I recently got some additional survey on one of my projects. I need to combine this information in with the data I already have.
It looks as if I can't just combine the new data into my existing DTM. The Merge Surfaces tool wants Original, Design and Destination surfaces. That would leave me with a new, merged surface that is not the same as my previous existing surface. I did it, but now my profiles and cross sections don't "recognize" that my new surface file (ExGroundCombined) is replacing the old one (ExGround). I mean, Once I change my active surface to the new, merged one anything cut with the old one becomes "dead" data. I can understand why that is and what is going on, but I'd prefer to find a way to keep some continuity.
Did I do this wrong, or is there some setting I overlooked? Or is it possible for my Original and Destination surfaces to be the same thing? Do I have to keep changing existing ground every time I get an update?How do you deal with data combining and surface merging, and multiple surfaces?
Copy Portion of Surface will allow you to add specific features from one surface into another. It can be used with all, fence or individually selected features. Set the Duplicate features to Rename. If there are overlaps, the points of both surfaces features will end up in the surface, so if you need to remove any exiting features in the overlap areas, you should do this first.
One alternative is to use a third surface but when done, empty the original surface and then use the Copy Portion of Surface to to copy every feature from the third surface into the original, but empty surface.
If there are components, all bets are off.
If you have features displayed in cross sections from the original surface, use the update cross section tool to remove the features before you empty the surface or the cross section features will be orphaned and must be deleted via MicroStation only.
Charles (Chuck) Rheault CADD Manager
MDOT State Highway Administration Maryland DOT - State Highway Administration User Communities Page