Order of inserting surface definitions

[jhein5762]

Is there a specific order required when inserting defitions to a surface. I have points that I want to insert as well as breaklines. I get different results when inserting breaklines first compared to points first. Also, I've tried inserting the points a few at a time compared to all at once and I get different results again. Am I missing a fundamental step regarding adding surface definitions?

[Anonymous]

Surfaces are built in the order of operations on the Definition tab at
the bottom. This means that order of operations DOES indeed matter. I'd
suggest points, then breaklines in your case. If oyu need to change the
order, there are arrows on the left hand side to push things up and down
in the process.

HTH
James Wedding, P.E.

[jhein5762]

Thanks...

Do you know why points inserted a few at a time would result in contours showing differently then when all the points were inserted at the same time?

[jhein5762]

I'm using Civil 3D 2010, I'm not seeing the arrows to change the order of operations. Edited by: jheinz5762 on Jan 14, 2010 3:54 PM

[Civil3DReminders_com]

The minimize flat area may have something to do with it (which is added when you add contours) and the order of operations as mentioned by James. I usually move the minimize flat areas to the last operation in the surface operation to avoid unintended consequences of having additional points added to the surface to minimize any flat areas on the surface which may conflict with points or breaklines added after the contours have been added.

Christopher

[jhein5762]

I'm not adding contours, I'm letting the surface create the contours. And I still can't find the location to change the order of operations.

[Civil3DReminders_com]

I chose a really poor surface to show you on but, here's a screencast: http://screencast.com/t/ZjhiZTY4M2Qt

If the surface had more than one operation you would see the items move up and down.

Christopher
http://blog.civil3dreminders.com/

[jhein5762]

Thank you so much Christopher. So, how do I determine what order of operations is the proper one? Or does it not matter, as long as I insert the definitions in the order of operation that they are set up as.

[Civil3DReminders_com]

Since I'm underemployed right now, I'd say you hire me and I'll make the determination on what the correct order of operations should be.

On a more serious note its up to what the actual surface looks like and how to get the point data to represent the actual real life surface.

Christopher

[jhein5762]

Oh, I see... Now that I understand it's not a C3D thing, but moreso an analysis of the point data, I guess it would have looked like I was asking you to do my job. 😉

Thanks for the help.