The *.SPF File contains the default settings for the Site Modeler Project. These settings can be created under Site Modeler > Tools > Options. This location is only available after a current Site Project is set active. The default preferences contain the following attributes: Tolerances, Visualization, Surfaces, and Updates. These preferences will be used when designing new projects.
The accuracy level the model is built can be defined under Tolerances. Linear Stroking will define the interval on which interpolated data is generated on linear elements. Curve Stroking will provide a similar type of situation for curve elements. Corner Stroking provides the changes of direction at the external edges of the site object and determines the number of radials projected to the existing surface to create the side slopes at the changes of direction. B-spline Profile Stroking will stroke the profiles created in the Edit Profile tool to determine the number of vertices returned to the plan view graphics and there for to the site model. Maximum Triangle Length is the maximum external triangle length applied to any specific object.
Figure 1: Tolerances
General: Define if the Active Site and Active Surface will be continuously viewed during design procedure. Contour Smoothing has three settings: None, Three Point, and B-spline. None will obviously have no smoothing (created contours from triangle edge to triangle edge). Three point provide a simple curve at the intersection at each of the contour lines. B-spline will use a complex calculation that includes every point in the surface. It is recommended that this should not be used during design phase as it uses a large amount of memory. Construction Elements are site elements that are being created that are not added to a Surface.
General" border="0" alt="Visualization > General" src="/photos/roads-gallery/images/114089/440x375.aspx" />Figure 2: Visualization > General
Site: Sets a visualization that will be applied to any new Site being created.
Site" border="0" alt="Visualization > Site" src="/photos/roads-gallery/images/114090/444x375.aspx" />Figure 3: Visualization > Site
The Site Modeler has a number of predefined Surfaces which can be edited. These can be modified, removed, or add additional Surface types. When adding a new Surface type to the list, create the new type prior to setting the style or attributes. Otherwise, the settings will be lost.
General" border="0" alt="Surfaces > General" src="/photos/roads-gallery/images/114091/442x375.aspx" />Figure 4: Surfaces > General
Auto Update Site is automatically set to be on. This will automatically save the Site any time there is a new Element added to the Site. If the Auto Update is turned off, manual updates can be made to the Site by going to Site Modeler > Site > Edit > FIFO > Process. The Prompt for Element deletion can be turned on/off. When turned on, it will ask to verify the process when there is an attempt to delete an element.
General" border="0" alt="Update > General" src="/photos/roads-gallery/images/114092/440x375.aspx" />Figure 5: Update > General
The *.GSF File contains the actual Site Modeler Project(s). The following is included in the *.GSF file: Site Projects, Sites, Surfaces, Elements Referenced GUIDs, and the preferences of those objects. Once the *.SPF file is open, the Site Modeler will take the default preferences defined under Site Modeler > Tools > Options. Manual changes can be made to the preferences for individual Sites/Surfaces/Elements without updating the *.SPF File. (i.e.- It is possible to have different attributes for a single Element without changing the *.SPF File) To update the *.SPF File, a Save As must be processed. To update the visualization for all of the Sites/Surfaces/ or Elements, make the edits under Site Modeler > Tools > Options and it will prompt to update Project.Create a Site Project before creating a *.SPF File. The ability to create Surfaces and Elements are available after creating the project. Elements can be created and placed into an Active Site without being in an active Surface. Surfaces can be added to the project without being added to a Site. These will be under the "Orphan Surfaces" and are usually the Existing Ground.
The elements for the project are saved in the *.DGN file and are linked to the product with the GUID (Graphic Unique ID). When the Modeler closes the product will ask, "Do you want to lock the Site Elements?" This locks the elements while Modeler is closed so no modification can be made to the elements by mistake. When the Modeler opens the project again, it unlocks the graphical elements (if they were locked). (One caveat - "section" elements are always locked)
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