GEOPAK Corridor Modeler Questions

I sucessfuly imported our ddb file into a xin in order to define styles. I found our ddb file's naming convention is a litte complicated, so I then found a sample xin somewhere that I would like to borrow heavily from. How can I edit a xin file from within GEOPAK? Is this possible, or do I need to edit a ddb and then re-import it into an xin every time?

[Derricke] The XIN file is just an XML file. It can be edited with any ASCII editor.

I have created a a template for a rural section. I would like the ability to have a ditch bottom point follow a special ditch profile and follow a particular graphic element for its alignment rather than be at a fixed offset and elevation relative to the centerline. How do I assign a special ditch profile(s), and how do I search for plan view graphics to define variable offsets?

[Derricke] First of all, Roadway Designer will not follow plan graphics. You must import your plan graphical elements into GEOPAK as alignments. This can be done through the Corridor Modeling > Plan Graphics option. Once you have your profile and alignment, the easiest way to do what you want is to assign a "Point Control". You can very simply have the ditch bottom point on your template follow both your horizontal and vertical alignment.

Making a ditch follow an independent horizontal and vertical is pretty common and very easy. There are actually a few different ways. First, if you define a horizontal and vertical geometry for the ditch you can use point controls in the modeler. Assign the point in the ditch a point control to follow a specified geometry (see image). This same method can be done using a feature rather than geometry. And you can mix use a feature for horizontal and geometry for the vertical. There are offset options so you can basically make a ditch completely independent of the roadway geometry.

Thank you for yor help, guys.  I am now able to utilize special profiles for the right/left ditches.

One more question as I trudge through this.  When I Draw Cross-Sections from Surfaces the point names are all pre-pended with the chain name (i.e. EP_L becomes S-EP_L, etc., etc.)  This screws up the cross-section labeler since it is looking for EP_L, for example.  I know I can re-point to the S-EP_L point names, but this defeats the purpose of setting up label styles.  How do I NOT pre-pend the point names so I end up with EP_L, for example?

Thanks,

Josh

The Corridor or chain name is probably being added because you are creating the surface(s) with the "New Surface for Each Corridor" toggle OFF. This is the option used to merge several Corridors into one Surface Model with a specified name. If you toggle ON the "New Sur..." option each Corridor will generate a separate "mySurface.dtm" and eliminate the need for prefixes being added to the features. The ability to merge corridors does require some method for naming features that does not append or overwrite features with the same name in a prior processed corridor.

If you are merging several corridors then this prefix is needed. If you are not merging corridors the toggle can be ON with no problems.

I am not familiar with the cross-section labeler you mention but I suspect it is a GeoPak equivalent to the InRoads Cross Section Annotation either way you now know how to control the feature prefix.

Thanks again, guys.

Here is where I am at now.  So far I have successfully:

Imported a ddb file, existing surface, gpk chains/profiles.
Created a template that is pretty close to what I typically use.  It needs a bit of work.
Processed this template along an alignment and profile in even 5-ft increments.
Drawn Cross-sections using previoiusly drawn GEOPAK pattern lines.

I am now tring to run GEOPAK Earthwork, and I am finding that CM's end conditions don't tie to exisitng ground very well (not as well as GEOPAK).  I have increased my EW tolerance to 0.5, and EW still does not work on several sections.  How do I get CM to draw more accurately? (SEE XS_1081.609.DGN)

Also, GEOPAK allowed the top and bottom of pavement/base layers, C&G, etc. to be drawn with different symbologies.  This allowed EW to accurately calculate EW.  For instance, CM is calcuating the end area of ROADWAY_BASE as if it includes the shoulder and pavement. (SEE XS_1000.DGN and xslog.txt)

Also, the ewlog.txt does not show any end areas and volumes for shoulder and pavement.  I don't necesarily need a pavement volume, but I do need a volume for aggregate shoulder.  I thought if I calculated these they might not be included in the base area/volume calcs.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I work through learning CM, but this is it for now.

Thank you,

Josh