Dataset
Open or create the following files: *.DGN, *.GSF, and *.SPF. These three files will all be tied to specific projects. The Element GUIDs are saved in the *.DGN file, so generally one *.DGN file will be used for design. Elements can also be redisplayed in new *.DGN files. The *.GSF file is where the project, sites (Models), surfaces (Objects), and referenced GUIDs for the elements are saved. Lastly, the *.SPF file is the preference file. This file contains the settings under Site Modeler > Tools > Options. This location until is not available until after an active site has been created or opened.
Creating a new Site Project: File > New > Site Modeler.
Figure 1: New Site Modeler Project
Next, import a "Base Surface" or an Existing Ground. File > New > Surface Modeler. This "base surface" will be placed under the Orphan Surfaces. The "From Surface" is searching the surfaces open in InRoads (.*DTM). To get the "Use as Base Surface for Active Site" active, toggle off "Add to Active Site". After importing the Base Surface, the graphics are displayed. These graphics are displyed with the preferences defined in the *.SPF file for that specific Surface Type but can be changed under Site Modeler > Surface > Edit. If the changes are made under the Surface > Edit command, it will be only for that specific surface. This workflow will not automatically update the *.SPF file. These graphics are temporary graphics and are not part of the *.DGN file. When using the zoom or pan, the graphics are redisplayed or regenerated.
Figure 2: New Base Surface (Existing Ground)
Next, create a new Site. This can be different Phases of the project, different building pads, etc. Using the same "New" dialog (File > New > Site Modeler), a new Site can be added.
Figure 3: New Site
Now that the files are open and set up to start designing, the next step will be to create Surfaces and Elements for the Active Site. The first workflow to look at is a Pad Design. Step one of the Pad design, define if a new surface needs to be created or if this pad will be placed in an existing surface. If creating a new surface, the "Multiple Pads per New Surface" should be used. Define the Surface Type and decide if the pad is to be placed into the Active Site. If the "Add to Active Site" is toggled off, that surface will be added to the Orphan Surface list.
Figure 4: Create Pad - Step 1
Step two of the Pad Design will ask to define the elevation of this pad and select the graphic that will be used for the shape of the pad. For this example, the pad will have a constant elevation.
Figure 5: Create Pad - Step 2
The last step of the Pad Design Wizard defines the slopes coming off the pad. This can be a simple slope (one constant slope) or a complex slope. Once hitting Apply, a new Surface is created for the pad and a site element. The graphic can be moved in the design file and the graphics will automatically update the slopes using the Base Surface defined for the Site. This can be changed under Site Modeler > Site > Edit > FIFO > Base Surface.
Figure 6: Create Pad - Step 3
The next step of a basic workflow is to create a parking lot. Using construction elements in MicroStation, create a temporary sloped surface and drape elements onto that surface. (Green dashed lines are the construction elements)
Figure 7: Construction Elements are in the green dashed line.
The first step of this process will be to create the sloped surface. The reason for this workflow is to have the parking lot sloped away from the building. First, create a new temporary surface to hold the construction elements. Next, import the element inside the building into a temporary surface. This element inside the building will be at a constaint elevation (same elevation as the building)
Figure 8: Import Construction Element 1
Then, import the outer element (that contains the entire parking lot), set the elevation to be sloped, and toggle on "Use Reference Association". Use the target button next to the Reference field to select the inner element. The settings below will show that the elevation will slope away from the building at a 1% slope.
Figure 9: Import Construction Element 2
This completes the workflow to create a temporary surface for the parking lot. Now, place all the elements into a new surface while draping them onto the temparary surface that contains the proper elevations. Currently, the Power Selector in MicroStation cannot be used to import multiple graphics at a single time.
Figure 10: Drape an element onto a surface
After importing the elements to define the location of the islands and edge of parking lot, we will create "Sections" for the curb and sidewalk (Site Modeler > Element > Define Section). The sections along the outside of parking lot will have a feature type of Boundary so that no triangles are created outside the parking lot's boundary while the islands will have a feature type of Breakline.
Figure 11: Adding Curb and Sidewalk with Sections
Define the Direction for the placement of the section. Once the direction is selected, hit Apply. This will create the sections specified in Define Section command.
Figure 12: Selecting Direction of Section Figure 13: Curb and Sidewalk
Next step of the basic design workflow will be to create a pond for the site. This may be accomplished by using the Pond Wizard (Site Modeler > Surface > Pond Wizard) or by creating the pond manually by importing an element. First step is to create a new surface for the pond. In this example, the pond will be created from the bottom up to the top. The graphic shape selected will be the bottom of the pond.
Figure 14: Import Pond Element
The next step will be to run Volume Calculations (Site Modeler > Site Tools > Site Volume). In this example, the volume calculations are between the Building Pad and the Site.
Figure 15: Define the Calculation Set up
An Output ASCII file may be created.
Figure 16: Define Output File
Lastly, export the surfaces to InRoads (Site Modeler > Site Tools > Create Surface). To run other Volume commands, create Cross Sections, etc export the surfaces to InRoads.
Figure 17: Create Surface
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