gINT - Version - 08.30.03.135
gINT is currently being accessed over a network not from my computer.
This is the first time I've had to do this and I don't currently have any other files to experiment with.
I am looking to create a cross section in gINT from the Northings and Eastings (UTM) of each test pit that has been dug. I also have a CAD plan that includes the contours onsite, but I don't have the elevations of each test pit.
I have imported the CAD file without an issue. I have the TP locations plotted on the site plan. However, when I try to create a baseline for my cross section, I am told I am missing coordinates or elevations. Instead of using elevations to plot the test pits, I want to be able to plot the elevations of the contours on my cross section and then adjust the TP accordingly.
I think this has something to do with surfaces but I haven't a clue how to do it.
Any suggestions?
Hi, Is the CAD plan with the contours in X, Y and Z coordinates? In other words if you select a contour line in cad and look at its properties, does it have a z coordinate? If so you can do what I do in these cases, which is remove everything that isn't either spot heights or contours from the CAD file, leaving you with just objects that have a z coordinate and then save it as a DXF. I then open the DXF file in a bit of software called DXF To XYZ (http://www.guthcad.com.au/freestuff.htm) which will give you a CSV file of all points with their X, Y and Z coordinates.
You then need to run this xyz file through Surfer to grid it, Save the surfer output and this will give you a surface to load into gINT. You will have to do a bit of guestimating as to TP heights and enter these heights into the POINT table. Go to Output - Fences and using a line of section that goes straight through some pits, do a printout to scale showing the surface you added. Get your scale rule and measure how much above or below the plotted surface the TP is, and adjust it's height accordingly in the POINT Table.
This probably isn't the most elegant solution but it works and is quick. The only problem is you need Surfer (or similar) to give you a meaningful surface to load into gINT, as just using the Coordinates straight out of DXF To XYZ software won't give you anywhere near enough points for a meaningful surface. If you get really stuck, let me know (miles AT gintdev.co.uk) and I'll see what I can do (free :-) )
Miles
It also sounds as if there is no reference elevation (initial elevation) for the some of the borings, so the Z values will be Depth values.
You can also adjust the fence report property for Scales to a Depth scale and use the Depth values to generate a subsurface profile. While it will not give you a reference elevation for holes that do have that information, it will allow you to get an idea of the subsurface structure.
I took a look at the original CAD drawing and the elevations wrt mean sea level are present for the contours. However, when I import it into gINT the elevations (z coordinate) all become '0'.
The contours are for surface topography only. There is no subsurface info besides the TPs and they don't have an elevation to start from only a depth below ground surface.
Hi, Surfaces can be imported as either a grid, and some transformation as Miles does is needed, or as a TIN which can be exported directly from CAD. As Pat said, you also need a reference elevation - if no investigation points have an elevation nothing will be output.
gINT is not designed for dynamic adjustment of objects so it will be an iterative process to get the elevations correct. I suggest giving the test pits an estimated elevation. This will get them on the fence output and, if the baseline goes through the test pit (i.e. not projected onto the fence), at the correct location.
If you use the gridding method as suggested by Miles and don't want the expense of Surfer, have a look at QuickGrid which is open sourced (www.galiander.ca/quikgrid).