Online terrain import

The PVcase Import terrain feature lets you import basic topographical data directly from the GPXZ* terrain database. You can start preliminary project design, even if the final topographic data for your site is not yet ready. You can use Import terrain regardless of whether your drawing is already geolocated or not. 

To access it, click the Import terrain button on the PVcase ribbon. 

Importing online terrain data 

You can use the Import terrain function in two distinct scenarios:

• When the drawing is already geolocated
• When the drawing is NOT geolocated
   

Drawing is already geolocated

1. Click the Import terrain button.
2. The software will prompt you to either:

• Select a predefined polygon.
• Press Enter and draw a polyline around the desired working area.

3. Press Space or Enter to finalize the area selection.

The software will import the terrain data and automatically set it as the active surface in PVcase.

Drawing is NOT geolocated

1. Click Import terrain.
2. The location selection tab will appear. Specify the location, or enter the name of the nearest town to the site.
3. Click OK to confirm the location.
4. Specify a reference point by clicking on the map. The default coordinate system is UTM84, which can be modified by advanced users in the AutoCAD Geolocation ribbon tab.
5. Finally, the software will ask you to either:

• Choose a predefined polygon.
• Press ENTER and draw a polyline around the working area.

6. Press Space or Enter to finalize the area selection.

PVcase will import the terrain data and set it as the active surface.

Geolocating Projects via AutoCAD's GEO Command

Regardless of the Import terrain functionality from PVcase, you can geolocate your project, modify the current point of reference, GIS Coordinate System, or the north direction anytime in AutoCAD with the GEO command. 

1. Type GEO into the command line and press Enter.
2. When prompted, drop a marker on a reference point (e.g., a nearby house or a specific corner of your parcel).
3. Click Next.
4. Choose the desired GIS Coordinate System.
5. Define the north direction in your drawing.

Note that the marker's placement (the red circle) with the GEO command might not match the internal coordinate origin (X, Y axes) in your AutoCAD project. To modify the coordinate origin—affecting the coordinates shown in the Properties of your AutoCAD objects—use the UCS command. 
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After setting up your geolocation, draw a polyline around your project area. PVcase will import the terrain and set it as the active surface. Once imported, you can use the Terrain mesh feature to visualize the 3D terrain model.                

For additional geolocation questions not covered here, see Geolocation common issues.

*Note: The GPXZ data source has different terrain density for different locations around the world. For consistency, PVcase Ground Mount extrapolates the data for all locations to a density of 20 meters.