[Qgis-developer] Bounty on DXF output

[Andreas Neumann]

Hi Bill,

The problem around DXF export is a known-issue and work has already
started (in QGIS master) to solve the problem. However, it is a
time-consuming and complicated task. Most of the improvements have to be
done in QGIS, some fixes/additions would need to be done in OGR.

The following sub-items have to be developed:

1. Translation of QGIS styling to OGR feature styling. As good as
possible (more complex symbols do not translate well - or need to be
export the same feature multiple times). Honoring style rules and map
scales for the export (one keeps the original coordinates, but still
exports with the rules of a particular map scale (e.g. for a 1:1000 scale))

2. Allow to specify the DXF layer to be used for the export by -
requires an attribute called "LAYER" - not sure if this can be any
attribute or would be limited to the attribute called "layer".

3. Allow to export multiple QGIS layers into one DXF file with multiple
layers.

4. Text label export from both manual and automatic placement - OGR
feature styles allow text label exports. Export functionality should
build around it.

5. Conversion of simple markers and SVG markers to DXF blocks

All of the above means a development effort of approx. 200 hours. I can
tell you the exact numbers if you are interested. Part one - one of the
larger chunks is already financed and implemented by company Sourcepole.

The Swiss QGIS user group (and some Austrian QGIS users) have a strong
interest in fixing these issues and started funding it. Part 1 is
already done.

We are still looking for sponsors for parts 2-5.

Please note that DWG is a totally different thing than DXF. All of the
above applies only to DXF, but also partially for other formats that
support OGR feature styling, like DGN, MapInfo and KML.

This is to let you know that development efforts are under way and that
we are looking for financing of parts of it. The work is done by a
professional company with contracts - so the hardware bounty is
unfortunately not an option here. Of course, the work items / contracts
can be split up to different amounts.

Andreas

Am 24.02.2013 02:33, schrieb Bill Williamson:
> Hi Team QGIS,
> 
> I would like to offer a bounty of sorts for further work on the ability
> of QGIS to export dxf. In the first instance, I would be interested in
> replies on what is able to be reasonably achieved.
> 
> The bounty is a Motorola XOOM Android tablet with accessories, bluetooth
> keyboard with touchpad, OtterBox case and cables.
> 
> http://www.motorola.com/Support/AU-EN/Consumer-Support/TABLETS/MOTOROLA_XOOM
> 
> http://www.otterbox.com/MOTOROLA-XOOM-Defender-Series-Case/MOT2-XOOM1,default,pd.html
> 
> 
> It has been used briefly but I think it represents an attractive bounty,
> equivalent ~ US$450 ~$900 new. Free shipped to any reasonable address
> (maybe even the hackfest at Valmiera). It is surplus to my requirements
> (didn't get that project) and I hope it is a match with the desired
> improvements in the code.
> 
> The dev work:-
> As far as I know;
> QGIS has not exported useful dxf's for some time, owing mainly to the
> OGR/GDAL driver, see
> http://hub.qgis.org/issues/5451
> http://hub.qgis.org/issues/4973
> http://hub.qgis.org/issues/4381
> 
> This proposal is at least for the Windows build and ideally a plugin
> ASAP for the stable release, but will be satisfied with 2.0 if the
> roadmap matches. The test case would be outputting 2 shapefiles (point
> and line) with 2 attributes and 20 features being able to be read by
> AutoDesk DWG Trueview. Another resource is DoubleCAD (it is free and can
> read current dxf's from QGIS) but it will not be the testbed.
> 
> My impression is that templates play a role in dxf export. Perhaps a
> dialog could be used to point the driver to a template and in the case
> of this bounty one template would be available. Other workers would
> build there own templates and the dialog would allow them to select these.
> 
> My interest does not extend to dxf import,
> http://hub.qgis.org/issues/5383
> however the bounty hunter is free to explore the requirements there. Nor
> is there any specific requirement for DWG export.
> http://svn.osgeo.org/gdal/spike/dxfdwg/drv_dxfdwg.html
> 
> I have little awareness of the issues on the GDAL side, but these might
> be start
> http://fwarmerdam.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/ogr-dxf-upgrade.html
> http://trac.osgeo.org/gdal/ticket/4369
> 
> And of course will be support all beta testing etc. Please let me know
> if the scope of this request is reasonable.
> 
> Bill,
> A humble user
> 
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