Yes. The modeling process should be run from a 3D design file. This will also assist in viewing and working with the model once it is completed.
The Roadway Modeler can be access by first opening a Site project using the menu item Applications > GEOPAK Road > Site Modeling. The Model Builder dialog is accessed through the menu item Modeler > Tools > Model Builder.
No. The Model Builder tool only shows up when using the Site Modeling option from the GEOPAK Road menu. It will not show up when using the GEOPAK Site menu.
No. It is recommended to only process 2500' - 3000' (700 m - 900 m) at a time. A Microstation shape can be placed around the desired processing area. This shape can be selected using the Processing Area option on the Processing tab of the dialog.
A radial can be thought of as a small pattern line. It will determine the location at which a criteria file is executed, and the search path for the criteria. The radial locations are determined by the program.
The radial locations are determined by the program. The radial frequency can be adjusted by using the Linear Stroking and Curve Stroking tolerances in the Site Preferences dialog found in Modeler > Project > Preferences.
The Rotate View and DTM Camera tools can be used to view the model in 3D. Many of the Site Analysis tools can be used to evaluate the model. The Profile tool (Modeler > Analysis > Profiles) can show a cross sectional view at a user defined location. The Draw Cross Section tool (Modeler > Object > Draw Cross Sections) can be used to create cross sections of the model.
Yes. The Draw Cross Sections tool from the Modeler menu (Modeler > Object > Draw Cross Sections) can be used to cut cross sections from the Objects in the model.
Shapes drawn with GEOPAK versions prior to GEOPAK 2004 Edition may contain knots and anomalies that cause problems in the modeling process. All shapes previously drawn using versions of GEOPAK prior to GEOPAK 2004 Edition should be deleted and re-drawn using the current version. This includes both autoshapes and manually created shapes.
When creating superelevation shapes, the filler lines should always be defined perpendicular to the shape baseline.
Multiple shape clusters can be listed inside the Model Builder dialog. However, only one cluster from the list can be selected at a time to be processed.
Yes. Plan view graphics must be placed in the plan view and then associated with a criteria file via graphic symbology or DDB feature in order for the criteria file to be executed.
Yes. There are often items such as slope lines or medians that are not typically drawn into the plan view. But since the modeler uses plan view graphics to determine the criteria file to process, there must be a plan graphic for these types of items.
No. The plan graphics must reside in the modeling file. This is a limitation of GEOPAK Site.
Correct plan graphics are essential to the creation of an accurate model. Areas such as intersections and transitions should be detailed in order for the model to draw correctly through these areas.
Yes. Equally as important as the location and detail of the plan graphics is that the graphics are clean. Problems such as gaps, overlaps, knots and duplicate elements create problems when processing the model.
Yes. Gaps, overlaps and duplicate elements can be detected and corrected using the MicroStation Design File Cleanup tool. This tool can be accessed form Utilities > Data Cleanup on the main MicroStation menu.
No. This cannot be done in a drawing that will be used for modeling purposes. The model would stop on either side of the deleted element and not continue through the gapped area. A clip mask should be used instead of the partial delete.
If the item is used to kick-off a criteria file, yes, the item needs to be set up as a plan graphic item. The following guidelines can be used.
If the element is only used in the criteria, it only needs to be listed as a define_dgn element, and not as a plan graphic.
If the element is only used to kick-off a criteria file, it only needs to be listed as a plan graphic element, and not as a define_dgn.
If the element is used both to kick-off a criteria file, and in the criteria, it needs to be listed as both a define_dgn and plan graphic.
A couple of modifications and considerations need to be made to any existing criteria:
Yes, although the workflow is a little different. In standard cross section criteria, the marked points are remembered between criteria files along a pattern line. When the next station is processed, all marked points are deleted and then stored again as required by the criteria.
This same concept does not work for roadway modeling. The radials for the first criteria file are not the same as the radials for the second criteria file. Another issue is the order of processing. In modeling, a single criteria file is run for all of it's radials before another criteria file is processed. The marked points that would be remembered for the second criteria file would only exist on that last radial that was processed.
In order to make marked points available between criteria files in the modeling process, the marked points are remembered for each radial. Similar marked points are then connected into a linear element between each radial. If a subsequent criteria file then uses this marked point, then the intersection between the subsequent criteria file's radial and the marked point linear element is used.
No. A station range cannot be specified for a particular criteria file.
Yes. Redefinable variables can still be used and modified based on station ranges.
No. Unfortunately, this workflow is not available when using the modeling process. It is recommended that a redefinable variable be defined in the criteria where it is being used. However, you can define the variables in a separate file such as a "variables.x", and include that file in each of your other criteria files as needed.
Cross Section view Define_DGN elements in a modeler context can be defined using the surface components. For example:
Define_DGN "Pavement Top" feature type = ^Pavement^ surface type = ^PFG^
... Draw skip dx=0 dy=-1 to XS "Pavement Top"
No. At this time shapeless criteria is not supported.
Yes. Criteria Viewer is available inside the Process Viewer Toolbar. Note: Once the criteria viewer is invoked, the user must exit out of the model to discontinue the use of the criteria viewer.
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