Survey points and point groups
Most civil projects start from survey. Learn to bring survey points into Civil 3D, organise them with point groups and description keys, and check the data before designing.
In this lesson you will
- Import points from a survey file
- Understand PNEZD formats
- Organise points with point groups and description keys
- Check survey data for errors
COGO points
A Civil 3D point (COGO point) has a number, northing, easting, elevation and a raw description such as TREE or EP (edge of pavement). Points are stored in the drawing and listed in the Prospector.
Importing a survey file
- 1Home › Points › Point Creation Tools › Import Points (or Insert › Points from File).
- 2Choose the file (TXT or CSV) and the matching format — e.g. PNEZD (comma delimited): Point number, Northing, Easting, Z (elevation), Description.
- 3Tick Add points to point group and name the group (e.g. Survey 2026-09).
- 4Import and zoom extents. If nothing appears where expected, check the format (PENZD vs PNEZD — easting and northing swapped is a classic error).
Point groups
Point groups collect points by number range, description, elevation or other rules — Trees, Ground shots, Kerbs. Groups control display (style and label) and are what you add to surfaces, so you can build the terrain from ground shots only and exclude tree canopies or roof heights.
Description keys
A description key set maps raw survey codes to styles, labels and layers automatically: TREE* gets a tree symbol on V-VEG-TREE, EP* gets a small cross on V-ROAD. Set them up once in your template and every survey import is formatted consistently.
Check before you design
Look for points with zero or absurd elevations, duplicate numbers, missing areas and obvious blunders. Label elevations and zoom through the data; a single bad point can put a spike in your surface. Ask the surveyor about the coordinate system and datum.
Quick reference
| Command / tool | How to start it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Import Points | Insert tab › Points from File | Brings survey points in |
| Point Groups | Prospector | Organises and filters points |
| Description Key Sets | Settings › Point | Maps codes to styles and layers |
| Point Creation Tools | Home › Points | Create and import points |
Common mistakes
Points appear in the wrong place or country.
Northing/easting order or coordinate system is wrong; check the format and the drawing's coordinate system.
Surface has spikes.
Remove bad points or exclude non-ground codes from the surface's point group.
Exercise
Import a small survey
- Create a CSV of 20 points in PNEZD format with codes GS (ground shot), EP and TREE.
- Import into a new point group.
- Create point groups for ground shots and trees.
- Set up description keys for the three codes.
- Label elevations and check for errors.
You should end up with: Organised, checked survey points ready for a surface.
Checklist
0 of 4 checked · saved on this device
Lesson quiz
In PNEZD, what does Z stand for?
Finished this lesson?
Taking the quiz marks it complete too. Your course page picks up where you stopped.
Free KitWren tools that help
- Area ConverterConvert square metres, square feet, acres, hectares and more.
- Volume ConverterConvert litres, millilitres, gallons, quarts, cups, cubic metres and cubic feet.
- Length ConverterConvert between metres, centimetres, millimetres, kilometres, inches, feet, yards and miles.
- Angle ConverterConvert degrees, radians, gradians, arcminutes and turns.
- Concrete CalculatorCalculate the concrete needed for slabs, footings and post holes in cubic metres, yards and bags.
- Percentage CalculatorWork out X% of a number, what percentage one number is of another, percentage change and reverse percentages.
Free, independent learning material written for KitWren. Civil 3D and AutoCAD are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. KitWren is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Autodesk. We never provide software downloads, licence keys or cracks — use the official sources.