I need the existing utility lines to display on my cross section set. My problem is that the underground utilities were not defined in the survey; however, they are located and shown as smartlines on the plan. Can I convert these lines to a feature using the existing lines or use them as a template (I.e. define them using "Place Feature...") and if so, would I need to special when I create my cross sections to have them displayed properly?
I'm using Microstation V8.5 and inroads 2004 (due to client restrictions) and I'm fairly new at InRoads. Any help, even a general direction as to where I should start, would be of great help.
Thanks, in advance!
-Dom
InRoads can treat utilities as utilities or as features. Both can import smart lines - the key to success is having appropriate styles setup for their display once imported.
In my opinion, using features is easier and more universally available throughout the product. When importing, you have the option of using the smart line elevations or draping the features on the surface (with an optional vertical offset as in vertical depth of cover.) When draping, you can drape the entire smartline or only its vertices. Also, after the feature is in the surface, you can edit the feature points to modify them if needed. Finally, some people keep utility features in their own DTM rather than using the existing ground DTM. I believe it is a good choice.
Depending upon your needs, you will want crossing points and annotation enabled for cross sections on any features you define - and if you need different displays for similar utilities, you may need multiple features.
I also recommend using the Feature Properties dialog box after import to add information to the imported features - there is a description and a parent field where you can place some type of text information that can then be added to a label when you annotate features in cross sections. In Theory, you can even use the Name field, but since names need to be unique, their use is not something I would count on.
It will take a little time to set up the various styles and also the Annotate Features in Cross Section command preferences, but when you are finished, the time savings to display and annotate any crossing feature will quickly be recouped.
Charles (Chuck) Rheault CADD Manager
MDOT State Highway Administration
I think I may still be doing it incorrectly, like I said I'm new with InRoads so please bare with me. This is what I've done so far:
I created a new Surface DTM called Existing_Utilities. Then I isolated the gas lines on the plans and placed a fence around them. I imported surface "From Graphics" with
Surface: Existing_Utilities
Load From: Fence (I also tried single element and highlighted each individual line)
Elevations: Drape Surface
Intercept Surface: ExistingSurface
I created a seed name E-GAS with a feature style for a 4" pipe and used "Random" as my point type. I do not have a horizontal or vertical offset feature on my version of InRoads. I also chose Exclude from Triangulation.
I went into properties and gave everything a name and description. They all have the same style in this case, so I left it alone as 4" Pipe.
Finally, I created cross sections using the Existing_Utilities Surface only. I included everything I could (crossing features, components, annotate, etc) but nothing is being displayed on the cross sections.
Could my problem be from a faulty feature style or did I miss something?
Thanks for the information so far!
If you're creating a new surface, generally you need to triangulate it. Un-check "Exclude From Triangulation".
I have also tried that with the same results. The reason I checked off "Exclude..." was because the help menu said to choose that option when creating underground utilities. I can still triangulate the surface with the box clicked, there are just no actual triangles.
You need to use this surface which has no triangles with another surface that does. If you have cut cross sections, all you need to do is use the Update Cross Section tool to add crossing features.
If you have not cut cross sections, that is where you need to specify at least one surface with triangles. I generally do not try to include features during the initial cutting of sections as the tools for isolating features are not offered in that interface.
I recommend using breakline as your point type. If you use random, there are some limitations that a breakline does not suffer from. You are correct about excluding from Triangulation.
Dear cadcop,
I am not a CAD user but I am trying to plan a workflow somewhat in the dark.
We are working on the preliminary engineering for a multi disciplinary infrastructure project in the middle east but the lead discipline is Rail. The Rail team are using Bentley RailTrack. A large amount of the effort will be in producing utility drawings including plans and sections of utility crossings with rail and road alignments.
Existing utilities will be coming from multiple owners in dumb 2D CAD format. It has been recommended to me to model these in InRoads in order to automate the production of cross sections at crossings with the rail alignment (and roads at road crossing points).
So my questions:
1) Do you agree that InRoads is the most suitable software for this?
2) When we import our 2D lines from autocad / microstation to Inroads should we import as a drainage or as a DTM. My plan is to import and create the Z values from the standard cover from the existing surface DEM. I consider this sufficiently accurate for Prelim design.
3) I understand from your post that the key to get them to display properly is the proper setting up of the Styles. Do these Styles need to be set up properly before the import process or can we just start with the names and go back and fix them after. (We will have over 3000 sheets from various utility owners to import and waiting for all the Styles to be set up would be difficult).
4) Could you recommend any good manuals / tutorials that cover the "how" of the above so I can refer my graduate engineer to work it out.
Thanks in anticipation,
Anthony