each line must contain four comma-separated values in order: Easting,Northing,Elevation,Remark.
4. Enter a text height when prompted (defaults to 2.5).
5. A TEXT entity is created for every valid row, placed at its X/Y/Z coordinate and captioned with the Remark value, all on a dedicated layer, BGOL-PTIM (colour green).

Why Use It

• Editable output, unlike many manufacturer-specific import tools, the result here is plain TEXT entities you can select, move, and edit like any other drawing text.
• Precise placement, every point lands exactly at its specified X, Y, Z coordinate, with elevation embedded in the text's Z position.
• Time savings, converts an entire coordinate list into labeled drawing text in a single command instead of inserting each point by hand.

Where to Use It

• Converting a total-station export, spreadsheet coordinate list, or any other X/Y/Z/Remark data source directly into labeled point text.
• Re-importing point data that was previously exported from a drawing (e.g. via a companion export routine) after external editing.
• Any workflow bringing external tabular coordinate data into a drawing as simple, editable text rather than complex point-cloud or block objects.

Notes

• Expected column order is strictly X (Easting), Y (Northing), Z (Elevation), Remark, four comma-separated fields per line.
• Blank lines and rows with fewer than four fields are silently skipped so a messy source file doesn't stop the import.
• Elevation is stored in the TEXT entity's Z position, matching how many survey workflows expect 3D point labels to carry elevation.
• Source code is fully open, feel free to study, modify, and redistribute it under the same open, free-for-all spirit.

Credits

Developed and shared for the CAD community by BGol Community. Website: https://bgol.in/ Free and open-source, use it, modify it, share it, for personal or commercial work alike.