AutoCAD Map 3D: What is LandXML?

Several companies, including Autodesk, teamed up to create a method for exchanging project information across different software packages, and LandXML is the result. LandXML is a generic, text-based file format used to save project data. It's similar to a DXF™ file, which is a generic file format for vector-based drawing information. LandXML recognizes the following project data:

 Points
 Point groups
 Description keys
 Surfaces
 Parcels
 Horizontal alignments
 Profiles
 Cross sections

LandXML files are always given the extension .xml, and you can view them in any web browser (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator).

LandXML is commonly used to interchange Survey and Civil Engineering data. You can use a LandXML file:

 To transfer information between different Autodesk products such
as Land Desktop, Civil 3D, and Now AutoCAD Map 3D.
 To move or rotate sets of points, surfaces, or alignments.
 To convert data between metric and imperial projects.
 With style sheets to export LandXML data and create customized reports

Note: AutoCAD Map 3D 2010 only supports points information at this time. Surfaces are currently not supported but may be supported in the future.