Hello,
If I have a site that I want to grade using two different configurations whats the propoer hierarchy of everything? I am confused as to sites-grading groups-surfaces and how they mesh.
Concept A - Site with FFE of 471
Concept B - Site with FFE of 465
Due to the way C3D utilizes topologies I recommend you prepare each model in separate files. Every featureline must reside in a site and a featureline can only belong to one site, so you'll have to create 2 sets of data. To try to do it all in one drawing would be impractical.
I should mention that you'll want to store the existing terrain surface model in a separate drawing and use data shortcuts to share it between the design drawings.
If I can ask a question - What would happen if I just used two different "finished" surfaces and used volumes based on a comparison between each and the existing surface?
That is typically the way to compute volumes. Did you have some other approach in mind?
If I can clarify, ONE file with THREE surfaces...........
Existing Surface E
Proposed Surface A
Proposed Surface B
I would compare A against E and B against E
You can do it that way, but the surfaces do not have to be in the same file. I would create concepts A and B in separate files, each with it's own finished surface. Then I'd create a 3rd file and use shortcuts to all 3 surfaces for comparing the volumes.
If on 2013 or 2014 use the Volumes Dashboard on Analyze Tab of Ribbon and Create a new volume surface using your EG as Base surface and proposed as comparison surface. Volumes Dashboard is also available as a subscription extension add on to 2012.
Note: you may also want to offset the Floor surfaces downward to account for actual excavation limits.
Merely comparing EG to FFE won't include total excavation ie: subgrade excavation etc.
I agree 100% with separate files. It makes things nicer and cleaner moving forward. Less Fline/grading management.
All surfaces can be D'refed into an analysis file for comparison.
John Mayo
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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