The authority have given 2D drawings of Horizontal and Vertical alignments which I would like to import into ORD. The 2D alignment drawings have distinct tangents, spirals and curves. Previously in SS, I'm able to import these alignment geometry into InRoads using the import command. Though ORD have Complex Alignment that I can use to assign the 2D alignment, the distinct components of the alignment did not get captured and instead shown as a single complex component which is un-editable. So what I would do on a short simple alignment was to retrace ORD alignment on the 2D alignment. But this method could be painful is there are more than one alignment or for mega infra projects. Anybody have any tips on how to go about this?
Very much appreciate any advice I could get.
Hi,
Could you attach an example of the 2d alignment you are tyring to import ?
I wonder if you could drop the complex and if that would help ?
You can drop a complex and it goes back to the original geometry elements created. Not sure how it would work with an imported piece of geometry though.
Simon Pegg
Bentley Civil Support
You don't need me to provide the 2D alignment file to try. You can try placing a series of lines and curves (either as separate elements or as spline) then combine/convert using Complex Geometry function (the function cannot work on referenced elements). You will notice that the geometry will become a complex un-parametric geometry (cannot freely modify). It's unlike you using the horizontal geometry to design the alignment...can freely modify parametrically. If you use the normal Drop function, the complex geometric normal alignment will drop back to it's basic elements (normal line, normal arc). Somehow OpenRoads Complex Geometric function do not convert normal lines and arcs into geometric/parametric lines and arcs.
So it seemed that I have to retrace the 2D normal alignment using the Geometric Horizontal Functions if I wanted it to be parametric for future modifications.
I tested this by using a smartline with a rounded vertex and radius defined which creates a complex chain. Another method is to create lines and arc and then use the create complex chain tool. Once you have a complex chain you can then use the Create Civil Rule Feature tool and this then creates rules that allow me to change the radius and the geometry updates as I would expect by holding the tangent directions fixed and increasing or decreasing the curve length.