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Fly Data Import The Fly Data import command reads a comma separated value (.csv) file containing a fly schedule and uses its columns to create position lines in the current layer. CSV files are easily exported from a spreadsheet such as Numbers or Excel. CSV files can also be created with a text editor. The first line of the csv file should contain column headers which identify what field of data each column contains. There are two required columns, "Name" and "Distance". Other optional columns that can be imported include "Height" and "Note" which are used to add information to the position line. Each subsequent line either refers to a pipe/batten or sets parameters for creating objects. The following is an example csv fly data file:
Name,Distance,Note,Height There are three optional values for the name field that set parameters for creating the positions. The first two, "START_X" and "END_X", correspond to the x coordinates of the start and end points of the created position lines. In the above example, the created battens are 30 feet long with the ends at +/- 15 feet. The "OFFSET_Y" value is an offset in the case that the fly schedule distances are not relative to the y origin of the plot. "OFFSET_Y" is optional. The "LABEL_X" value tells the fly import to create labels for the imported pipes/battens that are aligned to the specified distance. "LABEL_X" is optional. Note: lines in the file are read in order making it possible to change these variable parameters partway through a importing a file. Creating 3D Objects Fly data import is also able to create 3DLines representing legs, borders and drops by adding three additional columns, "Create", "Size" and "Opening", to the CSV file. The "Create" column has four possible values. When left blank, the Create column has no effect and the row is imported as a position line. Other values for the Create column are "Border", "Legs", or "Drop". The "Size" and "Opening" columns to provide specific information about how to create the 3D graphics. The Size column uses the format WIDTHxHEIGHT to describe the dimensions of the object being represented. The Opening column describes either the height to the bottom of the border or the distance between the legs. A "Drop" is a large single 3D surface with its bottom edge on the floor. It can be specified by size, in which case it is centered between the current START_X and END_X values. Or, if the size is missing, the "Height" column is used along with the start/end parameters to determine dimensions of the drop. A "Border" is similar to a drop except that its bottom edge is above the floor. The "Opening" column is used to determine this distance. If the "Size" column has a value, it is used to place the border line in the same manner as a drop. If the size is missing, the Opening and Height distances are used for the lower and upper edges. If the Opening column is missing, the height is used for the upper edge and the size determines the rest. "Legs" are required to have a value for the "Opening" column. The Opening is centered between the current "START_X" and "END_X" edges with lines representing legs extending off beyond the opening points. If the "Size" column has a value, it determines how far the legs extend and their height. If the size is missing, the legs extend to the start/end locations and the "Height" column is used. The following shows an example of extended fly data in a spreadsheet that can be exported as a CSV file and imported into LXFree:  |
