DIDS – Digital Plan Requirements
Copy of PowerPoint presented at Training
Sessions to ALSA June 28 & 29, 2005
Mapping Issues
Ground
Ground Mapping Plane
Ellipsoid
Mapping Plane
Drawing must
be reduced to
the mapping
plane.
6TM
PROJECTION
Mapping Issues due
to False Eastings at
edge of UTM
mapping zones
Mapping Issues
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23 June, 2005
10TM
PROJECTION
Province-wide coverage
Provincial Mapping data
is maintained in 10TM
Mapping Issues
4
23 June, 2005
PLFD File Submission
Digital Files Required

August 1, 2005 implementation.

Surveyors will submit the plan directly to PLFD.
The plan will contain:



Drawing file
Meta data file
PDF file
Sample of Current PLA CAD File
Containing Title Block info, Key plan, details, etc.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
Layer Specifications
Layer
Disposition Feature Description
Property And RW Linework, including other surface
9
activities / dispositions, typically outside area of interest.
ATS (section) linework broken for plot purposes.
10
Text For Linework including other surface activities /
dispositions, typically outside area of interest.
17
ATS (Section) linework. Linework not to be broken and must
be topologically clean. ATS linework must be complete for the
entirety of all 1/4 sections affected by the surface activity.
28
Linework for disposition boundary, this linework shows the
limits / boundaries of the disposition. In the case of an MSL
and LOC on the same plan, the linework is not to be duplicated.
This linework must be topologically clean, no duplicated
linework an
40
Surface Activity Code Text ie: MSL, PLA (not required to be
displayed on plot or image file) Insertion point must fall within
the limits of the disposition.
Note: Coding of all other graphic data and text is left to
the discretion of the surveyor. CAD drawing is to be
reduced to the mapping plane.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
What's required in the CAD file
PLFD File Submission
8

Only the 5 layers (9, 10, 17 28, 40)
are required, with the drawing
entities placed on the correct layer.

The proposed disposition and
surrounding information must not
be split into segments and must be
georeferenced to the March 2005
ATS.

Details, key plans or other
information do not need to be
shown in the submission drawing.
23 June, 2005
What may be in your drawing file now
PLFD File Submission
9

All layers and entities to represent
the survey are present in the
drawing.

More than one view may be shown
in model space.

Required layers for submission
may not be present in the drawing
or the information may not be on
the required layers.

The drawing may not be
georeferenced.

The site may be split into sections.
23 June, 2005
PDF File – Plan of Record
The PDF document requirements have not changed. We are not
trying to change the way you work.

Create the CAD drawing using your current process.

Create the PDF for submission using your current process.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
Modifying an Existing Drawing
Once the PDF is created, the CAD file can be modified to meet the CAD
submission requirements.

Ensure the plan is complete, not split into segments and is drawn to
full scale.

Ensure the required layers exist. Create layers as needed.

Move or copy the entities to the proper layers using the available
AutoCAD functions. Audit the layers for compliance (e.g. no symbol
blocks).

Georeference the plan.

If desired, isolate the required layers and write the plan to be submitted
as a block.

Prepare the layout view for the PDF creation and create the PDF file.

Create the metadata file using Ddips.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
Plan View to be Continuous in Model Space
- do not split the plan into separate parts
This is unacceptable for the CAD
submission:

1
PLFD File Submission
Remember to ensure the plan to
be submitted (CAD) is whole, not
segmented.
2
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Plan View in Model Space
The plan must be joined with no
overlap:

PLFD File Submission
The two segments shown in the
previous slide have been joined
into a single plan.
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Ensure the Proper Layers Exist
Make sure the proper layers exist in the
drawing. Create layers as needed to
conform to the specifications.
PLFD File Submission
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
You will need layers numbered 9, 10,
17, 28, and 40

Other layers may be used, but their
names can not interfere with the
submission layers.
23 June, 2005
Move the Entities to the Proper Layers - 1
If your existing layer structure does not meet the specifications, the required
information can be moved to the specified layers without interfering with your existing
process.
Use the specified layers for these entities:
PLFD File Submission
15

9 - Property And RW Linework, including other surface
activities / dispositions, typically outside area of interest.
ATS (section) linework broken for plot purposes.

10 - Text For Linework including other surface activities /
dispositions, typically outside area of interest.

17 - ATS (Section) linework. Linework not to be broken
and must be topologically clean. ATS linework must be
complete for the entirety of all 1/4 sections affected by the
surface activity.

28 - Linework for disposition boundary, this linework
shows the limits / boundaries of the disposition. In the
case of an MSL and LOC on the same plan, the linework
is not to be duplicated. This linework must be
topologically clean, no duplicated linework and no
dangles or undershoots.

40 - Surface Activity Code Text i.e.: MSL, PLA (not
required to be displayed on plot or image file) Insertion
point must fall within the limits of the disposition.
23 June, 2005
Move the Entities to the Proper Layers - 2
•
You can use any of the
AutoCAD tools to move or
copy entities to the proper
layers:
–
–
–
–
PLFD File Submission
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Layer translator
Properties Sheets
COPYTOLAYER
command
CHANGE command
23 June, 2005
Isolate the Submission Layers
Alternatively, the layers can be isolated and written to a new drawing.
PLFD File Submission

All non-required layers are frozen

The plan entities are selected, then written as a
block to a new drawing and the drawing saved
and named as required
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Building upon the ATS Base
- The plan can be built upon the existing ATS Base.
PLFD File Submission
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Georeference the Plan – ALIGN Command 1
Overview
PLFD File Submission
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
Use the AutoCAD ALIGN
command to reference drawing
points to known co-ordinates.

Select all entities within the plan.

Choose the first point and enter
the reference co-ordinates.
Repeat for the second and third
points.

All the selected entities should realign to the specification.
23 June, 2005
Georeference the Plan – ALIGN Command 2
Coordinates – available from AltaLIS Website
Key in ATS
Select Projection
Coordinate results
these values
can be copied into
AutoCAD using cut
and paste
PLFD File Submission
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Georeference the Plan – ALIGN Command 3
Coordinate Input
Values can be copied from
the ATS application into
AutoCAD when using the
Align command.
Select first source point
Select first destination point
using the values from the
ATS application
PLFD File Submission
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Georeferencing the Plan – ALIGN Command 4
Completion
NW 20-58-21-5
N. 5987485.514
E. 493592.397
PLFD File Submission
N4 21-58-21-5
N. 5987483.921
E. 496006.871
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Georeference the Plan – Using an ATS DWG
March 2005 ATS 6TM
Projection
Non Spatial CAD
drawing
PLFD File Submission
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Georeference the Plan – Align to ATS Grid
PLFD File Submission
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Georeferencing the Plan - Completion
PLFD File Submission
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FAQ
Q: I use a pattern/hatch, of the same colour as the background, behind text that overlaps lines, for plotting
purposes. Will this cause a problem with a submission?
A: There can be no pattern or hatch placed on the submitted layers; however, they can be used on other layers.
Q: I currently use complex symbols. Do I have to change the symbols I use for all future
submissions?
A: No, symbols can be used as long as they are not placed on any of the 5 required levels.
Q: My ATS line work is broken; is that acceptable?
A: ATS line work on layer 17 is required and must be clean and unbroken for every quarter section affected by the
surface activity. Other ATS line work can be placed on layer 9 and broken as necessary for drafting and snapping
purposes. All ATS line work for all quarter sections affected by the surface activity must be included on layer 17.
You may choose not to turn on Layer 17 when creating your paper plots or PDF file but the linework must be
submitted as part of the CAD submission.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
FAQ - continued
Q: I include dimensioning in the detail, rather than on the main plan. Should I include the detail in my
submission?
A: Details do not need to be included in the digital submission.
Q: I use descriptive names for my layers (AutoCAD) rather than numbers. How will this affect submission?
A: The layer numbers are required to be used as in the specifications. All files must be submitted with the correct
layer structure. For AutoCAD users, there is a layer translator tool that can be used to translate the layer names to
the numbered layers required by PLFD.
Q: I currently use a different layer structure. Do I have to change my layer structure entirely?
A: No, as long as the data is segregated properly, a copy of the file can be made and the layer structure
reconfigured just before submission.
Q: My entire design is in model space (AutoCAD), including the Title Block. Does this present a problem?
A: For the digital CAD submission, only layers 9, 10, 17, 28, and 40 need to be georeferenced and included. Other
information is extraneous and will not be used. For the PDF file, the design and title block must be presented as it
has been traditionally. Remember, the PDF file becomes the “Plan of Record”. The method for creating it is
unimportant.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
FAQ - continued
Q: We use the cadastral mapping files as a reference base for mapping. Will this satisfy the requirements
for being georeferenced?
A: Yes, the March 2005 ATS was created from the Cadastral Base.
Q: Will it matter if I georeference and submit the entire CAD file rather than just the specified layers?
A: No; however, the appropriate data must be contained on the mandatory 5 layers.
Q: There are instructions for georeferencing the CAD file in AutoCAD. How do I georeference my file in
Microstation?
A: Open the file to be georeferenced and attach the ATS file to be used for georeferencing. Place a fence
(overlap) around the active file. Fence Move the active design from the ATS corner to the corresponding point in
the reference file. Fence Rotate the active file using the 3-point method with the common point used for movement
as the pivot.
Q: I use a local coordinate system for drafting. Will this interfere with the submission?
A: Yes, however, after creating your file: make a copy, scale the file and translate and rotate the file to match the
March 2005 coordinates.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
FAQ - continued
Q: I tied my data to ASCMs. Do I still need to georeference my data to the ATS?
A: No. Surveys tied in to ASCMs do not need to be georeferenced to the March 2005 ATS. Submitted data needs to
be either aligned with the ATS or tied in to provincial survey control.
Q: Will the Disposition Mapping set be coincidental with the Cadastral Base and will it be as accurate as
the Cadastral Base?
A: No, the Government is not able to manage dynamic data with their present system, and has therefore requested
that the data be compiled on a frozen snapshot of the ATS.
Q: Why are the layers different from the LTO specifications?
A: SRD and LTO are separate entities and have separate approval and registration processes.
Q: What if I use the DDIPS “create file” and I have not yet created the PDF file?
A: The required PDF (and CAD) file(s) must be created prior to running the DDIPS application. The DDIPS
application will assemble all three files, PDF, XML and CAD, into a zipped file.
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005
FAQ - continued
Q: I have security concerns about including my signature in the digital files. Is this a problem?
A: Signatures are only required in the PDF file, which will become the Plan of Record, and is not required in the
CAD submission.
Q: When we are registering for the training seminar, why are we registering with Martin Newby Consulting
Ltd. rather than the Director of Surveys?
A: MNC has a service contract with AltaLIS, who is the operating entity for SDW. SDW has been requested by the
Government to oversee and manage the Disposition Mapping project.
A copy of the FAQ can be found on the AtlaLIS Website
http//www.altalis.com/productsandsamples/disposition.html
PLFD File Submission
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Questions?
PLFD File Submission
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23 June, 2005