Message: Error Building Site Model

Hi Chris,

Short answer is that there are a few possible reasons for the message.

1) The data within the project (maybe some element within one of the objects), is causing problems for the triangulation engine. This is unusual, but possible.

2) In an Object, one or more of the elements are outside the plan view area of the Model base. This will cause the side slopes to not build for that Object - and may give that message.

3) The side slope engine is failing at a location (and typically its only one location) due to a math problem. This will also give that error message.

To debug this message, I'd typically begin pulling the Objects out of the Model starting with the last one in the list, and then "process" the Model. Once the Model begins to rebuild again, you will have found the Object that causes the problem. This narrows the issue.

Once you have found the offending Object, see if any of its elements are outside the plan view extremities of the Model. If any are - then you have found the problem.

If not, I'd typically add that Object back into the Model and see if the error occurs again. Occasionally this sort of "rebuild" will solve the issue.

If not, try changing the slopes on that Object. For example, if the slopes are 3:1, change them to 4:1 and reprocess. Does this fix the problem? If yes, then you have (unfortunately) stumbled on a math problem. Please contact Support.

Occasionally its element based - which is the most difficult to debug. If you have attempted the previous suggestions and have not found the problem, you may need to begin looking at the elements in the Object. Look for duplicate elements - elements that are the same plan view location (or are co-incident for a portion of their length) but have different elevations. Or a location where elements come together but have different elevations. This should not occur - but they may not be exactly the same XY co-ords, and have significantly different Z values. This can causes issues for the side slope engine trying to "solve" what is the intent and result when, from a mathematical perspective, there is no solution. Fix these elements and the side slopes should build again.

There may well be other things that can cause that message - but these are the major offenders and typically this is the procedure I'd be using to try and debug the situation.

HTHs.

Thanks for that Michael.

 It wasnt a job of mine that had the problem so I spent most the day yesterday searching and found several overlapping elements and an instance where an element was set to drape over a small portion of EG surface which was non existant.

Appears to have fixed it by remedying these problems.

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks for that Michael.

 It wasnt a job of mine that had the problem so I spent most the day yesterday searching and found several overlapping elements and an instance where an element was set to drape over a small portion of EG surface which was non existant.

Appears to have fixed it by remedying these problems.

Cheers,

Chris

Nice piece of detective work Frosty!

Those are great troubleshooting techniques Michael.Another one I've used is to create a new model and start adding objects..kind if a reverse method than yours. That way you can keep the working model intact while troubleshooting. Someday I hope someone compiles a list of such techniques someday. Perhaps they could be added to the help system as well.