I have a horizontal alignment using only simple curves. I want to add spirals to some curves. Is there an easy to do this in SS4?

I have a horizontal alignment using only simple curves.  I want to add spirals to some curves.  Is there an easy to do this in SS4?

  • Select the alignment, then open element information.

    Then in the tree pane expand down to the curves and select the curve you want to add spirals.

    Then in the bottom add the spiral type and length as needed.

    Robert Garrett
    Senior Product Engineer
    Bentley Systems Inc.



  • My alignment has many curves. Once I find the proper fillet and Change the Transition to Spiral, by tab or enter, the Element Information go back to Complex element. I then have to find the curve again to add the spiral length.
    1. Is there a way that I can pick the fillet and go to it directly in Element Information? I have a simple alignment with about 20 curves.
    2. Once I change a value. What should I do so that I do not go back to Complex Element? Tab, Enter and left click all take me back to Complex Element.

    David E. Stewart

    Calgary, Alberta

    ORD 2022R1

  • I know that a lot of other fields in SS4 behave this way so may be this section does as well. Try the following:

    Instead of tab or enter just use the mouse to expand the drop down selection for transition type. You may be able to double click on the "Type" text. In many other boxes this has the effect of changing the entry for that field (although I have really only done this with true/false settings).

    I think hitting enter or tab has the effect of moving to the next table entry like in MS Access, which in your case might default back up to the complex element. Many of the prompts in SS4 behave in this manor.

    Marc